KLX650 riders UNITE

COBAUM · 08-17-2006, 10:06 PM

OK. I am a KLR650 rider. The KLX650 always intrigued me. From what I read, it is the county road brother of the KLR. Not many around, but a VERY loyal (maybe delusional) following. I came across a KLX650 that was owned by the Colorado Springs Police/Fire depts. Seems they took turns using it to patrol off road areas. One of the riders dropped it and cracked the case (hairline) right where the clutch rod enters the side case. So the clutch started sticking. Then, they started cannibalizing parts for the other patrol bikes. I bought it for ~$350 and after a close examination; it will take ~$500 to get it back to running and street legal. Add $175 if I cannot repair the side case.

So, I find that the only place to get good info is the yahoo KLX650 group. Why do you guys not hang out here? I hate the message board software yahoo uses. It is difficult to find info using the search function whereas here it is a breeze. Come on guys. This is a great site and a great place for KLX riders to hang out.

itsatdm · 08-17-2006, 11:29 PM

It's a lost cause. I have posted pictures twice of my KLX 650 and the mods I have made. Even tried veiled insults to the multitude of KLR owners explaining how they are inferiorer in every way. Get a couple of: "nice bike comments" then relegated to obscurity.

sattara · 08-18-2006, 06:24 AM

There are a few of us here, but the size of this forum and the small number of KLX's make it less practical than a more focused setting like the yahoogroup for bike specific info.
Sat Tara

Rusty Rocket · 08-18-2006, 09:25 AM

They're pretty rare. I worked at a Kaw dealer when they were new. The dealer had 1 that didn't sell for such a long time that he dropped the price so much that a guy in service dept picked it up and made a motard out of it. Never seen another.

HighwayChile · 08-19-2006, 10:45 PM

ok I had a yahoo ID once, forgot it.

man you stole that one, and an ex-cop bike. does it have any trick cop paint? Uzi/AK mount or something?

davorallyfan · 08-19-2006, 10:55 PM

S'pose a pic of one wouldn't hurt.

katbeanz · 08-20-2006, 08:13 AM

Interesting bikes, had a buddy down in wichita that got one after he parted ways with his xrl. I ran across a comparison between the xrl, dr and klx, the article is at least 10 yrs old. It refers to the xrl being in it's 4th model year.

http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mccompare/opendp.html

gas_pig70 · 08-23-2006, 12:14 AM

I just found out that one of my neighbors obtained a KLX650C recently. He's in the midst of "going through it".

yater · 08-23-2006, 07:50 AM

We tried to turn one into an adventure bike last year with no luck. We couldn't get around the tank issue. After trying to import an "R" tank to retrofit to the C with no luck, we gave up and rode the bike for what it is. It's a big dirtbike with no aftermarket...still a cool bike. This particular bike hits reserve at 90-100 miles...not exactly adventure capable

Mr.Grumpy · 08-23-2006, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yater

We tried to turn one into an adventure bike last year with no luck. We couldn't get around the tank issue. After trying to import an "R" tank to retrofit to the C with no luck, we gave up and rode the bike for what it is. It's a big dirtbike with no aftermarket...still a cool bike. This particular bike hits reserve at 90-100 miles...not exactly adventure capable

Jumpin' Jimminy! They aren't that rare! No one has an after market tank for one? Daammmmn.

Posaja · 08-27-2006, 06:42 AM

Here I am

itsatdm · 08-27-2006, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yater

We tried to turn one into an adventure bike last year with no luck. We couldn't get around the tank issue. After trying to import an "R" tank to retrofit to the C with no luck, we gave up and rode the bike for what it is. It's a big dirtbike with no aftermarket...still a cool bike. This particular bike hits reserve at 90-100 miles...not exactly adventure capable

OK one more time, just to get my post count up and for the 1/2 dozen that might be interested. This is my effort at an adventure bike:

Side panel tank is a Baja Designs for a Yamaha 426. Couple of simple brackets and cheap electric fuel pump to replentish the main tank via the charcoal cannister vent. Quick connects for fuel and it can be removed in about 15 minutes. Total capacity is 4.4 gal. A few carb adjustments and it pulls like a train and still gets over 50mpg.

Posaja · 08-28-2006, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by itsatdm

Great job dude

Here some specification of my model

[
Starting from a 96 model (shown above) I put a self made tank and all the plastics and seat of a KX125

Extra wide WRP footpegs

Magura hidraulic clutch

Holins rear shock absorber

Stealt sprocket and green chain

pro taper handlebar, ramirez risers, GPR stering dumper, GPS Garmin III

switchback · 08-28-2006, 09:32 AM

That is one nice bike. Self-made tank! That is awfully ambitious. How does one even start that process unless it is aluminum? I see that Acerbis in Europe has a larger tank in black for tha KLX but none listed over here.

Why in the world would Kawasaki abandon this bike in favor of the dated KLR. I remember reading some tests on the dirt bike version and the only issues were the weight and small radiators.

Posaja · 08-28-2006, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tigerowner_ut

That is one nice bike.

Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by tigerowner_ut

Self-made tank! That is awfully ambitious...

That's the photo report of my work (be patience I used on line translator)

08-17-2006, 10:06 PM	#1
COBAUM ^OP How Did I Get Here? Joined: Sep 2005 Location: Highlands Ranch, CO Oddometer: 136	KLX650 riders UNITE OK. I am a KLR650 rider. The KLX650 always intrigued me. From what I read, it is the county road brother of the KLR. Not many around, but a VERY loyal (maybe delusional) following. I came across a KLX650 that was owned by the Colorado Springs Police/Fire depts. Seems they took turns using it to patrol off road areas. One of the riders dropped it and cracked the case (hairline) right where the clutch rod enters the side case. So the clutch started sticking. Then, they started cannibalizing parts for the other patrol bikes. I bought it for ~$350 and after a close examination; it will take ~$500 to get it back to running and street legal. Add $175 if I cannot repair the side case. So, I find that the only place to get good info is the yahoo KLX650 group. Why do you guys not hang out here? I hate the message board software yahoo uses. It is difficult to find info using the search function whereas here it is a breeze. Come on guys. This is a great site and a great place for KLX riders to hang out. __________________ Adventure is where you find it, any place, every place, except at home in the rocking chair. - Wally Byam - founder of Airstream Don't be Hatin' - Kyle W

08-18-2006, 09:25 AM	#4
Rusty Rocket Life behind "Bars" Joined: Dec 2005 Location: Northcentral CT Oddometer: 6,263	They're pretty rare. I worked at a Kaw dealer when they were new. The dealer had 1 that didn't sell for such a long time that he dropped the price so much that a guy in service dept picked it up and made a motard out of it. Never seen another. __________________ 1996 DR 650 (a big girl that likes it dirty) 1973 Penton Six-Days (mint) 1971 Suzuki TS185 (needs restoration) 2005 KTM 400exc w/ BajaDesigns D/S light kit

08-19-2006, 10:45 PM	#5
HighwayChile greetings from Wa state Joined: Aug 2003 Location: Bow, WA USA Oddometer: 4,096	ok I had a yahoo ID once, forgot it. man you stole that one, and an ex-cop bike. does it have any trick cop paint? Uzi/AK mount or something? __________________ “I would rather wake up in the middle of nowhere than in any city on earth.” .....Steve McQueen

08-23-2006, 12:14 AM	#8
gas_pig70 Mmm... mud! Joined: Oct 2004 Location: Seattle, WA Oddometer: 1,399	I just found out that one of my neighbors obtained a KLX650C recently. He's in the midst of "going through it". __________________ '07 Speed Triple 1050 \| '08 WR250R "'Course, don't ever tell anybody that they're not free 'cause then they're gonna get real busy killin' and maimin' to prove to you that they are." -George Hanson

08-27-2006, 06:42 AM	#11
Posaja Adventurer Joined: Aug 2006 Location: Italy Oddometer: 49	Here I am __________________ Visit http://www.enduristianonimi.it and http://klx_blog.blog.tiscali.it/

08-17-2006, 11:29 PM	#2
itsatdm NoMoTDM still Gary Joined: Jun 2004 Location: Columbia, Ca. Oddometer: 3,711	It's a lost cause. I have posted pictures twice of my KLX 650 and the mods I have made. Even tried veiled insults to the multitude of KLR owners explaining how they are inferiorer in every way. Get a couple of: "nice bike comments" then relegated to obscurity.

08-18-2006, 06:24 AM	#3
sattara Dzogchenpa Joined: Jun 2006 Location: Boulder Oddometer: 129	There are a few of us here, but the size of this forum and the small number of KLX's make it less practical than a more focused setting like the yahoogroup for bike specific info. Sat Tara

08-19-2006, 10:55 PM	#6
davorallyfan Commonist Joined: May 2005 Location: Capitalist Oddometer: 14,135	S'pose a pic of one wouldn't hurt.

08-20-2006, 08:13 AM	#7
katbeanz earthbound misfit, I Joined: Feb 2005 Location: Kansas City Oddometer: 6,595	Interesting bikes, had a buddy down in wichita that got one after he parted ways with his xrl. I ran across a comparison between the xrl, dr and klx, the article is at least 10 yrs old. It refers to the xrl being in it's 4th model year. http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mccompare/opendp.html

08-23-2006, 07:50 AM	#9
yater Beastly Adventurer Joined: Oct 2004 Location: Texas Oddometer: 8,516	We tried to turn one into an adventure bike last year with no luck. We couldn't get around the tank issue. After trying to import an "R" tank to retrofit to the C with no luck, we gave up and rode the bike for what it is. It's a big dirtbike with no aftermarket...still a cool bike. This particular bike hits reserve at 90-100 miles...not exactly adventure capable

08-28-2006, 09:32 AM	#14
switchback Eatin' Dirt Since 1982 Joined: Jan 2002 Location: SLC, UT Oddometer: 1,467	That is one nice bike. Self-made tank! That is awfully ambitious. How does one even start that process unless it is aluminum? I see that Acerbis in Europe has a larger tank in black for tha KLX but none listed over here. Why in the world would Kawasaki abandon this bike in favor of the dated KLR. I remember reading some tests on the dirt bike version and the only issues were the weight and small radiators. __________________ David Wind is strong and cold Rain blurs the winding road ahead I live on two wheels

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