new-to-me klr

[dolomoto@peoplepc.com]

One of my most memorable ride was from a few years back. I was just getting to the point where I could hang with most of the Italian motorcycle riders, it was my second summer in Italy courtesy of the USAF. Anyway, I was headed down a rather nasty mountain road and was trapped behind a Vespa with some old geezer on it. He never touched the brakes and was actually pulling away in the corners. I just got alongside him a couple of times but always came up on another switchback and off he went...ring-dinging away like some terrible taunt that "big bikes suck in switchbacks" As we reached the bottom I gave him the thumbs up and he just kind of smirked and went on his way. Yes, my riding ego was taken down a couple of notches. Little wheels=less unsprung weight=higher corner speeds/quicker transitions YMMV. Austin 89 KLR

----- Original Message ----- From: "Ron Criswell" To: "Stuart Mumford" Cc: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Tuesday, August 23, 2005 5:31 PM Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Re: New generation of KLR's (NKLR) > Ah Mumford, you don't know the thrill of getting all the way back on > the passenger seat of a 1960 Vespa in true racing ..... crouch looking > between the handlebars and the front plate for ...... a vision > .......or vision ...... and then suddenly ...... high speed (er low > speed 55 mph) wobble ........without a helmet. Scooters forever! > > Criswell > I survived Vespas and Cushmans with most limbs intact. Big wheels are > better. > On Tuesday, August 23, 2005, at 12:15 PM, Stuart Mumford wrote: > >> >> >>> -----Original Message----- >>> On Aug 23, 2005, at 8:40 AM, Michael Silverstein wrote: >>>> The biggest mistake manufacturers have made is to >>>> classify these things as scooters instead of the motorcycles that >>>> they >>>> are. >>> >>> But, if you call them motorcycles it implies that you need a >>> motorcycle endorsement on your driver's license--something that is a >>> strong disincentive to many. Maybe manufacturers need "a third way"-- >>> some other, new term that connotes the performance of a motorcycle >>> but the ease, comfort, convenience and fun of a scooter. >>> -- >>> Blake Sobiloff >>> San Jose, CA (USA) >>> >> >> >> What kind of mpg are these things getting? >> >> I mean, with KLRs routinely getting over 45 mpg, how much more can a >> scooter >> get? >> >> There is a relatively big, relatively new Vespa dealer/boutique in >> downtown >> Riverside, they seem to be doing well. Lots more scooters around in >> downtown. >> >> Thanks >> CA Stu > >> >> >> Archive Quicksearch at: >> http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/klr650_data_search.html >> List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com >> List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html >> >> >> Yahoo! Groups Links >> >> >> >> >> >> > > > > Archive Quicksearch at: > http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/klr650_data_search.html > List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com > List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > >

[nakedwaterskier]

I own a 1962 vnb3t Vespa with 8 inch wheels. There is a crucial little piece of info you left out about 8 inch wheels and less unsprung weight and THAT IS POTHOLES ARE LIKE BOMB CRATERS. Even with new shocks, upgrading my engine from 125cc to 150cc, and from 3 speeds to 4 speeds, the only way I could beat a modern bike is on real tight turns downhill with a very even/smooth road surface. Jeffrey 1962 vnb3t Vespa good for picking up chicks on bus benches 1979 rd400 Daytona Special (my budget Porsche) 2004 klr650 Daily Driver 1984 Sea Ray 350ci 21ft parked till fuel comes dn 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee 6 cyl only if I have to carry something Subject: NKLR-gettin whupped by a Vespa... motofreaky Offline Send Email One of my most memorable ride was from a few years back. I was just getting to the point where I could hang with most of the Italian motorcycle riders, it was my second summer in Italy courtesy of the USAF. Anyway, I was headed down a rather nasty mountain road and was trapped behind a Vespa with some old geezer on it. He never touched the brakes and was actually pulling away in the corners. I just got alongside him a couple of times but always came up on another switchback and off he went...ring-dinging away like some terrible taunt that "big bikes suck in switchbacks" As we reached the bottom I gave him the thumbs up and he just kind of smirked and went on his way. Yes, my riding ego was taken down a couple of notches. Little wheels=less unsprung weight=higher corner speeds/quicker transitions YMMV. Austin 89 KLR

----- Original Message ----- From: "Ron Criswell" To: "Stuart Mumford" Cc: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Tuesday, August 23, 2005 5:31 PM Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Re: New generation of KLR's (NKLR) > Ah Mumford, you don't know the thrill of getting all the way back on > the passenger seat of a 1960 Vespa in true racing ..... crouch looking > between the handlebars and the front plate for ...... a vision > .......or vision ...... and then suddenly ...... high speed (er low > speed 55 mph) wobble ........without a helmet. Scooters forever! > > Criswell > I survived Vespas and Cushmans with most limbs intact. Big wheels are > better. > On Tuesday, August 23, 2005, at 12:15 PM, Stuart Mumford wrote: > >> >> >>> -----Original Message----- >>> On Aug 23, 2005, at 8:40 AM, Michael Silverstein wrote: >>>> The biggest mistake manufacturers have made is to >>>> classify these things as scooters instead of the motorcycles that >>>> they >>>> are. >>> >>> But, if you call them motorcycles it implies that you need a >>> motorcycle endorsement on your driver's license--something that is a >>> strong disincentive to many. Maybe manufacturers need "a third way"-- >>> some other, new term that connotes the performance of a motorcycle >>> but the ease, comfort, convenience and fun of a scooter. >>> -- >>> Blake Sobiloff >>> San Jose, CA (USA) >>> >> >> >> What kind of mpg are these things getting? >> >> I mean, with KLRs routinely getting over 45 mpg, how much more can a >> scooter >> get? >> >> There is a relatively big, relatively new Vespa dealer/boutique in >> downtown >> Riverside, they seem to be doing well. Lots more scooters around in >> downtown. >> >> Thanks >> CA Stu > >> >> >> Archive Quicksearch at: >> http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/klr650_data_search.html >> List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com >> List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html >> >> >> Yahoo! Groups Links >>

[dolomoto@peoplepc.com]

Ha, Ha! Yeah, that old geezer was capitalizing on his local knowlegde of that road. For the record the aforementioned road was nearly impossibly tight...think Passo Stelvio crammed into 1 mile of pavement where each turn descends 20'. Me on a fully loaded Concours on a strange road, him with only his lunchbox on a road he's probably travelled a thousand times. Excuses, excuses, excuses. Austin 89 KLR

----- Original Message ----- From: "nakedwaterskier" To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Wednesday, August 24, 2005 11:12 PM Subject: [DSN_KLR650] NKLR-gettin whupped by a Vespa... >I own a 1962 vnb3t Vespa with 8 inch wheels. There is a crucial > little piece of info you left out about 8 inch wheels and less > unsprung weight and THAT IS POTHOLES ARE LIKE BOMB CRATERS. > > Even with new shocks, upgrading my engine from 125cc to 150cc, and > from 3 speeds to 4 speeds, the only way I could beat a modern bike > is on real tight turns downhill with a very even/smooth road surface. > > Jeffrey > 1962 vnb3t Vespa good for picking up chicks on bus benches > 1979 rd400 Daytona Special (my budget Porsche) > 2004 klr650 Daily Driver > 1984 Sea Ray 350ci 21ft parked till fuel comes dn > 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee 6 cyl only if I have to carry something > > > > Subject: NKLR-gettin whupped by a Vespa... motofreaky > Offline > Send Email > > One of my most memorable ride was from a few years back. I was just > getting > to the point where I could hang with most of the Italian motorcycle > riders, > it was my second summer in Italy courtesy of the USAF. > > Anyway, I was headed down a rather nasty mountain road and was > trapped > behind a Vespa with some old geezer on it. He never touched the > brakes and > was actually pulling away in the corners. I just got alongside him a > couple > of times but always came up on another switchback and off he > went...ring-dinging away like some terrible taunt that "big bikes > suck in > switchbacks" > > As we reached the bottom I gave him the thumbs up and he just kind of > smirked and went on his way. Yes, my riding ego was taken down a > couple of > notches. > > Little wheels=less unsprung weight=higher corner speeds/quicker > transitions > > YMMV. > > Austin > 89 KLR > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Ron Criswell" > To: "Stuart Mumford" > Cc: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> > Sent: Tuesday, August 23, 2005 5:31 PM > Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Re: New generation of KLR's (NKLR) > > >> Ah Mumford, you don't know the thrill of getting all the way back > on >> the passenger seat of a 1960 Vespa in true racing ..... crouch > looking >> between the handlebars and the front plate for ...... a vision >> .......or vision ...... and then suddenly ...... high speed (er low >> speed 55 mph) wobble ........without a helmet. Scooters forever! >> >> Criswell >> I survived Vespas and Cushmans with most limbs intact. Big wheels > are >> better. >> On Tuesday, August 23, 2005, at 12:15 PM, Stuart Mumford wrote: >> >>> >>> >>>> -----Original Message----- >>>> On Aug 23, 2005, at 8:40 AM, Michael Silverstein wrote: >>>>> The biggest mistake manufacturers have made is to >>>>> classify these things as scooters instead of the motorcycles > that >>>>> they >>>>> are. >>>> >>>> But, if you call them motorcycles it implies that you need a >>>> motorcycle endorsement on your driver's license--something that > is a >>>> strong disincentive to many. Maybe manufacturers need "a third > way"-- >>>> some other, new term that connotes the performance of a > motorcycle >>>> but the ease, comfort, convenience and fun of a scooter. >>>> -- >>>> Blake Sobiloff >>>> San Jose, CA (USA) >>>> >>> >>> >>> What kind of mpg are these things getting? >>> >>> I mean, with KLRs routinely getting over 45 mpg, how much more > can a >>> scooter >>> get? >>> >>> There is a relatively big, relatively new Vespa dealer/boutique in >>> downtown >>> Riverside, they seem to be doing well. Lots more scooters around > in >>> downtown. >>> >>> Thanks >>> CA Stu >> >>> >>> >>> Archive Quicksearch at: >>> http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/klr650_data_search.html >>> List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com >>> List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html >>> >>> >>> Yahoo! Groups Links >>> > > > > > > > > Archive Quicksearch at: > http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/klr650_data_search.html > List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com > List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > >

[Rick McCauley]

If any bike ever needed a kick starter, the 920 Virago would be it. Rick A17 Stephen Grisanti wrote: I was surprised to discover there's no kickstarter. I knew KLR650s have electric starting, but I figured the kickstarter would still be there. This is something that bugs me about my other bike, an XV920RJ. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[ron criswell]

Hey I used to drag the pegs (er ..... floorboards on my Vespa all the time). I dragged and smashed everything else on it too. It wasn't purty when I sold it for $25 and it was only 18 months old. Criswell On Wednesday, August 24, 2005, at 07:43 PM, wrote:

> One of my most memorable ride was from a few years back. I was just > getting > to the point where I could hang with most of the Italian motorcycle > riders, > it was my second summer in Italy courtesy of the USAF. > > Anyway, I was headed down a rather nasty mountain road and was trapped > behind a Vespa with some old geezer on it. He never touched the > brakes and > was actually pulling away in the corners. I just got alongside him a > couple > of times but always came up on another switchback and off he > went...ring-dinging away like some terrible taunt that "big bikes suck > in > switchbacks" > > As we reached the bottom I gave him the thumbs up and he just kind of > smirked and went on his way. Yes, my riding ego was taken down a > couple of > notches. > > Little wheels=less unsprung weight=higher corner speeds/quicker > transitions > > YMMV. > > Austin > 89 KLR > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Ron Criswell" > To: "Stuart Mumford" > Cc: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> > Sent: Tuesday, August 23, 2005 5:31 PM > Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Re: New generation of KLR's (NKLR) > > >> Ah Mumford, you don't know the thrill of getting all the way back on >> the passenger seat of a 1960 Vespa in true racing ..... crouch looking >> between the handlebars and the front plate for ...... a vision >> .......or vision ...... and then suddenly ...... high speed (er low >> speed 55 mph) wobble ........without a helmet. Scooters forever! >> >> Criswell >> I survived Vespas and Cushmans with most limbs intact. Big wheels are >> better. >> On Tuesday, August 23, 2005, at 12:15 PM, Stuart Mumford wrote: >> >>> >>> >>>> -----Original Message----- >>>> On Aug 23, 2005, at 8:40 AM, Michael Silverstein wrote: >>>>> The biggest mistake manufacturers have made is to >>>>> classify these things as scooters instead of the motorcycles that >>>>> they >>>>> are. >>>> >>>> But, if you call them motorcycles it implies that you need a >>>> motorcycle endorsement on your driver's license--something that is a >>>> strong disincentive to many. Maybe manufacturers need "a third >>>> way"-- >>>> some other, new term that connotes the performance of a motorcycle >>>> but the ease, comfort, convenience and fun of a scooter. >>>> -- >>>> Blake Sobiloff >>>> San Jose, CA (USA) >>>> >>> >>> >>> What kind of mpg are these things getting? >>> >>> I mean, with KLRs routinely getting over 45 mpg, how much more can a >>> scooter >>> get? >>> >>> There is a relatively big, relatively new Vespa dealer/boutique in >>> downtown >>> Riverside, they seem to be doing well. Lots more scooters around in >>> downtown. >>> >>> Thanks >>> CA Stu >> >>> >>> >>> Archive Quicksearch at: >>> http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/klr650_data_search.html >>> List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com >>> List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html >>> >>> >>> Yahoo! Groups Links >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >> >> >> >> Archive Quicksearch at: >> http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/klr650_data_search.html >> List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com >> List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html >> >> >> Yahoo! Groups Links >> >> >> >> >> >> > > > > Archive Quicksearch at: > http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/klr650_data_search.html > List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com > List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > >