The switch is already junky as is...
I used a stainless steel ring and it's now new and improved. Same split rings I use to build fishing lures.
Burned Out My Rear Rotor
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That's definitely true. I knew going in that there was some corner cutting. But decided to pick one up because between the $1000 off promo and the military discount, it was $1200 off an already inexpensive bike.
But they do seem to cut corners in some surprising ways, such as having to buy the relay in order to add accessories such as the 12v socket. I could see not adding the socket. The Africa Twin I purchased in 2016 didn't have one either. But the relay was already there
I have a buddy who keeps telling me how reliable they are and how he is on #6 through the years and has had no problems with any of them. But it does beg the question a little about why he is on #6 if they last so long?
So, we will see where it goes with this bike. But I am having some trouble with some surprising things like not being able move the shift lever a spline without it making contact with the frame and trying to lower the brake pedal as low as I would like it.
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Yes they are inexpensive and lack features that more expensive bikes have.......but they have average Japanese build quality IME which is to say 1000 x better than any bike actually made in China by 11 year olds! .....I could be wrong, my latest KLR is only my 47th motorcycle...
To the OP; I'm guessing that maybe you're riding the rear brake without noticing
Dave
.....I could be wrong, my latest KLR is only my 47th motorcycle...To the OP; I'm guessing that maybe you're riding the rear brake without noticing
Dave
Also a lot of my xxxx doesn't work threads too. I don't doubt its reliability but id never heard of one till I bought one. Meanwhile when buying vtx I saw MANY with over 100k miles. Lol.I have a buddy who keeps telling me how reliable they are and how he is on #6 through the years and has had no problems with any of them. But it does beg the question a little about why he is on #6 if they last so long?![]()
Then you have the "they are super awesome and never need anything" folks telling you buy a new 7500 dollar bike and then take the side cover off and replace bad chain tensioners...fix the cooling system with a new thermobob (I did btw) take off the foot pegs, change the drain plug.....readjust your steering head.... but a better windshield... and seat
But they need nothing... ever. Lol
I'm a yamaha man btw
I have 4 Honda (dads old 93 trx300, his old 69 350 scrambler, 04 vtx, 2 suzuki....the kids 91 lt160, and a ds 185, many yamaha.. 2015 grizzly, 16 kodiak, 02 raptor, 85 moto 4 (first year of 4 wheels...no suspension) 21 viking, 06 R6, 2 kaw...a Tecate 250 and the KLr... some im forgetting in my junk piles no doubt and the few ive sold or totaled .... plus I work on them every day for others.....the klr is sub par built for a Japanese bike PURELY based on build material and fit/ finish. My 85 moto4 doesn't vibrate and rattle like my 23 klr. My Raptor is a big rattling single cylinder with about a billion miles and rattles less. I put 20k miles on an R1 that vibrated so bad at high rpm it would blur your vision and numb your ass and it never rattled. The klr is more CF MOTO/benche/Kazuma/ in build than ANY Japanese machine ive seen or owned. Im sure some were poorly made but ive not owned them. Again only speaking about my gen 3Yes they are inexpensive and lack features that more expensive bikes have.......but they have average Japanese build quality IME which is to say 1000 x better than any bike actually made in China by 11 year olds!
To the OP; I'm guessing that maybe you're riding the rear brake without noticing
Dave
Not saying the were all great either. Some had quirks for sure. Simply speaking from rattles/paint falling off/misrouted cables/ cable clips missing/....Rattles/vibrations. My banshee took about 100 bucks in parts for every 10 gallon of gas.
And the rattles.....
BIL rides a 16 grizzly and an 0something vtwin brute force . Was never really impressed with its build quality either. Ive rode probably 25 Ninja/Vulcan and they were all fine machines so I don't think it's across the kaw lineup.
As far as reliability/mechanical its far better than the Chinese machines ive seen. No doubt about that. Ive seen MANY fail when pretty much brand new. Mostly carb and wiring issues. Then getting parts is pretty impossible. Lol. Build quality doesn't always mean anything for reliability either. I get a lot of well built subaru that are just junk mechanically IMO. BMW/ AUDI VW too
Ive also worked alongside the engineers from Japan (toyoda being one) and Germany off and on for 20 years....the things they focus on are almost more fit/ finish than any other thing. Other countries not so much. If the engineers from toyoda that ive worked with had as many quality complaints that ive seen on here in my 2 months of ownership....I would not be surprised to hear they hara kiri-ed themselves. They are pretty hardcore. Lol
I'm satisfied with my new KLR. Don't get me wrong. But it feels very much chinese/Korea instead of Japan from my experience of working on a million cars and several bike/quad
Yes they are inexpensive and lack features that more expensive bikes have.......but they have average Japanese build quality IME which is to say 1000 x better than any bike actually made in China by 11 year olds!
To the OP; I'm guessing that maybe you're riding the rear brake without noticing
That's my deduction as well, as it also explains a couple of experiences while riding. It's a wonder I can feel anything in my riding boots, but I'd rather have unbroken feet and ankles and learn to ride better.
Dave
Thank for the kind words.
To all yous guys saying the KLR is cheap and crappy, why'd you buy one? There's nearly 40 years of history and it's quality - or lack thereof - is well known, lamented, and celebrated. KLRista's are famously frugal and committed DIY'ers. I bought mine knowing full well it wasn't a Tenere, Africa Twin, BMW, etc. bc I wanted a bike to learn to wrench on, that wouldn't cause my wife or kids to be put out by a huge payment, and that would allow me to learn without the bike shooting out from under me. This thread was about me being mildly idiotic and needing some advice about rear brakes. Why it turned into a gripe fest is beyond me (other than, "the internet"), but maybe just enjoy the bike for what it is or get something else. "Comparison is the thief of joy." - Teddy Roosevelt.
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