The KLR is so slow...

2923 Views 80 Replies 36 Participants Last post by KLR-Mule, 5 d ago

PNWexplorer

Discussion Starter · 27 d ago

How slow is it?

I had to run to town today in the middle of an oil change since Walmart sold me the wrong oil filter.

It was blustery and stormy but about 60 degrees, so I figured I'd take the KLR on the 30 mile round trip to town and back.

On the way back in a 60 mph zone, I got stuck behind some jerk going 55 mph. Rural 2-lane highway with lots of traffic and few passing zones.

There is a small mountain pass halfway home where the road splits into 4 lanes going up a 7% grade for about a mile.

So I just remained patient, knowing that I would be able to pass safely in a few minutes.

When we finally got to the 4 lane section, the jerk started increasing his speed. He sped up to 68 mph.

I couldn't pass him. The KLR didn't have enough power to go over 68 mph up the grade. 🥺

I may need more power. I have soft panniers and stock windscreen. Maybe 20lbs of gear in panniers. I was tucked down close to the tank to reduce wind drag.

But, I am 6'2" and 302lbs.

I have ridden many bikes and never encountered a situation in which I couldn't make a safe and efficient pass on the highway.

It was alarming.

I can't imagine how slow it will be this summer with all of my camping gear on it.

Reactions: 3

41 - 60 of 81 Posts

winmag4582001

· #41 · 25 d ago

I don’t think there’s anything to debate here.
The OP is 300lbs. (I’m not picking on him at all.) I’m 215 and my wife is 140, with both of us on the KLR it is slow, even downhill with a tailwind.
The stock suspension is not rated for that weight either. Before I replaced the rear spring on mine my friend who is 6’3” and 270 rode it, and even with the preload at 5 he flattened the rear spring. The yellow spring I installed can handle the weight but the bike still doesn’t have the power with the wife and I. But I didn’t buy the bike to do any serious riding with two people on it. 99% of the time it’s just me.
Whoever sold him that bike should have told him he might be too big for it.

pdwestman

· #42 · 25 d ago

SirMarksAllot said:
Hmmm, some of the best memories of riding are winding out my Kawasaki 90 (maybe I’d break 60 downhill) when I was a kid of a boy in fifth grade. Here’s a stock photo.

Hummm, 1973 model maybe?

Reactions: 1

BkKcaliKLR

· #43 · 24 d ago

Intermittent fasting PNW! I have gone from almost 260 and am at 243 now... it’s easy but stopping at 6pm is the HARDEST part haha. As far as speeds on the KLR I would of recxomended just staying behind the car as I have heard on this site over 5rmps is the speed oil consumption starts... also maybe get a new front sprocket? The 14tooth slows the bike down but also makes it more “hungry” in its gears haha cuz it has more ummph?!? My 5th has good acceleration I think maybe more than before dunno..

Reactions: 2

SirMarksAllot

· #44 · 24 d ago

pdwestman said:
Hummm, 1973 model maybe?

I was young and my dad paid $100 for it used, so I don’t remember. I broke the kick start shaft because I didn’t understand what plug fouling was, and drove a stick in the opening, and pushed it to start it. During that several month period before I got it fixed, the clutch cable broke and I drove it without a clutch. I sorely abused her, but she took it and more. I rode it fit probably three years before I got an Yamaha enduro 125. That’s a whole other story. Paid $50 for it because my buddy dropped it in a creek and never started it for a year. I freed the locked engine and rode that one for about three years🤣🤣. Tinkering is in my blood. Those small bikes are just fun to work on and ride. Or maybe I just remember only the good stuff.

Reactions: 2

banditcilik

· #45 · 24 d ago

BkKcaliKLR said:
Intermittent fasting PNW! I have gone from almost 260 and am at 243 now... it’s easy but stopping at 6pm is the HARDEST part haha. As far as speeds on the KLR I would of recxomended just staying behind the car as I have heard on this site over 5rmps is the speed oil consumption starts... also maybe get a new front sprocket? The 14tooth slows the bike down but also makes it more “hungry” in its gears haha cuz it has more ummph?!? My 5th has good acceleration I think maybe more than before dunno..

I now make a habit to slipstream behind semis, it's warmer due to less wind and surely save some gas. Not sure if the truckers like the idea.

SirMarksAllot said:
I rode it fit probably three years before I got an Yamaha enduro 125. That’s a whole other story. Paid $50 for it because my buddy dropped it in a creek and never started it for a year.

Where do I sign up to buy $50 bike?

Reactions: 1

ymracing

· #46 · 24 d ago

BkKcaliKLR said:
Intermittent fasting PNW! I have gone from almost 260 and am at 243 now... it’s easy but stopping at 6pm is the HARDEST part haha. As far as speeds on the KLR I would of recxomended just staying behind the car as I have heard on this site over 5rmps is the speed oil consumption starts... also maybe get a new front sprocket? The 14tooth slows the bike down but also makes it more “hungry” in its gears haha cuz it has more ummph?!? My 5th has good acceleration I think maybe more than before dunno..

I use intermittent feasting...at a svelte 300# and a few!

Reactions: 1

rkcle009

· #47 · 24 d ago

PNWexplorer said:
How slow is it?

I had to run to town today in the middle of an oil change since Walmart sold me the wrong oil filter.

It was blustery and stormy but about 60 degrees, so I figured I'd take the KLR on the 30 mile round trip to town and back.

On the way back in a 60 mph zone, I got stuck behind some jerk going 55 mph. Rural 2-lane highway with lots of traffic and few passing zones.

There is a small mountain pass halfway home where the road splits into 4 lanes going up a 7% grade for about a mile.

So I just remained patient, knowing that I would be able to pass safely in a few minutes.

When we finally got to the 4 lane section, the jerk started increasing his speed. He sped up to 68 mph.

I couldn't pass him. The KLR didn't have enough power to go over 68 mph up the grade. 🥺

I may need more power. I have soft panniers and stock windscreen. Maybe 20lbs of gear in panniers. I was tucked down close to the tank to reduce wind drag.

But, I am 6'2" and 302lbs.

I have ridden many bikes and never encountered a situation in which I couldn't make a safe and efficient pass on the highway.

It was alarming.

I can't imagine how slow it will be this summer with all of my camping gear on it.

It sounds about right. I'm 6' 2" and 255lbs. Best speed of freeway for me is 87MPH.

Dennis Cook

· #48 · 24 d ago

My opinion almost doesn't matter ... as I just bought a 2008 KLR with 54,000 miles but in great condition. At first I was keeping the rpms quite low going thru the gears but on the 2nd ride I opened it up and was very surprised how hard it pulled thru the gears. My previous bike was a 650 2 cylinder Suzuki Tempter and I honestly don't know which bike would win a drag race. And I have also owned a custom 200 mph Super Blackbird a few years ago, so I know what to expect on the high end machines. For my riding these days, the KLR 40 hp feels like way more. I weigh 160.

Reactions: 3

james.douglas.the.bl

· #49 · 24 d ago

PNWexplorer said:
How slow is it? I had to run to town today in the middle of an oil change since Walmart sold me the wrong oil filter. It was blustery and stormy but about 60 degrees, so I figured I'd take the KLR on the 30 mile round trip to town and back. On the way back in a 60 mph zone, I got stuck behind some jerk going 55 mph. Rural 2-lane highway with lots of traffic and few passing zones. There is a small mountain pass halfway home where the road splits into 4 lanes going up a 7% grade for about a mile. So I just remained patient, knowing that I would be able to pass safely in a few minutes. When we finally got to the 4 lane section, the jerk started increasing his speed. He sped up to 68 mph. I couldn't pass him. The KLR didn't have enough power to go over 68 mph up the grade. 🥺 I may need more power. I have soft panniers and stock windscreen. Maybe 20lbs of gear in panniers. I was tucked down close to the tank to reduce wind drag. But, I am 6'2" and 302lbs. I have ridden many bikes and never encountered a situation in which I couldn't make a safe and efficient pass on the highway. It was alarming. I can't imagine how slow it will be this summer with all of my camping gear on it.

It’s a klr, not anything Else. Why would you expect more.

james.douglas.the.bl

· #50 · 24 d ago

I tried to take my klr across the sound. God it does not float at all. maybe some pontoons will help. Complaining about a kit’s power and speed, or lack of, makes about as much since as complaining about the weather where you live. Don’t like the weather, move. Want more power or speed, buy a different bike

Reactions: 1

Intruder

· #51 · 24 d ago

banditcilik said:
I now make a habit to slipstream behind semis, it's warmer due to less wind and surely save some gas. Not sure if the truckers like the idea.

I've been a big-truck driver for many years, one of the last things I want to do is to be directly behind a heavy truck, especially a dump truck.
I've seen too many tires fly apart, I've lost several that were fairly new and seemed to be running well.
If I'm ever directly behind a big-truck, especially on a motorcycle, I'm about to cross a double yellow line. For the sake of good health and a longer life, you should keep that in mind.

Reactions: 2

banditcilik

· #52 · 24 d ago

I knew I'm getting too comfortable there. I forgot big rocks caught in between their wheels and ejected at bone breaking speed.

Reactions: 1

SirMarksAllot

· #53 · 24 d ago

banditcilik said:
I knew I'm getting too comfortable there. I forgot big rocks caught in between their wheels and ejected at bone breaking speed.

The thing I think about when behind the large trucks, is that they affect road objects much more than a car. So a road object (rock , wood, piece of metal) can be launched and I would have no time to avoid it. I try (I forget sometimes) to give plenty of distance so I can SEE the road surface between me and the vehicle in front of me, to give me the best chance of avoiding and missiles they might launch my way. I need to practice it more vigilantly, but that’s the goal I shoot for!

Reactions: 4

banditcilik

· #54 · 24 d ago

SirMarksAllot said:
The thing I think about when behind the large trucks, is that they affect road objects much more than a car. So a road object (rock , wood, piece of metal) can be launched and I would have no time to avoid it. I try (I forget sometimes) to give plenty of distance so I can SEE the road surface between me and the vehicle in front of me, to give me the best chance of avoiding and missiles they might launch my way. I need to practice it more vigilantly, but that’s the goal I shoot for!

What can I say? I'm too slow for the left lane and I need to make sure I look 'bigger' from behind so all those Teslas with autopilot don't just run me over. Without the potential missiles then it will be perfect for me

Reactions: 2

dave_2wheels

· #55 · 23 d ago (Edited)

PNWexplorer said:
How slow is it?

I had to run to town today in the middle of an oil change since Walmart sold me the wrong oil filter.

It was blustery and stormy but about 60 degrees, so I figured I'd take the KLR on the 30 mile round trip to town and back.

On the way back in a 60 mph zone, I got stuck behind some jerk going 55 mph. Rural 2-lane highway with lots of traffic and few passing zones.

There is a small mountain pass halfway home where the road splits into 4 lanes going up a 7% grade for about a mile.

So I just remained patient, knowing that I would be able to pass safely in a few minutes.

When we finally got to the 4 lane section, the jerk started increasing his speed. He sped up to 68 mph.

I couldn't pass him. The KLR didn't have enough power to go over 68 mph up the grade. 🥺

I may need more power. I have soft panniers and stock windscreen. Maybe 20lbs of gear in panniers. I was tucked down close to the tank to reduce wind drag.

But, I am 6'2" and 302lbs.

I have ridden many bikes and never encountered a situation in which I couldn't make a safe and efficient pass on the highway.

It was alarming.

I can't imagine how slow it will be this summer with all of my camping gear on it.

302lbs? There is the problem. Perhaps this "jerk" ahead of you had a lot weight as well.

silverrats

· #56 · 23 d ago

PNWexplorer said:
How slow is it?

I had to run to town today in the middle of an oil change since Walmart sold me the wrong oil filter.

It was blustery and stormy but about 60 degrees, so I figured I'd take the KLR on the 30 mile round trip to town and back.

On the way back in a 60 mph zone, I got stuck behind some jerk going 55 mph. Rural 2-lane highway with lots of traffic and few passing zones.

There is a small mountain pass halfway home where the road splits into 4 lanes going up a 7% grade for about a mile.

So I just remained patient, knowing that I would be able to pass safely in a few minutes.

When we finally got to the 4 lane section, the jerk started increasing his speed. He sped up to 68 mph.

I couldn't pass him. The KLR didn't have enough power to go over 68 mph up the grade. 🥺

I may need more power. I have soft panniers and stock windscreen. Maybe 20lbs of gear in panniers. I was tucked down close to the tank to reduce wind drag.

But, I am 6'2" and 302lbs.

I have ridden many bikes and never encountered a situation in which I couldn't make a safe and efficient pass on the highway.

It was alarming.

I can't imagine how slow it will be this summer with all of my camping gear on it.

It sounds like the guy in front of you or gal is a big dick. I think the KLR has sufficient not sporty power. If you look how much horsepower a 1960 beetle put out I think about the same. Let the jerk go and enjoy the sights. I got mine over 100 when I saw a sign I was 19 miles from the Buffalo Chip in Sturgis it was 97 degrees.

Reactions: 2

Br549rick

· #57 · 23 d ago

banditcilik said:
I now make a habit to slipstream behind semis, it's warmer due to less wind and surely save some gas. Not sure if the truckers like the idea.

they don't like that at all... if you can't see one of his mirrors, he can't see you. drafting like that will get you killed. PLEASE do not do that.

Reactions: 3

PNWexplorer

Discussion Starter · #58 · 23 d ago

dave_2wheels said:
302lbs? There is the problem. Perhaps this "jerk" ahead of you had a lot weight as well.

It wasn't a problem for my Road King. I don't understand the second part of your statement.

Reactions: 1

OverSquareEng

· #59 · 23 d ago

PNWexplorer said:
It wasn't a problem for my Road King. I don't understand the second part of your statement.

A road king has like 3-4x the power of a KLR.

texas123

· #60 · 23 d ago

I disagree with the statement that "the KLR is slow". It considerably faster than my XR650L and my friends DR650S. Lower your expectations, it's not a BMW.

Nose Cheek Jaw Gesture Finger

See less See more

41 - 60 of 81 Posts