klr 09 rack suggestions

[Bob K]

In regard to #3 below the 16t is a good mod for street use but it only drops rpm by about 300 r's, not 500. I agree with the Grip Puppies, they are super.   Now on to a better seat and windshield and I'll be all set.   Bob 2009 Red KLR Indiana     To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com From: RJTaylor@... Date: Thu, 13 May 2010 21:25:04 +0000 Subject: [DSN_KLR650] KLR 650 Comfort Mods   Based on recent E-Mails -I thought I'd start a thread on making the KLR 650 comfortable for us "normal" riders. I loved the light bike, easy handling and decent all-around performance that didn't cost a lot of money. But after 2 seasons riding a totally stock 2006 KLR 650 (90% street/highway) , I was getting ready to trade in for a WeeStrom. My basic complaints: - Squirrelly highway handling, rideability - Buzzing, topping out at 75 MPH - "Numb buns" / "hot buns" after about an hour or so - Numb hands after an hour or so; even with gel gloves - Wind buffeting, wind fatigue Here's my upgrade list gleaned from various posts: - Grip Puppies ($10) - Wal-Mart ATV Seat Cover ($18) - Acerbis mini front fender ($20) - 16 Tooth front sprocket ($20) - MRA Smoked Grey Windshield ($110 from Twisted Throttle) - X-Ring Superbike Chain ($129 installed) - Bridgestone TrailWings ($279 installed) - Nerf Bars ($289) 1) Handling and rideability: replacing OEM knobbies was paramount. Bridgestone TW's are a reasonable compromise between street and trail. Replacing the OEM chain had more impact then I expected in smoothing out the drive train. 2) Highspeed wind buffeting (both bike and rider) comes from two things - two much front fender, not enough windshield. The Acerbis mini-front fender made a big difference offloading wind resistance from the handlebars. The MRA windshield from Twisted Throttle is better than stock, better than the Kaw large screen and slopes more to improve handling by putting downward pressure on the frame (not handlebars) while removing wind from the riders chest. 3) The 16 tooth front sprocket lowers highways revs by 500 RPM. I've noticed no dropoff in mid-high speed performance. Combined with the ATV seatcover and Grip Puppy foam handgrips it makes a huge difference in long rides. Nerf bars protect the bike from laydowns and highway footpegs allow changing seat position which also can improve highway ride over the long haul. Add a JC Whitney trunk and tankbag; and now I've got a decent highway cruiser to keep up with the big boys that can still explore the backroads they can't. #ygrps-yiv-1843319673 .ygrps-yiv-1843319673ExternalClass #ygrps-yiv-1843319673ecxygrp-mkp {border:1px solid #d8d8d8;font-family:Arial;padding:0 10px;} #ygrps-yiv-1843319673 .ygrps-yiv-1843319673ExternalClass #ygrps-yiv-1843319673ecxygrp-mkp hr {border:1px solid #d8d8d8;} #ygrps-yiv-1843319673 .ygrps-yiv-1843319673ExternalClass #ygrps-yiv-1843319673ecxygrp-mkp #ygrps-yiv-1843319673ecxhd {color:#628c2a;font-size:85%;font-weight:700;line-height:122%;} #ygrps-yiv-1843319673 .ygrps-yiv-1843319673ExternalClass #ygrps-yiv-1843319673ecxygrp-mkp #ygrps-yiv-1843319673ecxads {margin-bottom:10px;} #ygrps-yiv-1843319673 .ygrps-yiv-1843319673ExternalClass #ygrps-yiv-1843319673ecxygrp-mkp .ygrps-yiv-1843319673ecxad {padding:0 0;} #ygrps-yiv-1843319673 .ygrps-yiv-1843319673ExternalClass #ygrps-yiv-1843319673ecxygrp-mkp .ygrps-yiv-1843319673ecxad a 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Combine all your e-mail accounts with Hotmail. http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/the ... 010_4' busy.

[RobertWichert]

What about the Corbin seats. Are they the best bet? Robert P. Wichert P.Eng +1 916 966 9060 FAX +1 916 966 9068 ========================================================

On 5/13/2010 4:52 PM, Bob K wrote: In regard to #3 below the 16t is a good mod for street use but it only drops rpm by about 300 r's, not 500. I agree with the Grip Puppies, they are super. Now on to a better seat and windshield and I'll be all set. Bob 2009 Red KLR Indiana To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogro ups.com From: RJTaylor@compuserve .com Date: Thu, 13 May 2010 21:25:04 +0000 Subject: [DSN_KLR650] KLR 650 Comfort Mods Based on recent E-Mails -I thought I'd start a thread on making the KLR 650 comfortable for us "normal" riders. I loved the light bike, easy handling and decent all-around performance that didn't cost a lot of money. But after 2 seasons riding a totally stock 2006 KLR 650 (90% street/highway) , I was getting ready to trade in for a WeeStrom. My basic complaints: - Squirrelly highway handling, rideability - Buzzing, topping out at 75 MPH - "Numb buns" / "hot buns" after about an hour or so - Numb hands after an hour or so; even with gel gloves - Wind buffeting, wind fatigue Here's my upgrade list gleaned from various posts: - Grip Puppies ($10) - Wal-Mart ATV Seat Cover ($18) - Acerbis mini front fender ($20) - 16 Tooth front sprocket ($20) - MRA Smoked Grey Windshield ($110 from Twisted Throttle) - X-Ring Superbike Chain ($129 installed) - Bridgestone TrailWings ($279 installed) - Nerf Bars ($289) 1) Handling and ri deability: replacing OEM knobbies was paramount. Bridgestone TW's are a reasonable compromise between street and trail. Replacing the OEM chain had more impact then I expected in smoothing out the drive train. 2) Highspeed wind buffeting (both bike and rider) comes from two things - two much front fender, not enough windshield. The Acerbis mini-front fender made a big difference offloading wind resistance from the handlebars. The MRA windshield from Twisted Throttle is better than stock, better than the Kaw large screen and slopes more to improve handling by putting downward pressure on the frame (not handlebars) while removing wind from the riders chest. 3) The 16 tooth front sprocket lowers highways revs by 500 RPM. I've noticed no dropoff in mid-high speed performance. Combined with the ATV seatcover and Grip Puppy foam handgrips it makes a huge difference in long rides. Nerf bars protect the bike from laydowns and highway footpegs allow changing seat posit ion which also can improve highway ride over the long haul. Add a JC Whitney trunk and tankbag; and now I've got a decent highway cruiser to keep up with the big boys that can still explore the backroads they can't. The New Busy is not the too busy. Combine all your e-mail accounts with Hotmail. Get busy.

[John Biccum]

Attachments : I curse Corbin’s shoddy workmanship whenever I remove my Corbin flat seat from my KLR.  The bolt holes just don’t line up with the subframe locations so reinstallation takes three men and a boy and a lot of grunting and cursing.  I direct the curses at Corbin’s Hollister, CA factory J

 

 If you buy the seat directly from Corbin they won’t take it back regardless of fit, finish or workmanship issues.  The seat is also very heavy, probably twice the weight of the stock seat. But I found the seat quite comfortable initially, although very firm.  But after many, many miles the seat has conformed to *[b]my[/b]* seat making it *very* comfortable.  But I just cannot recommend patronizing any manufacturer with such a consumer-unfriendly return policy; they just don’t deserve the business.

 

Against my better judgment I did buy another Corbin seat when I bought my WeeStrom.  I bought it from a dealer who agreed to take it back if it did not fit or if it displayed substandard workmanship.  When the seat arrived it simply could not be made to fit onto my bike *[b]and[/b]* the seat displayed substandard workmanship.  See pics here:

http://johnbiccum.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Corbin-on-WeeStrom/2973341_4qdLG#160844808_LLuV2

 

The Wee seat was just as heavy as the Corbin I have on my KLR.  I had to pay UPS freight back to the dealer at my expense and I was amazed at just how heavy the seat was when I had to cough up the UPS charges to send it back to the dealer.  

 

 I bought a Sergeant World Tour seat instead and it fit perfectly and is comfortable out of the box and it light too boot.  I wonder if they make this seat for the KLR?

 

If Corbin stock was publicly traded I’d short the stock since the combination of their shoddy workmanship  and cavalier attitude does not bode well for their continued existence.

 

I’d look at some alternatives to Corbin. 

 

 

 

[b]From:[/b] DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com [mailto:DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com] [b]On Behalf Of [/b]RobertWichert [b]Sent:[/b] Thursday, May 13, 2010 6:23 PM [b]To:[/b] Bob K [b]Cc:[/b] dsn_klr650@yahoogroups.com [b]Subject:[/b] Re: FW: [DSN_KLR650] KLR 650 Comfort Mods

 

 

What about the Corbin seats.  Are they the best bet?    Robert P. Wichert P.Eng+1 916 966 9060FAX +1 916 966 9068                  ========================================================

On 5/13/2010 4:52 PM, Bob K wrote:

 

In regard to #3 below the 16t is a good mod for street use but it only drops rpm by about 300 r's, not 500. I agree with the Grip Puppies, they are super.   Now on to a better seat and windshield and I'll be all set.   Bob 2009 Red KLR Indiana

 

 

To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com From: RJTaylor@compuserve.com Date: Thu, 13 May 2010 21:25:04 +0000 Subject: [DSN_KLR650] KLR 650 Comfort Mods  

Based on recent E-Mails -I thought I'd start a thread on making the KLR 650 comfortable for us "normal" riders. I loved the light bike, easy handling and decent all-around performance that didn't cost a lot of money. But after 2 seasons riding a totally stock 2006 KLR 650 (90% street/highway), I was getting ready to trade in for a WeeStrom. My basic complaints: - Squirrelly highway handling, rideability - Buzzing, topping out at 75 MPH - "Numb buns" / "hot buns" after about an hour or so - Numb hands after an hour or so; even with gel gloves - Wind buffeting, wind fatigue Here's my upgrade list gleaned from various posts: - Grip Puppies ($10) - Wal-Mart ATV Seat Cover ($18) - Acerbis mini front fender ($20) - 16 Tooth front sprocket ($20) - MRA Smoked Grey Windshield ($110 from Twisted Throttle) - X-Ring Superbike Chain ($129 installed) - Bridgestone TrailWings ($279 installed) - Nerf Bars ($289) 1) Handling and ri deability: replacing OEM knobbies was paramount. Bridgestone TW's are a reasonable compromise between street and trail. Replacing the OEM chain had more impact then I expected in smoothing out the drive train. 2) Highspeed wind buffeting (both bike and rider) comes from two things - two much front fender, not enough windshield. The Acerbis mini-front fender made a big difference offloading wind resistance from the handlebars. The MRA windshield from Twisted Throttle is better than stock, better than the Kaw large screen and slopes more to improve handling by putting downward pressure on the frame (not handlebars) while removing wind from the riders chest. 3) The 16 tooth front sprocket lowers highways revs by 500 RPM. I've noticed no dropoff in mid-high speed performance. Combined with the ATV seatcover and Grip Puppy foam handgrips it makes a huge difference in long rides. Nerf bars protect the bike from laydowns and highway footpegs allow changing seat posit ion which also can improve highway ride over the long haul. Add a JC Whitney trunk and tankbag; and now I've got a decent highway cruiser to keep up with the big boys that can still explore the backroads they can't.

 

The New Busy is not the too busy. Combine all your e-mail accounts with Hotmail. Get busy.

[slipper21@aol.com]

As far as home made rack plans...  I have looked and found nothing. But on the other hand they are not that tough to make just from a rough picture. I just tonight finished making a rack for my GS. Sent from my iPod

On Mar 23, 2010, at 4:57 PM, "kjedick" wrote:

  All,

 

I purchased a pair of Motopak soft bags, during they re big moving sale, and would like to mount them on the klr without melting the plastic around the muffler.

I ve read about standoff screws with washers, and beer cans tided in with wire. I don t want to get to hokey, but, my current economic situation sucks.

On Happy Trail.com I found the Happy Trails OSR (original side racks) that are designed for soft luggage only. (For 99.97 plus shipping.)

I really like [b]The Denali Soft Bag Rack from TurboCity[/b]. (Quite pricey) Supports the bag quite well.

 

I guess my question is, What s good and is there any home made rack plans out there?

 

Ken

Colorado

 

 

[Jud]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, RobertWichert wrote:

> > What about the Corbin seats. Are they the best bet? > >

Most riders find the Corbin a big improvement over stock, but not necessarily the best bet. I think the flat Corbin is pretty comfortable, but settle for the less comfortable (to me) dipped model in deference to my short inseam. There are other manufacturers (Sargent, Russell, Renazco, to name a few) who can make or rebuild a seat for you that may be more comfortable, but experimentation can be expensive.