question about choke cable....

[James L. Miller Jr.]

One major point that no-one has addressed is insurance. Can you pay whatever is asked for insurance, or is money a concern. The KLR for full coverage is a lot less than any sportbike. At $181 a year for good full coverage, it's a pretty good bargain. A guy here just bought a 2004 636 Ninja. Insurance is going to run him $450+ a month. First time motorcycle owner, no experience, 21yrs old. The kid hasn't even been able to register it cause he can't afford the insurance. Imagine the insurance on the FZ1?! Stick to something small until you get a few months/years under your belt. It's better to be able to afford to ride and doing it safely compared to looking at it in the garage everynight. Of course, if you don't need insurance, this is all pointless.... millerized

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Dent" wrote: > > Ninja 500r, Yamaha fz1, Klr 650, > > Monster 620ie dark. However the one i have considerd most seriously > > is the KLR. > > I have a Monster and the KLR so I can speak to those two. I > completely agree that you should forget about the FZ1. That is not a > beginner bike by any means. And you really don't want a Ninja > Anyway, it really depends on what you want the bike for. If you > intend to do any off-road riding then it's a no brainer. I also > don't know if you're considering new or used. (I'd recommend used.) > However, I gather from your post that you will be doing mostly road > riding and maybe some long distance. For that use I'd break it down > as follows: > > KLR pros: > Cheaper to buy and maintain > Much cheaper to drop (and you will drop it), tolerates abuse > Much safer and easier to ride (you're up high, people see you, deals > with potholes and other obstructions much better) > Very friendly power supply > Adequate power for most situations > Good in the twisties (but the Monster is faster) > Good wind protection, much warmer in winter > Easier to adapt to touring (with the JC Whitney top case and a good > tank bag, you can fit a lot of stuff for not much $) > Very comfortable riding position and suspension > Great mileage and range > Water cooled > > KLR cons: > Lower power, slow to rev > Kinda butt-ugly (but we like it that way), cheap plasticky look and > semi-obnoxious graphics > Sorta flexible frame, not particularly stable, subject to highway > cross-winds > Poor stock brakes > Vibrates > Doohickey > > Monster pros: > Quicker > Sexier > Higher quality components, fit and finish > Outstanding brakes > More sporty suspension, more precise handling > The feel and the sound! > Much less vibration, feels like an inline-4 next to the KLR > Great wide powerband > New ones are fuel injected > New ones are 6 speed > > Monster cons: > Expensive to drop (and you will drop it), tank dents very easily = $$ > Somewhat more expensive to maintain, although not as much as people > think (the KLR has shimmed valves too, and a similar maintenance > schedule) > Harder to fit with luggage > No wind protection, optional windscreen doesn't do much > You will spend $$$ adding pipes, mirrors, seat and other fancy mods > (of course this applies to the KLR too but in a different way) > Stiff (but very precise) clutch > > Do the math and get whichever pushes your buttons. You can't go > wrong either way. They're both great bikes. Good luck and let us > know when you get the KLR > > Paul > A16L > 01 M750 'G' > SF, CA

[Paul Dent]

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "James L. Miller Jr." wrote:

> One major point that no-one has addressed is insurance.

My Monster gets insured as a standard and not a sportbike. It's nearly as affordable as the KLR. YMMV. Paul

[azman321]

Yo James, Actually, I think your message is great because you seem so level- headed. You're getting a lot of very good advice that I won't parrot, but I'd add something for you to consider if you're not too set on off-roading a lot, and that's the new, 650 VStrom from Suzuki. I have a KLR and a VStrom 1000; I like both and would recommend both, but the Strom with 65 hp and 44 lbft at $6500 might be an awfully good match for you. Fully capable from dirt roads to sporty touring, and good for the longer of leg -- easy on cost, accessories, mainenance and insurance. You might read up on them. Jett, A15 AZ PS -- If you haven't, I'd strongly recommend the MSF Beginning Riders course, even though you have some experience. --- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "lemmingkiller2001" wrote:

> Hello, > I was hoping for some advice. I am 19, about 6'1", and 145lbs. I > have had my motorcycle endorsment for about a year now. Currently i > ride a 150cc Aprilia Scarabeo (automatic motorcycle /scooter ?). I > consider myself to be quite sufficiant with that, and do a fair bit > of highway riding on it. But now i am looking at buying a bigger > bike. I have read more reviews than i can list and have looked > seriously at several bikes. Ninja 500r, Yamaha fz1, Klr 650, > Monster 620ie dark. However the one i have considerd most seriously > is the KLR. > First, would i do okay with my size / experiance? Second, > this "doohicky" problem, how soon do i have to get it fixed? Third, > is it fun, does it ever feel underpowerd? What if any modifications > are nessecary for a solo lond distance trip from my home in > Maryland, to either Arizona, or Northern California? > I hope that is not too much to read, i would really apreciate and > feedback. As well if any one is interested in buying an 02' Aprilia > Scarabeo 150 with 3k on it, i am selling one. > > Ciao! > > > P.S. sorry if you get messages like these all of the time

[Andrus Chesley]

After coming back to riding after a 5 year lay off due to a hit and run in '86, which left me with a vertigo problem for several years, I was working at a Yamaha/Kawa/Seadoo/gravely/etc. shop. I started using a '92 KLR which was damaged badly in a test ride expericed and the cost of repairing the bike was more than it was worth. So talked the boss into leting me just get it rideable and not worry about sellable. He agreed so got the parts and did the labor on my on time to the tune of about 600 bucks. Put 24,000 miles on that dude the rest of that year riding at minimum 73 miles every day. When I had enuff putting up with the Public as Maintenance Foreman, I went back to the oil field and ended up buying the bike from the dealer. Rode that thing all over Louisiana , Texas, Arkansas, etc for the next few years. Come '95 I buy a BMW R11GSA and let the wife talk me into selling the KLR a few months later. Rode the heck out of the BMW doing about 50K miles in 3 years. Can't count the times I almost sent it over a cliff in the Ozarks playing on the back gravel roads and having problems slowing down for the downhill corners. Finally got a DR350SE. Was great on the gravel but suck on the long haul to get to good riding places I wanted to ride in. The answer, get another KLR in 2000. Now back to where I was in '95. R1150GSA now and KLR. Next, get a DRZ400S to maybe replace the KLR as my backroad bike. Put money in it getting it to fit an older man comfy like. Took it to the ozarks and played for several days, run TAT again with it last summer. Put more goodies on the DRZ these last few months, 4 gal IMS tank, Corbin Seat, etc. Bike really works great. Conclusion: The DRZ is for sale. Gonna just keep the KLR. My main ride with the GS being for my long haul vacation trips or carrying a hunny about for a day ride ... Andy in Louisiana

[Rodney Copeland]

HAAAAARRRR!!!!! Life sure throws some curves don't it! Let's do the Ozarks! What am I sayin, I'm goin to Eureka Springs in March! YEEEEHAAAAAAA!!!! Rod --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Andrus Chesley" wrote:

> > After coming back to riding after a 5 year lay off due to a hit and > run in '86, which left me with a vertigo problem for several years,

I

> was working at a Yamaha/Kawa/Seadoo/gravely/etc. shop. I started > using a '92 KLR which was damaged badly in a test ride expericed

and

> the cost of repairing the bike was more than it was worth. So

talked

> the boss into leting me just get it rideable and not worry about > sellable. He agreed so got the parts and did the labor on my on

time

> to the tune of about 600 bucks. Put 24,000 miles on that dude the > rest of that year riding at minimum 73 miles every day. When I had > enuff putting up with the Public as Maintenance Foreman, I went

back

> to the oil field and ended up buying the bike from the dealer. Rode > that thing all over Louisiana , Texas, Arkansas, etc for the next

few

> years. > Come '95 I buy a BMW R11GSA and let the wife talk me into selling

the

> KLR a few months later. Rode the heck out of the BMW doing about

50K

> miles in 3 years. Can't count the times I almost sent it over a

cliff

> in the Ozarks playing on the back gravel roads and having problems > slowing down for the downhill corners. > Finally got a DR350SE. Was great on the gravel but suck on the long > haul to get to good riding places I wanted to ride in. The answer, > get another KLR in 2000. Now back to where I was in '95. R1150GSA

now

> and KLR. > Next, get a DRZ400S to maybe replace the KLR as my backroad bike.

Put

> money in it getting it to fit an older man comfy like. Took it to

the

> ozarks and played for several days, run TAT again with it last > summer. Put more goodies on the DRZ these last few months, 4 gal

IMS

> tank, Corbin Seat, etc. Bike really works great. > Conclusion: The DRZ is for sale. Gonna just keep the KLR. My main > ride with the GS being for my long haul vacation trips or carrying

a

> hunny about for a day ride ... > > Andy in Louisiana

[James Wolfgram]

Greetings, I was looking for a stable platform for riding both on and off road. I'm an amputee and am 58 years old and so am a more conservative rider then I was when I was younger. So what I've been working on is grafting a Russian Sputnik sidecar onto a '99 KLR 650. I'm pretty new to klrs but have been doing some reading. I've purchased the larger front disk rotor and SS braided brake lines to tighten up front braking. I just got the sidecar mounted the other day but it really looks like I'm going to need to do a rear suspension improvement before it's safe to ride. It's really saggy and with a sidecar on it, that translates into outward lean as well. Totally bad since it can increase rollover chances on right turns. I'm heavy...I suppose around 240 so I'm going to need to go with the beefiest rear upgrade I can find at the most reasonable price. Is it silly to add a larger spring to the stock shock? Or would I be much more advised to get a whole new system? The latter is rather pricy though the 420 is on sale for $375 right now. I'm also going to put progressive front springs and fork braces on it. Anything to stiffen the rig up and decrease wallowing. The rig will be used mostly on rough gravel and dirt roads, very occasionally off road and maybe 25% on paved secondary roads. No high speed freeway stuff. Just not appropriate for that rig. So I'll do some searches through the archives but if anyone has any suggestions for my rear suspension that would be great. Looking forward to being in the group. James Milton, Iowa --------------------------------- Don't be flakey. Get Yahoo! Mail for Mobile and always stay connected to friends. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Jud Jones]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, James Wolfgram wrote:

> > Greetings, > I was looking for a stable platform for riding both on and off road. I'm an amputee

and am 58 years old and so am a more conservative rider then I was when I was younger. So what I've been working on is grafting a Russian Sputnik sidecar onto a '99 KLR 650. I'm pretty new to klrs but have been doing some reading. I've purchased the larger front disk rotor and SS braided brake lines to tighten up front braking. I just got the sidecar mounted the other day but it really looks like I'm going to need to do a rear suspension improvement before it's safe to ride. It's really saggy and with a sidecar on it, that translates into outward lean as well. Totally bad since it can increase rollover chances on right turns.

> I'm heavy...I suppose around 240 so I'm going to need to go with the beefiest rear

upgrade I can find at the most reasonable price. Is it silly to add a larger spring to the stock shock? Or would I be much more advised to get a whole new system? The latter is rather pricy though the 420 is on sale for $375 right now. I'm also going to put progressive front springs and fork braces on it. Anything to stiffen the rig up and decrease wallowing. The rig will be used mostly on rough gravel and dirt roads, very occasionally off road and maybe 25% on paved secondary roads. No high speed freeway stuff. Just not appropriate for that rig.

> So I'll do some searches through the archives but if anyone has any suggestions for

my rear suspension that would be great. Looking forward to being in the group.

> James > Milton, Iowa >

I don't think you need to replace the shock. I have some experience with sidecars, and with the KLR. While I don't think the KLR is a great sidecar mount, I don't think you need to replace the shock to get one to handle decently. For about $80 you can get a 500-560 spring from Progressive, or for about the same price, a straight rate spring from Eibach or eshox(sp?) The size you want is 9"x2.25" The stock shock has just enough rebound damping to to do a decent job of controlling a heavy spring. There is a guy who has been setting up sidehack KLRs for DS use. Sorry, no link handy, but Google should turn him up.

[afmcg1]

Yes it's replaceable. IIRC, it was about $13. I use a crow's foot wrench on a 6" extension and a light touch to get it in and out (after starting it with my fingers). Make sure you have the rubber boot that goes over it too. I don't have personal experience with this particular one, but there is an aluminum one available. I found it here, but it may be available elsewhere. http://steadengineering.com/displayProductDocument.hg?productId=1&categoryId=1 Also, make sure not to pull in the choke cable too far (all the way) with the plunger removed. The end on the carb side of the cable is small enough to get pulled into the housing. I got one out with a mityvac.

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Sam King" wrote: > > Is it possible to replace that plastic piece at the end of the choke > cable that screws into the carb? > I was forcing things again and snapped that piece. Tried to crazy glue > it back together and then get the carb back in place but every time I > tried to get the carb back in place the gizmo broke. > > If anyone has a fix idea let me know. Otherwise I either need a > plastic piece or a new choke cable. If anyone has either piece that > they want to sell let me know. Thanks! > > sam > 2002 KLR650 >

[Randall Marbach]

Check out http://adventuresidecar.com/dauntlessdualsport.htm HTH Randy from Burbank ----- Original Message ---- From: James Wolfgram To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Sent: Sunday, March 25, 2007 9:03:13 PM Subject: [DSN_KLR650] New Guy Greetings, I was looking for a stable platform for riding both on and off road. I'm an amputee and am 58 years old and so am a more conservative rider then I was when I was younger. So what I've been working on is grafting a Russian Sputnik sidecar onto a '99 KLR 650. I'm pretty new to klrs but have been doing some reading. I've purchased the larger front disk rotor and SS braided brake lines to tighten up front braking. I just got the sidecar mounted the other day but it really looks like I'm going to need to do a rear suspension improvement before it's safe to ride. It's really saggy and with a sidecar on it, that translates into outward lean as well. Totally bad since it can increase rollover chances on right turns. I'm heavy...I suppose around 240 so I'm going to need to go with the beefiest rear upgrade I can find at the most reasonable price. Is it silly to add a larger spring to the stock shock? Or would I be much more advised to get a whole new system? The latter is rather pricy though the 420 is on sale for $375 right now. I'm also going to put progressive front springs and fork braces on it. Anything to stiffen the rig up and decrease wallowing. The rig will be used mostly on rough gravel and dirt roads, very occasionally off road and maybe 25% on paved secondary roads. No high speed freeway stuff. Just not appropriate for that rig. So I'll do some searches through the archives but if anyone has any suggestions for my rear suspension that would be great. Looking forward to being in the group. James Milton, Iowa --------------------------------- Don't be flakey. Get Yahoo! Mail for Mobile and always stay connected to friends. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html Member Map at: http://www.frappr.com/dsnklr650 Yahoo! Groups Links ____________________________________________________________________________________ Food fight? Enjoy some healthy debate in the Yahoo! Answers Food & Drink Q&A. http://answers.yahoo.com/dir/?link=list&sid=396545367

[Ross Lindberg]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Jud Jones" wrote:

> > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, James Wolfgram

wrote:

> > > > Greetings, > > I was looking for a stable platform for riding both on and

off road. I'm an amputee

> and am 58 years old and so am a more conservative rider then I was

when I was younger.

> So what I've been working on is grafting a Russian Sputnik sidecar

onto a '99 KLR 650. I'm

> pretty new to klrs but have been doing some reading. I've

purchased the larger front disk

> rotor and SS braided brake lines to tighten up front braking. I

just got the sidecar

> mounted the other day but it really looks like I'm going to need to

do a rear suspension

> improvement before it's safe to ride. It's really saggy and with a

sidecar on it, that

> translates into outward lean as well. Totally bad since it can

increase rollover chances on

> right turns. > > I'm heavy...I suppose around 240 so I'm going to need to go

with the beefiest rear

> upgrade I can find at the most reasonable price. Is it silly to

add a larger spring to the

> stock shock? Or would I be much more advised to get a whole new

system? The latter is

> rather pricy though the 420 is on sale for $375 right now. I'm

also going to put

> progressive front springs and fork braces on it. Anything to

stiffen the rig up and

> decrease wallowing. The rig will be used mostly on rough gravel

and dirt roads, very

> occasionally off road and maybe 25% on paved secondary roads. No

high speed freeway

> stuff. Just not appropriate for that rig. > > So I'll do some searches through the archives but if anyone

has any suggestions for

> my rear suspension that would be great. Looking forward to being

in the group.

> > James > > Milton, Iowa

I have a paralyzed neighbor who has a sidecar rig he built using a Moto Guzzi for power. He wheels his chair right in and drives it fom the sidecar. It really made me look the first couple of times I met him on the road. What is really weird to see is when he takes a rider with. Since the handlebars are now in the sidecar, the rider is on the bike holding on to the tank. He has been in poor health the last couple of years, so I haven't seen him riding lately. Keep us posted on how your project turns out. It will be fun to see it when you are done. Ross Lindberg Fertile, MN Oakdale, CA