[dsn_klr650] nklr - bike cleaning

[Ralph E. Hanson]

I went for my first extended ride yesterday, and I have several observations. I rode about 80 miles to and from my dealer to get a broken mirror fixed. First of all, riding a motorcycle can be serious work. I live in West Virginia, and all the roads were wonderful twisties with only light traffic. But my arms ache from the effort. 'Course that could come from... Second, it's really easy to drop a bike. I was just pulling into the dealership's parking lot, and I simply fell over. Not really sure what I did wrong other than probably stop moving forward. The entrance to the lot was bumpy with scattered gravel, but I don't think that anything other than rider error was to blame. Third, protective gear rocks! I have a pair of Darien pants that I wore for the first time today. (For better or worse I don't wear the overpants around town.) When I tipped over and banged my knee down hard, the armor took all the impact and I stood up with no damage beyond a bruised ego. Fourth, there are some really good dealers around. Leeson's Imports in Bridgeport, WV, is one of them. I realized after I took delivery of my used A13 a couple of weeks ago that it was missing the left mirror, and that the place where the mirror screwed in was broken off. I have no idea if it was broken when I put money down on the bike last Thanksgiving. At any rate, Leeson's replaced the missing mirror, along with a missing owners manual, and there was no charge for anything. In fact, they warrant all their used bikes for 30 days. The warranty wasn't in writing, but they have certainly honored it. The only real damage from the tipover was a broken turnsignal bulb, which they replaced for 98 cents. They also installed my tall windshield for the cost of the part, and only charged a total of $100 for the Progressive fork springs, installed. This a great, family run shop. Fifth, virtually everyone I saw on a bike waved. The Harley guys in beanies, the Gold Wingers, and the folks on metric cruisers all gave friendly signs. The only folks who didn't wave looked like they were too scared to take their hands off the handlebars. The only sportbike guys I saw were at the shop. Got a huge wave from a dad and a little boy in a pickup truck. Sixth, I'm *really* happy with the KLR. It's got plenty of power to have fun, but not enough to get you into big trouble. And it's light. I was able to ride the bike reasonably aggresively (by my standards, wussy +1) without scaring myself. I've decided I like the tall windshield. There is some buffeting, but I like the overall protection it provides. I haven't decided yet on whether I want a 16-tooth front sprocket. I'm going to give that some thought in the weeks to come. I do know that I kept reaching for a sixth gear. Does that consitute evidence that I want the higher gearing? It strikes me that the real power on the bike is between 2500 and 5000. I've been commuting to work for the last last week, and it's perfect for that. Enuff. Ralph Ralph Hanson 1999 KLR 650 rhanson@... http://www.wvu.edu/~journal2

[Dustin McCarty]

Subject: First extended ride

>Second, it's really easy to drop a bike.

Likewise. Dropped my A14 in the garage. Just sort of fell over. I had rolled it forward a bit and the kickstand folded. Stupid me. Glad the KLR is tough.

>Third, protective gear rocks!

Gotta get some so when I drop the bike ON me I won't be hurt as badly.

>Fourth, there are some really good dealers around.

Same experience here. Farr's Cycles in Tulsa has been great! Feel sorry for the guys that don't have that luxury....maybe move to Oklahoma where the nice people are???

>Fifth, virtually everyone I saw on a bike waved. The Harley guys in

beanies, the Gold Wingers, and the folks on metric cruisers all gave friendly signs. The only folks who didn't wave looked like they were too scared to take their hands off the handlebars. The only sportbike guys I saw were at the shop. Got a huge wave from a dad and a little boy in a pickup truck. Same Experience here. People are just great around here

>I was able to ride the bike reasonably aggresively (by my standards, wussy >+1) without scaring myself.

Nice to know someone is on the same level I am...Just now considering myself to fall into the +1 catagory.

>I've decided I like the tall windshield. There is some buffeting, but I >like the overall protection it provides.

Gotta get one. How much buffering? Does rider weight and size stabilize the bike any and keep it from happening?

> I do know that I kept reaching for a sixth gear.

Would love one...might keep me from constantly trying to shift out of 5th. After the 10th time or so on one ride I begin to doubt my ability to count. Dust A14 Man with Big Grin ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

[Bogdan Swider]

> >I'm needing to start cleaning the bugs off my bike. For those of you who >clean, whaddayause? I'm looking at the bottle of Simple Green and thinking >that would work well. I'll give it a try and give a report. > >Ralph > >Ralph E. Hanson >99 KRL 650 >

You're in West Virginia Ralph, I don't know where you were raised but one must adapt to one's surroundings. Blow it off, don't bother, only wooses clean their rides. OK, when I'm forced to (salt, corrosive clay) I use simple green. Bogdan ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com