New Skidplate for klr650, feedback wanted

[kebn]

Hello Everyone,

We are just in the process of setting up a new company for Dualsport products. First up is a new skidplate for the KLR650. There are a few changes to the ones that are currently out there. First off it has a hole so that it is easy to adjust the doo. Next we have it a little taller on the right side to protect the pump. We also increased the height at the front so that you can attach a tube to carry all of your tools and whatnot. Best of all is that it will be made in Vancouver. The holes will be a little different on the production ones. what do you guys think?
I will do a couple of posts to get pictures up there. thanks
kevin

 

[kebn]

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here is another

 

[kebn]

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and another

 

[kebn]

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and another

 

[dstone]

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Hi. First, good luck on your new company!

As for feedback, all I have to compare your photos to is my Utah Sport Cycles skid plate on my DR650. Two observations...

1) Aluminum... How thick is your plate? Is it anodized? It looks a bit thinner than mine, I think 5/32", but photos can be deceiving. This is probably not a practical issue, but I figure if you're going to the effort to make/buy a skidplate, why not go all the way? Also, I'm not sure if the KLR frame allows it, but can the plate be curved and/or creased a few more times for a rounder leading "curve", should it ever be actually used as a "skid" plate (e.g. t-boning a log, etc.) Just a thought.

2) Mounting... The exposed bolts/threads and nuts on the front look like a liability, especially if the tool tube isn't there. Can you expose just a large, round bolt head on the outside of the plate? What is exposed on the underside mounts? Is the hardware stainless steel?

And make sure you make the oil drain hole placement perfect and/or make the hole larger. My plate collects a good tablespoon of used oil each change. (Which it deposits later...) Small irritation...

Splitting hairs. Looks great. Good luck!

-Darren.

 

[Yak_KLR650]

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Looks good. I agree with everything Darren said. Any idea of the cost? What other products are you thinking of developing? Great to see Canadian business stepping up! Good luck:tup:.

 

[kebn]

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Hello thank you for the great feedback. Well i have to say good eye on the aluminum. Remember that this is the prototype stage. the gauge will be the same as the other plates out there. As for the curving issue, we have looked at and are still looking at that as an option. the klr frame is pretty right angles down there so maybe that will be another one down the road. the angles on the one we are doing right now are pretty close to all of the other plates out there. As for the hardware, this is what we had to bolt it on to try it out. The u bolt up front is what the other company's are using and seems to work very well. it will be using nylock nuts on it and will be a bit shorter.

We have made sure that the balancer adjust hole and the drain plug hole line up perfectly. As for price, We are looking at a price of $140 can, it is about 15 dollars higher than the current ones at the dealer. We think with the modifications to ours it is worth the difference. Also it is LOCAL MADE. Always a good thing. For other things, we are looking at starting with products for the klr 650 that are needed or can be improved upon. As we get rolling we can then move into other bikes and other products. Is there anything that you guys would like to see?


thanks again
kevin

 

[Yak_KLR650]

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kebn wrote:

Is there anything that you guys would like to see?

Thinking in aluminum... things like 'carrier decks' , panner racks and boxes, fork braces. If you can produce them and remain price competitive with places like Happy Trails, I think most of us would rather support our local industry.

Doug.

 

[dstone]

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No question I'd pay a bit more for locally-made stuff that's even slightly superior in design.

Dual Star, Utah, and Studebaker have similar (but unimproved") plates ranging from CAD$74 (Dual Star) to CAD$94 (Utah), plus shipping. So I think your $140 plate with the improvements (and no shipping needed) is priced high, but not crazy.

If/when you start exporting your products to the U.S., I'm sure you'll see our current "strong" dollar in a less pleasant light...

And if you venture into DR650 territory down the road, consider...

• better alternatives to the factory top rack (it's an option and overpriced)
• something like a Happy Trails SU rack (I'm a very happy owner but there's always room for improvement)
• centerstand

Again, good luck with the biz.

-Darren.

 

[whalerider]

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Hi Kevin, the current aftermarket offerings still leave the oil drain plug hanging down a bit exposed, have you thought of protecting the stock plug so the low profile replacement isn't mandatory. Good luck with the venture

 

[Leon V.]

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Hi Kebn, your skid plate will do the job. One thought tho, try to make a lot more air flow possible. KLRs run way hot in certain situations. For your price the finish looks good but a little shaping to follow the engine might be nice. I don`t mind the bolts sticking out the front but get rid of any extra bolt length. Hope to see this and more on display at January bike show. Hook up with Dualsport gang? Bye. Leon

 

[vanmixman]

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Nice Job!! Just out of curiosity, what is the tube for? Tools? How did you make and mount it?



Vanmixman

 

[kebn]

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Wow you guys are great, thank you for the feedback. We are looking into making it so that the stock drain plug is not exposed. I do know that that is a problem on the other plates out there. As for what is in the tube, yes it is tools, or a tube or whatever you want to put in there.
thanks kevin

 

[Yak_KLR650]

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kebn wrote:

Wow you guys are great, thank you for the feedback.

Of course we expect a major discount in exchange for all this R & D help!:dr:

 

[FixerDave]

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First, guage is important. I'm probably not average but my skid is beaten to the shape of the frame rails, and with serious gouges. I'd pay for something thicker than what's currently available. Give me a discount and I'll trade you my old one - for those people that ask if they "really" need a skidplate.

Second, I'll second the sloping front part. I have yet to clean a log where the skidplate hits - the bike just stops dead. You probably can't do much about that though, I suspect it's partly due to a longer than "typically dirt bike" rake, and weight.

Third, watch where the front/left clamp goes. When I mounted my skidplate, it interfered with down-shifting as I keep my shifter one spline down from stock. I find stock way to high. It's not an issue now as I've reshaped my shifter several times - some on purpose, others by rock.

And yes, local is important - on top of patriotic feelings, I hate the cross-border customs, um..., hassles. I like mail-ordering, I do it a lot, but I do Canadian if at all possible.

Are you going to sell direct or market through the dealerships?

 

[kebn]

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Right now we are looking at doing them the same guage, but we can look into going a bit heavier. We will be selling direct to start with. I will let you know when we have the website up and are rolling. thanks alot.
kevin

 

[Randaroo]

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Hi Kbn

I have another product for you to a limited audiance.

I've built a bicycle rack for my KLR out of 3/16th aluminum, should be 1/4, with a few holes and a support rib. I live at the bottom of the Hurley and use this rig for that crappy road to and from the Spruce lake area. I ride at about 80 k's all the way without a hitch.

Super easy to make with a brake and sheer, plasma cutter. could have a universal ability to KTM, Yamaha etc.

just chopping off the nose and tail end makes ita cargo plate, it works supurb. With the panier racks i made, I can carry all my camping gear, large tent, therma rest, all the cloths and booze too, oh ya and the bike.when loaded it feals like a new girlfriend with realy big hair, tolerable, certainly doable.

The whole rig is super secure and comes off easily. just 4- 9/16thshook bolts.

I've had poor luck dicking around here with posting photos so Send me a private message with email and i can send you the pictures. I cango out to the shed and get some detailed photos as well.

The panier racks are super easy to build and have worked rrealy well. i use a large bicycle panier set up on them that just clicks over to the cycle.

cheers Randaroo

 

[navi]

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kebn wrote:

Hello Everyone,

We are just in the process of setting up a new company for Dualsport products. First up is a new skidplate for the KLR650. There are a few changes to the ones that are currently out there. First off it has a hole so that it is easy to adjust the doo. Next we have it a little taller on the right side to protect the pump. We also increased the height at the front so that you can attach a tube to carry all of your tools and whatnot. Best of all is that it will be made in Vancouver. The holes will be a little different on the production ones. what do you guys think?
I will do a couple of posts to get pictures up there. thanks
kevin

What happened?

Are they available?

How much?

Any thing else?

 

[harley dog]

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kebn wrote:

and another

Kebn:
Good looking skid plate, I too would like to see a little thicker Aluminum. But......my big concern is that I am presently using a "Studebaker" brand engine guard with "Freeway" foot pegs and this unit mounts to the front engine mounts using the two front bolts.

Looking at the front of your skid plate there appears to be an angular tab that sticks up in front of the engine mount and from the photo it appears that this would prevent the use of this particular engine guard.

Now, as I am in the USA and don't really know how to convert the money but I have picked up on the fact that $140.00 Can is somewhat more in the states.

If the product is what I want I don't really care where it's from and so far I like your product.

harley dog:f::hb:

 

[kebn]

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Hello everybody,

Well we are still working on this sorry it is taking so long to get them out. I should have more info soon. thanks for the interest.

kevin