Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear?
KLR mods for NA/SA lap KLR mods for NA/SA lap
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? Anything to do with the bikes equipment, saddlebags, etc. Questions on repairs and maintenance of the bike itself belong in the Brand Specific Tech Forums.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 9 Jul 2001
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: montana/texas usa
Posts: 40
KLR mods for NA/SA lap
I'm planning a year long lap around South Am in a year and 1/2. I have a 99 KLR which i've added; happytrails super rack/ alu boxes, bash plate,hiway pegs, cstand, rad guards, a plug for vest, tank bag and panniers. heres what i'm considering adding; 1)hi shield 2)acerbis hand guards w/ shields 3)louder horn! 4)hot grips 5)throttle lock 6)plug for rechargable camp lite 7) beefyer suspension (progressive?) head and tail lite flasher deals (modulator) 8)LED aux tail lite 9) briter headlite bulb 10) disk guards 11) Pirelli MT60 90/10% tires 12)inline fuel filter. i hope to ride lots of remote roads and climb some peaks along the way-are those tires enuf or mt70's? what about kn air filts. any engine mods suggested? electrics? anyone ever try and island hop the caribean from venez towards florida with a bike? ferries? please post or E ant info from ya'll's wealth of experience. tom

[This message has been edited by tomrsewell (edited 29 October 2001).]
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 21 Oct 2001
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Posts: 233
The stock tires are OK for the street but will let you down in mud and make sand and such very difficult. I know this because I've used them in Mexico and they performed well on hard rock but made the going very difficult otherwise.

I've found that I can use heated hand grips OR my elec. vest but not both together: The alternator just can't keep up.

If you plan on climbing in rough terrain you might try a smaller (14T?) sprocket for the front. I'm told that it improves things greatly off-road.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 25 Oct 2001
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: San Francisco, USA
Posts: 222
Not sure what you mean by 'climb', but if you mean something where you have to really get on the gas and get some speed, those tires are going to make your life miserable. If you're going to try to climb anything with a bike that heavy, you'll want some real knobbies - try a set of MT-21's, though they won't be useful if they're worn down - they only work really well when they're early in their life cycle.

As for air filters, try a UNI filter. I woudl not bring a K&N filter becuase they're not easy to wash, and I've seen guys whose K&N filters get clogged in dusty conditions where foam filters kept working just fine.

best of luck,
Wright

------------------
Wright Bagwell
http://www.geocities.com/wwbagwell/

__________________
Wright Bagwell
http://www.geocities.com/wwbagwell/
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 26 Oct 2001
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: montana/texas usa
Posts: 40
by "climb" i mean on foot, like mountaineering/trekking. i'm not so lazy i need to ride my unenvironmental mx up trails. sorry for the confusion and EARTH FIRST!
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 29 Oct 2001
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 102
I installed an over-ride switch for the fan, for piece of mind more than anything. Most of the bike is stock, and I regret not fitting a center stand.

If you want to go hiking and leave the bike parked, I strongly recommend that you can securely lock everything inside stromg boxes, and put a cover over the bike. I have been hiding gear in trees, etc, and not too happy about it.

Happy travels
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 29 Oct 2001
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Posts: 233
By climb I mean very steep roads. Yes they can be amazingly steep and gravely to boot. The KLR's stock setup is a bit of a compromise between off and on road so some slipping of the clutch may be necessary if you want to climb at a pace less that breakneck. For pure off road, a smaller front sprocket is a must.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27 2025
Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
CanWest: July 10-13 2025
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21 2025
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 15:59.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top