Kawasaki Concours Forum

Riding => It's not a Concours - other Bikes => Topic started by: stevewfl on August 15, 2013, 10:43:12 PM

Title: My "new to me" Koast-to-Koast KLR
Post by: stevewfl on August 15, 2013, 10:43:12 PM
This one has a minor scratch from falling over and I got it for pennies. 

2009, 3400 miles.  Picked up last night, run it 3 hours straight today and didn;t have to push it home  :D

Let the farkles begin, need to prep it for a FL to CA trip in Oct. And  camping at Death Valley and torturing the bikes in the Southwest with some others.

Might try an iron butt on the single cylinder thumper on the way out there too.  I peeked at the Southwest COG calendar, and it appeared empty during the time I'll be out there. Can't expect all the regions to roll like we do in the South, but maybe I'll meet some of you on this cross country trek

(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/mobile/CAM00117.jpg) (http://s80.photobucket.com/user/stevewfl/media/mobile/CAM00117.jpg.html)
Title: Re: My "new to me" Koast-to-Koast KLR
Post by: stevewfl on August 16, 2013, 07:47:31 AM
1st mod in order, DEBADGING the crackerjack box decals.  Will remove them and replace with only a "Kawasaki" badge on the tank.

Not that I care what the bike looks like, but anyway wanted to do it before i bounce this thing off the rocks in the desert mountains out west  ;D
Title: Re: My "new to me" Koast-to-Koast KLR
Post by: Rhino on August 16, 2013, 08:02:03 AM
Congratulations! It will open up a whole other class of roads. Especially here in the west. First thing to do is pop out the plug to the idle mixture screw and enrichen that up a few turns (can't remember exactly how many turns but the KLR forums have it). Will start and idle much better especially in colder weather.

For other farkles such as highway pegs, racks, skid plates, panniers, www.happy-trail.com (http://www.happy-trail.com) is your friend.
Title: Re: My "new to me" Koast-to-Koast KLR
Post by: Rhino on August 16, 2013, 08:03:19 AM
BTW my son has the exact year and color.
Title: Re: My "new to me" Koast-to-Koast KLR
Post by: stevewfl on August 16, 2013, 09:01:24 AM
Rhino thanks! And if you and/or your son care o join us I'll be meeting with a group of ADV folks for camping and riding October 16 through 20th  at the town of Gold Point (Death Valley)
Title: Re: My "new to me" Koast-to-Koast KLR
Post by: Rhino on August 16, 2013, 10:40:35 AM
Rhino thanks! And if you and/or your son care o join us I'll be meeting with a group of ADV folks for camping and riding October 16 through 20th  at the town of Gold Point (Death Valley)

Tempting! An easy 2 day ride from my house at 934 miles. Would be a looonnnng 1 day on the DR650. Would also depend on weather. Lots of mountains and passes between me and Death Valley.
Title: Re: My "new to me" Koast-to-Koast KLR
Post by: stevewfl on August 16, 2013, 11:01:50 AM
Tempting! An easy 2 day ride from my house at 934 miles. Would be a looonnnng 1 day on the DR650. Would also depend on weather. Lots of mountains and passes between me and Death Valley.

Shouldn't even be a question  ;D

I'll PM you the details on the Death Valley Oct. camping
Title: Re: My "new to me" Koast-to-Koast KLR
Post by: KawiG on August 16, 2013, 06:59:20 PM
I always turned the idle up enough to open up the fuel circuits a bit, closed the fuel screw and then slowly opened it a bit until the motor revved the highest and sounded good. After that I just re adjusted the idle. A jet kit does all single thumpers good..the needle is a HUGE factor!! Easy to do and worth the investment. Nice lookin bike!
Title: Re: My "new to me" Koast-to-Koast KLR
Post by: ZG on August 16, 2013, 08:35:52 PM
Congrats on the new ride in the stable Steve!  :chugbeer: 




Curious though... why'd ya get ride of the Honda enduro?  :-\


Title: Re: My "new to me" Koast-to-Koast KLR
Post by: stevewfl on August 18, 2013, 10:37:27 AM
Thanks guys, first mod I've done, heat gun and I've removed "almost" all the cracker jack box "decals" Kawi put all over it.  Since each sticker is good for 3-4 HP, I'll have to add a couple of very small ADV decals =)

Thanks Teressa for the awesome lunch

(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/mobile/CAM00127-1.jpg) (http://s80.photobucket.com/user/stevewfl/media/mobile/CAM00127-1.jpg.html)
Title: Re: My "new to me" Koast-to-Koast KLR
Post by: Pokey on August 18, 2013, 07:31:49 PM
Do a doohicky check!!!!
Title: Re: My "new to me" Koast-to-Koast KLR
Post by: jayke on August 19, 2013, 05:49:30 AM
Nice Bike...I have a Red '09

That is some weird looking mirrors...can you see anything in them?

I spent 4 hours Saturday on my KLR, my ass was killing me and I have a Meyer seat on mine.  Make sure you take your Airhawk with you when you head west.

What kind of tires are you running? You may need a set of tires on the way back from your trip.  I have Continental TKC-80's on mine.  I ride 80% street /20% dirt and got 4K miles out of my rear tire.  I don't go much over 60 MPH on it either.
Title: Re: My "new to me" Koast-to-Koast KLR
Post by: Son of Pappy on August 19, 2013, 12:16:10 PM
.22 cent mod is a must.  Also an FMF Q4 can.  The differance in torque will simply amaze you.  Another absolute must do is the suspension, be it springs or full on, I would recomend contacting Race Tech.

What tires are you leaning towards?  (serious question BTW).
Title: Re: My "new to me" Koast-to-Koast KLR
Post by: stevewfl on August 20, 2013, 06:44:31 AM
Nice Bike...I have a Red '09

That is some weird looking mirrors...can you see anything in them?

I spent 4 hours Saturday on my KLR, my ass was killing me and I have a Meyer seat on mine.  Make sure you take your Airhawk with you when you head west.

What kind of tires are you running? You may need a set of tires on the way back from your trip.  I have Continental TKC-80's on mine.  I ride 80% street /20% dirt and got 4K miles out of my rear tire.  I don't go much over 60 MPH on it either.

Thanks - Those are taller aftermarket mirrors the guy before put on, they see a lot

.22 cent mod is a must.  Also an FMF Q4 can.  The differance in torque will simply amaze you.  Another absolute must do is the suspension, be it springs or full on, I would recomend contacting Race Tech.

What tires are you leaning towards?  (serious question BTW).

Leaning towards the Michelin Trials or the Michelin T63's for the iron butt and trip out, then fun in the desert.  But I'd ride on a PR3 as long as its not an "off-brand"   ;D
Title: Re: My "new to me" Koast-to-Koast KLR
Post by: GeeBeav on August 20, 2013, 01:06:03 PM
That is some weird looking mirrors...

Almost looks as if they should be rotated down 90 degrees(?)
Title: Re: My "new to me" Koast-to-Koast KLR
Post by: stevewfl on August 20, 2013, 01:36:17 PM
Almost looks as if they should be rotated down 90 degrees(?)

No sir they won't do that.  But I can sure see well behind me in the "up high" part  ;D
Title: Re: My "new to me" Koast-to-Koast KLR
Post by: stevewfl on October 02, 2013, 06:40:41 PM
Steve in Sunny FL did the BEST mod i'll mention later, however on the fly with little time i've got this done thus far for the trip:

wired for heated gear
wired for USB
wired for 12V receptacle
happy trails skid plate and the engine guard/hwy bars
KLIM Badlands jacket
Pelican topcase
madstadt windscreen
1 gal Rotopax
big aftermarket handguards (can't remember brand but one of 'em that set me back)
wolfman racks/softbags
tool roll/tire spoons
twisted throttle 2 bag drybag set up
phone/gps ram mount
tent/pad/sleeping bag

the pelican, dry bags, luggage and racks and such I found used on the cheap  (http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/avatars/lol8.gif) (http://s80.photobucket.com/user/stevewfl/media/avatars/lol8.gif.html)
Title: Re: My "new to me" Koast-to-Koast KLR
Post by: Son of Pappy on October 02, 2013, 06:51:21 PM
Footpegs?  This is an almost must do.  And an FMF Q4?  The weight savings alone makes this another almost must do.  Lastly, aux lights?  The Trailtech LEDs will triple the amount of usable light, I used the adhesive pads supplied and mounted them the the fairing.  And lastly, suspension?  If you don't do this you will regret it.  Load the bike with everything you will haul, find something resembling off road conditions, beyond gravel roads, something with good bumps.
Title: Re: My "new to me" Koast-to-Koast KLR
Post by: Gumby on October 02, 2013, 07:07:50 PM
(http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll112/tomdvaughan/emoticons/useless_without_pics_2gif.jpg) (http://s286.photobucket.com/user/tomdvaughan/media/emoticons/useless_without_pics_2gif.jpg.html)
Title: Re: My "new to me" Koast-to-Koast KLR
Post by: ZG on October 02, 2013, 08:02:02 PM
(http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll112/tomdvaughan/emoticons/useless_without_pics_2gif.jpg) (http://s286.photobucket.com/user/tomdvaughan/media/emoticons/useless_without_pics_2gif.jpg.html)




+1....

Title: Re: My "new to me" Koast-to-Koast KLR
Post by: stevewfl on October 03, 2013, 12:39:36 AM
Footpegs?  This is an almost must do.  And an FMF Q4?  The weight savings alone makes this another almost must do.  Lastly, aux lights?  The Trailtech LEDs will triple the amount of usable light, I used the adhesive pads supplied and mounted them the the fairing.  And lastly, suspension?  If you don't do this you will regret it.  Load the bike with everything you will haul, find something resembling off road conditions, beyond gravel roads, something with good bumps.

I just got this thing, out of time.  Desperately still needs suspension/lights.  Already had IMS pegs =)
Title: Re: My "new to me" Koast-to-Koast KLR
Post by: stevewfl on October 03, 2013, 12:40:33 AM
Pics will come. Pulling out this Friday (week early) to go to Columbia SC, then a business meeting in Atlanta, then westward  ;D
Title: Re: My "new to me" Koast-to-Koast KLR
Post by: jayke on October 03, 2013, 12:16:21 PM
Don't forget your Airhawk  :)
Title: Re: My "new to me" Koast-to-Koast KLR
Post by: stevewfl on October 03, 2013, 12:59:52 PM
Don't forget your Airhawk  :)

yes sir, you know that won't happen =)
Title: Re: My "new to me" Koast-to-Koast KLR
Post by: stevewfl on November 04, 2013, 07:21:06 AM
The bike rocked for almost 8000 miles, and handled brutal offroading like its nothing in Death Valley. Bike is being sold. Trip report here http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=15339.0 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=15339.0)

(https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/1401399_10201137435812632_934050069_o.jpg)