Bravo Tom,
I'm on the other end of the spectrum. With my luck, I would have run over
those hikers with a quiet exhaust. My loud pipe saves lives. Hikers hear
me and get out of the way, mtn bikers hear me and get out of the way, cows
hear me and mooo, bears hear me and ... well... I get out of the way.
I'm positive that my loud pipe has saved the lives of over 4 dozen grey
squirrels, 30-40 chipmunks, 2 badgers and a partridge in a pear tree. Not
to mention the million or so rabbits and the oodles of elk.
How can a biker like me get a bad rep, I have utter respect for wildlife
and have proved it by not running any of it over.
Truly the
conservationist eh?
Despite my sarcasm, I actually do ride respectfully and mindful of others
on the trails..... I just do it at blazing speeds and loud as a freight train.
Oh and about your heat sheilds, I use anti-seize and good lock
washers. But if they really bug you then take the screws completely out
and weld the shields on there.
LaterZ
Dash
At 06:55 AM 8/18/2000 -0700, Tom Vervaeke wrote:
>Hello All:
>
>I am always tempted to upgrade the exhaust of any bike I get to gain
>more power, etc.. I think on the KLR I will leave it stock. A small
>thing happened this week on a ride that made me lean in that direction.
>
>Was out riding Tuesday afternoon in an area here in Colorado that has
>both forest service roads (FSnnn) and forest service trails. I was
>out just poking around in 1st and 2nd gear exploring a new area a bit.
>You know, the KLR at 2-3-4K rpms is pretty darn quiet. There were a lot
>of other 2 and 4 stroke bikes in one area. Most had aftermarket exhausts
>or were just a lot louder. I could hear them a good 1/4 mile away at
>times.
>
>Came upon several couples that were hiking. I had stopped for some
>water out of my saddlebags when one of them walked up and THANKED
>me for having a quiet exhaust. I didn't know what to say so just
>nodded. Afterwards, on my ride home I reflected on this a bit. It
>made me feel good that my restraint (stock exhaust) had in some
>way made someone else have a better day.
>
>Most of the riding I plan to do with my KLR will be light forest service
>roads when I'm off the pavement. I don't need any more power out of the
>KLR at my ability level. I knew the KLR was sort of Miss Piggy (heresy
>I know) and knew the power was merely adequate. So will keep it
>quiet and perhaps make a better reputation for us bikers.
>
>One question: The exhaust pipe has 3 different places where there are
>small heats shields. Each has 2 phillips head screws. Every few rides
>I get my mondo-screwdriver out to tighten them. They still get loose a
>bit. Should I use some blue locktite on them? I don't think I'll ever
>remove them for anything. Right? Wrong?
>
>Thanks,
>
>Tom V
>A13