Broken KLR650 frame
I just read a post asking if the KLR was sufficient for two-up-touring. I suggested that it is not due its poor frame construction.
Has anyone else broken a KLR650 frame? or heard of one breaking?
I have.
On this 7 month trip through Central/South America both my frame and Jims frame actually ripped in half- let me also say that these were brand new KLR650's (2003) sponsored from the Kawasaki corperation.
Luckily they shipped us new frames, but i would not suggest riding the KLR650 2-up with it's current frame design.
VERY IMPORTANT - The problem is due to the welds and the placement of weight. When excess weight is put on the rear end of the bike (ie. extra passenger, excessive luggage) the frame will actually rip apart (I'm not joking, just go to our web site and look at photos under the Ecuador and Argentina Archives).
Steve Wallstrom
www.bikerswithoutborders.org
click on this link for a photo of Jims broken frame (Ecuador):
www.bikerswithoutborders.org/photos-small/EC146.JPG
click on this link for a photo of my broken frame (Argentina):
www.bikerswithoutborders.org/photos-small/AR31.jpg
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