I have the same issue only riding it 1x, klr640s. Took back to dealer and don't think they wanted to test it in Rain. Service guy said he just had another customer claim same issue with another "s" sold, plus he has seen other info on the internet also stating the issue particular to the "s" model. He stated he was going to contact Kawasaki and figure it out. Hopefully I'm not stuck with a new bike that can't steer appropriately. I'll be back with update.
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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It's an easy fix and not limited to S models. Mine is a standard model.
I also have a 2023 KLX300 and I noticed the strange steering problems when I bought it. Took to dealer and they thought it was a tire issue but it did it with factory tire also. We need an answer.
The 'Answer' has already been posted.We need an answer.
Loosen the steering bearing adjustment just a tiny little bit yourself or insist the the selling dealership do it under Warranty!
My 23 (not an S) had several issues ive found. I bought it and it was on my truck with 1 mile on the odometer so clearly no test ride.
The rear chain adjustment was on the fourth line on the chain side.... almost fifth line on the rotor side. My steering head seems to have a bit of issue too, I'll look at that soon. Seems like sometimes when you first turn right the bike will all of a sudden fall right. Hard to explain but you will start the right turn and 2 seconds into it the bike leans harder all of a sudden. I started checking bolts yesterday and noticed the rear arm being off. Problem could have came from that idk. Haven't ridden yet. Doesn't do it all the time. Can't make it repeat.
Its also my first dual sport and first time with knobby(ish) tires so maybe all in my head. Idk .
The rear chain adjustment was on the fourth line on the chain side.... almost fifth line on the rotor side. My steering head seems to have a bit of issue too, I'll look at that soon. Seems like sometimes when you first turn right the bike will all of a sudden fall right. Hard to explain but you will start the right turn and 2 seconds into it the bike leans harder all of a sudden. I started checking bolts yesterday and noticed the rear arm being off. Problem could have came from that idk. Haven't ridden yet. Doesn't do it all the time. Can't make it repeat.
Its also my first dual sport and first time with knobby(ish) tires so maybe all in my head. Idk .
Mine had ALL of these issues as well. Regarding your description of the steering issue. That's the EXACT feeling we're all experiencing with an over-tight steering head bearing, It's an EASY fix though.
Mine had ALL of these issues as well. Regarding your description of the steering issue. That's the EXACT feeling we're all experiencing with an over-tight steering head bearing, It's an EASY fix though.
Yeah, I figure that's what it is. I'll check it out soon enough. It turns smooth 99% of the time and smooth when stationary.
I've ridden Sport bikes for years and cruisers on occasion....so the knobbies are rare for me too. I may loosen and re tighten the castle nut tonight at my shop. Never did one but have seen it done
And to be fair I didn't really notice anything until 100 miles either so a 5 mile test ride probably wouldn't. But the rear arm being a full mark off is pretty bad. The marks are probably 10mm apart . So that's a good bit off.
I just adjusted mine, i had to take the handlebar upper clamps off because my wrench wasn’t thin enough to fit. Even with that, took me about 25 minutes, with the added bonus of actually putting my handlebars in a comfortable position when putting back on.
I’m going to go for a ride here in probably 2-3 hours, will report back
Yeah I got that, but you still have to loosen the big nut before you adjust preload
Sorry - hope I didn't sound like a know-it-all.
Looking around this site, I found comments saying the top nut under the handlebar should be torqued to 29 foot pounds, and the pinch bolts to 15.
I'm headed to the garage.
Which pinch bolts need loosened and what sizes are they.
I know the top nut is 30mm (mine was loose when new so I tightened it) and ill just grab my whole set of spanner wrenches from my shop unless anyone knows which size that is.
It looks like it will be raining and I'd be better off to adjust it at my house in the garage rather than ride to my shop in the rain. Lol. So I plan to get the tools I need in one trip (yeah right....I know)
And come to think of it.... my bike never did good with no hands. On more than one occasion I've went to zip a jacket or something and gave myself a heart attack. I can ride up to a stop sign and stop on my r1 or r6. Lol. I just chalked it up to the klr being dual sport and knobbys. I thought it was just a twitchy bastard. Ill bet thats my issue.
For anyone finding this, the 18mm spanner fits the castle nut. The top nut is 30mm. The 4 that hold the bar down are 10mm. Makes getting the 30mm easier. And the pinch bolts on the gen 3 are 12mm bolts, no nut.Which pinch bolts need loosened and what sizes are they.
Mine was definitely a bit too tight. I loosened about 1/8 turn maybe more. I rode a little in the rain. It definitely does better with no hands. No question. I just hope it's not too loose now. I'll ride and see this coming week.
While riding, put an un-gloved LH finger alongside the upper steering bearing seal and quickly use the front brake several times to detect any deflection.I just hope it's not too loose now. I'll ride and see this coming week.
If no defection is felt, your probably good to go.
While riding, put an un-gloved LH finger alongside the upper steering bearing seal and quickly use the front brake several times to detect any deflection.
If no defection is felt, your probably good to go.
I had the front raised and jerked the hell out of the fork down next to the tire for leverage. I didn't find any play. I will test the brakes like you mentioned next ride.
Sadly I'm doing a class Thursday that will involve tight slalom, low speed lock to lock etc. Giving rain right up until Thursday. So I'll have to quickly check it out in the rain. I may have to take the vtx or v92.
My castle nut was marked at between 5 and 6 o'clock. Now it's at 3:30 or so.
I just took mine apart and loosened the head bearing. Took about 30 min total. Totally different bike now. WOW the difference is shocking. Only loosened the castle nut approx 1/8th of a turn. Loving the KLR now.I have the same issue only riding it 1x, klr640s. Took back to dealer and don't think they wanted to test it in Rain. Service guy said he just had another customer claim same issue with another "s" sold, plus he has seen other info on the internet also stating the issue particular to the "s" model. He stated he was going to contact Kawasaki and figure it out. Hopefully I'm not stuck with a new bike that can't steer appropriately. I'll be back with update.
This completely fixed mine. Loving it now.I also have a 2023 KLX300 and I noticed the strange steering problems when I bought it. Took to dealer and they thought it was a tire issue but it did it with factory tire also. We need an answer.
My new 2023 KLR also has a strange steering feeling. While turning at slow speed it feels like the payment is slippery or a tire is going flat. Have checked everything but found nothing.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.
Glad to read that you are taking a class.Sadly I'm doing a class Thursday that will involve tight slalom, low speed lock to lock etc.
One will find that for low speed, pavement, technical operation Every bike will handle BETTER on over-inflated tires!
Keeps the tires rounder from side to side and therefore gets rid of the mushy response to steering input.
Square, worn rear tires really complicate handling.
I’ll throw something in here, have you had bikes that you rode on the road with a 21” front wheel? There are really different feeling than bikes with smaller front wheels. I had two BMW GS’s that had 19” front wheels, then I bought an F800 GSA with a 21” front wheel. It felt really weird until I got used to it. Not sure if this is the issue, but wanted to mention it.
Nope.I’ll throw something in here, have you had bikes that you rode on the road with a 21” front wheel? There are really different feeling than bikes with smaller front wheels. I had two BMW GS’s that had 19” front wheels, then I bought an F800 GSA with a 21” front wheel. It felt really weird until I got used to it. Not sure if this is the issue, but wanted to mention it.
Mine was too tight. No doubt about it. The front wouldn't even turn when jacked up. It rides great now. I can coast down to a stop from 55 and sit the bike on the kickstand and never touch the bars. Before you absolutely couldn't let go. And right curves were scarey. I did think it was just nature of the bike at first but after reading some contents here I decided it wasn't. I'm glad I did.
Odd though that left it did fine. Lol. And with the bike on the ground it didn't feel like it was tight. I guess the wide bars give that much leverage.
Yes, I had a 2022 KLR and it was spot on. There is a distinct notch at center. Handling is borderline dangerous. I believe the bearings were tightened to the point of damage. I tracked down Koyo and Timken part numbers and I am going to replace them myself since I don’t have faith in my dealer. Their response was disbelief when I talked on the phone with them.
Yes, I had a 2022 KLR and it was spot on. There is a distinct notch at center. Handling is borderline dangerous. I believe the bearings were tightened to the point of damage. I tracked down Koyo and Timken part numbers and I am going to replace them myself since I don’t have faith in my dealer. Their response was disbelief when I talked on the phone with them.
Mine wasn't near that bad. On the ground it turned fine. But in the air it would stay anywhere you turned it to. No noticeable catch but wouldn't fall either. Even from 1/2 turn
I don't know what it going on with mine. When I jack it up I don't feel a notch, but while riding it, decelerating & accelerating from a stop it has a drunken wobble. Turns can be ... exciting... because it will either wobble or feel like it has a notch and fights me.Yes, I had a 2022 KLR and it was spot on. There is a distinct notch at center. Handling is borderline dangerous. I believe the bearings were tightened to the point of damage. I tracked down Koyo and Timken part numbers and I am going to replace them myself since I don’t have faith in my dealer. Their response was disbelief when I talked on the phone with them.
The issue seems to get worse as the ride goes on. Not too bad from the start, but by the end of the ride it is kind of hairy getting home. Jack it up, the steering seems to go lock to lock with no notch. Feels smooth.
In my case, in answer to @Swamps question, I haven't had a bike with a wheel smaller than 21" since 2011 when I traded my Sprint ST for a Tiger 800 XC. So it definitely isn't a matter of not being used to the 21" front wheel for sure. The current bikes in the garage are an Africa Twin, KTM 690 Enduro, KTM 890 Adventure, and the "drunk" KLR 🤣
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