Wilsons Sandbox

Welcome aboard Joe. If you are intimidated, then take it slow. In time you will be more comfortable taking on, what used to be, scary challeges. For now enjoy the learning experience. No fun in riding outside your ability, and getting hurt. As far as oil, you will get alot of opinions. If you are a synthetic fan, then I highly recommend Mobil 1 MX4T motorcycle specific synthetic oil. I use it, and with 21,000 miles on my bike, it still doesn't require adding any between changes. Rick A17 ________________________________ From: jsharmer222 To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Sent: Fri, October 16, 2009 12:20:21 PM Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Introduction - New Rider and New KLR 650 Owner in Northern Colorado Hi Everyone! Just wanted to introduce myself and say Hi. Im a new rider, I finished my MSF class a few weeks ago and got my stamp on my license. I have never ridden on a motorcycle before a few weeks ago (Im 41) and just decided that now was the time. Im 6'4" 240lbs(34" inseam,) so looking for a first bike was somewhat of a challenge. The little 250cc bikes they had at the MSF class were tiny on me and I had to spread my legs wide out in order to make some of those figure 8 turns. A few people suggested I look at a dual sport bike as a good starter bike because I really dont think Id feel comfortable riding some crazy overpowered street bike or a smaller cc beginner bike that was too small for me. So after scouring the internet, I came to the conclusion that the KLR650 was the bike for me. I found a used green 08 with 2400 miles on it for $3600 on Craigslist that I bought the next day. So after getting over my intimidation of sitting so high up on a motorcycle (the trainer bikes are very low to the ground) I took it for a spin around the block. I was scared to death, but wow it was quite an experience. Since then, Ive driven around town a few times, but never more than 20 minutes or so to get from point a to b. Im really looking forward to finding some time and just going for a few hour ride up to the mountains, though the twisties still have me pretty intimidated. All and all Ive been really happy with the KLR, but I had a few questions for all you experienced riders. Gear: I bought a First Gear torrent mesh jacket: http://www.newenough.com/closeouts/mesh_jackets_and_pants/first_gear/torrent_mesh_motorcycle_jacket.html and wanted to know if I made a good purchase? My girlfriends top priority for me was to make sure I bought good gear to protect myself when I go down. This seemed like a good choice to me but wanted to get your guys opinion. I also bought a pair of Joe Rocket Atomic riding pants to go along with that. I bought an HJC IS-Max helmet that I really like and have a pair of leather gloves and boots I wear. Being a new rider I just want to do everything I can to protect myself in case of an accident. Do you guys have any recommendations to what I bought that might help? Bike: Oil - Ive read just about every possible variable for which oil is the best for the KLR. Normally I do all my oil changes for my cars and expect I'll do the same for my KLR. Normally I would assume a synthetic would be a better choice and offer more protection to the internal moving parts but I dont have any experience with wet clutches and the affects oil has on them. Right now my clutches stick really bad in the mornings and Id hate to make that situation worse by choosing the wrong oil. Seat - Ive seem lots of talk about the comfort level of the stock KLR seat. To me, it seems fine but like Ive mentioned before, I havent been on it for more than 30 minutes or so. My only question is that when Im accelerating from a stop in a, um, exuberant manner (fast), I seem to start sliding back on the seat. This is a very un-nerving feeling for me and I was wondering thats just something I need to get used to and not worry about, or is a seat upgrade really worth the money? Thanks for the time everyone! Im really excited about my KLR and hope to put a lot of miles on it over the years. Joe [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Welcome to the group, Joe! Based on your description, it looks to me like you've done everything right so far. You're a big enough guy that you should be comfortable on the KLR in a fairly short time. My son started riding at age 28, he's almost your size, and for his first bike, he settled on a 650 Ninja - even though I was trying to steer him towards a 250. Now, 2 years later, I'm satisfied that he made the right choice. He'd be cramped on a 250. (Readers, remember that the 650 Ninja is the twin, not the balls-out 4 cylinder 600 or 636) Most people who have the same jacket are very happy with it. If you are sliding back on the seat, it sounds like someone may have put Armor-All on it. The seat should firmly grip your posterior and you shouldn't slide around much on it, unless you are doing it deliberately. As far as oil goes, that's a hotly debated subject but I'll somewhat reluctantly wade in, at the risk of creating another (hopefully friendly) debate. As long as you change the oil often enough, you can use just about anything. I use Mobil 1 15W-50 (Automotive formula) in all my bikes. I have never had any issues such as clutch slippage, although I believe people who say that they have. Alternately, save money with Shell Rotella T Triple Protection 15W-40. Both are available at Wal-Mart. Many will (and might, by commenting here) counter with the "motorcycle specific oil is better" and I won't argue that, but if you change your oil often enough, you could use Pep Boys store brand and the bike will be fine. Good luck, have fun, and report back on your progress! Mike

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "jsharmer222" wrote: > > Hi Everyone! > > Just wanted to introduce myself and say Hi. Im a new rider, I finished my MSF class a few weeks ago and got my stamp on my license. I have never ridden on a motorcycle before a few weeks ago (Im 41) and just decided that now was the time. > > Im 6'4" 240lbs(34" inseam,) so looking for a first bike was somewhat of a challenge. The little 250cc bikes they had at the MSF class were tiny on me and I had to spread my legs wide out in order to make some of those figure 8 turns. A few people suggested I look at a dual sport bike as a good starter bike because I really dont think Id feel comfortable riding some crazy overpowered street bike or a smaller cc beginner bike that was too small for me. So after scouring the internet, I came to the conclusion that the KLR650 was the bike for me. I found a used green 08 with 2400 miles on it for $3600 on Craigslist that I bought the next day. > > So after getting over my intimidation of sitting so high up on a motorcycle (the trainer bikes are very low to the ground) I took it for a spin around the block. I was scared to death, but wow it was quite an experience. Since then, Ive driven around town a few times, but never more than 20 minutes or so to get from point a to b. Im really looking forward to finding some time and just going for a few hour ride up to the mountains, though the twisties still have me pretty intimidated. > > All and all Ive been really happy with the KLR, but I had a few questions for all you experienced riders. > > Gear: > > I bought a First Gear torrent mesh jacket: > http://www.newenough.com/closeouts/mesh_jackets_and_pants/first_gear/torrent_mesh_motorcycle_jacket.html > and wanted to know if I made a good purchase? My girlfriends top priority for me was to make sure I bought good gear to protect myself when I go down. This seemed like a good choice to me but wanted to get your guys opinion. I also bought a pair of Joe Rocket Atomic riding pants to go along with that. I bought an HJC IS-Max helmet that I really like and have a pair of leather gloves and boots I wear. > Being a new rider I just want to do everything I can to protect myself in case of an accident. Do you guys have any recommendations to what I bought that might help? > > Bike: > > Oil - Ive read just about every possible variable for which oil is the best for the KLR. Normally I do all my oil changes for my cars and expect I'll do the same for my KLR. Normally I would assume a synthetic would be a better choice and offer more protection to the internal moving parts but I dont have any experience with wet clutches and the affects oil has on them. Right now my clutches stick really bad in the mornings and Id hate to make that situation worse by choosing the wrong oil. > > Seat - Ive seem lots of talk about the comfort level of the stock KLR seat. To me, it seems fine but like Ive mentioned before, I havent been on it for more than 30 minutes or so. My only question is that when Im accelerating from a stop in a, um, exuberant manner (fast), I seem to start sliding back on the seat. This is a very un-nerving feeling for me and I was wondering thats just something I need to get used to and not worry about, or is a seat upgrade really worth the money? > > Thanks for the time everyone! Im really excited about my KLR and hope to put a lot of miles on it over the years. > > Joe >

Sounds , word for word, the same as my story, except I paid (ahem) a bit more for a new ride. I use Rotella Oil. It seems to be good enough for my kind of riding, and , more important, it seems to be available EVERYWHERE. I like the stock seat, still, after trying out a friend's flat corbin (too slippery) and one of those stepped two-person style (too cramped). Use your knees more, to grip the tank when decelerating or turning. If you ride on the pavement a lot you might want some kevlar jeans and a good pair of gloves.

----- Original Message ----- From: "jsharmer222" To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Friday, October 16, 2009 1:20 PM Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Introduction - New Rider and New KLR 650 Owner in Northern Colorado > Hi Everyone! > > Just wanted to introduce myself and say Hi.