wind rumble / windshield

[smokey925916]

the DPO of my bike put lowering links on the bike. It took forever to find out why the rear suspension kept bottoming out. It was the exhaust resonator on the swing arm. Anyways, I put 1/2" raising links on the rear suspension. I couldn't find stock links on the cheap. These links were like $12. The forks were raised up in the triple clamp about 1/2"(over the top of the clamp). I moved them so the fork caps are level with the triple clamp. The problem is raising the rear has made my bike a bit unstable at about 80mph, compared to what it was before. I want to raise the front a bit. I also have a problem while getting agressive offroad with bottoming out the front suspension. I was going to swap out the spacers on the front forks for something 1/2" longer. This should also make my suspension more stiff, also. Is this the right move to make given my situation? Is this the best way to raise the front forks (more ground clearance)? Thanks for any help

[Jud Jones]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "smokey925916" wrote:

> > the DPO of my bike put lowering links on the bike. It took forever > to find out why the rear suspension kept bottoming out. It was the > exhaust resonator on the swing arm. > > Anyways, I put 1/2" raising links on the rear suspension. I > couldn't find stock links on the cheap. These links were like $12. > > The forks were raised up in the triple clamp about 1/2"(over the top > of the clamp). I moved them so the fork caps are level with the > triple clamp. > > > The problem is raising the rear has made my bike a bit unstable at > about 80mph, compared to what it was before. I want to raise the > front a bit. > > I also have a problem while getting agressive offroad with bottoming > out the front suspension. I was going to swap out the spacers on > the front forks for something 1/2" longer. This should also make my > suspension more stiff, also. > > Is this the right move to make given my situation? Is this the best > way to raise the front forks (more ground clearance)? > > Thanks for any help >

What have you done with springs? Assuming your springs are stock, the raising links will also stiffen the rear end, so the front will be even softer by comparison. Progressive 1151s in the forks might restore balance to the bike, in effect raising the front end by reducing sag. They are a good addition in any case, so that is what I would try first.

[D Critchley]

Speaking of Lowering Links, I put the OEM Links from my A13 beside the OEM Links from the 2008. Looks like the old ones would act like about a 1 " raising link on a 2008. Cordially DC

[hardyreels]

I have a tall clearview shield on my 06. I am 6' 5" tall and although it catches lots of gravel for me here in Alaska it produces turbulence. I have a bad habit of locking the throttle with a mini bungee cord and hiding behind the windscreen when on the highway. You just kinda put your hands up over the instruments and rest the elbows on the handlebars and relax. This position provides a perfect quite ride you can almost hear the front tire humming on the road. Has anyone put a pair of flat handlebars on their KLR having no rise at all? This would offer the tall guys a way to lower the body and to lean in behind the wind screen. I don't find it uncomfortable at all but would like a pair of flat bars instead of my present position. I ask this prior to experimenting on my own in case someone out there can tell me if they have tried this in order to beat the wind when on the highway.