Equipping KLR650 for Long Trip (mostly "on")
 

About to take a 2007 KLR650 Central America>>Tierra del Fuego RT.
Minimally equipped. Help, I don't know where to begin!

What additional equipment and BRANDS would YOU take along?

?c?

So far, bike is equipped only with tools, both manuals, spare front/back tubes, tire puncture repair, mini CO2 inflator, spare clutch cable, large chain lock, leather saddle bags.

What would YOU add....

........ from doohickey to panniers? X" overstock windscreen to crash bars? Progressive Suspension or other? Skid plate to crash bars? Center stand to inline fuel filter? Hand guards to grip heaters? 12v accessory plugs to special saddle or ass cushion? Aftermarket pegs to handlebar risers? Extra-loud horn to extra bright LED lights? Extra brake pads to high altitude jets?

You get the idea. I don't. Confused by so many brands, and still trying to figure out priorities & farkles, essentials & niceties, form vs function.

All suggestions carefully considered!

With thanks!!!

Interesting. Me and a couple of friends will be heading to Ushuaia in November on three KLRs, '99, '01 and '07. That appear to be '08 up.

What we have done:

Progressive springs front increased fork oil level set sag
Doohickey with torsion spring
Magnetic low profile drain plug
IMS tank w/manual petcock
16T front sprocket
Relocated license plate
Throttlemiester throttle lock
Grabon Grips
Side plastic delete
AGM battery
KLX needle 140 main in carb
Advanced exhaust one tooth.
Pirelli Scorpion Trail tires
Scottoiler on front sprocket

You've actually bought this bike? Ridden it? I noticed you responded to at least a half dozen posts about bikes for sale. Hope you got a good one! bier Where are you NOW and where is the bike? Brazil? California? This is critical as most stuff you list is NOT available in Latin America.

If in California, then you could order stuff, hand carry it with you to where ever bike is. Even if you pay excess baggage it's EASIER than shipping stuff. Bring receipts for all items. You MAY have to pay duty. Be sure to emphasize to Aduana that items are for your own personal use, not for re-sale.

If both you and bike are not in USA then I'd say you can't do much to outfit that KLR. You'd be waiting around weeks for parts to arrive ... and then, items may get stuck in customs forever. Cost? doh

Miles on your "new" bike? Number one problem riders have are worn out chain and sprockets. I'd bring new everything along with TWO extra front sprockets. (will extend chain life by a lot) High Quality X ring chain a must, IMHO.

Tires and tubes:
Another big problem for riders. Colombia is good for tires/spares in general. You may even find various KLR's items there. Many KLR's end up there for sale, maybe you can make a deal with someone selling off a well farkled KLR?

I would simplify luggage. Soft bags, minimal racks. Maybe you can even get all your stuff into the rear tail bag shown in pics?

Things I would NOT worry about for now:
IMS tank (stock tank holds LOTS of fuel)
Center stand. Heavy. You don't need it. Use prop stand to lift wheels for tire changes.
Tall wind screen (no need, especially in HOT weather)
Hard boxes (panniers) Go with soft bags. Carry them with you, stow spare parts inside.
Crash bars (skip it)
Skid plate (stock plastic guard will work OK)
Seat (this would be nice, but too hard to carry ... a butt pad could work)
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Things I would do and parts I would bring down:
1. Jet kit (to cover variety of conditions, small, easy to carry)
2. Hand guards (AKA Bark Busters)
3. Battery Tender type SAE connector for accessories. (10 minute install)
4. Some sort of Butt pad
5. Front and rear brake pads.
6. set of spare levers

Ideally you would redo suspension front and rear. But with luck and light loading you will do OK with stock suspension if it's not totally clapped out. You could pack a new shock and stiffer fork springs ... but that's quite a load.

I would forgo heated grips (for now) and instead bring Silk glove liners and a set of Winter gloves for high Andean roads.

I would get onto the KLR forums and ask for help. KLR.net Get specifics. Make sure the guys understand where you're going and how hard it is to get certain things.

Forget about the Doohickey for now. It may have been done if a US based bike. Not many failures on new generation KLR's anyway, AKAIK. If you had the bike with you in the USA all this would be moot and you could take your time and do as much as you like or could afford. But with bike far away ... you have to Think Different.
:scooter: