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  #31  
Old 2 Sep 2009
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Fuel consumption...

Hi lads.

I've just bought KLE 500 '05 with small mileage and I'm preparing it to cut fuel consumption. First things first so VRT, insurance are crucial now but straight after test is starting.

I'll test my bike in quite specific conditions:
1. It's gonna be resctricted to 33bhp (25kW) 'cos I'm provisional driving licence holder (and that's law in ROI).
2. Mostly short distances (up to 10 miles) in city traffic.

For the first 2-3 months I'll be using genuine settings and parts.
Around november (if weather and € allow) I'll put on light (alu?) wheels and proper street tyres.

Hopefully I'll get some results...

p.s. If you got more ideas feel free to express them :-)
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'05 Kawasaki KLE500
'08 Honda XR125

I'm half animal - half machine...
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  #32  
Old 4 Sep 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BAMF View Post
It's gonna be resctricted to 33bhp (25kW)
Double check it isn't a 25kw model before you go retricting it. There were some made. Bikeworld could tell you that, if they'd care to.

I VRT'd my KLE and saved myself a fortune. If you download and fill out the forms before you go to the VRT office, you will save yourself a lot of time.

Just a thought, you could try and VRT it as a 25kw model and then not bother restricting it. You will then have a power to weight ratio printed on your log book that you can show the cops, should they stop you. The reason I say this is when I VRT'd mine the woman at the office didn't have a clue what model number it was, and she left it up to me to pick one.

If I was you I wouldn't waste your money on new wheels and tyres. Wear out the tyres that are on it before getting new ones. And, when the time comes, byall means get street tyres if that's what you want, but by then you may get the urge to do some light off roading. Personally I wouldn't swap my tyres for 100% road tyres because of the amount of sh*te I come across on the roads sometimes.

Good luck with the KLE. They're great bikes. I've owned 4 different bikes and it's the only one I'd consider buying again.
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  #33  
Old 8 Sep 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TommyT View Post
Double check it isn't a 25kw model before you go retricting it. There were some made. Bikeworld could tell you that, if they'd care to.
I've check data at EC cert of conformity, it says 33kW and 0,17 kW/kg power to weight ratio (UK reg cert gives the same ratio)


Quote:
Originally Posted by TommyT View Post
I VRT'd my KLE and saved myself a fortune. If you download and fill out the forms before you go to the VRT office, you will save yourself a lot of time.
Thanks for an advice.

Quote:
Originally Posted by TommyT View Post
Just a thought, you could try and VRT it as a 25kw model and then not bother restricting it.
Interesting thought :wink:

Quote:
Originally Posted by TommyT View Post
If I was you I wouldn't waste your money on new wheels and tyres. Wear out the tyres that are on it before getting new ones. And, when the time comes, byall means get street tyres if that's what you want, but by then you may get the urge to do some light off roading. Personally I wouldn't swap my tyres for 100% road tyres because of the amount of sh*te I come across on the roads sometimes.
I'm thinking hard about getting my fuel consumption low because I've hope for looong trip next summer (7500km). But thinking forward - knobby tires can help me survive winter (my "favourite" part of Irish weather )
For the summer trip I'll need proper tarmac tires (mostly main roads of western Europe).

Quote:
Originally Posted by TommyT View Post
Good luck with the KLE. They're great bikes. I've owned 4 different bikes and it's the only one I'd consider buying again.
Well I love it all ready. My previous bike was (still at backyard) 11bhp Honda XR125 so difference is huge. When I see all those praises about KLE's reliability it only make me grin more...


Soon my first fuel consumption readings.
__________________
'05 Kawasaki KLE500
'08 Honda XR125

I'm half animal - half machine...

Last edited by BAMF; 8 Sep 2009 at 01:56. Reason: mistake
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