96 or newer klr650 wanted

[Mike Roberts]

I am in the market for a 96 or newer KLR 650. I have a budget of about $2500 and would be willing to travel up to 600 miles to pick it up or meet me half way?. I would also consider a KLR 250, DR650, NX650 etc. Please contact me off list Mike Roberts Vancouver, Washington 360-892-5421

[Robin Van Eyk]

I went for a ride up Hwy. 33 in CA to Pine Mountain yesterday. Everything was great until I hit about the 3000' level, and then it got really, really cold. The sun was out, but I can't remember ever being so cold on a ride. I had some heavy gloves and a fleece pullover underneath my riding suit, and I still had to pull over because my fingers were hurting due to the fact that they got so cold. By the time I hit he 4000' level there was light snow and ice on the side of the road. I continued up to the 5100' level, but with the frigid wind blowing from the north, and the clouds moving in, I cut my ride short and headed back down the mountain. I'm now seriously considering heated grips and a heated vest (any recommendations?) Can the KLR 650 handle both? I have a switch for my fan, which may allow more watts for other uses when the fan is turned off. Lastly, do some of you who are more familiar with cold weather riding might have some useful tips. Robin

[Zachariah Mully]

Robin Van Eyk wrote:

> cut my ride short and headed back down the mountain. I'm now > seriously considering heated grips and a heated vest (any > recommendations?) Can the KLR 650 handle both? I have a switch for > my fan, which may allow more watts for other uses when the fan is > turned off. Lastly, do some of you who are more familiar with cold > weather riding might have some useful tips. >

Robin- The KLR can handle the load, though many wire a headlight kill switch to get another 55W out of the charging system. The fan switch isn't going to do anything for your watt conservation as if it's cold enough to need an electric vest, it's going to be cold enough cool the engine without the fan. Z DC A5X A12X

[Allan Patton]

> do some of you who are more familiar with cold > weather riding might have some useful tips. > >

IMO, the Gore-Tex motorcycle gloves are the way to go. I got a pair from http://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com Didn't cost me anything, they were a prize at a FSSNOC rally in Arkansas last March. Super nice gloves, only thing is I carry a lighter pair of gloves with me for when the temperature gets over 50 degrees so I don't sweat in them. I don't need heated grips with these gloves. Allan A14

[Zachariah Mully]

Allan Patton wrote:

> IMO, the Gore-Tex motorcycle gloves are the way to go. I got a pair from > http://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com Didn't cost me anything, they were a > prize at a FSSNOC rally in Arkansas last March. Super nice gloves, only > thing is I carry a lighter pair of gloves with me for when the temperature > gets over 50 degrees so I don't sweat in them. I don't need heated grips > with these gloves. > > Allan A14

One better: lobster claws. They will keep your fingers warm far longer than any gloves will. I have a pair of 15 year old Pearl Izumi bicycling lobster claws that kept my hands toasty down to 9 degrees last winter. http://www.pearlizumi.com/pearlizumi/site/catalog/product.aspx?iProductTypeSubID=21&iProductID=3048&iProductColorsTB=6603 Z DC A5X A12X