Ducati Monster Forum

Well, I am no longer a Ducati only bike rider.........I just bought my wife a 2008 KLR650 with 3,000 on the clock.

Walked away with a smoking deal. 3900$ out the door including tax, title, documents, etc. A bike wholesaler was selling it. He originally picked it up for a friend of his, but then his wife said no, so this guy was stuck with it. He usually only deals in cruisers and a few sportbikes, not enduros. He wanted 3800$ for it. I offered him 3300$ and he was like:

"Look, here's the story. I'll show you the documents I paid for it. I'll sell it to you for my cost"

Sure enough, I saw all the documents on what he paid for it (bought it from a bank). Also nice he is a dealer, so got to take care of all the documentation, etc, so I will get the title mailed to me after the BMV processes it.

Now I need to find a KLR forum, but I hear it is a cult following of riders, so should be easy to google to start with learning about them. I am not really allowed to mod it because it is my wife's bike, but there are some basic things that need to be done:

1. I want to get the side crash bars to protect the fairing. She is new to riding and didn't like my M750 as I upgraded the brakes, has race carbs, etc. Most importantly.......I have a strong emotional attachment to it.
2. Need to change out the brake pads and change the oil. Pads look worn enough for replacement and I am not sure when the oil was last changed. Through the sight glass, oil level is perfect and oil appears to be clean looking, but cheap insurance makes me want to change out the oil.
3. Run some seafoam through it to clean the carbs (at least I think it is carby based on the choke and starting).

4. Tires. I included some pics. They are a bit worn. This bike won't be ridden off-road at all, so I need a nice street tire recommendation for this bike. It will mostly see highway and in town riding. Obviously it doesn't need performance tires, I just need some ideas on tires that are a nice harder compound to withstand a nice tire life of super slab. Based on the pics, do you guys think the tires have enough center tread for a 500mi round trip weekend to Indianapolis? All highway miles.
5. Exhaust? Maybe. It sounds wimpy as shit.

This thing is a blast to ride. So much different then a monster and so much more comfortable. I could ride this thing all day. It is great.

Now for the pictures and the happy new owner and the husband who will steal it when he can..........

(http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu82/jshoward11/TiffsBike1.jpg)
(http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu82/jshoward11/TiffsBike2.jpg)
(http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu82/jshoward11/Jud1.jpg)
(http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu82/jshoward11/Jud2.jpg)

Now the photos of the bike:

(http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu82/jshoward11/2008KLR6501.jpg)
(http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu82/jshoward11/2008KLR6503.jpg)
(http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu82/jshoward11/2008KLR650RightEngineCase.jpg)
(http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu82/jshoward11/2008KLR650LeftEngineCase.jpg)
(http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu82/jshoward11/2008KLR650RearShot.jpg)
(http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu82/jshoward11/2008KLR650GaugeCluster.jpg)
(http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu82/jshoward11/2008KLR650RearBrake.jpg)
(http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu82/jshoward11/2008KLR650FrontBrake.jpg)
(http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu82/jshoward11/2008KLR650RearTire2.jpg)
(http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu82/jshoward11/2008KLR650RearTire1.jpg)

 [thumbsup] She has the same "proud kid" smile we all have  8)

I would think those tires can take another 1k miles, but can't you change them before the trip?
Get her some bicycle shorts - that seat doesn't look too comfy for such a long trip. Am I wrong?

Really, $4k for that bike [clap]

advrider.com  for all your adventuring bike needs

Nice, but will it fit into the back of a Syclone?

think they were rated for 500 lbs in the bed.

Quick google search turned up a guy who SM'd his:

http://www.southbayriders.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60901 (http://www.southbayriders.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60901)

might be the lighting, but i think they're to the wear indicators in the middle there.

thumpers seem to go through tires faster than twins. esp if you romp on the throttle.
just replace them, they aren't that expensive

Nice score!

Two things that come to mind...

Better stay off off twisted throttle's website

very surprised that brake pads are worn out after only 3000 miles. If they really are, check for stuck caliper pistons or a stuck piston in the master cylinder.

My last bike I bought new (675) and sold it with 13k on it. Many track days too. Brakes were still all stock and pads looked fine...

What does a wear indicator look like? A line on the tread?


It definitely needs some new rubber, I just want some street tires, so I'll investigate the link supplied above.


It was an intersting score.

Maybe the pads are worn less than I think. I am used to ducati pads for the past several years and never owned a bike like this so maybe the pads are different in thickness/material. I need to download the manual so I can check specs on thickness.

Just thought in a general "new used bike" mode that simple things should be put back to new condition.

I hate you.

Love,

JudddDDDddd

I need to know more about the grill in picture #4

was it part of the deal?

and can it be appended to the Kwak using a sidecar mount or trailer hitch?

Nice bike,  it looks to be a killer-good thrasher in the dirt with some fresh knobby's

Hey wow I guess we're like peas and carrots now http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=34536.0 (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=34536.0)

Ive been using http://www.Klr650.net/forums/ (http://www.Klr650.net/forums/) as a source for info. They seem like a good bunch of guys. Klrs are cool bikes. There kinda like a Swiss army knife, they will do everything but they wont do it well. They make a decent touring bike but there are better ones out there, they can be taken off road but there's better choices for that too.  Not very many bikes can do both.

I just ordered a set of kendas for mine.  Dirt cheap and have great reviews except in the rain. http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=&L2=&L3=&L4=&item=TUC_28-6230_G (http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=&L2=&L3=&L4=&item=TUC_28-6230_G)
Then again I plan on seeing plenty of dirt with mine.  If she lets you ride it I think you could have some real fun. I absolutely have a blast on mine.  Yes it is still carbutated.  Exhaust options are cheap and plentiful. Jetting to match the exhaust is very simple.  Have fun with it. Hope the missus enjoys it.   [thumbsup]

hahahahaha

Grill was free from a friend. It is a Vermont Castings that caught on fire and is currently set up for natural gas feed.

I was going to clean it up, switch it back to propane and keep it. This was all based on how it was described by a friend.

Turned out to be a huge piece of shit that I don't feel like cleaning up and then trying to sell.

It could be a nice grill, I just don't want to put the time in to it.

So I put it out by the curb (trash day is Wed morning) with hope someone will take it as they usually do take shit out of trash around here.

I did add a "for sale" sign because if you put "free" on it nobody will take it.

Dead serious or maybe that was just how it worked in Indiana.

Free never got it picked up. Adding a price and for sale always ended in a "theft"

funny shit.



anyone in the columbus ohio area that wants a Vermont Casting 5 burner grill (including the rotisserie burner), PM me and get it before trash day...............



The bike needed a home......grill got the boot.

Congrats! [thumbsup]  She looks thrilled with the new wheels, keep us posted on her progress. :)

Very nice!  Hope she likes her KLR as much as I like my XT250!

awesome ride!  I bought an '05 KLR.. after my duc died.  Might have looked ugly, but it was a lot of fun.  Taking it on the highway, veering off a side road and up the mountain trails.  Can't do that with a monster!

OK, now, your wife has a new bike and you have a spare to move around when you're waiting on goodies to put on your bike...
Congrats...

Hmm...thanks for the tip.  ;D

And congrats on the new ride - they're fun.  [thumbsup]

Incorrect.

I own three bikes now.

I already had a bike to move around on while the other is getting work; I also owned said bike before said bike is getting worked on.

My wife wanted her own bike. Not one that was one I had ridden for 3 years and put a lot of work into.

So she got her own bike.


So no, this bike was not bought for selfish reasons at all.




btw, already got its first mod...........


Two Brothers slip on. Holy make the beast with two backs! Sounds like a god damn lawnmower on crystal method at idol and then turns into a beast.

Seems to be running fine on current jetting based off a 6 mile experiment test. Going to check the plug tomorrow to check on color.

Need to take it in for the new tires to be mounted (our local club changer can't really do tube tires; it is a pain in the ass. and if the plugs look awful, going to have it re-jetted. The yamaha dealer at iron pony motor sports does it for an hour of labor + the jet kit. I don't think that is terribly bad at all.

my spreadsheet skillz don't help when it comes to a carb.

My bad, I apologize...

No worries.


I am a dick and can be an asshole, but I would never do anything selfish like that to my wife.

Nice addition... A guy I work with is riding the last year of the previous-generation KLRs (maybe '06?).  He's a former MX nut and a wheelie maniac.  When we get out on the older roads maintained by the county highway department, I'm tip-toeing through corners while he's firing rooster tails in the loose gravel and apron crap... he looks like he's having way more fun than me until I reel him in on the cleaner stuff.

Enjoy!

Congrats on getting a spare bike for yourself Juddd!

Yo!  I can't see the pictures but I want the grill.  I can pick it up anytime. 


Oh yeah and congrats to Tiff.

The best I can tell from the books I was checking out at Iron Pony Yesterday, 2007 was the previous generation.

However, when you look at fitment stuff, 06 and before are the cut off.

So honestly, I am not terribly sure when the old generation closed and the new started. From a brief read on the KLR Forum, almost seems 08 was the new model year. So honestly, I don't know.

I do want to pick up the Haynes Manual as this is a single and I can probably work on it myself.


wife paid for it bro. She just lets me ride it as I commute to work and she is not at that point yet.

I'll probably stop riding it all the time once I get the new speedo cable for my 750.

So nice try at more dickhead sarcasm  [thumbsup]


If you come over tomorrow, we'll have some dinner too.

burgers on the grill (not that one of course)  [thumbsup]

It's a heavy make the beast with two backser as it is cast iron.

You got so worked up over it last time  :-*

And you fell for my post again.


god damnit, stop kissing me.

Go kiss your wife or dogs please!

Two Brother's Exhaust.

Took about 35mins to install.

God damn, so much easier than a Ducati.


oh wait.....low mounts are easy, high mounts suck, and a new header pipe sucks even more balls.


It sounds mean:

(http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu82/jshoward11/TwoBrothers1.jpg)
(http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu82/jshoward11/TwoBrothers2.jpg)

I rebuilt mine without a manual.  Specs are easy to find on teh net.  Maintenance is as easy as it gets. Yer gonna enjoy that thing. I feel like we're brothers now.  ;D

Whats the seat height on that thing?  It looks tall.  Nice bike!

Was that just a proposal?

 ;D

I have to ask permission to ride since it isn't mine and I have a perfectly good Monster with no speedo cable to ride........until the part arrives.

But yeah, ok. I love the make the beast with two backser. It is fun.


It's high.

I have a 30' inseam. I am on my tip toes.

the klr seat heightr is listed at 35"

That'd be a about right based on my shoe size and where my toes hit the pavement.

I usually just lean it to one side.

i've ssen ppl get on the XR by leavingf it on the sidestand and stepping onto the peg to give themselves more height to get over the seat.

Doood you gonna share?

+1

Puff puff pass, Humpty.

I've seen >15 people do this on BMW GS1150's.

The best is when they have it on the center stand, start it up, rock it down and take off.


I was just thinking the same thing, but I just popped a lortab 5 for my shoulder, so I probably should watch my typing

(no, not riding bike home from work if anyone gives a shit, which nobody probably does)


come on over later

share the XR?
sure, come on up and you can ride it

No no no, ive got mah klr for that. I'm talking about the.stuff that's making your words not word right. Its so cool.  ;D

they make sense and look correct to me.

i'll have someone else read it and tell me what's up

For example;

Since you wont share I'm gonna walk my happy ass down to the hotel lobby and get a tequila. Maybe the other Porsche Monkeys will be down there.

ok.

i'm only on percs and ibuprofen

Man, hotel lobby........tequila

that sounds expensive

They don't have the best selection either.  Damn Sauza.  :'(

That shit sucks, but what is even worse is Senor Frogs brand.

It tasted like a bad dirty martini. No Joke.


by the way...........




make the beast with two backsing dropped the bike on myself at the gas station yesterday.

First of many.

Its all good. Ive dropped mine twice already, in the dirt.  Also almost high sided myself to the moon but saved it. Damn things a hoot.  [thumbsup]

Dropping in the dirt does not equal a jackass dropping in a parking lot after getting a pack of smokes.

I was backing it up, while seated, lost my footing on the ground, and down we went.

At least I know it is easy to pick up

 [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh]

Congrats on the bike Cyrus. [thumbsup] KLRs are cool.

Good to hear the parking lot drop wasn't anything serious. Those KLRs are tough as nails.
 :)

You found the klrs default position.

hahaha

just waiting for the crash bars to arrive in the mail. Figured to put those on if the wife drops it as a new rider, it just goes with the territory.

but damn......I dropped it first  >:(


Thanks.

I need to stop riding this bike. I am starting to fall in love with it and it isn't mine.

just wait until you take it in the dirt and the back end slides around.

when you get up just remember that it's a dirt bike and can take some spills.
then keep grinning

Dirt biking is probably the last thing my body needs.

I've had 4 shoulder surgeries..........I am thinking a 5th one would not be a good idea.

Walmart sells new shoulders. You'll be okay.

 [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh]

or you could take one from a drifter...

Just got the bike back from some service.


I installed a Two Brother's Slip-on to the bike and it leaned it out wayyyy to much, so I bought a DynoJet Stage 1 Kit (only make a Stage 1 for the KLR's) and had that installed. Boy, does the bike sound and ride so much better now. Great purchase and install.

Also had them install the crash bars I bought. The directions were in German, so I figured I'd pay them an hour of labor to figure it out.

Only disappointment was the Avon Road Rider's I wanted installed didn't get done; it somehow was in the system but never made it to the work order. The Service Manager told me to call him when I want the tires swapped and it will immediately go on lift.

I'll post pics of the crash bars later; digi camera still MIA.

How is your wife doing with the riding?

Somegirl, ..... errrr....  which wife??? ;D

She is doing good with it. she has just been parking lot riding and neighborhood riding for the time being to get comfortable before negotiating the unknown of suburbia riding.

she is getting there  [thumbsup]

Sounds great, that's what I did when I started out.  Glad to hear she is doing well. [thumbsup]

She has been doing good thus far. Her shifting is improving, as well as her starts.

She struggled with the friction point on the ducati, but doesn't seem to have that issue with the KLR.

Must be a difference between hydraulic (duc) and cable (KLR)