useful klr accy's, was: this sundays ride / thanks for the reassura

[Steve Anderson]

I beat mine hard typically, and while I only have about 8.5Kmiles, it seems to be holding up well. I rode a typical (for me) ride on Saturday that consisted of about 200 miles, all in well above 100F weather. 80+% was dirt. 30% was very difficult terrain, the bike only fell over about six times =], and I finally got too tired from picking it up on the very steep slopes by myself (what a royal pain), before I gave up on the really difficult stuff for the day. Nine hours of solid riding. I actually went several miles up a very difficult and awesome very unused trail, before I just got too scared, being by myself. The bike appears to be holding up well, touch wood, although the cosmetic appeal is long gone. Any way as for the most "valuable" add-ons, here s MY list of the ones that have proved themselves. Protection: Bash plate - I am certain I would have damaged something seriously by now with out it. It has several deep divots in it now. Radiator guards ditto, these actually seem to protect the somewhat delicate radiator shrouds by giving them internal support. Hand guards with solid metal bars easily have saved several levers, not to mention brush protection Performance: Fork brace For me, the most significant thing I could do to benefit the handling. Expensive however. Stainless braid front brake line an inexpensive way to about double the front brakes feel and response. Fork springs My stock forks bottomed out every time a rode hard in rough stuff prior. Another inexpensive, and easy fix . Aftermarket seat Good for those loong rides. Maintenance: Magnetic drain plug Why not? Stainless filter Not necessarily cost effective, but I m so happy to never have to think about tracking down or getting ripped off for a stinking oil filter. Especially nice if you plan on doing very long adventure tours where multiple oil changes on the road are anticipated. A center stand would be nice, if I could get one that works. My third try on a Dual-star is still sitting in the corner of my garage waiting to be returned. I got sick of fighting this battle. Electrical: 90/55W HD lamp Stock low beam (I don t want to be an a@#hole to every one else on the road, the high beam is sooo much nicer. Headlight switch So nice to be able to remove this large electrical load, and I like certain stealth abilities. GPS I m just a map and compass maniac, always have been, and GPS on a dual sport bike is just amazing. I could write pages on how I use these things every day. I go places I wouldn t have even considered on my dual sport bikes prior to using GPS. I have had them on my motorcycles for at least five years now. 2-way radio I have a very small (think cig pack), 5W handheld that can TRANSMIT on aircraft, police, fire, forest service, ham, business, sporting (FRS) handie-talkies, etc.. This is a MAJOR safety item. Even in the deepest darkest canyon, it is only a short while before I could hit an aircraft if necessary, and all the other TX capabilities are so helpful in event of an emergency. It also receives everything from AM radio up to 999MHz, with the exception of 15 to 48MHz, and cell phones (who cares). I occasionally listen to the thing for entertainment, and only transmit when using it with friends on legal frequencies. If any listers are interested in more info on this let me know OFF LIST. For obvious reasons, I don t think it s a good idea to let every idiot know about these. Not that I m trying to say that there are any idiots on THIS list, but the internet is pretty open stuff. And now that I think about it, I guess there are one or two here;-}. I am still considering side racks, and an exhaust for when mine dies the terribly tragic KLR exhaust death: the tweet. I finally heard one of these tweet, and I will have to replace my exhaust at that time. I am much more concerned with a sturdy, QUIET, low maintenance exhaust over performance. I am certain there are some I have left out. Whew, I was only gonna write a couple of lines, and it looks like I got carried away Steve (have I spent more on accessories than the bike?) Anderson

--- In DSN_klr650@egroups.com, boblfun@a... wrote: > OK, I feel better now. Thanks for the advice on the maintenance and required > accessories. I am very meticulous about the maintenance so that shouldn't be > a problem. > > I'm going to purchase some accessories very soon and would like to know if > it's less expensive to buy on-line somewhere and can anyone give me the web > page addresses. I'm considering the following. > > 1. Moose skid plate > 2. Happy trails fork brace > 3. Moose hand guards > 4. Happy trails radiator and reservoir guards (I think this is relatively > new) > > I'm very concerned about the radiator, fan and reservoir. They seem to be > extremely vulnerable if the bike is dumped hard on the side and the tank > shroud pushes into any of the cooling system.