To KLR or not?

[Cassius086]

I just checked 'em out...they look pretty beefy! Ought to protect the side of the radiator in a drop/crash just fine!

[GS1150Pilot]

Does that brake upgrade overwhelm the traction of the front tire, especially with knobbies?

[bwringer]

Does that brake upgrade overwhelm the traction of the front tire, especially with knobbies?

Sure, if you want to. It still takes a pretty damn healthy squeeze, so it's not like you're going to run out and lose the front end the first time you grab a handful of brake. There are reports of stoppies as well...

Knobbies have a lot more traction on the street than most people expect. The feel is a little different as the knobs flex, but grip is fine.

[bwringer]

I just checked 'em out...they look pretty beefy! Ought to protect the side of the radiator in a drop/crash just fine!

I'm a really, really crappy off-road rider, but for some reason I almost always biff it to the left. Believe me, the SW-Motech bars protect the radiator and such VERY well.

I also hit a deer at about 50 mph last year, and the bike slide a good way on its left side. A little untweaking and a little black paint, and the crash bars are back in service. (Along with replacing everything on the front end, the rear subframe, and most of the plastics...)

Yep, they're stout.

[Cassius086]

Does that brake upgrade overwhelm the traction of the front tire, especially with knobbies?

If you do a panic stop using just the front brake on pavement with knobbies, perhaps it is a possibility. Otherwise, I have never had an issue. I have Dunlop 606s on my KLR and love 'em. Air them up and they tolerate pavement miles well. Air them down and they plow thru anything.

I have taken my Pig thru places that folks say it has no right going thru...surprisingly capable bike if you go in knowing it isn't a 250lb dirt bike and act accordingly. I have installed RT emulators up front, but also need to add heavier fork springs.

[marvinsc]

Finally got a short ride this afternoon. This thing is gonna be a hoot!

[bluewool]

i've locked up D606's accidentally on dry pavement with stock DR650 brakes.

[marvinsc]

Took my second ride on it this morning complete with a flat rear tire out in the boonies. Had to push it a half mile or so and walk a couple more to a place my wife could find me. I'm Loving it!

[Dogma]

Well, you're just livin' the dream, aren't ya?

[marvinsc]

Well, on the upside the bike is now at a local independent shop where they will fix the flat, and install the Crash bars and skid plate.

[Joe Nardy]

Well, on the upside the bike is now at a local independent shop where they will fix the flat, and install the Crash bars and skid plate.

SHOP????

I've seen Brian change KLR flats with rocks and sticks..........................You'll need to get good at fixing flats if you don't want to push and walk a lot more!

Joe

[marvinsc]

2 weeks into ownership and this is my first. I have no idea what happened so hopefully I will get better............

[marvinsc]

Got the bike back today, new inner tube and functional Farkles installed.

[bwringer]

Oooh, purty! Nice shiny hardware. It'll get dirty soon enough...

We'll have to get together sometime for a trailside tire changing class.

During the flat tire incident Joe mentioned, I forgot to bring my trail stand, so we did indeed employ rocks and sticks. It was about the nicest place I've ever fixed a flat -- not too hot, shady, fairly level, no traffic, a slight breeze, and of course plenty of handy rocks and sticks.

[twr1776]

Scott, I missed checking in on this thread but heard at Joe's X-mas party last night (thanks Krusty) that you had gotten a dual sport. Very, very nice. Brian mentioned most of the upgrades and I would also add heated grips and these gauntlets. They have great coverage and I added some 12 ga electrical wire within the seams so they hold thier shape better but for early in the season and late in the season they are outstanding IMHO and you can wear light gloves and your hands will be warm.

http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/symtec-heat-demon-heated-grips

https://www.denniskirk.com/powermadd/star-series-handguard-gauntlets.p617843.prd/617843.sku

Here is the link to our "field tire changing" party"

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?195562-Stoopid-In-The-Smoky-s-Part-Deux&highlight=

I carried this kit on my trip this summer, fortunately I did not have to use it but it is required IMHO for solo riding just in case you do get a flat tire. It has room for front and rear tubes, spoons, stem puller, and you can also put in a small bottle of talcum powder and tire lube to help get the tire back on.

https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p...rons?term=tusk fender tube tire kit
https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p...ler?term=valve stem puller
https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p...uddy?term=bead buddy tire tool