why more expensive? was: [dsn_klr650] buying advice sought:

[Doug]

Does anyone here have sources/sizes for stock 1st second overbore piston + 1mm? is that the max kawasaki OEM? If 1mm is the biggest, what does that bring displacement to? 656? Also are there ANY forged aftermarket pistons other than this Shintz racing ones? Wiseco? ANY?? besides the $300 parts only is the price they quote (approx) Also often you can match a piston from other vehicles ...has anyone found such? Like perhaps from 1400 ninja? or other brand even? hopefully something forged? KLX? What about cam shafts? The only ones I found had no pricing on the website http://www.webcamshafts.com/pages/kawasaki-moto.html they list three hardweld versions. Has anyone here tried a custom cam shaft from there or anywhere?

[Vladimir Vega III]

I was looking at Suzuki (and I already knew about Kawi); why are the smaller engined-bikes (at least dual-sport) more expensive than their bigger brothers/sisters? Vlad --- "E.L. Green" wrote:

> --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Mark_Holmstrup" > wrote: > > Here's what the bike will be used for: > > -Slow-speed dirt trail riding (lots of trails here > in New Mexico) > > -Carrying camping equipment (same amount of gear > as a backpacker) > > -Will probably tow to riding sites > > -Needs to be street legal to ride on public roads > connecting off-road > > trails. > > -Occasional commuting-- 20 miles on side streets > with 55 mph max. speed > > -Rarely use on highways > > -Might have a passenger on occasion > > -Don't really care about the price. > > > > Key factor: My inseam is only 30 inches. > > The problem is that bike A (slow speed dirt trail > riding) is not the same as bike B (might > have a passenger). You really want something small > and easily handled for the dirt trail > riding. A Yamaha XT225 is really ideal for a small > person puttering around on really tight > two-track without much worries about getting it back > up if it falls on you, for example, > while the KLX250 would hit the sweet spot for me > (longer of leg) if they sold it here in > California (unfortunately it will not be until the > 2010 model year, when Kawasaki is > required to put California smog gear onto all bikes > nationwide, that we get it -- or that > everybody else loses it). > > The problem is that once you add a passenger, we're > talking about extremely cramped > conditions and the engine is totally overwhelmed. > > Best compromise I can think of is a Suzuki DR650, > which will be better at the trail riding > than the Mighty KLR, as well as being better for the > shorter-of-leg (when the suspension > is put into the "Down" position) but still will > handle two-up in a pinch. > > -E > >

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