I know I am likely to be scolded by the loyalists for this, but I want to attempt to be fair and balanced in giving a voice to the highs and lows of this KLR so far. I know that what I have done / had to do with my KLR is nothing compared to some, and this is not meant to be a write up of modifications for fun, but a write up of the maintenance the KLR has required through one season.
2022 KLR Adventure purchased new in July of 2022 with 1 mile on the odometer. Current mileage is 4500. Bike is stored in a climate controlled garage.
In this brief time of ownership I done all work myself with the exception of mounting two tires on rims.
List of work:
3 oil changes at 500 miles, 1500 miles, and 3500 mile.
2 oil filter changes at 500 miles, 1500 mile.
1 air filter change at 1500 miles, original was very dirty.
Added EE skid plate.
Added Oxford heated grips.
Clutch bypass modification.
Replaced shift lever due to inability to shift bike while wearing boots.
3 bolts missing (presumed rattled away).
New tires needed/installed at about 1500 miles.
New rear tire needed again at current mileage.
Chain Failure (broken link) at current mileage.
Side Stand Failure (loose to the point of moving to the bikes left when extended, resulting in eventual failure to hold the bike up) at current mileage.
Fuel pump - not currently on recall list, yet the pump continues to sound worse and worse with each startup.
Needs a new battery currently.
Modifications to fairings to address squeeks (throughout ownership).
I have owned many bikes over the years, most of them bought slightly used, and have never experienced a bike that is this needy, or has had as many failure points within the first year of it's life. The component quality on this bike is surprisingly bad when compared to other manufacturer's bikes I have bought new, to include Honda, Yamaha, and BMW.
Now, the KLR happens to be the most comfortable bike I own currently. I really enjoy the comfort of it's ergonomics and the responsiveness of it's handling. I also have very much enjoyed taking it off-pavement and venturing further and further into the woods with it. For that purpose, the KLR is superb. It is the bike I take when I want to get lost and be alone. It has a wonderfully relaxed character to it that is full of confidence when you are on a trail, even if the build quality is anything but confidence. If it wasn't for these superb riding characteristics, I would be selling the bike right now (with a new chain and side stand of course lol).
But because the KLR is so good to ride slow and off-pavement, I suppose I will continue to fix the damn thing and look into purchasing the extended warranty for when the engine decides to eat itself due to not doing the doohicky, or when the piston decides to warp due to not doing the thermobob. What a terribly built bike. Why does it have to be so good to ride!
2022 KLR Adventure purchased new in July of 2022 with 1 mile on the odometer. Current mileage is 4500. Bike is stored in a climate controlled garage.
In this brief time of ownership I done all work myself with the exception of mounting two tires on rims.
List of work:
3 oil changes at 500 miles, 1500 miles, and 3500 mile.
2 oil filter changes at 500 miles, 1500 mile.
1 air filter change at 1500 miles, original was very dirty.
Added EE skid plate.
Added Oxford heated grips.
Clutch bypass modification.
Replaced shift lever due to inability to shift bike while wearing boots.
3 bolts missing (presumed rattled away).
New tires needed/installed at about 1500 miles.
New rear tire needed again at current mileage.
Chain Failure (broken link) at current mileage.
Side Stand Failure (loose to the point of moving to the bikes left when extended, resulting in eventual failure to hold the bike up) at current mileage.
Fuel pump - not currently on recall list, yet the pump continues to sound worse and worse with each startup.
Needs a new battery currently.
Modifications to fairings to address squeeks (throughout ownership).
I have owned many bikes over the years, most of them bought slightly used, and have never experienced a bike that is this needy, or has had as many failure points within the first year of it's life. The component quality on this bike is surprisingly bad when compared to other manufacturer's bikes I have bought new, to include Honda, Yamaha, and BMW.
Now, the KLR happens to be the most comfortable bike I own currently. I really enjoy the comfort of it's ergonomics and the responsiveness of it's handling. I also have very much enjoyed taking it off-pavement and venturing further and further into the woods with it. For that purpose, the KLR is superb. It is the bike I take when I want to get lost and be alone. It has a wonderfully relaxed character to it that is full of confidence when you are on a trail, even if the build quality is anything but confidence. If it wasn't for these superb riding characteristics, I would be selling the bike right now (with a new chain and side stand of course lol).
But because the KLR is so good to ride slow and off-pavement, I suppose I will continue to fix the damn thing and look into purchasing the extended warranty for when the engine decides to eat itself due to not doing the doohicky, or when the piston decides to warp due to not doing the thermobob. What a terribly built bike. Why does it have to be so good to ride!
