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KLR - First Gear / Stalling / Adjustment

3K views 2 replies 3 participants last post by  dan filipi 
#1 ·
Hey guys,

Being new to the KLR650 (and having never ridden another), I was curious if this is normal operation:

When switching to first gear from neutral (stopped), the bike will stall if the clutch isn't fully depressed (no "slow creep forward" action). If the clutch is slowly let out after the switch to first, the bike will stall unless the RPMs are high. Only a very small percentage of the clutch's "play" seems to switch from fully engaged to fully disengaged. What this means is the bike runs great switching between higher gears but the bike is quite easy to stall at stop signs or lights (in particular city traffic).

Is this normal operation? I imagine the ideal to be "squeeze the clutch, switch to first gear, release clutch, bike creeps forward, apply gas to accelerate".
What would be the most logical carburetor adjustment to decrease sensitivity?

Thanks!
 
#3 · (Edited)
My 2016 has a short friction zone like that too.
I've increased the cable free play which helps bring the first bit of friction closer to the grip but still fully release the clutch when pulled. Helps a lot.

There is a YouTube video where a guy increased the clutch action by lengthening the lever at the engine. Simple enough, but once you get used to the KLR clutch it's a non issue for me. I usually stall mine at least once after riding my sons 2017 GSXR 750. Very different and MUCH smoother (linear) clutch action.
 
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