New member, multiple KLR owner with questions

[nitrofish]

I have been looking at this forum for some time now and despite all the problems some people have had with their bikes I took the plunge and brought home a new 2008 today. I am a hands on guy and not afraid to take on anything. From what I can tell the problems that are being reported are things that can be fixed and the benefits of the new bike far outweigh the negatives. That is saying a lot as I have owned 2 older Klr's and loved those bikes. My question is, what should I be looking at. I need a list of all the items I need to address. It is all here somewhere but I have not seen it all in one place.
1. Should I do the doo? I have read that the only real problem for the 2008 is spring tension. If that is the case, where can I purchase the spring only?
2. I am aware of the oil issue and I plan on following the break in procedures outline in this forum to the letter. I am also adding a larger front sproket which will keep the revs down a bit. Since all my offroad will be easy fire roads and such, I don't think that should be a problem. At least I hope but if it is I have no problem going the 685 route.
3. Rear shock preload adjuster breaking. Forgive me if I got this wrong but I think that was mentioned as a problem here.


What else should I be on the lookout for and do you have any advice to go along with the warning.
Thanks in advance for any help offered.

[KLdrumR]

Originally Posted by nitrofish

I have been looking at this forum for some time now and despite all the problems some people have had with their bikes I took the plunge and brought home a new 2008 today. I am a hands on guy and not afraid to take on anything. From what I can tell the problems that are being reported are things that can be fixed and the benefits of the new bike far outweigh the negatives. That is saying a lot as I have owned 2 older Klr's and loved those bikes. My question is, what should I be looking at. I need a list of all the items I need to address. It is all here somewhere but I have not seen it all in one place.
1. Should I do the doo? I have read that the only real problem for the 2008 is spring tension. If that is the case, where can I purchase the spring only?
2. I am aware of the oil issue and I plan on following the break in procedures outline in this forum to the letter. I am also adding a larger front sproket which will keep the revs down a bit. Since all my offroad will be easy fire roads and such, I don't think that should be a problem. At least I hope but if it is I have no problem going the 685 route.
3. Rear shock preload adjuster breaking. Forgive me if I got this wrong but I think that was mentioned as a problem here.


What else should I be on the lookout for and do you have any advice to go along with the warning.
Thanks in advance for any help offered.

Ok, do the doo and the spring!

The 685 is worth doing even if you don't use oil.

If the shock breaks, it will do it under warranty, I'm guessing. No matter, replace with aftermarket (Cogent Dynamics). The stocker's a toy, right??



Congrats. Great bike. Good luck with it!!

[Gil]

First of all welcome!
While some have had some problems, many like myself have not had any. The problem folks post a lot more than the happy riders from what I've read...and I read way way too much. Be sure and protect your body with gear, so your family doesn't see you with missing skin and broken bones. Sure, maybe you never crashed before, but it's cheap insurance.

Ride the bike some, then decide which of the many farkles suit your riding style. Check out the many potenial problems others mention, to see if they may affect you. So far none have affected me, but I've learned much by checking my bike for problems others discovered.

Check out the Southwest forum...there are a lot of KLR riders out your way. Maybe we'll meet at a Tennessee tech day, and do the doo together.

Happy riding,
Gil