Wilsons Sandbox

Maybe it's cuz it's a red one, dunno. But so far my 2008 with 11k miles has: 3 flats,on the third one the stock tube split on the seem causing a blow out and high side at freeway speed. Atgatt body with nerfs, hand guards and pelicans on bike, no damage other than scratches and pulled muscles) Silly side note, bike laying on side of road with me standing there, 2 state patrol and a county went by, none stopped! 11 blown main fuses (Which have left me stranded twice, i'd strip it down, check every wire, tape off suspects, etc) which were finally tracked to a defective starter switch, replaced. Bad gas, cost me a 3 day ride. Melted signal wide, got pinched. Typical loss of a dozen or so bolts, and typical compressed oatmeal stripped bolts. On the other hand, I love this bike, and dont miss the old KLR at all. Ive just never had trouble with any machinery, and these problems seem to put quite a damper on my trust in this bike. The old KLR had a couple flats, but otherwise never left me stranded [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

The only factory defect on my 2004 was a broken blinker wire inside the insulation near the steering bearings. Also, whoever assembled it had the rear blinker wires crossed but I gather that was the dealer's fault in final assembly. But, blinking right when you are thinking/pushing the turn signal switch left is a nono. You could call the front brake system on pre2008 models factory defects if you ride on the street and you have to joust with cagers some with anti-lock brakes. So, BUY A LOW MILES pre2008 KLR, do the doohickey and front rotor upgrade, brighter headlight bulb AND YOU HAVE A GREAT cheap bike that takes a lickin and keeps on thumpin! Any other farkles are just farkles. Jeffrey