"What I would like to have known was did they do any upgrades or did they
ride a 'stock' bike(s)?"
In the article they state the additions to the KLR were:
Touratech skidplate ($130.80)
Zega Pro panniers ($1247.20)
Headlight Guard ($81.70)
Continental TKC80 tires ($248.98)
SniperOne
From:
DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com [mailto:
DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of revmaaatin
Sent: Saturday, April 06, 2013 5:48 PM
To:
DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Preaching to the Choir
--- In
DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com ,
"Fred Hink" wrote:
>
>
http://www.cycleworld.com/2013/03/13/adventure-bike-comparison-test-videos/3
/
Thanks Fred.
The featured rider was really making the KLR look good!
We should all note that the KLR rider was not at his first rodeo.
If I understand the reports correctly, they all change bikes at interval,
allowing each rider equal seat time for each machine. That in itself
validates our own view of our beloved pig.
Why is that important?
More as a reminder of what we compare and contrast; riders ability vs.
machine, etc. is critical when we see some of the films. A good rider can
make any machine 'work' and that rider showcased the KLR nicely. When it is
given a thumbs up by multiple riders, you know someone is doing their
homework.
What I would like to have known was did they do any upgrades or did they
ride a 'stock' bike(s)?
Here is one more 'link' for the collection and discussion.
This link is a trailer for the Colorado Backcountry Discovery Route or "BDR"
that features Colorado; previously mapped in this series is a BDR of
Washington and Utah.
(Features a KLR briefly in the trailer; extensively in the full length film)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkS-XI4w61s
Just so you know, the trailer is 3:05min and the feature is over 60m.
Jeff Saline and I (and a host of others) watched the feature film last week
in Rapid City, SD, sponsored by numerous local motorcycle businesses. The
film features numerous riders, different machines and differing ability--all
EXTENSIVELY overloaded with very nice TOURTECH equipment and KLIM riding
gear.
The least experienced rider rode a KLR; motorcycle equipment list = 8 bikes
to start, current production motorcyles included a KLR650, GS1200, Yamaha
Tenere, KTM990(?) and others (perhaps a Triumph 800Tiger, a BMW GS800 and or
GS650, DL650/1000 Vstrom.) I think each bike was different.
The KLR's riders lack of off-road experience worked against him, but the
machine did just fine. It showcased that a person of minimal experince
tutored by others can begin to ride. The movie producer present did suggest,
that it might be better to gain a little experience before attempting such a
ride; (no kidding Sherlock).
One of the expensive bikes spit his rider off and gave injury. = bad luck
more than any thing else. shrug. I believe the 'adventure load' illustrated
and demonstrated that each bike carried was a lot more than most of us would
attempt.
At this film showing, there were a lot of street riders that did not ride or
own a DS machine. One of the films 'producers' present stated 'KLR' when
asked what was the best bang for the buck when asked 'where do I start'.
Mind you, owners/reps of the local Honda, Harley, Suzuki, Kawasaki, KTM and
Yamaha dealerships were all represented at the film. The KLR riders in the
crowd chuckled and the BMW riders wet their pants.
Yep. KLR.
Just as a note, 1. the film is probably NOT going to be much fun for someone
that does not ride. 2. Many of the features/terrain are the same/similar to
those experienced in the Great Divide Ride as it passes through Colorado.
and one more bedtime story--that is machine vs. rider's ability;
Last fall I began hunting for a more dirt worthy bike to compliment my pig
with lipstick. smile.
I found a 2001 DRZ that had been tricked up and farkled. We rode across
gravel, rocks, roots, and ruts, and found it 'odd'--lots of suspension
upgrade and almost unrideable at speeds below 40mph. = so stiff, it had no
suspension.
My friend Craig noted, that the bike had $100's of dollars spent on its
suspension, "95% of the riders in the world could not ride that DRZ400 to
its full potential. Terrain and sighting distance would not allow the bike
to be ridden at its current design/build potential.
Craig (a long time enduro rider since the early 60's) noted:
The owner probably read an article in a magazine and built his machine like
the authors without thinking much about how he was going to use the bike."
It was now, more poser than rider; the suspension was set up for high-speed
Baja, not the Black Hills jeep trails and fire roads.
Item of note: the seller previously owned a KLR but said it was not
suitable, = could not ride the KLR where 'we' do routinely, but he could
spend $100's of dollars that made him think he could ride. shrug.
Oh,
he wasn't riding anymore, he was selling. shrug again.
and I wasn't buying...at least not that one.
revmaaatin.
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