nklr: updated doohickey, checked valve clearence, and cleaned o

[alex_d_duncan]

Hello everyone. Easter weekend, I'll be taking the MSF course. I've never ridden before. Would the KLR be a good first bike? Also, if I buy one, should I have the dealership install the doohickey? (I'm definitelly lacking when it comes to mechanical aptitude.) Thanks for your help, Alex

[Analog Aardvark]

Any new bike is a bad first bike. The KLR is tall and top heavy... so it may be hard to balance, and once it does start to tip, it's likely going down unless you've got some muscle. If you're a decent sized guy, get something a little smaller and less intimidating that's USED. If you don't abuse it you can sell it next spring and, if you want, buy a new something else. If you don't want to long distances or too much two-up, a smaller dual sport is a great first bike. Not to put you off the KLR, I love it, but it's a bit of a pig for a very first bike. and really--buy used. -Luke --- alex_d_duncan wrote:

> Hello everyone. Easter weekend, I'll be taking the > MSF course. I've > never ridden before. Would the KLR be a good first > bike? > > Also, if I buy one, should I have the dealership > install the > doohickey? (I'm definitelly lacking when it comes to > mechanical aptitude.) > > Thanks for your help, > Alex > > > > > > Archive Quicksearch at: >

http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/klr650_data_search.html

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[Rick Hutton]

Alex, I hadn't ridden for almost 10 years when I got my KLR a few months ago. Before that I only road consistantly for a year. So I think the KLR is doable as a first bike. My only reservation would be your height. If you are short like me,5'9" the bike can be intimidating at first. If you are on the taller side you would be just fine. I'm not sure if the dealer would do the doohickey? Rick --- alex_d_duncan wrote:

> Hello everyone. Easter weekend, I'll be taking the > MSF course. I've > never ridden before. Would the KLR be a good first > bike? > > Also, if I buy one, should I have the dealership > install the > doohickey? (I'm definitelly lacking when it comes to > mechanical aptitude.) > > Thanks for your help, > Alex > > > > > > 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 > > > DSN_KLR650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com > > > > >

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[Jeff Saline]

On Tue, 04 Apr 2006 12:39:30 -0000 "alex_d_duncan" writes:

> Hello everyone. Easter weekend, I'll be taking the MSF course. > I've > never ridden before. Would the KLR be a good first bike? > > Also, if I buy one, should I have the dealership install the > doohickey? (I'm definitelly lacking when it comes to mechanical > aptitude.) > > Thanks for your help, > Alex

<><><><><><><> <><><><><><><> Alex, Good for you taking the MSF course. Remember your first year will be the most dangerous one on a bike. Then the first rides on any new to your bike after that. Please be careful. I think a KLR could be a fine first bike. And last bike. And everybike in between. : ) It'll allow you to cover maybe 75% more riding territory than a street only bike. It'll have some limitations and points you'll have to learn to adjust to but I bet if you want to you'll get used to them. I don't think height is such a great issue as many folks on the list do. It probably is a bit more of an issue for a new rider but if you realize you have to balance the bike when you stop you can probably figure out how to make that happen. Once you get moving your feet should be on the pegs and stay there. Then it won't matter if the bike is tall or short as you'll just care that the tires are touching the ground. : ) You can get a lot of support from this group for both mechanical issues and riding advice. If you let folks know where you're located there may be someone near you that can help get you going on bike maintenance and riding skills too. I wouldn't let the dealer touch my bike unless the circumstances were very special. I think you'll be better off doing the doohickey yourself with someone who knows how to do it. That could present the opportunity for a fine ride somewhere. But if you really don't have the mechanical aptitude or desire to gain mechanical aptitude getting a local shop to change it could be worth the cost. Strange as it seems to me I know some folks just don't like to wrench on bikes. : ) Best of luck with your course and choosing a bike, Jeff Saline ABC # 4412 South Dakota Airmarshal Airheads Beemer Club www.airheads.org The Beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota 75 R90/6, 03 KLR650, 79 R100RT

[JRC]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "alex_d_duncan" wrote:

> > Hello everyone. Easter weekend, I'll be taking the MSF course. I've > never ridden before. Would the KLR be a good first bike?

I guess the answer is "maybe". The KLR is certainly a better choice than a high powered sportbike. If you're going to do dualsport riding, it is also a good choice. I think a first-time rider should buy a bike that's not too big (physically) or overpowered. You didn't mention how large you are, but a KLR could be a hassle for someone trying to learn to ride as well as manage a bike size they are not used to. Maybe some more details on your size and what you plan to do with the bike would help us advise you. I do believe, however, that any new bike is a bad choice for a new rider. A person can have a lot of fun on cheap, used bikes. JRC A13 '01 LC1500

[Mike Peplinski]

The postings I've seen so far are right on. The only thing I would add is something I use in my business; "before you decide, target your needs". Its a form of strategy. List what your demands are then see how the KLR fills the need. Your needs may be specific and the KLR does not match them. Its a great all round bike. In fact it may be the best all round bike, period. The Swiss Army Knife of motorcycles. You wouldn' fillet a trout with a SAK but you could. The KLR is like that. It can do almost anything, but there are always better single purpose bikes. Are your needs Swiss Army Knife or fillet knife? Me? I carry a Swiss Army Knife wherever I go.

>From: Jeff Saline >To: alex_d_duncan@... >CC: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com >Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] KLR as a first bike? >Date: Tue, 4 Apr 2006 07:34:35 -0600 > >On Tue, 04 Apr 2006 12:39:30 -0000 "alex_d_duncan" > writes: > > Hello everyone. Easter weekend, I'll be taking the MSF course. > > I've > > never ridden before. Would the KLR be a good first bike? > > > > Also, if I buy one, should I have the dealership install the > > doohickey? (I'm definitelly lacking when it comes to mechanical > > aptitude.) > > > > Thanks for your help, > > Alex ><><><><><><><> ><><><><><><><> > >Alex, > >Good for you taking the MSF course. Remember your first year will be the >most dangerous one on a bike. Then the first rides on any new to your >bike after that. Please be careful. > >I think a KLR could be a fine first bike. And last bike. And everybike >in between. : ) It'll allow you to cover maybe 75% more riding >territory than a street only bike. It'll have some limitations and >points you'll have to learn to adjust to but I bet if you want to you'll >get used to them. I don't think height is such a great issue as many >folks on the list do. It probably is a bit more of an issue for a new >rider but if you realize you have to balance the bike when you stop you >can probably figure out how to make that happen. Once you get moving >your feet should be on the pegs and stay there. Then it won't matter if >the bike is tall or short as you'll just care that the tires are touching >the ground. : ) > >You can get a lot of support from this group for both mechanical issues >and riding advice. If you let folks know where you're located there may >be someone near you that can help get you going on bike maintenance and >riding skills too. I wouldn't let the dealer touch my bike unless the >circumstances were very special. I think you'll be better off doing the >doohickey yourself with someone who knows how to do it. That could >present the opportunity for a fine ride somewhere. But if you really >don't have the mechanical aptitude or desire to gain mechanical aptitude >getting a local shop to change it could be worth the cost. Strange as it >seems to me I know some folks just don't like to wrench on bikes. : ) > >Best of luck with your course and choosing a bike, > >Jeff Saline >ABC # 4412 South Dakota Airmarshal >Airheads Beemer Club www.airheads.org >The Beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota >75 R90/6, 03 KLR650, 79 R100RT > > >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 > > > > > >

[Rick Hutton]

No worries Alex. If you are close to flat footed then I think it would be fine. The bike is really comfy on the road and easy to handle once going. Now that I've been riding for a few months I feel good on pavement. I've not done a ton of off-road stuff and can see where my short legs could cause a problem, but I think over all I would be fine. As mentioned by someone else consider used. I got my 05 with about 700 miles on it for 4500. There are many great deals around. You may want to consider doing your own maintenance as well. I was nervouse at first since I'm no mechanic either, but I've done the swingarm, changed 2 flats and did my valves! If I can do it so can you. Rick --- Alex Duncan wrote:

> Thanks Rick. > > I'm 5'11, and when I sat on the bike, I was almost > able to flat foot both feet. It seems like a very > comfortable bike. > > Alex > > --- Rick Hutton wrote: > > > Alex, > > > > I hadn't ridden for almost 10 years when I got my > > KLR > > a few months ago. Before that I only road > > consistantly for a year. So I think the KLR is > > doable > > as a first bike. My only reservation would be > your > > height. If you are short like me,5'9" the bike > can > > be > > intimidating at first. If you are on the taller > > side > > you would be just fine. I'm not sure if the > dealer > > would do the doohickey? > > Rick > > > > --- alex_d_duncan wrote: > > > > > Hello everyone. Easter weekend, I'll be taking > > the > > > MSF course. I've > > > never ridden before. Would the KLR be a good > > first > > > bike? > > > > > > Also, if I buy one, should I have the dealership > > > install the > > > doohickey? (I'm definitelly lacking when it > comes > > to > > > mechanical aptitude.) > > > > > > Thanks for your help, > > > Alex > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 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 > > > > > > > > > to: > > > DSN_KLR650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > __________________________________________________ > > Do You Yahoo!? > > Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam > > protection around > > http://mail.yahoo.com > > > > > __________________________________________________ > Do You Yahoo!? > Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam > protection around > http://mail.yahoo.com >

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[Tony JONES]

> From: "Mike Peplinski" > Subject: Re: KLR as a first bike? > > The postings I've seen so far are right on. The only thing I would add is > something I use in my business; "before you decide, target your needs". > It's a form of strategy. List what your demands are then see how the KLR > fills the need. Your needs may be specific and the KLR does not match them.

The problem with this is it's a strategy born of experience. Being a newcomer, you tend to not have much. In a years time you'll probably have an infinitely better idea of what your needs are. Exposure to other riders, seeing what they have etc etc all these things expand your decision space. Like others have said, go cheap and used. This way once you have a better idea of what it is that you want, even if you've dropped it a few times, you'll be able to sell it, move on and recoup most of what you paid. Tony

[revmaaatin]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "el_derrick2001" wrote:

> > I feel like an offical DSN_KLR member after updating my doohickey, > getting my valves in check and cleaning my oil screen.

SNIPige. I set

> them all to the max clearence and now i got some slap happy

valves:).

> When i bought the bike i had 4,000 miles on it and the owner told

me

> that all the maintenance was up to date by the shop (including

valve

> check). I now have 13,000 miles. I never got around to checking

them

> until now, good thing i did because i was looking at catastrophic > engine failure!!!!!

Cowboy wisdom: Any horse that you go to buy is never more than 6 years old, ever, Always has: Good teeth, good feet, doesn't buck or bite. Me thinks that any used KLR (purchased) should minimally have the doohickey checked, valves checked, oil changed, unless you know the guy personally and were there when it happened. revmaaatin. In God we trust, all others, require supervison.