2008 KLR Purchase Looming - advice pretty please!

[falconati]

So, my roommate just took the basic motorcycle course from MSF and wants to buy a bike.  I've found a 2008 KLR for a good price, but I'm not sure on the maintenance, though.  I've heard they're reliable and cheap to maintain, but I have no experience so I'm posing the question.

Anything else I should know?  Should I look for anything specifically?

[ZED]

KLRs are Cheap, Reliable, and very easy to maintain.  After the first couple of valve checks, both of ours have settled nicely.

The known weak spot of the KLR is called the Doo-hicky (labeled by Kawi as the cam chain tensioner lever).  Older versions have been known to break or not have enough spring action to allow proper tension.  Some claim the new (2008+) KLRs have this fixed.  Others say not.  Either way, it's easy to replace with the Eagle Mike manufactured part as insurance.

One thing you may run into no the newer ones (2008+) is oil consumption.  I would ask the owner what kind of oil consumption rate it has.  Hopefully he will be up front as it is a known issue.  I've heard of some people using as much as 1l/100km  whereas on my '05 I've used about a 1/2l/30,000km.  If you check out the forums on klr650.net you will find many posts about it.  It sounds like Kawi had some rings that didn't seal well.  If you end up with an oil burner, then the solution seems to be to re-ring the piston.  The best way to do that is with the Schnitz racing 685 kit which has the added benefit of more oomf and less vibration do to the lighter piston.  It's an easy job if you're mechanically inclined.

KLRs are great as a do everything bike.  If your roommate finds the KLR too tall, it can be lowered, and then it's still a good starter bike.

Good luck.

[falconati]

Wow, great info - thanks!  What are the valve check intervals?

[jpred]

Valve check every 16K miles.

[ConPilot1]

I've heard to stay away from the new ones. the older ones pre 08 are better.

[Dirty Swede]

I had an '00 KLR as my first bike back in 2004.
Basic stuff like oil change and all that is dead easy to do yourself, and its a great bike to learn on, both tinkering and to ride!

I just picked up an '09 a few weekends ago. The zx14 sat in the garage for 2 weeks without being touched after I got the KLR!

And as far as lowering, the gf picked up an '02 a week before I got mine. We lowered it about 3/4 of an inch and she handels it great at 5'8. It's her first bike too.

[scottzilla]

I've heard to stay away from the new ones. the older ones pre 08 are better.

Jesus due, can you be any more vague?  I mean, c'mon, that's a bullshit thing to say at a motorcycle forum.  An unsupported statement with no way to back it up?

[ConPilot1]

Jesus due, can you be any more vague?  I mean, c'mon, that's a bullshit thing to say at a motorcycle forum.  An unsupported statement with no way to back it up?

Piston ring problems resulting in oil consumption + Tupperware on the older ones is easier to deal with and more durable.
Only what i've heard. No experience personally with this.

DD is the person to ask about KLRs, not me that's for sure. I was just throwing my .02¢ in.
So sorry if I ruined your day for you.  

[scottzilla]

Piston ring problems resulting in oil consumption + Tupperware on the older ones is easier to deal with and more durable.
Only what i've heard. No experience personally with this.

DD is the person to ask about KLRs, not me that's for sure. I was just throwing my .02¢ in.
So sorry if I ruined your day for you.  

Didn't ruin my day.  The KLR redesign resulted in 100% praise from every publication that tested one.  For you to come out and make a sweeping statement like that is silly, especially among what are essentially your peers.
Don't ever do it again.

[Bombauer]

I own an 08 and I regret buying it.  I would only buy a pre-08 KLR.

The 08 and newer bike uses a much more brittle plastic that tends to shatter OR any cracks propogate quite quickly.

I, and everyone I know with an 08 experiences oil loss. I don't (personally) know anyone with an 09.

Yes the reviews were great, and it's still my daily commuter, but an older model is the better bike.  We have two of those in the garage too.  The newer versions have NOWHERE NEAR the famous durability of the older models.

The 08 has a much better headlight and the brakes are marginally better.
Recalls so far: A exhaust mount bolt - (it was missing when I got it home from the dealer, so I just replaced it myself)
                       The main wiring harness (short circuit can lead to fire)
                       All turn signals (the rubber rotted away within months)
 
Check this stuff on any used ones.

I checked my valves at ~9k and one needed shimming.  Someone else at the tech day had less mileage and had one so far out of spec he had to go back to the dealer, but I never heard his outcome.

The aftermarket for parts on the new models is still a little sparse - older stuff is very easy and cheap to get.

All our bolts between old and new models are different so Dantesdame and I have to carry two tool sets whenever we go anywhere together.

[ConPilot1]

For you to come out and make a sweeping statement like that is silly, especially among what are essentially your peers.
Don't ever do it again.

Well that's pretty friggin arrogant of you....
Who are you to tell me what I can say and can't?

[scottzilla]

Well that's pretty friggin arrogant of you....
Who are you to tell me what I can say and can't?

Don't ever do it again.

[chornbe]

The newer versions have NOWHERE NEAR the famous durability of the older models.

Plus, there aren't many bikes that you'll be perfectly OK with laying it on its side to work on.  

That was some funny stuff.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Plus, there aren't many bikes that you'll be perfectly OK with laying it on its side to work on.  

That was some funny stuff.

I had to lay 'er down!!!  


(working on the oil drain plug leak I have   )


Seriously, after working on both the old and the new KLR, I'd go with the old in a heartbeat. That's not to say that the newer ones are complete shite. They're just not as good as the older ones    Assume that your friend is going to drop it once or twice - will the new plastics hold up? Does he even care?

Mechanically they're similar, so if you only have the option of a new one, I wouldn't stop you. I would, however, suggest that you shop around for a used older one. They're out there, and the prices have been coming down.

[falconati]

Thanks for the advice.  I've decided to put the money towards a new cage instead  

[KLRchickie]

I had to lay 'er down!!!  

What to you do when you travel 3 hours to rescue the bike & then realize the bike's key is at home?

If the bike is a KLR, you push it over on to the trailer & strap it down!

[trflyboy]

Not happy with my 2 year 9000mi 08 KLR experience. Fun bike to ride, but too many problems.  Several recalls and oil consumption got old fast.  That's probably why used prices are usually lower that for pre 08's.   

I like that kind of bike, but next time it's a DR or G650gs for me.

[scottzilla]

Not happy with my 2 year 9000mi 08 KLR experience. Fun bike to ride, but too many problems.  Several recalls and oil consumption got old fast.  That's probably why used prices are usually lower that for pre 08's.   

I like that kind of bike, but next time it's a DR or G650gs for me.

I noticed this.  Newer versions are going for a song compared to the old one's.

[Bombauer]

That sounds like a pretty broad sweeping statement!  

[Mrs. DantesDame]

That sounds like a pretty broad sweeping statement!  

[scottzilla]

That sounds like a pretty broad sweeping statement!  

I like pretty broads.  I kinda like ugly broads too.

[birdrunner]

I had an '00 KLR as my first bike back in 2004.
Basic stuff like oil change and all that is dead easy to do yourself, and its a great bike to learn on, both tinkering and to ride!

I just picked up an '09 a few weekends ago. The zx14 sat in the garage for 2 weeks without being touched after I got the KLR!

And as far as lowering, the gf picked up an '02 a week before I got mine. We lowered it about 3/4 of an inch and she handels it great at 5'8. It's her first bike too.

Call me when it's time to get it dirty.

[scarecrow]

I have over 40,000 miles on my 2008 KLR. I change the oil every 2000 miles or so. I clean the air filter often. I check the battery about every other month or so.  I lube the chain about every 500 miles. It's on it's 6th set of tires and 3rd set of sprockets and chain. IT HAS THE ORIGINAL DOOHICKEY. It has the original spark plug. I have never checked the valves. It will still do an indicated 100+ mph. It has never used one drop of oil. The bike has never failed to function properly, never.

I had a 2006 KLR. It was the same but the 2008 handles better and has more torque.

[Kraz]

Not that you're looking anymore, but for the record...

Upgrades are on the '08+ are the brakes and the cooling - bigger alu radiator.  The radiator is now more at risk to be damaged in a left side crash though.  More wind protection is there and the bike doesn't look as ghetto.  Supposedly some minor engine changes, but I don't know the specifics... someone mentioned more torque.

The doohickey's on the 08+ are stronger, the issue now is the spring tension.  It's ok for a while, but people are reporting that it's not enough after a while, so lots of people are switching out the whole thing anyway.  I don't think I'll do mine for a while.

Subframe bolts are something people swap out b/c there has been some breakage.  I think if I loctite the factory ones you should be good - or loctite in stronger bolts.  There's a kit that involves drilling out the subframe to put in one huge bolt, which is reallllly strong.

The oil burners are hit and miss, and may or may not have something to do with how you break it in.  Good excuse to do a 685 kit if you're into that kind of thing.  More power, less vibration.  My 08 only has 3k on it and burns no oil.

The aftermarket support on 08+ is now very good.  My 08 took a few mods to make my happy, but I really like it now and look forward to many miles.

[rajflyboy]

I am a kawasaki person but I would not buy the KLR 650.   Its too tall and too big to really enjoy in any kind of offroad situation.   You will be much better served with a Suzuki DR 650.  

[Mrs. DantesDame]

I am a kawasaki person but I would not buy the KLR 650.   Its too tall and too big to really enjoy in any kind of offroad situation.   You will be much better served with a Suzuki DR 650.  

"too tall" for whom? You? It's not too tall for me and I enjoy it in all sorts of "off road situations". Methinks you need a better argument than that  

[Rabidsnipe]

So, my roommate just took the basic motorcycle course from MSF and wants to buy a bike.  I've found a 2008 KLR for a good price, but I'm not sure on the maintenance, though.  I've heard they're reliable and cheap to maintain, but I have no experience so I'm posing the question.

Anything else I should know?  Should I look for anything specifically?

Pewh!  For a moment there I thought you were buying a KLR.

[rajflyboy]

"too tall" for whom? You? It's not too tall for me and I enjoy it in all sorts of "off road situations". Methinks you need a better argument than that  

Sorry

I'm 5 foot 11 and I will take the DR 650 anyday over the KLR for offroad riding.   Center of gravity is much lower on the DR.    The DR is also a better looking machine.  The KLR looks like cattle coming down the road.  

"Let the good times roll"  

[Kraz]

I'm 5 foot 11 and I will take the DR 650 anyday over the KLR for offroad riding.   Center of gravity is much lower on the DR.    The DR is also a better looking machine.  The KLR looks like cattle coming down the road.  

I'm 5'11" and think the height of the KLR is AOK for street, great for dirt.  Height is what I want, especially for dirt... but I don't really take my KLR "off road" per se - I take it down some dirt/gravel roads, which is what the KLR is made for.  Definitions vary on what "off road" means, but to me, that's single track, which the KLR has no business doing in the first place.  To me, a KLR is an all road, bare bones, cheap, entry level adventure bike.  That's it.

I think most, including me, would concur that a DR650 is better offroad than a KLR, but would also say that a KLR is better on road than a DR.  I think they call that compromise.

Anyway, to update the story on an '08 - I did the 685 kit (thanks to Wyman Winn of KLR650.net for a complete kit) after the motor had 4k on her, and it looks like she WAS burning oil.  Not a lot, but I had to add oil once, and the piston was a bit dark on the swap.  Apparently, ring design means basically all '08's will burn some oil, just not all will to a level that requires consistent attention.  685 is an AWESOME improvement over stock, and it allowed me to go up tooth in the front and still keep the same acceleration, if not a little better.  Needless to say, this makes highway cruising better.  Vibes are down a bit b/c the new piston is lighter.

Doohickey's don't break (that I've heard) on the new generation, but the stock spring is too long on most (mine was), and won't do you any good, so it should be replaced.  The stock doo can be replaced b/c it's not machined that well, but I left mine stock and just did a better spring.  Eagle Mike (google him) is an awesome guy and stocks all the parts and tools you need to do the job.

New exhaust is coming this week to complete the package for the KLR.  

[scarecrow]

Let me get an edge in here wordwise then I'll run for cover. The KLR is a combat proven design both as a gasoline model and after conversion to diesel. Semper Fi