Just bought my first one.

[650forlife]

Just bought my first KLR 650 and of course I love it. 2000 with 28,000 on it for $1000 bucks, running with ok tires and not bad condition.  It was a texas bike but lives in Los Angeles now.

So lay it on me. What should I know?   Whatever suggestions you have for me on stuff to change, where to buy parts, what to upgrade, what to leave alone, cool accessories, etc. 

Let me start with a few questions I have.   

First:  My rear running light does not work. It lights up when I hit the brakes, but other than that stays dark.

Second: I cant get the steering to lock when key is in off position. Is there something I am missing or is my ignition bad?

Third: What is a doohicky and do I need one. I have read a little bit but cant seem to find what its all about.


I am mechanically inclined with a good sized toolkit and access to a shop. This is my first bike in general though so I am learning a whole new world. I would love to keep this bike for many many years so any help getting it back to its former glory is much appreciated.

I dont have any pictures at the moment but will add some as soon as I can.   

[AdvSwede]

Welcome

1st - Did you pull the bulb?  If not do that first to see if the filament is out.

2nd - My steering will lock but the parking lights go on, I don't lock the steering, never looked into it.

3rd - The Doo Hickey is a chain tensioner.  It is a must do.  There are many posts you can look at to find out more information.

This board is full of modifications to perform on your ride.  After the engine fixes like the Doo, .22 fix the rest are for comfort and performance.  This is what I've done on my bikes. LED taillight, Progressive Suspension shock, Front Intiminator, Big brake rotor (really stops quick now.......too quick?), Wolfman tank bag, IMS pegs, Engine nerf bar, Skid plate.

[KLRoller]

Welcome 650! Just dig into the tech forums and how to articles on here and start reading. There's a lot of stuff. Don't forget the search window where you can type in keywords. You'll also quickly have links to all the most popular online stores to buy parts from. You probably will want to start with a Clymer (shop) manual for about $30. I put off buying one until I decided to leave the bike torn apart for a few days until it arrived.

[SPANKY]

  650forlife ! Dig into the "how to" section of the forum. There is a wealth of info in there and will answer most, if not all, of your questions!   

[AG]

Welcome to the Tribe. I just love my 06. 
Just a note on
"Second: I cant get the steering to lock when key is in off position. Is there something I am missing or is my ignition bad?"  There are two positions when locking the bike: the first, locks (no lights), the second (rear light on).  Use a little WD40 to loosen things up and try it.
Yesterday, I took my O6 out for a ride to meet a friend for a business consult.  It was 34, a little breezy (10-15 mph) and clear (a great day here in Wyoming - we have 3" of the wet stuff today).  Love it.  It starts every time, and is a blast - even at freezing! 

[Nukeman]

   Congrats 650forlife, you have a great bike now!! 

1) Tailight could be the bulb

2) Mine is hard to lock the steering wheel also.  I turn the key to the lock position and steering wheel at same time until it locks, you can tell it when it is locked.  If you turn the key too far to the left past the lock position, the tailight will light up and drain your battery so you don't want to be that far to the left.

3) Check with the previous owner(s) to see if it has been changed.  It probably has by now; but if not, would take it one of the region group rides/working shop, find someone with the special wrench, and do it at a workshop.

[CB160]

650forlife,
I'm in the LAX area and have the DOO tools, when you get around to it (hopefully soon)...pm we and we'll get em to ya....
Gerry

[650forlife]

Thanks for the welcomes everybody.

The tail light miraculously fixed itself. Not sure what was up but it is working fine now. Although I will probably be upgrading to an LED taillight soon.

Ill have to do a lot of reading up on the bike it seems. Looking forward to it though. I did a bunch of driving around today to pick up some new blinkers, mirror and stuff like that. About 15 to 20 stops, ranging from a 15 minute stop to a couple hours. And I have to say I was waiting for a problem, but all day she cranked right up and did not seem to mind a bit. Until just about 30 minutes ago.
My last stop done and on my way home on the highway when she starts pulling to the right pretty heavy, then pulling to the left. I started troubleshooting in my head but nothing popped up. It was not to severe and I was only a couple of minutes from my exit so I slowed down a bit and held out. Upon getting home and checking the bike I find that the front fender is holding on by the last thread on one bolt.      I presume the other three rattled out on the road. So tomorrow will be an early morning out with the 650 tightening ever nut and bolt on her.


Other than that she is still amazing me with every mile. And all 130 of them today.

[JV]

  650forlife! Blue Loctite is your long lost friend when dealing with the KLR.   

[650forlife]

650forlife! Blue Loctite is your long lost friend when dealing with the KLR.   

Just bought a bottle. Going through today and checking everything. Thank you!

[JV]

Oh and if you got a 2000 it's running around dressed up like a 2002. Close up  ???

[650forlife]

Oh and if you got a 2000 it's running around dressed up like a 2002. Close up  ???

Stock picture. Thats my baby up there now. Here she is.

[CB160]

Looks pretty good for a '00, but is that a cup holder on the left front or a tip jar? ;)

[AdvSwede]

Tip Jar, Nice!  You may want to look up how to restore the faded plastic with a heat gun.  It is easy and provides surprising results.

[650forlife]

Looks pretty good for a '00, but is that a cup holder on the left front or a tip jar? ;)

It is indeed a cup holder. Though I use it mostly as a random stuff holder when working on the bike. Keeps bolts where they wont get lost.

Tip Jar, Nice!  You may want to look up how to restore the faded plastic with a heat gun.  It is easy and provides surprising results.

I was wondering about that actually. I would love to change it to either all black plastics or the original forest green.

[PonchoV]

That's not a cup holder, it's a multi use rain gauge & use save all that water to wash the KLR, later.

[Bigdog57]

"WASH".....!?  A KLR!?   Poncho, bite yer tongue, man!   

650, welcome to The Madness.  You'll soon develop a raging case of "Farkle Fever".   

[650forlife]

"WASH".....!?  A KLR!?   Poncho, bite yer tongue, man!   

650, welcome to The Madness.  You'll soon develop a raging case of "Farkle Fever".   

What is the definition of Farkle? I have seen that around here but havent quite put that together.

[Kidicarus]

Farkle is all of the fancy sparkly stuff that you might want to put on your bike.  The "ooooh and ahhhhhh" items.  You may not need them, but definately want them.  Just my $.02 though.    BTW.   

[Bigdog57]

Some farkles are definitely 'good to have' if not actualy required.....

Bark Busters (handlebar guards) - to save your levers from damage.

Better skid plate, and engine/tank guards - especially for those riding the rocky stuff!  Not so needed here in Florida.

Side bags or boxes and a bigger cargo rack - to make your Beast able to carry more Burden.  I love shocking the grocery gals when they see me stuff a cartload of groceries away on the KLR, out of sight!   

The "T-mod" - to make your KLR better able to survive deeper water crossings - VERY necessary in Florida!

The Silverstar headlight bulb replacement - still not great, but a serious improvement on KLR stock headlight!

Better tires - the stockers.....  well...  suck.

Convert the glass Buss fuses to blade type and relocate, so you can reach them without taking off the side plastic and seat.

Bypass the silly clutch and sidestand interlock switches.  They WILL fail and leave you stranded.

That's a basic start.

[650forlife]

Convert the glass Buss fuses to blade type and relocate, so you can reach them without taking off the side plastic and seat.

Bypass the silly clutch and sidestand interlock switches.  They WILL fail and leave you stranded.

These two. I want to do them. The others are done.    Just bought some Avon Gripsters as a matter of fact. Cant wait to put them on.