mid-ohio trip lessons
Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2000 9:02 am
Now that I've been home a few days and am back to riding the bike to the
office, I can say several things about the KLR and my gear:
*The KLR is a fine light-touring bike. With my saddlebags and duffel, I
had plenty of capacity for five motel days. With the new sprocket I had no
problem with the buzzies. I did find that I could wish for more power, but
I was perfectly happy touring on the bike. (And while I have SS brakelines
on order, I haven't been wildly unhappy with the brakes. But then this is
my first bike with disc brakes, so I don't really have a basis for
comparison.)
*I can't keep up with the sportbike guys, and don't really want to. I
really like being back on a bike but I have no desire to scare myself
non-stop.
*The extra weight of my luggage certainly didn't hurt the bike's handling
on the highway and may have made it more stable at speed.
*Loved the tall windshield. Not bothered by buffeting on the trip at all.
*I definitely want to get more street-biased tires. I would like more
confidence in the corners and quieter, smoother tires. I assume I will be
looking for Gripsters? I really just use the KLR as a streetbike.
*I may get the a low front fender. I certainly have no need for the wind
sail the bike came with. Any suggestions on the easiest/best one to
install?
*I am more impressed than ever with the versatility of this bike. While I
still suffer from Triumph (Tiger or Trophy) lust, I know that most of my
riding is in town to and from work, and the KLR is about the best town bike
ever made.
Ralph
Ralph E. Hanson
99 KRL 650
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