| Author | Message | ||
     Kevinaye |
I have to admit on Sunday night, while replacing the broken side stand fasteners on my 06 Uly. I seriously thought about selling it and picking up a new KLR650. That was a lot of work to remove 2 bolts!!! Only having a lift does not help when removing the exhaust. I have aspirations to do an extended trip to South America. The KLR is definately a more sensible choice. But.......I set off on Monday for a trip in British Columbia.. Covering 2000kms in 4 days. 300-400km off road. I have got to say the Uly handled everything extremely well. It was particularly good at not falling over with the new bolts installed. Day 1 was 900km and around 10hrs in the saddle. No problem for the bike. Bit of saddle soreness but that's to be expected on any bike. I was with a buddy riding a gs650. Had no real problems keeping up on the dirt trails. Although I would say he was having an easier time of some of the looser stuff. Of course, on the road there was no contest. Lovin' the Uly again. The more work I get to do on it the more confident I 'll be to take it on a big trip. This forum makes working on the bike so much easier. Thanks to everyone for posting their advise and opinions. | ||
| Rotorhead |
One thing you this forum is great for is figuring out common failures and what you need for the long trip. I'm over 55,000 miles now and this bike is a great long trip bike. last one was 2600 miles in 4 days 2 up!!! Easy to fix IF you have the part on hand. A tool kit with about 20 tools gets you through any roadside repair. short list to pack along. (These all fit in the tail or tank bag) Belt voltage regulator do the 77 connector upgrade light bulbs Bearings!! and a tool to remove and install. Real trip killer! levers clutch cable (zip tied along the used one) | ||
| Cyclonedon |
if your thinking about riding in South America, check out this link. These people rode two 2006 XB12X Ulysses from Washington DC to Argentina. Now that is a real road trip! http://enlazandoamerica.com.ar/ing/contacto.htm | ||
| Bartimus |
Bearings? You would pack extra bearings, AND tools to change them? WTF? IMO if the bearings can't last through a decent road trip, it's time to upgrade to something better! Only one of my Buells have had failed bearings, and that was the front bearings on my S1W at 42,000 miles. While I've heard of, and worried about the bearings on my '08 oogly, I've had no problems in 15,000 miles. | ||
| F_skinner |
Bart, I think the theory is if you can get it to a shop and they do not have bearings then you would have them. I could be wrong. I am with you. If your bearings don't last a while then it is time for a different bike. | ||
| Etennuly |
I keep some of the "never seems to be in stock anywhere" stuff at home. If I get out say 700 miles and it craps a belt, I will call the home front and have it overnighted with what ever special tools would be needed, if it cannot be found and fixed locally. | ||
| Joe_solo |
Sold a DL1000 to this guy! He spent two years on the road. What a trip, wish I could have been the one on that ride - life commitments and so on... http://http://www.dmotorider.com/ | ||
| Rotorhead |
The idea is to have your own parts store to shop from and not wait on someone else. I've never had a bearing failure myself but it's not going to stop me if it does happen. A pair of socks take up more space than 2 sets of bearings. (Message edited by rotorhead on September 19, 2009) | ||
| Court |
I changed to the 2010 wheel for that reason. But, given the horror stories of dealers who do not stock bearings, if I were setting out on a cross country trip . . I'd have a spare set hidden somewhere on the bike. | ||
| Etennuly |
 I know what would happen if I carried spare bearings.....the damn things would rust up just about the time I would need to use them! | ||
| Thetable |
I had a week plus trip that would have been very thoroughly ruined had I not had the foresight to bring along a set of bearings. | ||
| Kevinaye |
2600 miles in 4 days? Did you at least stop for coffee? I had the extra clutch cable on my KLR. Thanks reminding me. I would not have thought about bearings though. How do you know when they fail? Lot's of grinding I would imagine. Also, what does this mean? "voltage regulator do the 77 connector upgrade" Cheers. | ||
| Rotorhead |
This is the new setup for the 77 connector http://docs.google.com/view?docid=d4rbxwr_20dq5khf The bearing thing is a odd one. Some fail some don't and the cause of failure is uncertain and always a great way to start a thread!!!! http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142 838/496666.html?1253189429 As for the 2600 mile thing, check my profile. I do allot of riding. I didn't coin the phrase, the ULY is the swiss army knife of motorcycles, and I love to prove it. | ||
| Pso |
Rotohead: I like the idea of the zip tie for the clutch cable, will do that this week. I remember years ago hearing about this trick. I also like the idea of a package for overnight delivey packed at home to send out. I think I will do that for things like a belt and also tools marked in a box. I am going to start a thread on the VR again ref. if we swapped out the #77 plug how is the VR now holeing up? | ||
| Rotorhead |
BTW on the clutch cable I use hot glue gun to seal up the ends so crap doesn't get in there. The hot glue peals right off clean. | ||
| Pso |
Thanks will do it. I carry cable in left bag, this will give me more room. | ||
| Kmartin |
So Rotorhead, how about a list of your 20 tools? | ||
| Skyclad |
I am one of the bearing victims, but have put that worry behind me. Replaced bearing three times in the first 12k. Did it myself the last time and found a damaged area in the bearing seating shoulder. Smoothed that out so the bearing could seat properly and haven't had another problem since. 13k on the current set. | ||
| Rcf2 |
Kevinaye, living in Brazil I can tell you that on my 35 years of motorcycling I don't remember to see one KLR650 in Brazil (very few Kawasaki). I guess you may find easier to get help from HD dealer (you may need with our poor petrol and bad roads) all over the continent than to have a KLR part, on BRazil at least. |
