Well I upgraded today. Sold my Suzuki DR200 to my brother and bought a Kawasaki KLR650 from my dad. Anyone else have a KLR? Id like to know what are good accessories for it (carriage wise, not big performance).

 

www.jpcycles.com

 

Nothing for mine on there, but plenty for my Dads new Harley. Thanks!

 

rbrettctd - Do you know about ThumperTalk, the website for four stroke single cylinder bikes? It's a great site. Click on the link and scroll down to the Kawasaki section. Also the site has their own store, just look for the tab at the top when you get to their website. They offer discounts for members and overall it's a great website for info about your bike.
http://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/

 

Thanks. Ill check it out.

 

No matter what you do to a KLR, replace the balance chain adjustment cam lever AKA the KLR650 Doohicky. I ride a 2001 KLR650 and was riding pretty hard and it let go. Metal went all through the engine and ended up having to get it rebuilt. The OEM Doohicky is made of two pieces spot welded together. It is really cheepily made. There is a guy out west that makes a billet one that is really nice. Do a search on KLR650 Doohicky and you will find the vendor.

The KLR makes a decent enough trail/road bike but keep in mind that if you do alot of trail riding, the rims aren't the best and they tend to get out of round pretty quick. You will notice this as an oscillating vibration when back on the road. Not a big deal since you can get another rim for about $50 and then have someone who knows how to re-lace a spoker and you're set!

Keep an eye on the gas tanks for leaks and rust.

Add a good fuel filter to the fuel line.

Shorten the bar ends if you are going to ride it on the road alot. The OEM bar ends are too long for all day road riding.

If you still have the OEM exhaust, you will eventually get the infamous KLR chirp. A loooooong straight screw driver will get rid of it!

If you are over 180lbs, you would benefit to put longer than OEM spacers in the fork tubes. Use about a 1/4 to 1/2 inch for each 10lbs over 180. I can't remember the dia of PVC pipe to use but standard PVC will do.

If you ride off of the road alot, the rear shock will probably only last about 15,000 miles. The dampning goes away after alot of trail use.

Happy KLR riding!

 

I wont be putting many miles on it. Some ranch riding, and mainly going to school and back. Not sure how far it will be yet, but no more than 50miles a day, 3 days a week. Im about 160 so no probs there. Ive found several sites, and my dad has told me about the doohickey and other glitches, so well get those knocked out soon. From what I have read, the stock exhaust is as good as any aftermarket, as they dont add any performance gains, other than a horse or 2. So I may have to do what you said. Thanks for all the advice. Randy.

 

I was just looking at some of these. With gas prices going through the roof I'd like to find a bike to ride to work. I'm pretty much in the city so I think a dual sport would be pretty fun. What kind of milage do you think you can get out of these? Sorry not trying to seal this or anything just want some info.