dakar klr for sale

[Ernie Campbell]

you will also need a low profile oil plug too. Ernie Campbell http://www.oldskoolklr650.com

----- Original Message ----- From: traderpro2003 To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, December 24, 2007 5:45 PM Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Re: B.S. or Not? I say let it melt. The bottom of my skid plate looks heinous...like I've taken more than one NED (nature's explosive devices). I literally have a baseball-sized punch up into the plate, sheared-off 2 button-head screws (the skid plate makes a nice dish saving everything), and countless, deep gashes. I'd road race in a Speedo before going without a stout skid plate. But for the casual guy running over some debris that comes up? The plastic plate is just fine. That little bugger can take a serious beating. It's when you get into rocks and huge boulders when it really matters. As far as engine temps, the skid plate shouldn't be an issue. But let science confirm it like Mike said. Air across the block at slow speeds simply is a poor cooling mechanism. Personally, I don't think airflow matters much under 20mph which is typically the speed in boulders. Actually, with a big aluminum skid plate, heat coming off the engine would actually disapate (theoretically) faster than say plastic due to plastic's insulating properties. Still, I would not consider skid plates/aerodynamics leading to any significant +/- engine temp until you're at constant speeds where airflow really matters. Even here warm air across a hot block? It's why we have radiators (albeit under-sized ones). My rec would be if you plan on riding areas with big rocks, add the plate at all costs. $70? Call it insurance vs. over-heated engine. At least with an over-heated engine, you can choose to stop...no so with hole in your case. I'd even install the low-profile oil plug. If you might ride rock, go without it until you're convinced rock- hopping is for you. My 2005 rides at the same temp with the Moose SP as a guy riding a 2007 with the stock. We hit the same NEDs and he's had plenty of little damage to his plastic/stock SP with no worries. Then compare it to mine (it's seen more places/action) and quickly realize WOW!...it has worth it. Brian who is convinced there is a fine line between the benefits of a solid skid plate and avant garde skid marks --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Mike" wrote: > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Ross Lindberg" wrote: > > > > I have been contemplating adding an aftermarket skid plate to the > list of > > farkle on my KLR. While most of my riding to date has been on the > highway, > > I am venturing more and more off-road and was in a situation last summer > > where the skid plate was getting a bit of a workout. It definitely > put a > > damper on the fun factor each time I heard the plastic come in > contact with > > the ground. My question is this; on the web there is a quote by > Eldon Carl > > warning that fitting an aftermarket skid plate will cause engine > damage due > > to reduced airflow and increased engine temperature. While there say be > > some truth to reduced airflow, resultant engine damage sounds like > B.S. to > > me. I'd like your opinions. > > > > > > > > Also welcome are your comments favoring either the Happy Trails or the > > SW-Motech skid plates. > > > > > > > > Ross Lindberg > > > > Fertile, MN > > > > > > > > Merry Christmas to all, and may you find lots of farkle under the tree. > > > I always like to see actual data, from good quality objective tests. > I'm not talking about aiming an infared sensor at the front of the > engine. I'd like to see oil and/or coolant temps over identical runs, > identical conditions, several times to help eliminate error. I only > know of one guy that has actually done that. I don't think he's > responded to this discussion yet, maybe he will. > > I know of people that have had damage to the engine from insufficient > protection for the cases. I know of some that have had an aftermarket > bash plate damaged in a way that made me think it saved the engine. I > don't know of anyone that has shown an aftermarket plate actually > caused damage from heat. > > all the best, > > Mike > Be your own KLR650 guru > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Arden Kysely]

If you're exploring offroad and bang a rock or a log, it's too late to wonder if you have the right skid plate. __Arden --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Ross Lindberg" wrote:

> > I have been contemplating adding an aftermarket skid plate to the

list of

> farkle on my KLR. While most of my riding to date has been on the

highway,

> I am venturing more and more off-road and was in a situation last

summer

> where the skid plate was getting a bit of a workout. It definitely

put a

> damper on the fun factor each time I heard the plastic come in

contact with

> the ground. My question is this; on the web there is a quote by

Eldon Carl

> warning that fitting an aftermarket skid plate will cause engine

damage due

> to reduced airflow and increased engine temperature. While there

say be

> some truth to reduced airflow, resultant engine damage sounds like

B.S. to

> me. I'd like your opinions. > > > > Also welcome are your comments favoring either the Happy Trails or

the

> SW-Motech skid plates. > > > > Ross Lindberg > > Fertile, MN > > > > Merry Christmas to all, and may you find lots of farkle under the

tree.

> > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >

[Andrus Chesley]

I've been running an alu skid plate for the last 8 years with no problems. More protection for the water pump and stuff to me. I forget which one I put on the bike. Think it's one Fred use to handle back then , not sure. '43 model Andy > 85miles south of the Louisiana Coast '00 KLR 650 '03 Chevy truck '06 DL1000 Merry Christmas to all.

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Ross Lindberg" wrote: > > I have been contemplating adding an aftermarket skid plate to the list of > farkle on my KLR. While most of my riding to date has been on the highway, > I am venturing more and more off-road and was in a situation last summer > where the skid plate was getting a bit of a workout. It definitely put a > damper on the fun factor each time I heard the plastic come in contact with > the ground. My question is this; on the web there is a quote by Eldon Carl > warning that fitting an aftermarket skid plate will cause engine damage due > to reduced airflow and increased engine temperature. While there say be > some truth to reduced airflow, resultant engine damage sounds like B.S. to > me. I'd like your opinions. > > > > Also welcome are your comments favoring either the Happy Trails or the > SW-Motech skid plates. > > > > Ross Lindberg > > Fertile, MN > > > > Merry Christmas to all, and may you find lots of farkle under the tree. > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >

[Bill Watson]

I might have some data which is useful here. Below I've pasted part of my post from July 15, 2006 labeled "Summary of 145 Cooling System Tests". Pasted at the bottom of this post is the findings of the writeup: note that the difference between the stock skidplate and NO skidplate was around 2 degrees F of water temp. It was the smallest change of the five tested. I'd agree that an aftermarket aluminum plate will raise temps a little, but I'd be surprised if they raise more than 5 degrees so it wouldn't make me run away from one. If you're in the rocky areas you'll be glad you installed it. Considering the protection they provide, I'd be putting on the skidplate! The Utah Sport Cycles plate would be my favorite as it covers the water pump nicely. Fred sells it. Bill Watson Phoenix, AZ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- With that said, here are the improvements in order of effectivity on a stock bike at 60 mph steady state: 1) 14 degree decrease: Removing the stock front fender (or running a low fender such as the UFO from Fred). This unplugs the entrance airflow to the radiator. 2) 11 degree decrease: Running with the fan constantly on (this result is at 60 mph, where a lot of people feel that the ram air can t be helped by the fan. Answer: yes it can, I ve seen this in automotive tests as well. Obviously the fan makes an even bigger difference as you go slower. At 0 mph, that fan is worth, what, maybe 100 degrees? 3) 10 degree decrease: Changing from a 50/50 coolant mixture of Ethylene Glycol and distilled water to either 100% distilled water with an additive such as Prestone Anti Rust , or Watter Wetter or changing to a 10/90 mixture of Zerex super racing coolant with distilled water (I prefer the latter). 4) 9 degree decrease: The Pat-man mod , which doesn t allow air to sneak around the radiator core and interestingly, I got the same improvement by simply REMOVING the left radiator shroud entirely. This works because it unplugs the exit area of the radiator. You can t do both mods of course but either appears to be worth about 9 degrees. 5) 2 degree decrease: Remove the stock skidplate and run unprotected. This probably makes a bigger difference in oil temp, but there s no water down that low in the engine except for the water pump. Dont forget that this data is all for moderate road speeds. If you get stuck in 0-20 mph traffic a lot, mods 1 and 4 have almost no value to you, and 2 and 3 are still very useful. Bill --------------------------------- Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Eric Foster]

More than B.S. E

[Bryan Burke]

I'll add my vote for the metal skid plate. I bought my KLR used from a guy who rode it pretty hard. The stock plate was thrashed so I put on an aluminum one. I've run my bike up to ten hours a day in the deserts of Arizona on warm (over 100 degrees) days with no temperature problems. On the other hand, the bash plate has taken some very hard hits when I'm on stony back roads. Get the metal plate if you plan to spend much time in the rough. I also have a radiator guard and if you ride in rocks much, you might want that too. So far every piece of protection on my motorcycle has been put to use, and I've never regretted having it there! But I'm fond of rough tracks and maybe I fall down more than most. Bryan Burke [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Ronald Criswell]

The only time my KLR ever gets worrisome hot is in stalled summer rush hour traffic which I try and avoid and air flow is nada. I have cruised all day at 80 in Texas summer with no problems and 46,000 miles. The Moose plate has plenty of good sized dings and am glad it was there. Criswell

On Dec 25, 2007, at 10:40 AM, bryan burke wrote: > I'll add my vote for the metal skid plate. I bought my KLR used > from a guy who rode it pretty hard. The stock plate was thrashed so > I put on an aluminum one. I've run my bike up to ten hours a day in > the deserts of Arizona on warm (over 100 degrees) days with no > temperature problems. On the other hand, the bash plate has taken > some very hard hits when I'm on stony back roads. Get the metal > plate if you plan to spend much time in the rough. I also have a > radiator guard and if you ride in rocks much, you might want that too. > > So far every piece of protection on my motorcycle has been put to > use, and I've never regretted having it there! But I'm fond of > rough tracks and maybe I fall down more than most. > > Bryan Burke > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Kevin Rury]

I do appreciate Eldon Carls contribution to the Dual-Sport community, however I am not buying the cooling issue with the skid plate. This section of the engine has little surface area for convection cooling and relies more on the water cooled feature of the engine. The skid plate does not block moving air but , may contribute some radiant heat back to the engine when moving very slowly or standing still. Anyway I opted for the Happy Trail Black Skid Plate and I have no doubt in looking at the gouges in the hard anodized skid plate that any one of these hits would have taken out my lower end. Any time I give my bike a heavy and hot workout such as Terlingua Dual Sport ride in Texas I change my oil right after reguardless of the miles. Certainly it does not affect the oil or engine temperature on highway or ranch road riding.

[J Fortner]

For sale one gingerly used skid plate. Only used by a little old lady on Sundays. ;>)

On Dec 24, 2007 7:37 AM, Ross Lindberg wrote: > I have been contemplating adding an aftermarket skid plate to the list > of > farkle on my KLR. While most of my riding to date has been on the highway, > I am venturing more and more off-road and was in a situation last summer > where the skid plate was getting a bit of a workout. It definitely put a > damper on the fun factor each time I heard the plastic come in contact > with > the ground. My question is this; on the web there is a quote by Eldon Carl > warning that fitting an aftermarket skid plate will cause engine damage > due > to reduced airflow and increased engine temperature. While there say be > some truth to reduced airflow, resultant engine damage sounds like B.S. to > me. I'd like your opinions. > > Also welcome are your comments favoring either the Happy Trails or the > SW-Motech skid plates. > > Ross Lindberg > > Fertile, MN > > Merry Christmas to all, and may you find lots of farkle under the tree. > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Jud Jones]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "andykisz" wrote:

> > Heres a quote from Elden Carl thats on the Top Gun website that > doesn't make an after market skid plate sound like a fatal move for > your KLR: > > > Q. Do I need an aftermarket skid plate? > > A. When shopping for a skid plate or asking for advice, the first > question you should be > asked is "where are you riding?" If you don't hear this, you're > talking to the wrong person. > The KLR stock plate is frequently trashed as being, well, trash. > However, it's a great little > plate for almost all riding conditions. It's light, it fits well, and > it provides more cooling than > any other plate. Now, if you are riding through big rocks you probably > DO need an > aftermarket plate. Just remember that you are adding weight and > reducing the airflow > across the bottom of the engine. At least make sure the risk of damage > where you are > riding is worth it. Probably the best thing you can do regarding > damage to the underside of > your engine is to replace the stock oil drain plug with a low-profile > plug. As for the DR, the > stock plate is a bit expensive, but fits very well and provides lots > of cooling air around the > sides of the engine - though does restrict airflow somewhat to the > front. Remember that > summer or desert riding exacerbates any poor cooling tendencies on > either bike. > > If you are expecting to do a lot of aggressive off-road riding; if you > think you are going to > dump the bike from time to time; or as mentioned earlier if you are > riding in rocky terrain > you may be better off with a heavier plate with more side protection. > As long as you > understand the trade-off you are making (primarily weight and > cooling), you won't be > unhappy with your decision (especially if you avoid hot summer riding). >

Mr. Carl has moderated his opinion somewhat in recent years. The way he put it several years ago gave the impression that he advocated installing a skid plate for rough off-road rides, but removing it for street riding.