KLR on the highway

[dgunther]

Help a KLR n00b out. What indicated speed are you seeing at or around 5000 rpms?  What gearing and tires are you running?

I'm at an indicated 67 or so - I *think* the gearing is stock, and I'm running Avon Distanzias (it's what was on it when I got it a couple weeks ago).  

I'm a bit annoyed that I've only got 5 gears to play with and I'm over 5000 RPM and still getting my a$$ run over if I have to hop on the interstate around here.

I've read that sustaining anything over 5000 RPM causes the KLRs to burn or blow oil out rather quickly.  What's the truth to that?  What is a typical oil consumption rate?

[Mrs. DantesDame]

I am usually running about 75mph at 5K. I have Avon Gripsters and everything (mechanically) is stock on the bike. The bike (and I) are comfortable at that pace.

[GetFuzzy]

I am usually running about 75mph at 5K. I have Avon Gripsters and everything (mechanically) is stock on the bike. The bike (and I) are comfortable at that pace.

And it doesn't matter if there is a couple of inches of snow on the road either!:hail:  Oh, by the way on your excursion in the snow was the Traci that went with you the same as the one I met at SBNW? Just curious as she looked familiar.

[itsatdm]

Help a KLR n00b out. What indicated speed are you seeing at or around 5000 rpms? What gearing and tires are you running?
 
I'm at an indicated 67 or so - I *think* the gearing is stock, and I'm running Avon Distanzias (it's what was on it when I got it a couple weeks ago).
 
I'm a bit annoyed that I've only got 5 gears to play with and I'm over 5000 RPM and still getting my a$$ run over if I have to hop on the interstate around here.
 
I've read that sustaining anything over 5000 RPM causes the KLRs to burn or blow oil out rather quickly. What's the truth to that? What is a typical oil consumption rate?

Did you buy used?  Count the teeth on your drive sprocket.  Stock is 15 teeth.  Yes they do blow oil at high speed.  Some worse than others, especially if they are overfilled.  There was a fix on the old KLR.net forum, but that is now defunct.  Basically you elevate the crankcase vent hose [use a longer hose] before it goes into the air box.  Some added filters, etc to include pvc valves to separate the oil out before going into the airbox.

[SWriverstone]

Here are a few hard facts from my experience...
 
I just rode my '06 KLR 5,000 miles to Newfoundland and back. 90% of that trip was on pavement, some on 4-lane highways. I routinely cruised at 60-70mph, and did a few slab days where I was running 80+ for 6-7 hours straight. And this was on a bike loaded with 80-100lbs (gear plus the weight of the rack and hardbags).
 
I weigh about 220lbs, and at 5K rpm's I'm running around 70mph (on level ground). A couple days on the slab I ran at 6K rpm's for hours. The bike didn't seem to mind it one bit!
 
I only added oil once during the trip, and I was only—maybe—a half-pint low, probably not even that. When I got home, I checked the oil and I was about a pint low. Is that significant oil loss? Nope---not considering 25 days and 5,000 miles of riding, the engine pulling over 300lbs (me and the gear).
 
BTW, I use Shell RotellaT 10W-40 synthetic.
 
It's true that a KLR doesn't have a lot of "get up and go" when you need to pass someone and you're already doing 65mph. But I passed plenty of people as I cruised at 80mph, no problem.
 
Scott

[itsatdm]

Here are a few hard facts from my experience...
 
I just rode my '06 KLR 5,000 miles to Newfoundland and back. 90% of that trip was on pavement, some on 4-lane highways. I routinely cruised at 60-70mph, and did a few slab days where I was running 80+ for 6-7 hours straight. And this was on a bike loaded with 80-100lbs (gear plus the weight of the rack and hardbags).
 
I weigh about 220lbs, and at 5K rpm's I'm running around 70mph (on level ground). A couple days on the slab I ran at 6K rpm's for hours. The bike didn't seem to mind it one bit!
 
I only added oil once during the trip, and I was only—maybe—a half-pint low, probably not even that. When I got home, I checked the oil and I was about a pint low. Is that significant oil loss? Nope---not considering 25 days and 5,000 miles of riding, the engine pulling over 300lbs (me and the gear).
 
BTW, I use Shell RotellaT 10W-40 synthetic.
 
It's true that a KLR doesn't have a lot of "get up and go" when you need to pass someone and you're already doing 65mph. But I passed plenty of people as I cruised at 80mph, no problem.
 
Scott

 Your oil usage sounds about typical.for the conditions.  a pint and one half doesn't sound like a lot, but is a high percentage of the total capacity.  Its always a good policy to check at each gas fillup, especially at freeway speeds.

[MadMaximillian]

I've read that sustaining anything over 5000 RPM causes the KLRs to burn or blow oil out rather quickly. What's the truth to that? What is a typical oil consumption rate?

Higher RPMS do make the motor burn/blow out oil, but I have never heard it described as "quickly".
 
There's a mod on KLR650.net called the PCV or "Percival" mod where people have added a PCV valve into the crankcase breather hose leading back to the airbox. Supposedly it just about eliminates the motor burning up/blowing out oil, and adds about 1/4 horsepower, too. One of the guys on KLR650.net actually ran a dyno test to prove this. 1/4 hp isn't much, but for the price of some hose cutting, some zip ties, and a PCV valve, why not?
 
I've done the mod to my KLR but I honestly couldn't tell if it changed oil consumption, partly because I could hardly measure the oil difference anyway. Of course I changed the oil more frequently if I was doing highway trips, and if I was on a long trip (before I did the PCV valve mod) I'd add about 1/4 quart after like 500 miles. This is not measured, this is just my guesstimate.  I have no idea how much my motor really needed, if it needed anything.