2008 KLR Purchase Looming - advice pretty please!

[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