 |
13 Apr 2009
|
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: UK
Posts: 2
|
|
|
KLE500 poor performance below 3000rpm.
Hello all. This is my first post. I have just bought a '05 KLE 500 and this seems like the best forum I have found that deals with this bike. The only problem I have is that power delivery under 3000rpm in any gear but 1st or 2nd is very poor. I have to ride through urban areas in a low gear because it is very reluctant to accelerate at these engine speeds. I was wondering if this is normal for this bike. I have stripped the carbs and everything seems ok. I have also fitted new plugs. The bike is totally standard and has only done 1700 miles. Any comments greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Dave (Cleveland, UK).
|
14 Apr 2009
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: England
Posts: 152
|
|
Hi
Welcome to the HUBB
The KLE will only really accelerate above 4000RPM after all its ony a 500 so doesn't have so much low-end torque as a bigger bike
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...s-needed-31587
Have a look at the graph near the bottom of the page theres not alot of torque below 3000RPM
Also what speeds are we actually talking about? doing the 30mph limit or the 15-20 stuck in traffic. Also what gear are you in when doing those speeds?
Personally if i'm doing urban riding i try to keep the revs at about 5000rpm that way i can accelerate easiy if need be. The only exceptopn being on long straights or gentle downhill road in which case its in 6th
hope this helps
Shaun.
|
14 Apr 2009
|
|
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: N.Yorkshire
Posts: 336
|
|
|
Although the kle500 isn't exactly a "grunty" motor, mine pulls well enough below 3000rpm, and just gets lumpier at lower speeds. it does sound like something isn't quite right.
Carb balance may be an issue? also the idle mixture may be out. It really needs to go on a dyno to look if it isn't fueling correctly.
__________________
Harley Davidsons,
The most effective way of turning petrol into noise without the side-effect of horsepower
|
14 Apr 2009
|
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: UK
Posts: 2
|
|
|
Thanks for the reply. The torque curve you mentioned ties up well with how the bike performs. I have been travelling through town at about 2000 rpm. It looks like this is too low for the bike, I'll have to get used to using the gears to keep it revving. My last bike was an SLR650 and it pulled like a train from very low revs so I guess its just a case of adapting to a smaller twin, at least I'm happy now that there is nothing wrong with the KLE. Apart from this I'm happy with the bike although I've seen plenty of comments regarding the cosmetic finnish. I'll have to see how it fairs after a couple of winters!
Regards, Dave.
|
15 Apr 2009
|
 |
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Liverpool UK
Posts: 225
|
|
|
Thats all it is Dave, you have to keep it in lower gears at slow speed. Mine is as lumpy as hell if I try and get it to pull at low revs/high gear.
As for the finish, Ive had a few Kwaks and all of them go a bit rough looking on the metal work but they last as well as any others.
I was talking to a fella the other day and he was on a 650gs Dakar, it was an 2006 and it was well rough. I asked if he had done the dakar!.
My tip is to make sure you have enough WD40 to scare the neighbors.
Regards
Roy
__________________
"Whats in that thing??", An R1 owner said.
|
30 May 2009
|
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Devon, England
Posts: 26
|
|
|
:)
your right, the pulling from low revs on high gears isn't good. It doesn't feel good for the engine, like it's struggling. As a rule of thumb now I like to keep the bike at 4000-4500rpm in gears 2-6, it seems to sit there and run silky smooth and then starts going higher at 60 - "100" mph in 6th.
In really heavy traffic I tend to ride the clutch alot, i just can't bear the engine bobbly at low revs when doing 5-10mph.
So far I've been completely trouble free for 25000miles :-)
Rich
|
4 Jun 2009
|
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 32
|
|
|
My bike ran real rough below 3k rpm. Not anymore.
yesterday I got a custom header/pipe made. Without jetting up yet this thing is still like producing what feels like 15HP more off the bottom!! It feels like triple the power.
Guess what no more vibrations and the bike can pull 5th gear at 2k rpm with 16/44 gearing.
So vibes are all the restriction making the engine rough as.
|
5 Jul 2009
|
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Gold Coast ,Australia
Posts: 27
|
|
|
header/exhaust pipe
Hi there all,
Jimmy101 posted as having a custom header/pipe made. Could you post more details as to what this entailed? Did you get equal pipe lengths? change the exaust? costings? Country you had this done in? etc.
Regards,
Shaun
|
5 Aug 2009
|
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Sydney Oztralia
Posts: 3
|
|
I too would be interested to see the header pipe for my KLE 
|
5 Aug 2009
|
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 49
|
|
|
Hi. Jimmy101 did you just have new equal length headers attached to the standard muffler or was it a complete pipe and muffler?
|
13 Aug 2009
|
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 32
|
|
Hi all,
I had custom headers made - any motorcycle exhaust place will do them but they will need your bike for a day. I got mine done in AUS brisbane at:
Motorcycle Exhaust Professionals
I has a carbon exhaust that they just fitted it up too - probley not as "tuned" as the arrow full system, but if you have a spare can hanging around the headers and connector pipe only costs $500 in mild steel. Arrow system is about $1200 in AUS.... Im sorting my jetting, but dual #100 seem to do the trick with unmodified snorkle (small one).
The power increase riding home with lean jetting was still VERY noticeable and also how the bike hit 9k very quickly.
|
24 Jul 2012
|
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 2
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by dave.t.
Hello all. This is my first post. I have just bought a '05 KLE 500 and this seems like the best forum I have found that deals with this bike. The only problem I have is that power delivery under 3000rpm in any gear but 1st or 2nd is very poor. I have to ride through urban areas in a low gear because it is very reluctant to accelerate at these engine speeds. I was wondering if this is normal for this bike. I have stripped the carbs and everything seems ok. I have also fitted new plugs. The bike is totally standard and has only done 1700 miles. Any comments greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Dave (Cleveland, UK).
|
hi i have the kle b6f 07, an have all the same issues as you 1000 mile on clock. very lumpy engine, the issue i have is that to set off in 1st gear with clutch out my rpm has to be at 3000 . to get a smooth set off. that i find very annoying it traffic. if i dont have it at that the bike feels very lumpy like i am in the wrong gear. is it about 3000 rpm to be normal.the clutch is ok. thanks
|
27 Jul 2012
|
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 2
|
|
|
ride the clutch
Quote:
Originally Posted by voleurs
your right, the pulling from low revs on high gears isn't good. It doesn't feel good for the engine, like it's struggling. As a rule of thumb now I like to keep the bike at 4000-4500rpm in gears 2-6, it seems to sit there and run silky smooth and then starts going higher at 60 - "100" mph in 6th.
In really heavy traffic I tend to ride the clutch alot, i just can't bear the engine bobbly at low revs when doing 5-10mph.
So far I've been completely trouble free for 25000miles :-)
Rich
|
hi your advice about riding the clutch was good advice. but does this shorten the clutch life. as it feels like it would or is this the normal way. thanks
|
27 Jul 2012
|
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Windsor [near enough] NSW Aus.
Posts: 33
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by chipwood67
hi your advice about riding the clutch was good advice. but does this shorten the clutch life. as it feels like it would or is this the normal way. thanks
|
Hi Chip,
You do realise the thread you have tapped in to here hasn't had a new post up until yours since 2009? 
However, some of the information is still valid.
Yes, riding or "slipping" the clutch will shorten the life of the clutch plates a little, depends how much you do it though.
I recently bought a '94 KLE500 and am trawling through the threads looking for useful information as well.
Cheers,
Ock. [in Oz]
|
|
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
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
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...
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)
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 Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)
Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.
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!
Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
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.
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.
|
|
|
helps answer the question - Why Go? Inspirational stories by veteran travellers Greg Frazier (5 times RTW), Peter and Kay Forwood (193 countries), Tiffany Coates (Mongolia Mayhem) and Rene Cormier (University of Gravel Roads).
Get Ready! covers planning, paperwork, medical and many other topics! "Inspirational and Awesome!" See the trailer here!
What stuff do I need - riding gear, clothing, camping gear, first aid kit, tires, maps and GPS? What don't I need? How do I pack it all in? Lots of opinions from over 150 travellers!
Ladies on the Loose! For the first time ever, a motorcycle travel DVD made for women, by women! These intrepid women share their tips to help you plan your own motorcycle adventure. They also answer the women-only questions, and entertain you with amazing tales from the road! Presented by Lois Pryce, veteran solo traveller through South America and Africa and author of 'Lois on the Loose', and 'Red Tape and White Knuckles.'
Cotton or synth sweat-wicking t-shirts with the cool Horizons Unlimited graphic on the front and a snappy slogan (changing every year) on the back.
Show your route on your panniers. Great conversation starter when you meet people on the road!
Motorcycle and travel books to inspire and inform you!
The definitive guide to planning your motorcycle adventure! This insanely ambitious 2-year project has produced an informative and entertaining 5-part, 18 hour video series. "The ultimate round the world rider's how-to!" MCN UK.
Linear Mode
