Wilsons Sandbox

On Sat, 6 Aug 2005, hotlineleech wrote:

> I've budgeted $1000 toward accessorizing the KLR650. What would you > get? My considerations are not performance oriented but rather comfort > (including two-up), saftey, and utility for riding almost 100% on > major urban streets. I'm a newer rider and it's likely the bike will

...

> what kinds of crash guards would be cost effective as "insurance." My > Replacement seat;

Only if the stock seat does not work for you. Each aftermarket seat has its own issues, different than the ones the stock seat has but perhaps important for you. For example, I have the Corbin flat seat. It is taller than the stock seat. So I'm tip-toeing the ground rather than flat-footing it. This seat may be too tall for you entirely.

> Higher windscreen (but +how many "'s?);

Probably not necessary unless you intend to ride in the rain or at high speed for long distances. I'm back with the stock windshield now. Unless I'm riding into a strong headwind at 90mph (indicated), it serves sufficiently for keeping enough wind off my chest for high speed highway riding.

> Steel break lines;

Not necessary right now. Helps the feel, doesn't really help the stopping power (unless you're one of those people whose grip weakens closer to the handlebar).

> Crash guards of some kind;

PD Nerf. Acerbis Ralley Pro handguards. Maybe rear side racks. Don't worry about an aftermarket skid plate if you're doing street, it's just waste.

> Replacement headlamp bulb;

See the NAPA bulb in the FAQ. Some people would add a centerstand to this list. I have to say that in real life a centerstand has little utility. I remember the time when, coming from a gravel road onto the pavement, I decided to use WD-40 to clean my chain. I pulled over onto a wide shoulder area, and tried to set my centerstand. Said centerstand promptly sank in the dirt, plopping my back tire back onto the ground. The eventual solution involved an aluminum can, my sidestand, and one of my Givi side bags (simply shove the bike up onto the sidestand which in turn is using the aluminum can to keep it from sinking into the dirt, shove the Givi side bag underneath the skidplate, voila, the rear wheel is hoisted!). If I'd just started with the sidestand solution to begin with, I would have been much better off... as it was, getting the centerstand retracted was a major PIA. _E

The Progressive front springs about $100 and set the sag for your weight. Galfer braided front brake line about $50 improves brake feel. Doohickey upgrade - peace of mind about $100 with tools. Shifter - $30 it will break eventually anyway. Totally Wired headlight relay upgrade around $50 improves lighting and increases the life of the stock headlight switch. SilverStar bulb about $20. Tube of blue Loctite . . . priceless! hotlineleech wrote: I've budgeted $1000 toward accessorizing the KLR650. What would you get? My considerations are not performance oriented but rather comfort (including two-up), saftey, and utility for riding almost 100% on major urban streets. I'm a newer rider and it's likely the bike will be layed down at some point, so I would especially like opinions on what kinds of crash guards would be cost effective as "insurance." My considerations so far: Replacement seat; Higher windscreen (but +how many "'s?); Steel break lines; Crash guards of some kind; Replacement headlamp bulb; TIA! Dan Archive Quicksearch at: http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/klr650_data_search.html List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html Yahoo! Groups Links __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

On Aug 5, 2005, at 10:31 PM, hotlineleech wrote:

> I've budgeted $1000 toward accessorizing the KLR650. What would you > get? My considerations are not performance oriented but rather comfort > (including two-up), saftey, and utility for riding almost 100% on > major urban streets.

Dan, as you can see we're all an opinionated bunch of folks. Given your description of how you plan to use your bike, I would focus on the brakes and the suspension first--especially if two-up riding will be common. The front brake is very anemic for the street, and while the steel brake line from Galfer helps with braking feel, it doesn't do much to increase the overall braking ability of the bike. Upgrading the stock pads to something aggressive like the Dunlopads Pro MX helps (they're what I'm currently running, along with a Galfer brake line), but IMHO there still isn't enough stopping ability. I'm currently evaluating "big brake" kits (and my meager checkbook to see which one I'd like to get. Elden Carl, one of the KLR gurus, has said nice things about a new lightweight kit from EBC http://www.multisurfacemotorcycling.com/articles/fft070105.htm>. But there was a slight problem with the fitment of the first kits that EBC is fixing, so I haven't seen any reviews of the new, fixed version. As for the suspension, see if you can get the correct sag front and rear with the stock components. If you're as heavy as most non-Asians you probably won't be able to, and forget about it with two people aboard. The FAQ http://www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html> lists all the common options for getting a suspension that will work for you. The suspension and brake work will eat up most of your budget. I'd wait for a bit on the seat; ride around for a while and see if your butt gets sore during your regular ride lengths. Cheap solutions like sheepskin or wooden beads seem to work for a lot of folks, so they may be worth trying before spending the big bucks for a Corbin (or similar) custom seat. Don't forget to fix your doohickey, either! (More details in the FAQ.) -- Blake Sobiloff San Jose, CA (USA)

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "hotlineleech" wrote:

> I've budgeted $1000 toward accessorizing the KLR650. What would you > get?

I'd budget $50 or so for Progrip 714 gel grips for the handlebars, and a pair of leather gloves with gel in the palm, I got olympia sport gel gloves. No more buzzy handlebars . Conall

Last weekend I found a beaded car seat cushion at a garage sale for 25 cents. I took it home and cut out a section to fit my stock saddle. I did about a 70 mile ride last night and my old boney ass has never been happier. Will Chris wrote: For basic offroading Barkbusters Radiator guard hardened subframe bolts IMS footpegs Bash plate SS brake lines and maybe oversized rotor kit If you're over 170lbs, Progressive LR fork springs uprated shock spring to match 450/500lbs, whatever fits for you JC Whitney top trunk For luggage, I like my Givi E36's for the money and Happy Trail SU racks Archive Quicksearch at: http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/klr650_data_search.html List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html Yahoo! Groups Links [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Stuart Mumford" wrote:

> The Progressive is a lot nicer unit, and if you ever manage to wear

it out,

> the manufacturers will give it a complete rebuild for $100.

I stopped by their facility in Hesperia in June on my way back from San Diego and they did a total rebuild including the ball joint in the top for $80 while I waited. Took about 1.5 hours. SG