KLR650 around the world with passenger
Hi,

My girlfriend and i have been traveling around the world since June 2012. We have driven across Canada into Alaska and down to San Deigo. We are planning to travel for the next 10 or 20 years or longer. We want to really spend months in cities to really know what its like to live all over the world. We want to learn about the different people of the world and try to see life from their perspectives. We want to know why we need all the horrible things like war and poverty and try and get people to come together and find solutions.

We are both on a 2011 KLR650 with all our luggage and camping gear. We are 300lb over the maximum bike weight of 833lb. We Could use alot of advice on keeping the bike running for many years and the best way to travel through different countries. I will start posting all the issues and questions and daily reports of how the trip is going.

We will be staying in San Deigo for a few weeks before entering Mexico so we have time to get ready and find someone to help us with maintenance. I think some people are going to help me install the Eagle Mike Dohicky and do a valve adjustment. What else should I do? I was thinking better rear supension because we scrape speed bumps but i am not sure.

After Mexico we will travel to Cuba (maybe without the bike) then central and south america. Hopefully we can then take a boat to Africa.

Regards,
Alex
__________________
There are 3,000 pictures (from north america more to come) and a diary of our trip on our facebook page at the link below.

http://www.facebook.com/theperfectworld2012

Have you been riding the KLR with that kind of load? I don't want to be obnoxious, but I spent a lot of time on my own KLR and considered myself overloaded at around 800 lbs. total (i.e., 200 pounds of Mark, 400 of bike, and 200 of baggage and fluids). Adding another 300 lbs. sounds to me unsafe. Most would recommend a larger bike, less baggage, or serious weight loss. For starters, at 1100+ pounds it's difficult to see the point of riding a big trailee in the first place--no way you're taking it off the highway.

Having said that, I'd definitely add stronger rear and progressive front springs, and I'd prepare for faster wear of the usual stuff--tires, for example. I'd think about upgrading brakes, too (but mine is a 2007, and yours already has better brakes so take this for what its worth).

There are lots of KLR-specific forums and discussion groups. I like this one: groups.yahoo.com/group/DSN_klr650/. You'll want to have a look at this, too: KLR650 FAQ. For parts, I use Arrowhead Motorsports On-line Parts List in part because I can call Fred with questions.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark

Markharf,

Thanks for the info I will check those links out.

My girlfriend and I have done 24,000km with 1100lb (Monteal, Alaska and Sam Diego). *We have done some pretty bad off road riding with all our stuff. *I always drive slow at full weight. *There was a bad mountain, rocky, sandy, steep, cliff road (i can post the video) that i made it down at night and after spending 3 days down there finally got the courage to ride back up. *We have never really bottomed out (stock suspension). *

With this weight in the beginning i had 800lb on the rear wheel and 300lb on the front. *It was very hard to steer with the front so light (compared to the back) *I added bicycle bags over the front which really help and a one gallon spare gas can to the crash bars.

I bought EBC HH brake pads after getting 23,000km on the stock front brake pads. The thing i am most worried about is braking hard to avoid an accident. *The braking is much slower with all the weight.

Why we are riding a KLR650 2011. *I wanted a cheap bike that i could add to. *I love that the KLR Has been unchanged for so long so parts are everywhere. *The bike is very simple and bullet proof. *In third world countries there are more people that have KLRs. *The are small cheap bikes here but expensive big bikes there (hard to find BMW in small town Africa). *My girlfriend and I like the idea of living with as little as possible and we are always trying to get ride of more of our stuff.

We went though the stock back tire after less than 1,200miles.* Now we use 80% road tires and 20% off road (not 50/50 like stock). *We got 6000miles from the rear anakee 2, and i now have a shinko trailmaster on the rear with 3000mile ( it should make it to 4000miles). *Front anakee 2 has 9000 miles will make it to 10000 or 11000. *The stok front made it to 6000miles. *Original chain with 24000km is almost done (i lube it every 600km or after it rains).

I hope the bike with be good on bad roads but i have a center, stand tools and a spot satellite messanger if i get stuck. *We have no schedule and our tent and everything with us. *If we breakdown that will be good place to make camp (its all part of the adventure). *I want to cover what i can and try and make sure we are as safe as possible (good brakes) after that i just see what happens. *

I didnt think i would be this easy so far so i look forward to more adventurous times ahead.

I would love to post pictures (i took 9000 so far) and video (i have lots from hand held and go pro, i am currently cutting 15 about 5 minute videos of the trip so far) here can anyone help me with that? *Can i post picture from my i phone to here?

Let the adventure continue
Alex

The basic trip is easy to Ushuaia. What people underestimate first and foremost is the difficulty of sustaining the effort over time. A year is a long time for most folks; ten years is for the very select few. Maybe you're one of those, but probably not.

Next is accidents. There are a lot of potential accidents between you and that boat to Africa (Grimaldi, by the way--Google it), and a lot of the reason we pay attention to brakes, tires, suspension and steering is to evade the inevitable close calls. I glanced at some of your photos, and it looks to me like your margin for error is thin at times. That's worth thinking about.

You might think carefully about that rear shock, and the consequences if it fails at this point or that in your journey. Mine lasted 80k miles, but it did cause some discomfort when it finally blew. Yours won't make it that long, all things being equal.

Ok, I'm done. Glad the bike is working for you so far, and hope it continues.

Fun trip!

Mark

+ 1 for Mark's comments. After 10 weeks in Mexico I have 1 word for your suspension's demise TOPE! We look forward to hearing more of your adventures.

Sara & Daniel

__________________
Sara

Those who say something is impossible should not hinder those who are achieving it!





www.worldwideride.ca

HU RR Finding Freedom...World Wide Ride

And another vote for keeping an eye on the rear shock, I have only ever seen one bike with the shock snapped in half and that was a KLR650, you really do need to think about reviewing what you are carrying. I would suggest after a few months see what you have not used and send it home or sell it, if you have not used it by then you possibly never will.

We have been very busy moving. Sorry we will be posting more now. We will be living in La Paz for 3 months or 6 months. Candice got a job teaching at an english school. We need to make more money before we travel more. We are renting a room in a house for $100 per months which is great. Candice can walk 8 minutes to work. We can walk to the beach. We are looking for a cheap way to the mainland. Also We are going to get some parts for the bike but its $60 to ship them. I will post on a regular basis again.

Below is the most recent video from Mexico.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIp7o...e_gdata_player

Candice and I at the La Paz carnival


A picture from a go pro video i filmed jumping off a pier at a beach 15 minutes from our house today. Video will be posted soon.

Doogle thanks for wondering whats up with us. Lots more posts coming.

This is a short video of me jumping off a pier in La Paz. I filmed myself in the air and made some funny faces. The water was shallow but it all worked out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iacuf...e_gdata_player

As mentioned above you should do something with your suspension.At a minimum you should get a heavier spring.Summit has heavier springs for $60.Cheap insurance.The cost means nothing compared to being broke down in the middle of a desert alone.After a few of them experiences you learn the true value of preventive maintenance.

Would that spring work with the stock shock? That is really a good price thanks for the heads up. I guess I could just order the spring and have it delivered to la Paz and then have it installed at a motorcycle shop here. If I did the back I am guessing the front would have to be stiffer too. I wonder how much it would be to install the front and rear springs here.

Here is some info about spring sizing:
KLR650 Rear Springs

Here is summit racing spring ad:
Eibach Coil-Over Springs 0900.225.0450 - SummitRacing.com
It is shorter than the stock spring.But it is recommended for the stock shock.


I don't know about your fork springs.But most of your "added weight" is sitting directly over your rear axle-or behind it.

Thanks Doogle,

That looks like it could work. You are really helping me out with all this advice.

We are all moved in here in La Paz. Please have a look at the video below of us moving in, part getting stolen off the bike and Carnival in La Paz. Many more videos to come.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnXbn...e_gdata_player

Video 27 of our past week living in La Paz. Lots of snorkeling and finding a watch. I am now all up to date with the videos and pictures and for the first time on the trip everything is online.

Candice will be editing a much shorter best of video of the trip that should be much easier to watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVhxu...e_gdata_player