[dsn_klr650] klr in europe

[bryanonfire]

Hi KLRistas, As you may have learned from a recent post, I'm thinking about buying a motorcycle in the Czech Republic, and I didn't think they had KLRs over there. Turns out they do. The best one on the used motorcylce listings I could find is close to where I'm going, low mileage, and stock, but $1500 above my price range. Then there's this one, which looks good, price/mileage. http://www.tipmoto.com/motorky/kawasaki/198763-klr-650.html But check out the front forks and the frame mods, welded guards (it appears) where the pillion peg mounts were, as well as the lower motor bash guard. I'm no expert. Did this guy just pull the fork dust boots off for looks? It appeared so when I went out for a sight comparison with my '03. What about the welded on mods to the frame? Does welding weaken the frame? I don't know dick about metalurgy. Are these mods something to worry about, or just cosmetic stuff? $2500, 1997, 15,000 miles... if it didn't look funny I'd buy it right now. Bryan PS: there are several nice DR 650s on the site. I love my KLR but am willing to go sideways. Any good reasons to NOT get a DR 650?

[wayne adamson]

It looks like this bike was once hooked up to a sidecar.The front forks may have been modified.I would be cautious about buying this bike??........Wayne Sent from my iPad

On 2012-05-24, at 9:03 PM, "bryanonfire" wrote: > Hi KLRistas, > > As you may have learned from a recent post, I'm thinking about buying a motorcycle in the Czech Republic, and I didn't think they had KLRs over there. > > Turns out they do. The best one on the used motorcylce listings I could find is close to where I'm going, low mileage, and stock, but $1500 above my price range. > > Then there's this one, which looks good, price/mileage. > http://www.tipmoto.com/motorky/kawasaki/198763-klr-650.html > > But check out the front forks and the frame mods, welded guards (it appears) where the pillion peg mounts were, as well as the lower motor bash guard. > > I'm no expert. Did this guy just pull the fork dust boots off for looks? It appeared so when I went out for a sight comparison with my '03. What about the welded on mods to the frame? > > Does welding weaken the frame? I don't know dick about metalurgy. Are these mods something to worry about, or just cosmetic stuff? $2500, 1997, 15,000 miles... if it didn't look funny I'd buy it right now. > > Bryan > > PS: there are several nice DR 650s on the site. I love my KLR but am willing to go sideways. Any good reasons to NOT get a DR 650? > > > > ------------------------------------ > > List Sponsors - Dual Sport News: http://www.dualsportnews.com > Arrowhead Motorsports: http://www.arrowheadmotorsports.com > List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok: http://www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > Member Map: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DSN_KLR650/app/peoplemap/view/map > Group Apps: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DSN_KLR650/grouplets/subscriptionsYahoo! Groups Links > > >

[Mike Huber]

That's not the only thing that's different....the waterpump has 3 hoses coming off it, the thermostat housing has a built-in "thermobob" bypass hose...The tank , Guages, rear rack, and plastics are different too....I'm Guessing This must be one of the Euro only model KLRs..... Mike Huber Carlsbad NM CC: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com To: bryantburke@... From: adamsonwd@... Date: Thu, 24 May 2012 21:48:07 -0700 Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] KLR in Europe It looks like this bike was once hooked up to a sidecar.The front forks may have been modified.I would be cautious about buying this bike??........Wayne Sent from my iPad

On 2012-05-24, at 9:03 PM, "bryanonfire" wrote: > Hi KLRistas, > > As you may have learned from a recent post, I'm thinking about buying a motorcycle in the Czech Republic, and I didn't think they had KLRs over there. > > Turns out they do. The best one on the used motorcylce listings I could find is close to where I'm going, low mileage, and stock, but $1500 above my price range. > > Then there's this one, which looks good, price/mileage. > http://www.tipmoto.com/motorky/kawasaki/198763-klr-650.html > > But check out the front forks and the frame mods, welded guards (it appears) where the pillion peg mounts were, as well as the lower motor bash guard. > > I'm no expert. Did this guy just pull the fork dust boots off for looks? It appeared so when I went out for a sight comparison with my '03. What about the welded on mods to the frame? > > Does welding weaken the frame? I don't know dick about metalurgy. Are these mods something to worry about, or just cosmetic stuff? $2500, 1997, 15,000 miles... if it didn't look funny I'd buy it right now. > > Bryan > > PS: there are several nice DR 650s on the site. I love my KLR but am willing to go sideways. Any good reasons to NOT get a DR 650? > > > > ------------------------------------ > > List Sponsors - Dual Sport News: http://www.dualsportnews.com > Arrowhead Motorsports: http://www.arrowheadmotorsports.com > List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok: http://www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > Member Map: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DSN_KLR650/app/peoplemap/view/map > Group Apps: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DSN_KLR650/grouplets/subscriptionsYahoo! Groups Links > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[wayne adamson]

The KLX650 was available in Canada for a couple of years in the late 90's.They had a small tank and a few other differences from the KLR.They didn't,seem to sell so were discontinued.I think this bike is a European equivalent of that model.....Wayne Sent from my iPad

On 2012-05-24, at 10:01 PM, Mike Huber wrote: > That's not the only thing that's different....the waterpump has 3 hoses coming off it, the thermostat housing has a built-in "thermobob" bypass hose...The tank , Guages, rear rack, and plastics are different too....I'm Guessing This must be one of the Euro only model KLRs..... > > Mike Huber > Carlsbad NM > > > CC: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com > To: bryantburke@... > From: adamsonwd@... > Date: Thu, 24 May 2012 21:48:07 -0700 > Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] KLR in Europe > > It looks like this bike was once hooked up to a sidecar.The front forks may have been modified.I would be cautious about buying this bike??........Wayne > > Sent from my iPad > > On 2012-05-24, at 9:03 PM, "bryanonfire" wrote: > > > Hi KLRistas, > > > > As you may have learned from a recent post, I'm thinking about buying a motorcycle in the Czech Republic, and I didn't think they had KLRs over there. > > > > Turns out they do. The best one on the used motorcylce listings I could find is close to where I'm going, low mileage, and stock, but $1500 above my price range. > > > > Then there's this one, which looks good, price/mileage. > > http://www.tipmoto.com/motorky/kawasaki/198763-klr-650.html > > > > But check out the front forks and the frame mods, welded guards (it appears) where the pillion peg mounts were, as well as the lower motor bash guard. > > > > I'm no expert. Did this guy just pull the fork dust boots off for looks? It appeared so when I went out for a sight comparison with my '03. What about the welded on mods to the frame? > > > > Does welding weaken the frame? I don't know dick about metalurgy. Are these mods something to worry about, or just cosmetic stuff? $2500, 1997, 15,000 miles... if it didn't look funny I'd buy it right now. > > > > Bryan > > > > PS: there are several nice DR 650s on the site. I love my KLR but am willing to go sideways. Any good reasons to NOT get a DR 650? > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > > > List Sponsors - Dual Sport News: http://www.dualsportnews.com > > Arrowhead Motorsports: http://www.arrowheadmotorsports.com > > List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok: http://www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > > Member Map: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DSN_KLR650/app/peoplemap/view/map > > Group Apps: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DSN_KLR650/grouplets/subscriptionsYahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Jeff Saline]

On Fri, 25 May 2012 04:03:04 -0000 "bryanonfire" writes:

> Hi KLRistas, > > As you may have learned from a recent post, I'm thinking about > buying a motorcycle in the Czech Republic, and I didn't think they > had KLRs over there. > > Turns out they do. The best one on the used motorcylce listings I > could find is close to where I'm going, low mileage, and stock, but > $1500 above my price range. > > Then there's this one, which looks good, price/mileage. > http://www.tipmoto.com/motorky/kawasaki/198763-klr-650.html > > But check out the front forks and the frame mods, welded guards (it > appears) where the pillion peg mounts were, as well as the lower > motor bash guard. > > I'm no expert. Did this guy just pull the fork dust boots off for > looks? It appeared so when I went out for a sight comparison with my > '03. What about the welded on mods to the frame? > > Does welding weaken the frame? I don't know dick about metalurgy. > Are these mods something to worry about, or just cosmetic stuff? > $2500, 1997, 15,000 miles... if it didn't look funny I'd buy it > right now. > > Bryan > > PS: there are several nice DR 650s on the site. I love my KLR but am > willing to go sideways. Any good reasons to NOT get a DR 650?

<><><><><> <><><><><> Bryan, I'm on dial up so only looked at two pictures. I didn't see anything that scared me from that bike. As Mike noted it's got some extra coolant hoses. I think some versions (like for Australia) get that set up which is for carb heating. I think it could be removed very easily if a guy didn't want it. I think that's a "C" model and it gets a different front end and body parts than the A, B and newer E models. I did notice it said it's a 25 kW rated bike. I again "think" that is a restricted engine for Australia and other parts. If I recall correctly the carb slide has an extra hole drilled in it and there may be a block in the slide too to keep it from moving to far up. I again "think" a guy can plug the hole and remove the block or just put in a slide/diaphragm and get full power. Welding will change the metal characteristics to some extent. Kind of depends on the type of welding, how well it was performed and the exact situation. I've welded on my KLR without issues. The frames were put together with welds and those do not have a history of failing. I personally would not worry about a few welds although I might watch them a bit closer than much of the frame. To me it makes sense to stay with a bike you know. It could be interesting getting experience on a different bike in a place that might be short on experienced mechanics and parts. Additionally the KLR has a superb following and help is just an e-mail away if you get in a pinch. Best, Jeff Saline ABC # 4412 South Dakota Airmarshal Airheads Beemer Club www.airheads.org The Beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota 75 R90/6, 03 KLR650 . . ____________________________________________________________ Banks Forced to Forgive Credit Card Debt See how much of your debt could be settled! http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/4fbf904e2bc8a17155dcst04vuc

[Michael Martin]

I googled klr650c and some photos came up. The frame on those bikes look like the one you are considering. They do have boots on their forks, though. Mike Martin Louisville, KY ________________________________ From: bryanonfire To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, May 25, 2012 12:03 AM Subject: [DSN_KLR650] KLR in Europe Then there's this one, which looks good, price/mileage. http://www.tipmoto.com/motorky/kawasaki/198763-klr-650.html But check out the front forks and the frame mods, welded guards (it appears) where the pillion peg mounts were, as well as the lower motor bash guard. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[RobertWichert]

That bike, although different than what I have, looks like it was made that way and any welds are stock welds. Nice bodywork too. I like the scoops. The rack looks like the new type rack, but it says it is a '97, which should have the old rack. As a matter of fact, it looks like the new model WAY more than the old model. Maybe they got the year wrong by eleven years? That water pump is obviously a factory part. Carb heating? Thermostat? Sounds like an upgrade! Who thought it was a limited power unit and why? If you could get the Serial Number, you could probably ask Kawi all these questions. Robert Wichert P.Eng. LEED AP BD&C +1 916 966 9060 FAX +1 916 966 9068 ===============================================

On 5/25/2012 7:39 AM, Michael Martin wrote: > > I googled klr650c and some photos came up. The frame on those bikes > look like the one you are considering. They do have boots on their > forks, though. > > Mike Martin > Louisville, KY > > ________________________________ > From: bryanonfire > > > To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com > Sent: Friday, May 25, 2012 12:03 AM > Subject: [DSN_KLR650] KLR in Europe > > > Then there's this one, which looks good, price/mileage. > http://www.tipmoto.com/motorky/kawasaki/198763-klr-650.html > > But check out the front forks and the frame mods, welded guards (it > appears) where the pillion peg mounts were, as well as the lower motor > bash guard. > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Mike Huber]

Here's what Big Cee said about the 650C..... KLR650-C Differences Here is a list of differences that James Hoving found between the A and C models. The C model has: Better front brakes: Twin-pot caliper. Needs better brakes because it has a dry weight of 370 lbs (vs. 337 lbs for the A model) Different rear subframe. Has the mounting for the rear brake master cylinder welded to the subframe. Not a bolt on aluminium part like the US version. Most other stuff is the same. Better front forks, 41mm with pretty stiff springs. Smaller gas tank (14litre). Different styling (gas tank, light, saddle and whole rear), looks sleeker. Rear tire made from butter. Good grip, but spent after 300km. No tach. No temp gauge, only a warning light. The speedo shows correct speed! The luggage rack will only hold 3kg. The factory says... Better engine guard. Welded steel pipe and plate construction. Steel rims. Wierd emission control system where the idle mixture is controlled by engine heat! [Could this be a carb anti-icing system?] Mike Huber Carlsbad, NM To: mmartin36@... CC: bryantburke@...; DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com From: robert@... Date: Fri, 25 May 2012 07:58:59 -0700 Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] KLR in Europe That bike, although different than what I have, looks like it was made that way and any welds are stock welds. Nice bodywork too. I like the scoops. The rack looks like the new type rack, but it says it is a '97, which should have the old rack. As a matter of fact, it looks like the new model WAY more than the old model. Maybe they got the year wrong by eleven years? That water pump is obviously a factory part. Carb heating? Thermostat? Sounds like an upgrade! Who thought it was a limited power unit and why? If you could get the Serial Number, you could probably ask Kawi all these questions. Robert Wichert P.Eng. LEED AP BD&C +1 916 966 9060 FAX +1 916 966 9068 ===============================================

On 5/25/2012 7:39 AM, Michael Martin wrote: > > I googled klr650c and some photos came up. The frame on those bikes > look like the one you are considering. They do have boots on their > forks, though. > > Mike Martin > Louisville, KY > > ________________________________ > From: bryanonfire > > > To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com > Sent: Friday, May 25, 2012 12:03 AM > Subject: [DSN_KLR650] KLR in Europe > > > Then there's this one, which looks good, price/mileage. > http://www.tipmoto.com/motorky/kawasaki/198763-klr-650.html > > But check out the front forks and the frame mods, welded guards (it > appears) where the pillion peg mounts were, as well as the lower motor > bash guard. > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[hillrallyuk]

Hi Bryan - Worry no more - that bike is a KLR650 "C" model, exactly the same as my three! The passenger pegs must be welded on for some countries, so the European ones are all like that - original frame welding not a mod. The tank is a lot smaller at 14 litres - 3 Imp gallons. The headlight and small front fairing, flashers and clocks all turn with the bars, and those clocks in the pictures are original. the rock guard/ sump bars are original, but the mirrors are aftermarket. Fork gaiters have been removed and the flashers (turn signals) have been changed to LED models. Rear rack has a plate for something like a Givi box. Mark (hillrally)

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "bryanonfire" wrote: > > > Then there's this one, which looks good, price/mileage. > http://www.tipmoto.com/motorky/kawasaki/198763-klr-650.html > > But check out the front forks and the frame mods, welded guards (it appears) where the pillion peg mounts were, as well as the lower motor bash guard. > > I'm no expert. Did this guy just pull the fork dust boots off for looks? It appeared so when I went out for a sight comparison with my '03. What about the welded on mods to the frame? >

[hillrallyuk]

Bryan - I've just posted some pics of the European "C" model that show some of the differences. The extra centre pipe on the water pump is to provide a return path from the Carb heating cicuit, nothing to do with emissions - the extra sandwich at the thermostat has a "hot" take-off going down through an in-line filter, then through a T-piece under the carb, then round to the left side of the barrel through a one-way valve, then round the front of the crankcase to the middle spigot of the water pump. The plastic in-line filter has been replaced on the Czech bike with a straight pipe - it's probably been broken. cheers - Mark (hillrally)

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "bryanonfire" wrote: > > Hi KLRistas, > > As you may have learned from a recent post, I'm thinking about buying a motorcycle in the Czech Republic, and I didn't think they had KLRs over there.