2008 KLR650 Tech Forums

[Hondo]

I created dedicated Tech Forums for the 2008 KLR650 due to the differences with the older version.

These new forums include-

Suspension
Brakes
Electrical & Ignition
Fairing & Instruments

Engine, Body, Fuel, Exhaust, Cooling, Handlebars & Controls, Tires, Wheels, Drivetrain & Frame threads should be placed in the existing KLR650 Tech Forums as little has changed.

You can add "2008" to the beginning of general tech thread titles (like in the Engine Forum) to identify it as such.

[Hondo]

We've seemn the oil issue on the 2008 KLR650s, but not on all of the bikes.

The reason for no dedicated 2008 Engine forum is because the engine is basically unchanged from the previous years.

[JV]

If they only want to you to ride it 300 miles I suppose that would indicate excessive to them if there was a significant drop.

So.... put the hammer down and ride the bejezus out of it.

Then let them see if it is excessive. Don't baby it around for the test.

If it was mine and had a concern on the oil issue I'd do it like that.

[SLO-KLR]

If they only want to you to ride it 300 miles I suppose that would indicate excessive to them if there was a significant drop.

So.... put the hammer down and ride the bejezus out of it.

Then let them see if it is excessive. Don't baby it around for the test.

If it was mine and had a concern on the oil issue I'd do it like that.

+1 

[PonchoV]

Sounds like same scenario as my buddy, Jack, had to endure.
He returned the bike the same day, after the oil/filter change [to the dealers surprised].
The motor drank nearly a qt.  He now has new rings/ piston/ jug.  It is still using oil but not nearly as it was.
Keep us informed as to the out come.

[in2dabluz]

INQUIS,
  I was told by RickE about a PCV mod and since doing it, I do not have an issue with oil gulping....
 I broke in my 08 according to Kawi's policy and only once experienced a qt loss within 800 miles..(at about 2600 miles on the bike)   But since the PCV mod, all is good...
 Hope this helps ya

[RobertX]

I've heard that some '08s do use an unusual amount of oil. Mine doesn't seem to do it unless I ride at high speeds, like >80 mph. I have over 14,000 miles on my '08(got it June 22, '07). But normally I ride at a much slower pace since pressing the bike into full time commuter duty. After a race with a blizzard last winter where I ran from Clayton,NM to Amarillo,Texas at 80+( the blizzard was still gaining!!!) the oil level in the sight glass dropped to just below the halfway mark, I usually keep it near the top of the glass. I'm just wondering if the bikes with the oil issues are being ran at high rpm/speeds. Oh by the way, my muffler bolts came loose at about 3,000 miles. I got the notice that might happen from Kawasaki the next day. My first battery check (1000 miles)showed all of the cells were low, I refilled them to the proper level. No battery issues since. The exhaust note really began to mellow out at about 8,000 miles and has a really nice growl to it now. The other day the bike backfired like a 30-06 the instant I hit the starter button. Some people ducked, heh heh. I kind of think that may have been a practicle joke by someone since I found a new but empty can of lighter fluid the day after it happened. Finally found a shop manual at this web site http://www.repairmanual.com/customer-support/index.php, its supposedly a real Kawasaki service manual, can't seem to get them from Kawasaki.

[Hondo]

Ok, this topic has strayed way off -