nklr mesquite to toroweap point ride suggestions

[Jeff Saline]

On Sun, 01 Apr 2007 08:20:37 -0400 Douglas Bouley writes:

> I read Luke's excellent Mexico trip report on ADV and he says pretty > > much the same thing about Explorers in mud. > > I'm getting ready to buy tires soon and the MEFOs were on my short > list. > However, reading this and that and especially Jeff Saline, I'm > coming > around to the Kenda K270 POV. > > One sissy question though: how do they compare to other choices for > ease > of changing/bead breaking? I've read folks talk about some tires > being > much easier than others to change. Being a wuss, I'd rather have > easier, > all other things being reasonably equal. > > I'm a 99/1 street rider/all weather commuter, but would like to try > a > bit more dirty stuff this year. I imagine almost any tire would be > less > scary off hard pavement than the stock ones (said by a long-time > road > rider with no real dirt experience)! > > doug in dc

<><><><><><><><> <><><><><><><><> Doug, The Kenda's have a very soft sidewall and I find them one of the easiest tires I've ever changed. I can just about do a front without tire irons. I do use real tire lube and that too makes it easier than not using good lube. Again, I really like the K270s but I also use heavy duty tubes in them which is like putting a tire inside a tire. I also run 32/36 psi on pavement and drop it about 12 psi in most dirt if I'll be there a while. If it's just a day ride of pavement and dirt I leave the pressures alone at 32/36. Best, Jeff Saline ABC # 4412 South Dakota Airmarshal Airheads Beemer Club www.airheads.org The Beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota 75 R90/6, 03 KLR650, 79 R100RT

[Douglas Bouley]

I wonder if the pressure you run is one of the keys? I run my stock tires around that pressure or a bit higher d/t my size. The difference in road manners and fuel economy is striking vs the recommended pressures. 'Course, the ride is kinda stiff, I admit. I'm thinking maybe you do not have as much squirminess as some report because the tubes and pressures keep your tires stiffer??? Dunno. I sure ain't no tire expert.. 'specially off-road. But I like the idea of a soft sidewall when changing, while still having a functionally stiffer tire by adjusting pressure and tubes... Like a lot of folks around here, I pay particular attention to your input, Jeff. Many thanks for all the great info. doug in dc Jeff Saline wrote:

> On Sun, 01 Apr 2007 08:20:37 -0400 Douglas Bouley > writes: > >> I read Luke's excellent Mexico trip report on ADV and he says pretty >> >> much the same thing about Explorers in mud. >> >> I'm getting ready to buy tires soon and the MEFOs were on my short >> list. >> However, reading this and that and especially Jeff Saline, I'm >> coming >> around to the Kenda K270 POV. >> >> One sissy question though: how do they compare to other choices for >> ease >> of changing/bead breaking? I've read folks talk about some tires >> being >> much easier than others to change. Being a wuss, I'd rather have >> easier, >> all other things being reasonably equal. >> >> I'm a 99/1 street rider/all weather commuter, but would like to try >> a >> bit more dirty stuff this year. I imagine almost any tire would be >> less >> scary off hard pavement than the stock ones (said by a long-time >> road >> rider with no real dirt experience)! >> >> doug in dc >> > <><><><><><><><> > <><><><><><><><> > > Doug, > > The Kenda's have a very soft sidewall and I find them one of the easiest > tires I've ever changed. I can just about do a front without tire irons. > I do use real tire lube and that too makes it easier than not using good > lube. > > Again, I really like the K270s but I also use heavy duty tubes in them > which is like putting a tire inside a tire. I also run 32/36 psi on > pavement and drop it about 12 psi in most dirt if I'll be there a while. > If it's just a day ride of pavement and dirt I leave the pressures alone > at 32/36. > > Best, > > Jeff Saline > ABC # 4412 South Dakota Airmarshal > Airheads Beemer Club www.airheads.org > The Beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota > 75 R90/6, 03 KLR650, 79 R100RT > >

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[Arden Kysely]

I've done the Toroweap loop starting in Fredonia, AZ and ending in St. George, UT (2 KLRs, 1 R1150GS, 1 XR650L). Checking the map, in and out via Mesquite, NV doesn't look to be any longer. Didn't carry spare fuel, didn't need it. Somewhere I might have the mileage written down, but that's also the stretch where my speedo cable disengaged itself and slithered out. Water will depend on time of year. Too early, and you might find too much in some of the washes. There's some settlement around Mt. Trumbull where you might be able to find someone with a well, and if you're dying I'm sure the ranger at Toroweap would give you a splash or two, but we carried all we needed to camp overnight and ride out the next day. Even had enough to get through the sweaty work of fixing a flat Kenda 270 on the washboard road from Fredonia in the middle of a hot day. The camping at the rim is excellent, but the campground is small. Definitely worth a visit, as it's one of the few places you can look nearly straight down to the river. With binos you can watch rafters run Lava Falls. We waited and waited for a group of dories to take the plunge, but finally had to hit the road before they screwed up their courage. Haven't hiked the trail, but sounds like fun. There's more water than you'll ever need at the bottom! Have fun, tell us all about it. __Arden

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "hijklr" wrote: > > We are planning to ride from Mesquite Nevada along dirt roads to and > along the north rim of the Grand Canyon, namely Toroweap Point. I > would greatly appreciate suggestions from anyone that has done this as > to trail conditions, availability of water (filterable), suggested > trails, etc. Has anyone hiked the Lava Falls trail from Toroweap to > the river? Also, does anyone have experience with and can suggest > auxiliary or spare fuel tanks (cans) that would travel well on the > KLR? I'd like to have at least 1 gallon of extra fuel. > Thanks, > Kevin > A17 >