5 mods that make all the difference on my KLR 650 | Masons ADV |

Here are the 5 things that make my KLR a pleasure for long days on and off-road.
Standing in the shop this morning, drinking my coffee, and got to thinking about how great the KLR 650 was on the trip this year and what exactly made the most difference for protection, comfort and safety.
Scanstrut waterproof USB amzn.to/3Ba99f5
BECOME PART OF THE CREW! www.patreon.com/MasonsADV
or help keep us hydrated! Buy us a coffee here :) www.masonsadv.com/support
New videos every Sunday morning so grab a coffee, sit back, and enjoy!
Subscribe and Let's Ride :) kzbin.info
----
Links in the description are typically affiliate links. If you click on one and purchase, I’ll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support the channel and allows me to continue making videos like this :) Thank you for your support!
Rocky Mountain ATV MC. Masons ADV Top Picks!
www.rockymountainatvmc.com/Sales/3235/Masons-ADV-Top-Picks?ref=1037&
How about a Tee-shirt from Teespring for waxing your bike or a mug for draining your float bowl?
teespring.com/stores/masons-adv
Links to my CAMPING gear, mods for the KLR 650, and accessories I use.
CA www.amazon.ca/shop/masonsadv
USA www.amazon.com/shop/masonsadv
If you're a creator you have to check out TubeBuddy! It's a huge help ;)
www.tubebuddy.com/masonsadv
----
We love hearing from you guys. Send us a note at the address below :)
Want us to try out a product? Send it here. If it works well you may even see it featured in a video.
Masons ADV
Box 174
Hepworth ON, N0H 1P0
Canada
----
Music by Epidemic Sound (www.epidemicsound.com)
Music for this Video was provided by KZbin Creative Commons usage.
Jim Yosef - Firefly [NCS Release] music was provided by NCS
kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpCyqJaPibOVftU
▽ Follow Jim Yosef
SoundCloud soundcloud.com/jim-yosef
Facebook jimyosefmusic
KZbin kzbin.info

[@karlmcnichols6125]

56 and just bought my first bike KLR 2011. Road just a handful times on trail bikes Learning and having fun. I'll be watching your videos to learn more the easy way.

[@GratefulOverlander]

*RODE If you're going to ride learn the damn difference between road and rode!!

[@PreCiiSiioN_II]

@@GratefulOverlander Strange, I can't remember the last time anyone on a motorcycle asked me to spell anything. Also, you might want to look into what a comma is :)

[@ryandickinson2091]

Great season Mason, and crew. Good to see the coverage! Thanks.

[@deucedurden3880]

Looking at my first KLR, great, worthwhile video. Thank you

[@mborski8721]

I have enjoyed and learned from every video. Giving the KLR some serious thought. Thank you

[@IslandADV]

The fog lights are so key for visibility. Everytime I get into the dirt and mud I flip mine on. I've had folks on the trail say they can see me coming around corners through the trees giving them time to slow down. Great mod choices Mason.

[@masonsadv]

Yes, they really are! There are so many different situations where having a set of axillary lights can make all the difference. A stand-out example for me is when I got off the ferry after dark and realized my headlight bulb had quit on the voyage! 😄 Cheers :)

[@jasonluna8051]

@@masonsadv Do you have a link to the fog lights you use and the mounting set up?

[@kenwinzeler3796]

Thanks for another great video! Always enjoy your content Mason. Your reviews are always appreciated. Have a good week ahead! -Ken

[@masonsadv]

Much appreciated! Cheers Ken :)

[@AT2021Rocker]

Even though I no longer have a klr, I still enjoy your videos. Such good product info.

[@masonsadv]

I appreciate that! Cheers Mark :)

[@bryan.meijer]

Great video, and a great list of mods! Thanks again Mason

[@masonsadv]

Glad you like them! Cheers!

[@AzMtnThumper]

That's a well thought out review and well sorted bike. The scan strut is interesting, fortunately I haven't had the charging issues that you have faced. I agree 100% about your other modifications. Love the Cogent suspension!!

[@masonsadv]

Cheers! 👍

[@kevingray4265]

Thank you very much for your help Mason the people at cogent suspension are fantastic thank you for putting me in contact with them they are fantastic to work with and I am in Australia and they are looking after me I think that this will be one of the best things I have ever done to my 1987 klr650 ride safe shiny side up mate 👍🤠🍻

[@masonsadv]

Hey Kevin, glad to help! Your right, great team over at Cogent, and they will get you sorted out ;) Cheers :)

[@coltentodhunter7551]

I’ve had similar tip overs with no crash bars and my plastics look great. I struggle with the claim that the crash bars “ saved you” I’ll close by saying, when i took mine off, my balance and the bikes handling improved significantly

[@RonConsumer]

Thanks Mason, I put on a Scanstrut on my 2022 KLR and loving it. I put my cig/aux output where the USB charger normally would go but still waiting for T Rex to build crash bars for the 2022 line but I got my luggage racks installed from Happy Trails. I'll work on my LED light set-up once I get the crash bars... Until then I'm stuck riding my TW200 off-road till then but the build sure is fun.

[@masonsadv]

Awesome! The build is a big part of the fun :)

[@coachp7486]

Thanks for sharing, Mason ! All great add-ons. I, too, have the (SW-M) crashbars on my ‘08. Gotta have ‘em. Simple drops can just happen. Look fwd to the Tusk vid(s). 👍🏽

[@masonsadv]

Right on! Cheers Coach :)

[@rickkrough6167]

Another great video! Loved my KLR but it went to a new home yesterday in the mountains of Virginia. . Just wasn’t utilizing its capability for the urban/suburban environment I ride in 90% of the time. Purchased a Honda NC700x which is a better fit for where I ride and I can still ride the maintained Forest roads. I will just have to ride a KLR vicariously through your videos.

[@masonsadv]

Anytime Rick :) Cheers and enjoy the new ride 👍

[@canadiantechprep]

Good stuff. Just bought a 2024 650 Adventure versiin and selling the DRZ400. Looking forward to getting out there!

[@jerseycowboy1]

Great video and review

[@rokhedjo]

I second on the Cogent suspension, by far the best improvement on my KLR.

[@gavinkramer7351]

I love all the mods you should make a info video of everything you have done to the bike do you plan on getting a exhaust

[@FordFanatic27]

i just discovered your channel, subscribed! thanks for the video. i will check out more videos on your channel after work. Im glad to see more canadian content creators.(im assuming canadian, by your 3 degrees celcius comment)

[@masonsadv]

Hey Neil! Welcome aboard :) Yes Canadian content here, located in Southern Ontario. Cheers!

[@Handirifle]

Man that is one clean riding mower.

[@stevebrinkert8339]

☕️ Good morning, good stuff as always. I will be interested in your view on the Tusk products. I use a lot of their stuff on my 07 and have been real happy with them.✌️

[@masonsadv]

Good morning Steve! The tusk brand has a great reputation for sure and I'm excited to add the tools to the klr kit ;) More on that to come. Cheers :)

[@brettw1518]

Your bike inspires me to continue slapping farkles on my 2018 KLR. It’s funny I have a 2019 ATAS and the KLR gets all of the love still.

[@masonsadv]

It's hard to quantify but the KLR is a wicked bike to this day when set up correctly ;)

[@lynx0484ify]

Great job guys. Do you guys ride just the adventure bikes? Any dirt bike experience?

[@pollackrocket]

Been following along for a few years now, always enjoy your quality content, and good honest information. You guys are somewhere up in the BC area right? Ive been wanting to do a long distance Moto trip up that way, and possibly all the way to ALASKA ever since I did the trip by myself in an RV a few years ago. Still can't decide if I would attempt it on the KLR, or if I would want something that covers the pavement a bit more efficiently.

[@masonsadv]

Much appreciated, Kevin :) We are in Southern Ontario but parts of our area look a lot like BC. I hope you can make that trip happen. Sounds like a blast!! Cheers :)

[@bricetetrick1457]

Good show, thanks

[@masonsadv]

Glad you enjoyed it. Cheers!

[@gregoryroyce221]

Great video! Did you look at a headlight guard yet?

[@advphilnb]

The big difference I find with your reviews is we can trust your opinions through your testing mediums. You capture the everyday torture tests, and honest feedback. I'm 3/5 on the 'Masons Mods', and 0 regrets. Thanks for sharing, and keep well!

[@masonsadv]

Haha, that's funny. Melon has always said that if you want something torture tested, give it to me. 😄 I certainly don't set out to destroy stuff and I also maintain it along the way, but I tend to use gear to it's full potential ;) Cheers!

[@gcprost]

Thanks for doing this. I really appreciate it. I have a question. What are you using for a tank bag? What do you think of it?

[@ianferrier235]

Great stuff, I did the same except for the suspension. Thanks Mason

[@philipbarton2634]

The suspension is the single most important upgrade. Very close second is the crash bars. Its takes almost nothing to ruin the radiator on a stock KLR when you are offroad. The Cogent suspension adds safety through vastly improved performance at any speed. It will transform your bike!

[@ianferrier235]

@@philipbarton2634 I agree, for me low profile oil drain bolt and skid plate was the very first upgrade, ground up.

[@masonsadv]

Right on! Cheers Ian :)

[@philipbarton2634]

@@ianferrier235 low pro drain bolt is a great call

[@Ralphsleep]

Great Top 5 🌈 I wish I only dropped my bike once this year! 😂

[@masonsadv]

Haha, every year is different ;)

[@scottmcbride4652]

Thanks for the video can you link the bags you’re running off of the crash bars?

[@jaimea2722]

Like your front fender a lot. What brand is it ? Great bike you have !

[@edquier40]

2 of the biggest improvements on my 2014 KLR was a Sargent seat to eliminate that horrid slump to the tank, the other was dropping a tooth on the primary sprocket that made it a better back road bike.

[@jeffbrandenburg8672]

What is the exact brand name for the crash bars you mentioned that supports fender bags? Great video!

[@peterbeard5362]

Love to buy Cogent but the exchange rate for the Aussie $ & freight is a bit much @ the moment. Looked @ Touratech system for a bit over $ 700 AUD. Got a MCP carb kit coming & a Tusk gear lever. So bit by bit the old 15 camo is getting there. Alongside everything else I’ve put on it. True love ❤️

[@russellkeys3937]

Really like ur vids. You have great places to ride. One upgrade I like was the LED fork lights, but as another has said, where is the link to the lights and mounting? Is it a Rigid system?

[@masonsadv]

It's a Denali light bracket kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5qVeIqMfJqXpNk and the LED's are from Amazon amzn.to/3C3XyR2 Hope that helps :)

[@stillwater7929]

Thankx Mason for the Excellent Vids!!! How come you haven't upgraded the windscreen? I did to the Zero Gravity and makes a world of difference with wi d resistance......Ride On!!!

[@masonsadv]

Cheers! I find the OEM screen on the dash riser to be fine for me. I also prefer to look over rather than through a screen especially on the dusty sections so to lower height works well for me :)

[@TheJumpn]

Timely advice for me. I just bought a 22KLR and am looking forward to modding it up the right way. Thank you for your reviews. By the way, how did you mount lights to the fender?

[@masonsadv]

Congrats on your purchase! I used the Denali light bracket. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5qVeIqMfJqXpNk I'm not sure if it will work on the 22 but there will be a suitable replacement before long, i'm sure :)

[@markcollins5026]

Man, nice I recently got the new KLR, I want to put on some handguards which one's do you have on your KLR, I already put on some pillow top grip's !

[@masonsadv]

I run the Zeta guards with aftermarket standoffs, but there are several available. Cheers!

[@3104thunderchild]

wish i could get the cogent suspension... the extra LED lights give more confidence at night for any blown bulb as a back up as well for sure. i still want to upgrade my break light. as we ride in groups with the klr, and during the day sometimes the guys say they didnt know if it was the break or tail light that was on when breaking if they didnt see it come on straight away unless they were actually watching the rear of the bikes break light infront of them through all that dust

[@masonsadv]

Yeah, the brake light is equally as important for sure. I went with the "X" style led conversion kit and it made a world of difference.

[@3104thunderchild]

@@masonsadv Yea i remember checking that out on 1 of the videos when you were chatting with the guys. im trying find a thin LED type 1 i can mount on the back of the top box rack just above the break light, would be awesome. your 1 is cool, very noticeable. i need to start doing some videos. im not the best at videos, lol 😆

[@dustinsiemers4766]

+1 on the Cogent suspension. KLR650 stock suspension is designed for like a 150lb /70kg rider. If you are a big and/or fat klr rider like me with cargo it is a MUST otherwise you will be riding at the bottom of your suspension. Also lets you adjust preload AND dampening. Also IMO replacing the stock seat with something like a flat cobra one is a must for longer trips. It is wider so rather than riding with a wedge up your ass it is like sitting sideways on a bench.

[@jediaihscott2058]

I have a gen 3. I'm 275 and carry a minimum of 50lbs of gear when offroad and the stock suspension for me feels good as long as I'm under 50 mph but I haven't really been over any aggressive trails so far

[@stephanpetranker8994]

What is the name/link to the USB port? Great video.. what do you recommend in crash, skid plate and hand guards?

[@mhilde7744]

👍......enuf said!

[@jaimea2722]

Hi. What fender did you install on the front ? Looks nice !

[@bonesworld7178]

Mason, I hope that you one day do an eagle. Mike 685. You won't regret it

[@nanabear2.026]

Did you have to do an alternator mod to run the accessories? I read that it's underpowered for running accessories. If you did, what did you use?

[@jushirocepeda3031]

How you instal the base for light??? Thanks ! Saludos desde Mexico

[@h.d.mech.mortenson2098]

Great video. Where did you get your mirror extensions?

[@masonsadv]

I run doubletake mirrors. You can see them here. www.rockymountainatvmc.com/Sales/3235/Masons-ADV-Top-Picks?

[@wadedanielson9596]

What kind of mirrors do you have on your KLR? They look wicked!

[@keyboarddancers7751]

The KLR is virtually designed to be modded and given its comparatively modest price, your wallet's not gonna take too much of a beating

[@GregLanz]

When did google start adding a 'Context' to Freemasonry to this page? Do I need to start wearing my apron when watching this channel?

[@TheGmoll]

It looks like you installed 2" Rox Risers. Any issue with control cable lengths?

[@gckshea]

Mason, about the lights? Brand? Mounts? How you wired them?

[@toby7504]

Any plans on trying out the new klr? Sadly it looks like its not coming to Norway.

[@masonsadv]

Sorry to hear that Toby. It looks like a proper replacement for the Gen 2. Cheers :)

[@jacobdavis6200]

My grandpa has a friend nick named melon, he says he had to get a custom helmet to fit his massive dome

[@tietie1424]

at 4:27 which one of your videos is that one? Thanks!

[@aidanrussell-smith4619]

what mirrors do you have on that beast

[@BdubbsVt]

2" rox risers won't fit my 2012 even after removing the tank and freeing up the cables a bit

[@scottloftin1730]

An engine that makes more than 30HP would be a good upgrade.

[@joehunt4903]

I’m looking for heaters grips. I see you use Oxfords. Would you recommend them?

[@masonsadv]

Absolutely, Joe. Great grips

[@tomservo5347]

The crash bars saved mine (somewhat) from an asshole apartment neighbor that threw a hissy fit over no parking space and so decided to knock my bike over. Unfortunately the crash bars didn't save my brush guard, brake handle, and cowling plastic from a concrete curb stop that was lined up perfectly to miss the guard. The guard did however keep the damage from being much worse.

[@alneno9840]

What handguards are you using..I'm curious

[@inigovazquez14]

What cogent parts are you running?

[@exposingthetruth3821]

Did you have to reroute cables for the use of roxrisers? I have no choice but to get them. On a 22 but can't quite stand comfortably for long periods. I'd like to be able to stand a majority of the time.

[@masonsadv]

Yes, the throttle cables route from under the tank up over the triple tree beside the risers and up. Hope that helps

[@exposingthetruth3821]

@@masonsadv appreciate it. I just made new solid footpeg mounts, dropped my foot about 3/4 inch and went w a set of ATV high bars. Seems way better but haven't had much time on it since the snow came to test it. I do appreciate the reply and may still have to go that route.

[@michaeledinger6516]

dm me where u got that tank bag i need one and wat tires do u run the stock ones suck

[@CLP2102]

i thought i was the only one that could crash standing still.......lol

[@dragonrider385]

☺👍

[@damianzalazinski3311]

Would a KLR make a good daily commuter?

[@masonsadv]

Lots of people use theirs for commuting. The 16 tooth front sprocket helps on the highway runs ;)

[@LTVoyager]

I open a KLR video and get a Ducati Monster ad. 😂

[@masonsadv]

Ha, of course! 😄

[@jimperry4420]

Same here.

[@jeffkephart8872]

The word is out not oot

[@jsned2502]

Just bought a used 2012 thats almost showroom condition. My first impressions are, dann this bike is a turd. The second most underwhelming motor I have ever ridden next to a 883 HD sportster. I'm not even going to keep it. The only way to spice up this motor would be way too much engine work that I would not want to do. I had a DR650 for a short time. That bike had a awesome motor. Thing was a rocket and actually cruised better at speed than the KLR. Suspension on it sucked as well as the KLR but thats fixable at a small amount of money and effort. Waaayyyyy better platform to start on.

[@dieseltu1035]

Too top heavy

[@vinniemax8274]

Whatever mods you have for your, its not going to make any difference, because klr stinks

[@BobBob-vq3rb]

treds are perfict kindawant one