[Cousin Jack]

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I love my KLR 650, the water cooled, "street fighter-dual sport-poor man's adventure ride- gotta run to the store for a loaf of bread vehicle!" But, being water-cooled, she sometimes runs too cold in the winter air of central Washington State. Never warms up. Rings don't seat, valves have a hard time, whatever.... I can buy a thermostat-mod that solves the problem -- runs about $150, but, $150 buys a lot of gas....or ski equipment....or Christmas presents for my Red. I had heard that other KLR-ers solve the problem with home-made radiator shields. Time to improvise.....

I cut a sheet of heavy cardboard, leaving a push-pull adjustment tab and covered the whole thing with my most utilized material -- duct tape! -- and shoved it between the radiator protector and the radiator itself..... works perfect..... I adjust by pulling it up, or shoving it down, even on the move (!), and thereby keep the heat needle about 1/3 to 1/2 dial...... bike now purrs like a stoned kitten!

I love simple, me!

 

[Bagmaster]

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I've done that a few times with old cars that don't seem to want to warm up in the winter. Old truckers trick.

 

[Ghost Rider 2]

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I was thinking of doing that this morning on my Concours. The temp gauge just barely gets to the bottom of normal range. 28 degrees this morning when I left for work 30 miles one way. Just got home it is 28.8 degrees now. Beautiful day for a ride.

 

[lostinflorida]

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I like your way of thinkin'. That's how people survived for so long, figuring out what they needed to do to get the job accomplished.

Most kids today would just go out and buy something or have some one else do it.

With it being in the very low 40's this morning my trusty 1200 didn't want to spin like normal. I was thinking I would have to resort to the car for a quick trip, but at last, she came to life.

I'm thinking that the battery (sorry, I know it's a touchy subject) is reaching it's time.

 

[Jennifer]

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Us Canadians have long know about the cardboard trick for our vehicles. It sure helps them warm up faster. It's for people who don't want to freeze or pay the big bucks for a fancy "winter front" as we call em.

 

[Oregonwinger]

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That's one thing about the 1800 that's not in our favor. No easy way to cover rads. Just have to stuff a big, furry blanket in the front, I spose. Or, maybe some old jackets. LOL