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Does Anyone Else Feel the KLR's Tall Gearing Encourages Speeding?

7K views 32 replies 17 participants last post by  maverick9611 
#1 ·
I find that having to shift every time my speed increases by five to seven MPH encourages me to get into fifth gear as soon as possible to escape the "constant-shift" zone. It's for this reason, and not so much because I'm a speed demon (although the need for speed is certainly growing for me), that I often find myself doing 45 in a 25 zone. Have any of you had the same experience?

Incidentally, I will be changing the sprocket soon.
 
#3 ·
I kind of like the way the gearing is. Only time it bugs me is when I go down the street by my house where all the idiot tourists on rental bicycles go to die...stuck between 15 and 20 mph gets annoying.

I get what you're saying, but, for me at least, it keeps my speed down. I have to shift three times before I hit 45. So I am thinking about it, you know?

Interesting, I have read posts where people say they feel most comfortable with the bike around 2.5 to 3K rpm. And some say up to 5K. I generally stick around 3.5 to 4K. That's what feels right for me. My bike lugs pretty good at 2.5K rpms. Puzzling.
 
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#5 ·
I agree. The only time I am in the 5K range is in 5th gear. Too wound up otherwise. 3.5 - 4K is the sweet spot for me.
 
#6 · (Edited)
It is funny that I am reading this thread today. I went to the BMW National rally this weekend but I rode the KLR. It is the first time that I tried out my full packing load that I am planning for next years road trip (ok, I am anal about prep). As I was coming back I was thinking about riding the back roads on the KLR compared to all the other bikes I have had over the years...

It has been a long time since I had a bike that I had to row up and down the gears while cruising the back roads to keep the speed and pace I wanted. On all of my last few bikes i could pick a a suitable gear and just roll on and off throttle to keep it where I wanted to be.

On the KLR that is soooo not true (remember mtns, up and down and really curvey here in east TN). As I thought about it to decide if it was pain or not I decide part of what i like about the KLR is it brings me back to my early motorcycle days. Shifting gears, on and off throttle, thinking about braking (you older guys like me will remember when braking on a motorcycle was something you really had to think about).

I think the way the klr is geared, the lack of what would be considered power on a klr, the little odds quirks about a KLR is what makes it so fun to ride. Included in that for me is having to manage the motorcycles power and gearing to "get r done".

To that end I don,t think there is any thing about a klr that contributes to speeding unless you want to speed. And if you want to speed you better think about what you need to do to actually speed.

Sorry for reminiscing.

Coop
 
#13 ·
I would have to say my 1986 KLR 600 encourages me to speed 100%.I cannot go the speed limit on this "wild" thing.It might leak alot of oil right now, but it's still a strong running bike.It has 13,6??k on it.
 
#14 ·
I’ve put 800mi. on a stock 2014 KLR I bought last year and the only thing I can’t stand about this bike is no 6th gear. I’m constantly trying for it as the revs seem too high for my liking at only 60mph. 75 on the fwy the bike itself feels great but the rpm is way to high for me. I’m shocked that after all those years building the KLR that no 6th gear was ever added. I’m going to try the 16 tooth Pri. but as reported here that’s only a 300rpm drop. Speeding? LOL - Not even close!!
 
#18 ·
I only do occasional fire roads (5%) so slow speed technical maneuvering is rarely needed. I wanted to ask, will the factory axle nut tensioner bolts let the axle slide forward enough for the 16 or do I need to remove them and switch to the “pull” type from the end of the swing arm. (ran into this problem gearing up a Hurricane 600 long ago) Thx
 
#20 ·
I have about 6,600 on my 2018, have had the 17 front sprocket on for over 6,000 as its a ********. I frequently ride a 25mpph costal road and 2nd gear is perfect, going on the highway on a 55mph road I go 60 on the speedo and as its 2.5 off so im going 57.5 actual, and its hard to not speed. The bike will do a true 80mph all day long and motor is smooth. Now, with the wide non air dynamic bags and me sitting upright with a full helmet, with a very good head wind, I need to hold it wide open to go 70-80. It did nothing noticeable for mpg's. The campground im at is 9.5???? speed limit, so in first and going 10 on the speedo is as slow as it wants to go without the old clutch in clutch out deal. The 17 would suck off road, perfect for gravel and back roads.
I can say that having the reusable oil filter makes the motor very smooth, as I had the same Harley one on 3 different Harleys and could hear the difference , it helping, quieting down, in the hydrolic tappets. Its cheep for the KLR. I wouldn't get my money out of one for my dodge diesel, as it costly. I have the (EM do) standing by, but not the tools yet. I cant see opening up the motor when the thing puurrrrrssss like a oiled cat. It likes the rotella t6 oil, im going to try synthetic next time.
 
#21 ·
I can say that having the reusable oil filter makes the motor very smooth, as I had the same Harley one on 3 different Harleys and could hear the difference , it helping, quieting down, in the hydrolic tappets. Its cheep for the KLR.

It likes the rotella t6 oil, im going to try synthetic next time.
Could you possibly explain how a re-usable screen filter with about 35 micron filtration can make an engine smoother running than a disposable media filter with about 25 micron filtration?
 
#22 ·
I'm not an ingenear, but they say does filter better. I know on the first Harley it was on, wile stuck in traffic and the oil psi went to 0 with paper filter, and after reusable installed, never went below 5psi. That's all I know. KLR seems to like it. Pending on what one gets, the surgical steel used sais it filters better and flow is better.
I'll be first to say no if the KLR craps out. Till then. I love it.
 
#23 ·
Oil pressure at idle is VERY Dependant on engine architecture and position of the oil pressure test port. And I know nothing about HD engines other than most of them are V-twins, air-cooled & separated transmissions.

More flow Volume, which is required for an increase in pressure after a filter, usually means an oil filter with a 'coarser' media filtration. Sort of like a K&N air filter vs an oiled foam air filter of same size.
 
#24 ·
Well naturally, O’l Murphy had to step in. I’ve tried everything to get that sprocket off without damaging anything. I have a bolt type gear puller but the factory sprocket has no threaded holes in it like all others I’ve ever worked with on a bike (thx again Kawasaki). Heading down to the tool store to get a 3 armed gear puller. I love how Honda locks in their primaries with a simple 1\4 twist locking washer and two little 8mm bolts. Can easily be removed on the trail with simple hand tools.
 
#25 ·
Then I recon that you should have purchased a 1987-1995 model that used the 2 bolt twist lock collar.

I'd rather have the 27mm nut, less wear on the transmission shaft splines.
 
#32 ·
Wow, this is creepy. AeroKroil is exactly what I sprayed on my stuck sprocket yesterday and let sit overnight (before seeing this post today). I’ve been hooked on this stuff for 40yrs now since using it at work on rusted cross-arm and transformer bolts. Today I gave the rear wheel a few more jerks back and forth and the sprocket popped off in my hand. No puller needed. Slapped the 16 tooth on there, buttoned everything up and went for a ride. Ahhh !!! This is the bike I had hoped for almost a year ago when I bought it. What a difference 500 rpm makes as well as all the new shift points. I absolutely love it. Before today for a year now every time I rode this bike I’d try and pull 6th gear. Not now. Rode 50 miles this afternoon and never tried for 6th even once. 5th gear now truly feels like overdrive. Thanks for everyone’s advice and help with this upgrade. Happy riding !!!
 
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