Two Wheel Fix - Another new bike in the garage

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Another new bike in the garage

Just now getting around to posting about it, but I finally picked up a KLR for the trip up to Prudhoe Bay next year. Flew down to Dallas and rode it the 200 miles home.

It's a 98. The doohickey has been done, Progressive rear shock, Sonic front springs, heated hand grips, top box, a few other small things..

I've already got a 6.6 gallon tank and Happy Trails Teton bags sitting in the garage for it. I'm probably going to need to upgrade the stator as well to support the heated gear I want. There are a few other upgrades I have in mind as well.

I've had several people ask me why I didn't get a BMW, Versys, flavor of the week, whatever..

One reason. I'm mechanically proficient obviously, and things WILL break on the Haul Road. The KLR is a basic design that has been around for 20 years, and I can fix anything with a few tools and parts. I'll be damned if I'll be stranded 200 miles north of Fairbanks due to a shaft drive that exploded or a sensor that flaked from vibration.

So there it is. I'll be dismantling this one to give it a once-over and lay my hands on every nut, bolt, and wire. It obviously won't get the powdercoat treatment LOL, but I will be painting fairings and making it one solid color.

Yeh nice, you finally got a bike to put that tank that you beat me out on (bastard).

Also the IMS tank doesnt work with the crash cage, its one or the other, however there is a radiator and water pump guard that you can get (need to get) if you are running just the IMS tank for protection. I think you might actually have the radiator protector. I do have a few questions though

1. What tail bag is that?

2. Which heated hand grips do you have? Are they decent? How much power to they draw?

3. No fork boots? Fork brace?

4. How much did you finally pay for it?

I don't get the whole dual sport revolution going on around here, but do your thing, son. Have fun.

Quote:

Originally Posted by marko138 (Post 412251)

I don't get the whole dual sport revolution going on around here, but do your thing, son. Have fun.

There is no revolution, some of us just wanted to do more on bikes than a sportbike would allow

Quote:

Originally Posted by marko138 (Post 412251)

I don't get the whole dual sport revolution going on around here, but do your thing, son. Have fun.

I agree marko, not much dirt riding to be had in LI/NYC anyway. Will stick to the sport/touring thing for now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by derf (Post 412249)

Also the IMS tank doesnt work with the crash cage, its one or the other, however there is a radiator and water pump guard that you can get (need to get) if you are running just the IMS tank for protection. I think you might actually have the radiator protector. I do have a few questions though

1. What tail bag is that?

2. Which heated hand grips do you have? Are they decent? How much power to they draw?

3. No fork boots? Fork brace?

4. How much did you finally pay for it?

It does have the radiator protector already. The skid plate comes up enough to cover the water pump too, so I"m good there. I can't run the crash bars anyway with the IMS, so wasn't too worried about them.

1. It's a JC Whitney I think the guy said. It's not bad, but I want something larger, so I'll probably take this one off and sell it. Interested?

2. Not sure of the brand, but so far, even on hi, I can't feel them through my gloves, but maybe I have gotten impatient and not let them run long enough. I can feel them get plenty hot without gloves, so maybe it's just me. Unsure of the amperage draw, haven't taken a multimeter to the bike yet.

3. The previous owner said in his experience, the Seal Savers that are on it work better than fork boots. I'll be adding fork boots along with the Seal Savers though, for extra protection. I do intend to pick up a fork brace also.

4. I paid $1500 for it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by marko138 (Post 412251)

I don't get the whole dual sport revolution going on around here, but do your thing, son. Have fun.

Look up the Haul Road between Fairbanks and Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. Then, you will understand. That road is 414 miles of GRAVEL each way, so to go to Prudhoe Bay, I'm looking at 830 miles of gravel. I *could* do it on the Busa, but it will be a ton easier on something more appropriate for the road. See "Ice Road Truckers" for reference, but in the summer. LOL

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-Rex (Post 412261)

I understand. I know they have their purpose. It's just not my thing. Seems like everyone on this board is buying one of these bikes lately.

Quote:

Originally Posted by marko138 (Post 412272)

I understand. I know they have their purpose. It's just not my thing. Seems like everyone on this board is buying one of these bikes lately.

dont worry, I wont be :)

Loves me some KLR.

It is in fact a JC Whitney top box. I had one just like it on mine.

The only thing I'll mention on your list of "to do" mods is the stator. I've heard people having nothing but problems with the big stator for these. IMO, it's better to make due with the little stock unit than to have a bigger one that doesn't work at all. Especially in the middle of nowhere. Of course that means no heated gear, but at least the bike will run.

I don't have those problems with my little WR now that I've upgraded from the KLR. The WR comes with a 350 watt alternator ;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by tommymac (Post 412277)

dont worry, I wont be :)

Me either.