KLR newbie

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flh4299

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I just bought my first KLR650 and have a few things I want to make sure of.

I've ridden old Harleys for about the last 15 years and sold my last one recently, I decided I wanted to own something I could really enjoy. After alot of research and comparison Idecided the KLR was by far the best value. I bought a 2008 model,had a heck of a time getting the black oneas the dealers all wanted to push the red or blue.

I've put on 500 miles in my first two rides.

Break it in hard? or take it easy?

I need to know how critical it is that the valves be adjusted within the first 600 miles?

And are there any service manuals available?

I look forward to some riding like I did as a kid with my old TT500, except now I can legally get to the trail head!!!
 
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Yak_KLR650

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Welcome to the Asylum! ride it like it owes you money. There are some changes to the '08, but the Clymer manual should be able to help you on most stuff. Also check out KLR650.net forums for lots of info on everything KLR, including the '08.
 
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Guest

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Break it in hard and fast IMO....change the oil early to flush the break in crap out of it.

Richen the pilot screw and it runs a LOT better.



Have fun :hb:
 
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ZED

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You want to watch the revs at first. Keep them down as it says in the manual. The key with the "run it hard" approach (to which I also subscribe) is to understand what it's doing. You want the rings to seat for good power and life. To do that you want some hard decelerations (engine braking). Early in it's life make sure to accelerate gently up to the max break-in rpm and then back off quick. Do a bunch of that and vary the rpms while riding for the first few hundred and it will likely be a good engine.

That's what I've done with my KLR, and now I'm doing that with my Ducati ST3 (139km and counting:clap: )

You'll feel the engine change as it wears in. My '05 kind of settled into what it is now at about 4500km. The biggest changes were in the first 300km. After that, the peak power range just slowly climed.
 
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flh4299

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Thanks alot guys.

I also noticed that during deceleration I get some "spitting" from the exhaust, not backfiring just quiet little pops.

Is this a sign of an exhaust leak or is it normal?
 
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flh4299

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Cool, OK, I'll open up the enrichment!
 
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edzzed

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i bought a 99 off the showroom floor. 27,000 kms later it is still running great. i also did a few of the gently push the rpm's up, but only to 4000 rpm and then abruptly back off. kept it below 4000 rpm for the first 500 kms then increased the rpms by 1000 for every further 150-200kms and so on with some of those abrupt backing off the throttle. mine also did the decelration popping till i took it to the dealer. they said the problem is kawi makes the bike conform to californias strict emissions limits. they did something to the bike while i had it in for valve servicing. they said the valves were within specs and like i say 27,000 kms later it runs great, if only i can fix the part about all the rear flat tires i have had all will be good. but i suspect i was running too low a pressure so got alot of internal rubber movement leading to flats. since i upped the pressure i have gone two years no flats. just sucks that i'll have to replace the knobby i have on there as it wears fast. i also found the stock fork boots are crap. and my seat is like a 2x4 after 150 miles of riding. both easy fixes. just need to sell more shih tzu's, we have 3 females left if interested....... Ed
 
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flh4299

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Yeah my seat sucks too, they were supposed to have made an improvement. If this is an improvment I feel sorry for those who have to ride on the eariler seats!

I was able to teke the bike off-road for the first time yesterday. I found it to be very capable, almost wondered if I bought too much bike!!
 
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grumpy

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i kept the harley the klrs low price made the choice for me
now i have the best of 3 worlds
lookforward to meeting you folk from the asylum when i get out of this mountainous backroad infested scenic hell im stuck in (mica creek)
 

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ZED

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flh4299 wrote:
Yeah my seat sucks too, they were supposed to have made an improvement. If this is an improvment I feel sorry for those who have to ride on the eariler seats!

I was able to teke the bike off-road for the first time yesterday. I found it to be very capable, almost wondered if I bought too much bike!!
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It's a big bike for true off-road, and it has more power than you can ever use for it, but it can be done. One thing to keep in mind is not to "man-handle" it. It's too big for that. You have to finesse the beast through it.

Good luck, stick with it.
 
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ZED

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grumpy wrote:
i kept the harley the klrs low price made the choice for me
now i have the best of 3 worlds
lookforward to meeting you folk from the asylum when i get out of this mountainous backroad infested scenic hell im stuck in (mica creek)
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Gee, "stuck" in mica creek eh?!? Heck, just to get anywhere you've got to traverse about 150km of fast twisty highway. Where's the mouth drooling icon when you need it?
 
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grumpy wrote:
i kept the harley the klrs low price made the choice for me
now i have the best of 3 worlds
lookforward to meeting you folk from the asylum when i get out of this mountainous backroad infested scenic hell im stuck in (mica creek)
Click to expand...
Gee and only a measly KLR to explore the area on....you poor poor fellow ;)
 
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