aluminum pannier - inside padding?

[Tumu Rock]

Been a few days since the ride, but I thought I'd fill you in on some of my recollections. First off, I have to thank Mark for coming through with a spare part that enabled me to go on this ride in the first place. 3 KLRs represented the list; Mark, Walt, and myself. I was the first to arrive at the registration and overheard comments like, "Boy, he's gonna get a workout." And, "Not gonna do any alternates on that are you?" Quite amusing really, these little men on their little bikes tossing around attempted insults at a burly man like myself. Not to fear, shortly therafter Walt arrived on his Y2KLR and with our 2 bikes alone we outweighed the rest of the field (everything from DRZ's to little scooters with knobbies). Soon came Mark with his A2 stuffed neatly into the back of his minivan. We began to unload his bike and raise the triple clamps back to riding height (we called it his crotch-rocket/trials/dual-sport bike when in crouched position) and I installed the rear-brake mounting bracket Mark had brought. It was from a Tengai but with a little work with a dremel tool it fit just fine. Markguyver did it again! Off to the woods. The first half of the day was spent in trees tighter than a gay Officer's lips and rocks looser than his politician boyfriend. As Walt so fittingly pointed out, "I thought this was good for beginners! I've been riding for 20 years and this is rough!" Of course Walt was fighting with a nearly bald stock back tire, a 16 tooth c/s sprocket, and a loaded Givi tailbox. I, too, thought the day was going to be much more leisurely but we all had a blast anyway. Mark's "woods-thrasher" (Ohlins rear shock, larger rear sprocket)was taking everything in stride and he spent a lot of time getting to know the scenery while Walt and I played mustard - no ketchup. The course was a little more difficult to follow than the last dual-sport ride I went on but we managed to find everything ok. We stopped short of completing the morning portion of the run in order to guarantee ourselves time to make it for lunch. After lunch we were all a bit worn out from the vigors of the morning but had to press on. The afternoon ride was a lot less rocky, with more mud bogs and whoops. One portion took us to a play area which was just a locals built fun park for all kinds of ORVs. I saw everything from buggys to ATVs to dual-sports. We poked around here until the masses turned it into a huge dust bowl. Continued on the route and saw more mud, a long stretch of RR track that had to be crossed 3 times. I got stuck trying to hot-rod out from the woods over the bump and hit the tracks at an angle. Down she goes! No harm no foul. We hit some more dirt and mud bogs and finally ended up back at the start. What a great day!The foliage all around was turning and looked to be almost ablaze. I barely had time to notice during the morning route but I'm sure it was just as beautiful as the leaves that I took notice of in the afternoon. All in all I would guess the course covered about 70 miles. After all was said and done, we helped Mark load his bike back in the minivan and parted ways. Walt and I rode most of the way back together until he parted ways at Elizabeth and I continued on to Brooklyn. It felt good to get home. I had just ridden about 400 miles and my ass wasn't even that sore (stock seat). Got in the shower and then went to meet the Mrs. Bum for a few beers at the local pub. Can't wait to do it again this weekend! dat brooklyn bum _______________________________________________________ Say Bye to Slow Internet! http://www.home.com/xinbox/signup.html

[Todd Schroder]

I too rode the RORR on my A10. I did not see any other KLRs except for two KLR250s and aside form a DR650, LC620 and R80, everything else was 400 and smaller. You guys must have been way late. I received similar comments from other riders about the size of the KLR. They lined up to sit on it like kids at a pony ride. I had a great time on this ride but it was quite disorganized (no riders meeting) and there were indications that we were not welcome in some areas. Flags had been pulled down or moved to redirect riders onto game lands. Also, handfuls of roofing nails where a woods trail opened up onto pavement. This was not a ride for beginners and those of us on midsize dual-sports took a beating on the deer path rock gardens. There were lots of obstacles and very little open road in the morning. Throw in several wrong turns and it was a chore to participate though lots of fun to ride - albeit slowly for this rider. I would have had a difficult time had I not installed a 14T counter sprocket and replaced my 4K rear stocker with an MT70 the day before. The campground owner gave me a nice spot next to a babbling brook where I pitched my tent. The weather was fantastic and the leaves in the Lehigh Valley were peaking. This added to the challenge by hiding some of the rocks under freshly fallen leaves. I am not planning to ride the RORR again next year, at least not on a large, top-heavy, non-knobby clad KLR. I have been looking at the DR-Z400S or maybe an E or XR400 with Baja Designs kit. It depends whether I can keep the KLR. The KLR is a great adventure touring, commuting and casual dual-sporting bike, but it turns non-groomed offroad riding into work. I support the opinion that it is the BEST all around bike. It is not a VERY good offroad bike and not a VERY good street bike. It is a VERY fun bike and it has enabled me to actually do all of these things. Oh. I rambling. Well, I wish I had seen you guys there. It's always fun to meet fellow KLRiders. I would have had someone to commiserate with in the rock gardens too. As it was, I spent most of the day chasing a DR650 that I was riding with. Todd Schroder A10

> > Date: Fri, 20 Oct 2000 01:22:09 -0700 (PDT) > From: Tumu Rock > Subject: RORR dual sport ride report- nklr - long > > Been a few days since the ride, but I thought I'd fill you in on some of my > recollections. First off, I have to thank Mark for coming through with a > spare part that enabled me to go on this ride in the first place. 3 KLRs > represented the list; Mark, Walt, and myself. I was the first to arrive at > the registration and overheard comments like,

[punkynsquirt@cs.com]

Hi Tom: I looked in my yellow pages and the nearest source of neoprene to me is about 50 miles south in Pompano Beach, Florida. Tim Bernard called me today and said he will ship my stuff Monday. I ordered a fork brace, steel folding tip shifter, Moose bash plate, highway pegs/engine guard, SU racks, radiator and coolant reservoir guards as well as the aluminum boxes. When I receive the boxes I will get precise measurements for the neoprene lining. I will cut the Kawa saddle bag straps on one set to use in the panniers and use the other set, as is, in the tail box. Ride on. Lew Waterman Punky & Lew's Americas Motopaseo Greenacres, Florida