I have an opportunity to acquire a 14.5 klr. they say everything is addressed on those year models. is there anything I should still look for?
talk me into it or talk me out of it......
Does it have a milk crate?
:lol-049:
Quote from: klaviator on November 16, 2017, 12:31:13 PM
Does it have a milk crate?
:lol-049:
that was missing :violin-011:
I think the only upgrades to the '14.5 "New Edition" was stiffer springs and a more comfy seat.
Quote from: klaviator on November 16, 2017, 12:31:13 PM
Does it have a milk crate?
:lol-049:
Quote from: Slede on November 16, 2017, 01:36:53 PM
that was missing :violin-011:
You need one? Believe it or not I have one. :sorry: It IS blue though...could clash with the green...maybe...hell, I don't really know. :sorry:
Just yanking your chain man. :hi-002: Cool bike, it will run forever from what I have heard. :respect-048:
You have to have a thermabob, klx jet kit, new doohickey and spring, and advance the cam gear one tooth or that thing will grenade on you. I did put an eagle mike doo hickey and spring on my 2012, there is enough evidence out there as to the need for me to just go ahead and do it. I can't see getting rid of it even if I got something else, cobby low horsepower mule, my kind of bike. You shouldn't have anything to worry about if fairly regular maintenance has been done,
Quote from: Gam on November 16, 2017, 06:51:55 PM
You have to have a thermabob, klx jet kit, new doohickey and spring, and advance the cam gear one tooth or that thing will grenade on you. I did put an eagle mike doo hickey and spring on my 2012, there is enough evidence out there as to the need for me to just go ahead and do it. I can't see getting rid of it even if I got something else, cobby low horsepower mule, my kind of bike. You shouldn't have anything to worry about if fairly regular maintenance has been done,
I thought Kawasaki did away with the doohicky? :thinking-022:
Quote from: springer on November 16, 2017, 07:03:29 PM
I thought Kawasaki did away with the doohicky? :thinking-022:
Mine has it, I'm pretty sure they all still have it, they did update it, made it out of a solid piece of metal instead of being welded together.
Quote from: Gam on November 16, 2017, 06:51:55 PM
You have to have a thermabob, klx jet kit, new doohickey and spring, and advance the cam gear one tooth or that thing will grenade on you. I did put an eagle mike doo hickey and spring on my 2012, there is enough evidence out there as to the need for me to just go ahead and do it. I can't see getting rid of it even if I got something else, cobby low horsepower mule, my kind of bike. You shouldn't have anything to worry about if fairly regular maintenance has been done,
Or you can just ride the hell out it.
He's out of town for a week and I'm working everyday so I've got until next weekend to talk myself out of it
Quote from: Slede on November 17, 2017, 10:17:24 AM
He's out of town for a week and I'm working everyday so I've got until next weekend to talk myself INTO it
Fix that spelling error for ya. :respect-048:
Quote from: yamahamer on November 17, 2017, 11:25:04 AM
Fix that spelling error for ya. :respect-048:
I spelled it right, I'm dead on after it, something will have to change my mind
Quote from: Slede on November 17, 2017, 01:50:41 PM
I spelled it right, I'm dead on after it, something will have to change my mind
Don't look to me for help then. :lol-049:
Even with the stiffer springs the suspension is gonna be too soft for you but makes a decent trail bike. Not a lot of power but they're so much fun to ride!
Doohickey is much stronger than before, but new from the factory, almost two-thirds of the spring travel is already used up. Some folks recommend changing it to a torsion spring. It takes about two hours to perform the job. It doesn't need to be done immediately, but maybe before 10,000 miles would be best. Some people say that it never needs to be done. But it is cheap insurance to go ahead and knock it out.
Other than that, mechanically it is rock solid. You should get 80,000 miles or so out of that engine.
another point, I've been looking at videos of off road capable bikes. and of all of them, the new Africa twin doesn't look like it would be all that much different, harder to handle, than a klr, size wise they are very similar. I do a lot of commuting and I've never been a bike hauler type. I just like to be able to explore while I'm out riding and wanted a capable tool for the job.
knowing that there a at least a couple AT riders on the forum I figured that i'd throw the question out there.
GS, ST, ADV riders please feel free to jump in with your opinions as well.
For me, the Africa Twin is not the limiting factor...I am. ::)
It feels like an over-sized dual sport. Good ground clearance and such. One bad thing about it is the wide rear rim/tire size. It is a little funky being that it takes a 150/70-18 tire unlike the 17 inch size most "adventure" type motorcycles have. Honda is supposed to be coming out with a version that is even more dirt friendly with a bigger factory skid plate, crash bars, and all models get a steel rear rack instead of the plastic one that is on mine. Of course the suspension is like the majority of bikes. Soft. But is is pretty adjustable. Got mine just about where I want it at #190 something pounds. (Me with all my gear on but carrying next to nothing)
Quote from: Slede on November 20, 2017, 07:10:55 PM
another point, I've been looking at videos of off road capable bikes. and of all of them, the new Africa twin doesn't look like it would be all that much different, harder to handle, than a klr, size wise they are very similar. I do a lot of commuting and I've never been a bike hauler type. I just like to be able to explore while I'm out riding and wanted a capable tool for the job.
Says the guy who goes offroading on a Harley with a foot clutch. ;D
Just wait a few months and I know where you will be able to get a good deal on a DR650...
;D
I have a '15. For commuting it's great. For forest roads and all but the gnarliest trails, it's perfect. I have 0 complaints about suspension, but the stock seat is murder after 30 minutes.
The only time you'll second guess your decision is if you drop it.
I've stuck mine in a river, with no help around; dropped it on a slick muddy hillside, again alone...those are the days that I regret that both me and the bike are 50 lbs overweight. The rest of the time it is a 40hp smile generator. They call em tractors for a reason. First gear is tall enough that you don't shift much in technical terrain.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Quote from: DonJuan on November 21, 2017, 08:56:00 AM
I have a '15. For commuting it's great. For forest roads and all but the gnarliest trails, it's perfect. I have 0 complaints about suspension, but the stock seat is murder after 30 minutes.
The only time you'll second guess your decision is if you drop it.
I've stuck mine in a river, with no help around; dropped it on a slick muddy hillside, again alone...those are the days that I regret that both me and the bike are 50 lbs overweight. The rest of the time it is a 40hp smile generator. They call em tractors for a reason. First gear is tall enough that you don't shift much in technical terrain.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
river...
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171121/959ef6c0c8c4104ad143edd08f644d94.jpg)
Slick trail...
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171121/dc3a2e3198ca14003a95081faf4386c6.jpg)
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Quote from: norton73 on November 21, 2017, 08:12:10 AM
Just wait a few months and I know where you will be able to get a good deal on a DR650...
;D
Lol
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk
Quote from: springer on November 20, 2017, 08:58:29 PM
For me, the Africa Twin is not the limiting factor...I am. ::)
It feels like an over-sized dual sport. Good ground clearance and such. One bad thing about it is the wide rear rim/tire size. It is a little funky being that it takes a 150/70-18 tire unlike the 17 inch size most "adventure" type motorcycles have. Honda is supposed to be coming out with a version that is even more dirt friendly with a bigger factory skid plate, crash bars, and all models get a steel rear rack instead of the plastic one that is on mine. Of course the suspension is like the majority of bikes. Soft. But is is pretty adjustable. Got mine just about where I want it at #190 something pounds. (Me with all my gear on but carrying next to nothing)
What kind of range are you getting out of a tank of gas ?
Quote from: norton73 on November 21, 2017, 08:12:10 AM
Just wait a few months and I know where you will be able to get a good deal on a DR650...
;D
Hey, I'm watching you... ;D
Quote from: Nice Goat on November 21, 2017, 11:02:51 AM
Hey, I'm watching you... ;D
everybody's watching you though 8)
Quote from: Slede on November 22, 2017, 03:19:42 AM
everybody's watching you though 8)
Touché, my big friend
https://youtu.be/7YvAYIJSSZY
and I have stumbled across a dr650 that I need to go look at, looks to be in good shape and is a good enough deal to say it could stay for a second bike if nothing else