klr camshaft problems

[my.klr.jr]

has anybody here had the problem of the camshaft lobes wearing out on the older klr 250's? mine is an 89 and i have recently replaced my exhaust cam after only 7200 k's of riding!! And was wondering what the best way is to keep it in a good condition. i know that the exhaust cam is last in line for lubrication and this doesn't help. I was wondering what oil and to use? and do you recommend any additives?
any help would be appreciated.

[Saleenguy]

Originally Posted by my.klr.jr

has anybody here had the problem of the camshaft lobes wearing out on the older klr 250's? mine is an 89 and i have recently replaced my exhaust cam after only 7200 k's of riding!! And was wondering what the best way is to keep it in a good condition. i know that the exhaust cam is last in line for lubrication and this doesn't help. I was wondering what oil and to use? and do you recommend any additives?
any help would be appreciated.

I have heard many say that the KLR requires 20w50 oil to be lubricated properly.
That althought the manula says a 10w30 or 10w40 is okay, in real life it can cause problems.

I use 20w50 synthetic just because I am not going to take any chance.

I would try contacting eaglemike here

Eagle Mfg & Engineering

He is a KLR guru.

[Inquisitive]

my.klr.jr, will be presumptuous as presume you mostly ride in the dirt, possibly full throttle more often than not? What climate / weather conditions do you usually ride in? 20-50 is great oil for the right conditions, however if you ride mostly in the cold, and only short trips, 20-50 is not the oil for such conditions. Determine your riding conditions (including style) and then choose an oil based on your particular conditions. If you ride hard, especially in the heat, 20-50, possibly even 60 would likely serve you well. If you ride like a passive grandma in the cold for short trips, I would say 5-30. Also letting a bike warm up, all oil everywhere before riding hard helps with lubrication. We are presuming your oil pump is doing all of it's job, clean oil filter etc. and you have oil well in view through your sight glass, I have seen where a metal shaving or oil filter particle has restricted oil flow, could be anywhere in the oiling system, from pump suction to oil galley port, one never knows until they rule out all possibilities...