[jediwannabe]

I have read numerous posts but still have a few questions I am seeking answers for.

Does 16T sprocket help with foot peg vibrations for long distance rides?

Just ordered a Seat concepts complete. Does anyone have this seat if so how much does it help with vibes if at all?

Only have a little over 1100 miles on 2011. Has anyone found isolation mounts to reduce vibes?

I am aware of the 685 kit, grips, and engine bolt torque checks. But if anyone has some other fix would be interested to hear about it.

my vibration seem to get worse the further back you get. My daughter was riding pillion and was numb after about 60Miles.

Thanks

 

[kcruisin]

The vibration is probably coming more from the knobby tires than anything.
You could go to a more street tire. More beans and tators might fix your daughter, or just give her a few more years.

 

[Savage]

That doesn't sound right. What bikes have you ridden to compare it to? My KLR is pretty smooth for a thumper. Some vibes are normal. I'd find another KLR'r and swap bikes and see if what you are feeling is normal or not.
The 16t or SC won't change the vibes any, although I do like my 16t and SC seat.

 

[jediwannabe]

Ill definitely try the taters, beans might be asking for trouble. She is awful light. Dont think its the tires though. Seems to be from engine and gets worse as it radiates out. Might be normal. This is my first thumper had twins and fours prior to this. Will try to find someone to swap bikes to check.

 

[jediwannabe]

Robert at SC has been amazing with answering the questions I had on the seat I ordered.

 

[jediwannabe]

Thinking of having the 685 kit with 705 sleeve done to help with vibes. I have read some about M-tec. Anyone one have any good experiences with other companies. Closer to Louisiana would be nice.

 

[Scrapper]

meh, some call it vibration some call it rock and roll, only time it ever bothered me was on the highway for many hours i would get vibration in the handlebars which would make my pinky fingers go numb, thicker grips fixed that

 

[klrophile]

Try to compare it with another KLR. You can feel the engine running for sure but it shouldn't be numbing.

Check all your engine mount bolts and make sure they're tight.

 

[willys]

The 685 will reduce the vibes substancially, but, how low do you let the rpms go down to? Are you lugging the engine? Just thinking outloud. There are three engine mount locations, front top and one long bolt in the rear that is easy to miss. They all need to be tight! The stock seat will cripple you or at least it did me......my daughter 115lbs says the stock seat wasn't great for her also, but after making a Corbin copy of their flat seat it is perfect. If you are getting vibes up the bars you can get ROX rizors with vibe cancelling mounts, expensive but cheaper than a 685 kit. The bike shouldn't vibrate as much as you are complaining about imho. I have a friend who said the same thing and after he tried my bike with the 685 he got me to install one asap into his and he is happy now.
As for M-Tech.....your call, not mine...I'd look for a shop local to you who does large singles or large twins....or someone like me who will do the work for you at a lower than shop rate in their garage.
I know of Wyman over at .net....he does exchange units but you have to do the work same as Eagle Mike. Mike would be my choice over Wyman personally.....I wouldn't get talked into anything but the 685 kit either. It is bulletproof.
Just a thought, how is your carb set up? Is it running perfectly and not stumbling? Have you done the carb mods? KLX needle, setting the pilot screw out to 2 1/4 turns out from seated? Maybe it's starving for fuel?
It's a wise move to get the 705 sleeve when you do install the larger piston imho, many may say it's overkill....but to each their own. I did it and had zero issues with my 685 until I screwed up and didn't clean the aircleaner and sand got past it and scored my bore. A bad day. How clean is your aircleaner and which is it? UNI is the one of choice of course properly oiled. What is the plug looking like, colour and gap wise?
I'm sure most of these are redundant questions but you should rule them out before spending on the 685 because if it is one of these then the 685 won't fix your issue.
Hope this helps.....

 

[Dan Diego]

I had the SC saddle on my R1150GS and wasn't happy with it after super long rides. I swapped it out for a Corbin.

But again, it doesn't sound like the vibration has anything to do with the seat (or sprocket). I would look at the tires as the culplrit.

 

[jediwannabe]

Only 1200 miles as of today. Mostly road ridden so far. I have ridden twice in the national forest nearby. As far as lugging, I keep rpm in normal range except for an occasional missed shift I have been procrastinating (Will double check bolts now.) Bars are ok I have cramp buster and keep a light grip. Bum gets numb on highway thats Why I was considering the 685. Agree about 705 sleeve (better safe than sorry). Didn't even know could send head to Eagle Mike. Thought he only sold the kit. Sounds like best choice (if I do it). Have not done any carb mods yet.
Carb seems fine no weird hesitation or anything. Have read about klx needle mod. (Sounds like my next cheap project was just decided on.

SC seat should be here soon. Also ordered 16T from EM just for the highway use with new nut.

Thanks again for everyones advise/assistance.

 

[justjeff]

Hi jedi!
This seems odd to me. I have a 2011 as well and have had no issues with vibration. I have Pirelli MT21 knobbies on it and except at low speed noticed no vibration. I am wondering if you have checked the tire balance?
An additional thought...has the Doo been adjusted?
Regards....justjeff

 

[jediwannabe]

Mounting bolts were good. But loosened and retorqued to the 18 any 33 specs. Left foot peg was loose so retorqued both. No doo yet, but going to order one from Eagle Mike with torsion to install in the next week or so. I have the factory tires. I am going to have dealer service this time around to double check it. I would normally service it myself. But second opinion may be worth it. justjeff- good recommendation (I will have them check the balance as well). How do you like the Pirelli's?

 

[justjeff]

Hi Jedi!
I really like the Pirelli MT21s. The factory Dunlops are horrible. Poor offroad in sand or mud, wear really fast on pavement. 2200 miles and the rear was done. Judging by wear so far I will more than double that with the Pirellis. I am happy with both the grip and lack of wear while on pavement and am ecstatic about the full knobs while offroad. Commuting to work I was impressed with the grip on wet pavement, very predictable, no scary moments. They are a tall profile tire so if you are thinking of getting some don't shorten your kickstand!

Regards....justjeff

 

[jediwannabe]

Good to hear there are better tires out there. I have noticed alot of wear already on stock with only 1100 miles. For the 4th of July I am planning to go to Tail of the dragon with a freind who lives in AL. After that trip stock tires must go. Do you get much road noise from yours? I ride 80% Blacktop 20% Dirt.

 

[justjeff]

I didn't notice much for road noise. You may notice a bumpiness at low speed(5 to 10mph) but that smoothes right out when you speed up a little. I do about 20% pavement, 40% gravel, 40% sand dirt mud. It is much easier to drive a knobbie on the street than drive a street tire in the dirt!
Regards....justjeff

 

[jediwannabe]

I didn't notice much for road noise. You may notice a bumpiness at low speed(5 to 10mph) but that smoothes right out when you speed up a little. I do about 20% pavement, 40% gravel, 40% sand dirt mud. It is much easier to drive a knobbie on the street than drive a street tire in the dirt!
Regards....justjeff

You can say that again. Yesterday I hit a muddy forest trail that trucks had been on and the stock was almost worthless.

 

[justjeff]

You can say that again. Yesterday I hit a muddy forest trail that trucks had been on and the stock was almost worthless.

It's much easier to drive a knobbie on the street than drive a street tire in the dirt!! :Happy:
jj

 

[jediwannabe]

Finally had the time to take it to a local dealer for there opinion. He could not figure out what was wrong. So yesterday I drove to the next closest dealer which is about a hour drive. Half way there, the vibrating was so bad, feet and hands started getting numb. By the time I arrived my bum was numb as well. I was so fed up, I traded it in on a FJR1300. Would like to thank every one agin for there support.

 

[Savage]

One more post and you can post pics of your new ride(s).