You are 'the guy' I tell people about when they ask me why I chose the KLR. I tell them about your trip from Alaska to Argentina and then say, If the older version of this bike could take him that far then it will never never fail me. Thanks for being the motivation!
Great info!!! On my 2004 KLR I had the taller and wider windshield from dual-star.net and could actually use a cell phone while riding. I found the stock front springs to be a little soft too and replaced them w/ spacers. Plus replaced the brake lines with Galfer braided steel and made a HUGE improvement. I had the skid plate, water pump guard, radiator guard, caliper guard, and headlight protector. I always found the KLR needed a 6th gear and the charging system was fragile and under powered. Electrex made a killer stator to alleviate that. The Big Gun pipe on mine was LOUD but looked cool. Love your expedition videos!!
Awesome, finally a video that doesn’t involve spending $700 on SW motech and eagle mike right off the bat. These tips and mods were actually useful, especially that center stand and the tool tube, I’ll definitely probably be adding that to me everyday ride
The day I got my license I took my Honda CB500x for three weeks through south and east Australia. I build some panniers out of bunnings tool boxes and some laser cut sheet metal I designed up.
l would disagree on the windshield on two points: 1. If it's cold you do not wanna have direct wind on you 2. It really helps with the wind noise. Wind turbulence can greatly contribute to the stress at the end of the day since it can get really loud despite the helmet. A windshield of the right size could help reduce the noise to the point you could even listen to music with almost no wind interference
Bro, you did a great job. Like the way you modified your bike. Who needs a fancy 25k bike with all the gimmicks when you can do it much cheaper. Great work.
You opened my eyes.. alex.. surely.. i will be travelling my nation with my honda 150cc.. you are an inspiration of whole lot of people who travel aroind the world.. thank u a lot
Thanks for the vids. I just got my 2016 KLR a few months ago, and a GoPro4 also. I am learning all about them both and videos like yours are helping me along. I am learning about shooting video, editing it, getting footage across platforms (youtube, instagram, iphone etc ) I am also planning my first short trip.
noticed the Vulcan S in the back.. started riding last year and my Vulcan S is my first bike, i love it! although, Im planning on transitioning my life to travel and escape the "social norm" of having a 9-5 and working all the time... so, im thinking of eventually trading her in for a KLR 650 and travel like what you did, thanks for the videos!
dude this has me so excited! got into riding last year on a Vstar 650 but had to sell it due to covid takin a fat dump on my bank account :?( but I'm getting back into riding and boy you have set off a spark inside of me! KLR and trip round Australia is on the cards! beast
Thanks Alex - reminded me of the web page you have with the shopping basket 'tip' on it? The bit of wood is a great tip - I've been using a similar piece of wood to prop up my rear wheel for chain cleaning n lube too, it has the words 'Very Important Motorcycle Tool' written on it to make sure no one throws it out.
Hey, Alex! Amazing video! Just came back from a 2,000 km trip in Perú with my dad. We have a XR250 (2011) and a KLR (2014), both are great bags. As you said, you do not need to expend tons of money for the equipment. We might use some of your ideas! Regards!
Wow Alex, thanks for posting this vid. i have been wanting to take a good look at that bike since i saw your blogs. That bike right there is legendary. Glad to see you keep faithful to the KLR. Best bike in the world for me. cheer once again and reeber Baja awaits you. Team KLR Baja sends their love.. Thank for this vid can't wait to see part 2. By the way great stickers you've got there, You should do one vid behind the story of every sticker, that would be VERY interesting. cheers y saludos.God Bless.
Great dude! I travel a lot by bicycle and I'm started changing my mind (move to motorcycles) because of your travels. Thanks for sharing that with us. PS: Next year I'll cross USA, mostly based on your videos
I love it!! I see all the KLR owners immediately start adding a ton of crap to their bike with less than 100 miles on it. Psh. Ride it first and see what works for you, not what people say you should do!
CeeBaileys makes a taller windscreen that you can look over. They come in a couple of different heights and are aircraft quality plastic. I really like mine. Thanks for the wood center stand tip Alex Chacon. Makes good sense.
thanks for the tip with the wood block. I've been thinking about getting a stand to lube my chain and now I'll just use the piece of wood so the rear tire can spin freely.
Great! I've made myself a center stand for my 2012 KLR, it works great, and is very useful (I was tired of using the wood.. jaja.. What I will copy from you, is the tool box. Thanks for sharing!
Hey Nick! nice to see you yesterday and thanks for that tire change! LOL I'm honored you were already subscribed. Remember if you want to come by and see all the mods I have on the bike let me know, I'm around the corner
I've been watching 4x4 overland videos and they spend more on slide out refrigerators and storage drawers then you did on your bike. Less is more, I like it. One question. How much would you spend on saving weight? Ti vs. steel? It can get expensive I know. I have traveling on a KLX300 with bicycle panniers, camping gear and so on. It turns into handling like a mini van real fast. Once again, great work.
wonderful videos. I watched part one and two but I was wondering if you could tell me where you got these. The metal ones. These are the ones that I want.
Hi Alex, I just bought a brand-new KLR in part thanks to you. I'm loving it so far. I was wondering since you have been on such long stretches of highway if you ever change the gearing on your bike or if you have always gone stock?
Just discovered your channel, quite impressed! Beautiful editing and production. I also own a KLR 650 and would love to go on long trips 500-1000 mile (which is probably not considered long for you) But I would like to ride 2 up with my wife and some gear. Do you think the KLR would handle it at interstate speeds? Or would it be better sticking to slower roads?
hey cool video. what about all the maintenance your always doing to you r bike in your videos? i dont mean make videos of the maintenance but rather list how much you did what on your 500 day trip
Why choose a middle weight bike bike to travel instead of a bigger bike (like a R1200GS or other beasts of that size)? Besides cost, are there any advantages? I guess a lighter bike would be great when doing a lot of off road. But are there any other reasons?
In my experience, a 1200cc engine is way too much power for most countries in this world. It's great for Brazil, USA, Canada what have fast and long roads, but in places like India, Central America and Asia your average speed on the road is much slower. For me it's because it's no too light, not too heavy for off roads, the cost is far less, and I can pick up the bike by myself if I drop it fully loaded when it's way more difficult to do so on a larger bike. Remember, you can take and motorcycle around the world, even your 1200GS, it's a matter of preference and what you want to have. Nothing wrong with any bike in my opinion
inspiration! I am looking at this bike or similar. If you were to say, pack it up, add stuff Like a roll, tent etc.. where a passenger would go.. Can you lean back and put your feet on the hgwy pegs? I just did a 45 day thing on my springer and i needed that! I DO see I need a klr or something similar for my upcoming bigger excursion! I wonder if you can put pull back risers on foreign bikes? Any tips?
Great video as allways. Guys, which GPS application do you recommend, if im using only mobilephone on the road (because i have allways overheating problems).
hi mate looks like you have done a few miles on a few klrs some home truths does the klr 650 need to have the doohickey spring up grade like a heap of videos state so what im asking have you ever done this to any of your klrs
You are 'the guy' I tell people about when they ask me why I chose the KLR. I tell them about your trip from Alaska to Argentina and then say, If the older version of this bike could take him that far then it will never never fail me. Thanks for being the motivation!
That 2x4 stand deserves more global attention 😂🍻🍻
Everyone ... you *need* to see the 500 day video. It's the greatest motorcycle video on the planet!
so far.....
Great info!!! On my 2004 KLR I had the taller and wider windshield from dual-star.net and could actually use a cell phone while riding. I found the stock front springs to be a little soft too and replaced them w/ spacers. Plus replaced the brake lines with Galfer braided steel and made a HUGE improvement. I had the skid plate, water pump guard, radiator guard, caliper guard, and headlight protector. I always found the KLR needed a 6th gear and the charging system was fragile and under powered. Electrex made a killer stator to alleviate that. The Big Gun pipe on mine was LOUD but looked cool. Love your expedition videos!!
You can change the front sprocket and you can do 70 mph on 4500 rpm instead of 5000.
It really helps👌
Awesome, finally a video that doesn’t involve spending $700 on SW motech and eagle mike right off the bat. These tips and mods were actually useful, especially that center stand and the tool tube, I’ll definitely probably be adding that to me everyday ride
Dude that plank of wood center stand is freaking genius
I've never heard someone say Pelican cases are cheap!
And having the pelican up there with the handle means you can pull a skier :)
The day I got my license I took my Honda CB500x for three weeks through south and east Australia. I build some panniers out of bunnings tool boxes and some laser cut sheet metal I designed up.
Drain pipe is a great idea... love watching these vids all have very handy info..
l would disagree on the windshield on two points:
1. If it's cold you do not wanna have direct wind on you
2. It really helps with the wind noise. Wind turbulence can greatly contribute to the stress at the end of the day since it can get really loud despite the helmet. A windshield of the right size could help reduce the noise to the point you could even listen to music with almost no wind interference
this is inspiring and helpful. I just got a klr last month. felt some regret bc I didn't think I could go on tours with it.
it's all about the personal experience , don't think too much of "getting out there"
I like the pelican case used as a trunk. What a great idea!! They can be cheep compared to actual motorcycle gear.
Like your ' piece of wood ', that is amazing not because of it cheap but it is so creative.
hi alex you are the mother of all motor cyclist!! many thanks for sharing all your vids hope to meet you on a trip sometime
bro you made my night now i can sleep well and saves a lot money while touring!!
Nice to see some focus on the machines that carried you around!
Bro, you did a great job. Like the way you modified your bike. Who needs a fancy 25k bike with all the gimmicks when you can do it much cheaper. Great work.
Alex-thanks for getting back to making "home" videos like this one. This is the reason I got hooked on you years ago.
You opened my eyes.. alex.. surely.. i will be travelling my nation with my honda 150cc.. you are an inspiration of whole lot of people who travel aroind the world.. thank u a lot
100% agreed!
Thank you for your insight
s and tips, your enthusiasm is contagious...
Thanks for the 2x4 tip, going to use this right away!
Great ideas...have not seen anywhere else 👍🏻👍🏻 subscribed.
Thanks for the vids. I just got my 2016 KLR a few months ago, and a GoPro4 also. I am learning all about them both and videos like yours are helping me along. I am learning about shooting video, editing it, getting footage across platforms (youtube, instagram, iphone etc ) I am also planning my first short trip.
Still great advice for a new KLR owner , thanks !
noticed the Vulcan S in the back.. started riding last year and my Vulcan S is my first bike, i love it! although, Im planning on transitioning my life to travel and escape the "social norm" of having a 9-5 and working all the time... so, im thinking of eventually trading her in for a KLR 650 and travel like what you did, thanks for the videos!
dude this has me so excited! got into riding last year on a Vstar 650 but had to sell it due to covid takin a fat dump on my bank account :?( but I'm getting back into riding and boy you have set off a spark inside of me! KLR and trip round Australia is on the cards! beast
It was very constructive.
Thanks for sharing Alex and ride safe.
thanks for watching!
Thanks Alex - reminded me of the web page you have with the shopping basket 'tip' on it? The bit of wood is a great tip - I've been using a similar piece of wood to prop up my rear wheel for chain cleaning n lube too, it has the words 'Very Important Motorcycle Tool' written on it to make sure no one throws it out.
love it! You can check out part II here : ruclips.net/video/bIZGgx4Vyjw/видео.html
Hey, Alex! Amazing video! Just came back from a 2,000 km trip in Perú with my dad. We have a XR250 (2011) and a KLR (2014), both are great bags. As you said, you do not need to expend tons of money for the equipment. We might use some of your ideas! Regards!
I just bought a 2012 klr down in Austin low miles Im looking to deck this bike out
Wow Alex, thanks for posting this vid. i have been wanting to take a good look at that bike since i saw your blogs. That bike right there is legendary. Glad to see you keep faithful to the KLR. Best bike in the world for me. cheer once again and reeber Baja awaits you. Team KLR Baja sends their love.. Thank for this vid can't wait to see part 2. By the way great stickers you've got there, You should do one vid behind the story of every sticker, that would be VERY interesting. cheers y saludos.God Bless.
thanks for the suggestion. Here's part II - ruclips.net/video/bIZGgx4Vyjw/видео.html
Thank you Alex, this is a huge help! I am planning a trip, and your advice is always much appreciated!
And the wooden box that you use as a sadle stand that was best thing in video :-D . . Thanks for advice
A very helpful video, and a great way to encourage people, thank you!
awesome and well thought through gear choices, from someone with hard won experience.
Great video, been waiting to see how your bikes are set up. Thanks
thanks for watching
Great dude!
I travel a lot by bicycle and I'm started changing my mind (move to motorcycles) because of your travels.
Thanks for sharing that with us.
PS: Next year I'll cross USA, mostly based on your videos
I bet its truly is an adventure to go on a 500 day ride. One day i hope to experience it myself : )
As always. Great video. Finally subscribed.
This man has done more with his life them most people, I wish I was him
Fellow KLR owner here. Great advice Alex.
thanks for watching!
I love it!! I see all the KLR owners immediately start adding a ton of crap to their bike with less than 100 miles on it. Psh. Ride it first and see what works for you, not what people say you should do!
Rob Pratten I completely agree with you. My bike is completely stock and I road 1500 ks without any problems
Great video that shows that you can do it if you want to!
Best motorcycle RUclipsr in the RUclips World
thanks Carlos!
Alex Chacon Your Welcome your videos are great and idk why but they're satisfying to watch.
Alex Chacon I'm 12 by the way and I enjoy riding too. HAVE A GOOD SUMMER 😀
Hey Carlos what location is in your profile picture
CeeBaileys makes a taller windscreen that you can look over. They come in a couple of different heights and are aircraft quality plastic. I really like mine. Thanks for the wood center stand tip Alex Chacon. Makes good sense.
No Pebble Mine!!! Best sticker ya got.
thanks for the tip with the wood block. I've been thinking about getting a stand to lube my chain and now I'll just use the piece of wood so the rear tire can spin freely.
it's certainly a cheap solution
Top tips mate and very well documented. Just what I was after. Thanks a real lot :)
GREAT INFO. RED KLR BACKGROUND LOOKS LIKE EL PASO, TEXAS
Great vid. Like your approach, bruh.
Commentary is very good.
Great! I've made myself a center stand for my 2012 KLR, it works great, and is very useful (I was tired of using the wood.. jaja.. What I will copy from you, is the tool box. Thanks for sharing!
thanks for watching
Very helpful advice...... Thanks Alex
u r awesome Alex..all the best for ur future rides.. 😊
That's so much helpful as am planning long trip this winter..Delhi to Kolkata...
Well well well, nice to see you here aswell :P
+Wanderer am a fan-follower of Alex Chacon....☺
Eagle mike subframe drill through man, a must have.
What an awesome video!!👌👌👌
Another great video Alex, tanks for sharing. Hugs
I agree with you on the piece of wood to repair the rear tire, but how about the front tire?
use the same piece of wood to prop up the front
Just install a center stand. I did
Great advice alex 😁
thanks man! continue enjoying your travels!
wtf youre here
Nice looking bike!
Enjoyed it !
I would totally do the front fender mod to the 2022 model!
Awesome Video, what do you recommend to pit on those side bags?
Good stuff--that is not a 2x4
Great video man.........thanks
Thanks Alex!
I think this guy did a trip across United States :)
Yes I did
Another great video, thanks for sharing Alex! :-)
you are too smart mate, too good tips
Cool motorcycle 👍🏽😎
thanks man, not gonna buy fancy CNC milled stand to lube my chain now :)
Haha dude!! I'm that guy from Santa Teresa motorsports!, I do remember you man. I was already subscribed
Hey Nick! nice to see you yesterday and thanks for that tire change! LOL I'm honored you were already subscribed. Remember if you want to come by and see all the mods I have on the bike let me know, I'm around the corner
Is that tool tube 3"PVC pipe ?
Awesome! You are my inspiration :)
nice vedio i'm fan of your when i starting watching vedios of yours do it best of luck
thanks for watching!
I put power windows on mine and air conditioning couldnt tell wheight difference
I've been watching 4x4 overland videos and they spend more on slide out refrigerators and storage drawers then you did on your bike. Less is more, I like it. One question. How much would you spend on saving weight? Ti vs. steel? It can get expensive I know. I have traveling on a KLX300 with bicycle panniers, camping gear and so on. It turns into handling like a mini van real fast. Once again, great work.
I don't really have an answer to your question, sorry
Cool video
Awesome!
wonderful videos. I watched part one and two but I was wondering if you could tell me where you got these. The metal ones. These are the ones that I want.
klr650 are eternal...
Just like Doom
Muito legal. Ei Alex sou sua fã! Beijos do Brasil 😘
obrigado!
+Alex Chacon Você conhece o Maranhão, no Brasil? Lençóis Maranhenses?
Hi Alex, I just bought a brand-new KLR in part thanks to you. I'm loving it so far. I was wondering since you have been on such long stretches of highway if you ever change the gearing on your bike or if you have always gone stock?
Is that the eg4 happy trail engine guard and highway pegs?
i happen to have some amazing hearing and this video has a few multi tone high pitched sounds that are consistent with the video.
still like the video and watching without sound.
Excelente una gran moto, no hay duda de eso, saludos desde paraguay
Just discovered your channel, quite impressed! Beautiful editing and production. I also own a KLR 650 and would love to go on long trips 500-1000 mile (which is probably not considered long for you) But I would like to ride 2 up with my wife and some gear. Do you think the KLR would handle it at interstate speeds? Or would it be better sticking to slower roads?
Thanks Jeremy! a KLR is very versatile , so yes it can handle it, not as good as a 1200 bigger bike but good enough in my opinion
Great, thanks for the swift response! keep up the amazing videos and continue your adventures!
thanks!
hey cool video. what about all the maintenance your always doing to you r bike in your videos? i dont mean make videos of the maintenance but rather list how much you did what on your 500 day trip
This video will certainly help me in my future plans of doing long distance riding, thanks :)
Very very informative!!
World traveler/rider starter kit ;)
Why choose a middle weight bike bike to travel instead of a bigger bike (like a R1200GS or other beasts of that size)? Besides cost, are there any advantages? I guess a lighter bike would be great when doing a lot of off road. But are there any other reasons?
In my experience, a 1200cc engine is way too much power for most countries in this world. It's great for Brazil, USA, Canada what have fast and long roads, but in places like India, Central America and Asia your average speed on the road is much slower. For me it's because it's no too light, not too heavy for off roads, the cost is far less, and I can pick up the bike by myself if I drop it fully loaded when it's way more difficult to do so on a larger bike. Remember, you can take and motorcycle around the world, even your 1200GS, it's a matter of preference and what you want to have. Nothing wrong with any bike in my opinion
Thanks for your opinion!
Would you suggest large or medium Tusk panniers?.... 25l or 37l?
Great Info! Keep It Simple!
inspiration!
I am looking at this bike or similar. If you were to say, pack it up, add stuff Like a roll, tent etc.. where a passenger would go.. Can you lean back and put your feet on the hgwy pegs? I just did a 45 day thing on my springer and i needed that! I DO see I need a klr or something similar for my upcoming bigger excursion! I wonder if you can put pull back risers on foreign bikes? Any tips?
you can do almost anything to these bikes
first its a 1x4 and if you found it on the side of the road, who did you give the dollar too
I've got a tool tube on my KLR and I DO keep my tools in there. Have you really had people try and nick them?
Never, but I just point out it's always a possibility
Great video as allways. Guys, which GPS application do you recommend, if im using only mobilephone on the road (because i have allways overheating problems).
great job! the front fender you made it yourself or is bought somewhere? Congratulations!
bought it. can't remember where. thanks for watching!
hi mate looks like you have done a few miles on a few klrs
some home truths does the klr 650 need to have the doohickey spring up grade like a heap of videos state
so what im asking have you ever done this to any of your klrs