Now that's a warranty

[warewolf]

Really ? run your bike on inferior oil why would you do that

Because KLRs are not high performance bikes, really they are as cheap as their owners! You don't need top-shelf megabuck oil in an ordinary engine. Semi-synth is a good call, but about the max quality I'd put in a bike of that calibre.

Plus, a lesser quality oil may let the piston rings stay bedded in better, resulting in lower consumption. Ya know, along the lines of the run-it-in-on-mineral-oil idea.

[Quasievil]

Because KLRs are not high performance bikes, really they are as cheap as their owners! You don't need top-shelf megabuck oil in an ordinary engine. Semi-synth is a good call, but about the max quality I'd put in a bike of that calibre.

Plus, a lesser quality oil may let the piston rings stay bedded in better, resulting in lower consumption. Ya know, along the lines of the run-it-in-on-mineral-oil idea.

Ya reckon, a big single revs higher than a than 1 cylinder from a 4 cylinder bike at speed, so the performance is generally high.

You can buy a good quality Synthetic oil for around $70 which isnt really a huge amount in the scale of things.
I dont understand the ring thing you mean, temperatures are higher in a Mineral based oil engine and temps run lower in a synthetic based engine, if the rings are better bedded in it would be by fusion of the metals???

Not sure what you mean on that one dude.

[warewolf]

Ya reckon, a big single revs higher than a than 1 cylinder from a 4 cylinder bike at speed, so the performance is generally high.

That's debatable, actually the revs would be lower but the mass- and stroke-induced stress would be higher on the single.

The KLR is a low-tech, modest relaxed ouput, 20+ year old, cheap road/trail bike for the masses. Very good at its design brief, but it's not highly strung, nor built with fine tolerances and high output stresses that would demand top-notch oil. Note I am not saying top notch oil isn't better, just saying on this bike it is not necessary.

You can buy a good quality Synthetic oil for around $70 which isnt really a huge amount in the scale of things.

Might be to a cheap KLR-owning bastard (some of my best friends are bastards etc etc) and semi-synth will always be cheaper again at the same discount/margin.

I dont understand the ring thing you mean, temperatures are higher in a Mineral based oil engine and temps run lower in a synthetic based engine, if the rings are better bedded in it would be by fusion of the metals???

What I mean is that it is often recommended to run bikes in on other than full synth oils, the reason given is that the rings get better contact with the bore, so bed in and seal better. If the bike is consuming oil, then it could be because the bores are glazed (perhaps due to low combustion stresses), the rings not sealing properly, and need better contact with the bores a la run-in method.

If the rings are sealing properly, then you'll get less blow-by, less oil dilution from petrol which is better for every oil-lubricated moving part in the engine, better combustion so probably better economy - all from an oil that is ostensibly inferior to full synth.

"Fit for purpose" is my thinking here.

[Oscar]

What I mean is that it is often recommended to run bikes in on other than full synth oils, the reason given is that the rings get better contact with the bore, so bed in and seal better. If the bike is consuming oil, then it could be because the bores are glazed (perhaps due to low combustion stresses), the rings not sealing properly, and need better contact with the bores a la run-in method.

If the rings are sealing properly, then you'll get less blow-by, less oil dilution from petrol which is better for every oil-lubricated moving part in the engine, better combustion so probably better economy - all from an oil that is ostensibly inferior to full synth.

"Fit for purpose" is my thinking here.

I agree.
Running a newish engine on synth or semi-synth is not going to help the rings bed in. You'll get a glaze rather than a seal.

[Bass]

I agree.
Running a newish engine on synth or semi-synth is not going to help the rings bed in. You'll get a glaze rather than a seal.

Hear hear!
The problem is that the fully synthetic IS a better oil than the mineral base to the extent that it can threaten the clutch operation on some designs.
The bedding-in process is actually a mild honing where the rings and the bore abrade each other to achieve a sealing fit.
Top quality synthetics can lower the coefficient of friction to the point where this doesn't happen and so the rings never seal properly.
Run in on a mineral oil and then change to synthetic (if the clutch will cope) is the way to go.

[pete376403]

This is one of the things Motorad told me after they replaced the rings in my KLR - use semi-synth (or straight mineral) rather than synthetic. So thats whats it got and it seems to be working.

I suspect another reason for the oil issue is crankcase pressurisation - it's a big piston so there is a lot of air moving around in the cases. If the breather system is less than adequate,pressure will build up and push oil down the guides or up past the rings (esp at times of high cylinder vacuum eg on overrun). Some of the tips of the KLR forums advise putting an automotive PCV in the breather hose between the crankcase and the airbox. (as already noted by Woodman)

[Woodman]

Once the rings are bedded you should be able to run any oil you want. What must be remembered is that a ring is basically a seal therefore the smoothest surface they can run on the better. A ring only seals on the bottom of the ring land and the bore.

Just imagine if you could harness the two suction strokes into the crank case to feed the one inlet filling stroke of the cylinder. Thats a 2 to 1 supercharging effect. Off topic I know but interesting.

[marks]

Good luck Marks! Lets hope they do you right. I am sure they are good to deal with. But there is one reason why they are so keen to please. Thats because there have already been cases of your model of bike being oil guzzlers. Lets hope they sort out the problem 1st time.

Good luck!

When I first spoke to them some months ago it was 'oh thats odd - we'll have to talk to Kawasaki'

I suspect that since then people like you and Pete and thousands of others have made them reluctantly acknowledge that there is a major problem.

The later 08's and all the 09's don't have the problem so as long as they use the same later parts (some earlier repairs replaced faulty rings with more faulty early design rings) than all should be good - or at least a lot better than 1.2l per 1000km

Will they give the ugly fat pig a liposuction, and horsepower implants while they are at it?

You're a fine one to talk - lets see - your bikes only 20-30 kilos heavier and - oh yeah - its no faster up to about 120k's so

Hey Marks

When did you start to notice the oil consumption? Did you keep a note on levels during the oil changes or was it looking at the sight glass on the side & notice it dropping? Or was it billowing smoke?

Ive done 8k so far but hasn't dropped past the sight level yet beween changes (approx 3-4k apart).

After all the paranoia about the 08 I thought it's no big deal if I had to be adding a bit of oil every month or so. What's your story or has it already been written somewhere.

cheers
c

I think yours would be made after they fixed the problem.
Mine used 400-600ml per 1000k when I brought it with 17KM on the clock. Once I started riding it 'enthusiastically' the oil consumption went nuts. Any repeated full throttle stuff between 5000/7000rpm and it gets a serious drinking problem (600ml on a run from Reefton to Picton - I was late for the ferry though ) .

Oil consumption would have reduced the power output by 50% (to 5 hp)....

Its output might be small - but its perfectly formed
I have a lot of fun thrashing a slow loud bike
put me on a 950/990 and I wouldn't last a week - no self control and even less skill

Because KLRs are not high performance bikes, really they are as cheap as their owners! You don't need top-shelf megabuck oil in an ordinary engine. Semi-synth is a good call, but about the max quality I'd put in a bike of that calibre.

you're off my christmas card list

[Paladin]

Come on Mark, stop keeping us all in suspense - what's the new bike?

[marks]

Come on Mark, stop keeping us all in suspense - what's the new bike?

sorry to not be available for Odlins Rd today Dave

here is the first part of my excuse

[pete376403]

So what are you going to do with the "old" one? (which is the correct colour, BTW)

I'd like to get some pictures and measurements of the centrestand, see if I can fabricate one.

[Paladin]

sorry to not be available for Odlins Rd today Dave

here is the first part of my excuse

Well after reading that "Options" list and seeing the price I reckon you are suitably excused from not being available for Odlins today! Looks like a great purchase mate!!!

(am damn jealous!!!)

Am sure a group of us will make Odlins soon enough!

[marks]

Well after reading that "Options" list and seeing the price I reckon you are suitably excused from not being available for Odlins today! Looks like a great purchase mate!!!

(am damn jealous!!!)

Am sure a group of us will make Odlins soon enough!

As an all road tourer its perfect for me as is but as I like doing stuff like Odlins Rd and Orongorongo I will add my Motech crash bars, serrated pegs and rekluse clutch (and the Jardine can to make it sound 'proper') plus the TKC/E09 tires (plus rim locks and heavy duty tubes) off my existing bike. Then I've just got to sort the jetting out a bit and it will be as close to perfect for my needs/skill as you can get.

And yes I am keen to do Odlins Rd soon.

BTW - finished the ride report

[OV Lander]

Spoke to Motorad in Wgtn yesterday re the skyrocketing oil consumption of my KLR. Had a call this morning saying bring it in on 2nd Feb for a fix - no questions - no mileage tests

simply AWESOME.

You are of course assuming that those over priced cowboys can fix it!

[marks]

You are of course assuming that those over priced cowboys can fix it!

where're you been hiding - bout time you dusted off the Dakar and came out for a ride isn't it?

Petes repair seems ok so hopefully they can do it right twice in a row