Gear Indicator for KLR650??

OutlandMoto said:

I hope I’m not violating any rules by posting an external link.

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It's all good. We don't have much in the way of rules here. Generally if you have a question someone else shares it.

It's a good question but for $216 I'd keep using my tach to tell me what gear I'm in.

How about when the gear indicator reads, "6?"

Damocles said:

How about when the gear indicator reads, "6?

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It lies!

Whoa for that kind of money I think I'll just keep shifting one more time and then laugh and giggle at myself and say "Oops I'm already in 6th."

This is the first 5 speed i've owned since I learned to ride on a dr200. I keep trying to shift to 6th then... oh yeah

I know, I know. It’s a bit ridiculous for me to want a gear indicator. But I still want it and have come to terms with my stupidity on this matter. I’m just wondering if it would even work.

A customer of mine installed an aftermarket Gear Position indicator on his then new 2012 Versys 650, before Kawasaki even considered it. I'll ask if he can remember the brand or distributor he purchased from.

skypupbob said:

It lies!

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Or we must be in Heaven!!

Reminds me when we were racing a Yamaha XS650 in Sportsman 750 AHRMA. Someone asked why we had not speedo or tach on the bike. I told them when it vibrated your eyeballs so bad you couldn't see...shift...

OutlandMoto said:

OK folks! I found that Kawasaki makes a gear indicator for the Versys 650. Looks like it goes in the dash, where the cigarette lighter power adapter would go. I’m n reading about it, it was lugs right into the ECU.

QUESTION: Anybody have any insight into whether this would work on the ‘22 KLR? Before you ask, I don’t have a good reason for wanting this. I just do.

Here is a photo of the gear indicator, with the link. I hope I’m not violating any rules by posting an external link. View attachment 31622

Gear Position Indicator

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I see that the gauge in question would indicate gear number, but what for ?
You need not even "look" at the tachometer, rpm is felt and is heard, making it is pretty obvious if the gear were off pase with RPM.

jaimesix said:

I see that the gauge in question would indicate gear number, but what for ?
You need not even "look" at the tachometer, rpm is felt and is heard, making it is pretty obvious if the gear were off pase with RPM.

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I know. As I said, I just want one. No good reason. The heart wants what the heart wants.

PhilW said:

Healtech do a good gear indicator at a much cheaper price, my Triumph America came with one already fitted. It works well, just a very slight delay from when you change gear to when it displays the new gear (1/2 sec maybe)
It works fine on the Triumph 5 speed gearbox, can’t offer any insight as to suitability for a KLR. Absolutely nothing wrong with wanting or liking the idea of a gear indicator. View attachment 31660 View attachment 31660

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I saw those. Seem like a good option. I like the Kawasaki version just because it fits in the dash, where the power adapter would go. A lot cleaner. But…also a lot more expensive.

klr4evr said:

It's all good. We don't have much in the way of rules here. Generally if you have a question someone else shares it.

It's a good question but for $216 I'd keep using my tach to tell me what gear I'm in.

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Tach?? What tach? They ditched mine for 2022...🥺

You know if the Adventure had features like a gear indicator rather than Kleenex boxes for luggage, I would have considered it more.
taking a glance to know I’m already in ‘6th’ or 1.5st would be helpful for me. Seems like it would have cost Kawi $10 to add this. Glad to see there’s an aftermarket option.
I’m curious as to how they work. Mechanically and exterior? Gotta be I guess.

Talked to the dealer about it. The Versys 650 gear indicator will NOT work on the KLR. It plugs into the ECU, which is specific to the bike.

There are some universal options but I don’t really like them. So my exploration is over…for now. Now onto the next challenge…a freaking tach, since Kawasaki decided not to include one.

PlayDoh said:

You know if the Adventure had features like a gear indicator rather than Kleenex boxes for luggage, I would have considered it more.
taking a glance to know I’m already in ‘6th’ or 1.5st would be helpful for me. Seems like it would have cost Kawi $10 to add this. Glad to see there’s an aftermarket option.
I’m curious as to how they work. Mechanically and exterior? Gotta be I guess.

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That is hilarious!!!

OutlandMoto said:

Talked to the dealer about it. The Versys 650 gear indicator will NOT work on the KLR. It plugs into the ECU, which is specific to the bike.

There are some universal options but I don’t really like them. So my exploration is over…for now. Now onto the next challenge…a freaking tach, since Kawasaki decided not to include one.

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I wouldn’t bury the idea based on what some guy(s) at a dealer said. I’m not saying their idiots, but they could be, lol. And what a tech considers possible often means there’s a written procedure for it.
Anything with fuel injectors has an ECU if my understanding is right. And it would make sense to me that the ECU in a KLR would use gear data, yet it’s possible it doesn’t.
Long story short, you can’t just plug n play a gear indicator from another bike, but it might be as simple as a splice job, or a generic unit. Like OBD data is to an extent universal, and highly compatible within Makes.
That could all add up to a project that’s way beyond its worth, but I’ve had enough experience to know lots of things are possible, despite what an ‘expert’ says is possible.
With all that said, a cheaper and simpler mechanical ‘counter’ would seem like a better method

Well, technically. There are systems with fuel injectors without ECUs. The early injection sustems on aircraft then cars in the 50’s and 60’s, then cars with the Bosch CIS systems in the 70’s to 80’s were hydromechanical.