A Hillbilly method of cutting down on mirror vibration is to put stick on wheel weights on the mirror housing. Once you hit on the right weight, you can super glue the weights to the mirror. YMMV.

 

I am curious to see your results. Let us know if they're worth the $

 

Mirrors Installed

Got the mirrors in yesterday about noon. And installed them soon after. They're great! I love the way they look the size of them everything! I only have two small complaints, they're a little shorter than the factory mirrors and it may just be that I'm not used to it yet but its not as easy just to glance at the mirror for a quick look behind you. I have to look down a little due to their height but thats really not a big deal. One other thing so far they seem really easy to knock out of adjustment, the mirror head its self I mean. Like if I hang my helmet on the mirror when I take it off I have to readjust the mirror but its not really a big deal either. They did a lot for the looks of the bike and I don't regret the purchase for $25 I haven't been hurt! They do vibrate a little but what can yo put on this monster single cylinder that won't! The vibration is no worse than factory and they hold their adjustment very well at highway speeds!

Before:

After:

 

Guess no one likes my mirrors....

 

Dude, they look awesome. :35a:

 

I would just like to find some mirrors that have wider stalks. Half of what I see in my mirrors is my arms. My preference in mirror shape would be simple round mirrors or rectangular.

I think they look pretty good.

T

 

Where did you find that deal? I like them.

 

read the very first post

 

I was not aware that I needed to read and comprehend on this site. I guess I will move along. UGH!!! I hate when I do that.....pay attention that is. Thank you.

 

Haha no worries we all get in a hurry when we see somethin we like and want to buy!

 

They look cool. The phrase 'trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear' does come to mind but they do look better.

The fact that they move would bug me though. Mine already blow back over or around 80 mph.

 

The mirrors look great!


Sent from my iPod touch using Motorcycle
Timothys687
More miles and smiles for all!

 

WC417 if you're still around how are the mirrors doing? They look great, but don't want them if they're not very functional. Please LMK. Thank you!

 

Kinda old thread, but . . . these TPI mirrors (5-1/4" wide, "Ken Sean" brand, I think) cost about $ 12 each:

(Tusk winter shrouds not included!)

With dampers (available from KLR.com, I believe), I guarantee reduced vibration (speaking Generation 1; don't know if dampers fittable to Generation 2 bikes). I'd expect less vibration from the aftermarket mirrors alone, without dampers. Don't expect optic laboratory precision from the TPI mirrors, but . . . definitely wider-angle rear vision is available.

TPI products at http://www.klrparts.com

 

Lone Rider,
Thanks for digging this back up, and showing those from TPI.. Mostly for mentioning that they're Ken Sean mirrors!! Ken Sean has been making quality mirrors for decades, and I'm looking to replace the cheapo Chinese mirrors that I bought on eBay a few years ago.. They fold in the wind, and I'm looking for something that doesn't fold so easily.

I know I could quit being cheap and just buy XR650 mirrors from Honda, but that goes against being a KLR owner.

What else does TPI have that I can't live without??

 

Lone Rider,
What else does TPI have that I can't live without??

O.K.; while branded by Ken Sean, and in my view adequate, the mirrors shown remain austere in materials and workmanship, but . . . THEY'RE ONLY ABOUT $ 12 EACH! Not Baush & Lomb optical quality, perhaps, but--more effective than the OEM round jobs IMHO; that is, if you really want to see what's behind you.

Country of origin? Couldn't say; the blank for this information on the package was occupied by a BAR CODE, unreadable by me!

TPI carries lots of neat KLR stuff; as to MANDATORY goodies, if 1) You have a Generation 1 KLR; and 2) If you ever ride at night, the trick TPI headlight bulb offers a "night-and-day" (pun intended) difference, in comparison with the OEM lighting.

Safe, usable beam focusing, especially at LOW beam, actually illuminates obstacles before you, in my experience. TPI's website marketing pitch tells all about it; "truth-in-advertising," as far as I'm concerned.

Ideally, the bulb should be combined with the relay harness. The harness insures maximum voltage to the filaments, and--sends only low-amperage control voltage through the handlebar switchgear, when connected (main power runs directly from the battery through the harness wiring and its relays).

While the bulb can be used with the OEM wiring ("plug-and-play"), a more complete setup will involve the relay harness; a possible later upgrade, if you want to go one step at a time.

One thing: If you go with the relay harness, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A TIGHT AND CLEAN GROUND CONNECTION AT THE BULB SOCKET! Lots of amps flow through the bulb; needs a good low-resistance return path.

Bob, at TPI, offers excellent customer service and stands behind his products and sales, again, in my own direct primary personal experience.

 

Well, you gave it a good try, but I've been a farkling nut on my KLR for almost 10 years..

I have an Eastern Beaver headlight harness, and it makes a huge difference!! Getting power straight from the battery, rather than through a bunch of relays, switches, and thin wire makes for a LOT more light!!

And to top it off, I bought a set of LED's this last spring.. Wired so they come on with my high beam, it's the difference between night and day.. One flood, one spot, and the stock Silverstar headlight make for eyeball burning..

But, as you and I both have found out, there's nothing like being able to see at night.. Hopefully someone else will find this info helpful when purchasing additional light for the KLR!!

 

Well, you gave it a good try, but I've been a farkling nut on my KLR for almost 10 years..

I have an Eastern Beaver headlight harness, and it makes a huge difference!! Getting power straight from the battery, rather than through a bunch of relays, switches, and thin wire makes for a LOT more light!!

And to top it off, I bought a set of LED's this last spring.. Wired so they come on with my high beam, it's the difference between night and day.. One flood, one spot, and the stock Silverstar headlight make for eyeball burning..

But, as you and I both have found out, there's nothing like being able to see at night.. Hopefully someone else will find this info helpful when purchasing additional light for the KLR!!

Most impressive, yet, IMHO, you can profit further by exchanging your Silver Star bulb with TPI's Canadian Wildlife number; its main advantage, to me, becomes apparent on LOW beam, 80 watts, I think, and . . . focused so it doesn't blind on-coming motorists.

 

Of course it is going to appear different, it's putting out a bunch of additional light. How much we really don't now. We do now it's consuming an additional 25 watts over a regualr halogen lamp. I hate it when wattage is used as a light output measurement. 190wt optical output gives little correlation to how much light is really being produced.

 

Thanks, SLO-KLR!

Didn't realize the intensity alone of a bulb alters the configuration of its beam!

I thought the internal reflectors of a headlight bulb, and the refraction of its glass envelope influenced the focusing of the beam; along with the external reflector and lens.

Have you ever seen the beam of a TPI headlight bulb personally, yourself? Compared to an OEM bulb, the beam appears to me to be broader, and more orthogonal in cross-section on low beam; not simply more intense with the same pattern. YMMV!

What lighting upgrade would you recommend, if any, for a Generation 1 KLR650?

 

I'm not doubting your observations TR, I just don't care for the marketing hype for this product. What exactly is "watt optical output?" I'm sure the bulb is substantially brighter and more focused than a standard bulb but you can't sgueeze 190 watts of light out of an 80 watt halogen bulb. Unless of course they are using a completely different type of light, like an HID for instance which consumes less power (watts) but produces more light (lumens).

 

I just don't care for the marketing hype for this product. What exactly is "watt optical output?"

I hear you, SLO-KLR; I think marketing hype, surely, is involved.

Conjecture on my part, but--if the figure is valid, I imagine the output of the headlight bulb in the direction of the steradians of illumination, is the same as the output over the same solid angle emAnating from a 195-watt isotropic light source.

I'd have to go someplace like the Cal Poly optical physics lab, or perhaps Madison Avenue, to confirm or deny my supposition!

-----------------------------

Not much direct application obvious to me, but Wikipedia points out the lumens-per-watt for incandescent sources appears low, compared to, for example, LED's:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luminous_efficacy#Luminous_efficacy_of_radiation

 

Hell, I'm still used to the term "candlepower." About the only light you see that uses that reference anymore are the hand-held spotlights sold at said Wal-Marts, so I guess it still bears some vague meaning for hillbillies like myself who hoop and holler, "Cover your eyes, boys! This baby's got 3 million candlepower!"

 

hell, i'm still used to the term "candlepower." about the only light you see that uses that reference anymore are the hand-held spotlights sold at said wal-marts, so i guess it still bears some vague meaning for hillbillies like myself who hoop and holler, "cover your eyes, boys! This baby's got 3 million candlepower!"

lol

 

Isn't it funny how a mirror swap thread becomes a headlight thread?

 

Mirrors look great man! I searched on google for options and hit this thread.

I gotta ask though, what type of wind screen mount is that? Looks really cool!

 

Maybe I posted this earlier on the thread; TPI mirrors, about $ 12 each; 5-1.4" wide:

OOPS!

I DID post it earlier!

Disregard, please.

 

Late-breaking news!

TPI is now stocking the ever-popular MIRROR DAMPERS!

New inventory on these items is due May 2012.

(Been out of stock for a couple of years.)

Rejoice, all ye who would like to see behind you (Generation 1; ain't sure about the application to Generation 2).

 

what mirrors are these?

Anybody know what mirrors thoses are in post #18 of this thread?

I'm looking at the Neverlandback mirrors on Amazon but they are not the same. The one's in the picture have smoother edges and appear taller???


tia

 

Anybody know what mirrors thoses are in post #18 of this thread?

I'm looking at the Neverlandback mirrors on Amazon but they are not the same. The one's in the picture have smoother edges and appear taller???


tia

Unfortunately that person is no longer on this Forum so unless someone else recognizes those mirrors you may be having to do a bit of Googling.

 

One of the first things to go on mine as well.

 

thanks for the reply. They appear more square than the aprilla tuono and more rounded than the neverlandback on amazon...imho they are the best looking at least.

 

They kinda look like these: Kawasaki KLR650 87 15 Black Rectangular Soko Rear View Mirrors | eBay

 

wow...I think you actually found them!!! I was looking through the Emco line which was close but these seem exact. THANKS!!!

 

All good. Glad to help. This is an awesome forum, filled with info.