Hey guys! The links in this vid take you back to the beginning of my channel in 2016. I plan on doing some more long-term reviews this year on some of my accessories but just wanted to let you know that everything has stood up really well and that's impressive for gear that I own. I tend to be a bit hard on stuff ;) Cheers!
I generally take mine off the road as soon as they start salting, but some guys stud the tires and ride all year if you live where it's legal to do that.
LOW PROFILE DRAIN PLUG AND ROCK GUARD! DO it...first hand tip for you on this one. Replacing that left side case half after it hits a rock is a show stopper......
Good video. In So.Cal. the Thermo Bob is #1, warms up faster, never over heats. I've got short legs and long torso, so bar extender not needed, but i took an electric knife to the seat cushion so I can stand flat footed. Skid plate and crash bars have already paid for themselves.
I just bought a leftover but brand new 2018 KLR 650 in digital camo. I wanted to do the correct mods to it and found this video to be the most helpful of any I've seen yet! Thanks for such great advice. Happy trails!
Best thing is the KLR works great just out of the box so you can upgrade as parts wear, or your budget allows. I did get crashbars and skidplate as those will help keep me going on the trail.
Yes, Too right! It really does work great from the factory. This list is really just a comfort and protection list that I thought would apply to most riders regardless of the actual uses of the bike. (commuter or off road ) A skid plate is a great idea for off-road use for sure. Thanks Cipher, Cheers man!
Valuable inforMason! One of the best things to “get” is a gym membership, the pigs are heavy off camber in hot sun! Also get some good riding skills, practice the basics, learn all you can and bring lots of water 💦
+Full Cipher yes they are! Funny you should mention that because I have just started a weight reduction program for the bike that involves me loosing about 20 lbs hahaha. Its the easiest way to make a bike lighter ;) Good call!
Thanks a bunch for this. Glad I made some of your same initial mods after I bought my used 2017 camo. I added Tusk crash bars, V-stream 18” windscreen, Roam phone mount, Tusk Pro hand guards, a tank bag and soft top case, and a JP 16T front sprocket. Still want new pegs, usb charger, side bags, low profile drain, skid plate, and a much bigger engine ha ha.
Haha, I know! The power is ok when your off road but like most riders, more is always wanted on the street 😄👍 Sounds like a nice build! Cheers Chris :)
I've never had bark busters but I believe that it keeps the hot air out as well as cold air. In massachusetts we get both extremes and even "cruising" down the highway at the "speed limit" you're cooking. The faster you go, the faster hot air gets blasted on you.
The first inadequacies I addressed on my 2011 KLR were brakes and suspension, in that order. The stock brakes are shockingly poor, the suspension likewise. I spent serious money upgrading everything and was rewarded with fantastic braking and adequate, acceptable handling, far better than stock.
Not risers, but a different bar (aluminum) Renthals or other, "KLR dash" YES!, crashbars Yes, real handlebar guards, seat-Sargeant... so much more comfy for long rides, better footpegs... IMS, Tusk etc...agree with him. Other items I did... doohicky, Thermobob, Cogent Dynamics suspension, rear top plate, rear side pannier bars, GPS mount, Fork stabilizer bar. Overall, I've added a crap-load of aftermarket upgrades... ridden it to over 13k feet on Colorado trails and in Moab four times. Love the bike! Won't do anything perfect, but a lot of things pretty good. Easy maintenance.
I just spoke for a 2018 KLR 650 today. Picking it up in a couple weeks. Very minty! Already has crash bars, hight windshield, and tank bag. I like you’re idea of the bar risers!! Also the better hand guards, and foot pegs. I noticed you have hand warmers and that will also be something i want.
i just bought a 2016 klr with every one of these items except the handlebar guards and the footpegs BUT i got free ammo cans on the sides, a badass box on the back, cruise control, a badass metal skidplate, and a couple more things. 6,000 miles total cost $4500. deals and steals baby.
Man ure the best. I take delivery of a 2018 yello next Friday. I know these bikes. I have footpegs on the way because to me that is #1. Anywho the other 4 are done. Great vid. Can’t wait
I don't think that I have ever done so much research on a bike so much in my life, in fact I know I haven't. Years ago I had one of Kawasaki's fastest bikes and now I'm researching one of Kawasaki's slowest bikes. It does not make any sense, all the stat's on the klr are absolutely suck And that is why it has taken me so long to make a decision. Thanks to videos like these Has really helped out a hell of allot Thanks so much
The five for my 23 Adventure were (in order of priority): flush-mount, magnetic oil drain plug, skid plate, side crash bars, Bark Busters, and Tusk footpegs. I’m going for BDR-ready, rather than highway comfort.
The next five are: handlebar pad, heated grips, windshield riser, maybe handlebar riser, and thermo-bob. The rest can go to riding gear, gas, and BDR funds.
My 2015 looks a lot like yours, all essential upgrades. I highly recommend the Magura hydraulic clutch, as item #6. it is a bit expensive but worth every penny. easy to install. just did 2500 miles of Baja road, dirt and sand, worked flawlessly. Also makes the bike feel more refined. like a GS!
Thanks for this video. buying a used 2012 piggy next week and this helped me in the direction i want to go for riding the TaT and BDRs and Copper Canyon in Mexico. thanks again. 🤪👍🛵🗯🗯
Yeah, totally agree Tom. I knew it was just a matter of time before I did some damage and I'm glad I spent the money. It won't stop all damage but it sure does help protect the bike. So far everything is in one piece :D Cheers!
Thanks for the vid. Im picking up a 2018 klr in the next few days. Ill be buying the crash bars first but coming from a seasoned klr rider such as yourself i feel these will all be critical purchases for my bike. 👍
Congratulations on your purchase :) mmmm new bike smell, lol! Yeah Crash bars first is a solid investment and then ride it! See how it feels and go from there. Make sure you re-torqe the exhaust header bolts and keep an eye on the rest of the bolts for the first while. Enjoy! Cheers :)
#6 - a Seat Concepts seat, your bum will thank you for it. I have the seat company owner's KLR 650 with a commuter seat that they make, its dreamy. Along with some kool pannier boxes that are about to hit the market. Stay tuned.
Heres one from old skool. Take a piece of 3/16 brass welding wire and bend an omega around a piece of 2 inch or so pipe. Bend the "ears" fairly tightly and in plane with each other. Trim to 3/4 inch and wire tie on bar cross brace over clamp bolts. Now drop morning coffee cup in it.
2007 KLR650 16,500miles $750 ...bought for urban use predominantly. Was sprayed black. Gear lever was bent in (& tiny) Folded gear lever nub over, drilled hole, $5 worth of bolt+10nuts & 4 lock washers. Wrapped in duct tape. W O R L D of difference! 41.6mpg @ ying/ying jackrabbit riding on street roads
+Will D. Your very welcome Will, It truely is a great group! Scratch has some fantastic content on his channel too and I always look forward to his vids and comments. Cheers man :)
Awesome review of your top 5 recommendations! Looks like I am well on my way-I've already added 4 of those (missing the hand guards)....checking out your hand guard mod video now!...there are just so many aftermarket options for most of these add-ons. Stay warm, riding season is creeping in.
+Ron C Nice Ron. Yeah it can take some time to build them up and the KLR has to have the most mod and accessory options of any bike ever produced! (Thats a guess but its got to be close) Happy shopping ang good luck! :)
Thanks for sharing your experiences Mason. I've had mine for 10 years now, and the first thing I would do is grease it all - there is usually very little grease from the factory. Pull the ALL the rear suspension, including swing arm pivot bolt, and the steering head, and wheels. The lack of grease cost me a set of steering head bearings, and I've heard some nasty stories about trying to get dry & seized rear suspensions apart. Ride On!
The first thing I would add would be a centerstand. The second thing I would add is a place to keep spare tubes, a 12V air compressor, tools to remove and reinstall the wheels and tires, tire mounting lube, whatever you would use to change a tire at home. I would put new 4mm thick tubes like the ones from Rocky Mountain in the tires when the bike was new. Practice changing tires at home with just what you plan to take with you. Because you WILL have flat tires, and 99% of the time there will be no stable way to hold the bike up when you remove a wheel. Before I got a centerstand, I bolted a milk crate to the rack on my Yamaha XT225, and put my stuff in it. When I had a flat, I removed the stuff, unbolted the crate. put it upside down on the ground and lifted the bike up on it. Might be difficult with a heavy KLR. I would not get anything else until you get the flat tire issue squared away.
Hey Gerald, Your comment got sent to spam. Sorry for the delay. Yes, I have built a prop that doubles as my centre stand and I don't have to worry about the stand catching on rocks or rattling and it works for front or rear. spare tubes, irons and tools are in the bags on my crash bars and the compressor is in the R80 luggage. Great advice on having that stuff and it has come in handy :) Cheers!
I have ridden a KLR (first generation), a DR650, and currently a Yamaha XT225, all with centerstands, and never had a problem. I've had maybe 20 flats during the past 10-12 years, and it is very reassuring to know you can remove the wheels without the bike from falling over. Before I got the centerstand for the XT225 (it was custom made by a guy on advrider.com, who no longer makes them) I carried my stuff in a milk crate bolted to a luggage rack. When I had a flat, I removed all my stuff from the milk crate, unbolted it, flipped it over, and lifted the bike up on it. Depending on the bike, you might be able to weld brackets to the frame/swing arm that you could bolt a support stand too.
for guys riding off dirt , instead of the low hanging aftermarket center stands some of the real adv guys put on, there is an adjustable side mount strut for the off side of the bike (forgot who makes it) but gawd what a life saver when you need to get the bike up off the ground (like a c stand) without the drastic loss of groundclearance. :) was my second mod after crash bars (which are NOT all created equal btw...check the coverage!!!.) Get ones that protect the side cases. A few cosmetic scratches are nothing compared to pushing a 450lb. rig back to the highway when you bust the engine side cases and lose all the oil....In the desert..it can kill you.
Good advice, I made my own prop from 2 pieces of threaded rod and they screw together to give me the length needed to prop up the front or rear of the bike in combination with the side stand. Works well. Cheers!
great vlog as always brother looking forward to more as soon as i get my taxes done and back ill start working on my vfr and putting up vids again looking forward to the next one stay safe
That rad is $700 if busted or squashed in a crash. My 5 must haves are Barkbusters, Pivot Pegz, led bulbs instead of halogen, taller dog bones, custom skid plate. Funny thing is the sw motech bars are only as much as the Pivot Pegz🙃...which are very very tough. So crash bars would be definitely next in line.
Great video. My top 5 are a bit different. 5. would be seat. 4. tall windscreen. 3. bars and skid plate. 2. high-output stater. 1. air horn. Yes an air horn. Will never own a bike without one.
I think I'll go back to the KLR650. I have a Versys1k right now. I'd rather be off road. My list? 1. Center stand 2. Crash Bars 3. Bark Busters 4. Skid plate 5. Pannier rack with medium panniers Bonus: KLR Dash upper and lower
Nice list. We ride quite a bit where panniers are a safety risk so we use soft panniers no racks but Old Mason uses a pannier system on his and prefers it for commuting. The center stand can get rattley on the rough stuff so I don't use it either but I can see how it would be handy as heck ;) It's great to see the different builds, thanks for sharing and welcome back ;)
This is just me but The number 1 most important item on a BRAND NEW KLR650 should be a thermo-bob!,, Why? so the bike runs at correct temps and the rings break in correctly and then later down the road your bike don't burn oil,, the number 2 most important for me would be the doo-hickey, lastly number 3 would be switching the petcock to a manual.... after these very important mechanical upgrades then I would start down the list of other goodies mentioned in the video!
Hey Chris, That would be a very good place to start for sure! I have done all of the mods you mentioned but in a different order and From my experience, without the skid plate and crash bars, burning oil would be the least of my worries, It would have been pouring out on the trail, haha. I have 24000 kms on my KLR now and installed the thermo-bob at 15000. Great piece of equipment and the temp sit perfectly steady on trails, in traffic and on the highway and I don't burn any oil at all. I did the doo at 12000 and the spring was ready for replacement but still had tension and the manual petcock went on within the first couple of months. I think a first 5 mechanical mods list might be a good idea? Separate from the bolt-on's, what do you think? Cheers :)
Nice vid sir, 👏good points and enjoyed ready the comments and getting everyone's opinion's, thanks for answering so many of their questions and thoughts because it really helped me out too. 🤔 Gonna look at some hydraulic clutch levers, suspension stuff and a few other things I read about, mostly who has the thickest crash bars considering how I ride😂😂😂 Tx4V 👍
Now that's a great video to watch, Nicely done man.....thanks for sharing. Probably my next bike. Will keep my Z900RS just because and get this one too. LOL
I wish I had spent the extra money and gone with the Rox risers. I bought the Eagle Mike, which do the job but I had to compromise on position because of only one point of adjustment. I'm also thinking about footpeg lowering brackets for a little lower center of gravity when I'm standing. Great idea and info for a video! Cheers Mason!
I have the Rox risers and the stock hand guards will contact the Madstad windscreen if you adjust them to where I felt they were most comfy. However, I noticed that with some slight tweaking, the contact is slight where the bars reach maximum turn. I don't think there will be an issue....most likely take the Madstad off if trail riding anyway.
+Scratch Babble It sure can be hard to choose sometimes when there are so many options! The Rox risers do give an amazing range of positions. I've heard good things about the lowering brackets but haven't had the chance to sit on a bike with them yet. I did find the peg position left me a bit "toe'd in" so I made some 3/8" spacers out of plate steel and built them out. Works great for me. Cheers Scratch!
I know that the fork stabizer work well while riding with a full load . Does it improve cornering and off Rd stability when riding without a load Thanks
Riser's a must - a pipe - foot pegs - therma bob - new winshield get rid of that ugly front fender I could keep gin so really about 10 things you should get
If not set up right, the Rox risers can tug too much at your throttle cable(s) and at full turn actually pull your carb out of the boot, causing it to stall. Ask two of us how we know....
Mason, I thoroughly enjoy your channel and your insight and information. As it is winter now, things are being acquired for the upcoming riding season. Could you please do a review (or link if you've already done it) to your riding gear? I've been on the same gear for a couple of years now and, while still mostly good, zippers are failing etc... Thanks!!
Thank you:) Glad you're enjoying the content! I haven't done a full gear review yet but all my gear is listed in the description of each vid. Here is one that's close to a review ;) Link: czcams.com/video/NAXo4_tLqOo/video.html I will say that I'm very happy with the Oxford gear but I now switch out in the heat of the summer to a mesh fieldsheere jacket. Above 28 degrees the Oxford is way too warm. My boots are amazing They are the Alpinestars Toucan Goretex and worth every penny. No wet feet anymore:) Link: czcams.com/video/HULGkJzScKA/video.html Hope that helps. There are so many options out there it makes it tough. Good luck!
Hi Edmond. That's hard for me to do without doing more research but so far I like the design of the Happy Trails bars for the 22. I'm sure this year will see an explosion of farkles for the 22 model ;)
Hi How do you find the weight of these ? , also are they under powered when you actually ride them , irrespective of the spec sheet , they are a great price , I just bought a 22 adv 5000km at great price , mainly to do some trails on shingle roads though mountainous areas , see how I like it, and see parts of the country you normally wouldn't go , In the south island of NZ . Cheers
+Twistygrip yeah... That old chestnut :) It's such a strange thing to have happen to a model year in the middle of 3 decades of non oil burners lol. That does suck, twisty. Cheers man!
And it's still a great bike after all that time :) Just back from 2500 km of highway and trail in Northern Ontario and I was happy to be on the KLR ;) Cheers!
That's an interesting list. Given your #1 and #2, I'm curious as to how tall you are and what your inseam is (to get an idea as to where you are, relative to the controls and windshield)? I've looked through the comments below and not seen that information. Thanks!
Hey Peter, 5' 11" with a 32" inseam. The risers make the bike comfortable when I'm standing on the pegs for long durations and are also comfy sitting and the klr dash tips the screen ahead so the bars can clear it. I have the stock windscreen on the dash riser. Rotating the bars ahead is something I have done on all my dirtbikes over the years and I find it gives great front-end feedback while moving the bars away from my body when standing. Hope that helps. Cheers!
Hey Mason, great job of sharing knowledge & passion, truly honoring the KLR! Well, I hesitated between KLR & DR and finally got a DR, mostly because I was able to try one... Among the things I could regret is a decent headlight. I am tempted to graft the KLR modern double lens combo headlight... May I ask you : what about its efficiency? A powerful set of modern LED lights does the job for about all ADV riders, but just for the sake of it, and compared to the old style lamp of the DR (glass lens in charge of deflecting such a dim light), or to the average single-bulbed headlight equipment on most dual sports, how does the KLR headlight perform? I can't find any comment on it... I can see on pictures/youtube that only the high beam gets the 2 bulbs on. Is one of the back/side internal deflector specific to high beam and thus can't be used as second low beam? I am used to both bulbs functioning on low & high beam on my DL650, almost as efficient as a car, enough that it doesn't require any additional LED set for my riding. I am ready for adding some of the KLR genes in my DR for the fun of such project, just have to find if it's worth it. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Ralph, NY.
Hey there Ralph, That sounds like a fun project for sure :) Ofc you are talking to a guy that turned a ZX1200R into a street fighter because he was bored lmao! I can't comment on a comparison between the DR and KLR lights but I can say that the KLR lights are quite good even with the stock bulbs. I think your right about the reflectors being specific to high/low beam but I have heard that switching to led bulbs does make quite a difference in brightness. Good luck with the project! Cheers :)
Hey Mason awesome video of the top 5 things to buy for the KLR I have been thinking of a KLR for the longer trips ( like the dalton highway in Alaska )the WR250r is fun ,but limited great suggestions on what to buy first,,I was thinking of making a video about what to but for the WR250r ride safe my motorcycle brother from another mother ,,,LIKED ( thumbs up )we need to get you more subscribers bro
Thanks, man :) I think you would really enjoy a KLR up there! Just perfect for the Dalton and cruising the back roads and logging roads. I think a similar video for the WR250r is a great idea. We all start somewhere and vids like these really help out IMO. Cheers A.D.S! Thanks for the like :)
Hey guys! The links in this vid take you back to the beginning of my channel in 2016. I plan on doing some more long-term reviews this year on some of my accessories but just wanted to let you know that everything has stood up really well and that's impressive for gear that I own. I tend to be a bit hard on stuff ;) Cheers!
I generally take mine off the road as soon as they start salting, but some guys stud the tires and ride all year if you live where it's legal to do that.
Great video. Thanks for sharing
As a fellow Ontarian who owns a KLR, I REALLY appreciate your channel. Thanks a lot man
LOW PROFILE DRAIN PLUG AND ROCK GUARD! DO it...first hand tip for you on this one. Replacing that left side case half after it hits a rock is a show stopper......
Yes, If your off-road at all that is a must do mod for sure and something I have done to my KLR. Thanks for chiming in :) Cheers!
Good video. In So.Cal. the Thermo Bob is #1, warms up faster, never over heats.
I've got short legs and long torso, so bar extender not needed, but i took an electric knife to the seat cushion so I can stand flat footed. Skid plate and crash bars have already paid for themselves.
Yeah, up here the thermo bob is a good idea too. Especially this year! Cheers Randy.
I just bought a leftover but brand new 2018 KLR 650 in digital camo. I wanted to do the correct mods to it and found this video to be the most helpful of any I've seen yet! Thanks for such great advice. Happy trails!
Thanks Bill! Glad it was helpful. Enjoy your new ride :)
Best thing is the KLR works great just out of the box so you can upgrade as parts wear, or your budget allows.
I did get crashbars and skidplate as those will help keep me going on the trail.
Yes, Too right! It really does work great from the factory. This list is really just a comfort and protection list that I thought would apply to most riders regardless of the actual uses of the bike. (commuter or off road ) A skid plate is a great idea for off-road use for sure.
Thanks Cipher, Cheers man!
FULLCIPHER ... proper suspension setup is Very important for On/off road riding...
Valuable inforMason!
One of the best things to “get” is a gym membership, the pigs are heavy off camber in hot sun!
Also get some good riding skills, practice the basics, learn all you can and bring lots of water 💦
+Full Cipher yes they are! Funny you should mention that because I have just started a weight reduction program for the bike that involves me loosing about 20 lbs hahaha. Its the easiest way to make a bike lighter ;) Good call!
Thanks a bunch for this. Glad I made some of your same initial mods after I bought my used 2017 camo. I added Tusk crash bars, V-stream 18” windscreen, Roam phone mount, Tusk Pro hand guards, a tank bag and soft top case, and a JP 16T front sprocket. Still want new pegs, usb charger, side bags, low profile drain, skid plate, and a much bigger engine ha ha.
Haha, I know! The power is ok when your off road but like most riders, more is always wanted on the street 😄👍 Sounds like a nice build! Cheers Chris :)
I've never had bark busters but I believe that it keeps the hot air out as well as cold air. In massachusetts we get both extremes and even "cruising" down the highway at the "speed limit" you're cooking. The faster you go, the faster hot air gets blasted on you.
Exactly Rick. The bark busters can really help with both extremes. Cheers!
The first inadequacies I addressed on my 2011 KLR were brakes and suspension, in that order. The stock brakes are shockingly poor, the suspension likewise. I spent serious money upgrading everything and was rewarded with fantastic braking and adequate, acceptable handling, far better than stock.
The first thing I did to my KLR was replace the foot pegs with steel pegs like you showed in your video.
Not risers, but a different bar (aluminum) Renthals or other, "KLR dash" YES!, crashbars Yes, real handlebar guards, seat-Sargeant... so much more comfy for long rides, better footpegs... IMS, Tusk etc...agree with him. Other items I did... doohicky, Thermobob, Cogent Dynamics suspension, rear top plate, rear side pannier bars, GPS mount, Fork stabilizer bar. Overall, I've added a crap-load of aftermarket upgrades... ridden it to over 13k feet on Colorado trails and in Moab four times. Love the bike! Won't do anything perfect, but a lot of things pretty good. Easy maintenance.
Totally agree, Good at everything :) My mod list is severe too, very similar to yours but no Cogent yet :( That's on the long list! Cheers!
I just spoke for a 2018 KLR 650 today. Picking it up in a couple weeks. Very minty! Already has crash bars, hight windshield, and tank bag. I like you’re idea of the bar risers!! Also the better hand guards, and foot pegs. I noticed you have hand warmers and that will also be something i want.
Awesome! Congrats on the new ride :)
i just bought a 2016 klr with every one of these items except the handlebar guards and the footpegs BUT i got free ammo cans on the sides, a badass box on the back, cruise control, a badass metal skidplate, and a couple more things. 6,000 miles total cost $4500. deals and steals baby.
Nice! There are some great deals out there and that sounds like a nice build. Sounds like your ready to roll :)
Man ure the best. I take delivery of a 2018 yello next Friday. I know these bikes. I have footpegs on the way because to me that is #1. Anywho the other 4 are done. Great vid. Can’t wait
I don't think that I have ever done so much research on a bike so much in my life, in fact I know I haven't.
Years ago I had one of Kawasaki's fastest bikes and now I'm researching one of Kawasaki's slowest bikes. It does not make any sense, all the stat's on the klr are absolutely suck
And that is why it has taken me so long to make a decision.
Thanks to videos like these
Has really helped out a hell of allot Thanks so much
Hey Thomas, I made the same move from one of the fastest to the slowest and I havent regretted it for one minute :) Best move yet 👍
Cheers.
The five for my 23 Adventure were (in order of priority): flush-mount, magnetic oil drain plug, skid plate, side crash bars, Bark Busters, and Tusk footpegs. I’m going for BDR-ready, rather than highway comfort.
The next five are: handlebar pad, heated grips, windshield riser, maybe handlebar riser, and thermo-bob. The rest can go to riding gear, gas, and BDR funds.
Thanks, I just bought a 2022 KLR 650 adventure yesterday, great video!
Awesome! Enjoy :)
Very nice choice with the Gypsy jazz for music!
My 2015 looks a lot like yours, all essential upgrades. I highly recommend the Magura hydraulic clutch, as item #6. it is a bit expensive but worth every penny. easy to install. just did 2500 miles of Baja road, dirt and sand, worked flawlessly. Also makes the bike feel more refined. like a GS!
Hmm, Thanks, I'll look into that. Was there something you didn't like about the cable clutch?
Ian Rush we are trying out the Magura, Rekluse and hunting for an AT DCT
Thanks for this video. buying a used 2012 piggy next week and this helped me in the direction i want to go for riding the TaT and BDRs and Copper Canyon in Mexico.
thanks again. 🤪👍🛵🗯🗯
Hey! There ya go. Glad you found it useful :) Cheers and welcome to the club !!
I did the crash bars first but only after I broke some plastic so definitely buy armor
Yeah, totally agree Tom. I knew it was just a matter of time before I did some damage and I'm glad I spent the money. It won't stop all damage but it sure does help protect the bike. So far everything is in one piece :D Cheers!
Thanks for the vid. Im picking up a 2018 klr in the next few days. Ill be buying the crash bars first but coming from a seasoned klr rider such as yourself i feel these will all be critical purchases for my bike. 👍
Congratulations on your purchase :) mmmm new bike smell, lol! Yeah Crash bars first is a solid investment and then ride it! See how it feels and go from there. Make sure you re-torqe the exhaust header bolts and keep an eye on the rest of the bolts for the first while. Enjoy! Cheers :)
#6 - a Seat Concepts seat, your bum will thank you for it. I have the seat company owner's KLR 650 with a commuter seat that they make, its dreamy. Along with some kool pannier boxes that are about to hit the market. Stay tuned.
Heres one from old skool. Take a piece of 3/16 brass welding wire and bend an omega around a piece of 2 inch or so pipe. Bend the "ears" fairly tightly and in plane with each other. Trim to 3/4 inch and wire tie on bar cross brace over clamp bolts. Now drop morning coffee cup in it.
Now that's a great mod!
Bought a newish KLR today and luckily it has all these mods and then some, great vids man!
Sweet! sounds like a good score. Cheers!
Wish I’d got my crash bars sooner, my klr has zip tie stitches!
But the zip ties look so cool!! :D Yeah, the crash bars do help.
I like the video I just traded for a Klr I like it I like the ideas your video gave me for it
Thanks! Glad to help :)
Great list, we are picking our bikes today and looking forward to mods
Congrats! Yeah, the modding is fun ;)
2007 KLR650 16,500miles $750
...bought for urban use predominantly.
Was sprayed black.
Gear lever was bent in (& tiny)
Folded gear lever nub over, drilled hole, $5 worth of bolt+10nuts & 4 lock washers.
Wrapped in duct tape.
W O R L D of difference!
41.6mpg @ ying/ying jackrabbit riding on street roads
Sounds like my kind of fix :D Cheers, Mr Dave!
you couldn’t be more accurate in this vid ✌🏼
Cheers :)
Thanks for the info, really helps us new guys! I appreciate Scratch Babble`s comment also. Love the KLR community !
+Will D. Your very welcome Will, It truely is a great group! Scratch has some fantastic content on his channel too and I always look forward to his vids and comments. Cheers man :)
Great vid, but I just want to know what's hiding under that hatch on the floor.... and mod number 6 MUST be those bmw style klr stickers! :D
Very Nice additions... Ty for sharing.
Thanks for watching! Cheers Marty :)
barkbusters would be on my list
sorry l didn't see them
Yeah they are a great addition Greg
Awesome review of your top 5 recommendations! Looks like I am well on my way-I've already added 4 of those (missing the hand guards)....checking out your hand guard mod video now!...there are just so many aftermarket options for most of these add-ons. Stay warm, riding season is creeping in.
Mason has Zeta,Fire has Barkbustes on his KLR and I have Acerbis which I have yet to install but yes there are many to choose from!
+Ron C Nice Ron. Yeah it can take some time to build them up and the KLR has to have the most mod and accessory options of any bike ever produced! (Thats a guess but its got to be close) Happy shopping ang good luck! :)
It comes with rubber pegs? Crazy. I hope that’s as neat as your shop gets.
Yes it does, Crazy eh?? Cheers :)
Thanks for sharing your experiences Mason.
I've had mine for 10 years now, and the first thing I would do is grease it all - there is usually very little grease from the factory. Pull the ALL the rear suspension, including swing arm pivot bolt, and the steering head, and wheels. The lack of grease cost me a set of steering head bearings, and I've heard some nasty stories about trying to get dry & seized rear suspensions apart.
Ride On!
Yes, agreed! I was thinking of doing a top 5 maintenance points vid. That would be #2, oil changes being #1 :)
Cheers!
Good video. I’m on the fence on a KLR 650. Also looking at a vstrom. Your tips were very helpful. I subbed.
The first thing I would add would be a centerstand. The second thing I would add is a place to keep spare tubes, a 12V air compressor, tools to remove and reinstall the wheels and tires, tire mounting lube, whatever you would use to change a tire at home. I would put new 4mm thick tubes like the ones from Rocky Mountain in the tires when the bike was new. Practice changing tires at home with just what you plan to take with you. Because you WILL have flat tires, and 99% of the time there will be no stable way to hold the bike up when you remove a wheel. Before I got a centerstand, I bolted a milk crate to the rack on my Yamaha XT225, and put my stuff in it. When I had a flat, I removed the stuff, unbolted the crate. put it upside down on the ground and lifted the bike up on it. Might be difficult with a heavy KLR. I would not get anything else until you get the flat tire issue squared away.
Hey Gerald, Your comment got sent to spam. Sorry for the delay. Yes, I have built a prop that doubles as my centre stand and I don't have to worry about the stand catching on rocks or rattling and it works for front or rear. spare tubes, irons and tools are in the bags on my crash bars and the compressor is in the R80 luggage. Great advice on having that stuff and it has come in handy :) Cheers!
I have ridden a KLR (first generation), a DR650, and currently a Yamaha XT225, all with centerstands, and never had a problem. I've had maybe 20 flats during the past 10-12 years, and it is very reassuring to know you can remove the wheels without the bike from falling over. Before I got the centerstand for the XT225 (it was custom made by a guy on advrider.com, who no longer makes them) I carried my stuff in a milk crate bolted to a luggage rack. When I had a flat, I removed all my stuff from the milk crate, unbolted it, flipped it over, and lifted the bike up on it. Depending on the bike, you might be able to weld brackets to the frame/swing arm that you could bolt a support stand too.
for guys riding off dirt , instead of the low hanging aftermarket center stands some of the real adv guys put on, there is an adjustable side mount strut for the off side of the bike (forgot who makes it) but gawd what a life saver when you need to get the bike up off the ground (like a c stand) without the drastic loss of groundclearance. :) was my second mod after crash bars (which are NOT all created equal btw...check the coverage!!!.) Get ones that protect the side cases. A few cosmetic scratches are nothing compared to pushing a 450lb. rig back to the highway when you bust the engine side cases and lose all the oil....In the desert..it can kill you.
Good advice, I made my own prop from 2 pieces of threaded rod and they screw together to give me the length needed to prop up the front or rear of the bike in combination with the side stand. Works well. Cheers!
I wish this video was out 1 year earlier. Good stuff.
+Peeohtrek Thanks. sorry I'm a bit late 🤣 Cheers!
great vlog as always brother looking forward to more as soon as i get my taxes done and back ill start working on my vfr and putting up vids again looking forward to the next one stay safe
Thanks! This one was fun :) Awesome man, can't have too many vids!! looking forward to it. Cheers.
Best looking KLR I’ve seen!!
Thank you very much! Cheers :)
Bark Busters did save your day.
If only I’d found this video first. New gen 3 adventure almost made it 24 hours before my son dropped it and broke the engine cover plastic.
It can happen quick, Scott.
up great front single break disk wheel to double brake disk wheel
That rad is $700 if busted or squashed in a crash. My 5 must haves are Barkbusters, Pivot Pegz, led bulbs instead of halogen, taller dog bones, custom skid plate. Funny thing is the sw motech bars are only as much as the Pivot Pegz🙃...which are very very tough. So crash bars would be definitely next in line.
I haven't had the chance to try the pivot pegs. Having a swivel under my feet sounds wrong but I really need to try a set! Cheers!
@@masonsadv 😆 the swivel just feels natural in terrain just shy of hard enduro and standing. They have a large surface and are tough.
Great video. My top 5 are a bit different. 5. would be seat. 4. tall windscreen. 3. bars and skid plate. 2. high-output stater. 1. air horn. Yes an air horn. Will never own a bike without one.
it's cool to see the different top 5's :) Old Mason has the Stebel air horn and it works! haha. Cheers
1) skid plate, 2) handguards, 3) watt man, 4) re-jet, 5) exhaust, 6) 12v power up front for accessories
Yeah, That's a solid 5 too :) Cheers!
@@masonsadv I just watched the second video. Got everything accept the ThermoBob. Thanks for the videos.
very good information, very explicit. thanks.
Your welcome! Glad to help :)
Great suggestions!!! I have a few of these done to my Klr.
Sweet
Excellent video! well done with great tips!
+4Borings thanks for watching! Cheers:)
I think I'll go back to the KLR650. I have a Versys1k right now. I'd rather be off road.
My list?
1. Center stand
2. Crash Bars
3. Bark Busters
4. Skid plate
5. Pannier rack with medium panniers
Bonus: KLR Dash upper and lower
Nice list. We ride quite a bit where panniers are a safety risk so we use soft panniers no racks but Old Mason uses a pannier system on his and prefers it for commuting. The center stand can get rattley on the rough stuff so I don't use it either but I can see how it would be handy as heck ;) It's great to see the different builds, thanks for sharing and welcome back ;)
Lol, forgot lowering links for my short ass.
This is just me but The number 1 most important item on a BRAND NEW KLR650 should be a thermo-bob!,, Why? so the bike runs at correct temps and the rings break in correctly and then later down the road your bike don't burn oil,, the number 2 most important for me would be the doo-hickey, lastly number 3 would be switching the petcock to a manual.... after these very important mechanical upgrades then I would start down the list of other goodies mentioned in the video!
Hey Chris, That would be a very good place to start for sure! I have done all of the mods you mentioned but in a different order and From my experience, without the skid plate and crash bars, burning oil would be the least of my worries, It would have been pouring out on the trail, haha. I have 24000 kms on my KLR now and installed the thermo-bob at 15000. Great piece of equipment and the temp sit perfectly steady on trails, in traffic and on the highway and I don't burn any oil at all. I did the doo at 12000 and the spring was ready for replacement but still had tension and the manual petcock went on within the first couple of months. I think a first 5 mechanical mods list might be a good idea? Separate from the bolt-on's, what do you think? Cheers :)
Thanks for the recommendations!
Your welcome! Cheers :)
Nice vid sir, 👏good points and enjoyed ready the comments and getting everyone's opinion's, thanks for answering so many of their questions and thoughts because it really helped me out too. 🤔 Gonna look at some hydraulic clutch levers, suspension stuff and a few other things I read about, mostly who has the thickest crash bars considering how I ride😂😂😂 Tx4V 👍
Haha, I think we all ride like that 😂 I have the Warp9 levers and love them btw. Cheers and ride safe!
Now that's a great video to watch, Nicely done man.....thanks for sharing. Probably my next bike. Will keep my Z900RS just because and get this one too. LOL
Thank you! They are a great all-around machine :)
Very helpful video!
Glad it was helpful! Cheers Don :)
I bought the giant loop 68L Great Basin saddle bag. Unsure how to strap and mount it properly
Fine video, very well done.
Thanks David :)
all viable things for older KLRs also. I just wish I had the money for good crash bars on my 93 last year (before I highsided, haha)
Oh man, yep, thats the way it happens for sure :( hope your alright. Cheers!
I wish I had spent the extra money and gone with the Rox risers. I bought the Eagle Mike, which do the job but I had to compromise on position because of only one point of adjustment. I'm also thinking about footpeg lowering brackets for a little lower center of gravity when I'm standing. Great idea and info for a video! Cheers Mason!
Mason didn’t mention it but I believe he has 1/4 inch spacer plates in behind the foot peg mounts to widen his stance which helps immensely.
Melon1 I never would have thought of that. Thanks M1!
I have the Rox risers and the stock hand guards will contact the Madstad windscreen if you adjust them to where I felt they were most comfy. However, I noticed that with some slight tweaking, the contact is slight where the bars reach maximum turn. I don't think there will be an issue....most likely take the Madstad off if trail riding anyway.
+Scratch Babble It sure can be hard to choose sometimes when there are so many options! The Rox risers do give an amazing range of positions. I've heard good things about the lowering brackets but haven't had the chance to sit on a bike with them yet. I did find the peg position left me a bit "toe'd in" so I made some 3/8" spacers out of plate steel and built them out. Works great for me. Cheers Scratch!
Ron C That's good to know Ron thanks! I'll absolutely swap windshields out going off road. Only takes a minute and so worth it.
Gotta add fork stabilizers, feeling the difference immediately. Thanks
Thanks for the info!
I know that the fork stabizer work well while riding with a full load .
Does it improve cornering and off Rd stability when riding without a load
Thanks
Riser's a must - a pipe - foot pegs - therma bob - new winshield get rid of that ugly front fender I could keep gin so really about 10 things you should get
Oh, I know the feeling!! haha, it should have been a top 100 :) Cheers!
If not set up right, the Rox risers can tug too much at your throttle cable(s) and at full turn actually pull your carb out of the boot, causing it to stall. Ask two of us how we know....
Yeah some rerouting is necessary but it's easily done with the existing cables. Cheers JP
We need new videos of the new bike come on mason I now you got it in you
You get a thumbs up from me...i luv my KLR
Cheers Paul! I love mine too!
I need to buy a KLR... :-) nice thanks!
+Chris Enduro ADV 🤣 I'll have to ship one over for you! Cheers Chris.
Masons ADV EU restrictions will prevent me to make it street legal, but maybe one time we could ride a Kawasaki together... ;-)
Yeah, we can find one for you around here somewhere :D
another great video, keep it going.
Great ideas!
Cheers Max!
Great list!
Thank you 1,0,..9 :) Cheers man!
Mason, I thoroughly enjoy your channel and your insight and information.
As it is winter now, things are being acquired for the upcoming riding season. Could you please do a review (or link if you've already done it) to your riding gear? I've been on the same gear for a couple of years now and, while still mostly good, zippers are failing etc...
Thanks!!
Thank you:) Glad you're enjoying the content! I haven't done a full gear review yet but all my gear is listed in the description of each vid. Here is one that's close to a review ;)
Link: czcams.com/video/NAXo4_tLqOo/video.html
I will say that I'm very happy with the Oxford gear but I now switch out in the heat of the summer to a mesh fieldsheere jacket. Above 28 degrees the Oxford is way too warm.
My boots are amazing They are the Alpinestars Toucan Goretex and worth every penny. No wet feet anymore:)
Link: czcams.com/video/HULGkJzScKA/video.html
Hope that helps. There are so many options out there it makes it tough. Good luck!
Loose the stock exhaust. Made a major difference on performance and usually shaves 7-10 lbs off of the unit. Definitely upgrade the foot pegs.
Mason great job on the video. Very informative. Can I ask you to recommend one or two crash bars for the 2022 KLR 650? Thank you kindly.
Hi Edmond. That's hard for me to do without doing more research but so far I like the design of the Happy Trails bars for the 22. I'm sure this year will see an explosion of farkles for the 22 model ;)
Thank you Mason. Will look into that.
Great video, thanks! What bark busters guards did you find that fit well??
I run the Zeta bars with an aftermarket standoff. The standoffs make all the difference.
Hi How do you find the weight of these ? , also are they under powered when you actually ride them , irrespective of the spec sheet , they are a great price , I just bought a 22 adv 5000km at great price , mainly to do some trails on shingle roads though mountainous areas , see how I like it, and see parts of the country you normally wouldn't go , In the south island of NZ . Cheers
What a handsome motorcycle. I'd love one, but no way in Europe or Southeast Asia which is where I live my life.
I think they're nice looking too, Cheers 1990!
In the case of my 2008, most of my "mod" money went to engine oil LOL. She had a bad oil burning habit ;)))
Rotella!!!!
+Twistygrip yeah... That old chestnut :) It's such a strange thing to have happen to a model year in the middle of 3 decades of non oil burners lol. That does suck, twisty. Cheers man!
+Melon1 haha or lack of!
cvmiata From what I've read, it's an issue with piston rings. Can be corrected if you rebuild the top end, or go with a big bore kit.....$$$$
Mine did that, but as a bonus, you can fix it with a light-weight oversized piston for fewer vibes & more power.
3:30 Is that a klr650GS? Lol.
haha. Sure does get my BMW buddies going lol.
I remember the late, great Billmaa (one of the early motovloggers) had one of those on his KLR.
Great video. Can you do a vid on that tool tube in the back. Thanks.
Here is the one I did after the install. czcams.com/video/FB7hH_DNHDc/video.html Hope that helps. Cheers
you forgot about a for sale sign!!! Hahahaha just joking started following you guys Love the content
Haha, not yet, lol. Lots of eye candy out there now though 😄👍
Looks absolut cool...to bad the model dont sell in Norway...have done the same mods to my dl650...
Nice video
+Toby 750 thanks! Good mods for any model maybe;) Cheers.
Masons ADV and ot looks good too...crashbars saves my very expensive plastick and the skidplate protect the very exposed engien on the vstrom...
+Toby 750 absolutely!
why is the what appears to be a BMW emblem on the side of the front fairing ?????
Did you just say, "aboot"? Sounds Canadian to me, yes?
yes :D haha, Cheers!
hey, you should have affiliate links!
Hi Masons - nice vid. What brand are those hand guards?
Zeta. link here www.amazon.com/shop/masonsadv
what headlight LED bulb do you recommend ?
Useful vid dude - cheers:)
Awesome. Glad to help :) Cheers.
Awesome👍👍
Thank you! Cheers!
Wow, spending all that money to upgrade a 30 year old dinosaur. What a laugh!! I'm glad you mentioned the doohickey at the end.
And it's still a great bike after all that time :) Just back from 2500 km of highway and trail in Northern Ontario and I was happy to be on the KLR ;) Cheers!
Which handguards are those?can you keep the bar end weights??just curious
That's an interesting list. Given your #1 and #2, I'm curious as to how tall you are and what your inseam is (to get an idea as to where you are, relative to the controls and windshield)? I've looked through the comments below and not seen that information. Thanks!
Hey Peter, 5' 11" with a 32" inseam. The risers make the bike comfortable when I'm standing on the pegs for long durations and are also comfy sitting and the klr dash tips the screen ahead so the bars can clear it. I have the stock windscreen on the dash riser. Rotating the bars ahead is something I have done on all my dirtbikes over the years and I find it gives great front-end feedback while moving the bars away from my body when standing. Hope that helps. Cheers!
What kind of jack are you using in the video?
Great video bro. This one earned a sub from me
Awesome! Glad to have you along for the ride :)
Are your front shocks bent rearward or that just camera Angle nice upgrades😁😁😁😁😁
Yeah, a combo of camera angle and the shock boots. 😆
Hey Mason, great job of sharing knowledge & passion, truly honoring the KLR!
Well, I hesitated between KLR & DR and finally got a DR, mostly because I was able to try one... Among the things I could regret is a decent headlight. I am tempted to graft the KLR modern double lens combo headlight...
May I ask you : what about its efficiency? A powerful set of modern LED lights does the job for about all ADV riders, but just for the sake of it, and compared to the old style lamp of the DR (glass lens in charge of deflecting such a dim light), or to the average single-bulbed headlight equipment on most dual sports, how does the KLR headlight perform? I can't find any comment on it...
I can see on pictures/youtube that only the high beam gets the 2 bulbs on. Is one of the back/side internal deflector specific to high beam and thus can't be used as second low beam? I am used to both bulbs functioning on low & high beam on my DL650, almost as efficient as a car, enough that it doesn't require any additional LED set for my riding.
I am ready for adding some of the KLR genes in my DR for the fun of such project, just have to find if it's worth it.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Ralph, NY.
Hey there Ralph, That sounds like a fun project for sure :) Ofc you are talking to a guy that turned a ZX1200R into a street fighter because he was bored lmao! I can't comment on a comparison between the DR and KLR lights but I can say that the KLR lights are quite good even with the stock bulbs. I think your right about the reflectors being specific to high/low beam but I have heard that switching to led bulbs does make quite a difference in brightness. Good luck with the project! Cheers :)
A low profile oil drain plug , should have been with a steel skid plate. Besides that great vid?
Cheers :)
Hey Mason
awesome video of the top 5 things to buy for the KLR
I have been thinking of a KLR for the longer trips ( like the dalton highway in Alaska )the WR250r is fun ,but limited
great suggestions on what to buy first,,I was thinking of making a video about what to but for the WR250r
ride safe my motorcycle brother from another mother ,,,LIKED ( thumbs up )we need to get you more subscribers bro
Thanks, man :) I think you would really enjoy a KLR up there! Just perfect for the Dalton and cruising the back roads and logging roads. I think a similar video for the WR250r is a great idea. We all start somewhere and vids like these really help out IMO.
Cheers A.D.S! Thanks for the like :)
I agrees Alaskan DS, Mason is great at what he does and loves to provide the subs with quality content!