Wilsons Sandbox

Several good questions, and I do ride with Gs1150's etal, so here goes. Mike Torst Las Vegas -----Original Message----- From: Larry Keith [mailto:lskbike@...] Sent: Thursday, July 22, 2004 5:13 PM To: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com Subject: [DSN_klr650] KLR's Capabilities I have joined this list because I am looking to purchase a "Thumper" dual purpose bike and the KLR looks like the best buy in this category. I also love the way it looks! I am requesting your help in making this purchase decision... I have 30+ years experience with long distance touring on BMWs (1,000 ccs and larger) and with sport riding Ducatis. I have a friend who is planning a trip from Indiana to Alaska and back and I am toying with the idea of joining him. If I do join him, I plan on doing it on a suitable dual purpose bike... He rides a BMW R1150GS and feels anything less couldn't do the job. I have had enough of the conventional and the cost of the "legendary motorcycles from Germany" and would like to consider a single cylinder 650 and preferably NOT the BMW 650... Can anyone advise me on the KLR 650's ability in accomplishing this goal? I do it and it is AOK. Could a KLR keep up with a 1150 BMW GS on the interstate? Stock bikes w/ a 16t front sprocket can easily run 80 mph w/ 100 pounds of gear and a 200 lb rider. My modified KLR650 w/ 100 pounds of non-aerodynamic gear and my large 240 pound (w/ riding gear) carcass and a 11+ inch Clearview windscreen runs easily at 85- 90 and topped out at just under 100 mph near Baker, CA 2 weekends ago. W/o the baggage, I hit near 110mph, w/ my 16t front sprocket. Would long distances on the interstate at 80 MPH fully loaded be too much for this bike? No, unless you really really big. Are they comfortable for 800+ miles in the saddle per day? Easy w/ a Mayer or Russell seat. I have done it on my Mayer seat. Are they reliable? (I have been reading about KLRs having problems with parts of the balancer failing and destroying the engine. ????) DO the doohickey, set the valuve clearance, and run JASO MA spec oil and a good x-ring chain like D.I.D. Do you have any suggested modifications I should consider making to this bike to make this trip! ie; Corbin/Sargent saddle? Jesse's bags...etc...etc!!! Are there any replacement parts I should purchase take along? A tube for the front wheel ( can be used out back if needed), a good collection tools - work out w/ your buddy who carries what - the weight of the tools and spares is larger than everything else I carry, so work it out. Spare 12 guage wire, a butane soldering gun and solder, metal repair paste, etc.. Basically - figure what can go wrong and solve for it based on probability. CB radios, etal - a great cellular provider covering the corridor of travel, etc.. Any input and/or suggestions you could provide would be greatly appreciated.... SO much has been posted on long distance travel - In summary, when you are going uphill into a headwind, even on a modified KLR, you will make only 75 mph. If your GS buddy demands higher speed, buy a Suzuki 100 V-strom. Thanks! L. Keith, Southeastern Indiana --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Vote for the stars of Yahoo!'s next ad campaign! [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 Unsubscribe by sending a blank message to: DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com . Yahoo! Groups Links

Larry Keith wrote:

>I have joined this list because I am looking to purchase a "Thumper" dual purpose bike and the KLR looks like the best buy in this category. >

Yep, cheap as dirt. Even cheaper if you get it used. Given the quality of Kawasaki's dealer network (which is all the losers who aren't good enough to be a Honda or Harley dealer -- and that ain't a high bar at all), the warranty isn't worth a bucket of warm spit. First time you let the dealer wrench screw up your bike will be the last. So get it used, and work on it yourself. One thing about a thumper is that if it ain't working right, you know -- there's not three good cylinders masking a cylinder with leaky valves!

> I also love the way it looks! I am requesting your help in making this purchase decision... > >I have 30+ years experience with long distance touring on BMWs (1,000 ccs and larger) and with sport riding Ducatis. I have a friend who is planning a trip from Indiana to Alaska >

People do that on KLR's all the time. Just type "klr 650 alaska" into http://www.google.com and you'll see hundreds of pages.

> Could a KLR keep up with a 1150 BMW GS on the interstate? >

Only if said 1150 is going 80mph or less. Above 80, the KLR is distinctly wheezing. I've had my KLR up to 85, and was pretty much flat out (I was in full mule mode with luggage etc.).

> Would long distances on the interstate at 80 MPH fully loaded be too much for this bike? >

It'll do 80mph all day on the Interstate while fully loaded. The wind blast can get tiresome though. A bigger windshield can help with that, at the expense of some buffetting.

> Are they comfortable for 800+ miles in the saddle per day? >

Some folks report the seat gets tiresome after a few hundred miles. An aftermarket saddle may be a good investment.

> Are they reliable? (I have been reading about KLRs having problems with parts of the balancer failing and destroying the engine. ????) >

They're reliable as dirt. There just isn't much to break on the thing. The balancer adjuster lever is the only "weakness". I just swapped out my balancer adjuster lever for a stronger aftermarket part. After 20,000 miles, the stock part is fine. The other "weakness" is that assorted levers break easily when you wreck. That's easy to fix, just carry spare levers with you and get some handguards to protect the brake/clutch levers.

> Do you have any > suggested modifications I should consider making to this bike to make this trip! ie; Corbin/Sargent saddle? >

Oh boy, there's so MANY mods you can make! Okay: Sargent saddle if you're going to be doing 80mph for 800 miles a day. A windshield for similar reasons (comfort over long distance). Happy Trails bag rack, Givi top rack, Givi bags on all three. Wolfman Explorer tank bag with the KLR-specific harness. Tank paniers (haven't decided which are best yet) if you don't have enough storage YET. Radiator guard to prevent one bummer. Spare shift lever (bummer if that goes). Spare clutch lever (bummer if that goes). Spare tubes for your tires, and a couple of tire irons, and an air pump, and a wrench that'll fit the axle bolts. If you're a very heavy dude, upgraded subframe bolts. Better tires, maybe? Hmm. -E

When taking any trip, the very best is to stay off the Interstate. Always. Takes longer? That's ok. -----Original Message----- From: Larry Keith [mailto:lskbike@...] Sent: Thursday, July 22, 2004 5:13 PM To: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com Subject: [DSN_klr650] KLR's Capabilities I have joined this list because I am looking to purchase a "Thumper" dual purpose bike and the KLR looks like the best buy in this category. I also love the way it looks! I am requesting your help in making this purchase decision... I have 30+ years experience with long distance touring on BMWs (1,000 ccs and larger) and with sport riding Ducatis. I have a friend who is planning a trip from Indiana to Alaska and back and I am toying with the idea of joining him. If I do join him, I plan on doing it on a suitable dual purpose bike... He rides a BMW R1150GS and feels anything less couldn't do the job. I have had enough of the conventional and the cost of the "legendary motorcycles from Germany" and would like to consider a single cylinder 650 and preferably NOT the BMW 650... Can anyone advise me on the KLR 650's ability in accomplishing this goal? Could a KLR keep up with a 1150 BMW GS on the interstate? Would long distances on the interstate at 80 MPH fully loaded be too much for this bike? Are they comfortable for 800+ miles in the saddle per day? Are they reliable? (I have been reading about KLRs having problems with parts of the balancer failing and destroying the engine. ????) Do you have ! any suggested modifications I should consider making to this bike to make this trip! ie; Corbin/Sargent saddle? Jesse's bags...etc...etc!!! Are there any replacement parts I should purchase take along? Any input and/or suggestions you could provide would be greatly appreciated.... Thanks! L. Keith, Southeastern Indiana --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Vote for the stars of Yahoo!'s next ad campaign! [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 Unsubscribe by sending a blank message to: DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com . Yahoo! Groups Links

--- Ramey wrote:

> When taking any trip, the very best is to stay off > the Interstate. Always.

Very true! Interstates are for trucks. Let 'em have it! don in UTah ===== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Vote for the stars of Yahoo!'s next ad campaign! http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/yahoo/votelifeengine/

In a message dated 2004-07-22 5:14:07 PM Pacific Daylight Time, lskbike@... writes:

> > I have 30+ years experience with long distance touring on BMWs (1,000 ccs > and larger) and with sport riding Ducatis. I have a friend who is planning a > trip from Indiana to Alaska and back and I am toying with the idea of joining > him. If I do join him, I plan on doing it on a suitable dual purpose bike... > He rides a BMW R1150GS and feels anything less couldn't do the job. I have > had enough of the conventional and the cost of the "legendary motorcycles > from Germany" and would like to consider a single cylinder 650 and preferably > NOT the BMW 650... Can anyone advise me on the KLR 650's ability in > accomplishing this goal? Could a KLR keep up with a 1150 BMW GS on the interstate? > Would long distances on the interstate at 80 MPH fully loaded be too much for > this bike? Are they comfortable for 800+ miles in the saddle per day? Are > they reliable? (I have been reading about KLRs having problems with parts of > the balancer failing and destroying the engine. ????) Do you have any > suggested modifications I should consider making to this bike to make this > trip! ie; Corbin/Sargent saddle? Jesse's bags...etc...etc!!! Are there any > replacement parts I should purchase take along? > > Any input and/or suggestions you could provide would be greatly > appreciated.... > > Thanks! > > L. Keith, Southeastern Indiana > >

Keith, I've got nearly 40 years experience touring, most of that on the smaller bikes. Ten years ago I started getting into the bigger bikes, starting out with a Suzuki GS1150 that was eventually rigged up with a complete set of Givi luggage. It perked my interest enough to get a Yamaha Venture Royale that I really enjoyed riding, but over time I found myself gravitating back to the smaller bikes and these days my KLR is my touring rig as well as my everything else ride and the VR is history. Last year I did the AMA Colorado tour on my KLR. There were two couples mounted on BMW GS1150s. Within three days both BMW riders had decided that even if they were one up they couldn't get their bikes into the places I was taking my KLR. Oh, they figured they could tackle my routes if they were out for just a weekend, but to do it day after day for ten days their bikes were just to ponderous, I was averaging 250 miles a day of which 100+ were in the dirt. One couple had a pair of KLRs back home and were familiar with Fred and by the end of the tour they were giving serious thought to getting rid of the GS and setting up their KLRs for the long distance adventure stuff. The other couple figured they would get a BWM P2D 650. Can the KLR hold up? The local chapter of the Blue Knights puts on a 1000 mile/24 hour rally, mostly locals into the long distance stuff and in six years I've frustrated the local Beemer riders because they typicaly come in an hour after me - no big secret, they tend two spend two off their bikes that I spend riding and they never make up that 150 difference. The Wings never have a chance as they need to gas up twice for my every once. By the end of the ride the others look rode hard and put up wet while I'm taking a good break before doing the 60 miles back home. I've taken two KLRs over 50,000 miles, stock balancer, with nothing more than valve adjusts and oil changes. I just stay on the road with the speedometer sitting between 75 and 80 and sixteen hours after the start I'm back. Until last year all my riding has been with the stock saddle. Now that I have learned better, I have a Corbin flat saddle for when I want to log some serious mileage in a short time. With the stock saddle my limit for day after day riding was about 700 miles, break camp at dawn, ride until an hour before sundown and set up camp taking an extra break midway through the first and third tank of gas. I tried longer days but that extra 100 miles on the stock saddle really took its toll. With the flat Corbin a 800 mile day is easy. For long rides I stash a set of brakes pads, sprockets, tubes, oil filter, spare plug and air filter. Anything else I deal with by taking along a list of the motorcycle dealerships and shops that are along my way and phoning ahead. Pat G'ville, Nv [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I just rode from Maine to Alaska and back on mine. From Calgary to AK was with a buddy on an R100GS. Only mechanical issue I had was when the bike wouldn't start because I left the heated grips on overnite. As for keeping up, the Beemer did a fine job of following me. If you have a KLR, your friend should be confident that his Beemer will be able to keep up with you. I've heard that the engineers at BMW privately refer to their bikes as the "German KLR". Rich McNamara

----- Original Message ----- From: "Larry Keith" To: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Thursday, July 22, 2004 8:13 PM Subject: [DSN_klr650] KLR's Capabilities > I have joined this list because I am looking to purchase a "Thumper" dual purpose bike and the KLR looks like the best buy in this category. I also love the way it looks! I am requesting your help in making this purchase decision... > > I have 30+ years experience with long distance touring on BMWs (1,000 ccs and larger) and with sport riding Ducatis. I have a friend who is planning a trip from Indiana to Alaska and back and I am toying with the idea of joining him. If I do join him, I plan on doing it on a suitable dual purpose bike... He rides a BMW R1150GS and feels anything less couldn't do the job. I have had enough of the conventional and the cost of the "legendary motorcycles from Germany" and would like to consider a single cylinder 650 and preferably NOT the BMW 650... Can anyone advise me on the KLR 650's ability in accomplishing this goal? Could a KLR keep up with a 1150 BMW GS on the interstate? Would long distances on the interstate at 80 MPH fully loaded be too much for this bike? Are they comfortable for 800+ miles in the saddle per day? Are they reliable? (I have been reading about KLRs having problems with parts of the balancer failing and destroying the engine. ????) Do you have any > suggested modifications I should consider making to this bike to make this trip! ie; Corbin/Sargent saddle? Jesse's bags...etc...etc!!! Are there any replacement parts I should purchase take along? > > Any input and/or suggestions you could provide would be greatly appreciated.... > > Thanks! > > L. Keith, Southeastern Indiana > > > > --------------------------------- > Do you Yahoo!? > Vote for the stars of Yahoo!'s next ad campaign! > > [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 > Unsubscribe by sending a blank message to: > DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com . > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > >

Thanks to everyone who responded to my request seeking information on the KLR's capability to run from Southeastern Indiana to Alaska and back...riding with a friend on a BMW 1150 GS. Because of your responses, I have decided I really can't live without a used KLR 650 and, unfortunately, I just lost a 2001 listed on ebay located only 3 hours from my home... Please let me know if you have, or know of someone that has a used 2001 or newer bike for sale...preferably in Indiana or a state around Indiana. A day or two drive away from Southeastern Indiana wouldn't be too bad. (Have Bucks...Will Travel... Also, any recommendations on web sites that frequently have KLR's listed for sale? It has taken me over a year to make the decision to buy...now the decision is made the money is trying to burn a hole in my pocket. Thanks again for all your help! Larry Keith --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? New and Improved Yahoo! Mail - Send 10MB messages! [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Dave, Perhaps you should emigrate to Australia, where the riding season is exactly as long as it is short in Alberta. Meanwhile, a word or two about the Orbiterran Fallacy...

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, Dave Watkins wrote: > No problem Zac, > > With the shortened riding season here in Canada I've plenty of time to > ponder the little subtleties of life. > > Cheers, > > Dave Watkins 89 KLR "The Mile Muncher" > Calgary, Alberta, Canada > > dave@d... www.davewatkins.net > Voice: 403-701-5746 Fax: 403-266-0626 > > > > > **-----Original Message----- > **From: Ramey [mailto:zacar@s...] > **Sent: Sunday, July 25, 2004 3:02 PM > **To: Dave Watkins; 'Mark Sampson'; DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com > **Subject: RE: [DSN_klr650] Re: 7" round headlight, anyone? > ** > **Dave, thanks for setting me straight about why my headlight > **works better at night even though it is on during the day. Zac > **