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KLR650 FAQ

Compiled by Steven "scooter scum" Johnson
5678 W. 109th Circle
Westminster, CO 80020
scum@uswest.net

1. Motorcycle reviews:
Cycle World March '87
Cycle April '87
Rider April '89
Cycle Aug. '88
Motorcyclist March '87
Motorcyclist Nov '88
Motorcyclist Sept '89
Cycle World Sept '90
Motorcyclist Oct. '90
Motorcyclist Feb '92
Rider Aug '93
Motorcyclist Nov. '93 Rider report on the KLR
Reprints of many of these articles are available from...

Ian Smith Information
PO Box 9440
Denver, CO 80209-0440
Phone 303-777-2385

2. Why a KLR?
The KLR is the only water cooled dual sport with a 6 gallon tank. The bike offers exceptional versatility. Often described as the Swiss army knife of motorcycles.
It makes for a great commuter, excellent gas mileage (50-60 MPG), sits high to see over traffic, and can be parked anywhere.
The bike is very reliable and has low insurance rates. At the end of the season, they can be picked up for less than $3,000.
It makes for a nice first bike, or for somebody that is tired of the expensive sport bikes and now wants to be a minimalist.

3. Can I tour on a KLR?
The KLR is a reasonable touring mount. The big single puts out sufficient power to keep up with interstate traffic. The vibration of a big single is very different a 4 cylinder bike. For many people, they prefer the lower frequency vibration of a single. Many folks refer to the KLR as a poor man's BMW GS. It is very popular for trips to Alaska. Some riders have put 1000 mile days on KLRs as well. The KLR is much happier on secondary roads at speeds below 65 MPH.

4. How is it off road on a KLR?
The KLR is capable of going off road. The big single puts out sufficient power to tractor up most any hill. The KLR does lack maneuverability off road. The suspension and weight keep it at a slower pace than a XR or XRL. The off road riding is usually limited to the ability of the rider. KLRs are great for exploring jeep trails, but single track trails are much more of a challenge. KLRs tend to be geared high for off road riding. If you plan to spend a lot of time off road, you may consider going down one tooth on the front counter sprocket to lower overall gear ration.

5. Problem areas:
Cable operated side stand kill switch frequently kills the engine.

Some oil leakage around the Cam shafts.

Weak front brake (solved by steel braided brake line or Dunlop sport brake pads).

Be careful not to over tighten the chain. This can cause damage to the front counter sprocket shaft. This is very expensive to fix.

During break-in, it is not uncommon to have valves be a bit sticky. It will work it's self out.

6. Newsletter being started:

Greetings fellow KLR, KLX and Tengai owners,

My name is Gino Pokluda and I'm checking to see if there is any interest in a newsletter directed specifically at KLR650, KLX650, and Tengai owners. My plan is to produce a first issue that will contain an FAQ, article on mods I have made to my KLR, An article by Steve Johnson who has successfully turned his KLX650C into a real off road hot rod.
Finally, an article on Steve's and mine adventure in the mud on the White Rim Trail in Utah. Hopefully we can get some pictures, interesting articles, and maybe even some classifieds, and the Newsletter can evolve into a great place to get and share info on the bike we all love.

So what do ya think? If your interested, send me your name and address and any comments or suggestions.

You can email me at...
efpoklu@envc.sandia.gov

or call me at...
(505)284-2473, (505)281-9886

or snail-mail me at...
Gino Pokluda
PO Box 698
Sandia Park, NM 87047

If there's enough interest, the first complementary copy of the KLR Newsletter will be in the mail at the end of June. I should have a subscription cost and subscription card inside. I think the newsletter will start off as a quarterly publication and we'll take it from there.

So, tell your KLR, KLX and Tengai buddies. That's all for now, hope to hear from you soon.

Gino Pokluda

7. Popular tires for the KLR:
For Street use only:
ME33/ME55
For Street and a little dirt:
Avon AM24 Gripsters are perfect, inexpensive, and have long life.
Pirelli MT60s are good rain tires.
For 50/50 street/dirt use:
Pirelli MT70s.
IRC GP-1s.
For 10/90 Street/Dirt use
Pirelli MT21s.

8. Skid plates:
WhiteBrothers Enduro.

9. Hard sided luggage:
Givi Luggage (Waiting for a new distributor).
NonFango from (Capitol Cycle 800-642-5100).

A clever soft solution is available from HSI.
Ventura Aerodynamic Bike-Pack System
L. Bracket part # ???? $76.95
Pack Rack Part # PR16 $39.95
Sport Rack Part # TB6 $34.95
P30 Aero Delta Pack 30L Pack $89.95
P44 Aero Spada Pack 44L Pack $105.95
H.S.I.
P.O. Box 336
Edmonds, WA 98020
1-800-688-6439

10. Lighting:
Popular to increase the wattage of the head lamp

11. Front suspension mods:
Gold Valve from RaceTech.
Progressive suspension.

12. Rear Suspension:
Works Suspension will setup a rear shock to your specifications.
White Brothers offers a rear shock as well.

13. Seats:
Corbin makes a dual-sport saddle for the KL

14. Center stands:
A center stand is available from Capitol Cycle ($175 delivered).

15. Performance improvements:
Mega Cams makes two cams for the KLR.
90 Mitchel Blvd.
San Rafael, CA. 94903
fax: 415-472-1497
phone: 415-472-3195

White Brothers offers a Mikuni performance carb
Factory and DynoJet offer Jet kits.
K&N, Twin Air and Uni offer air filters.

16. Windshields:
Taller windsheilds are available:
Clearview sheilds has a +7 Clear for $77.16,
add $6 for tint
(800) 798-6089
Rifle offers a taller sheild for $110

17. Jet kits:
Poor mans Jet kit from a KLX650R
Needle, N1TB #16009-1794
Collar/Spacer #92143-1667
Clip #92037-1401
Experience has been that MPG drops 15-25% with the KLX needles and a noticable improvement in starting/overall performance

18. Instrument guards:
Lockhart offers an instrument Guard for the KLR.

19. Foot pegs:
Steel foot pegs are available from Thumper Racing.

20. Exhaust options:
Supertrap system Good HP, light, but Loud.
Supertrap EAR system Light, quiet, some HP improvement.
Cobra ISDE quiet on low end/very loud at highway speeds, inexpensive.

21. MISC. Info:

Date Introduced: 1987

List price '87 $2,999
List price '88 $3,149
List price '89 $3,499
List price '92 $3,699
List price '93 $3,899
List price '94 $4,199
List price '95 $4,499
List price '96 $4,799

Engine Type: Four-stroke, single cylinder; Liquid-cooled with two chain driven overhead camshafts; four valves per cylinder
Bore and stroke:100x83mm
Displacement: 651cc
Transmission: Five speed constant-mesh, wet-clutch

Chassis type:
Single downtube, full cradle frame; box section aluminum swing arm

Suspension:
Front: Leading axle, air adjustable fork with 38 mm tubes and 9.1 inches of travel.
Rear: Gas charged shock absorber adjustable for spring preload, compression and rebound damping, and 9.1 inches of rear wheel travel

Wheelbase: 58.9 inches
Rack/trail: 28 degrees/4.4 inches

Tires:
Front:90/90-21
Rear:130/70-17

Fuel capacity: (main/reserve) 6.1/0.77 gal.
Curb weight: (full tank) 398 Lb.
Seat height: 35 inches
GVWR: 794 lbs
Carburetion: 40 mm Keihin CV
Air Filtration: Oil Foam Element
Oil Capacity: 2.6 Qts.
Bhp@rpm: 36.14@7000
Torque@rpm: 32.8@5000

RPM Bhp Torque
3500 20.09 30.15
4000 23.32 30.62
4500 27.50 32.09
5000 31.26 32.84
5500 34.12 32.58
6000 35.98 31.49
6500 36.13 29.19
7000 36.14 27.11
7500 33.69 23.59
8000 29.63 19.45

Final Drive: #520 chain,15/43 sprockets

1/4 mile:13.9 sec.@88.3 MPH
0-60 MPH: 4.74 seconds

45-70 MPH
(3) 3.9 sec. 338 ft.
(4) 4.7 Sec. 400 ft.
(5) 5.9 sec. 506 ft.

Braking 60-0 MPH 153 ft
Engine RPM @ 60 MPH 4186

Maxium speed in gears @7500 RPM:
(1) 37
(2) 56
(3) 72
(4) 89
(5) 107

Top Gear 40-60 mph 5.1 seconds
Top Gear 60-80 mph 6.2 seconds