Part two of this article from motorcycleusa.com has good reviews of several aftermarket upgrades for their
2012 KLR Project Bike (<link). If you are considering any of these upgrades, the article is well worth reading, but before you start spending,
here is my two-cents on these add-ons...
1. Givi 408D Windshield & D408KIT: I have considered getting a taller, touring windshield. But, I am happy with the protection from the shorter stock windshield. On the highway, I have no head buffeting and most bugs shoot over me. Plus, I like the look of the stock windshield. A KLR with the tall "touring" windshield reminds me of the Queen Alien from the movie, Aliens. That was a pretty good movie, but not so good that I want my bike looking like Sigourney Weaver's out-of-this-world nemesis.
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| Alien Queen dressed out for touring. |
2. Saddleman Adventure Track Seat: This innovative design resembles two sausages laying where a seat is supposed to go. It is
just too "leading edge" for me and I wonder how a passenger fits on this thing?? So, I will keep my $359.95 (for the unheated Saddleman) and my stock seat. While not a fan of the stock KLR saddle, I have worked a comfortable notch into it and it does not look like a bicycle seat. There are many KLR seat options available and many KLRiders work out their own custom seat mods. Do your homework before tossing out your seat!
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| Image credit: www.motorcycleusa.com |
3. SW Motech Centerstand: The KLR needs a center stand, and should have one from Kaswasaki, but...that's another post. I have no complaints about the looks of the SW Motech center stand, but raising and lowering the side stand to use the centerstand sounds cumbersome. When spending $179.99 you would hope for better. Happy Trails has their own center stand and grab bar for slightly less.
4. Givi TN421 Engine Guards: As I posted earlier, crash protection is a must for the KLR and these less expensive and lighter Givi bars seem a good option if you don't want to spend more for the SW Motech crash bars. The problem may be finding them. Motorcycle Superstore has them for the 2010-11 Versys, but not the KLR. Revilla.com has them for the KLR at $200, plus shipping. For your stock KLR, crash protection should be a top priority.
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| Image credit: globe-rider.blogspot.com |
The price for all of these goodies totals a whopping $889.94 (ouch!). Add shipping and sales tax and you are pretty near to $1,000. Unless you have an unlimited KLR budget, shop around for the best prices and be selective. There are some "must have" and many "nice to have" KLR farkles. Most riders do not need all of them. Before buying, take an honest look at how and where you ride, then upgrade where it works best for you and your bike. You will
have a great bike and gas money left in your pocket.
