| Top Gun Motorcycles |
2008 KLR-650
by Todd Vosper
by Todd Vosper
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is prohibited without the express written consent of the author. For more information or to request permission to publish this
document, please see our contact page. For information on our pledge to maintain your privacy click here. To learn more about
your friends at Top Gun Motorcycles, read about us here.
Temperature Comparison and Roll-On
We had an interesting weekend ride with the 2008. As some of you may remember, we did
a temperature comparison between the DR650 and the KLR650 back in Oct 2006.
Kawasaki has stated that the 2008’s cooling system is 20% more efficient than the
previous model. We had to agree after riding it for a while that this appeared to be so.
The temperature needle hardly ever makes it half way up the gauge, and our fan is
probably feeling very lonely; it’s hardly ever asked to go for a spin. Of course, we first had
to fill up with “numero quatro y café” at La Fogata in Tecate, then we decided to get to
work.
We made three stops along Highway 94 and Buckman Springs Road. The first stop was
only a short 5 minutes or so, just to get an early look at the 2008’s cooling capabilities.
The next stop was after another 8-10 minutes of fairly hard riding, and the final stop was
another 10 minutes later after traversing some reasonably level terrain. We used hand
and arm signals to stay in the same gear as much as possible; both bikes were geared
stock with 15/43 final gearing; both bikes were equipped with their stock bash plates; and
Elden and I are roughly the same size, me having an inch or two longer torso and Elden
weighing about 10 lbs more. Our riding styles are pretty similar though Elden is probably a
bit more abrupt on his accels and decels. I don’t think this made much difference in
temperature, but I mention it because we also did a quick mileage check at the end of the
ride. Finally, we conducted an informal “roll-on” comparison up a long hill (approx .75 –
1.0 miles) to see if the new bike could out pull the older model - Kawi’s sales literature
mentions more power, quote “A redesigned cylinder head boasts new intake porting for
greater low-end torque and quicker throttle response in city traffic, as well as improved
top-end power for high-speed cruising on the open road.”
We had an interesting weekend ride with the 2008. As some of you may remember, we did
a temperature comparison between the DR650 and the KLR650 back in Oct 2006.
Kawasaki has stated that the 2008’s cooling system is 20% more efficient than the
previous model. We had to agree after riding it for a while that this appeared to be so.
The temperature needle hardly ever makes it half way up the gauge, and our fan is
probably feeling very lonely; it’s hardly ever asked to go for a spin. Of course, we first had
to fill up with “numero quatro y café” at La Fogata in Tecate, then we decided to get to
work.
We made three stops along Highway 94 and Buckman Springs Road. The first stop was
only a short 5 minutes or so, just to get an early look at the 2008’s cooling capabilities.
The next stop was after another 8-10 minutes of fairly hard riding, and the final stop was
another 10 minutes later after traversing some reasonably level terrain. We used hand
and arm signals to stay in the same gear as much as possible; both bikes were geared
stock with 15/43 final gearing; both bikes were equipped with their stock bash plates; and
Elden and I are roughly the same size, me having an inch or two longer torso and Elden
weighing about 10 lbs more. Our riding styles are pretty similar though Elden is probably a
bit more abrupt on his accels and decels. I don’t think this made much difference in
temperature, but I mention it because we also did a quick mileage check at the end of the
ride. Finally, we conducted an informal “roll-on” comparison up a long hill (approx .75 –
1.0 miles) to see if the new bike could out pull the older model - Kawi’s sales literature
mentions more power, quote “A redesigned cylinder head boasts new intake porting for
greater low-end torque and quicker throttle response in city traffic, as well as improved
top-end power for high-speed cruising on the open road.”
What's NEW!
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Temperatures for the day were slowly
climbing, and ranged between 75 degrees
and 82 degrees. Neither fan had come on yet
while riding. On our second radiator reading,
we let the engines idle for approximately 5
minutes waiting for one of the fans to kick on.
We initially thought that we could get a valid
radiator reading at the instant the fan started.
What we found was that even though we took
the radiator reading within 15 seconds or so
of the fan starting, the outer radiator
temperature had already decreased
approximately 50 degrees! Just as surprising,
when the fan stopped, the radiator temp
immediately climbed right back up just as
quickly. That being said, the second radiator
climbing, and ranged between 75 degrees
and 82 degrees. Neither fan had come on yet
while riding. On our second radiator reading,
we let the engines idle for approximately 5
minutes waiting for one of the fans to kick on.
We initially thought that we could get a valid
radiator reading at the instant the fan started.
What we found was that even though we took
the radiator reading within 15 seconds or so
of the fan starting, the outer radiator
temperature had already decreased
approximately 50 degrees! Just as surprising,
when the fan stopped, the radiator temp
immediately climbed right back up just as
quickly. That being said, the second radiator
*Only two readings taken (2nd and 3rd). Third reading was taken after the
2005's fan came on, turned off, then stabilized.
2005's fan came on, turned off, then stabilized.
reading probably doesn’t provide a good
indication of radiator temperature at fan turn-
on, but it’s interesting nonetheless.
The 2008’s fan never kicked on at all, and by
the look of the temp gauge, didn’t appear to
be close to coming on, either. We haven’t
been able to procure a service manual from
Kawasaki yet, but we wonder if the fan
temperature threshold has been changed for
the 08? If so, the next question would be
whether it was changed because Kawasaki
realized the threshold of the old model was
too conservative, or because they figure that
the new, improved cooling system can start
at a higher temperature and still reign the
heat back in.
What should stand out the most from our
temperature readings is that engine
temperatures vary little from model to model.
The new cooling system does appear to be
more efficient in taking heat away from the
coolant at the radiator, but that doesn’t
necessarily translate to cooler engine
temperatures. The readings should also
point out the importance of air cooling, even
on a liquid cooled bike. The more junk you
hang in front of the engine, the less heat will
be transferred to the passing air, and the
harder your liquid cooling system will have to
work.
The 2008 should have an advantage at slow
speeds in hot weather where the old system
might not be able to keep up with the cooling
requirements without the assistance provided
by air cooling. Once the summer is in full
swing, we plan to drop down into the Anza
Borrego desert and compare both old and
new KLR under significantly hotter conditions.
indication of radiator temperature at fan turn-
on, but it’s interesting nonetheless.
The 2008’s fan never kicked on at all, and by
the look of the temp gauge, didn’t appear to
be close to coming on, either. We haven’t
been able to procure a service manual from
Kawasaki yet, but we wonder if the fan
temperature threshold has been changed for
the 08? If so, the next question would be
whether it was changed because Kawasaki
realized the threshold of the old model was
too conservative, or because they figure that
the new, improved cooling system can start
at a higher temperature and still reign the
heat back in.
What should stand out the most from our
temperature readings is that engine
temperatures vary little from model to model.
The new cooling system does appear to be
more efficient in taking heat away from the
coolant at the radiator, but that doesn’t
necessarily translate to cooler engine
temperatures. The readings should also
point out the importance of air cooling, even
on a liquid cooled bike. The more junk you
hang in front of the engine, the less heat will
be transferred to the passing air, and the
harder your liquid cooling system will have to
work.
The 2008 should have an advantage at slow
speeds in hot weather where the old system
might not be able to keep up with the cooling
requirements without the assistance provided
by air cooling. Once the summer is in full
swing, we plan to drop down into the Anza
Borrego desert and compare both old and
new KLR under significantly hotter conditions.
You can see in the table above the temperature differences taken at various locations
around the engine. Note the radiator temperatures. We waited until the second reading
to check the radiator since we wanted the system at normal operating temps.
around the engine. Note the radiator temperatures. We waited until the second reading
to check the radiator since we wanted the system at normal operating temps.
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| Oil Sump |
| Cylinder |
| Head |
| Oil Filter Cover |
| Clutch Cover |
| Dyno Cover |
