Pro tip cover your fuel tank with a blanket folded in two whenever you work on areas adjacent to it. This is especially important if you don’t like damages. Tools slip parts drop etc.
I swapped my bars from my Gen2 for a set of Pro-Taper bars and risers. I spent a lot of money on it ,but the bike never felt right off road after i did it. I'm glad you were more successful.
Great video, on my DR650, going to a taper bar, it was a drastic change in vibration, it literally took 90% of it away! I think it's because the tube changes diameter it tends to cancel out harmonic vibration. That's my reasoning anyway haha! Bike is looking good 👍🏻
I drop my KLR all the times when I hit a hoke covered in leaves. And the wider bars and longer bar ends protect side fairings and depending on angle the fog lights.
I do not agree with having narrow bars on a KLR... The reason is now you cant throw it around as well because the leverage has been compromised. I have been down this road before, especially with a heavy pig. The leverage on single track you need the leverage. Im sure the are comfortable but the leverage for throwing her into a balance on rough terrain is not as good. I think the Rox risers are great especilly if you are 6'5" as I am. I cant see the confidence inspiring on the trail, especially rough single track... Great video though. Everybody has to find their Sweet spot thanks Swanky Cat
Also noticed when through video what looks like the tusk version 1 engine guards which has a high chance/risk of cracking the farings in a crash since it is missing the additional frame support to prevent the guard from flexing.
I was thinking about getting some bar risers and cutting off about an inch of the stock bars on either side to shorten them. I subscribed your channel, enjoy your videos and you seem much more knowledgeable than me on stuff like this (which is not hard to be lol). I was wondering if you had any thoughts on if and why this may or may not work? I am happy with the style of the bars and the feel of them, but I agree they are a little bit low and wide.
I just got those bars only problem was trying to mount my Cycra hand guards back on I had to order a 11/8 clamp hope it will fit on it. Also my ProTaper pad fit perfectly but I need to really put on the Tusk wrap on it but oh ProTaper looks cool.
I just did this exact same thing with bars, I did drill holes and glad I did. But of course Its raining all day tomorrow ...Dammit ! Week end is good Though!
I don't know about the traveler version, but the Adventure version has a prewired plug for heated grips, like you say under the faring. I believe They should be still wrapped up with like a plastic baggy mine are. Not sure i will need heated grips i am in OKC. It Gets cold here but not more then 2-3 months out of the year. Thanks for the update on the tusk. Now I need to rethink, I was just about to go out today and pick up the pro taper ones. I agree the stock bars are blah.
@Kevin I agree but that is how it came from the factory they are bullet connectors and are in a electric grease don't think they will build up moisture any time soon. I was just looking at it just now there is two connectors there for heated grips and for aux lighs if I wanted to add them.
Great video as usual Swanky. Now I’m tempted to swap out the bars on my Gen 2 as the large amount of sweep seems to be responsible for too much pressure on the outside of my palms. Have you felt this too and I wonder if anyone has tried to bend the factory bars to make them straighter?
Thanks! I can't say that it ever bothered me all that much but I think I did notice that. I hear they bend pretty easy but you don't want to be bending them to much or the spot that's bending will get brittle. I've thought about it on other bikes but wouldn't recommend it.
Thanks for the great video. How would you lower a klr 1 inch without ruining the suspension or distorting it the least amount? I was thinking about dropping the forks an inch and 1 inch lowering links but people on the forums are saying that will destroy the suspension.
Personally lowering a bike would be a last resort for me. I'd try a lower seat and reducing my preload first. Lowering turns into a lot of work with the side stand and like you read on the forum it's not great for the bikes geometry and will through off handling. My Gen2s seat height scared the shit out of me for a long time until I started pushing myself to ride over obstacles rather than looking for spots to put my feet down. Doesn't matter how well you can reach the ground if you never stop! Also of you slide off the seat a little it makes it much easier to get one foot down. Hope that helps!
Personally lowering a bike would be a last resort for me. I'd try a lower seat and reducing my preload first. Lowering turns into a lot of work with the side stand and like you read on the forum it's not great for the bikes geometry and will through off handling. My Gen2s seat height scared the shit out of me for a long time until I started pushing myself to ride over obstacles rather than looking for spots to put my feet down. Doesn't matter how well you can reach the ground if you never stop! Also of you slide off the seat a little it makes it much easier to get one foot down. Hope that helps!
@@SwankyCatProductions thanks for the response, but what about safety? If I ride with a heavier passenger and can't get a solid foot down on pavement or worse, gravel and or sand to hold the bike up and the top heaviness of the bike washes it out from underneath? Is that not an important factor or should I just go faster and jump over rocks?
@@johnk9290 try watching some short rider tip videos, Bret Tkacs has a good one as do a few other youtubers. I can only tiptoe on one foot but have a few years experience now and feel quite comfortable carrying passenger/lot of luggage. Just takes practice (and a good passenger)
Hello friend. Im an older guy, 6'2, and decided I needed risers on my 2023 klr. I have the rox 2", for standard 7/8 bars. Do you know if I will need to get some cable slack to make these work. Thank You.
I'm not sure I said or at least didn't mean "cramped" in that sense. I meant I didn't like the amount of sweep and the position it put my arms and shoulders in. The new bars feel much much better, but that's just my preference.
I think that was the 50LM. I use the 60LM now and would say I prefer it. I just buy them used off eBay for $20 - $40. They can't use GPX files, but you might be able to find someone who sells an SD card with ATV trails and public land like VVMapping.com
Just a tip for later installs . Get yourself a good set of drill bits and a good centre punch . If your worried about controls moving around you can measure out a rough area in which you need the hole drilled for the dowel and punch it then drill . Did this many times working at kawi :) give you the peace of mind . I’ve seen controls slip on guys who cut the dowel and later had me drill a hole and put new ordered controls on.
I've actually still been having pretty good luck with mine still. One moves a little on my TW, but a wrap or two of electrical tape fixed it up. Nothing wrong with doing it the right way though haha.
Pro tip cover your fuel tank with a blanket folded in two whenever you work on areas adjacent to it. This is especially important if you don’t like damages. Tools slip parts drop etc.
Very good point, I did that with the Tenere bar swap but skipped it on the KLR for some reason lol.
I’m still waiting for a stainless nut to come outa that fairing two months later 🤣
Learned this the very hardest way
Great informative video and attention to detail on swapping bars. Excellent! Subscribed.
Replaced my bars yesterday, referred to this video a few times. Appreciate the help!
Glad to hear it was helpful!
I swapped my bars from my Gen2 for a set of Pro-Taper bars and risers. I spent a lot of money on it ,but the bike never felt right off road after i did it. I'm glad you were more successful.
What bend did you get? And what type of risers?
Great video, on my DR650, going to a taper bar, it was a drastic change in vibration, it literally took 90% of it away! I think it's because the tube changes diameter it tends to cancel out harmonic vibration. That's my reasoning anyway haha! Bike is looking good 👍🏻
I think your exactly right, fat bars are the way to go!
Interesting .. thanks
Did the same mod, except wrinkle painted the risers, looks great. Excellent mod. Thanks for the heads up.
I’ve been thinking about getting straighter bars- I think I’ll try these when I do. Thanks Ben!
Definitely worth the time and effort!
I drop my KLR all the times when I hit a hoke covered in leaves. And the wider bars and longer bar ends protect side fairings and depending on angle the fog lights.
I do not agree with having narrow bars on a KLR... The reason is now you cant throw it around as well because the leverage has been compromised. I have been down this road before, especially with a heavy pig. The leverage on single track you need the leverage. Im sure the are comfortable but the leverage for throwing her into a balance on rough terrain is not as good. I think the Rox risers are great especilly if you are 6'5" as I am. I cant see the confidence inspiring on the trail, especially rough single track... Great video though. Everybody has to find their Sweet spot thanks Swanky Cat
What ever dude, I'm 6'2 and my Tusk 30 mm risers work dope !!!
I'm telling ya, shorter bars with less sweep make it feel much better off and on road.
Any trouble with the cable lengths?
Also noticed when through video what looks like the tusk version 1 engine guards which has a high chance/risk of cracking the farings in a crash since it is missing the additional frame support to prevent the guard from flexing.
When removing the bar clamps with
Air gun, it matched the tempo of the whistle in the song lol
I was thinking about getting some bar risers and cutting off about an inch of the stock bars on either side to shorten them. I subscribed your channel, enjoy your videos and you seem much more knowledgeable than me on stuff like this (which is not hard to be lol). I was wondering if you had any thoughts on if and why this may or may not work? I am happy with the style of the bars and the feel of them, but I agree they are a little bit low and wide.
I just got those bars only problem was trying to mount my Cycra hand guards back on I had to order a 11/8 clamp hope it will fit on it. Also my ProTaper pad fit perfectly but I need to really put on the Tusk wrap on it but oh ProTaper looks cool.
I just did this exact same thing with bars, I did drill holes and glad I did. But of course Its raining all day tomorrow ...Dammit ! Week end is good Though!
Haha yeah I've been there!
Did you determine if those were in fact the KTM or ATV bend?
just a little bit of friction tape works wonders to keep the controls in place =)
Would you give us a parts list and links of your upgrades?
I don't know about the traveler version, but the Adventure version has a prewired plug for heated grips, like you say under the faring. I believe They should be still wrapped up with like a plastic baggy mine are. Not sure i will need heated grips i am in OKC. It Gets cold here but not more then 2-3 months out of the year. Thanks for the update on the tusk. Now I need to rethink, I was just about to go out today and pick up the pro taper ones. I agree the stock bars are blah.
I think either way you'll be happy. I really like my fat bars though, I think that might have something to do with the reduction in vibration.
@Kevin I agree but that is how it came from the factory they are bullet connectors and are in a electric grease don't think they will build up moisture any time soon. I was just looking at it just now there is two connectors there for heated grips and for aux lighs if I wanted to add them.
Great video as usual Swanky. Now I’m tempted to swap out the bars on my Gen 2 as the large amount of sweep seems to be responsible for too much pressure on the outside of my palms. Have you felt this too and I wonder if anyone has tried to bend the factory bars to make them straighter?
Thanks! I can't say that it ever bothered me all that much but I think I did notice that. I hear they bend pretty easy but you don't want to be bending them to much or the spot that's bending will get brittle. I've thought about it on other bikes but wouldn't recommend it.
Another proper video!
wrap some tape around the bar under the controls to prevent them from spinning
Did you ever find out if these were ATV bend or KTM bend?
Thanks for the great video. How would you lower a klr 1 inch without ruining the suspension or distorting it the least amount? I was thinking about dropping the forks an inch and 1 inch lowering links but people on the forums are saying that will destroy the suspension.
Personally lowering a bike would be a last resort for me. I'd try a lower seat and reducing my preload first. Lowering turns into a lot of work with the side stand and like you read on the forum it's not great for the bikes geometry and will through off handling. My Gen2s seat height scared the shit out of me for a long time until I started pushing myself to ride over obstacles rather than looking for spots to put my feet down. Doesn't matter how well you can reach the ground if you never stop! Also of you slide off the seat a little it makes it much easier to get one foot down. Hope that helps!
Personally lowering a bike would be a last resort for me. I'd try a lower seat and reducing my preload first. Lowering turns into a lot of work with the side stand and like you read on the forum it's not great for the bikes geometry and will through off handling. My Gen2s seat height scared the shit out of me for a long time until I started pushing myself to ride over obstacles rather than looking for spots to put my feet down. Doesn't matter how well you can reach the ground if you never stop! Also of you slide off the seat a little it makes it much easier to get one foot down. Hope that helps!
@@SwankyCatProductions thanks for the response, but what about safety? If I ride with a heavier passenger and can't get a solid foot down on pavement or worse, gravel and or sand to hold the bike up and the top heaviness of the bike washes it out from underneath? Is that not an important factor or should I just go faster and jump over rocks?
.
@@johnk9290 try watching some short rider tip videos, Bret Tkacs has a good one as do a few other youtubers. I can only tiptoe on one foot but have a few years experience now and feel quite comfortable carrying passenger/lot of luggage. Just takes practice (and a good passenger)
Did it end up being the KTM bend?
Hello friend. Im an older guy, 6'2, and decided I needed risers on my 2023 klr. I have the rox 2", for standard 7/8 bars. Do you know if I will need to get some cable slack to make these work. Thank You.
I believe I've seen people with a 2" riser and no issues. You may have to loosen some tire downs etc. but my guess is you'll be able to make it work.
@@SwankyCatProductions Thank you. I really appreciate your videos too.
Confused, first you say the stock bar is too cramped and then the replacement is narrower?
I'm not sure I said or at least didn't mean "cramped" in that sense. I meant I didn't like the amount of sweep and the position it put my arms and shoulders in. The new bars feel much much better, but that's just my preference.
What trail system are you on? Can we ride bikes on atv trails around hear? (N central wi)
Some counties allow it yes. Lincoln and Langlade both do.
What model garmin do you have? It looks like the perfect size
I think that was the 50LM. I use the 60LM now and would say I prefer it. I just buy them used off eBay for $20 - $40. They can't use GPX files, but you might be able to find someone who sells an SD card with ATV trails and public land like VVMapping.com
Is the buzz/vibration about the same on the T7 and KLR? I'm back and forth on which one to buy. Don't like numb hands. :-( Thanks a lot.
I think the Tenere is definitely smoother but with this setup and some ProGrips the KLR really isn't bad either.
Where did you get the Engine Protect Crash Bars? Are they the ones that are for the 2020 KLR 650?
DirtRacks! ruclips.net/video/cY9IbOIpVdI/видео.html
I don’t do off-road, my question is the kickstand leans to far left, is there a mod too lift it by 1 1/2”?
I'm not sure if it would fit but I believe that the gen 2 stand is longer.
I had the same problem.
Just a tip for later installs . Get yourself a good set of drill bits and a good centre punch . If your worried about controls moving around you can measure out a rough area in which you need the hole drilled for the dowel and punch it then drill . Did this many times working at kawi :) give you the peace of mind . I’ve seen controls slip on guys who cut the dowel and later had me drill a hole and put new ordered controls on.
I've actually still been having pretty good luck with mine still. One moves a little on my TW, but a wrap or two of electrical tape fixed it up. Nothing wrong with doing it the right way though haha.
why fix what is NOT broken ? ...
I like my tusk handle bar risers
i put kids play slime in mine stops the buzz try it
like inside the bar? can you elaborate :)
@@chrisunderhill8853 yes inside honest it works just make sure its the very thick one
Just put a cork about as far as you can on both sides firstq