Wilsons Sandbox

Guess I should introduce myself here, been lurking for a bit. Hi, my name is Jack and I'm addicted to motorcycles. I currently ride a Concours as my regular bike, a 75 Triumph Trident on sunny Sundays (and not far from the house. Gawd bless Lucas) and have a 78 Honda CB400A for the War Department. I'm looking around for a good used (read cheap, I mean really cheap) KLR for knocking around town, a few trips to Big Bend and Copper Canyon. Just can't see taking the Connie there. Been riding a few years and put on a few miles but I'm still learning. Just about got the falling off part down to a science. jt Jack Tollett Waltz Across Texas Rally http://www.waltzacrosstexas.org AiaP #1 "Life is too short to live in Dallas."

Well hello Jim. Again its all perspective, your wants sound like a KLR650 to me, but depends on how much fun you like to have offroad. If you are expecting a XR600 performance offroad out of a KLR650 you will not get it. If you want a simple, machine that is fairly easy to work on, with lots of help posted all over the place on the web, can trail ride without a problem, even Jeep trails (I think some call them) are fine, but down in the single track and no track the KLR can prove "do-able" but requires effort. Of course there are a few shortcomings, doohickey ($50ish) is a known "possible" problem, peace of mind to change it is pretty low in cost, many of us have swapped out the OEM part for a aftermarket type that is solid as it gets, suspension is on the weak side, but I find it fine for me "most" of the time (see the above "do-able" comments). Brakes many whine about, but I find them fine, but last (offroad) bike I had drum brakes, I can stop my bike with one or two fingers just fine, but more than that will make the K270 tire skid so better brakes would result in .... more tire skiding ? why bother. When I ran this search pattern a few years ago, the KLR was the only bike that creamed to the top for me no matter how I looked at it. Somedays I wonder if the KLR250 would have been plenty for me, since I like to ride offroad way more than I care to ride on the pavement. There are many upgrades and options available that are fairly cheap compaired to anything the cruiser crowd is paying. I bet "some" HD riders wardrobe cost more than my bike and gear. That said take your time and weigh your options. Dooden A15 Green Ape (2001)

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, wrote: > Hello > my name is Jim and I'm a motorcycle addict. With that said, I have been away > from riding for almost 3 years while taking care of my sick mother, then > moving 3 times and getting married along the way. Things are finally > settling down to the point where I can RIDE again! I like > back road exploring, moderate trail riding, and long distance riding. With > this combo, I think a KLR will suit my needs. Now I'm gathering research > about what year bikes to look for (maybe even brand new), and choosing > accessories. I already own an ST-1100 for very long rides, but I have always > liked 4 stoke dirt and dual purpose bikes better. My last dirt bike was a > '95 XR-600 that was street legal, and I rode it almost every day it wasn't > raining, no matter where I was going. > > Jim in Colebrook, N.H.

Hey Jim! I'm thinkin that you should get a more dirt oriented bike like maybe the DRZ to go with the ST. Hell, if you get the KLR, you'll prolly get rid of the ST. If you're strong, the Mighty KLR will take you most anywhere both those bikes will, and you won't need both bikes. Rod,,,,not able to afford a stable full like some, but still do over a thousand a month on the KLR

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, wrote: > Hello > my name is Jim and I'm a motorcycle addict. With that said, I have been away > from riding for almost 3 years while taking care of my sick mother, then > moving 3 times and getting married along the way. Things are finally > settling down to the point where I can RIDE again! I like > back road exploring, moderate trail riding, and long distance riding. With > this combo, I think a KLR will suit my needs. Now I'm gathering research > about what year bikes to look for (maybe even brand new), and choosing > accessories. I already own an ST-1100 for very long rides, but I have always > liked 4 stoke dirt and dual purpose bikes better. My last dirt bike was a > '95 XR-600 that was street legal, and I rode it almost every day it wasn't > raining, no matter where I was going. > > Jim in Colebrook, N.H.

As long as you're spending money; your list should include the doohickey upgrade and frame upgrade. Beyond that, you're on the right track. I"ve done the items you are suggesting except the springs; I replaced the oil with a 15 weight and added about an inch to the spring spacer. The front is much better than stock. Dive is pretty minimal and still gives a smooth ride. I'm looking forward to more changes but for now, I"ll just ride.

>From: "Jim" >To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com >Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Introduction >Date: Sun, 02 Apr 2006 00:43:15 -0000 > >I was on this group about a year ago gathering information to help >decide which bike to buy, then left when I became too busy to keep up >with the group. After lots of research about which type, make, and >model of bike to choose, I decided to go with the KLR650. I should be >purchasing it this week. I live in Milan, N.H. (was Colebrook NH last >year) and plan to ride around New England, and possibly further as >time allows. > >I chose the KLR over other bikes on my list, such as the XL650, >XR650, and KTM models. The KTMs lost because of initial investment >price. The XR650 would have been great for off road use, and >definately had the power advantage, but has limited aftermarket DP >options. The XL650 lost out because it doesn't sound like it would be >nearly as durable as the KLR for long term reliability, and has much >less aftermarket support. > >Initial plans, as soon as I bring my bike home, will be to order the >L.R. progressive springs; get some soft luggage, and a mount for my >Givi box; fabricate a bracket for forward pegs; a mount for my GPS; >and storage for tools and flat repair kit. > >For now I'll be lurking and taking in information, and waiting >anxiously to pick up my new bike. > >Jim > > > > > >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 >Member Map at: http://www.frappr.com/dsnklr650 >Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > >

Hi all, I would like to take a moment to introduce myself. My name is Robin, I live in Phoenix, AZ and own a 2006 Red KLR650 which I have ridden faithfully every day since I purchased it in April 2008. Actually, I also bought my wife one on the same day; hers is a Black/Silver 2007, which she rides on the weekends. We have not done much Off-Road riding, but are starting to explore the various back road areas around Phoenix. We see many DS riders on the roads in Phoenix and have decided to start a DS Club that has no limitations to the manufacture of the bike. So if anyone is interested in meeting other DS riders and grouping up for some weekend rides check out this website: http://www.geocities.com/southwestdualsportriders/ and meet us for coffee between 8AM and 9AM on Sundays at the Starbucks on Bell Road and Tatum (SWC). P.S. the websites still shows 9AM to 10AM as the meeting time, my wife has yet to change that part. Mahalo (thanks) for your time and hope to see some of you there.

Wow another KLR forum, OH OH more productive time down the tube. I see some familiar names some not, currently I have an 02 C model with some changes to make it more capable for the longer rides see photos here http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DSN_KLR650/photos/album/1202279153/pic/list I suspect some of you have already seen this project I apologize. I live in the Kootenays of British Columbia, some great KLR ing around here but I am heading to Moab in 2 weeks to shake off some winter Blah. Hope I can contribute here and not be to much of a pain in the a$$ David

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

> > Wow another KLR forum, OH OH more productive time down the tube. > I see some familiar names some not,

"Another" KLR forum???? This one is the granddaddy of KLR fora. The others are Johnny- come-latelies. The only others that are worth a sh!t are the MADS list and KLR650.net.