A little while ago I purchased an 09 model KLR, it's in great condition even though it's covered a few miles. I bought it pretty much stock standard apart from the previous owner getting the Doo job out the way using an Eagle Mike kit. This thread will be my record of any "upgrades" I throw at it along my journey!
Mods so far:
(this list will be updated as and when I get things done or mess with anything)
- Doohickey upgrade kit from Eagle Mike
- Zero Gravity ST screen
- SW Motech crash bars and engine bash plate
- Barkbuster VPS hand guards
- Grip Puppies
- Cycle Nutz LED tail light kit
I'm getting used to riding the big thumper. Much heavier and higher than anything I've had before, but it makes for a great field of view when negotiating traffic! I was going to get it lowered (I am borderline at five nine) but my wife told me to "harden up" so yeah. It'll stay standard height...
First job on the cards today was installing a Zero Gravity Sports Touring screen. The KLR is my only vehicle so it's a commuter, weekend fun bike, light gravel off-roader, shopper, etc. I do a bit of highway mileage on my commute and found myself tucking down behind the little stock screen. This one didn't come with the vinyl backing to cover the lower part so you can kind of see the back of the instrument panel through it. Maybe I'll take it off and paint the lower portion at some point.
I went for the light smoke simply because it looks way cooler.
Here's a height comparison with the stock screen held in front:
I don't like this bit where the Zero Gravity doesn't quite line up with the fairing edge like the OEM screen:
UPDATE: I've ridden with the screen a few times now and I really rate it. It pushes the rush of air up further so instead of hitting me square in the throat it's now just touching the top of my helmet. On the highway if I crouch behind the screen and look through it, it's like riding in a bubble! No wind noise at all, eerily quiet, just the sound of the big single spinning away at 4500rpm.
That back rack is for a monstrously sized rear bag that came with the bike. It is HUGE! I could probably live out of it, or stash that medium sized pig inside it. Oh and that's not my riding attire, I just jumped on for the photo. I'm a stickler for all the gear...
I put about 45 pounds on the rack which is about double the speck load. Then I ride on some very rough rocky trails and heavily washboarded roads. This can crack the frame joint under the rack just behind where the upper and lower subframe tubes join.
I welded in some extra bracing under that joint to solve the problem.
My new SW Motech crash bars and bash plate arrived in the post!
I wasn't going to buy the bash plate at the same time as it costs almost as much as the bars, but when it arrived I'm glad I did! This thing is a beast, plus it looks awesome compared to the stock plastic one. This one makes the bike look like a proper machine!
Installation was straightforward, even for my less than mechanically gifted hands. Took me under two lazy hours in the morning (not including a trip out to buy an 8mm hex head socket) to get the bike pulled apart, crash bars on, new bash plate on then everything back together.
I didn't feel any difference or vibration on my test ride, these are the new bars with rubber inserts. I didn't even notice the bars were there.
My new SW Motech crash bars and bash plate arrived in the post!
I wasn't going to buy the bash plate at the same time as it costs almost as much as the bars, but when it arrived I'm glad I did! This thing is a beast, plus it looks awesome compared to the stock plastic one. This one makes the bike look like a proper machine!
Installation was straightforward, even for my less than mechanically gifted hands. Took me under two lazy hours in the morning (not including a trip out to buy an 8mm hex head socket) to get the bike pulled apart, crash bars on, new bash plate on then everything back together.
I didn't feel any difference or vibration on my test ride, these are the new bars with rubber inserts. I didn't even notice the bars were there.
Do the SW Motec bars still have that little gusset welded to the bars? It's just right to mount a set of highway pegs to.
Shown in this video... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ur7_GVyKe2Y
Try the KLR dash kit with the zero gravity tall windshield. I have that setup on my 09 and it made a huge difference. It makes the windshield more vertical to cut down the wind. Check out klrdash.com for details.
Installed my new Barkbuster hand guards earlier. I ordered the kit complete with VPS plastics, wind deflectors and the branded end weights to replace the sticky out stock ones. Everything went on easily, although I did have to hacksaw off the little metal cable loop on the left side of the handlebars as the clamp position was right next to it.
Loads of Loctite, some fine adjustment and it was good to roll. End result being the Barkbusters look totally sexy and should protect my hands and levers much more thoroughly.
The VPS guards are so much smaller than the stock KLR plastic jobbies! I noticed increased wind on my knuckles from the smaller plastics. This was reduced by using the wind deflectors that came with the kit (not shown in my photos). They provide an extra inch or so above the VPS guards.
I'm pretty stoked with the overall result!
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