KLR650 (07->) speedo accuracy check

**monchopper** · 2nd October 2008, 00:27

Like cooneyr said use a GPS
It will give you an extremely accurate reading.
For best results use on flat road under open sky.

**shards** · 2nd October 2008, 06:25

Borrowing a friends GPS over the weekend, will verify the wifes car and then follow her to check the KLR.

Pete: It's good to know that at least Kawi NZ was decent enough to "come to the party" with the rings and valve guides. Like you, I won't care either way, especially as I will, at some point, do the 685 comversion. It's amazing how much money people will spend on an exhaust and just get a few (sometimes NO) extra hp yet the 685 kit is CHEAPER and will probably give more overall benefit to the engine.

Warewolf, couldn't agree more with what you said!

**marks** · 2nd October 2008, 07:22

Originally Posted by pete376403

Marks - I've got the KLR manual in PDF format. Its actually the KLR600 manual with the 650 supplement. However these things changed so little over the past 20 odd years that it's still largely current.

Anyway clutch centre nut 13.5kg/m or 98 ft/ib, water pump nut 0.8kg/m or 69 in/lb

Thanks a lot Pete

BTW - mine seems to be using less oil (400ml/1000km) after I gave it an oil/filter change (and screwed the airfilter back on

) - don't understand that at all

cheers

Mark

**RedKLR650** · 2nd October 2008, 08:22

Originally Posted by shards

The 07 didn't burn ANY oil, just didn't like the colour, (sorry again Pete) and I wanted a new bike since I am going to put all those (expensive) bits on.

What colour was your old one ?

I when got my first '05 KLR you could only get green, not the red that was available in the USA, and I hated the green, so imported a tank and full panel set from the US...... instant red one :-)

I do have a brand new full set of green plastic panelling for sale if anyone is interested :-)

Stu

**cooneyr** · 2nd October 2008, 08:22

Originally Posted by monchopper

Like cooneyr said use a GPS
It will give you an extremely accurate reading.
For best results use on flat road under open sky.

Extremely accurate might be a little bit strong words. Don't confuse accuracy with precision (page about it here).

Cheers R

**shards** · 2nd October 2008, 08:32

My 07 was the regulation green/black/silver.

**marks** · 2nd October 2008, 13:42

Originally Posted by shards

My 07 was the regulation green/black/silver.

did you get a trade in price on the old one when looking at the new one?

**shards** · 2nd October 2008, 14:07

Sold the old 07 via trademe to a buyer (in Wlg). I did ask the dealer for an approximate trade-in value and he said "Don't ask". When pushed for a figure he said something like "less than 6000".

If they are selling new ones for around 9k, they can't expect to get much more than 7.5k for a used one, and it follows that (since they expect to get at least 1500-2000 profit per bike) they won't offer more than 6k for a used one.

**Creeper** · 3rd October 2008, 19:21

Originally Posted by pete376403

Yeah I've got an oil burner. Doesn't really worry me and I love the bike despite that. Kawi NZ are going to replace the rings and valve guide seals under warranty so I'm quite happy about that.

Re the speed/rev difference on the '09, maybe you have found the elusive 6th gear that the users manual mentions. try as I may, I can't get mine to change up from 5th

Marks - I've got the KLR manual in PDF format. Its actually the KLR600 manual with the 650 supplement. However these things changed so little over the past 20 odd years that it's still largely current.

Anyway clutch centre nut 13.5kg/m or 98 ft/ib, water pump nut 0.8kg/m or 69 in/lb

Hi Pete, how much oil was yr bike burning for Kawa NZ to front up with new rings etc.....I note Mark's is using 400 per 1000.
Mine seemed to have burned 700ml in 1200ks shop changed to a different oil, so far it seems to be all good but need to put some more ks on it yet.

Have kawa stated that the new 09 model has different rings?? Does anyone know??

Cheers

Dave

**pete376403** · 3rd October 2008, 21:33

Last long ride was just over 1600km in a weekend. I put 1 1/2 litres in while on that ride to keep oil in the sight glass, plus it took another litre after I was home to get it back up to just over the mid point on the sight glass - after it had been sitting overnight (time to allow drain back from the head, etc) and I'm very careful about holding it vertical while checking (spirit level on the handlebars)
I think the kicker for the ring replacement was having a copy of the e-mail between Kawi NZ and Kawi Japan in which the different part number piston rings are described and the reason for the change - to reduce oil consumption. With that sort of documentation it's pretty hard for them to deny there is a problem.
I'm not in a big funk about the ring problem, I understand that these sort of things happen. Even if they wouldn't change the rings I'd still keep the bike, it's brilliant at what it does and the upside is the muffler will never rust out (well it can't anyway cos it's stainless)
The 685 kit would be the next option but I paid full price for the bike and the price included a warranty.

Given that the ring pack has a new part number I'd certainly expect that these would be in the '09 but no way to prove it without access to the shop online manuals

**Creeper** · 4th October 2008, 18:18

thanks for the reply Pete. That sure is some massive oil consumption....
Keep hold of that Kawa email, there may be some other klr owners out there who could make good use of it.
and you're right, warts & all it is still a great bike!!

**Frodo** · 5th October 2008, 07:13

Speedos are designed (required) to read high. The specs for my bike are 6% high while the odometer is 0% high (says in the manual). Testing on the road (those speed readout signs peppered around Wellington) and 4km odometer calibration tests show that my bike is about 6% high in speed, spot on accurate in distance. If Aprilia can make the odometer accurate, they could get the speedo accurate, its just that design rules prevent that. Its another way to encourage us to ride (and drive) slower. About as useful as setting your watch 5 minutes fast so you arrive at meetings on time...

**cobber** · 5th October 2008, 07:47

Originally Posted by pete376403

Yeah I've got an oil burner. Doesn't really worry me and I love the bike despite that. Kawi NZ are going to replace the rings and valve guide seals under warranty so I'm quite happy about that.

Re the speed/rev difference on the '09, maybe you have found the elusive 6th gear that the users manual mentions. try as I may, I can't get mine to change up from 5th

Marks - I've got the KLR manual in PDF format. Its actually the KLR600 manual with the 650 supplement. However these things changed so little over the past 20 odd years that it's still largely current.

Anyway clutch centre nut 13.5kg/m or 98 ft/ib, water pump nut 0.8kg/m or 69 in/lb

Any of you klr650 guys out there want a rolling chassis or have a motor/ trans for sale, a friend of mine has a 2001 with 27000km on the clock in very tidy cond that spat a tooth off third gear and stuffed the cases.

**marks** · 6th October 2008, 06:32

Originally Posted by cobber

Any of you klr650 guys out there want a rolling chassis or have a motor/ trans for sale, a friend of mine has a 2001 with 27000km on the clock in very tidy cond that spat a tooth off third gear and stuffed the cases.

if he decides to sell parts off I would be interested to know what he would want for the barrel.

**RedKLR650** · 6th October 2008, 11:42

Originally Posted by cobber

Any of you klr650 guys out there want a rolling chassis or have a motor/ trans for sale, a friend of mine has a 2001 with 27000km on the clock in very tidy cond that spat a tooth off third gear and stuffed the cases.

What's he after for the whole thing as is ?

I have a cunning plan......

Stu