KLR 650 Modifications

[Lightnin]

Originally Posted by KLRific

has anyone done something to their bike that they just hated? Or put something on that did absolutely nothing to better the bike or interfeared with something else?

I can't recall any mod that I "hated", perhaps tires that disapointed and won't be bought again; perhaps a set or two of grips that weren't what I was looking for; perhaps there may be some farkle which hasn't revealed, as yet, if it was indeed a waste of time & money. We each have our preferences for tires, seats, grips, which are easily experimented with and changed if not up to personal standards. I have yet to find an accessory that was poorly engineered or of shoddy manufacture/material.

I believe our suppliers have done their homework and are offering quality do-dads which may or may not enhance our riding experience depending upon our personal views. Some of us are running stockers, some of us have every acc'y in the known universe. The rest of us are somewhere between.

Let this thread move to the do's and don't's of klr mods. What do they need to be more fun, and what should we absolutley stay away from?!

It would seem that we are in agreement that if there is but one modification/upgrade that is of prime importance it would be the Doohickey Upgrade.
#2? Jeeze, that opens a debate don't it? My vote would be for another known failure issue; the questionable quality of the subframe fasteners. They're easy to upgrade, why take a chance?
#2.1 - Replace shift pedal before it fails
#2.2 - Disable "safety" interlocks before they fail
#3.0 - Premium air filter
#3.1 - Premium brake pads
#4.0 - Replace fork oil

These few mods provide you with a reliable ride you can have confidence in to get you home safely. For me the next most important addition after the skid plate was the double-wide toothed foot pegs. When I hit the Rough, I stand, and when I stand I stand on my balls (we're talkin' feet here); much better control and feel than standing on your insteps. Double-wide pegs offer more support and grip than that rubber trash or single-wides. YMMV.

Anything to avoid? Eldon doesn't like centerstands nor fork braces; lotsa guys swear by 'em. Everybody has something in mind to avoid and probably a valid reason for it. At my next chain/sprocket renewal I'm going back to a 15t CS sprocket (from a 14t) and drop the final gearing with a 47t rear. Reason; the larger radii of the larger sprockets are easier on the chain due to (hope the physics guys don't laugh too loud) decreased angular velocity.

Your views?

Best, Steve

[Right Turn Clyde]

Originally Posted by KLRific

I just added it up in my head real quick... jk
but you spent $ 3,530.17 on upgrades for your KLR

I would have to suspect that so far you have taken the cake.
Only there is no prize and this isn't even a contest... so ... tough shit haha

j

Yea, so much for the mantra that the KLR is inexpensive. Cheap entry fee, but the farkle lure takes down many a budget. Is an outfitted $7k KLR better than a…F650, LC_, XR? I think that's the question: WHAT WILL YOU ULTIMATELY SPEND AND WHAT BIKE DO YOU GET FOR THE $$$$$ ?

[R_W]

Originally Posted by KLRific

I just added it up in my head real quick... jk
but you spent $ 3,530.17 on upgrades for your KLR

I would have to suspect that so far you have taken the cake.
Only there is no prize and this isn't even a contest... so ... tough shit haha

j

My wife did the math for me

I have spent more on gear and farkles than the KLR, and I bought it new

[rick danger]

Originally Posted by Right Turn Clyde

Yea, so much for the mantra that the KLR is inexpensive. Cheap entry fee, but the farkle lure takes down many a budget. Is an outfitted $7k KLR better than a…F650, LC_, XR? I think that's the question: WHAT WILL YOU ULTIMATELY SPEND AND WHAT BIKE DO YOU GET FOR THE $$$$$ ?

Thing is you can pick and choose the stuff you want to get to customise it for your individual use

[CA Stu]

Originally Posted by Lightnin

At my next chain/sprocket renewal I'm going back to a 15t CS sprocket (from a 14t) and drop the final gearing with a 47t rear. Reason; the larger radii of the larger sprockets are easier on the chain due to (hope the physics guys don't laugh too loud) decreased angular velocity.

Your views?

Way over-thinking it. Take care of your chain and sprockets and don't worry about it. I run 15t most times, go to 14t for stuff I know will be tougher, like sand.
2nd gear with a 14 tooth front puts my KLR right in the sweet spot for prolonged deep sand riding.

I've got a load and a half of mods on my bike, I bought the first Big Gun pipe ever sold for the KLR, I had my Dad ship me a Laser ProDuro before they were available in the US.
I have frittered away tons of time and money on my 2 KLRs.

Dust the doohickey, richen up the carb a tad, replace rear subframe and front brake reservoir hardware. Those are what I would call important preventive mods, the rest is all personal preference.

Here's my preference list:

My 00 KLR 650
Modded (cut) Airbox
K&N filter w/ Filterskin
Renthal 666 Desert Bend bars filled with urethane
Vista Cruise Cruise control
Enduro Engineering handguards w/ spoilers
Pro Gel grips
Countdown Roll Chart Holder
K-9 Fork Brace
55/100W HD Headlamp Bulb
Happy Trails Highway pegs
IMS gearshift lever
IMS Pro Series footpegs
RAM mounted eMap GPS
12 v weatherproof cigarette lighter outlet
Progressive Suspension Larry Roessler Series fork Springs
Progressive Suspension 420 Series rear shock
Moose Bash plate (custom ground for access to counterbalancer bolt)
Eagle Machine balancer chain tensioner idler lever
Galfer braided front brake line
Galfer oversized front wave rotor
Russell braided rear brake line
Big Gun head pipe
Laser ProDuro Exhaust can
Wolfman Explorer Tankbag
Kawasaki Tailbag
Aerostich Tank Panniers
DID Gold X-Ring 106 link chain
Custom Nylock chain adjuster nuts
"T" modded carb
Dual Star self-locking axle nuts
Moose fender bag (with MSR rain pants inside)
Kawasaki exhaust luggage protector (broken now)
Walmart Battery of Eternal Charge
Big Cee Ultra Blue rear subframe kit
14T Sunstar front sprocket
Corbin flat seat


Thanks
CA Stu

[nooner818]

Originally Posted by Right Turn Clyde

Yea, so much for the mantra that the KLR is inexpensive. Cheap entry fee, but the farkle lure takes down many a budget. Is an outfitted $7k KLR better than a…F650, LC_, XR? I think that's the question: WHAT WILL YOU ULTIMATELY SPEND AND WHAT BIKE DO YOU GET FOR THE $$$$$ ?

For me, doing the mods on my motorcycle is just part of the hobby. I would have probably done the same thing no matter what motorcycle I bought, needed or not. I have always liked tinkering and trying to make something work better for me. It's not about the money, it's just something that I enjoy.

It's the journey, not the destination.

[Zrexrob]

Originally Posted by DMZ

I was told that removing the wind shield would reduce buffeting. It was easy to test that theory. Took it off and hit the highway.

The stock wind screen is actually very effective.

I trimmed the stock screen about 1 1/2 inches and it is a whole lot better.

[cobalt60]

Skid Plate
Master Cylinder guard
Fork Brace
Side Luggage guards
Rad guards
Handlebar Bark Buster type guards, and new front brake lever from fall!!
Magnetic drain plug
Regular oil changes
Regular Doohickey adjustment
Mirror dampeners, not good! Consider other options!!!!
Pro grip grips

[rusty43]

My 02 uses a bit of oil on the highway, want to make sure i'm not sending it thru the carb. Mods?....
offroad pipe
jetted
L-mod airbox
air filter & (screen removed)
progressive springs frt and rr
420 shock rear
stainless front brake line
acerbis hand guards
homemade shifter
chopped off rear fender
sidestand interlock bypassed
D606 rear tire (absolutely disappears on the highway) need to replace soon
with ???Mefo, Kenda 270, TKC 80, has anyone heard of or tried Maxxis?
Thanks.

[gunny_usmc]

I use the kenda 270's, great tire, but I only get about 3k and then it's toast.

[CA Stu]

Originally Posted by gunny_usmc

I use the kenda 270's, great tire, but I only get about 3k and then it's toast.

They are a crap tire on road. Try a Dunlop D606.

Thanks
CA Stu

[30Bones]

Originally Posted by CA Stu

They are a crap tire on road. Try a Dunlop D606.

Thanks
CA Stu

I call BS. I loved mine and got 6K or more out of it and it still had 3/8" of tread left. Still running a front 270 and now a Duro Median, and I personaly am not impressed. I can't justify tires over $50 a pop....Hey it's a KLR

[Rustic]

Originally Posted by rusty43

My 02 uses a bit of oil on the highway, want to make sure i'm not sending it thru the carb.

has anyone heard of or tried Maxxis?

I picked up the PCV idea over at KLR650.net. Here's a link to a thread on it. Since I don't do much 5000+RPM cruising I didn't have an oil-burning problem and, from what I've read, the PCV doesn't seem to have much effect there anyway. But... some have reported a noticeable reduction in oil usage at lower RPMs.

A couple of my riding friends have run the Maxxis 6006. They weren't particularly impressed but said you could do worse. One went to a K270 afterwards, the other to a Cheng Shin 858.

[caffeine]

anyone try spider grips on there bars with bark busters? did you have to trim the grips or are they the right size?

[greenfreak]

I'm trying to install an odyssey battery on my klr and am having difficulties findind a way to secure the battery in place. Dual star claims slight mods are required to make the install and am either dumb or stupid as I can not see how or what materials I should use to hold the battery in the air box compaertment. Any suggestions?

Other KLR Mods
supertrapp pipe w dynojet kit, and thumb scew adjustment
skid plate
heat grips
rally pro guards
IMS footpegs
Happy Trails Panniers
subframe upgrade kit
doohickey
master cylinder guard and rear brake bracket
Scorpion AT tires. A little squirrely in the sand and mud but they'll get you through and still roll for around 10 grand

Still am debating the seat issue and after reading this thread am thinking about getting the corbin flat seat.

The way I see it my klr with after market still cost less than a F650 and has all the tools I need to ride internationally. Both on and off road...