--- In
DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "aupopescu" wrote:
>
> Hi!
>
> I am thinking at trading my 2005 for a 2009 modell. So far I have
two
> questions, if anybody know the answer:
> - is it true that the new engine is more powerful/responsive, as
they
> claim? (one of the reasons to buy the new one, as I sometimes have
to
> accelerate really hard to get away at the traffic lights)
> - would a 2005 seat fit to the 2009 (the 2009 is the same as 2008)?
(I
> have a new Corbin on my 2005 and I don't want to pay for it again).
>
> Thanks!
>
> Adrian
>
Adrian,
In the short answer of 'more-powerful, more responsive', ah, no.
Other subtle improvements, yes. smile.
I think you question is the age-old one, "How do I get more
performance out of my bike?" The short, glib answer, is to change
the color, yikes, buy an 'orange' bike with 95 HP.
But back to the KLR-only, content-crowd:
Hard acceleration? Do you mean you can't get a great hole-shot?
By that do you mean it requires high RPMS to move from a dead stop?
You do remember it is ~38ish HP!!!!
and I wonder if you are using a 16T C/S?
The 16/43 is a real hole-shot killer
For $20, you can get the peppy bike you want by changing out the
front C/S to a 14 or 13 T sprocket. I keep a variety of 13/14/15 C/S
in the tank bag to mix/match for the 43T rear--swapping to 13 if I am
going to be in more difficult conditions, 14 if it is a combination
of gravel and paved roads, and 15 if I am going long distances on
pavement.
I rode the 13/43T sprocket combination during the GDR (Canada to
Mexico), and what a great combination that was. (The three KLR
riders all agreed that it was the smartest prep item they did for the
ride.) We all rode to Kalispell on the 15T, switched to 13 T to ride
South, and I switched to the 14 T at the Mexican border and rode 1200
miles home on that. It is much better for a laden bike in the
mountains rather than the 15 T.
It takes ~20 minutes, start to finish to do a sprocket change--and
that includes the time it takes to get out the tools. Others
probably can do it faster.
NOTE: you will change the RPM's ~400 for every tooth you change for
a given MPH. ie, change to the 14 T and you will be ~400 more RPM's
at any given speed. Change down to 13T and it will be ~800 more RPMs
at any given speed. But you will have better acceleration up to 60-
65mph, etc. and nearly no clutch slipping.
It is all a compromise. smile.
I rode the 2008 KLR650 ~40 miles at Vintage bike days last summer,
followed in trail by a Versys. (The KAWI demo ride is a 'guided' ride
and you follow a ride-leader, with a string of ~6 or 7 bikes.) I
still chuckle when I remember how the Versys rider walked up and
said "WOW--that thing really goes!" The Versys rider was blown away
by the appearnt acceleration of the 08 KLR. I had to smile. I
didn't tell him that the past 5 years I had ridden KLR's almost
exclusively--so I had him at a disadvantage, as he was riding a bike
he had never ridden before--or that I kept it wound up pretty tight
the entire time. I wouldn't be surprised that the guy didn't go out
and buy a KLR650 after that demo--and he only WATCHED the demo.
Acceleration on the 08' was crisp, and seemed a lot more peppy than
my 98 or 01--but is should have! It was a purely naked bike, no
farkle, no armor, no upgrades = an easy 40lbs of extras on my
campaign KLR's that include a center-stand, tools, tubes, air
compressor, water, chain lube, GPS, luggage rack, saddle bags, tail
bags, panniers etc. At that comparison, my KLX 300R is 'better' and
faster than my KLR's--as a side by side comparison--without all the
hindrance of farkle.
But before you trade, try another C/S size. Especially if you now
are using a 16T front instead of the OEM 15/43 combination. That $20
could save you a couple of thousand. shrug.
Should you buy new, your 05 will find a new home easily in the
spring, sooner if you price it to sell as the wx gets colder.
Sometimes,
a new bike is the only thing that will satisfy you...for a moment....
I don't think the old seat will fit the new bike--look/compare at the
Corbin site--it will show a different part number/years if there is
difference, etc. I think there is an interference fit with the side
covers, as I recall.
revmaaatin. 23F this morning in central SD. High of 43.sigh.
69F on Thursday.
Steve in Norman, OK