2006 KLR650 Head Shake

[Windsurfr]

I've got a new KLR650 and I find that it wobbles. A new bike shouldn't do this! It's worst between 100kph and 120kph, and is intensified by any lateral force (ie wind).

I've taken the bike back because there were numerous loose body bolts, signals, etc - so it could be a torque problem on the steering head or triple clamps. The other thing I'm unhappy about is that there is more balance weight on the front wheel than I've seen on most cars. Also unacceptable in my books - but I thought I'd throw it out there to see if you other KLR guys have anything to say about it wobbling at highway speeds.

I've owned a DRZ400 and it didn't do this, nor do the BMW's or other 'adventure class' motorcycles I see cruising down the highway.

Last strange thing I'm noticing is that sometimes when I kick it into gear, it'll stall out and jump as if I don't have the clutch disengaged - only when kicking it in the first time after warming up.

Thanks in advance for the feedback! :dude:

 

[Yak_KLR650]

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Good chance that most fasteners aren't properly tightened - blue loctite is your friend! Loose steering head bearing is common. That big floppy sail (fender) up front doesn't help any. Many have had success with a replacement fender (Acerbis Super Moto or KTM fender), or an Acerbis fender brace (available from the DSBC store on this site).

The stalling first thing is common on the KLR, and maybe other wet clutch bikes. The oil drains from between the plates and they momentarily stick together. I notice it more in cool weather. If you rock the bike in gear, before you start it, that usually loosens the clutch plates enough that you'll have no problem.

Every bike has quirks, learn what they are on the KLR and you'll learn to love the bike (you may come to hate the dealer, though!).:ted:

Hope this helps.

 

[Yak_KLR650]

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Sorry, forgot to mention balance weights. I had 5 (I think 1/4 oz) weights on my front wheel. They fell off one day and I didn't notice any change. I have pulled tires off to replace tubes, put new tires on and never balanced the wheel and it runs fine. I get more head shake with the MT 21 on than I did with less agressive tires.

 

[Windsurfr]

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Thanks Yak - I do hope they find something though. I've been riding for 15 years (mostly super sports, but also a dual sport and a cruiser) and Iraced Motocross back in the day - yet I've never been as fearfull on a bike as I have been on this KLR on the highway. :shoot:



Outside of that, love the bike so far. I've got a whole pile of mods planned, but I won't get into them until my move to BC is done (5 weeks away).

 

[tomcycle]

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Check your tire pressure first, front and rear

then make sure the tirebead is set all the way around,

then the wheel balancing.

Take the caliper off and see if there is a real heavy side.

Check the steering head bearing

Check the rear swing arm make sure everything is tight



By what you say with all the wheel weight I would think to check that out throughly. Take the tire off and check to see how far out of balance the front rim is. It sounds to me like a tire mounting problem.

Tom

 

[Yak_KLR650]

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I have had my '99 up to 160 KPH, loaded with gear, and it rides fine. Your problem sounds fixable!

 

[islandswede]

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Welcome to BC.

I'have an '03' KLR with 28000 kms on it and have encountered the same problems as you have. Crazy scary handlebar shakes at high (120-150) speed. First time at about 20000 K and last time at 27000 K.

Both times it wasa too loosesteering head bearing. Tightened it up and bingo, the headshake was gone.

I've also noticed a huge difference in high speed behaviour between different tires. Just finished off a TKC 80 on the front after 14000 k's. Excellent highway and dirt performance as well as unbelievable durability. Replaced it with a Pirelli MT21 since no Conti's were available on short notice. Getting used to the MT21 but definitely miss my old Conti. The MT21 feels loose and squirrelly at highway speeds and seems to tuck in much faster on the dirt than I'm used to.

Finally on the rim issue, I have (had)9 1/4(7 gram) weights on the front rim after the last tire change. I've taken the glue-on weights off and replaced them with spoke weights. Don't know how much is tire related and what is rim related. The rim is pretty beat up with some lovely custom designed bends in it.

Steering head bearing? Balancing? Bad tire? Bad rim? Uneven oil level or air pressure in front fork, pressure should be 0 psi. Or, you might have a serious problem such as triple tree or frame.

 

[Yak_KLR650]

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islandswede wrote:

The MT21 seems to tuck in much faster on the dirt than I'm used to.

What exactly does this mean? I may recognise it if it happens, but don't know the term. Thanks.

 

[islandswede]

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Turns quicker with less steering input. Think over-steer and under-steer with a car. The Conti feels "neutral" but the MT21 seems to over-steer IMO.

 

[joker650]

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I noticed that when I put a smaller motard fender on the front of my DR650 it is way stabiler at speed......way

 

[Windsurfr]

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An update for everyone -

The dealer went through the bike over the last two days. The only thing found was that the tire pressure was significantly too high (embarassing, but I didn't do any investigation myself :shoot

So I'll pick it up tonight and we'll see how she goes. Don't think I'll bother with the dealer from here - there's more experience in this forum than the dealer has I think.

Thanks everyone for the help, I'm determined to make this bike ride better, so I'll update as I find things over time.

Ian :hb: