fork spring upgrade?

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KLR MIKE

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Hey thanks for the quick replies guys,

we'll be in touch soon I'm sure (rains melting snow pretty quick right now). Very itchy after the show...I was wondering if any of you have tried the progessive fork spring upgrade on your KLR. I've read a few things online about them but it would be nice to get feedback from local riders. I was also told to consider a steel-braided front brake line at the same time. I'm 6'2" about 190lbs.

Mike:hb:
 
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Roaddane

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Hey Mike, I did the progressive fork springs. I'm 5'11" just under 200lbs. For me it was hard to tell the difference but I think if I rode two KLR's back to back, one with, one without, then I'm sure the difference would be more apparent. Having said that, it is a little firmer off-road and dives less under braking. I made the decision to get them because I knew that my KLR would spent at least 50% of it's time off-road and with such a soft suspension, any little bit would only help.

The steel braided brake linesare a good upgrade if you plan to spend most of your time on pavement. Off road they tend to be too grabby and lock up easier. Not fun to lock up the front wheel on a loose gravel down hill. I was shocked during my first panic stop with the KLR, she no stop, but over time you get used to the feel of the brakes and learn not to tailgate anyone or leave yourself an escape route.:shock:

I feel the best first upgrade for any KLR that will spend time in the dirt is an aluminum skid plate. I can't believe how many rocks have tinged off mine even for a non-aggresive rider like myself.

Paul
 
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KLR MIKE

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Paul, thanks for the info. I'll probably end up doing the springs without thebrake line. It took me a while but I'm used to the KLR's stoppers now. My only two previous bikes were a kawi ZX6 and ZX7R with (obviously) a far different feel.The Moose aluminum skid plate actually was my first modification and your right, it makes a huge difference...

Mike
 
tomcycle

tomcycle

Past President DSBC 2004 -2018
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I ride a 97 dr650 and I did the progressive front and rear springs, huge difference in handling off road. A lot stiffer on the pavement though. I have ridden KLR with the steel braided line and it improves the brakes 100% I will be upgrading both my dr400 and 650 I like the feel.

TT
 
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racinray

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hi mike i too have the progressive up grade to my 93 dr 650 works well [$] but if you are just looking for a little more preload out of youre stock front end one thing you can try is pvc pipe same size as the stock spacer but 1/2 inch longer increments until you obtain proper preload you are after . when you purchase the progressive forkspring kit it comes with new springs and suprise pvc spacer pipe if it works for them it works for me this will take care of anti dive issues and leaves you with the plush ride you are after with the big dually i have attached a schematic of youre front assembly too show the spacer to change hope this helps.:cool: RAY
 

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K

KLR MIKE

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Nicely done Ray, I will surely give this a try:D:D

Mike:hb:
 
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Guest

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I had progressives on my KLR and they made a bit of difference. I also replaced the rear shock and spring with a Larry Roesler model . WOW!! That is the biggest change I've experienced on a bike. It raises the seat height a bit and in conjunction with front progressives makes the bike feel totally different. No more sponginess, the bike feels more like one unit than a bunch of different parts and you can go much faster in the rough stuff. I should have kept that bike but needed money to finance another one.

I had the above done to it as well as braided front line, fork brace(huge difference on pavement) Big Gun full system (too loud) and jetting. Also had the Rifle big wind screen. On tarmac, on the twisty roads around Ft Langley I was passing sport 600s in the twisties.:p

If I had it to do again, I'd skip the Big Gun and the shield is nice but too big for slow off road riding. I can't emphasize enough how much the shock and spring, front springs and fork brace work so well when all of them are on the bike.

I wish Kwak would update the suspension on the KLR. As far as I'm concerned it would take very little cost to do it. I'm sure some of their off road stuff can be adapted to fit the Killer.
 
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KLR MIKE

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Thanks for the info Bill,

I have a couple of questions though,

how long ago did you own this bike?(i ask because I'd like to do many of these upgrades, especially rear spring, fork brace, and exhaust). I have only seen these items online, usually u.s. I don't have credit cards to order (call me old-fashioned) so were these available in some zen-bike-shop??Also if this was recent do you recall any dollar amounts?

I purchased my bike from B____y Kawasaki and there parts dept. is hurting...They've told me that they deal with Dual Star but it would be easier for me to order myself?!?!?!:X

All ears,Mike:hb:
 
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Let's see, I traded in the Quota and KLR for the V11 Sport so that would make it early 02. The KLR was a 99 model. I lucked out because a guy with a KLR had totalled it. Apparently this guy rode it like a Motard:p He had the shock and spring for sale at BK. Think Ipayed $300 for it. Fork springs were around $90 new I think.

The fork brace was sitting in my garage. I think I bought that when Daytona went out of business for around $10-$20. It was an ATK brace that fit with a bit of minor shimming.

If you want a braided line for the bike, go to Mopak, I think they're called. Take in your old line with the fittings and they'll cut you a new Goodridge line and press on the fittings for much cheaper than a bike shop.

The biggest disapointment was the Big Gun exhaust system which I got a deal on when I bought the bike. A friend's stock KLR still pulled better than mine and thats with the rejetting:shock:
 
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You could try these guys. You wouldn't be paying the vat because its going out of country and I know 2 people who have used these shocks on their street bikes and they say it's a big improvement over stock.

http://www.hagon-shocks.co.uk/Main.htm
 
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