KLR650

it was beyond time for the initial valve check on my 2015 KLR daily rider - 25,000 kms.
I found both exhaust valves tight.
Unfortunately camshaft removal is part of the process to change shims.
Fortunately the shims are the same as our XJ's.
Unfortunately my salvaged XJ shim collection starts at 265.
I need 2 x 255's.

 

I'll have a look.

 

1x250, 1x255, 1x260

 

Thanks TJ, I just ordered a couple from the K dealer.
Looks like you've done a few KLR adjustments.

 

I've had a couple of them...great bikes! Some guys say they can remove the shims without having to loosen the cam caps (using a pair of hemostats and a magnet)...haven't tried, but I'm doubtful. I'm assuming you remembered to remove the cam tensioner bolt...I've played that "where'd the damn spring go" game before.

 

This is my 4th KLR, had an 89, 97, 2000 and now 2015.
I checked valves before but never had to adjust them.

 

If you need a manual pm me.

Good guide.
https://www.klr650.marknet.us/valves.html

Other good info.
https://www.souperdoo.com/stuff that i think about/table-of-contents-sorted-by-topic

 

They are great bikes. Going a little off topic, I wish they would put the Versys engine in that frame. I owned a 09 until three yrs ago, just wanted a little more engine. That or fine the military version with the diesel engine....now that could be fun.

 

Here is one with the EX500 motor, never imported to NA, looks like a great adventure tourer.

https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/kawasaki/kawasaki_kle500 05.htm

 

KLR is almost packed. I'm heading out July 1st for 6 days with 6 buddies, we're all on KLR's.
We'll be right out of cell range, vagrant camping and pooping with the bears.

 

Have a great safe ride. Taking fishing gear or just find food along the way? Interesting camping rules you have in Canada, cool for the people traveling. KLR's are rock solid bikes, enjoy the trip and see you back on here when you return.

 

We'll be about 80 kms from the Trans-Canada Hwy so will be going there to fill up and buy food and beer each day, only the essentials.
There are no rules, there's no one there and all crown land.
I'm taking a large mosquito net which will cover 2 lawn chairs, I'll be the most popular guy there, ha!

 

Yes you will, those little black flies are nasty at times. Hope you stay dry.

 

So jealous. Take lots of pictures and post them here.

 

Here's a couple pics of my touring bike.

campsite on 1st night

you can blow your horn out here, no one to hear it anyway

campsite days 2 & 3

Corn on the cob, potatoes and hot dogs, standard bush cuisine.
All told I did nearly 2,000 kms of riding from Thursday morning to Monday evening.
We had planned on persevering until Tuesday but Monday we got drenched to the bone so we all headed home.
We've been doing vagrant style trips for about 5 years now, seems to be harder with age.
The mosquitoes black flys and no-see-ems were particularly viscous this year.
I had 2 problems with my bike, 1st was a loose battery connection which made my single fire like half a cylinder.
Also lost one of the 4 bolts holding the subframe. Luckily someone had an extra bolt which fit.
No flat tires, a few spills, good time had.

 

Looks like you had a good load on her as well. Glad it was a save and successful trip. I new those bugs would be nasty.

 

You had the red chair didn't you ?

 

Yep, and the large bug net

 

I’ve whittled my list for adventure touring smaller every trip I take. At one time I tried taking cooking gear but no more. I took just a 21” tube as it will work in a 17” rear if needed. Good to split the tools and any emergency supplies amongst the other riders.

 

Just brought my new touring and daily rider home.
The 3rd gender KLR is actually a good looking bike, well done Kawasaki.
I thought about a 790 KTM but they're assembled in China and I'm weary of problems being such a sophisticated bike.
The KLR's have been made in Thailand for many years now without issue.
I've become so accustomed to touring with a single cylinder, really don't want it any other way.
It helps that all my friends ride KLR's too.
Getting crowded here until I sell my Gen 2

 

Great bikes....now comes all the fun with the mods. Then later on down the road, the 685 kit goes in....

Have a great time with your thumpper.

 

There is an Adventure model from Kawasaki which comes with auxiliary lights and too tiny hard bags.
I got the standard model with ABS and added heated grips from Kawasaki.
The wiring harness now comes with plugs for the grips, USB socket, cigarette socket and the auxiliary lights.
Once you add the relay all these plugs are activated with the key.
I have side pannier racks ordered for soft bags and need to install a top box and the power outlets.
I look at the crash bars guys like to install and shake my head.
$500 in additional weight to save plastic side panels new for $200, or just live with the scratches.
I ride these things for what they are.

The 685 kits really don't add any perceptible power.
They were a thing to cure the 2008 models (1st of the Gen 2's) which had poor ring sealing and heavy oil consumption.

 

I'm heading to Australia next month from NZ for a week riding and camping in the Victoria high country and riding a Gen 2 KLr650, same bike which last year took me 7500km Melbourne to Cairns return over 12 days, It doesn't do anything spectacularly well but it does do everything, I like them, a few suspension improvements wouldn't go amiss and would transform them

 

Simmy, you are all over making that bike yours already. Yes you are probably right on the 685 mod, I had a second gen and then went back to a first gen and did the mod. Big différance on the fist gen bikes.

I, too, would stay away from the crash bars, adventure bikes wear some scratches like a badge of honor, imho.

I have read the Kaw listened to their customers and finally did a bunch of mods to the engine at factory. Or should I say change the motors at factory so all the mods didn't have to be done. That will be nice for a change.

Enjoy the hell out of the new bike. Might have a month of riding on select days in my area, hope you have longer.

 

I'd still fit crash bars to protect engine casings. The bodywork, not so much.
You can always get home with a tie-wrap or two holding things in place, but not with a hole in the end case.

 

The motor is already tucked in pretty tight on these things.
Back in my younger days we used to get deep into the bush with our Gen 1 KLR's, just never seen this happen.

 

Australia, Victoria high country, Randalls track, near Dargo, the crash bars are definitely needed, I'd just picked it up

 

Great scenery, not what I pictured Australia to be.

 

I can't see a bike in the picture, must be all the digital camo Nice looking bike and great pic. I am sure there is nothing in that pic on the ground the might want to kill you? lol

 

Not that I saw and out of sight out of mind

Depends on what state and area you are in, they have everything from desert to rain forest and all points in between

 

I think I collected just about anything which might be needed for any problem on the road
Still missing;
-air pump and spare tube
-I need to wrap some duct tape on something so not carrying a big heavy roll
-I have some small booster cables I made for motorcycles but a friend suggested just carrying a piece house wire for boosting another bike, less space
-emergency sewing kit - needle and thread
-maybe a fresh package of epoxy
-spare spark plug

Everything fit into a tool roll and a small Fanny pack which then fit into the small dry bag I found.
This fit into the wasted space under the left side rack.
Not planning any RTW trip but now I can just grab this bag anytime I'll be gone more than a few days.
I still need to secure this a little better, those little straps will fray as it is and jamming this in the rear wheel would not be nice.

 

Nice. You looking to do a long tour with the KLR? Or is that just in case? I used to run long distance, but had to try and stay off of the interstates or speeds of 70+ mph for any long distance. That thumper will take a toll on the old body. Putting in the 685 kit took a lot of vibration out of the bike. That gas tank will for sure outlast the rider on them. Great bikes!

 

this summer I'll be heading to PEI with 4 or 5 other old guys on KLRs.
We ride somewhere every year. Last summer we rode to the mid-Ohio Vintage Days and around southern Ohio
My brother is amongst them. He'll be 73 next summer so not sure how many more tours are in us.
I'll be retired next year.
Thinking of riding across the bottom of the US next winter.
Get out of the cold for a month or so.
I haven't had 3 weeks holiday since my brother and I rode to the Copper Canyon in 99 I think it was.
That was on KLRs then.
The new one has fuel injection but also rubber mounted handlebars and footpegs.
Highway cruising is much better. I've always found them super comfortable

 

I think they are on Gen 3? I only with they would change the engine and put a parallel 650 in the bike. Take the Kaw Versys motor and stick it in the KLR somehow. I too love the bike but not the 40 lbs of weight gain each Gen change.

Enjoy your trip, sounds like it will be a blast. Your brother being 73 and still riding a thumper is great to hear. Taking a trip down South during the winter months does sound wonderful. I did that the first few yrs I retired from the service, love it.

 

Have you tried any of the BDR routes? We try to do one every year. I think we may try Wyoming next summer.

I've got a gen 1 KLR that I bought back in '07. It's taken a beating over the years but still keeps ticking away. I certainly wouldn't call the gen 1 "super comfortable" on the highway. Even with an aftermarket seat it's an exercise in endurance. Plus, one of the issues with the gen 1 is they'd suck oil faster than gas at sustained speeds over 55. I have to carry a quart with me at all times in case we get on the highway. Plonking around at lower speeds all day barely burns a drop though.

 

I've had an 89, 97, 2000, 2015 and now a 2024.
The 2000 model had 80,000 kms when I sold it. All 3 gen 1's I had used some amount of oil but nothing too problematic.
The Gen2 I had got the upgraded seat (2014 got this) and it was a big improvement.
I spent so many years touring on an ST1100 because I listened to nonsense.
That thing was excruciating as it was wide like riding a horse it displaces your hips.
I would be in extreme pain getting off that thing from a 2 hour stint with my hips seized.
My next sport tourer was a 1250 Bandit and that was so much better just for the slender mid-section.
A thumper with a good seat and lots of gas is ideal for me. I can ride a KLR all day long no problem.
I flog them to, hours on end at 75 mph. I ride them for what they are.

I have not tried any of these routes yet but read the RR on Advriders.com.
Some of it might be better done with a chase truck and my EXC525.
Any offroad is way more fun without 100lbs of luggage.

Here's poor Duncan fixing a flat on his Tenere in 100F Ohio last July

 

At least you found some shade.

I've been thinking hard about the T7 as a replacement for the old KLR. The loose plan is to sell off most of what's in the garage (except the XJs of course) and put the money toward a new T7. The problem is I keep going the wrong way and adding bikes instead of selling them.

 

Yea the T7 is a nice ride, the extra power would be nice.
The plywood seat and puny gas tank not so much.
Their price tag is a shocker. The KTM 790 Adventure is actually less up here.
KLR is almost 1/2 the price so easier to get a new one every few years.
Kawasaki has released the KLE500 but I think I'd rather ride the big 650 thumper than a 450 (actual disp) twin

https://www.kawasaki.ca/en-ca/motorcycle/kle/rally-adventure/kle500