Wilsons Sandbox

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "Randy Allen" wrote:

> > I want to know what are the best modifications and accessories for

a

> new KLR650? I'm 6'2", live near Lake Tahoe, and will be riding

both

> on and off road, occasionally with two up. I love it so far, but > would like to minimize the handlebar vibration. > > Thanks

Replace stock bars with Renthal Desert Bend #666 bars, Pro Gel grips, some decent handguards (not Acerbis, Maier or some other cheapos). You can spend as much as you want on a KLR, I suggest starting with tires and fork springs, but forget going fast. You can beat your wallet to death trying to make the KLR faster, but why? It ain't gonna happen. Spend the rest of your money on camping gear, a tankbag, and tank panniers. Read the FAQ to give yourself an idea of popular mods, put at least 1000 miles on the bike bone stock, then go to an event where you see other KLRs and meet their owners to get an idea of what you want to do. I reckon less is better. Thanks CA Stu A13

On Sun, 7 Nov 2004, Randy Allen wrote:

> I want to know what are the best modifications and accessories for a > new KLR650? I'm 6'2", live near Lake Tahoe, and will be riding both > on and off road, occasionally with two up. I love it so far, but > would like to minimize the handlebar vibration.

Gel grips Vibration-dampening mirrors If you're going offroad: bash plate radiator guard water pump protector. brush guards/hand guards Other than that, here's my opinion of common mods: * Fork brace: Only if your KLR has stability problems. * Stainless brake line: Gives better feel, but no better stopping as far as I can tell. Save your money. * Center stand: On a bike with as much suspension sag as the KLR, there are no really satisfactory center stands.. Save your money. * Airbox, jet, exhaust, etc. mods: Don't do much except cheney your gas mileage. Save your money.

Stu makes a good point on putting money everywhere but the motor. Don't forget armor for the bike and, if you weigh more than 170 pounds, think front brake upgrades. In summary, put most of the money you have budgeted for the KLR into suspension and braking. The motor is the last place to put funds into. The rest of the funds go to Heavy Duty tubes and fresh tires. Mike Torst A16 aka lasvegasrider -----Original Message----- From: CA Stu [mailto:s2mumford@...] Sent: Saturday, November 06, 2004 11:33 PM To: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com Subject: [DSN_klr650] Re: What are the Best KLR Mods?

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "Randy Allen" wrote: > > I want to know what are the best modifications and accessories for a > new KLR650? I'm 6'2", live near Lake Tahoe, and will be riding both > on and off road, occasionally with two up. I love it so far, but > would like to minimize the handlebar vibration. > > Thanks Replace stock bars with Renthal Desert Bend #666 bars, Pro Gel grips, some decent handguards (not Acerbis, Maier or some other cheapos). You can spend as much as you want on a KLR, I suggest starting with tires and fork springs, but forget going fast. You can beat your wallet to death trying to make the KLR faster, but why? It ain't gonna happen. Spend the rest of your money on camping gear, a tankbag, and tank panniers. Read the FAQ to give yourself an idea of popular mods, put at least 1000 miles on the bike bone stock, then go to an event where you see other KLRs and meet their owners to get an idea of what you want to do. I reckon less is better. Thanks CA Stu A13

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "Randy Allen" wrote:

> > I want to know what are the best modifications and accessories for a > new KLR650? I'm 6'2", live near Lake Tahoe, and will be riding both > on and off road, occasionally with two up. I love it so far, but > would like to minimize the handlebar vibration. > > Thanks

Cut them painful grips off the bars and replace with good grips. If its broke in, make sure the balancer is adjusted. (Doohickey) Maybe replace the steel bars (transmitters) to aluminum (damper). Dooden A15 Green Ape

>I want to know what are the best modifications and >accessories for a >new KLR650? I'm 6'2", live near Lake Tahoe, and will >be riding both >on and off road, occasionally with two up. I love it so >far, but >would like to minimize the handlebar vibration.

I'll bet you hear more opinions than there are listers here (VBG) I'm very satisfied with my A18 which is used for mostly on road around town and up to the cottage. The "off road" is logging road and horse trail type riding but IMO the KLR isn't really off road capable for me. Mods to mine this far: 1) Higher output brake light bulb- mandatory IMO. 2) Givi trunk - ex-Gold Wing owner so need a trunk. 3) A steel crescent fabricated and glued to the LH case behind the shifter head. 4) Kawi higher windscreen 5) Garman GPS handle bar mount. 6) Cigarette lighter plug in fairing. Mine is a flexible one adapted by removing the jumper clips from a Mac Tools scanner adapter. This is a better quality pocket and wire than the sockets from parts stores. It does not panel mount but rather has a coiled cord. 7) A three inch diameter PVC tool tube mounted across the front of the engine. Mine is not mounted to the engine crash guard but has "L" brackets bolted to the front engine mount. 8) Lever guards are in the garage but not yet mounted. 9) Honda Accord horn - louder! Not mounted at the moment because there's a better way than I used. 10) 2 inch lowering links which likely aren't needed for you although you might try someone's as the lowering gives better "foot on ground" in uneven ground. You might appreciate this if riding two up. The lowering improves (IMO) on road handling. 11) Magnetic drain plug- I made one by drilling the stock plug, pressing in a small button magnet and staking it in place. 12) Sheep skin seat cover. 13) Drill & pop out the idle mixture plug, then adjust. 14) The mandatory one!!!! Replace the headlight fuse with a bigger value fuse as in FAQ!!!!! Planned modifications: 1) Wiring to the Givi trunk for: brake light in trunk, light inside trunk to read maps and find stuff, power outlet for cell phone charger. 2) Doohickey. Still on warranty so this will be later. 3) Maybe some more guards such as radiator but this will be on a whim. Mods I won't do: (flame suit zipped up, VBG) 1) Centre stand- They don't work and I can't see why one would be an advantage. There are better ways to do the maintenence than on a centre stand and leaving any bike on a centre stand unless on hard concrete or the like is asking to have it fall over. Make up a maintenance stand if needed (I don't bother) and spend the $ on other things. 2) Engine- see volumes of posts. 3) Exhaust- we still have many areas open to motorcyles off road and noisy exhausts may succeed on closing those eventually. Part of the issue is that main stream, middle class professionals tend not to like noisy machinery and they are focused, credible and articulate. Piss them off then they will work to get rid of the irritation, usually successfully. Since I'm one of them I can understand the dynamics. IMO most KLR riders are also of this social class so you may not fit in as you wish if you are noisy. 4) Tires- the stockers work very well for my use so will stay with them or very similar. While it would be nice to have a more aggressive bite off road, the on road and not falling off is more important for me- agressive cornering is the on road factor. As for bar vibration...have you ever ridden a 1960's English single? IMO the KLR is not a problem as far as bar vibration but many will find it to be different. IMO many people grip the bars far too firmly which makes a minor vibration far worse. The type of gloves you wear has a bearing on felt vibration as has the make-up and shape of your hands. A "Throttle Rocker" assist reduces the need to grip the throttle as hard so makes the right hand vibration acceptable. Enjoy, and please share your thoughts and experience. Norm