Northern adv riders

**pocketcracker** · 18th February 2011, 18:07

hi guys i have finally seen the light and jumped over from the dark side .

made the decision and traded the zx10r in and rode out on a klr650. can't wait to do alittle adventure riding. just like to catch up with sum others to do so.

and sum advice on setting bike up.

2010 klr650.

mods so far.

bar risers , bark busters , engine skid plate , hot grips , braided rear lines , sports filter , high way pegs , drop bars , heavy duty chain n sprockets.

could do with topbox n panniers !
radar
gps
maybe seat alteration.

Small spot lights on crash bars. ?

and maybe a 12v wired charging station in top box for fone etc.

any thing im missing ?

**Crim** · 18th February 2011, 18:30

Looking good already

, if you stick a bit of gear on (panniers luggage etc) you can take an inch of the sidestand (can seem to stand too upright with gear) - I would keep an eye on Stu in Timaru (REDKLR) - he has got every farkle under the sun sitting waiting to go on

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...here.../page81

and he promises to post before and after results / shots which will be good and give you an idea on lighting etc (stock KLR are pretty hopeless). If you want to look at cheap farkles check out klr.net or Padmei - Nelson way seems to be able to do most things for under a buck (again on KLR thread)

!

GPS - make sure you get a Garmin of some description - see GPS threads on KB and

http://advroutes.org.nz/

**Taz** · 18th February 2011, 18:36

it needs some mud.

**junkmanjoe** · 18th February 2011, 18:49

dont need to go over board on it.
i never bothered with bar risers..
12v plug socket is handy for gps phone etc..

just ride it for a while get the feel of it till you start loading it up,,as they get real heavy with a bit of kit on them.. i wouldn't shorten the side stand. got a good set of engine bars on there,,

tidy ride..enjoy, and remember theres more roads then tar seal ones....

JMJ

**pete376403** · 18th February 2011, 20:15

Originally Posted by Crim

...and give you an idea on lighting etc (stock KLR are pretty hopeless)...]

Um, old KLRs definitely had dodgy lights. After 2008 KLRs have really f*cking GOOD lights which could put many a street bike to shame. Only thing wrong is that the light unit is reputedly about $600 to replace, so a Ventura light protector is more or less mandatory.

**pete376403** · 18th February 2011, 20:23

Originally Posted by pocketcracker

hi guys i have finally seen the light and jumped over from the dark side .

made the decision and traded the zx10r in and rode out on a klr650. can't wait to do alittle adventure riding. just like to catch up with sum others to do so.

and sum advice on setting bike up.

2010 klr650.

mods so far.

bar risers , bark busters , engine skid plate , hot grips , braided rear lines , sports filter , high way pegs , drop bars , heavy duty chain n sprockets.

could do with topbox n panniers !
radar
gps
maybe seat alteration.

Small spot lights on crash bars. ?

and maybe a 12v wired charging station in top box for fone etc.

any thing im missing ?

Thicker skin for when all the riders of other brands start telling you how misguided you are?

Congrats on the new bike, I had one as soon as they were available and still love it.
I agree with the idea of circumcising the side-stand, they stand just a wee bit too close to vertical, even unladen.

Be aware that farkeling is a bit like Hotel California, once you check in...

**Crim** · 18th February 2011, 20:42

Originally Posted by pete376403

Um, old KLRs definitely had dodgy lights. After 2008 KLRs have really f*cking GOOD lights which could put many a street bike to shame. Only thing wrong is that the light unit is reputedly about $600 to replace, so a Ventura light protector is more or less mandatory.

aaahhhh, didn't know that, hard to believe that those clever blokes at Kwakasaki can improve perfection year in, year out!

**pocketcracker** · 18th February 2011, 22:06

thanks for the advice so far guys ..

shoot in to local kwaka shop and got a ventura light stone guard.

got the local engineering shop to snip alitte of the stand and reweld a decent footing for wet terrain standing.

have had the bike near a week now have found alittle mud and lots of sand but mostly tarseal

8 days ownership and 4k on the clock. at about 350km per tank of gas im over the moon my old zx10r used to drink a tank about ever 180 km.

**pocketcracker** · 18th February 2011, 22:14

gps SUGGEST the garmin ? whys that .. i know nuffing bout these things so i ask lol ..

i see tomtom . navman ,foryou . and other brands on tard me ..

**marks** · 18th February 2011, 22:47

Welcome to the fold pocketcracker

klr is a great choice - fat, slow, mediocre in just about every area - and an absolute shitload of fun

Originally Posted by pete376403

Be aware that farkeling is a bit like Hotel California, once you check in...

especially with a bike like the klr that has so many farkles to choose from

**Gremlin** · 19th February 2011, 01:25

I'm going to take credit for turning you to the dark side, well, ok, my BMW anyway. As a further suggestion, I advise you trade on a BMW

Garmin GPS is good, as it allows the NZ Open GPS maps, open source maps of NZ, released every week, free, and far more accurate than Garmin ones. Topographical also available, and only compatible with Garmin.

**Bliksem** · 28th February 2011, 16:39

+1 for the Garmin (GPSmap 62) and NZ openmaps, would recommend 12V socket to power the GPS as it keep the backlight on, making it a lot easier to see.

Won't bother with radar detector, if you need that, you've taken a wrong turn somewere, or need to change the gps setting to avoid motorways

Congrats on the bike!!