i dropped the beast

[Jimmy Beam]

Hello all, As of two weeks ago I am the proud owner of an '02 KLR 650. It just had to be done... now the fun begins. My first question to the group is tire related. The PO changed the tires recently leaving me with big knobby tires (they are in my mind anyways). I'm riding a Mitas Cross Front and Mitas Enduro Rear. I have never ridden a dual sport or a dirt bike and my wife and riding buddy's (all road guys) are concerned about me commuting on them. I spend more time on the road than the dirt this time of year but who knows what will happen when the snow on the mountains melt!?!? Am I safe? BTW, any Vancouver, BC riders out there that don't mind a newbie tagging along are welcome to drop me a line. Thanks, Dave the24karatjimmy@... _________________________________________________________________ Take charge with a pop-up guard built on patented Microsoft SmartScreen Technology. http://join.msn.com/?pgmarket=en-ca&page=byoa/prem&xAPID=1994&DI=1034&SU=http://hotmail.com/enca&HL=Market_MSNIS_Taglines Start enjoying all the benefits of MSN Premium right now and get the first two months FREE*.

[West Hovland]

A quick search of the internet provided just a little info on the Mitas tire. Looks to be strictly off-road to me... I would change them out to something more road worthy. West

----- Original Message ----- From: Jimmy Beam To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.comDSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Thursday, March 09, 2006 3:44 PM Subject: [DSN_KLR650] should i change my tires??? Hello all, As of two weeks ago I am the proud owner of an '02 KLR 650. It just had to be done... now the fun begins. My first question to the group is tire related. The PO changed the tires recently leaving me with big knobby tires (they are in my mind anyways). I'm riding a Mitas Cross Front and Mitas Enduro Rear. I have never ridden a dual sport or a dirt bike and my wife and riding buddy's (all road guys) are concerned about me commuting on them. I spend more time on the road than the dirt this time of year but who knows what will happen when the snow on the mountains melt!?!? Am I safe? BTW, any Vancouver, BC riders out there that don't mind a newbie tagging along are welcome to drop me a line. Thanks, Dave the24karatjimmy@... _________________________________________________________________ Take charge with a pop-up guard built on patented Microsoft SmartScreen Technology. [url=http://join.msn.com/?pgmarket=en-ca&page=byoa/prem&xAPID=1994&DI=1034&SU=http://hotmail.com/enca&HL=Market_MSNIS_Taglineshttp://join.msn.com/?pgmarket=en-ca&page=byoa/prem&xAPID=1994&DI=1034&SU=http://hotmail.com/enca&HL=Market_MSNIS_Taglines> Start enjoying all the benefits of MSN Premium right now and get the first two months FREE*. Archive Quicksearch at: [url=http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/klr650_data_search.htmlhttp://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/klr650_data_search.html> List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.comhttp://www.dualsportnews.com/> List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.htmlhttp://www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html> Member Map at: [url=http://www.frappr.com/dsnklr650http://www.frappr.com/dsnklr650> Yahoo! Groups Links [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Gavin Macfarlane]

The Mitas have limited distribution here in Australia, they are known as "stone tyres" due to the lack of wear and long life, reasonable grip, I don't have any info about their wet weather grip. Their website is: http://www.cgs.cz/index.php?jazyk=english&stranka=4&scid=7 Gavin WEST HOVLAND wrote:

> A quick search of the internet provided just a little info on the Mitas tire. Looks to be strictly off-road to me... I would change them out to something more road worthy. > > West > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Jimmy Beam > To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.comDSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> > Sent: Thursday, March 09, 2006 3:44 PM > Subject: [DSN_KLR650] should i change my tires??? > > > Hello all, > > As of two weeks ago I am the proud owner of an '02 KLR 650. It just had to > be done... now the fun begins. > > My first question to the group is tire related. The PO changed the tires > recently leaving me with big knobby tires (they are in my mind anyways). > I'm riding a Mitas Cross Front and Mitas Enduro Rear. I have never ridden > a dual sport or a dirt bike and my wife and riding buddy's (all road guys) > are concerned about me commuting on them. I spend more time on the road > than the dirt this time of year but who knows what will happen when the snow > on the mountains melt!?!? > > Am I safe? > > BTW, any Vancouver, BC riders out there that don't mind a newbie tagging > along are welcome to drop me a line. > > Thanks, Dave > the24karatjimmy@... > >

[Chris Jennings]

I would get some Avon Gripsters

On 3/9/06, Gavin Macfarlane wrote: > > The Mitas have limited distribution here in Australia, they are known as > "stone tyres" due to the lack of wear and long life, reasonable grip, I > don't have any info about their wet weather grip. > > Their website is: > > http://www.cgs.cz/index.php?jazyk=english&stranka=4&scid=7 > > Gavin > > > WEST HOVLAND wrote: > > A quick search of the internet provided just a little info on the Mitas > tire. Looks to be strictly off-road to me... I would change them out to > something more road worthy. > > > > West > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: Jimmy Beam > > To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.comDSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> > > Sent: Thursday, March 09, 2006 3:44 PM > > Subject: [DSN_KLR650] should i change my tires??? > > > > > > Hello all, > > > > As of two weeks ago I am the proud owner of an '02 KLR 650. It just > had to > > be done... now the fun begins. > > > > My first question to the group is tire related. The PO changed the > tires > > recently leaving me with big knobby tires (they are in my mind > anyways). > > I'm riding a Mitas Cross Front and Mitas Enduro Rear. I have never > ridden > > a dual sport or a dirt bike and my wife and riding buddy's (all road > guys) > > are concerned about me commuting on them. I spend more time on the > road > > than the dirt this time of year but who knows what will happen when > the snow > > on the mountains melt!?!? > > > > Am I safe? > > > > BTW, any Vancouver, BC riders out there that don't mind a newbie > tagging > > along are welcome to drop me a line. > > > > Thanks, Dave > > the24karatjimmy@... > > > > > > > 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 > Member Map at: http://www.frappr.com/dsnklr650 > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Jim]

Congrats on the bike. Put a pair of IRC GP-110s on it and show your friends how to ride the twisties then hit the trails while they are resting. --Jim A-15

> Hello all, > > As of two weeks ago I am the proud owner of an '02 KLR 650. It just

had to

> be done... now the fun begins. > > My first question to the group is tire related. The PO changed the

tires

> recently leaving me with big knobby tires (they are in my mind

anyways).

> I'm riding a Mitas Cross Front and Mitas Enduro Rear. I have never

ridden

> a dual sport or a dirt bike and my wife and riding buddy's (all road

guys)

> are concerned about me commuting on them. I spend more time on the

road

> than the dirt this time of year but who knows what will happen when

the snow

> on the mountains melt!?!? > > Am I safe? > > BTW, any Vancouver, BC riders out there that don't mind a newbie

tagging

> along are welcome to drop me a line. > > Thanks, Dave > the24karatjimmy@... > > _________________________________________________________________ > Take charge with a pop-up guard built on patented Microsoft

SmartScreen

> Technology. >

http://join.msn.com/?pgmarket=en-ca&page=byoa/prem&xAPID=1994&DI=1034&SU=http://hotmail.com/enca&HL=Market_MSNIS_Taglines

> Start enjoying all the benefits of MSN Premium right now and get the > first two months FREE*. >

[Mike Peplinski]

Lalalalala--don't listetn to them. Check out http://www.mindspring.com/~mssilverstein/motorcycles/klr650/tires/ for all the tire information you want. You'll find that opinions on tire choices are like opinions on everything else-you decide for yourself what you want. Get some information and have fun. Personally I've got a set of Dunlop 607's on my radar screen. I did NOT like Gripsters and the Kenda 270 wears out way too fast, like the IRC.

>From: "Jimmy Beam" >To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com >Subject: [DSN_KLR650] should i change my tires??? >Date: Thu, 09 Mar 2006 23:44:32 +0000 > >Hello all, > >As of two weeks ago I am the proud owner of an '02 KLR 650. It just had to >be done... now the fun begins. > >My first question to the group is tire related. The PO changed the tires >recently leaving me with big knobby tires (they are in my mind anyways). >I'm riding a Mitas Cross Front and Mitas Enduro Rear. I have never ridden >a dual sport or a dirt bike and my wife and riding buddy's (all road guys) >are concerned about me commuting on them. I spend more time on the road >than the dirt this time of year but who knows what will happen when the >snow >on the mountains melt!?!? > >Am I safe? > >BTW, any Vancouver, BC riders out there that don't mind a newbie tagging >along are welcome to drop me a line. > >Thanks, Dave >the24karatjimmy@... > >_________________________________________________________________ >Take charge with a pop-up guard built on patented Microsoft SmartScreen >Technology. >http://join.msn.com/?pgmarket=en-ca&page=byoa/prem&xAPID=1994&DI=1034&SU=http://hotmail.com/enca&HL=Market_MSNIS_Taglines > Start enjoying all the benefits of MSN Premium right now and get the >first two months FREE*. > > > >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 >Member Map at: http://www.frappr.com/dsnklr650 >Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > >

[revmaaatin]

Hi Mike, Just curious, what kind of mileage did you get out of the K270? What were the conditions you were riding in? Lurking on multiple list, I see some guys trash a set of tires in less than 1000 mile (one weekend, it was DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Mike Peplinski" wrote:

> > Lalalalala--don't listetn to them. Check out > http://www.mindspring.com/~mssilverstein/motorcycles/klr650/tires/ > for all the tire information you want. You'll find that opinions

on tire

> choices are like opinions on everything else-you decide for

yourself what

> you want. Get some information and have fun. Personally I've got a

set of

> Dunlop 607's on my radar screen. I did NOT like Gripsters and the

Kenda 270

> wears out way too fast, like the IRC. > >From: "Jimmy Beam" > >To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com > >Subject: [DSN_KLR650] should i change my tires??? > >Date: Thu, 09 Mar 2006 23:44:32 +0000 > > > >Hello all, > > > >As of two weeks ago I am the proud owner of an '02 KLR 650. It

just had to

> >be done... now the fun begins. > > > >My first question to the group is tire related. The PO changed

the tires

> >recently leaving me with big knobby tires (they are in my mind

anyways).

> >I'm riding a Mitas Cross Front and Mitas Enduro Rear. I have

never ridden

> >a dual sport or a dirt bike and my wife and riding buddy's (all

road guys)

> >are concerned about me commuting on them. I spend more time on

the road

> >than the dirt this time of year but who knows what will happen

when the

> >snow > >on the mountains melt!?!? > > > >Am I safe? > > > >BTW, any Vancouver, BC riders out there that don't mind a newbie

tagging

> >along are welcome to drop me a line. > > > >Thanks, Dave > >the24karatjimmy@... > > > >_________________________________________________________________ > >Take charge with a pop-up guard built on patented Microsoft

SmartScreen

> >Technology. > >http://join.msn.com/?pgmarket=en-

ca&page=byoa/prem&xAPID=1994&DI=1034&SU=http://hotmail.com/enca&HL=Ma rket_MSNIS_Taglines

> > Start enjoying all the benefits of MSN Premium right now and

get the

> >first two months FREE*. > > > > > > > >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 > >Member Map at: http://www.frappr.com/dsnklr650 > >Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > > > > > > >

[Mike Peplinski]

I ride about 99% on road, corner aggressively and use primarily my front brake. The front tire is worn down on the center lugs to about 2/16 (worn out) in 6000 miles. Traction has been just fine. Noise is medium, not bad but noticable. For $20 US - shipping I'm satisfied.

>From: "revmaaatin" >To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com >Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Re: should i change my tires??? >Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2006 18:52:25 -0000 > >Hi Mike, >Just curious, what kind of mileage did you get out of the K270? >What were the conditions you were riding in? > >Lurking on multiple list, I see some guys trash a set of tires in >less than 1000 mile (one weekend, it was sharp, rocky terrain. > >revmaaatin. >rides K270, well satisfied with the mileage/price but willing to >listen to other well satisfied riders > >--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Mike Peplinski" > wrote: > > > > Lalalalala--don't listetn to them. Check out > > http://www.mindspring.com/~mssilverstein/motorcycles/klr650/tires/ > > for all the tire information you want. You'll find that opinions >on tire > > choices are like opinions on everything else-you decide for >yourself what > > you want. Get some information and have fun. Personally I've got a >set of > > Dunlop 607's on my radar screen. I did NOT like Gripsters and the >Kenda 270 > > wears out way too fast, like the IRC. > > >From: "Jimmy Beam" > > >To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com > > >Subject: [DSN_KLR650] should i change my tires??? > > >Date: Thu, 09 Mar 2006 23:44:32 +0000 > > > > > >Hello all, > > > > > >As of two weeks ago I am the proud owner of an '02 KLR 650. It >just had to > > >be done... now the fun begins. > > > > > >My first question to the group is tire related. The PO changed >the tires > > >recently leaving me with big knobby tires (they are in my mind >anyways). > > >I'm riding a Mitas Cross Front and Mitas Enduro Rear. I have >never ridden > > >a dual sport or a dirt bike and my wife and riding buddy's (all >road guys) > > >are concerned about me commuting on them. I spend more time on >the road > > >than the dirt this time of year but who knows what will happen >when the > > >snow > > >on the mountains melt!?!? > > > > > >Am I safe? > > > > > >BTW, any Vancouver, BC riders out there that don't mind a newbie >tagging > > >along are welcome to drop me a line. > > > > > >Thanks, Dave > > >the24karatjimmy@... > > > > > >_________________________________________________________________ > > >Take charge with a pop-up guard built on patented Microsoft >SmartScreen > > >Technology. > > >http://join.msn.com/?pgmarket=en- >ca&page=byoa/prem&xAPID=1994&DI=1034&SU=http://hotmail.com/enca&HL=Ma >rket_MSNIS_Taglines > > > Start enjoying all the benefits of MSN Premium right now and >get the > > >first two months FREE*. > > > > > > > > > > > >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 > > >Member Map at: http://www.frappr.com/dsnklr650 > > >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 >Member Map at: http://www.frappr.com/dsnklr650 >Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > >

[revmaaatin]

Hi Mike, I can now see why you might not like the K270 with 99% of your riding is pavement, w/ aggressive cornering. There are days that I have done pastoral visitation, (KLR=Circuit Riders Horse), and it was 100 miles of SD roads, of which only 5 miles were on pavement. If I had done a little planning, I could have done the entire trip, except for the 4 blocks to the first gravel road, on all gravel, dirt and prairie. Easily my riding most months is greater than 50% off pavement. The point of all this is that we have found a combination of tires that work for us, not that K270 are better, or worse, just better for my application, and may not give you the security you need at 99% pavement. It was good to note your tire type, as I have toyed with the idea of a 2d set of wheels/tires. Some hospital visits are aver 200-250 miles away, and the K270 is less desirable for that straight shot to Sioux Falls or Rapid City visits. I am going to make a note of your tire choice and if I ever get a second set of wheels, I will consider your tire application as a valuable option. (8-)) I now see why some folks have more than one KERR; look at all the time it saves on "tire-changes" form K270 to D607's!!!! I believe one of our friends out PA/NY way has cured the necessity of changing out the wheels: he has 4-5 KLR's. Not for sure, but I bet they are outfitted for different applications. Boy does his wife have him trained well..."Sure Honey, one more KERR would be fine" and now, he stays at home at night and works on bikes where she can keep an eye on him! I just had a blinding flash of the obvious: Maybe that is why my wife has never objected to the lil' Honda, XR70 and XR100 purchases I have made for the kids, and now, I know have a moral obligation to take them riding. We should all have that dilemma. Be it more KLR's or taking the kids riding, it is a burden we should all gladly bear. Well, back to tires. I usually get a ratio of 2/1 on tire wear, replacing the front tire once, for every 2-rear tires. That equals about 5-6K miles on the rear, 10-12K miles on the front. At the end of the front tire usage, it us used up. I also used Fred's HD tubes, FLY BRAND I think, more painful to install, but so far, no flats in 12K+ miles. In earlier post, some one had asked what they thought the number one KERR upgrade was. I didn't think so at the time, but if asked now, the HD tubes are one of the best "farkle" items to own. Some are likely to never hit a big rock on the prairie, but all of us, city, country, remote, have the opportunity to hit some pot holes, or curbs. While a HD tube is not a cure all, it should be on your list of upgrades at the next tire change, if you are not already using HD tubes IMHO. Out side of good, personal riding equipment, I would say that the HD tube is the next best investment you could make on the KERR, regardless of tire type. ATGATT all the gear, all the time. revmaaatin . --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Mike Peplinski" wrote:

> > I ride about 99% on road, corner aggressively and use primarily my

front

> brake. The front tire is worn down on the center lugs to about 2/16

(worn

> out) in 6000 miles. Traction has been just fine. Noise is medium,

not bad

> but noticable. For $20 US - shipping I'm satisfied. > >

[Mike Peplinski]

The last time I dropped my "beast" it was something fit for America's Funniest Video. I was blasting around in a home construction site near home. There were several undeveloped lots with a road that ended in the middle of nothing followed by semi-flat dirt. It looked inviting. The construction guys were about 100 yards away framing homes. I hit second doing about 30 across the dry field and winding up. About 25 feet in front of me was a sinkhole, where they had excavated and the dirt caved in. The hole was about 24 inches wide and deeper than I could see from the saddle so it could have been 2 feet or 6 feet deep. I spotted the hole. Decision time, jump it or brake. "WWED" , thats What Would Evel Do?. He'd jump, right? Hmmmm, quickly downshift, rev and pop the wheel. Uh huh. From a guy who has never successfully done a wheelie on the KLR, over a hole of unknown depth, and what would happen when the rear tire hit? Decision time! BRAKE!!! As me and Quasimodo slid sideways into the hole the bike dropped on top of me. Still running. Thats good. No gas leaking. Thats good. Nothing apparently broken on the rider. Also good. But I"ve got a 350 pound bike on top of me and I"m scrunched on the bottom of a 2 foot deep hole. Not much leverage and I;m not quite up to pressing 350 pounds, especially from a very inconvenient angle. Mixed emotions flooded me. On one hand I hope the workmen saw me so they would help. On the other I wanted to keep this little fiasco as low key as possible. Well, one of my prayers was answered. They didn't see me. Finally I managed to wiggle out from under the bike, and wrestle it out of the hole. Not done yet, now I have to pick the thing up. Yet one more reminder that the KLR is not a lightweight. When all was said and done there are a couple of scratchwes on the tank and plastic and on my Joe Rocket. Otherwise all that is left is the story and a reminder to not take the KLR anywhere that I am not prepared to wrestle it out of.

>From: "revmaaatin" >To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com >Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Re: I dropped the beast >Date: Tue, 14 Mar 2006 01:17:25 -0000 > >Hi E Hines, >riding off road is a hoot, isn't it!!!! You are a brave fellow for >trying to "learn" to ride off road on such a beast. You quickly >learned that hill climbing is not the same as riding farm roads and >flat single track. See if some of your friends will let you ride a >smaller bike (XR100, 125, 250) to learn on, so that you have 150 lbs >to wrestle, and then go for it. In the words of others, you have no >obligation to keep up, its your ride, ride at your ability, not the >ability of the guy/gal you are following. > >I took a guy to the hospital last winter because he was riding >beyond his limits, (attempting to ride at my ability) and he was >leading!!!!! I deliberately let him lead in a semi-remote ORV park >so that he would not try to keep up, and it still was not enough. He >rode beyond his ability and the bike, which is self-regulating for >speed, spit him out. > >Speaking of falling down with the KLR, my fall downs are always like >the old Laugh-IN routine, oh so slow, THUMP, laughter to follow, as >long as you are not under it. > >I see that you have used wisdom in riding with others in remote >areas, rather than tackling these on your own. Earlier I wrote, to >this very subject. Riding alone in a remote place has its inherent >danger, and getting trapped under a fully loaded KLR is one of >them. Acknowledge the risk of riding alone. , and do a self >assessment of how much risk you can accept. > >Hey, keep an eye on those brother-in-laws. They might lead you down >a garden path...to some dirt roads!!!! Welcome to the KLR world of >discovery! What a bike, and what a great bunch of listers! > >revmaaatin. > >--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, E Hines wrote: > > > > After only a year and half of owning the beast I finally took >it off road. This weekend I went to the Red River Motorcycle Park >outside of Munster Texas. I actually rode the bike up there. My >brother in-law (TOM) drove my truck and brought my IT200 also. The >first thing I did when I got their was take off the JC whitney box >and both mirrors ( I am very glad I did this). I then took Tom on >some easy trails. Not having any problems I got more and more >daring and loving to climb hills, I started climbing them, looking >for the most rutted ones to climb. Everything was going good until >on almost flat ground, I needed to turn around to find my missing >brother inlaw, and dropped her. I was not even moving, but I could >not stop it. Broken: my pride, the left rear turn signal, and the >bracket to the clutch perch. I was able to get back to the camp >without a clutch. Tom (not my brother -inlaw) from the Red River >Motorcycle Club gave me a clutch perch and the bracket was a > > perfect fix. The only thing that broke on the turn signal was >the outside housing and after putting in a new bulb it worked enough >to drive home safely. Tony Guzman showed up after that and helped >me get the bike back together and than Tony and I (two klr's now) >went on an easy ride. Tony not wanting to camp with us had to >leave. I then went on a ride with the Red River guys, boy do they >ride fast and they love the tight trails. I did very well except on >one hill, I never did get up that (my problem, not the bike's). >Lesson learned, the bike is heavy, but is very capable of heavy off >road riding. It is not a speed demon and too heavy to jump ( I did >get about 5 feet of air once). Recommend before anyone takes their >bikes off road get a new skid plate ( I do not know how many times I >could hear the rocks hit my new plate). Get some type of radiator >protector and get some barkbusters. I would also recommend some >serrated pegs. And than just have fun. If you are in the North > > Texas area and want to ride with some great guys look up the Red >River Motorcycle club. > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > > > > >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 >Member Map at: http://www.frappr.com/dsnklr650 >Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > >