Kitting out the KLX

[Paladin]

Hmmmm.... research this I shall. I assumed because it said 2008 on the rego that it was a 2008. would be stoked if it was a 2009

It's the 2009 model, but they started selling it in February 2008 approx.

While you're kitting it out, you might want to consider some Barkbusters - with lime green guards of course!!! I was too lazy to drill out the plugs in the ends of the stock bars so also put on a set of medium Zeta Enduro Comp bars that the Barkbusters fit into perfectly! Trail ride mud optional!

How do you find the seat on your KLX?
Mine seems pretty soft, give it half an hour on the road and feels like I have sunk too far into it. Would rather it was a bit firmer.
That would need to be sorted before I tried any touring like you are embarking on.

Good on you with the mods to get the luggage on.

Personally I find the seat too hard, just got me a black sheepskin today - I reckon it's a must if considering 250-300kms in a day and even more of a must if going touring when you'll be on the bike so much day in day out!

Cheers,
Dave

[3L4NS1R]

It's the 2009 model, but they started selling it in February 2008 approx.

While you're kitting it out, you might want to consider some Barkbusters - with lime green guards of course!!!


Personally I find the seat too hard

Yeap, some barkbusters coming next payday! Took it for a bit of a longer blat this weekend (see Cape Reinga and Back thread for details). Think I'm going to change back to the 14t sprocket, just loses too much power, have to change down for any rise in the road etc. and I end up spending most of the time in 5th...

Anyone done some mods to the engines? On a few other forums it seems the carbs and pipes are the first to change, anyone done those yet?

And after 1500kms in 3 days, +1 for a too harder seat. Mite go find me a sheep, and where's my knife? The alternative is new foam and covering, and thats a bit too fiddly/expensive for me atm.

[MXNUT]

Anyone done some mods to the engines? On a few other forums it seems the carbs and pipes are the first to change, anyone done those yet?

I had a 98 KLX250 which was the off road model and i fitted the larger diameter header pipe with the standard muffler. I also removed the rubber snorkel from the top of the air box. Made a reasonable difference to the power and i didnt have to rejet the carb.

Header pipe was quite reasonable too, around $120.00 from memory .

[Rosie]

The alternative is new foam and covering, and thats a bit too fiddly/expensive for me atm.

Electric breadknife and a staple gun
I shaved some of the foam off the sherpa's seat, contact adhered on a layer of closed cell foam (cheap bed roll from the warehouse), and a layer of soft foam (offcut from an upholsterer I think, Para rubber would have something similar though), and shaped it some more. Bought some vinyl from spotlight ($18 a metre - which gives you enough to make two covers), leave it out in the sun to soften the vinyl and staple it to the seat pan (I needed an extra pair of hands for this bit, but did the rest myself).

[3L4NS1R]

I had a 98 KLX250 which was the off road model and i fitted the larger diameter header pipe with the standard muffler. I also removed the rubber snorkel from the top of the air box. Made a reasonable difference to the power and i didnt have to rejet the carb.

I heard that makes the bike run lean? leading to possible overheating issues?

[Paladin]

And after 1500kms in 3 days, +1 for a too harder seat. Mite go find me a sheep, and where's my knife? The alternative is new foam and covering, and thats a bit too fiddly/expensive for me atm.

1500kms in 3 days!!!!!!! Hardcore!!!!

My arse was killing me after 550 ish in 2 days this past weekend! Yeah if you're doing that kinda km's get the sheep sharpish I reckon - can't wait to try mine out on a long run hopefully this weekend!

Dave

[3L4NS1R]

It was only meant to be 1000kms, but my mate had a tumble on the gravel near cape reinga and broke his leg, so out comes the speed relays finding help, retrieving bikes, and finding accom at 1am in northland etc.

needless to say im in the cage for the next coupla days for getting around while my bike and me recover...

gives me a chance to find some sheep that dont need thier skin as well.

[thommo77]

I heard that makes the bike run lean? leading to possible overheating issues?

I believe it's only a real issue at altitude?

[3L4NS1R]

I believe it's only a real issue at altitude?

hmmm... might be right there... definatly makes it sound more thumpery by opening up the airbox...

[MXNUT]

I heard that makes the bike run lean? leading to possible overheating issues?

I ran the bike like this for 4 years and revved it to the moon on trail rides keeping up with mates on WR400 s and never had any engine issues at all.

I never even checked the valve clearances ( ran synthetic engine oil ).

[NordieBoy]

I believe it's only a real issue at altitude?

Richer at altitude.

[NordieBoy]

hmmm... might be right there... definatly makes it sound more thumpery by opening up the airbox...

If you open the airbox you are making it leaner.
May just be fractionally unless you put a more open pipe on but then you'd def need to re-jet.

[3L4NS1R]

May just be fractionally unless you put a more open pipe on but then you'd def need to re-jet.

Yeah, thats what I feared. Does it actually increase performance at all by making it leaner?

Ah well, next time I have some spare cash floating around, the order for a dynojet is going in..

[NordieBoy]

Yeah, thats what I feared. Does it actually increase performance at all by making it leaner?

Ah well, next time I have some spare cash floating around, the order for a dynojet is going in..

Best performance is when it's jetted properly.

[Paladin]

OK, call me a wuss but ya know what would be really nice when stuck out in the middle of freekin nowhere with a puncture? A centre stand!!