|
20 Sep 2010
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Brisbane Australia
Posts: 76
|
|
KLR Longevity ?
currently looking at buying a set up 2004 KLR650 from another traveller in Santiago around mid December. The bike has 30,000 miles on it and will have around 40,000 by the time i get my filthy hands on it. had rebuilt engine at 29,000, rebuilt transmission at 29,000 and new clutch at 26,000. I have read that the KLR is good for around 30,000 to 40,000 before rebuilds and at times much more. My question is: Now the engine has been rebuilt at 30,000 miles can i expect another 30-40,000 miles from this thumper?
any advice is welcome
thanks!
|
20 Sep 2010
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: BC, sometimes
Posts: 578
|
|
Depends on who did it and what they did......a good job should see you alright for the same short of mileage; seems like a low mileage for a rebuild to me though - perhaps the bike was not serviced and otherwise abused? Personally, I'd give a rebuilt bike a miss.....
|
20 Sep 2010
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Norwich,Ontario,Canada
Posts: 1,058
|
|
What have they been doing to that KLR that it needed a rebuild at a measly 29000 miles ?!
Really , a KLR or any bike for that matter , should not require an engine rebuild at that young age.
.It shows that the owner or succession of owners were riding it as if it were a motocross bike,and/or remiss in taking normal care and performing the normal regular maintenance and this makes any subsequent reliability a hit and miss proposition.
Just because a bike is being ridden around the globe is no excuse to let oil level checks ,oil- and air filter replacement or cleaning and replacement of worn bits go beyond the acceptable range.And how often if ever did the previous owner adjust the engine balancer adjuster, a simple tasks taking all of 30 seconds which MUST be done at 5000km intervals?
Case in point, my own KLR 650 (year 2000) now has 120000km, or about 70000 miles, on it and the engine still runs briskly, not a drop of excessive oil usage , never had the doohicky changed. The motor has never been apart, did a valve shim adjustment t hree times so far.
Only things I replaced were a burned out rad fan motor, a thermal sender switch for same,chain and sprocket set twice,a few light bulbs and fuses and worn out tires and replaceing fork oil seals a few times. And the little flat gearshift pawl retainer spring broke this spring , so in the same operation I rebuilt the water pump and replaced the seals and o-rings behind the cover while it was off.
Running as well as it does it is a s good as new still
.
|
30 Sep 2010
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 1
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by andrewmclagan
currently looking at buying a set up 2004 KLR650 from another traveller in Santiago around mid December. The bike has 30,000 miles on it and will have around 40,000 by the time i get my filthy hands on it. had rebuilt engines at 29,000, remanufactured transmissions at 29,000 and new clutch at 26,000. I have read that the KLR is good for around 30,000 to 40,000 before rebuilds and at times much more. My question is: Now the engine has been rebuilt at 30,000 miles can i expect another 30-40,000 miles from this thumper?
any advice is welcome
thanks!
|
I think you can expect 30-40,000 miles from it because I have that bike too and what a coincidence I did what you did to your bike.
Last edited by knickick; 4 Oct 2010 at 20:49.
|
30 Sep 2010
|
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Bellingham, WA, USA
Posts: 3,982
|
|
I'd be suspicious of any bike which needed an engine, trans and clutch rebuilds all at such an early age. In particular, I'd wonder what else needs replacing/rebuilding which was either missed, ignored or not noticed in the process.
FWIW, my KLR has 93,000 miles on it and is ready for engine and tranny work. I haven't babied it, but neither have I abused it (mine since new in 2007). I'm on my second clutch, but only because I wanted to get ahead of the curve at around 50k.
Good luck!
Mark
|
30 Sep 2010
|
|
Moderated Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: California
Posts: 501
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by andrewmclagan
currently looking at buying a set up 2004 KLR650 from another traveller in Santiago around mid December. The bike has 30,000 miles on it and will have around 40,000 by the time i get my filthy hands on it. had rebuilt engine at 29,000, rebuilt transmission at 29,000 and new clutch at 26,000. I have read that the KLR is good for around 30,000 to 40,000 before rebuilds and at times much more. My question is: Now the engine has been rebuilt at 30,000 miles can i expect another 30-40,000 miles from this thumper? any advice is welcome
thanks!
|
I think it really depends who did the rebuild and how it was done. If done correctly then I see no problems. I would not worry too much about "WHY" it was in need of a rebuild. Could have been sabotage? ... which happened to friends. Their motors were filled with sand. They rode off next morning, not knowing what had been done. Both motors ruined. (Hondas)
If the bike is currently running strong, compression checks out, no major oil leaks, not over heating. Then why not? I would NOT be paying a lot for this bike. I know bikes are pricey down there ... but a rebuilt bike with high mileage should be less expensive. Lots of KLR's and other to choose from. Take it out for a good, hard test ride. Now stand next to it and ... listen to it run. How's she sound? See any leaks? Any thing weird?
Keep in mind you can buy near new, very low mileage KLR's every day here in California for $3000 to $4000. (Low mileage being 1000 to 3000)
Where are you Andrew? Back on ADV Rider again?
|
1 Oct 2010
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Brisbane Australia
Posts: 76
|
|
thanks for the replys people. Helpful. I was leaning more towards the opinion of the last poster. Think it would be ok if it checks out ok. One question tho... I read somewhere that its hard to do a compression test on KLR650's is this true? And if its not whats a good psi reading? Thanks! This bike im looking at is asking for $US1800 With jessie luggage.
|
1 Oct 2010
|
|
Moderated Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: California
Posts: 501
|
|
Thats seems a good price. Jesse luggage costs about $1500 alone. I'd sell that heavy shit off to some BMW guy. They love it. Worth quite a bit even used. Leave it with Dakar motos ... cut him in on the sale. Should knock 20 kgs. off the bike's weight right there. Ditch the side racks too and go with soft bags or a duffle. Off road in sand and gravel, you'll thank me.
Doing a comp test requires removing the tank. The plug is set way down DEEP into a well in the cylinder. Hard to get to. So you need a comp gauge with at least a 6 inch extension. Blow the sand and crap out before pulling plug out (DOH!) Let a pro do it if you are uncertain on this.
I've forgotten what acceptable comp should be on a kLR ... check over at KLR.net or Google it. I'm guessing between 110 and 130 PSI.
Do a leak down test to get a true picture. Leak down will tell you how well the valves are sealing, which on a KLR, is first to go. If bike is truly freshly rebuilt it may not be fully broken in yet. Takes 2000 miles (mas o menos) for new rings to fully seat and for valves to bed in. So, comp reading may be low until full break in. No synthetic oil on new motor. Wait until 4000 miles if you want to go synthetic. I would do if available and not too expensive. Not critical on the KLR, IMO. Cheers, Suerte!
|
1 Oct 2010
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Brisbane Australia
Posts: 76
|
|
hmm. Seems that the klr has auto decompression so a comp test is useless? Maybe not. Some great info in the above post :-) do you know someone in BA That will do a leak down? Thanks. Think i will in with this bike.
|
2 Oct 2010
|
|
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: San Diego
Posts: 74
|
|
Had a mate go down on our trip w/ blown motor from EXCESSIVE oil consumption. A KNOWN KLR issue and he was too dumb to check oil daily.
|
2 Oct 2010
|
|
Moderated Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: California
Posts: 501
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by robopie
Had a mate go down on our trip w/ blown motor from EXCESSIVE oil consumption. A KNOWN KLR issue and he was too dumb to check oil daily.
|
Actually, you're wrong, IMHO. Most KLR's on the road don't use much oil at all. The first year of the new generation KLR's had a very bad run of motors. Many of these bikes used copious amounts of oil. Kawasaki replaced many under warranty and even out of warranty. Latest ones are OK, Kawasaki changed suppliers. (remember, this bike is made in Thailand, but some motor parts still made in Japan, Korea or China)
But overall, if you look at KLR's since 1985, you'll find oil use has not been a "known issue" at all. In fact, probably 85% don't use much oil at all. Neither of my two KLR's did, nor several friends with high mileage KLR's.
KLR's have plenty of issues, but oil use is not a common one.
But your point about checking oil daily is a good one. I do it on any bike, no matter what. Just part of the pre-flight inspection we all need to do before hitting the long road:
Oil, coolant, tires, chain, look and feel for missing or loose parts, leaks, cables, brakes. Its just basic. MC Travel 101.
|
4 Nov 2010
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Italy
Posts: 3
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by andrewmclagan
currently looking at buying a set up 2004 KLR650 from another traveller in Santiago around mid December. The bike has 30,000 miles on it and will have around 40,000 by the time i get my filthy hands on it. had rebuilt engine at 29,000, rebuilt transmission at 29,000 and new clutch at 26,000. I have read that the KLR is good for around 30,000 to 40,000 before rebuilds and at times much more. My question is: Now the engine has been rebuilt at 30,000 miles can i expect another 30-40,000 miles from this thumper?
any advice is welcome
thanks!
|
Yeah. I think that you can have an average of 35,000 miles for that thumper if I am not mistaken.
|
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)
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!
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!
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.
|
|
|