newbie and a ?

[Arden Kysely]

Fred, I'm 5'8" with a 31" inseam and weigh 150 pounds after a big meal. I've had KLRs since 1989 and rarely found the height/weight of the bike to be a problem. You just have to do a little thinking when you stop so you know you have a place to put your foot. You shouldn't have any problem riding one on dirt roads or fire roads. __Arden --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Fred Zucker" wrote:

> > I weigh aprox 178 lbs., 5' 11", and can straddle the stock seat on

a

> klr with no problem with both feet on the ground. I'm just concerned > aobout my weight vs the bikes weight. I have been riding an xt225

dual

> purpose bike and there's quite a difference in weight. I will not be > trail riding, just back roads and dirt roads fire roads etc. > Any comments from lighter riders like me ??? Appreciate any feedback. >

[Willy J]

i am about 5'9 and 150. the only problem i have is i cannot flat foot both feet at a stop. so i usually slide my rear end over a little and get at least one foot down. only problem is sometimes i veer a little. other times i just tip toe it. my most common enemy is roundabouts. this when the city takes a 4 way stop plants a circular divider in the middle and has a ring that goes around it. it does help keep up the flow of traffic but its at speeds 3-5 mph. sucks trying to keep my balance during that minor movement. so i usually drag my feet a little. helps with the balance. if anyone has any better tips on this i would appreciate it. I pretty much do the same as you for the actual use of my bike.

>I weigh aprox 178 lbs., 5' 11", and can straddle the stock seat on a >klr with no problem with both feet on the ground. I'm just concerned >aobout my weight vs the bikes weight. I have been riding an xt225 dual >purpose bike and there's quite a difference in weight. I will not be >trail riding, just back roads and dirt roads fire roads etc. >Any comments from lighter riders like me ??? Appreciate any feedback.

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[wannabsmooth1]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Spain and Stacey" wrote:

> > Hello all. I just bought an '06 KLR. I grew up riding dirt bikes, had a > caf bike for about a year at 17, took a 12 year break, and then bought > a 1982 XJ650 Maxim about a year ago. I found myself longing to hit the > dirt roads/forest service roads/trails/you name it as I was riding > around on my Maxim. I researched my butt off and was very close to > getting a DRZ400S but opted for the KLR. I knew I'd be spending more > time on the road than the dirt and wanting something I could ride far on > tarmac then hit some back country stuff. I love the bike! Of course I'm > in the break in period and hate keeping below 4,000 rpms. > Anyway, I'm curious about the doohickey. I read somewhere that Kawasaki > fixed it with the 2005. Is this true? If not, how soon do I need to > replace it? > > Spain Abney > Tri-cities, WA > > Man's mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original > dimensions. > Oliver Wendell Holmes >

Spain, There's reports every year that Kawasaki fixed the balancer lever. Not yet.............You can verify this yourself by going to www.buykawasaki.com, and checking the part number for the balancer lever. To save you a little time, look at the years 2006, and 2001, in the parts diagram section. In the balancer system exploded view, and the parts list below that, check out the part number. 13168-0046 for 2001, the same for 2006. Disclosure - I'm the guy that makes one of the aftermarket replacements for the factory part. The parts list is an objective fact, however. There's been postings of at least 3 broken levers on 2006 models on KLR650.net, IIRC. Don't let it scare you. It's an easy fix, and you learn how the bike works, and how to wrok on it. all the best, Mike