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klr650 - highway travel - how fast for how long and what bike mileage klr650 - highway travel - how fast for how long and what bike mileage
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  #1  
Old 8 Apr 2008
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klr650 - highway travel - how fast for how long and what bike mileage
O.K. boys, time to fess-up about the klr and the highway (speed and distance) you all are riding at.
I was reading some posts about how the new 08 klr is the machine to pick cause it can maintain true highway speeds of 80 to 85 miles per hour for extended periods of time. A number of questions leaped to mind.
First; I must be a bit confused about the engine. I thought this was basically the same engine as the pre 08 design. As such, unless there is a HUGE difference in aerodynamics, that motor in the 08 model is beating itself into early retirement at those speeds just as much as the pre 08 would have.
Second; from where did this pile of posts come about how the old klr was BARELY capable of highway speeds. You’d think it topped out at 70 mph and that you were wringing it’s neck at that speed to maintain it. Fully loaded with gear and all 180 pounds of me aboard – my 02 klr maintained 110k to 120k (about 70 to 75 mph) going through the coq uihalla pass (read “one bloody, long, high, and steep mountain pass) with enough punch to pass at 130+ (80mph) when needed. I have taken it to 140k (just shy of 90 mph) with no problem.
Third; Where in hell are these people (requiring 85+ mph for sustained periods) riding? It sure as hell isn’t here in Canada. Maintain 85 mph here for any period of time and you will go broke (that’s a hundred plus bucks here for the ticket) and will loose your licence.
Last; If you plan on doing extended time on the freeway at 80+ mph, why are you looking at buying a klr anyway?

So, now, on to the question at hand… What speed and distance on the highway do you maintain with your klr, and what is the mileage on your bike (ie, have you already burn your engine to crap, or what sustained speed is it happy at)?

Narly
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  #2  
Old 8 Apr 2008
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Location: Norwich Ontario Canada
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KLR truth
Hi Narly; I have a 1990 K with 92000 km on the clock. Had the engine tore down at about 73000, not because of problems, but because a previous owner had welded the front sprocket to the output shaft! I made a fix that worked for about 3 yrs, but some driveline vibes were setting in. During the tear down, it was apparent the engine was in excellent condition. Piston and rings were replaced, no valve probs, but replaced some minor parts since everything was apart. As for cruising, I run expressways at 120km which comes in at about 107 or so by GPS. The speedo is truly "far out". That keeps my speed close enough to traffic that I am comfortable, and the bike seems happy. Will use a lttle oil over long distances at those speeds. Many of my miles are two up, and the bike handles it fine, including some quite knarly (or is that "narly") Mexican backroads. If we keep the speed down, as on 2 laners, we are getting 400-450 km per tank.
Hope this is helpful Cheers Neil W
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  #3  
Old 14 Apr 2008
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Location: Danbury CT USA
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The pre-08 KLR650 will do 98 mph, the magazines are reporting about 90 mph for the 08. Since the horsepower and acceleration is about the same for both versions, it appears that the difference is the larger fairing on the 08. The pre-08 fairing was not the most effective, so while I haven't ridden an 08, I would think the trade-off of comfort for top speed is probably worth it. The pre-08 is comfortable up to about 85mph, after that I find that I want to duck down behind the windscreen to reduce the blast.

In many parts of the U.S. now, fast lane traffic is cruising at 85mph. Occaissionally a bit more (88-90mph). Keep in mind that about half the western states now have 75mph speed limits (80mph in west Texas), and enforcement is generally less than it was ten years ago.
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Old 14 Apr 2008
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Depends on road and tires
I have 2 klr's a 2002 and a 2004.

The 02 has mostly off road tires, small screen and no luggage. The 04 has more road oriented tires with givi bags, tall screen. Both bikes have been on the #2 highway between Edmonton and Calgary as well as out to Banff and Jasper. 1 up both bikes are comfortable at 100 - 110 KPH while 2 up I don't like to exceed 100.

Anything over 110 and the fuel mileage drops of drastically. Often one of my sons will ride one of the bikes while I ride the other and I notice that the 04 gets better fuel economy than the 02. I think this must be because of the harder rubber on the tires.

As far as how far can I ride it depends on the individual. Either of my sons can put on several more hours than my old bones will take. If we are going long distances I tend to take my Triumph Trophy 1200. I use a lot more fuel but more than recover the time taken at fuel stops by cruising at higher speeds and then we all meet up at the end of the day.

As for longevity of the bike my 02 has 48,000 Km and my 04 has 35,000 Km. No major work on either while my sons 02 totally calved at 38,000. I think the key is regular maintenance.

Hope this is what you were looking for.

Rick
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Old 14 Apr 2008
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My 2002 KLR has 104 000KM and it is still running strong:

- from 5000 to 50 000 km, the bike was riding at 90KM/h
- At 50 000km the engine was filled with brown amazone water
- the last 20 000km were riden at 120 - 130km/h with a 16teeth front sprocket. Oil consumption is big above 130km/h. Otherwise it is ok.
- The engine was never rebuilt.

Patrick
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  #6  
Old 15 Apr 2008
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I don't push the bike much beyond 60mph for any length of time, as it's just not built for it. The speedo is quite optimistic too.. comparing the speedo to the GPS-recorded speed seems to indicate that the speedo is consistently about 10% high.. which might explain how I've managed to not get flashed by those speed cameras littered around London!

In terms of distance, I found the main limiting factor was the numb-bum syndrome.. the stock saddle is too narrow for comfortable long distances, so I added a sheepskin called Sean, which makes a difference. In order to reduce numb hands from the vibrations, keep the tank full, and move weight to the tank bag, or tank panniers, if you have them.

Mileage.. well I bought mine with 6000 miles on the clock, and it only gets used for commuting 3-4 miles each day, plus very occasional trips (I've been limited by time for the past year), so it's at about 13000 miles now.
No oil issues to note.
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