Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Kawasaki Tech
Kawasaki Tech Kawasaki Tech Forum - For Questions specific and of interest to Kawasaki riders only.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 22 Oct 2006
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: wales
Posts: 36
Smile klr650

I have just bought a klr650 in L.A.
The bike came with a Big gun evo x exhaust system fitted and the guy I bought it off said that I would need to continualy re-pack the muffling inside! It works and sounds fine at the moment but as I plan to travel south through central and south america and will not easily be able to work on it SHOULD I CHANGE IT FOR THE ORIGINAL STANDARD EXHAUST SYSTEM which he gave me as I need to get rid of one or the other. What should I do?

Also Im in Oceanside now heading down south and I need side panniers, anyone got any idea where I can buy some or have them made?

Can I get tires in mexico or further south or should I buy them here in the states?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 22 Oct 2006
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: USA
Posts: 992
Tires are available in the very large cities, although your choices may be limited. It took a guy 2 days to find a 'DS' type tire in Chihuahua for my DR650 (via bus to Creel). That's a city of 2 million people. No problem on street tires.
Running your tires down to nothing and then looking for replacements is the same as being hungry and broke as you walk towards the only ATM machine within 200 miles.

Knobbies could be a problem with the 17 rear. BMW dealers should have tires for their 650 which work on your bike.

Personally, I would opt for the stock or any system that did not require maintenance.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 22 Oct 2006
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Santa Clara, CA, USA
Posts: 25
Quote:
Originally Posted by davidR
I have just bought a klr650 in L.A.
The bike came with a Big gun evo x exhaust system fitted and the guy I bought it off said that I would need to continualy re-pack the muffling inside! It works and sounds fine at the moment but as I plan to travel south through central and south america and will not easily be able to work on it SHOULD I CHANGE IT FOR THE ORIGINAL STANDARD EXHAUST SYSTEM which he gave me
Yes. The OEM is heavy and makes the bike sound like a lawn mower, but it's also indestructible, while the Big Gun is notorious for disintegrating when you least want it to.

Quote:
Also Im in Oceanside now heading down south and I need side panniers, anyone got any idea where I can buy some or have them made?
Okay, here's the deal with side paniers. There's two pieces you need -- the side racks/mounting brackets and the paniers themselves. For the paniers, you need to decide what exactly you want -- soft paniers, plastic paniers, or aluminum paniers. I personally prefer the soft paniers or plastic paniers, but the aluminum paniers tend to be bigger. Plastic vs. aluminum is one of those big debates. I personally have a Givi rack (Fred at Arrowhead Motorsports 435-259-7356 probably has a Happy Trails rack in stock, he'll ship'em to you) and a pair of Givi E360's as my paniers, and a Givi E45 with toprack as my top bag. The Givi bags should be in stock somewhere in Los Angeles, and are durable, I've dropped my bike on mine many times. Fred may have some of the Happy Trails aluminum paniers in stock too. BTW, keep Fred's # handy, he'll ship parts anywhere and he stocks a lot of the common ones.

Quote:
Can I get tires in mexico or further south or should I buy them here in the states?
I suggest getting them here in the 'States because tire selection in Mexico is whatever the shop happens to have, whether well suited for your trip or not. Someone who knows more about Los Angeles will have to tell you where to get tires there, all I could tell you would be to go to the nearest Cycle Gear outlet and they'll be able to get some quickly.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 23 Oct 2006
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Santa Clara, CA, USA
Posts: 25
Quote:
Originally Posted by elgreen
I suggest getting them here in the 'States because tire selection in Mexico is whatever the shop happens to have, whether well suited for your trip or not.
One thing to add. You probably don't need an all-out "knobbie" tire. People have done the trip just fine on Avon Gripsters, which are a long-lived street-oriented dual-sport tire. Just understand you won't be going through mud on those things
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 1 Nov 2006
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Colorado
Posts: 22
Go for the stock exhaust, in my experience aftermarket pipes do little or nothing for perfomance and as said earlier they are indestructable. I bought my panniers at KLR650.com, rode from Denver to BC (including Vancouver Island) several falls offroad and no problems. You'll want some road pegs (happy trails or search ebay for KLr 650) for the trip.

Dan
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 2 Nov 2006
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: new england, usa
Posts: 30
Go for the oem exhaust, rejet the carb and enjoy the benfit of having the big gas tank by increasing your fuel mileage.

Tire wise start off with a new set by the time you reach Gautemala(that's as far as I have been to date) there you can find a dealer in Gaut city and also Xela(quetzaltenango(sp).
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 16 Nov 2006
Hondo's Avatar
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Denver, Colorado
Posts: 5
Happy Trail sells racks & panniers- i'm using a Northwest rack and am in the process of renovating 2 memite cases to use as panniers.

Happy trail- http://www.happy-trail.com/category.aspx?categoryID=723

My Build thread on MY KLR & Mermites-

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showt...=167193&page=4

Hope this helps-
__________________
2001 Kawasaki KLR650
KLRWorld.com/Forums
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Converting KLR650 type C gigsnerb Kawasaki Tech 13 23 Jan 2008 18:22
Broken KLR650 frame wallsts Kawasaki Tech 4 16 Nov 2006 14:43
BMW F650 vs Kawa KLR650 Gijs Which Bike? 3 2 Oct 2002 04:47
R1150GS vs KLR650? JDDG Which Bike? 5 28 Jan 2002 09:37

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 18:36.