----- Original Message -----
From:
To: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2001 10:20 PM
Subject: [DSN_klr650] Re: heavy-duty 17" tube
> Ok, once again, Dual Star are assisting me with my world tour, so I'm
> not an impartial opinion. However, seeing as Dual Star don't actively
> subscribe to the list, so can't actually read your post (see my last
> rant under the 'gutless' section.), I'm choosing to explain something
> that either some listers don't understand or choose to ignore when
> applying criticism.
>
> Fred is a DISTRIBUTOR
> Dual Star are a DISTRIBUTOR and a MANUFACTURER of goods.
>
> When you have to build a product yourself, rather than just order it
> from a wholesaler, you are at the mercy of so many more circumstances,
> and other companies, and personalities.
> Suddenly your lazer cutter can't get your run done when you expected,
> because their previous job has run over schedule.
> The fabric cutter can't get patterns done because one of their staff
> has been sick.
> The company who supplies your metric fastners was meant to be getting
> more stock in, but it hasn't arrived when they said it would.
> The company that supplies you springs has changed their supplier and
> can't give you the same quality you want, and you have to go looking
> for an alternative source, possibly all over the country.
> Your machinist has had problems with getting the tight tolerances you
> spec'd, even though previous runs have been fine.
>
> Starting to get the picture? This is the world of small scale niche
> production, of small independent businesses dealing with other
> businesses, some of whom themselves are small and have just a handful
> of staff, all of whom are at the mercy of real world forces.
> Now every MANUFACTURING business has this to contend with, but the
> problem compounds when you have a huge range of diverse products like
> Dual Star does, involving a range of totally different manufacturing
> processes. From what I've seen, its a constant battle of putting out
> fires, and then you have to maintain the quality control of the things
> that you are already producing, its not like you just call up and
> presto, up pop 20 more product X just like the last ones.
> On top of that, Mike and his team are constantly developing MORE
> product, technically compounding his daily challenges.
>
> I don't know if this is news to some listers or whether some don't
> care, but this is the reality of Dual Star and other niche
> manufacturers. I didn't realize this before I started designing my own
> custom parts, and before I got to know the guys from Dual Star, so
> maybe there are others out there who are unaware these facts also.
>
> A distributor like Fred has far less variables to deal with than a
> manufacturer, and zero, read, zero, R&D costs and considerations, so to
> compare the two isn't comparing apples and apples (Not that Fred's a
> fruit...we already established that he's a cow...) Dual Star are a
> distributor, too, on top of everything else.
>
> At the end of the day, its up to the individual to work this out for
> themselves and whether they are going to dump on some company because
> things didn't work out like they had expected. Fred doesn't have to
> wear any criticism for the products he stocks, because he doesn't make
> any of it. Dual Star won't necessarily give you a half hour
> explanation for why something is not available when they thought it
> would be, either - would you really want them to?
>
> I may sound like an apologist for Dual Star; but I get the feeling some
> of the keyboard addicts out there are under the impression that when
> they call Dual Star some guy in a warehouse scribbles down your order
> on Burger King napkin and walks lazily out to see if he can be bothered
> finding the ladder to get the part down from the top shelf...after he's
> finished his coffee and read the sports section.
> Anyone who has met these guys and spent any time with Mike will know
> that's so far from the case - Those guys are seriously passionate
> about motorcycling and take a lot of pride in what they make and sell,
> something I have found to very to be the exception rather than the norm
> in North American manufacturing.
>
> Rich
>
> BTW, a 18" tube works FINE in the KLR's 17" rim, which is technically
> oversize anyway. The reason Dual Star don't advertise it as an 18 is
> for exactly this reason - the confusion it creates. Personally I find
> these tubes to be way easier to work with than thinner ones - if you
> can pinch one of them you shouldn't be changing your own tires.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --- In DSN_klr650@y..., "Susan and Marshall" wrote:
> > Doc,
> >
> > I tried to order the heat shield for my bike from Dual Star 2 or 3 weeks
> > before my trip to New Orleans. They still had not even shipped it 2
days
> > before my departure and the day before I was to leave, they admitted
that
> > they had a problem with production on the item I wanted and it still had
not
> > been shipped!
> >
> > I cancelled my order and will not do business with this company again.
Very
> > poor customer service in my book. Your account just reinforces my
opinion
> > of this company.
> >
> > Just my .02 worth,
> >
> > Marshall in Afton, Ok
> > '95 KLXC3 "Blackhorse" (in honor of those who served)
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Chris Krok
> > To: KLR650 list
> > Sent: Monday, October 29, 2001 3:12 PM
> > Subject: [DSN_klr650] heavy-duty 17" tube
> >
> >
> > > Hey, folks...
> > >
> > > There has been discussion from time to time about super heavy-duty 17"
> > > rear tubes for the KLR. Dual Star advertises them on their web site,
> > > exclaiming, "Exclusively from Dual Star, 17" size!" Well, I just
> > > ordered one of these from them, and on the phone they told me that it
is
> > > actually an 18" tube. They charge $21, although I have heard that
other
> > > places sell them for around $16. Don't know if the rubber is as thick
> > > as the Dual Star tubes, which claim to be 4mm thick. Will have to
look
> > > into that. Maybe we can put a caliper on RM's tube. Anyway, I'm a
bit
> > > disappointed that they advertise a 17" tube and sell an 18. Don't
know
> > > what the brand is; I bought it anyway, and will see if it comes in a
> > > box, and let y'all know.
> > >
> > >
> > > El Krokko > >
> > > --
> > > Dr. J. Christopher Krok
> > > John Lucas Adaptive Wind Tunnel
> > > Caltech MS 205-45, Pasadena, CA 91125
> > >
> > > Checkout Dual Sport News at
> > >
http://www.dualsportnews.com
> > > Be part of the Adventure!
> > >
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> > >
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> > >
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> > >
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> > >
> > >
> > >
>
>
>
> Checkout Dual Sport News at
>
http://www.dualsportnews.com
> Be part of the Adventure!
>
> Visit the KLR650 archives at
>
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>
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