shifting gear

[Charles]

Rev and others; I read the post about the proper clothing (I believe it was Rev said something like "If you can't afford proper clothing, you can't afford to ride.") Even before I read that post, I had decided to buy a decent riding jacket. Since I only own riceburners, I didn't have to go leather only and gain 150-250 pounds...... My dealer, where I bought both my KLR and my Vstar, has a fairly large selection of gear (at least for this area). But, as with a lot of these types of things, a lot have these large flourescent letters on them designed to let everyone know that you bought their product, and bright colored jackets. Now, I am into being "seen", but I don't want to look like a billboard, especially when riding the Vstar.... One exception was the Teknic line. They had a nice black colored, Gore-tex (the better grade of Goretex, not the basic version), waterproof, insulated nylon jacket, with armor on the elbows, shoulders, and back. No bright lettering, just a subdued gray label "TEKNIC" on each shoulder, and "GORE-TEX" embroidered on the back, also in gray . I ended up buying one on Saturday, since they had 20% off all accessories and clothing for the holiday season.... So, I tried it out the last couple days. In case you don't know PA weather, and in particular Dushore, PA weather; I live in one of the coldest parts of the state. In fact, about 6 miles away is Lopez, PA, which is called Pennsylvania's Icebox...... It gets really cold here. I work midnight shift, and rode to work the last couple nights. Sunday night into Monday AM it rained, as well as being cold, although above freezing. When I got home at around 7:15 AM, riding in the rain, my jeans (insulated but not waterproof) were soaked from the knees down. My upper body was dry and warm. Not a drop made it inside the jacket. This AM it was C.O.L.D. As I write this, at 9:21 AM, it is still only 26 degrees on the thermometer. I forgot to check at 7 AM or so when I got home, but I am sure it was colder......... Bottom line, I did not get cold on the ride home. It is only a 10 mile ride, but I was told by a couple guys at work that I "must be nuts" for riding in this weather. They could not believe I didn't get cold. (FWIW, I am a very cold-blooded person, who hates winter with a passion.) I plan on retiring to somewhere warm, say Georgia or Florida when I retire, to avoid cold weather. So, I just thought I'd share, and recommend the Teknic line of clothing to anyone interested in getting something to wear on the KLR. Now, I have to decide if I want the Teknic pants, and what kind of boots and gloves I want. Chuck F. NE PA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Rocky Lange]

I can afford riding clothes, I just can't find any to fit. I am 5'9" and weigh in at a slender 375 lbs (cough). Try finding riding pants for a 60" waist with a 30" inseam. I have a leather jacket I bought at a truck stop (imagine that, large size clothes at a truck stop, who would have guessed). I also bought a fairly nice 5xl crash-and-burn touring jacket from an ebay seller, largest size available, and I need to lose a few inches for it to fit comfortably. Now I live in AL and it is above normal temps right now. Riding home at 2:30 AM is a little chilly, but bearable. The leather jacket with a hooded sweatshirt is fine up top. I need to find some wind/water resistant pants to keep my legs warm and dry. The dampness from all the fog drives right through denim even with long johns. Any suggestions? Rocky [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Pat]

Solution: CARHARTT! http://www.carhartt.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?storeId=10051&catalogId=10101&langId=-1&top_category=10907&categoryId=10908> Warm, wear like iron, cheaper than cycle-designed gear, sized from Tiny Tim to Shaque - very abrasion resistant. Pat M

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Rocky Lange" wrote: > > I can afford riding clothes, I just can't find any to fit. I am 5'9" and weigh in at a slender 375 lbs (cough). Try finding riding pants for a 60" waist with a 30" inseam. I have a leather jacket I bought at a truck stop (imagine that, large size clothes at a truck stop, who would have guessed). I also bought a fairly nice 5xl crash-and-burn touring jacket from an ebay seller, largest size available, and I need to lose a few inches for it to fit comfortably. > > Now I live in AL and it is above normal temps right now. Riding home at 2:30 AM is a little chilly, but bearable. The leather jacket with a hooded sweatshirt is fine up top. I need to find some wind/water resistant pants to keep my legs warm and dry. The dampness from all the fog drives right through denim even with long johns. > > Any suggestions? > > Rocky > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >

[revmaaatin]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Rocky Lange" wrote:

> > I can afford riding clothes, I just can't find any to fit.

SNIP>

> Any suggestions? > > Rocky

Hi Rocky, The Carhart bibs come to mind (not that I personally use them). I believe there are some with double thickness seats and legs, from what other readers have suggested. Add a set of soccer shins for lower leg protection, and a set of the off road shoulder pads, when riding off road. I think you can get a durable (enough) rain slicker/bibs at TRACTOR- SUPPLY or (a store similar) for rain gear. It might not last a long time, but will work good while it last. If not Tractor Supply, notice when you are driving, any place that sells horse-cattle equipment, will usually sell heavy duty rain gear. Just remember, it will be loose fitting, and will flap in the wind at speeds much above 25-30. revmaaatin.

[Alan L Henderson]

Rocky Lange wrote:

> I can afford riding clothes, I just can't find any to fit. I am 5'9" > and weigh in at a slender 375 lbs (cough). Try finding riding pants > for a 60" waist with a 30" inseam. I have a leather jacket I bought > at a truck stop (imagine that, large size clothes at a truck stop, > who would have guessed). I also bought a fairly nice 5xl > crash-and-burn touring jacket from an ebay seller, largest size > available, and I need to lose a few inches for it to fit comfortably. > > > Now I live in AL and it is above normal temps right now. Riding home > at 2:30 AM is a little chilly, but bearable. The leather jacket with > a hooded sweatshirt is fine up top. I need to find some wind/water > resistant pants to keep my legs warm and dry. The dampness from all > the fog drives right through denim even with long johns. > > Any suggestions? > > Rocky

One solution would be going to /www.motoport.com/ they will custom make an outfit to your measurements. It won't be cheap, but they will fit you. I checked into it a couple years ago but decided I couldn't afford it at the time. I know nothing of their durability or quality having never bought anything from them yet. Alan Henderson A13 Iowa 6-3 363lbs

[John Biccum]

Hi Rocky, I suggest that you talk to the good folks at Gerbings. They make their own wonderful motorcycle clothing, right here in the Seattle area. They make to measure as well as stock sizes. See http://www.gerbing.com/ _____ From: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com [mailto:DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Rocky Lange Sent: Wednesday, December 20, 2006 01:33 To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Re:NKLR?? - Bike clothing I can afford riding clothes, I just can't find any to fit. I am 5'9" and weigh in at a slender 375 lbs (cough). Try finding riding pants for a 60" waist with a 30" inseam. I have a leather jacket I bought at a truck stop (imagine that, large size clothes at a truck stop, who would have guessed). I also bought a fairly nice 5xl crash-and-burn touring jacket from an ebay seller, largest size available, and I need to lose a few inches for it to fit comfortably. Now I live in AL and it is above normal temps right now. Riding home at 2:30 AM is a little chilly, but bearable. The leather jacket with a hooded sweatshirt is fine up top. I need to find some wind/water resistant pants to keep my legs warm and dry. The dampness from all the fog drives right through denim even with long johns. Any suggestions? Rocky [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Rocky Lange]

>Hi Rocky, >The Carhart bibs come to mind (not that I personally use them). I >believe there are some with double thickness seats and legs, from >what other readers have suggested. Add a set of soccer shins for >lower leg protection, and a set of the off road shoulder pads, when >riding off road. > >I think you can get a durable (enough) rain slicker/bibs at TRACTOR- >SUPPLY or (a store similar) for rain gear. It might not last a long >time, but will work good while it last. If not Tractor Supply, >notice when you are driving, any place that sells horse-cattle >equipment, will usually sell heavy duty rain gear. Just remember, it >will be loose fitting, and will flap in the wind at speeds much above >25-30. >revmaaatin.

I've worn carhartts before when ice fishing in WI. They are plenty warm, but I didn't find them all that comfortable. We don't have any TSC's in the area, not to big into agriculture in the part of AL I am in, but I will look them up on line. As far as the flapping in the wind, I've used velcro secured nylon straps as body/arm/leg bands for loose clothes before. They work alright, but can look a litle out of place. Rocky [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Don Montgomery]

> Rocky Lange wrote: >> I can afford riding clothes, I just can't find any to fit. I am 5'9" >> and weigh in at a slender 375 lbs (cough). Try finding riding pants >> for a 60" waist with a 30" inseam. I have a leather jacket I bought >> at a truck stop (imagine that, large size clothes at a truck stop, >> who would have guessed). I also bought a fairly nice 5xl >> crash-and-burn touring jacket from an ebay seller, largest size >> available, and I need to lose a few inches for it to fit comfortably. >> >> >> Now I live in AL and it is above normal temps right now. Riding home >> at 2:30 AM is a little chilly, but bearable. The leather jacket with >> a hooded sweatshirt is fine up top. I need to find some wind/water >> resistant pants to keep my legs warm and dry. The dampness from all >> the fog drives right through denim even with long johns. >> >> Any suggestions? >> >> Rocky

Rocky, you can also get 'bespoke' riding gear at Aerostitch - Riders Wearhouse and it's closer than Seattle (from Alabama) they are in Minnesota. Good luck and safe riding, Don M

[captparnell2000]

Hi Rocky, You might also try your closest military surplus store. We wore a slicker type rain gear(bibs & jacket) that is/was tough. I have a set I use today. Its a tad bulky when not in use, but I tell myself to shut up about that every time its rains. I'm 6'2" 190 and was issued sets I got positively lost in so size might not be a problem. Kevin Burns A17 Carson City, NV "Not all who wander are lost."

> > > Rocky Lange wrote: > >> I can afford riding clothes, I just can't find any to fit. I am 5'9" > >> and weigh in at a slender 375 lbs (cough). Try finding riding

pants

> >> for a 60" waist with a 30" inseam. I have a leather jacket I

bought

> >> at a truck stop (imagine that, large size clothes at a truck

stop,

> >> who would have guessed). I also bought a fairly nice 5xl > >> crash-and-burn touring jacket from an ebay seller, largest

size

> >> available, and I need to lose a few inches for it to fit

comfortably.

> >> > >> > >> Now I live in AL and it is above normal temps right now.

Riding home

> >> at 2:30 AM is a little chilly, but bearable. The leather jacket

with

> >> a hooded sweatshirt is fine up top. I need to find some

wind/water

> >> resistant pants to keep my legs warm and dry. The

dampness from all

> >> the fog drives right through denim even with long johns. > >> > >> Any suggestions? > >> > >> Rocky > Rocky, you can also get 'bespoke' riding gear at Aerostitch -

Riders

> Wearhouse and it's closer than Seattle (from Alabama) they

are in Minnesota.

> > Good luck and safe riding, > Don M >

[Alan L Henderson]

Bob Schulte wrote:

> Hey Alan, > > I have a question for you. Have you done anything to the KLR springs? > I weigh 300LBS. and I swear the springs are no problem for me and I have > gone into some rocky areas and have not bottomed yet. Based on all I > read in the list I really expected to have to change something! The > only instability I get is if I am in a tight turn at speed and go over a > bump...the tail of the bike wiggles once or twice...I get a little > pucker and keep on trucking. > > Any comments? > > Happy Holidays > > Capt. Bob

I had bottomed my rear suspension several times and didn't like the amount of brake dive in front. I wound up with Progressive brand fork springs and 20wt fork oil in front. In back I went with the 560lb/in straight rate coils, I got them before the 500/560 rate springs were available. I have toured with this set up when I weighed about 400lbs dressed to ride with full touring load to include tent and pad and had no trouble. Alan Henderson A13 Iowa