nklr sorta, i puked in my helmet today...

[Arden Kysely]

Make sure the fork tubes are installed so that the tops of the tubes are flush with the top of the triple clamp. Some dealers don't set up new bikes correctly, and leave the tubes in their shipping position, which is an inch or more beyond the fork tubes. You can also install Progressive Suspension LR series fork springs, probably one of the best things you can do for the KLR's handling. Don't put air in the forks, but do check the oil level per the manual. When removing the plugs in the fork tubes, be sure to first loosen the triple clamp bolts. And when re-installing the plugs, be very careful not to cross-thread them, then re-torque the triple clamp bolts. You're screwing aluminum into steel with very thin and delicate (and expensive) threads. __Arden

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "Glen" wrote: > I have a 2000 KLR 650 and I just saw a 2003 and it looked like it > was sitting really high on the front for sure higher than mine and I > was wondering how hard this is boost mine up like that cause I have > been known to jump it and it has bottomed out on my and I was > wondering if I should put air?? in them fork oil?? or what to do?? > I have the service manual and a rough understaning of mechanics can > I fix this myself or should I get the shop to do it?? I just > thought it looked lots meaner with the front end up higher!!! > Thanks

[John Lyon]

Glen, From the FAQ: Known Issues - Dealer screwups: If you buy the bike new, the dealers often leave the forks in the shipping position, with the fork tubes extending about 3" beyond the top of the triple clamp. The tops of the fork tubes should be flush with the top of the triple clamp. If this is the problem then all you need to do is loosen the four bolts on each triple clamp and slide the forks down. CAUTION - you need loosen the bolts after the bike is supported on a jack, mike crate, etc. with the front wheel off the ground. FAQ: http://www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html John Lyon --- Glen wrote:

> I have a 2000 KLR 650 and I just saw a 2003 and it > looked like it > was sitting really high on the front for sure higher > than mine and I > was wondering how hard this is boost mine up like > that cause I have > been known to jump it and it has bottomed out on my > and I was > wondering if I should put air?? in them fork oil?? > or what to do?? > I have the service manual and a rough understaning > of mechanics can > I fix this myself or should I get the shop to do > it?? I just > thought it looked lots meaner with the front end up > higher!!! > Thanks

===== John __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site design software http://sitebuilder.yahoo.com

[MMMasters28@hotmail.com]

Had my first real trail ride two weeks ago. Loved it and the bike took some damage. First thing that happendd of course was the clutch switch, which would not allow me to start the bike with the clutch in. With the help of another KLR rider I was able to do the safety bypass procedure at lunch. Then the next time I dropped the bike, the fan must have taken an impact because it now is broken away from the motor that spins it. I lost the bolt that holds the rear seat frame to the sub frame near the passenger peg, the muffler (Cobra that is starting to bubble) broke at the point where it mounts to the rear of the bike, and my blinkers would'nt work for awhile, and then magically they started working. And then I rode the bike 200 miles home 65 and 70 mph. What a bike! Going to replace the doohickey this month, upgrade the plastic fan to a metal one,replace the missing bolt and check the tightness of all other bolts on the bike, and then ride it a whole bunch. Will changing to a aftermarket shock make the bike even higher off the ground? I mean people lower their bikes by going to a shorter shock, so can your bike get taller with a larger shock, more travel right? Thanks Mick A10 in the garage --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.532 / Virus Database: 326 - Release Date: 10/27/2003 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Keith Saltzer]

> Will changing to a aftermarket shock make the bike even higher off

the ground? I mean people lower their bikes by going to a shorter shock, so can your bike get taller with a larger shock, more travel right?

> > Thanks > Mick > > A10 in the garage

Sounds like you had a blast. Glad to hear it. Yes, you can raise the rear, and a new shock can do that, but what is your bike doing now that you don't like? Bottoming? Need more lean angle clearance? How much do you weigh? How do you ride? Where is most of your riding going to be? What kind of terrain? MrMoose A8 (Barbie and Ken special)

[kdxkawboy@aol.com]

In a message dated 2003-10-30 8:00:15 PM Pacific Standard Time, MMMASTERS28@... writes:

> > Will changing to a aftermarket shock make the bike even higher off the > ground? I mean people lower their bikes by going to a shorter shock, so can your > bike get taller with a larger shock, more travel right? > > Thanks > Mick > > A10 in the garage > >

depends. all things considered equal the replacement shock will be the same length as the stock unit so the seat shouldn't get any taller. however, with an aftermarket shock you can get the rear suspension sag perfectly dialed in for your weight. If you were a heavy weight odds are getting the right preload adjustment could make the bike higher with your weight on it. If you are a not as heavy, getting the preload dialed in could result in a lower effective seat height. Pat G'ville, Nv [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Michael Koch]

One of the most common complaints about the KLR is that it has a poor suspension. What, exactly, is wrong with the stock suspension? For myself, admittedly no expert, I don't have any gripes with the KLR suspension. Compared to my other bikes, Honda CBR1100XX, Honda ST1300, and Honda XR650R, the KLR handles speed bumps and potholes much better. What are the limitations of the stock suspension that cause riders to seek upgrades ?

[Conall]

#1. Front forks dive while using the front brake...most common fix is progressive fork springs and 10W oil .

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Michael Koch" wrote: > One of the most common complaints about the KLR is that it has a poor > suspension. What, exactly, is wrong with the stock suspension? For > myself, admittedly no expert, I don't have any gripes with the KLR > suspension. Compared to my other bikes, Honda CBR1100XX, Honda ST1300, > and Honda XR650R, the KLR handles speed bumps and potholes much > better. What are the limitations of the stock suspension that cause > riders to seek upgrades ?

[Rick McCauley]

For me, there is to much dive when braking. Other than that it is fine for me too. Rick A17 Michael Koch wrote: One of the most common complaints about the KLR is that it has a poor suspension. What, exactly, is wrong with the stock suspension? For myself, admittedly no expert, I don't have any gripes with the KLR suspension. Compared to my other bikes, Honda CBR1100XX, Honda ST1300, and Honda XR650R, the KLR handles speed bumps and potholes much better. What are the limitations of the stock suspension that cause riders to seek upgrades ? --------------------------------- Click here to donate to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[scott quillen]

I haven't taken my KLR off-road, but I can tell you that for me....(6'1" and 225 lbs), I experience quite a bit of fork dive when braking. Definitely could benefit from the stiffer Larry Roeseler (sp?) Progressive Suspension springs. Scott --- Michael Koch wrote:

> One of the most common complaints about the KLR is > that it has a poor > suspension. What, exactly, is wrong with the stock > suspension? For > myself, admittedly no expert, I don't have any > gripes with the KLR > suspension. Compared to my other bikes, Honda > CBR1100XX, Honda ST1300, > and Honda XR650R, the KLR handles speed bumps and > potholes much > better. What are the limitations of the stock > suspension that cause > riders to seek upgrades ? > > > > > Archive Quicksearch at: >

http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/klr650_data_search.html

> List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: > www.dualsportnews.com > List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: > www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > DSN_KLR650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com > > > > >

__________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

[Eric Lee Green]

Michael Koch wrote:

>One of the most common complaints about the KLR is that it has a poor >suspension. What, exactly, is wrong with the stock suspension? >

It's soft and the forks do not have seperately-adjustable rebound, meaning that if you try to firm up the rebound damping (to prevent pogo-stick front end) with heavier-weight fork oil, you end up making the compression damping too harsh and thus making the ride too harsh. Mostly the limitations of the stock suspension only become apparently offroad, when the forks and rear suspension slam into their bumpers on every whoop. It's perfectly fine on-road, though I put progressive springs and a slightly thicker fork oil into mine to make the handling a bit crisper and eliminate some of that alarming braking drive. -E