Emasculated my KLR?
Well, ...... no. I did my dog though and he's still the meanest
hound around.
http://www.pbase.com/wraw/image/81599437
As I tried to get across in the previous post, the most significant
change was "software", leaning not to needlessly accelerate all the
time. Just 'cause I've learned how NOT to yank the throttle open as a
reflex, doesn't mean I've forgotten how. Please note also (and as
others have said before me) the Kenda 761 tires are definitely a
performance enhancement on the street, compared to the 270's. Much
safer at speed, corner like a fiend (don't like 'em much on wet
pavement).
There are times in commuting when a judicious twist of the wrist gets
one out of trouble, and nothing I've done hurts my bike's ability to get
out of it's own way. On the hiways though, it's not a race (and if it
is, it's the gas-pump grand prix).
I think the Beauty of the KLR platform is it's adaptability; it's not
the best road bike, dirt bike, touring bike, or economical commuter, but
it can do all well enough and cheaply.
--- In
DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Ron and Brenda Moorhouse
wrote:
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----
> From: "stevedyer@..." stevedyer@...
> To:
DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Friday, September 5, 2008 9:34:34 AM
> Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Mileage
>
>
>
> The mindset and tradeoffs behind heavy pursuit of mileage enhancement,
especially when the base mileage numbers are quite good already, has
always fascinated me - particularly if operating cost savings are the
goal vs. simply scientific curiosity.
>
> With a 2006 KLR and 22K on the clock, for argument's sake let's assume
this bike has been owned for a couple years and ridden it about 10,000
miles per year. So, some rough numbers come out like this:
>
> 10K miles @ 60 mpg = 166.67 gal, or $583.35 @ $3.50/gal
> 10K miles @ 65 mpg = 153.85 gal, or $538.48 @ $3.50/'gal
>
> Yearly savings of $44.87
> Monthly savings of $3.74
> Fill-ups (6.1 gal) saved per year = 2.1
>
> In order to achieve these results, a new front fender and countershaft
sprocket were purchased and a more street-oriented tire installed. In
addition, acceleration is restricted, shift points lowered and cruising
speed reduced.
>
> From the graphs I've seen, the stock KLR makes about 19hp at 3K. With
the more street-oriented setup of tires, sprocket etc. and tender
throttle management , the overall emasculation of this KLR has just
about turned it into a Virago 250.

All for the cost savings of one
Happy Meal per month.
>
> So many different comfort points among riders, (of the same machine,
even) between performance and economy.
>
> Steve, whose interest in fun fuel economy just manifested iself in a
'84 CT110. The '99 KLR, on the other hand, is rejetted, re-piped, ridden
hard and put away wet. High 40 something mpg at last look and loving it.
>
> ------------ -
>
> ---- Rowe Elliott wre3@... com> wrote:
> A year ago I was getting 50-55 mpg on my 50+ mile, mostly freeway
> commute(2006 22k, Box stock, Green). Somewhat disappointed w/ that
> mileage I began an iterative process trying to improve it.
> Low front fender (EVO) was first (snip) I replaced the Kenda 270 tires
w/ Kenda 761's. (snip) By modulating my ...mindless acceleration,
shifting @ 3k, and keeping top speeds down below 70mph, my mileage
improved dramatically. The final modification was a 16T counter shaft
sprocket. (snip)
>
> Rowe
>
>
> I get 48 miles just about every time I check it, which is not often.
And, I think that is awesome the way I ride. I ride for the fun not
fuel economy! Maybe I would be different if I commuted on it. No put
down for those who are into economy on their KLR's, but I do wonder if
you will ever recoup your investment and how much throttle fun you are
missing out on. I do care about this natural resource and its cost,
but only when driving my vehicles, but not on my KLR.
> Ron
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>