Update: Metzeler Sahara Enduro 3

Heyya..

It's time to update some parts of the KLR 650..

After almost 18,000 km of mileage clocked, the front Metzeler Sahara 3 rear tire looks pretty soft and there is only almost 50% tread left.. I guess i can ride safely for another 5,000 km with this front tire..

Whilst the rear tire needed to be changed, most probably only 20% of tire tread left... hence, i changed only the rear tire to a new Metzeler Sahara 3 Enduro... it costs RM320.00 only for the rear tire at Sunny Cycle, KL..

With 18,000 km of mileage done, the tires have served me very well... the performance is much better, more comfortable, smoother than the Standard Dunlop tires and they reduce the high speed wobble significantly... I would totally recommend the Metzeler Sahara Enduro 3 for those who travel long distance a lot!!!

HooRahh!!

Metzeler Sahara Enduro 3 & Givi Topbox

Heyya..

I was recommended by Sunny Cycle to change the stock tires (Dunlop) to Metzeler Sahara Enduro 3..

the front and rear tires cost only RM580.00 ... to me, they are very cheap compare with my previous superbike tires (~RM1100.00)... how i wish i could have ridden dual-purpose bikes for a long time...

Anyway, the handling of the Sahara 3 can be obviously noticeable... at high speed of 140km/h, the bike does not wobble at all.. this gives me more confidence to ride at high speed... and this is what i have been looking for..

Also, i have installed a Givi Top Box on the KLR 650.. the capacity of the box is 50 liters.. Oh Yeahh!! i can put lots of stuff inside it.. even, i can keep 2 full face helmets inside the box..

I paid the Givi top box for only RM480.. yeap, another great item at very low price... the other option is Hepko & Becker top box which costs RM1200.. i can see the Hepko & Becker top box is very solid and strong built compare with the Givi's.. The Givi came with a universal rack, which needs time and effort to drill onto the existing stock rack.. where else, the Hepko comes with a rack which is already designed for the specific bikes and easy to install.. anyway, i'm very cheap.. hehehe



HooRahh!!

Rear Shock Adjustment

Heyya guys..

Sorry for being quiet for almost 2 weeks... I've been very busy with work and didn't have the time to ride and write my blog..

Anyway, i wanna share with you how the KLR handles.. it seems the rear shock is pretty soft (Level 1) and i don't like how it handles especially when i take long corners on highway.. it seems the rear of the bike keeps bouncing away.. Mind you, the standard KLR 650 is at Level 1 setup (soft)..

Hence, i have adjusted the rear shock to the second hardest level (Level 4).. 

First, the adjustable bolt is located on the left side of the Rear Shock.. you'll find it at the top of the spring..

At first, there is a visible long line and it is stated "1".. it means the Rear Shock is at Level 1..

Use a 12mm T-Wrench and turn the 12mm bolt clockwise... you'll need to put an extra effort when turning the bolt..

Whilst turning the bolt, you'll see the Level 1 line moves upwards and there will be a shorter line beneath the Level 1.. the second line means the shock setting is at Level 2..

Keep on turning the bolt until it sets to fifth line, which means the shock setting is at Level 5, the hardest setup.. Also, the bike has raised 1.5 inches higher.. :happy:

If you keep on turning, the Rear Shock will jump back (reset) to Level 1...

I have tried riding the KLR at Level 5 shock stiffness but i found the bike gets very easy to wobble.. this is due to the setting is hard and the bike does not get to absorb the shocks enough.. hence i have reduced the stiffness to Level 4.. But i will try Level 3 setting (medium hard).. who knows it could be better in high speed handling and slightly more comfortable..


HooRahh!

Maintenance: RJB1 2nd Service

Since i bought the KLR last December, I managed to clock 2,581 km on the KLR650 today.. therefore, i had to do the second service.. As usual, the procedures are the same as before by changing the Oil Filter and Engine Oil.. (remember the first service was at 348 km of mileage).. And my bad, i should have serviced it when it had 1,000 km of mileage.. huhuhu..

The Kawasaki Oil Filter costs RM14.90 a piece (now with a new box packaging, which costs RM0.40 more!) and 2.5 Litres of Silkolene Super 4-T Plus (20W-50, Mineral based) engine oil for RM23.00/litre.

The next service will be at 5,000 km... it could be done after i've come back from my Cambodian trip (tbc) on Chinese New Year... 






HooRahh!

Maintenance: RJB1 1st Service

Heyya..

I just did KLR650 first service at 348 km of mileage.. Bought an KLR650 Oil Filter for RM14.50 a piece and 3 Litres of Silkolene Super 4-T Plus (20W-50, Mineral based) engine oil for RM23.00/litre. Use a 17mm Torque Wrench and 8mm T-type socket wrench.

First, make sure the engine is warmed up for a while. Then loosen up the drain plug (17mm bolt) at bottom of engine using 17mm wrench. The standard/stock skid plate does not need to be removed.

Drain the engine oil. Clean some dirty bits at the drain plug.

Loosen up two 8mm bolts at oil filter cover using 8mm T-type socket wrench.

Take off the oil filter cover and oil filter. Clean the area with a clean towel. Insert / replace with a new oil filter. Then place the oil filter cap and tighten up the two 8mm bolts.

Tighten up the 17mm bolt using torque wrench at the bottom of the engine with 21 ft/lb..

Fill engine oil for ~2.5 litres at oil filler. Upright the bike for few minutes and close the engine oil filler cap. Start the engine for few minutes. Make sure there's no leakage at the oil filter cover and drain plug. Then fill few engine oil again until it reaches 2.5 litres of measurement.




Done... HooRahh!!