[dsn_klr650] moto tote

[Kurt Simpson]

> > Does anybody have a skid plate that they want to part with in > the Portland > > Oregon area? I am looking for either stock or after market for > my klr650. > > While I would recommend aftermarket if you're riding in anything more > aggressive than pea-gravel... I have a stock one you can have for free. > Send me a few bucks for shipping and it's yours.

I had a strange interchange with Mike Walburn a couple of weeks ago...strange in that he was talking about the stock skid plate and saying he still has his and has never experienced any difficulties. All it meant to me was that I wish I could "ride like Mike". What I did to my Moose plate was nearly unspeakable and yet it still lives out there.... Kurt

[Steve Anderson]

John, That one looks a lot like something I had built for me, 'cept mine looks MUCH more stout, and has more tie down points. While not having seen this one in *real life*, I'm not certain that I would want to go barreling 65mph down a rough dirt road with my KLR on the back. It doesn't seem to have enough tie down points, and might not be robust enough. When I was getting my receiver installed, the company doing it was also welding handicap lifts, etc. I asked them about making something like that, and the guy said he had just done one a couple of months ago for a HD. I told him that I wanted it to be able to support close to a ton (400lbs at 5G's) as I absolutely wanted to be able to drive around on rough roads at reasonable (or unreasonable ;-}) speeds. I put eight tie downs on the bike/rack, and it ain't goin nowhere, even if I lose one or two. I have gone back to check it while getting gas to find that one has come loose from time to time. On the down side, the thing must weigh at least sixty pounds, although it has little rods welded on that make it easy to handle. When I was hauling my 300lb bike, it didn't seem to affect the handling much. Oh yeah, I put this on my heavy-duty 3/4 ton van. With the significantly heavier KLR, it feels a little weird when going above 65 or 70 mph however. Weird like it makes the back end feel like it might want to come around in front of me if I was to get aggressive on the steering. So with the KLR, I try to keep it below those speeds. On a smaller vehicle, the weight of the KLR might be real iffy way out on the back, I do recall discussions on this list in the past that suggested putting it in the bed of a pickup, and not messing with the receiver setup. I would only haul the heavy KLR on the back of a BIG vehicle. Anyway, you might see if a local welder could do something for you, I would certainly recommend looking at guys that install receivers and weld, and then you can get them to make it the way you want it. Mine cost about US$100. Steve (haul my bikes anywhere) Anderson

----- Original Message ----- www.mototote.com Anyone seen this before? Has anyone used on eor something similar? I am torn between this kind of set up and a rail trailer. John