Lift the front end up in the air using a stand placed directly underneath the motor. Then test the steering lock. It should turn freely full left to full right. It it doesn't, check for obstruction (wires, cables, etc.) You can also check if there's steering head play by grabbing the front wheel and pushing it forward/backwards. There shouldn't be any movement.
2023 base model steering issues
180 miles on a new base model and I have a steering question. First, yes, I'm still on the stock tires.
At slow speeds, neighborhood speeds 15-20 MPH, the bike needs a push to get it to turn in. It feels like there's a catch in the steering head bearing. At a stop, it all feels and turns smoothly. I've tried tire pressures from the as-delivered 21/21 PSI to 30/30 with no change in steering feel. I can't see anything rubbing in the fender area. The only known issue is that the dealer didn't fasten the brake hose in that little clamp by the fender. I pressed it into place and it doesn't seem to matter.
Any ideas?
At slow speeds, neighborhood speeds 15-20 MPH, the bike needs a push to get it to turn in. It feels like there's a catch in the steering head bearing. At a stop, it all feels and turns smoothly. I've tried tire pressures from the as-delivered 21/21 PSI to 30/30 with no change in steering feel. I can't see anything rubbing in the fender area. The only known issue is that the dealer didn't fasten the brake hose in that little clamp by the fender. I pressed it into place and it doesn't seem to matter.
Any ideas?
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Will do tonight and report back.
I'll start by asking a couple of questions.180 miles on a new base model and I have a steering question. First, yes, I'm still on the stock tires.
At slow speeds, neighborhood speeds 15-20 MPH, the bike needs a push to get it to turn in. It feels like there's a catch in the steering head bearing.
How long have your been riding motorcycles?
Have you taken a Motorcycle Riding Course?
Do you completely understand the term 'counter-steering'? Push right & down, to go right. Push left & down, to go left.
I'm not saying there couldn't be a catch in the steering head bearings of your brand new bike. But if you can actually feel a catch or divot or roughness in the bearings or cables snagging, you should return it to the Dealership and have them repair it under warranty. The sooner the better!
Did the dealership sell it to you with near zero miles?
Or did they test ride it about 5 miles to confirm everything operated Properly, before you ever turned a tire on it, like they are supposed to!
Do you have a completed or in-completed Yellow copy of the Assembly & Preparation Check List? If so, give it a good read. They should have had you sign this document at point of sale.
I'll start by asking a couple of questions.
How long have your been riding motorcycles? 48 years
Have you taken a Motorcycle Riding Course? Former MSF instructor
Do you completely understand the term 'counter-steering'? Push right & down, to go right. Push left & down, to go left. Yep
Did the dealership sell it to you with near zero miles? Zero miles when I took it out of the parking lot so no, they tested nothing.
Or did they test ride it about 5 miles to confirm everything operated Properly, before you ever turned a tire on it, like they are supposed to!
Do you have a completed or in-completed Yellow copy of the Assembly & Preparation Check List? If so, give it a good read. They should have had you sign this document at point of sale.
Interesting question. Unlike every motorcycle I've ever purchased (there have been many), this was almost too easy. I figured it's the most simple bike I've ever owned, so what could possibly go wrong with it. The loose brake line when I got home might have been my clue as to the level of dealer inspection/interest. This dealer has a VERY GOOD local reputation.
I'll spend some time with it tonight and see if I find anything obvious. I was just poking around to see if this is a KLR phenomenon and someone would say "Oh yeah, mine did the same thing until I..."
Removed due to misreading post.
I had to ask. 
So with those answers & your long-time experience, I'll suggest that your new bike may a some grit in or otherwise flawed steering bearing(s).
So with those answers & your long-time experience, I'll suggest that your new bike may a some grit in or otherwise flawed steering bearing(s).
Kind of the direction I was heading as well. I'll put it on the lift tonight and see what I can find. If nothing, I'll take it back to the dealer and say "I'm too lazy to mess with it you, you fix it."I had to ask.
So with those answers & your long-time experience, I'll suggest that your new bike may a some grit in or otherwise flawed steering bearing(s).
There is also the possibility the front wheel was installed improperly causing the forks to bind and feel choppy throughout the stroke. You wouldn't notice it when the bike is stationary. I'll echo what others suggest and head back to the dealer for a proper setup.
If the dealer let it out the door with no test miles and poor setup I wouldn’t go back.
Since the OP has 40 years experience I would think he should be able to get it sorted.
Since the OP has 40 years experience I would think he should be able to get it sorted.
He shouldn't have to!Since the OP has 40 years experience I would think he should be able to get it sorted.
The purchasing public needs to insist that retailers of any product perform their jobs to the consuming publics satisfaction.
Quality Control starts at the manufacturing level and ends with the final customers satisfaction.
I worked in the First and "Oldest Kawasaki Dealership in the USA" for 40 of its 52 years history.
Was co-owner with my brother for its last 26 years.
We didn't achieve that longevity in this area by doing a poor job. We saw Many Other 'stealerships' come & go.
I believe that if the dealerships won't do a good job before or after the sale of product, then a call to the manufactures Customer Relations department is the consumers next step.
I believe this phone number is still operational if needed, 949-460-5688 If not, look in the back pages of ones owners handbook.
Then take it to the dealer!
Calm down.
Calm down.
I am calm. I've no-longer got a dog in the fight. I'm just a lowly consumer, with advise to offer.Calm down.
I'll bet the OP's headlight is hunting raccoons on top of the privacy fence lines and his drive chain is too snug also.
Lack of quality dealership Assembly & Preparation, again. If so, get those items taken care of also.
OP here. Here's my standing on this.He shouldn't have to!
The purchasing public needs to insist that retailers of any product perform their jobs to the consuming publics satisfaction.
Quality Control starts at the manufacturing level and ends with the final customers satisfaction.
I worked in the First and "Oldest Kawasaki Dealership in the USA" for 40 of its 52 years history.
Was co-owner with my brother for its last 26 years.
We didn't achieve that longevity in this area by doing a poor job. We saw Many Other 'stealerships' come & go.
I believe that if the dealerships won't do a good job before or after the sale of product, then a call to the manufactures Customer Relations department is the consumers next step.
I believe this phone number is still operational if needed, 949-460-5688 If not, look in the back pages of ones owners handbook.
Can I drop the forks, remove the front tire and check everything? Yep. I'm not willing to do that on a week old bike though...shouldn't have to.
Should I fix it? Not unless it's something stupid like the poorly fit brake hose. In that case, I'll do it and let the dealer know about it.
My only goal here was to see if it's a known issue with KLRs. That seems to NOT be the case.
I haven't ridden at night so I can't comment on the raccoon hunting, but yeah, the chain was WAY too tight. That was fixed as soon as I got it home.I am calm. I've no-longer got a dog in the fight. I'm just a lowly consumer, with advise to offer.
I'll bet the OP's headlight is hunting raccoons on top of the privacy fence lines and his drive chain is too snug also.
Lack of quality dealership Assembly & Preparation, again. If so, get those items taken care of also.
Doing so is actually a favor to the brand. A person doesn't have to be (in fact shouldn't be, unless they force you to be) nasty about it, but a poorly managed retail outlet )or restaurant, etc.) reflects on the entire brand. If the retail outlet won't respond satisfactorily to a reasonable complaint that is their responsibility, the manufacturer should WANT to know about it, and most do.I believe that if the dealerships won't do a good job before or after the sale of product, then a call to the manufactures Customer Relations department is the consumers next step.
If it makes you feel any better or worse, i have about 120 miles on my ‘23 and I have the same exact experience as you. I’ve never owned a bike with knobbies though so I attributed that to the low speed notchy feeling.
This is my 3rd adventure bike and none have had this "notchy" feeling. I'll jack it up tonight and check things out. I am glad to hear I might not be the lone soldier here.If it makes you feel any better or worse, i have about 120 miles on my ‘23 and I have the same exact experience as you. I’ve never owned a bike with knobbies though so I attributed that to the low speed notchy feeling.
Keep us posted if you find anything. I noticed this issue like the second time I hopped on the bike. I even did some slow weaving in my neighborhood to see if I was imagining things but I was able to recreate the feeling over and over again.This is my 3rd adventure bike and none have had this "notchy" feeling. I'll jack it up tonight and check things out. I am glad to hear I might not be the lone soldier here.
Tis why I call/name MOST H-D Dealers "Stealerships"!!!I am calm. I've no-longer got a dog in the fight. I'm just a lowly consumer, with advise to offer.
I'll bet the OP's headlight is hunting raccoons on top of the privacy fence lines and his drive chain is too snug also.
Lack of quality dealership Assembly & Preparation, again. If so, get those items taken care of also.
Willie
1 - 20 of 97 Posts
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