brighter tail light - good idea?

[Kurt Simpson]

> girlfriend and i across the country and back using all secondary > roads with the occasional freeway stint. I've been looking through > the archives of this site but haven't seen anything but negative > thoughts on 2up riding with the klr650. Does anybody have any good > stories and info for double up riding on this bike? I've actually > ridden a friends a couple of years ago and liked it. He no longer > owns it but still swears by it.

The KLR is a great bike but is not a great two-up bike. However, because your SO is on the small side it might work. Here are my suggestions if you go this route.: 1) Upgrade the springs front and back 2) Talk to Tim Bernard at www.happy-trail.com about a GIVI tailbox combo that is "set back" an extra 1 to 2 inches and gives your passenger a back support... 3) Spend time modifying the passenger peg location so they are in a good position... 4) Consider modifying the stock seat in any number of ways to get more passenger room by extending a section onto the rear rack...Elden Carl has a custom mod for his wife this way... 5) The latest and best news is that Tim Bernard did a Good Samaritan deed for the production manager of Corbin...he has agreed to work with Tim to make a KLR version of their well-known "Canyon Dual Sport" seat...if this happens the KLR may become a very decent two-up tourer with light luggage... Regards, Kurt Simpson

[Tumu Rock]

On Sat, 26 Aug 2000 14:05:20 -0000, valcomau@... wrote: I am looking for a motorcycle that will take my girlfriend and i across the country and back using all secondary roads with the occasional freeway stint. Does anybody have any good stories and info for double up riding on this bike? My girlfriend and i aren't in a rush to do the trip( speed wise i mean) so super power isn't necessary. I'm only 5`8 @160 lbs and my girlfriend is only 5`2 @ 115 so we don't take a lot of room. Val, so not be dismayed. The KLR will do it and do it well. I agree with Kurt about the Happy-Trails Givi mount to give the passenger a backrest. I ride 2-up with my wife regularly and it aain't all that bad. I think you guys would have it better because My wife is 5'10" and I'm 6' and we combine for a weight of almost 400 lbs (most of it mine). We have to make frequent stops to stretch (about once an hour after the first 2 hours) but if your goal is to see the country then stopping should be part of the itinerary anyway. Plus you 2 li'l Canadian pipsqueaks can probably move around on the seat a little more than we can, so you'll be able to go longer without stretching. If you come out to Brooklyn I'll let you sit on my bike with your girl. ;^> dat brooklyn bum _______________________________________________________ Say Bye to Slow Internet! http://www.home.com/xinbox/signup.html

[Kurt Simpson]

I would also suggest going to a 14T countershaft sprocket, if you prefer a 45 T rear... Kurt

[dan shaw]

i think that this question is a matter of opinion. i did 2 up with my klr for 5 weeks in the southwest and mexico and, yes, it was tight and we had to stop ever hour or so, but, being the only bike ive ever rode with a passenger at the time, i didnt think it was all that bad. we also had lots of gear on the bike. our top speed was around 80 or 85, and it was definalty challenging offroad but it came thru. i think the klr works well for 2 up riding around town or day trips even, when you dont have much stuff to bring.... ofcourse im not a big guy and niether are most of my passengers... dan __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail - Free email you can access from anywhere! http://mail.yahoo.com/

[Dave Leslie]

Hi, A cager pulled up beside me at a light the other day and told me that my brake light was not working. Another rider told me the same thing earlier this year. Both times, I verified that both the lever and pedal were turning on the brake light. I have the brighter bulb that Fred sells. I think that just the tail light filament is brighter and that folks following may have trouble seeing the difference between tail and brake light intensities in daylight. I don't ride much at night, so I'm thinking the regular bulb would be a better idea, maybe with the addition of 'life-brite' leds or something. Dave Leslie A14 4K Richmond, VA