KLR650 Mods & Tech For Off Road Adventures

[@timmytool1231]

Old guy here I have owned 4 KLR's, just a great bike, I'm tall so works great for me, I did put a metal skid plate on mine, they even cover the oil drain. The crash bars are a must in my opinion. The colors of mine were black, red, green, and yellow. I am now again in the market for one. Nice job, some people have no clue how capable these bikes are.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

They are surprisingly capable! I just put a Ricochet plate on mine this year too, just in time too. I got a big ol rock soon after.

[@BlueRidgeMarine]

Everyone is saying what you need. I say what you need is to ride the thing and enjoy it. Break it, fix it and ride it.

[@keenanleetodd]

I shortened my mirrors by butting a chunk out and welding it back together. Its helped to save the mirrors.

[@kentuckyjustice1408]

Good looking bike. Those crash bars are a MUST for off road riding.

[@ANTONIOCARLOSGC]

what a super machine huh? Besides being beautiful! Congratulations.

[@megacityperformance3523]

Absolutely

[@RobRidesCarolina]

Great farkle review.. I do love my farkles!

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Thanks Rob!!!

[@jamjw1]

Hey Ben, great videos. Very enjoyable.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Thanks KLR '72!

[@Ron_C]

I've got a lot of stuff on mine, I'd like to get a louder exhaust, but I don't want anything that will require any carburetor work. Right now, I guess my favorite accessory...gotta be the Madstad windscreen. It made a huge difference from the stock one...

[@SwankyCatProductions]

I'm not sure if mine was adjusted or not, seems ok. Dogs after red line but that might be normal? Lol. Yeah the taller windshield really helps out on the longer rides! Take care Ron!

[@Ron_C]

SWANKY CAT dogs out after red line...lol...I'd imagine that is normal! I don't think I've redlined my KLR yet...Ride safe bro!

[@RedNeckBiker109]

You want the Leo Vince...don't have to repack either and its not obnoxious.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

I'm pleasantly surprised how quite mine is, has a good rap to it but nothing crazy.

[@Ron_C]

No carb work involved, or necessary?

[@ianferrier235]

Good review Ben. Definitely want to do the light kit on mine 👍👍

[@SwankyCatProductions]

I LOVE it! The only down side is that it makes me feel sort of invincible at night and I ride faster then I probably should haha.

[@jackwhite8157]

Nice bike, the first thing I change on every bike is to put on Seat Concepts Seat kit there really worth it!

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Thanks, I've always thought about going with a lower one but i get along ok with the stock seat. Could be more comfy though I suppose.

[@HyperSpaz]

Nice vid. You ever plan on installing a skid plate? I recommend the Happy Trails skid plate. Good coverage and rugged looks.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Thank you!!! I know I really should but the stock ones been fairing ok so far. Maybe next year! Will that one work with the Tusk crash bars?

[@HyperSpaz]

Yes it does fit with the Tusk crash bars. I’ve copied many of your mods including the KLR Dash (which I love), same mirrors and still might purchase the rear crash bars. Thanks for the KLR vids and ride safe :)

[@tomservo5347]

I bought a VStream tall windshield and it's made a world of difference for long hauls by keeping wind, noise, rain, etc. off. However, during the hot Missouri summers it apparently acted like a convex lens and partially melted my dash. The odometer numbers got a little warped and it bubbled my speedometer face. I was shocked on the KLR forum that this is common. I bought an Emgo 'universal mount my ass' rear case designed for racks, not a flat surface. I ended up cutting out and welding my own adapter plate for it and the case is super handy. The PO had already mounted the Tusk crash bar and even added heated grips. I found out Kansas City really sucks as far as trails go-you have to go out and find gravel roads as there aren't any dedicated moto trails nearby-I have to ride nearly 2 hours to the nearest one. Looks like you have plenty of trails where you're at.

[@mudhustle]

Gotta get those lumens... sweet ride!

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Yeah man! Gotta be able to see the deer before I crash into them lol. Thanks!

[@nvrhome_3126]

You need an aluminum skid plate. Stock one is useless.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

I am thinking that will be the next upgrade but I have put a lot of off road miles on and have not had any issues yet.

[@stevejames9510]

You will, just wait. SW Motech.@@SwankyCatProductions

[@BikerBytes]

Great run down of your farkles Swanky. I have the FMF pipe also and it sounds pretty awesome. Would love to do the lighting upgrade but first I think I’ll go for the rear crash bars. ATB Jason.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Thank you Jason! The lights are nice but I really like the rear bars too. They provide peace of mind and are a great place to grab onto when lugging the bike around! Did you change out your carb jets with the pipe? Mine was on it when I bought the bike and I'm not sure if it was rejetted or not.

[@BikerBytes]

SWANKY CAT Nope, it came fitted with a TM42 Mikuni flat slide pumper carb from the dealer who fitted out the bike so i guess they already did all the tuning/jetting. Its pretty quick :)

[@SwankyCatProductions]

@@BikerBytesahhh cool!

[@BOC_Adventures]

How about a skid plate my friend ?

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Yeah that would be a good idea... maybe this winter!

[@FrogtheSamurai_007]

The bar covers for your hands have always scared me away seen videos of people crash and their hands get pinched/sheered off so I stay with the plastic

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Huh I guess I haven't seen that or don't understand what you mean? I suppose you could get pinched if you hit a tree with the bars but I'd think you would still be better off if the aluminum took most of the impact rather then your hand?

[@FrogtheSamurai_007]

@@SwankyCatProductionsSwanky cat you're a good guy love your channel thanks for reaching out to me! Found the KLR community i didn't know I was looking for

[@truckmanonfire]

you didn't mention the mount for you aux leds....?? lol excellent list of mods though. I am definitely going to get or make risers for the windshield, the direct bast of air into my neck and visor off the stock position, makes for a super noisy helmet.👍

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Haha yeah I noticed that too...convenient that it's not available on Amazon so I can't get an associate link.... but I really just did forget to mention it. Its a Denali brand and available on Revzilla. Yeah vlogging or not the stock windshield is not ideal!

[@truckmanonfire]

SWANKY CAT yeah fore sure. Love that there is many options out there that will suite ones needs on a KLR. 👍🏻

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Yeah that is very true, you can set it up just about any way you want!

[@cabanamike274]

What was the model number of the cyclops auxiliary lights again ? How hard were they to hook up to function as dual intensity?

[@SwankyCatProductions]

They were B15. Not sure if they are still available but they weren't to bad if your handy with that sort of stuff. Worst part was finding a place for all the wires and relay.

[@TeddyGus]

Hi, I just bought a 2015 KLR 650 and I would like to know the name of the store where you bought your products !! if you have the website, better time. Your video is very good :-)

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Thanks. There should be links for some of it in the video description. Otherwise it'll be in some of the newer KLR videos that I did.

[@brentmitchell9116]

What do you think about the doohickey? Is it worth switching out or just leave the original in?

[@SwankyCatProductions]

I had 24k miles on my 14.5 KLR with no issues. I think part of the problem is that people don't crack the bolt loose to let it auto adjust (I didn't know about it until I had opened mine for a few years). But the safest thing to do is get it switched out or at least inspected.

[@nicolasmorrison7788]

How can you tell if it is a 14.5 plus year model? Keep the KLR videos coming , they are appreciated.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

The easiest way would be the seat design (if the seat hasn't been replaced). If there are stiches all the way down the sides, its not a new edition. But if the stiches run along the sides just on the back portion and then dip down and out of view, it's a 14.5. Hard to describe but should be easy to see if you Google images.

[@neemguy81]

I MISS MY KLR!!! Don't get me wrong, the Versys1k I have right now is a good bike... but I've found it's not as fun.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

What year do you have? I've been hoping they'll come out with a sort of hybrid of the Versys and KLR. Best of both with a price somewhere in the middle too.

[@neemguy81]

@@SwankyCatProductions 2018. Before I moved to Washington from NM, I sold my KLR to a friend, then bought the Versys in June. Maybe one reason I don't like it as much is cause I broke my ankle on it haha. Been out since 9-20-18. Going around a round-a-bout, my foot was canted out slightly during the turn, my toe caught the pavement and flung my foot underneath the back wheel. Stayed on and kept it upright though, so that's a plus. I just think the front wheel is too small for any decent off road adventure. I don't stand as much. I like standing.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Oh man that really stinks! I'm sorry to hear that but glad your ok otherwise. Yeah I can see a small front wheel being a bit of a downer off road and I wouldn't like not being able to stand either. Get well soon!

[@RedNeckBiker109]

you forgot the links. Nice video.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

The videos at the end? I have them added now if that's what you mean.

[@RedNeckBiker109]

SWANKY CAT I thought you said you were going to link all of your farkles. I was particularly interested in the headlights.

[@brucemeyers4826]

Hey swanky.. I'm about to buy the same double bubble windscreen but can't decide.. smoke or light smoke.. thoughts and opinions?

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Well to be honest I end up looking around mine quite a bit in really rough off road terrain. Partially because its smoked but also because of the shape distorting the trail. The dark does look cool though I think!

[@GuardDog42]

Hey Swanky how much torque did you put on that tusk drain plug? I have the same one and just sort of felt the stock specification seems a bit crazy for the tusk. What's your happy medium?

[@SwankyCatProductions]

I'm not saying this is right but I use a shorter allen wrench and get it as tight as I can with that. Since it doesn't provide much mechanical advantage I doubt I'm getting it all that tight but I haven't had any issues.

[@GuardDog42]

SWANKY CAT I did the same exact thing honestly. I was looking at it before I put it in, and it just felt like more than enough was too much. Thanks for the response.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Yeah man no problem!

[@BOC_Adventures]

Eagle Mike has a similar and it calls for 15ft pounds but I use even less. Doesnt need it and the cost of stripping out the drain is way more than some oil lost.

[@MASTURBIKER]

Centre stand and tougher bash plate?

[@SwankyCatProductions]

I just installed a Ricochet bash plate this summer! Center stand would be nice but I'd be worried it would get snagged on stuff while off road.

[@jered2177]

Do you have a bunch of junk in your trunk?nice bike.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Haha yes I do! Thanks!

[@MrCheaterpipe]

Bike needs a thermobob

[@SwankyCatProductions]

I should do that I suppose but mine rarly ever gets above cold. Unless I'm stopped for a long time or really moving slow and working the bike hard it pretty much always sits a hair above cold.

[@MrCheaterpipe]

SWANKY CAT that's the whole reason why you need to do it the factory non bypass cooling system heats up your top end to around 200 degrees or so then opens up sending a surge of cold water that immediately shuts the thermostat again its putting unnecessary thermal shock into the top end of your engine constantly being cycled hot and cold over and over again instead of reaching 180 degrees and staying constant

[@MrCheaterpipe]

SWANKY CAT watt-man.com

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Yeah when you put it that way...perhaps that should be the next mod I do. Maybe this winter! I am in dyer need of a new front tire and chain and sprockets too.

[@papasmurf7564]

Love KLR's and your advice. Hate the intro tune...... terrible....

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Haha thank you for the honesty!