I've got a total of 42 miles on it, so haven't pounded on it yet, trying to break it in. I did pull a wheelie in second gear off this hump in the road near my house, so it will wheelie. Not as easy as when I had my KTM, but I got the exhaust, jet kit and filter coming to put in, so should make a good difference. Its definitely fun to ride, and fits my needs perfectly, which is mainly a street bike that I'll be taking on the dirt roads/trails on the weekends.

BTW, it will easily go over 90 mph. I'm not sure of the top speed, I only had mine on the interstate once for a short distance and was cruising at 80 mph on the speedo, which is just over 5000 rpm.

Curls....would be great to keep both the KLR and XR, can never have too many machines. But I can see keeping the KLR as it gets the job done. Doesn't do as well as the XR in the dirt, just like when I had my KTM, but does well on the street.

 

Thanks for reply elkbow. Let us know how the exhaust works. Anyone else to comment on power or top speed.

 

I have the Big Gun... & like it... I'll likely rejet & do the K&N this year... I've had mine close to 90 mph, & there is a real lacking of power at speed... not sure if it's electrical ( CDI ), or lean jetting... my dealership claims they checked the jetting after the Big Gun install, but during a 100 mile 45* freeway cruise, at 75 mph... I melted the restrictor disk out of the canister of the Big Gun full system ... I'm guessing the jetting was too lean ( & I wasn't happy with the dealership ), or the valves really needed adjustment ( only 1400 miles on the bike, & they were adjusted at 1000 miles from the dealership ) ... but she's pretty squirrely at 80 - 90 mph... as far as cruising around with my buddies bikes, the KLR will keep up, as much as I'm willing to do...

 

If you are looking for hard acceleration or easy wheelies then look elsewhere. This bike is front end heavy compared to a dirt bike so wheelies require skill and the overall weight hurts the acceleration. This bike is a very good all around bike that does all things adequately but does not stand out anyhere accept versatility and long term reliability. I don't see how anyone could find one other bike that does all things as well. To beat a KLR it would take a stable of two or more bikes such as a CBR600F2, 3, or 4 plus an XR650R Baja Designs.

 

Elkbow, I would suggest taking all the nuts and bolts off and putting Locktite on them. Within about 300 miles, just about every screw, nut and bolt rattled loose on mine. That especially includes the little windshield and all the plastic around the radiator and side panels.

 

You would definitely need to rejet after putting on the exhaust, even without any other mods. The recommended is 150 main jet at lower elevations, I'm guessing this is alittle large with just the pipe. Check your main jet and see what you are running. If you are losing power on top end, then you are definitely running lean. I'm sure mine will go over 100 mph with stock everything. I ordered the dynoject kit, but didn't order the high altitude kit...it only has different main jets, I have a bunch of them already so I'll get the jetting right. As far as needle position goes, 4 down from the top is a starting position with washer on top.

Thanks for the info Kawierider, I'll definitely do that. I'm good about checking nuts/bolts/etc, same as on my ATV. Don't need to lose anything in the field. I did a quick check on the weekend, everything appeared snug.

 

Oldturtle is right. The KLR is the jack of all trades and master of none. I have a stable of bikes and I still ride the very reliable but not exciting KLR the most. I ride a YZ426, a soon to be sold XR650R with the baja designs kit and a Suzuki Hayabusa. The fun factor of KLR is a little like a perfect balance sheet to an accountant. Most people won't appreciate the beauty of boredom, but getting home in comfort albeit a little slow with very little maintenance is always nice.

The KLR handles speed OK. I do 90 on mine all the time. The speed is accurate because I use my GPS. I have run a different sprocket set up looking for more top speed at a lower RPM, but there wasn't enough power to make it happen.
On a flat road with me in a full tuck I can get about 92mph.

To wheelie the bike with out abusing the clutch requires a speed hump and a good hard tug on the bars.

It's really a great bike and the price is right.

 

I would have to say though....its is the master, the master of a true dual-sport bike. It can ride well on the road and do long rides, comfortable for the design and has the gas to take it there....and it will also do the off-road bit for a what a true dual-sport is supposed to do. A real dual-sport and not great in one discipline or the other, but does both good....thats the KLR and I guess thats why I got it.

When I had my KTM 620 RXC, it was great in the dirt and sucked on the road. The KLR fits my bill so far....should be fun....

Thanks again guys for all the info, much appreciated....

dave

 

Elkbow,

Don't get me wrong I love the KLR. Like I said, I ride this bike more then any of my other bikes because it does it all. There is nothing wrong with being a jack of all trades, Leonardo da Vinci was one. My favorite thing to do with this bike is ride the however many hundred miles of pavement to get to the next off road adventure. I also use it to commute the 17 miles into work once in a while.

 

I wasn't saying what you said was wrong, I agree with you. You're right, its not great at one thing, but good at all. It would be hard to make any of the dual-sports do both things well because of the manufacturers are trying to make them do both...which we know we need better tires to ride on the dirt, then they don't work well on the road....and to make it comfortable on the road, its not the best suspension for the dirt....can't have the best of each, just the best it can be for both...