Wilsons Sandbox

paguerra wrote:

> > Hello, > > I am considering a 2008 KLR and heard that the service intervals were > different than for the previous model. For example, no valve check > until 15k miles, change oil every 7k miles. True? > > __._

That's what my service guy said and yes I was somewhat blown away by it and he showed me in the actual manual. I will have the valvues adjusted before then and typically change oil and stuff much more often than recommended.

It is true that this is what the manual says. I'm not sure why exactly. I think most knowledgeable KLRistas would scoff at these guidelines. I personally reject them. I checked my valves on my '08 at 9,500 miles and they were very tight and out of spec, so I'm glad I didn't wait another 5K miles! As far as oil, you can't hurt anything by being more conservative. Regular oil changes are the the least expensive way to extend the life of your engine. It's cheap and it's a fast procedure, so for me it's a no brainer. During the first 10K miles, I changed oil ALOT. Esp. during break in. I now change every 2K miles. I can't imagine going 7K miles. I can imagine doing that in a modern car engine with a quality synthetic, but not in my KLR. No thanks. I just keep a good supply of Rotella from the Wal-Martz on hand. Good luck. Don+ _____ From: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com [mailto:DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of paguerra Sent: Thursday, January 17, 2008 11:10 PM To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Subject: [DSN_KLR650] 2008 service intervals - different? Hello, I am considering a 2008 KLR and heard that the service intervals were different than for the previous model. For example, no valve check until 15k miles, change oil every 7k miles. True? [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

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

> > Hello, > > I am considering a 2008 KLR and heard that the service intervals were > different than for the previous model. For example, no valve check > until 15k miles, change oil every 7k miles. True? >

The changes in service interval seem to be a mistake. There were no changes in the parts that affect the service interval. All the 2008 owners (that I know of) that have gone in and sctually checked the valves have found one or more tight valves. This is in line with previous models. See Don's note. At 872 miles I had one valve on the low limit and 2 more valves near the low. The oil change interval is pretty silly in the 2008 manual. This is still a ball and roller bottom end. Changes are 600, 7.5K, 15K, then 24K miles - 9000 freakin' miles between changes? No way!!!!! Even 7.5K miles is way too much. Use your favorite oil, and change it often. all the best, Mike

On Fri, 18 Jan 2008, Mike wrote:

> --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "paguerra" wrote: >> >> Hello, >> >> I am considering a 2008 KLR and heard that the service intervals were >> different than for the previous model. For example, no valve check >> until 15k miles, change oil every 7k miles. True? >> > The changes in service interval seem to be a mistake. There were no > changes in the parts that affect the service interval.

It being a mistake would not surprise me, but it might also be intentional... The change in oil replacement can be there to improve the overall "green" figures for Kawasaki. If they suggest longer change intervals then they can claim that their bikes pollute less. The valve checking change can be there to help when selling the bike against other bikes where the check/change interval really *is* longer. Just noting that service manuals have become a bit more "political" and a bit less practical over time, and that *might* be the core of these changes for the 2008 model. -- Doug Herr doug@... A16 in Oakland, California

On Jan 17, 2008, at 6:43 PM, Curt Van Weelden wrote:

> According to the owners manual, after two years I am supposed to > replace the brake, cooling, and shock fluid. Is this really > neccessary? How many are doing this? How do you dispose of brake > fluid and coolant?

I'll just chime in to agree with Jeff's response. I change the brake fluid and coolant on my bike every year, and the fork oil every two years. Brakes are especially important on a motorcycle, so I frequently change the fluid to minimize the amount of water that's in the system and keep the performance good. I use the cheap green antifreeze, so I change it every year (ok, ok, year and a half) to prevent the silicates from dropping out of suspension and causing water pump wear. As for the fork oil, you'd be amazed at how nasty that stuff gets after a couple of years. Every locale is going to have different rules regarding disposal; here in California there are lots of places to recycle the fluids, but maybe not so many in other parts. -- Blake Sobiloff http://www.sobiloff.com/> San Jose, CA (USA)