Building a 2008 Kawasaki KLR650 for Overland Travel!

[Curtis in Texas]

That's a nice KLR! I never thought about dropping the footpegs, is there a kit for that?

Next up on my mod list is a Uni air filter and sub-frame bolt upgrade kit from Eagle Mike

:box:

Naw, no kit! I saw a guy do a set on the KLR Board made out of billet aluminum.
He had a, shall we say "CHECKERED REPUTATION"? And as I understand it, he got banned on several Forums for taking orders and never shipping them. (Personally, I never knew the guy, but he rubbed some folks the wrong way.)
His was nice, but expensive to reproduce. So I designed my set out of steel that does the same thing. Only mine were a lot cheaper and faster to make.
My design moves the foot pegs down and back to a more comfortable spot for me.
Here's a close up.

I''m 6'2" and with my 1" handle bar risers and Pro Taper ATV High Bars I can stand up straight on my pegs and the grips and controls are right at my hands. I have been known to ride for miles standing up.
I made the foot pegs too.

 

[Dave Bennett]

Wow. Nice job on those, they look great.

 

[Cody1771]

awsome build up so far! those Kendas are gnarly! i wonder if they make them in the right size for my Strom.

couple of things? how are you likeing that GPS? have you tested it out in really wetness yet?
Have you chosen any paniers yet (may i suggest the trax if your not going with the pelican)?
and have you done the radiator guard yet? thats a pretty important one...

 

[Dave Bennett]

I actually had the GPS out in the rain on tuesday, it was a torrential downpour for about 30 minutes of my ride. No issues, I was actually worried more about the 12v socket than anything else...

Looking at options for the radiator guard, any suggestions?

I'm holding off on panniers for the moment but really like the Pelican (1430 IIRC) top loaders.

 

[Cody1771]

yeah the pelicans are nice. i thought SW motech made a rad guard but aparantly they havnt. sorry i dont own a KLR so i dont know.

 

[Dave Bennett]

Russel seats! :drool:

http://www.day-long.com/gallery_Kawasaki.html

 

[Curtis in Texas]

I actually had the GPS out in the rain on tuesday, it was a torrential downpour for about 30 minutes of my ride. No issues, I was actually worried more about the 12v socket than anything else...

Looking at options for the radiator guard, any suggestions?
.

My Garmin 450 died this time last year coming out of Billings Montana in a rain and sleet storm.
(Now that was an Adventure to camp in!:snorkel
The touch screen is useless now. It makes for a very expensive speedometer and compass. It had aready been rebuilt once at the Factory and so that's why I think the cold freeing water killed it the second time.
You'd think it would have survived a little better than that.
Since they have been discontinued I'm thinking I may not mess with it anymore and buy another brand before next years trip.
I did have to buy a Nuvi at Wally World to finish the trip on, but it is such a pain to use and hard to read in the sun.

 

[Cody1771]

yeah, im not sure what im going to do for a GPS yet. im thinking i might do a small tablet like the samsung with a GPS puck. they make a few tank bags designed for tablets.

 

[Dave Bennett]

Farkles!

Still going strong!

Chopped the lower reflector off below the license plate, debating a full chop. Pelican 1520 topbox. New Kenda K270's

KTM Supermoto fender detail
http://s57.photobucket.com/albums/g230/devildoc25/?action=view&current=107_3792.jpg

Rox risers 2.5 inch lift, relocated 12v plug and GPS mount

More later!

 

[Deleted member 9101]

Love it!!!!

 

[Curtis in Texas]

Since you're talking about your build of an Overland Travel KLR, I'll share some of the things I've built for mine.
Let it never be said I'm not well equipped. Some of this is over kill, but it may be some help to some folks.

For example, have you thought about packing a Machete yet?
Here's how I carry my Gerber Machete with tree saw teeth on the back side. The Machete locks to the aluminum scabbard (I made) to the bike so it doesn't walk off when my back is turned. I also carry a Gerber hatchet/ saw combo if I'm going deep woods and doing a lot of primitive camping.

Here's a little better close up of the Gerber.

And since I shown it already, here's a close up shot of how I carry my 30-30 Winchester when headed out hunting locally.

Usually ,when I travel to the real backwoods, I carry a M 6 Scout Survival Rifle rather than the Winchester. It's a Over/Under 22 Hornet. 410 - Long Colt 45 combo rifle.
( I spent 10 days once, with a friend when we were still in High School, lost in the San Gorgonio Mountains, I learned to carry at least a 22 for survival use whenever I MIGHT get stranded away from civilization.)

The best part is it breaks down for back packing. And I have some extra 410 loops so I have some 410 flairs and long Colt shells with me too. The 410/45 is the best part of the rifle, but that 22 Hornet Combo makes it a great survival rifle. I always carry it in my 4X4 truck when not on my bike.

I also have some nice breakdown fly fishing rods and a complete small tackle bag with fly and spinning reels. Got to do a little Fly Fishing on the Continental Divide Ridel last year. Got a pictue of me fly fishing with my back packing rod and rell if you're interested.

The 06 KLR is my favorite bike because it has taken me camping all over the Country.

My riding buddy has an 09 and we've fixed it up to carry the stuff I haven't room for! HA! I don't do a lot of single track on this bike loaded. It's just too heavy. But give me a dirt road in Colorado, New Mexico or Wyoming and we're right at home.

Hope you don't mind a little Thread Hi Jacking! Some of this may be usefull to somebody!

Curtis

 

[sandalscout]

yeah, im not sure what im going to do for a GPS yet. im thinking i might do a small tablet like the samsung with a GPS puck. they make a few tank bags designed for tablets.

Sorry to deter this thread any, but you might like the Android App from DualSportMaps.com. Cool stuff going on there. It works great for me as a backup to my Delorme, would make a great primary if it weren't for the fact that the gps on my phone is finicky at times. Well, that and the fact that I spent $300+ on the Delorme a few months ago.

 

[Dave Bennett]

Sorry to deter this thread any, but you might like the Android App from DualSportMaps.com. Cool stuff going on there. It works great for me as a backup to my Delorme, would make a great primary if it weren't for the fact that the gps on my phone is finicky at times. Well, that and the fact that I spent $300+ on the Delorme a few months ago.

I have the Hema map app for my iPhone. GPS works even with no cell signal and it has topo maps too, works great as a backup

 

[Frank]

When I get my new 4s I will grab one of those topo apps. Right now I have the regular 3G iPhone and it barely loads tapatalk. Lol.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Dave Bennett]

Brrrrr!

It's cold outside! Time for some better gear and maybe some heated grips finally!