70 mph in india!

[Dan]

Greetings, I've owned a number of different dual sport and street bikes but am new to the KLR scene. I picked up a stock 2007 KLR with about 2000 miles on it and I am trying to familarize myself with it's different handling characterists. I've noticed that the bike seems to be working pretty hard when I am riding at sustained speeds on the highway (typically 65 - 75 mph). The bike is generating about 5000 rpm at just under 75 mph indicated speed. My highway riding has almost exclusively been on larger displacement multi-cylinder bikes so perhaps I am not accustomed to the KLR's feel at speed, but it sure feels like the bike could use another gear. I don't want to change the gearing because I have been riding the bike off-road as well. Am I overtaxing the bike or is it at home cruising along at this speed/rpm? Thanks in advance for the feedback. Dan

[Jim Douglas]

Think we all want just one more gear. To me, and others will chirp in, 60-65 is best for cruising. Sometimes you will have to move over for the big SUV's and BMW's but I have never been comfortable on a KLR past that.  Typically I am not in a hurry to get anywhere when I am riding.  You will have a blast with the KLR and hope you have a wonderful time with it!  I am on my 3rd one now and just may end up keeping this one!

On 12/28/2010 11:28 AM, Dan wrote:   Greetings, I've owned a number of different dual sport and street bikes but am new to the KLR scene. I picked up a stock 2007 KLR with about 2000 miles on it and I am trying to familarize myself with it's different handling characterists. I've noticed that the bike seems to be working pretty hard when I am riding at sustained speeds on the highway (typically 65 - 75 mph). The bike is generating about 5000 rpm at just under 75 mph indicated speed. My highway riding has almost exclusively been on larger displacement multi-cylinder bikes so perhaps I am not accustomed to the KLR's feel at speed, but it sure feels like the bike could use another gear. I don't want to change the gearing because I have been riding the bike off-road as well. Am I overtaxing the bike or is it at home cruising along at this speed/rpm? Thanks in advance for the feedback. Dan

[mark ward]

Some change the front sprocket adding 1 tooth. While you loose some torque in 1st, (good for steap hills, deep sand, etc.) and use a little higher RPMs starting off,  you lower the RPMs on the Highway. Check out (Google Bigcee & KLR650) at the bottom almost everything you want about a KLR650, including links. Where are you located?   Mark (w. Mich.)

--- On [b]Tue, 12/28/10, Jim Douglas [i][/i][/b] wrote:

From: Jim Douglas Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] KLR Cruise Speed Question To: "DSN _KLR650" DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> Date: Tuesday, December 28, 2010, 7:45 PM   Think we all want just one more gear. To me, and others will chirp in, 60-65 is best for cruising. Sometimes you will have to move over for the big SUV's and BMW's but I have never been comfortable on a KLR past that.  Typically I am not in a hurry to get anywhere when I am riding.  You will have a blast with the KLR and hope you have a wonderful time with it!  I am on my 3rd one now and just may end up keeping this one! On 12/28/2010 11:28 AM, Dan wrote:   Greetings, I've owned a number of different dual sport and street bikes but am new to the KLR scene. I picked up a stock 2007 KLR with about 2000 miles on it and I am trying to familarize myself with it's different handling characterists. I've noticed that the bike seems to be working pretty hard when I am riding at sustained speeds on the highway (typically 65 - 75 mph). The bike is generating about 5000 rpm at just under 75 mph indicated speed. My highway riding has almost exclusively been on larger displacement multi-cylinder bikes so perhaps I am not accustomed to the KLR's feel at speed, but it sure feels like the bike could use another gear. I don't want to change the gearing because I have been riding the bike off-road as well. Am I overtaxing the bike or is it at home cruising along at this speed/rpm? Thanks in advance for the feedback. Dan

[Jeff Khoury]

#ygrps-yiv-1967408040 p {margin:0;}I agree.  The KLR could use an extra gear. Having said that, the poor beast was designed when the national speed limit was still 55 and it cruises just fine all day long at 70 with the stock gearing. I have run it for extended periods at 80+ (say... L.A. to San Diego).  It will do it without complaint, but it will consume oil at those speeds.  Where does it go?  I found that a good portion of it ends up in the airbox, sucked up by the PCV system.  If you have the PCV valve mod, it gets "stuck" in there and will drain out the overflow when you stop. I have a 16T and I've run it on long trips and "around town" stuff.  I've found that it does feel much nicer on the freeway but it comes with a couple of drawbacks that are non-starters for me.  First gear takeoffs will not have the "punch" that they do on the 15T, and if you encounter a heavy headwind, you'll find that it just doesn't have the nuts to keep up speed.  I also found that my gas mileage went DOWN with the 16T, most likely because you end up having to apply more throttle to maintain speed, pass, etc. Now I only put the 16T on when I'm going long distance, and I still take the 15T with me "just in case".  Ever since that 40MPH headwind in the San Joaquin Valley kept top speed down to 45 MPH @ 32MPG I've carried it with me wherever I go.   See my previous posts with the ratio calculator spreadsheet to see exactly what changing the ratios will do. -Jeff Khoury [b]From: [/b]"mark ward" [b]To: [/b]"DSN _KLR650" DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com>, "Jim Douglas" [b]Sent: [/b]Tuesday, December 28, 2010 12:27:29 PM [b]Subject: [/b]Re: [DSN_KLR650] KLR Cruise Speed Question   Some change the front sprocket adding 1 tooth. While you loose some torque in 1st, (good for steap hills, deep sand, etc.) and use a little higher RPMs starting off,  you lower the RPMs on the Highway. Check out (Google Bigcee & KLR650) at the bottom almost everything you want about a KLR650, including links. Where are you located?   Mark (w. Mich.)

--- On [b]Tue, 12/28/10, Jim Douglas [i][/i][/b] wrote:

From: Jim Douglas Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] KLR Cruise Speed Question To: "DSN _KLR650" DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> Date: Tuesday, December 28, 2010, 7:45 PM   Think we all want just one more gear. To me, and others will chirp in, 60-65 is best for cruising. Sometimes you will have to move over for the big SUV's and BMW's but I have never been comfortable on a KLR past that.  Typically I am not in a hurry to get anywhere when I am riding.  You will have a blast with the KLR and hope you have a wonderful time with it!  I am on my 3rd one now and just may end up keeping this one! On 12/28/2010 11:28 AM, Dan wrote:

  Greetings, I've owned a number of different dual sport and street bikes but am new to the KLR scene. I picked up a stock 2007 KLR with about 2000 miles on it and I am trying to familarize myself with it's different handling characterists. I've noticed that the bike seems to be working pretty hard when I am riding at sustained speeds on the highway (typically 65 - 75 mph). The bike is generating about 5000 rpm at just under 75 mph indicated speed. My highway riding has almost exclusively been on larger displacement multi-cylinder bikes so perhaps I am not accustomed to the KLR's feel at speed, but it sure feels like the bike could use another gear. I don't want to change the gearing because I have been riding the bike off-road as well. Am I overtaxing the bike or is it at home cruising along at this speed/rpm? Thanks in advance for the feedback. Dan

[Jeff Khoury]

#ygrps-yiv-1703212035 p {margin:0;}Also, as a philosophical point - if you have a hankerin' for the haul-ass, a big single isn't the bike for you.  I've had a few from different manufacturers and they all have one thing in common: they have scads of torque but peter out quickly on the top-end. My Suzuki Savage would pull a house off its foundations but flat refused to do even a hair over 85.  It was a 4-speed... it DEFINITELY needed another gear. -Jeff Khoury [b]From: [/b]"mark ward" [b]To: [/b]"DSN _KLR650" DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com>, "Jim Douglas" [b]Sent: [/b]Tuesday, December 28, 2010 12:27:29 PM [b]Subject: [/b]Re: [DSN_KLR650] KLR Cruise Speed Question   Some change the front sprocket adding 1 tooth. While you loose some torque in 1st, (good for steap hills, deep sand, etc.) and use a little higher RPMs starting off,  you lower the RPMs on the Highway. Check out (Google Bigcee & KLR650) at the bottom almost everything you want about a KLR650, including links. Where are you located?   Mark (w. Mich.)

--- On [b]Tue, 12/28/10, Jim Douglas [i][/i][/b] wrote:

From: Jim Douglas Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] KLR Cruise Speed Question To: "DSN _KLR650" DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> Date: Tuesday, December 28, 2010, 7:45 PM   Think we all want just one more gear. To me, and others will chirp in, 60-65 is best for cruising. Sometimes you will have to move over for the big SUV's and BMW's but I have never been comfortable on a KLR past that.  Typically I am not in a hurry to get anywhere when I am riding.  You will have a blast with the KLR and hope you have a wonderful time with it!  I am on my 3rd one now and just may end up keeping this one! On 12/28/2010 11:28 AM, Dan wrote:

  Greetings, I've owned a number of different dual sport and street bikes but am new to the KLR scene. I picked up a stock 2007 KLR with about 2000 miles on it and I am trying to familarize myself with it's different handling characterists. I've noticed that the bike seems to be working pretty hard when I am riding at sustained speeds on the highway (typically 65 - 75 mph). The bike is generating about 5000 rpm at just under 75 mph indicated speed. My highway riding has almost exclusively been on larger displacement multi-cylinder bikes so perhaps I am not accustomed to the KLR's feel at speed, but it sure feels like the bike could use another gear. I don't want to change the gearing because I have been riding the bike off-road as well. Am I overtaxing the bike or is it at home cruising along at this speed/rpm? Thanks in advance for the feedback. Dan

[mark ward]

I'm not big on HAULING MY BIG TOUSHY, But, I kinda wish I would have had it on the bigger trips for Getting There. West Mi. To Bar harbor Maine down to boston, sryacuse NY. and home. 3000 plus miles  and alot on back 2-4 lane highways, (45-70mph) Alittle Xway (Erie pa. to home 400). No steep hills ect. just a few med.

--- On [b]Tue, 12/28/10, Jeff Khoury [i][/i][/b] wrote: From: Jeff Khoury Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] KLR Cruise Speed Question To: "mark ward" Cc: "DSN _KLR650" DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com>, "Jim Douglas" Date: Tuesday, December 28, 2010, 10:42 PM #ygrps-yiv-1474807088 #ygrps-yiv-1474807088yiv1492658405 p {margin:0;} Also, as a philosophical point - if you have a hankerin' for the haul-ass, a big single isn't the bike for you.  I've had a few from different manufacturers and they all have one thing in common: they have scads of torque but peter out quickly on the top-end. My Suzuki Savage would pull a house off its foundations but flat refused to do even a hair over 85.  It was a 4-speed... it DEFINITELY needed another gear. -Jeff Khoury [b]From: [/b]"mark ward" [b]To: [/b]"DSN _KLR650" DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com>, "Jim Douglas" [b]Sent: [/b]Tuesday, December 28, 2010 12:27:29 PM [b]Subject: [/b]Re: [DSN_KLR650] KLR Cruise Speed Question   Some change the front sprocket adding 1 tooth. While you loose some torque in 1st, (good for steap hills, deep sand, etc.) and use a little higher RPMs starting off,  you lower the RPMs on the Highway. Check out (Google Bigcee & KLR650) at the bottom almost everything you want about a KLR650, including links. Where are you located?   Mark (w. Mich.) --- On [b]Tue, 12/28/10, Jim Douglas [i][/i][/b] wrote: From: Jim Douglas Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] KLR Cruise Speed Question To: "DSN _KLR650" DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> Date: Tuesday, December 28, 2010, 7:45 PM   Think we all want just one more gear. To me, and others will chirp in, 60-65 is best for cruising. Sometimes you will have to move over for the big SUV's and BMW's but I have never been comfortable on a KLR past that.  Typically I am not in a hurry to get anywhere when I am riding.  You will have a blast with the KLR and hope you have a wonderful time with it!  I am on my 3rd one now and just may end up keeping this one! On 12/28/2010 11:28 AM, Dan wrote: [quote]  Greetings, I've owned a number of different dual sport and street bikes but am new to the KLR scene. I picked up a stock 2007 KLR with about 2000 miles on it and I am trying to familarize myself with it's different handling characterists. I've noticed that the bike seems to be working pretty hard when I am riding at sustained speeds on the highway (typically 65 - 75 mph). The bike is generating about 5000 rpm at just under 75 mph indicated speed. My highway riding has almost exclusively been on larger displacement multi-cylinder bikes so perhaps I am not accustomed to the KLR's feel at speed, but it sure feels like the bike could use another gear. I don't want to change the gearing because I have been riding the bike off-road as well. Am I overtaxing the bike or is it at home cruising along at this speed/rpm? Thanks in advance for the feedback. Dan

[/quote]

[Craig Kahler]

I have found it could use both a lower low and higher high gear. My work around has been alternating between a 13T and 16T front sprocket. The problem is the sprockets are not quick and easy to change,(while on the road). I have thought of making a dual sprocket setup, but can't find the room on a KLR650.   Craig Kahler  

--- On [b]Tue, 12/28/10, Jeff Khoury [i][/i][/b] wrote: From: Jeff Khoury Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] KLR Cruise Speed Question To: "mark ward" Cc: "DSN _KLR650" DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com>, "Jim Douglas" Date: Tuesday, December 28, 2010, 5:42 PM   Also, as a philosophical point - if you have a hankerin' for the haul-ass, a big single isn't the bike for you.  I've had a few from different manufacturers and they all have one thing in common: they have scads of torque but peter out quickly on the top-end. My Suzuki Savage would pull a house off its foundations but flat refused to do even a hair over 85.  It was a 4-speed... it DEFINITELY needed another gear. -Jeff Khoury [b]From: [/b]"mark ward" [b]To: [/b]"DSN _KLR650" DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com>, "Jim Douglas" [b]Sent: [/b]Tuesday, December 28, 2010 12:27:29 PM [b]Subject: [/b]Re: [DSN_KLR650] KLR Cruise Speed Question   Some change the front sprocket adding 1 tooth. While you loose some torque in 1st, (good for steap hills, deep sand, etc.) and use a little higher RPMs starting off,  you lower the RPMs on the Highway. Check out (Google Bigcee & KLR650) at the bottom almost everything you want about a KLR650, including links. Where are you located?   Mark (w. Mich.) --- On [b]Tue, 12/28/10, Jim Douglas [i][/i][/b] wrote: From: Jim Douglas Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] KLR Cruise Speed Question To: "DSN _KLR650" DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> Date: Tuesday, December 28, 2010, 7:45 PM   Think we all want just one more gear. To me, and others will chirp in, 60-65 is best for cruising. Sometimes you will have to move over for the big SUV's and BMW's but I have never been comfortable on a KLR past that.  Typically I am not in a hurry to get anywhere when I am riding.  You will have a blast with the KLR and hope you have a wonderful time with it!  I am on my 3rd one now and just may end up keeping this one! On 12/28/2010 11:28 AM, Dan wrote: [quote]  Greetings, I've owned a number of different dual sport and street bikes but am new to the KLR scene. I picked up a stock 2007 KLR with about 2000 miles on it and I am trying to familarize myself with it's different handling characterists. I've noticed that the bike seems to be working pretty hard when I am riding at sustained speeds on the highway (typically 65 - 75 mph). The bike is generating about 5000 rpm at just under 75 mph indicated speed. My highway riding has almost exclusively been on larger displacement multi-cylinder bikes so perhaps I am not accustomed to the KLR's feel at speed, but it sure feels like the bike could use another gear. I don't want to change the gearing because I have been riding the bike off-road as well. Am I overtaxing the bike or is it at home cruising along at this speed/rpm? Thanks in advance for the feedback. Dan

[/quote]

[Jeff Khoury]

#ygrps-yiv-1286067165 p {margin:0;}Have you heard of the KLR600 1st gear mod?  If I remember right, you take the the input shaft and first gear from a KLR600 and they drop right in.  This lowers 1st and leaves all the others where they are.  This would give you the low 1st and you could still be highway-worthy with a 15T -Jeff Khoury [b]From: [/b]"Craig Kahler" [b]To: [/b]"DSN KLR650" DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> [b]Sent: [/b]Wednesday, December 29, 2010 7:18:04 AM [b]Subject: [/b]Re: [DSN_KLR650] KLR Cruise Speed Question   I have found it could use both a lower low and higher high gear. My work around has been alternating between a 13T and 16T front sprocket. The problem is the sprockets are not quick and easy to change,(while on the road). I have thought of making a dual sprocket setup, but can't find the room on a KLR650.   Craig Kahler  

--- On [b]Tue, 12/28/10, Jeff Khoury [i][/i][/b] wrote: From: Jeff Khoury Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] KLR Cruise Speed Question To: "mark ward" Cc: "DSN _KLR650" DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com>, "Jim Douglas" Date: Tuesday, December 28, 2010, 5:42 PM   Also, as a philosophical point - if you have a hankerin' for the haul-ass, a big single isn't the bike for you.  I've had a few from different manufacturers and they all have one thing in common: they have scads of torque but peter out quickly on the top-end. My Suzuki Savage would pull a house off its foundations but flat refused to do even a hair over 85.  It was a 4-speed... it DEFINITELY needed another gear. -Jeff Khoury [b]From: [/b]"mark ward" [b]To: [/b]"DSN _KLR650" DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com>, "Jim Douglas" [b]Sent: [/b]Tuesday, December 28, 2010 12:27:29 PM [b]Subject: [/b]Re: [DSN_KLR650] KLR Cruise Speed Question   Some change the front sprocket adding 1 tooth. While you loose some torque in 1st, (good for steap hills, deep sand, etc.) and use a little higher RPMs starting off,  you lower the RPMs on the Highway. Check out (Google Bigcee & KLR650) at the bottom almost everything you want about a KLR650, including links. Where are you located?   Mark (w. Mich.) --- On [b]Tue, 12/28/10, Jim Douglas [i][/i][/b] wrote: From: Jim Douglas Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] KLR Cruise Speed Question To: "DSN _KLR650" DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> Date: Tuesday, December 28, 2010, 7:45 PM   Think we all want just one more gear. To me, and others will chirp in, 60-65 is best for cruising. Sometimes you will have to move over for the big SUV's and BMW's but I have never been comfortable on a KLR past that.  Typically I am not in a hurry to get anywhere when I am riding.  You will have a blast with the KLR and hope you have a wonderful time with it!  I am on my 3rd one now and just may end up keeping this one! On 12/28/2010 11:28 AM, Dan wrote: [quote]  Greetings, I've owned a number of different dual sport and street bikes but am new to the KLR scene. I picked up a stock 2007 KLR with about 2000 miles on it and I am trying to familarize myself with it's different handling characterists. I've noticed that the bike seems to be working pretty hard when I am riding at sustained speeds on the highway (typically 65 - 75 mph). The bike is generating about 5000 rpm at just under 75 mph indicated speed. My highway riding has almost exclusively been on larger displacement multi-cylinder bikes so perhaps I am not accustomed to the KLR's feel at speed, but it sure feels like the bike could use another gear. I don't want to change the gearing because I have been riding the bike off-road as well. Am I overtaxing the bike or is it at home cruising along at this speed/rpm? Thanks in advance for the feedback. Dan

[/quote]

[spike55_bmw]

I'd say that the "A", "B", "C" models ("A" like yours and mine) are closer to their dirt bike-roots than the "E" models. You can ride these bike into and out of a wide variety of situations but they are neither super in the dirt or super at the big highway speeds. They're a compromise bike, which is why I like mine. I find that I think less about these issues if I'm really riding it. Don R100, A6F

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Dan" wrote: > > Greetings, > > I've owned a number of different dual sport and street bikes but am new to the KLR scene. I picked up a stock 2007 KLR with about 2000 miles on it and I am trying to familarize myself with it's different handling characterists. I've noticed that the bike seems to be working pretty hard when I am riding at sustained speeds on the highway (typically 65 - 75 mph). The bike is generating about 5000 rpm at just under 75 mph indicated speed. My highway riding has almost exclusively been on larger displacement multi-cylinder bikes so perhaps I am not accustomed to the KLR's feel at speed, but it sure feels like the bike could use another gear. I don't want to change the gearing because I have been riding the bike off-road as well. Am I overtaxing the bike or is it at home cruising along at this speed/rpm? Thanks in advance for the feedback. > > Dan >

[ron criswell]

I run mine at 5200 or so everywhere for hours on end. 53,000 miles on the clock with no noticeable oil usage. I guess I got a good one. I can actually see through my mirrors at that rpm, Criswell Sent from my iPhone

On Dec 29, 2010, at 10:16 AM, "spike55_bmw" wrote:

  I'd say that the "A", "B", "C" models ("A" like yours and mine) are closer to their dirt bike-roots than the "E" models. You can ride these bike into and out of a wide variety of situations but they are neither super in the dirt or super at the big highway speeds. They're a compromise bike, which is why I like mine. I find that I think less about these issues if I'm really riding it. Don R100, A6F --- In DSN_KLR650%40yahoogroups.com, "Dan" wrote: > > Greetings, > > I've owned a number of different dual sport and street bikes but am new to the KLR scene. I picked up a stock 2007 KLR with about 2000 miles on it and I am trying to familarize myself with it's different handling characterists. I've noticed that the bike seems to be working pretty hard when I am riding at sustained speeds on the highway (typically 65 - 75 mph). The bike is generating about 5000 rpm at just under 75 mph indicated speed. My highway riding has almost exclusively been on larger displacement multi-cylinder bikes so perhaps I am not accustomed to the KLR's feel at speed, but it sure feels like the bike could use another gear. I don't want to change the gearing because I have been riding the bike off-road as well. Am I overtaxing the bike or is it at home cruising along at this speed/rpm? Thanks in advance for the feedback. > > Dan >