KLRE650 super Rio build thread.

[juames]

Nice build! Question for you: how did you fit an 18 inch wheel with the KLR swing arm? Would an 18" knobby fit?

[SamM]

My KLRE650 will also get an 18" rear wheel. It's fairly simple to do the required mod. I used a permanent marker and an angle grinder. The swiongarm needs to be clearanced for the wheel and tire to fit. My 18" Excel wheel will be 2.15". Knooby tires will fit.

SamM

[repsolrider]

Originally Posted by juames

Nice build! Question for you: how did you fit an 18 inch wheel with the KLR swing arm? Would an 18" knobby fit?

Sam has it right to make the 18" wheel fit you just take some material off the swing arm.

The goal is to run knobbies on the Rio. For testing I wanted traction to stress the chassis. Thanks for posting up.

[SamM]

repsolrider,
Today is the big day. Leaving at 7am EST to ship the bike to the fabricator for my KLRE650 conversion. Can't wait. He's seen your pictures and like your bike a lot. Can't wait to get it back in a few months.

I weighed my Versys engine lastnight. It weighs 127 lbs. but all the stock steel brackets near the oilpan were still on it to protect it during the shipping. Those brackets will not be used on the bike, so the engine should weigh a few pounds less when those are removed. I've also seen a few things that I will cut off it later to trim it down more. I'll weigh the KLR engine today when I get back.

SamM

[repsolrider]

Originally Posted by SamM

repsolrider,
Today is the big day. Leaving at 7am EST to ship the bike to the fabricator for my KLRE650 conversion. Can't wait. He's seen your pictures and like your bike a lot. Can't wait to get it back in a few months.

I weighed my Versys engine lastnight. It weighs 127 lbs. but all the stock steel brackets near the oilpan were still on it to protect it during the shipping. Those brackets will not be used on the bike, so the engine should weigh a few pounds less when those are removed. I've also seen a few things that I will cut off it later to trim it down more. I'll weigh the KLR engine today when I get back.

SamM

Sam that is awesome look forward to the second official KLRE650 to hatch. The fact that your are running very similar hardware is even better.

Are you going to run a stock fuel pump? If so make your tank out of aluminum it will save a lot of wieght.

[SamM]

No, I didn't buy a stock fuel pump. We'll probably use an inexpensive external fuel pump and I'll carry a spare on trips. Another change is that, we'll be running dual Fluidyne aftermarket radiators. There will be a few things that we'll need to change as we go but we do have a plan.

Much like you did, I don't want to say too much too soon. The bike is on it's way to the builder now and shipped out this morning from Pittsburgh.

Hopefully, there will be something to post soon.

SamM

[mike21b]

Originally Posted by repsolrider

What is a KLRE650?



Four years ago when the Kawasaki Ex650r was released we had a Klr650 and ex in the shop. It came to me that this would be a great splice.

Nice!

My son's Ninja 650 and my KLR are frequently sitting side by side in my garage, and the thought has gone through my head, too..... "what if...?"
I'm sure a lot of other people have thought similarly.

Originally Posted by johnwesley

it will have to run well considering that the versys has 60 rwhp it stock trim. With a after market exhaust system stgII head and 705 big bore your only looking at 45 rwhp. If you add a exhaust to the 650 twin then your looking at about 66 rwhp. now that bike will run


lets look at this:

model weight rwhp power to weight
klr 650 single 410 wet 32hp 0.08
klre 650 twin 420 wet 66hp 0.16
bmw 800gs 456 wet 76hp 0.16


seems like the klre would be a good runner. a lot better than stock

Since I regularly ride the Ninja, I can attest that it also feels like it has twice the horsepower. Has pretty good low end torque, too.

As far as Kawasaki building this bike, probably not - they're going to tell you that the Versys is "the one" but I would prefer a KLRE-650, or a KLXE.... heyyyyy.......

[IslandSpark]

Scotty!

Glad to see she is all finished up bud, looks great! when are we doing Africa or Eastern Europe Hope to see you at the Official life unveiling tomorrow night!!

Pat

[Maniac28]

Dude! I've been riding KLR's since I was in high school and this is the best thing I've ever seen. Nice job! Now where can I buy one? I'd buy one today if available. I never would have bought my KTM 950 or my F800 if a bike like this was available from Kawasaki. I even told them that at a focus group, this is the bike they need to make. Hopefully they will get it soon, what with the success of the F800 and the big hooplah going on around the tiger 800. Give me a twin cylinder offroad capable bike in a small and light package, without the expense and BS of the BMW's and KTM's.

[Maniac28]

Oh yeah, about the versys, when it came out, that's all they wanted to talk about at the KLR focus group I was at. I guess they think most KLR riders ride on street only. Well, maybe they do.

[repsolrider]

Originally Posted by Maniac28

Dude! I've been riding KLR's since I was in high school and this is the best thing I've ever seen. Nice job! Now where can I buy one? I'd buy one today if available. I never would have bought my KTM 950 or my F800 if a bike like this was available from Kawasaki. I even told them that at a focus group, this is the bike they need to make. Hopefully they will get it soon, what with the success of the F800 and the big hooplah going on around the tiger 800. Give me a twin cylinder offroad capable bike in a small and light package, without the expense and BS of the BMW's and KTM's.

The only thing on my mind is building more of them. Send money. Pick your colours and hard parts.

[repsolrider]

Originally Posted by IslandSpark

Scotty!

Glad to see she is all finished up bud, looks great! when are we doing Africa or Eastern Europe Hope to see you at the Official life unveiling tomorrow night!!

Pat

I was thinking south America first. See you tommorrow buddy.

[Ogre_fl]

Originally Posted by repsolrider

The only thing on my mind is building more of them. Send money. Pick your colours and hard parts.

So.....how much money do you want sent?
Oh, make mine bright kawi green

[Zammy]

NICE ....now where's mine???

[Sharkguy]

Cool, lets see more of the build!