rumor about death?

[Spike55]

I agree that the VStrom is no KLR in the rough stuff. My buddy runs a Michelin Anakee front tire and a Metzler Tourance rear (both better road tires than dirt tires), I run MEFO Explorer Sport 99 f/r. I have my KLR geared lower than OEM so I don't need to slip the clutch that much when slower speeds are required. My KLR probably has 2x - 3x more suspension travel than his VStrom and I can stay seated while manuveuring through the wash-outs and rocks but he has to stand and sometimes bangs his add-on skid plate where I rarely do. My original comments aren't meant to compare / contrast the KLR / VStrom (they are different bikes for different situations), to me the original author, mptadam, had a whole list of upgrades, and then said he was going to sell the KLR in approx 5 months for the more road oriented bike. It just seemed odd to me to spend all of those HRS / $$$ on a bike you're not keeping but maybe we aren't getting the whole story. Don R100, A6F

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, David Bell wrote: > > My neighbor has the 650 VStrom and I have ridden it for 30-40 miles on road. It is amazingly good on the road for what it is. I usually ride a BMW RT and it's certainly not an RT, but it is more road oriented than the KLR by far. I am considering one in my future but would not take it to some of the KLR roads I've taken. > > db > > > > > ________________________________ > From: Spike55 > To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com > Sent: Wednesday, December 24, 2008 9:30:44 AM > Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Re: suspension upgrades for pavement > > > A buddy of mine has the 650 Suzuki V-Strum (the 1000s are too big) > and I'd say it is a 70/30% - 80/20% road/dirt bike, which sounds like > the direction you seem to be leaning. I can't keep up with him on > gravel roads (better than me) and I can't keep up with him on hard > roads (crazier than me) but that bike works well for him. He does > 15,000 miles a year (retired and has 50K on it now) and he takes > trips from Pennsylvania to Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, as well as > up and down the east coast. Its not an expensive bike either, a good > performer with the two-cyl design, and only had one major repair that > required the dealer. > > With only 4-5 months to go before summer 2009 and that is when you > want to change bikes anyway, why spend a dime on the KLR and then > sell it? Yes, I'd change oil/filter and keep air in the tires. Is > it going to stay in the family? > > Don R100, A6F > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogro ups.com, "mptadam" wrote: > > > > I'm ready to put a little money into the suspension, a little. My > plan is to get the heavy spring > > from Top Gun, but I'm unsure if I should spend the money on > progressive springs for the > > forks, cartridge emulators, or just heavier fork oil for the front. > I don't think I'll be keeping > > the KLR for years and years, honestly I'll likely trade it for > something more street oriented > > next summer. I haven't made it to the dirt yet, and when I do, it > won't be much more then > > some high desert riding or some wide, graded trail riding. > > > > I don't need the Moab rear shock, and I don't know if the cartridge > emulators, or even the > > progressive fork springs for that matter will be a worthwhile > investment if I sell the bike > > within a year. I'm 250 plus gear, and I'd like to put my wife on > the back, who is a much more > > manageable weight I just don't want to bottom out riding over > the lane markers. > > > > I know I'm already undersprung in the back, just looking for some > advice on how deep I > > should go into the fork. Corbin seat, doohickey, fresh tires, new > chain and sprockets, valves > > and subframe bolt are handled or in the process of being...It'll be > a nice bike ready to farkle > > for someone, but I'd like to tune the front a little closer to the > rear suspension after I get the > > spring in. > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >

[Mike]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, art art wrote:

> > Mike / Buddy > > have you heard anything about this? > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >

Not that I know of. Buddy and I've been putting on the San Diego area klr tech days for several years. I spoke with Buddy yesterday, and other than life's usual challenges he seemed fine. Go Chargers! It was a terrible losss when Cary Aspy was killed by a motorhome driver back in October. I had spoken to him the Friday he was leaving on his trip, and had actually picked up the phone to call him (7 a.m. pacific time) and saw I had a couple of messages, both telling me of his death. One of the worst days of my life. This might be the event you are referring to. On a different note - I hope all on the list here have a merry Christmas (or whatever you choose to call this day). Peace on Earth, Good Will toward all Mankind. all the best, Mike