KLR 650 Power Up Modifications

[deanodirt]

Hello Every One
My Name is Dean I am in Australia I am looking at buying a KLR 650 1999 model with 3000 km's on the clock. I have been reseaching on the web for 3 months on which bike to buy out of the KLR, DR, XRL and it looks like the KLR will be my choice, coming down from a FZR1000 is a fair power drop. I have seen a few things about power ups and on http://www.4strokes.com/ they seem to be very good if you are buying a honda it is very detailed on what to exactly do to get the most power from which exhaust to which drill bit to use on the carby slide is there a full list of power ups document for the KLR. which exhaust, airbox mod, carby jets, gearing, etc

Thanks Deano

Ps great site well set up:

[Nedsumwork]

i have the snorkel yanked(hehe) out and 14t front sproket, honestly thats all you need if you ride off road. if you did get the bike you would want to put a stainless steel front brake line on and progressive fork springs and an aluminum skid plate.

[Brisbane]

if you look on this forum you will find lots of posts on exhaust and carb mods and links to other sites etc... I don't think there is a complete list anywhere. You will also find different views on what size jets to use and airbox mods etc...

If you haven't ridden a KLR650 before I would recommend giving one a good test ride and see what you think of the power etc... - stock it's pretty gutless but the mods are supposed to make a difference.

The Australian KLR up until 2004 is a different model to the American one - not many differences - just thought I'd mention it...

[BlueSamurai22]

A lot of people are of the opinion that you can screw around with the exhaust, carb and other little things all you want. You aren't really going to squeeze much more power out of the engine than what is already there.

Of course someone will invariably chime in how they have found the secret formula to mega horsepower on the KLR and how it was well worth the $$$$ that they spent. I haven't seen any real proof of this yet.

It seems that the time, money and effort would be better invested in the suspension and other mods depending on the type of riding you want to do. Maybe brakes and crash protection.

If you haven't checked these sights already they are well worth a look.

http://www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html

http://multisurfacemotorcycling.com/

[Stability]

I haven't found much difference in carb & exhaust mods. I think most of it is psychological, it sounds louder thus runs better. There are small gains to be made by tweaking but not much. I have tried several jet settings & settled on 4 notches from the top, 140 main jet no air box mods & an aftermarket exhaust. Many people will tell you of incredible increases but I really don't think it happens like that. The only way to prove it is on a dyno. I installed a 14 tooth sprocket, that made the biggest difference & to tell you the truth when I get time I'm taking it off, I find myself constantly trying to find another gear. I think money is better spent on improving the handling, there is a vast amount of knowledge available here, it's just a matter of sorting out what is really of any use to you.

[David K]

.... There are lots of "changes" you may want to make to the KLR (if you buy it ) but there's really very little that's practical to up the power, bearing in mind it's a dual purpose bike, and the power requirements are far different that those of a strictly street bike. Different exhaust maybe, but expensive ! If you were doing an engine rebuild, then a "port and polish " could'nt do any harm. Also, bear in mind, the bike has been around for years, and if there was any useable/practical extra HP it would have been discovered long ago ,and the information would be readily available ! The known "shortcommings " are well known, and cures well documented .....personally, I'd be inclined to address the known issues and forget about "hot-rodding " the engine, and be happy with the proven reliability and flexibility of the stock engine and the incredible versitility of the KLR ! ........ David K.

[SuprXnTxn]

all ive done so far is put a pipe on the bike, it made some difference...especially w/ low end grunt...also seems to run a little more effortlessly on the top.

the pipe is a Bill's Pipes Thunder Series .....looks nice, sounds good, improved performance, and one of the cheaper pipes on the market

[chadhargis]

It my past experiences with carbed bikes, I can tell you that an exhaust and a jet kit will improve the feel of the bike a great deal. You won't get big HP out of it, but it will flatten the power curve somewhat. Most bikes are set from the factory to run lean in the midrange to meet EPA mandated guidelines. That means you get some extra heat, and some lost power. Adding an exhaust only will lean the bike out even more since you are removing backpressure. If you are going to do anything, go with a jet kit first. Then add the pipe.

[deanodirt]

Thanks for the replys,
It looks like i will get the bike it is a 2000 model 3000kms on the clock it was brought new from the local dealer it is owned by a gent in his late 50's who said it was a change of life buy so I will get it for around $4800 which seems good that will leave me money to get exhaust do the airbox change jets and see how i go.

thanks Dean

[BigThumper]

I just did the pipe and rejet and it did make some difference. No, it's not a ninja now but it will wheelie pretty effortlessly now. It sounds alot better IMO and I know it isn't running lean. If anything it running a little too rich but I'm working on that now. There was little if any improvement on topend. It will barely break the ton now where it wouldn't before. But I don't like going that fast on the KLR. It was OK on my ZR-7 but this light bike (in comparison) kinda floats around at those speeds. I did see a pretty nice improvement in low and mid range though and that's seems to be where I like the power to be. Once I get the engine side sorted out, I'm starting work on suspension and brakes. Slowly but surely as the $$ leak in they'll leak right out again

[deanodirt]

A mate of mine went for a ride today and one of the fellows had a 1991 KLR 650 and he said the power standard was ok but the only gripe he had was that he could'nt see the front wheel so when he came up to ruts it made it difficult to judge. do you have the same problem or is he just not used to the bike.

Thanks Dean

[Nedsumwork]

yea i do, but have seen people put the ktm front fender on theirs. i will admitt though i usually try to ride them perpidiculary (sp?). fenders can be changed and chopped.

[Brisbane]

Dean, that sounds like a fair price. I'll mention you can buy a new one with 1 years rego for around $8,000 just for comparison. The new model has a 23 litre tank, tacho and better rear rack (can attach a Givi etc..).

The XR650L supposedly has more power than the KLR but is more of an offroad bike - I think you'll already know that. The newer bikes e.g. WR450F are supposed to be awesome but again are more offroad.

I looked at the Honda Transalp which also is a fantastic bike but a little expensive - great power from the v-twin though.

On the KLR - it is definitely underpowered stock and a little hefty but is well priced and you can't get yourself into too much trouble on the street...take one for a spin before buying...