KLR riders out there

[Padmei]

Found this quite interesting thread of a KLR engine stripdown.
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=525199

[Padmei]

Marks how did the new AIS shock go? Transform it to a KTM?

[marks]

Marks how did the new AIS shock go? Transform it to a KTM?

Its lost the armchair ride and I don't know if it is any real help on road but on rougher tracks its much more controlled. The track into Sutherlands hut is pretty lumpy and I was definitely able to worry less about riding around obstacles - it no longer feels crude. I think the $1200 I have spent on suspension (both ends) was a good investment

I'm now very happy with the bike and I'm glad its not a ktm. I rarely use 40hp so what would I do with 100hp other than crash spectacularly - my skill is still (and probably always will be) my limiting factor - not my bike

[Woodman]

I'm now very happy with the bike and I'm glad its not a ktm. I rarely use 40hp so what would I do with 100hp other than crash spectacularly - my skill is still (and probably always will be) my limiting factor - not my bike

coulda written that myself.

[Eddieb]

my skill is still (and probably always will be) crashing whenever a camera is near

Fixed......

[junkmanjoe]

I wish i had a ktm. I rarely use 40hp so what would I do with 100hp other than crash spectacularly - WHEN OTHER PEOPLE ARE WATCHING, (and probably always will be) my limiting factor - not my bike

There thats better...
its ok mark we will help you become a better rider...
it will come to you one day..

JMJ

[Padmei]

Well I have to disagree with you Mark & Woodman about your riding. I can see one of them in your future very soon.

I know what you mean about horse power tho. I def don't need any more.

I think I've finally got the intimators working on Gonzo. I took everything apart, put one in a fork & had a fork without one in & tryed it by pushing on it & releasing it. The difference was apparent tho not as much as I anticipated. I could hear the 'click'.
Going for a ride in the forest I gave the suspension hell & yep no bottoming out & the front did seem to stay on the rocks better. They may have been working all along but now at least I'm sure they're working.

I don't think I'll spring for the rear tho. I'm not intending to race the thing... yet...

Anyway I'm off to do a job at French Pass. I was excited that I could take my bike down until the bloody plumber talked me into taking a 20kg box of solar tubes with me so I'm stuck in a cage for 4 hours today

[Woodman]

We will have to agree to disagree on that one padmei. Don't get me wrong a 950 would be cool, but I just couldn't afford to keep one in good nick.

[Woodman]

Check this out, Truly inspirational.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=473905

[Padmei]

Mawte that was very cool. I'm wanting to take mine out on a laidback & see how it goes (would have to buy some cheap knobs tho) I'll be doing some situps to get the abs ready for the lifting

[Padmei]

Spending a bit of family time here in Blenheim before our trip thru Molesworth etc tomm. I arrived over here via bouncing over the Maunga (squashed my banana in the backpack), scraping the pegs around the Queen Charlotte & driving thru a forest fire & dust storm around the Port Underwood Road.

The riding has been absolutely fantastic. i caught up with Woody2 (Daz) yesterday & we went to the family bach around Port underwood again to get another coating of dust over ourselves.

I have to say without reservation the KLR has been excellent. having the back pack weighting the rear down really kept it stable & took a while to ride without it as the rear would realy like to spin out of the marbly corners.
On the road it handled beautifully smoothly & on the gravel apart from the odd front wallow around the sharp corners it was extremely predictable.

I have always been on the backfoot defending my decision getting Gonzo in the first place but so far on this trip it cannot be faulted.

I'm one happy camper

[marks]

I'm one happy camper

a man of discernment

[veny]

How was Gonzo on the big trip?

Some backfooting here too.
I know the KLR has potential. Allot more than me. lol
But man it's a heavy beast with a full tank.
I came around a LH corner a few weeks ago in Lees Valley and a >100kph? NW gust blew me straight over into the ditch.
Plenty of protective clothing, but still managed a bruised toe through the boot. It got hooked under the gear lever. Ouch.
A few scratches on the bike and a small kink in the radiator. Yep. That radiator was all the incentive needed to swap cash for crash bars.
Kicked myself good and hard for riding gravel without them.

Also fitted some lever protectors. The lever survived as I have them quite loose, but the added protection is good.

Next? New tyres, bash plate and possibly a headlight protector from flying stones. That rear brake hose?
Then onto some luggage...

Not fazed. Only a slight wobble on the back foot.
Or is that black foot? lol. No, the big toe is much better now

We're looking forward to a Gonzo RR...

[Padmei]

Hey Veny
just did a quick RR of the trip over to blenny. Will do one of the Molesworth tonite. Didn't take many pics tho.

You'll probably find, as I did, that the engine vibe is increased with the crashbars on.
The first thing I bought was a headlite protector - in fact the salesman just said when i bought the bike - you're gonna get one even if you don't want one!! They charged me of course but it was because the replacement headlite is silly money.

A ali bash plate would be a good thing too as I broke mine over a couple of good sized rocks.

As for luggage I wouldn't recommend a Ventura Back pack as the rack bent, & broke with bugger all weight & all the zips have their tags broken off. I know a lot of people rave about them but another KLR owner has had his rack bend too. We ended up welding support brackets onto them. I'd go for some saddle bags next time (might even get some made like Undergrounds cool retro ones)

I'm not worried about that rear hose as it has never yet got caught up on anything & I don't seem to use the back much anyway.

The only thing I think I'll buy for Gonzo is a throttle lock thing so I can take my hand off and give it a rest now & then.

Hope your foot gets better & F**k yes when the big behemoth wants to overbalance just get out of the way!!!!

[veny]

RR is looking good.
I'm in, as they say

Fantastic scenery in the Malborough. You're all so lucky living up there!

Veny needs to get to blenny. lol
I put together a guitar amp for my brother once. He called it "The Veny" and the name stuck.
Thanks bro...

The bars do make the bike buzz more with higher rpm.
Let's call it a feature. An incentive to keep the speed down.
Plus there's the bonus of no longer needing to throw oneself in between the ground and bike. lol

Saddle bags would be great. They would keep the weight down lower.
Then a small tent and sleeping bag up top might be Ok.

Starting to day dream now...