nklr: looking for riding amigos for baja and/or copper canyon

[Douglas Bouley]

After some years of "looking", I just bought my first KLR650 -- an A6F in (slightly less) lime green (then they used to be). I have a lot of miles on mid-sized road bikes, but always wanted a thumper since that 66 Victor Special my buddy had back in the day. The versatility/utility of the KLR is what really hooked me, though. I just might want to go to Alaska. Never can tell. I certainly have found a lot of useful info here already. I'm inclined not to get the extended warranty, based on your comments. Will deal with the doohickey thing soonest, etc. Haven't picked up the bike yet, They are putting hot grips, the +7 windshield and a Givi top box on it for me first. Yes, I trust the shop pretty much. A Honda V4 guy I know who is a gifted mech trades there and says "they'll do". High praise from him... Plus, the setup they have done so far looks good. The sales guy chuckled when i paid special attention to the fork height and brake setup. I suspect he might hang around here, too. And now for the Inevitable Question: I am wearing a bulbous plastic air cast on my shift foot. The technique I use for up-shifting is to hook the heel of the cast on the front of the shifter rubber and pull up. Down shifts are a simple matter of sliding the foot forward a bit and clicking down with the cast heel. I cannot use the toes on that foot to help. The stock folding shifter will not do at all. It just folds up when I try to hook it with my heel. Based on my readings here, I'm considering the Happy Trail Kawasaki KLR650 Shifter Heavy Duty, SKU: KA-8. I fired off a note to them to ask if it is a non-folder, since I can't tell from the pic. Does anyone have any other thoughts/suggestions about any other methods of dealing with this. Oh, for the days of tank shifters... Thanks for being here and Merry christmas. Doug [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Randall Marbach]

The aftermarket IMS shifter I am using also folds back. I am using this shifter because it was the only one that would work with my size 14 Alpinestars... What about welding up the stock shifter so it does not fold back? The weld on the stocker needs to be re-enforced anyhow. HTH Randy from Burbank --- Douglas Bouley wrote:

> > > After some years of "looking", I just bought my > first KLR650 -- an > A6F in (slightly less) lime green (then they used to > be). > > I have a lot of miles on mid-sized road bikes, but > always wanted a > thumper since that 66 Victor Special my buddy had > back in the day. > The versatility/utility of the KLR is what really > hooked me, though. > I just might want to go to Alaska. Never can tell. > > I certainly have found a lot of useful info here > already. I'm > inclined not to get the extended warranty, based on > your comments. > Will deal with the doohickey thing soonest, etc. > > Haven't picked up the bike yet, They are putting hot > grips, the +7 > windshield and a Givi top box on it for me first. > Yes, I trust the > shop pretty much. A Honda V4 guy I know who is a > gifted mech trades > there and says "they'll do". High praise from him... > Plus, the setup > they have done so far looks good. The sales guy > chuckled when i paid > special attention to the fork height and brake > setup. I suspect he > might hang around here, too. > > And now for the Inevitable Question: > > I am wearing a bulbous plastic air cast on my shift > foot. The > technique I use for up-shifting is to hook the heel > of the cast on > the front of the shifter rubber and pull up. Down > shifts are a simple > matter of sliding the foot forward a bit and > clicking down with the > cast heel. I cannot use the toes on that foot to > help. > > The stock folding shifter will not do at all. It > just folds up when I > try to hook it with my heel. Based on my readings > here, I'm > considering the Happy Trail Kawasaki KLR650 Shifter > Heavy Duty, SKU: > KA-8. I fired off a note to them to ask if it is a > non-folder, since > I can't tell from the pic. > > Does anyone have any other thoughts/suggestions > about any other > methods of dealing with this. > > Oh, for the days of tank shifters... > > Thanks for being here and Merry christmas. > > Doug > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > removed] > > > > Archive Quicksearch at: >

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

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[Jeff Saline]

Doug, I think a guy could maybe fashion a heel toe shifter set up if he decided it was worth it. Maybe that would be an alternative for you. Hope you enjoy your KLR as much as I enjoy mine. Best, 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 On Sat, 24 Dec 2005 15:15:15 -0500 Douglas Bouley writes:

> > > After some years of "looking", I just bought my first KLR650 -- an > > A6F in (slightly less) lime green (then they used to be). > > I have a lot of miles on mid-sized road bikes, but always wanted a > > thumper since that 66 Victor Special my buddy had back in the day. > > The versatility/utility of the KLR is what really hooked me, though. > > I just might want to go to Alaska. Never can tell. > > I certainly have found a lot of useful info here already. I'm > inclined not to get the extended warranty, based on your comments. > > Will deal with the doohickey thing soonest, etc. > > Haven't picked up the bike yet, They are putting hot grips, the +7 > > windshield and a Givi top box on it for me first. Yes, I trust the > > shop pretty much. A Honda V4 guy I know who is a gifted mech trades > > there and says "they'll do". High praise from him... Plus, the setup > > they have done so far looks good. The sales guy chuckled when i paid > > special attention to the fork height and brake setup. I suspect he > > might hang around here, too. > > And now for the Inevitable Question: > > I am wearing a bulbous plastic air cast on my shift foot. The > technique I use for up-shifting is to hook the heel of the cast on > > the front of the shifter rubber and pull up. Down shifts are a > simple > matter of sliding the foot forward a bit and clicking down with the > > cast heel. I cannot use the toes on that foot to help. > > The stock folding shifter will not do at all. It just folds up when > I > try to hook it with my heel. Based on my readings here, I'm > considering the Happy Trail Kawasaki KLR650 Shifter Heavy Duty, SKU: > > KA-8. I fired off a note to them to ask if it is a non-folder, since > > I can't tell from the pic. > > Does anyone have any other thoughts/suggestions about any other > methods of dealing with this. > > Oh, for the days of tank shifters... > > Thanks for being here and Merry christmas. > > Doug > > > [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 > > > > > > > > >

[Douglas Bouley]

Hi, Jeff, I was looking for the easiest way out, being not only lame, but, well, _lame_ , if you know what I mean. ;-^ You sure have some sweet country to ride in. Been a long time since I've been there, I'm sorry to say. Doug

On Dec 24, 2005, at 11:51 PM, Jeff Saline wrote: > Doug, > > I think a guy could maybe fashion a heel toe shifter set up if he > decided > it was worth it. Maybe that would be an alternative for you. > > Hope you enjoy your KLR as much as I enjoy mine. > > Best, > > 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 > > On Sat, 24 Dec 2005 15:15:15 -0500 Douglas Bouley > writes: >> >> >> After some years of "looking", I just bought my first KLR650 -- an >> >> A6F in (slightly less) lime green (then they used to be). >> >> I have a lot of miles on mid-sized road bikes, but always wanted a >> >> thumper since that 66 Victor Special my buddy had back in the day. >> >> The versatility/utility of the KLR is what really hooked me, though. >> >> I just might want to go to Alaska. Never can tell. >> >> I certainly have found a lot of useful info here already. I'm >> inclined not to get the extended warranty, based on your comments. >> >> Will deal with the doohickey thing soonest, etc. >> >> Haven't picked up the bike yet, They are putting hot grips, the +7 >> >> windshield and a Givi top box on it for me first. Yes, I trust the >> >> shop pretty much. A Honda V4 guy I know who is a gifted mech trades >> >> there and says "they'll do". High praise from him... Plus, the setup >> >> they have done so far looks good. The sales guy chuckled when i paid >> >> special attention to the fork height and brake setup. I suspect he >> >> might hang around here, too. >> >> And now for the Inevitable Question: >> >> I am wearing a bulbous plastic air cast on my shift foot. The >> technique I use for up-shifting is to hook the heel of the cast on >> >> the front of the shifter rubber and pull up. Down shifts are a >> simple >> matter of sliding the foot forward a bit and clicking down with the >> >> cast heel. I cannot use the toes on that foot to help. >> >> The stock folding shifter will not do at all. It just folds up when >> I >> try to hook it with my heel. Based on my readings here, I'm >> considering the Happy Trail Kawasaki KLR650 Shifter Heavy Duty, SKU: >> >> KA-8. I fired off a note to them to ask if it is a non-folder, since >> >> I can't tell from the pic. >> >> Does anyone have any other thoughts/suggestions about any other >> methods of dealing with this. >> >> Oh, for the days of tank shifters... >> >> Thanks for being here and Merry christmas. >> >> Doug >> >> >> [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 >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> > > > 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 > > > > > >

[W.V. Doran]

Welcome Doug...Having a mechanic that you trust is a good thing. The problem is that when you are on your way to Alaska, or where ever, and something on the bike needs attention the "they'll do" guy won't be around. The KLR is not difficult to work on and the peace of mind that comes with knowing how to keep it running will make every trip more enjoyable and much safer. For me, maintaining and farkeling the KLR is great therapy. Check out the FAC's site below it's filled with the info you'll need to really enjoy your new bike. Happy Holidays to all......... http://www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html --- Douglas Bouley wrote:

> The versatility/utility of the KLR is what really > hooked me, though. > I just might want to go to Alaska. Never can tell. > Haven't picked up the bike yet, They are putting hot > grips, the +7 > windshield and a Givi top box on it for me first. > Yes, I trust the > shop pretty much. A Honda V4 guy I know who is a > gifted mech trades > there and says "they'll do". High praise from him... > Plus, the setup > they have done so far looks good. The sales guy > chuckled when i paid > special attention to the fork height and brake > setup. I suspect he > might hang around here, too. > > Thanks for being here and Merry christmas. > > Doug >

WVDoran Scottsdale, AZ __________________________________________ Yahoo! DSL Something to write home about. Just $16.99/mo. or less. dsl.yahoo.com

[Tim Pruitt]

Ok, so I am no longer just hanging around learning and getting involved once in a while. I now an Oriental Blue 2009 KLR to match my Sonic Blue 2001 Concours. Hopefully I'll be riding it real soon, usually the winter here doesn't stop me...on the Connie, but no heated grips, and vest plug-in on the KLR (for now, it will have both soon), snow and sub-freezing weather has slowed me down so far. BUt besides riding the other great motorcycle past time can happen - FARKLING!   I've been looking for luggage, racks, cans, tank-bags, etc... and I have a question. I have a nearly new set of soft bags and a tail pak that I do plan to use for awhile. Has anyone out there used the TCI racks (or something similar) which are designed for soft bag mounting?   Here is a link  https://tciproductsusa.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=144_161   I've also considered buying "can" mounts and using them to strap the bags to until I decide to go with cans, but I like the way these racks look and for soft bags their attaching points for the bags, and underneath support of the bags does seem like it would be more secure, and I could move up to a premium set of soft bags later and not go to cans. Anyway, what say ye of knower's of all KLR?   Tp Knoxville TN Blue KLR 2009 - just born...

[jeepaviation]

Being the owner of a splendid 06 KLR and having used el-cheapo Ammo Cans for 3 years now...I am leaning toward really good soft bags. I do like the protection that my Happy Trails rack provides for the rear of the bike. But that Sequoia system would work much better for supporting soft bags. Bags would add much less weight to the ride. The KLR has a soft suspension (until you upgrade it Also, catching your foot under a soft bag on a trail is much less painful than catching your foot under a soft bag. Of course, if security is an issue, then you gotta go with cans. Check out this site. Horizons unlimited. A lot of these participants travel A Lot on bikes and post interesting gear reviews and comments. This should get those thinking gears in motion. http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/equipment-reviews/soft-luggage-requirements-survey-47033 Welcome to the farkling world of KLR.

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Tim Pruitt wrote: > > Ok, so I am no longer just hanging around learning and getting involved once in a while. I now an Oriental Blue 2009 KLR to match my Sonic Blue 2001 Concours. Hopefully I'll be riding it real soon, usually the winter here doesn't stop me...on the Connie, but no heated grips, and vest plug-in on the KLR (for now, it will have both soon), snow and sub-freezing weather has slowed me down so far. BUt besides riding the other great motorcycle past time can happen - FARKLING! > > I've been looking for luggage, racks, cans, tank-bags, etc... and I have a question. I have a nearly new set of soft bags and a tail pak that I do plan to use for awhile. Has anyone out there used the TCI racks (or something similar) which are designed for soft bag mounting? > > Here is a link https://tciproductsusa.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=144_161 > > I've also considered buying "can" mounts and using them to strap the bags to until I decide to go with cans, but I like the way these racks look and for soft bags their attaching points for the bags, and underneath support of the bags does seem like it would be more secure, and I could move up to a premium set of soft bags later and not go to cans. Anyway, what say ye of knower's of all KLR? > > Tp > Knoxville TN > Blue KLR 2009 - just born... >

[revmaaatin]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Tim Pruitt wrote: SNIP > > I've been looking for luggage, racks, cans, tank-bags, etc... and I have a question. I have a nearly new set of soft bags and a tail pak that I do plan to use for awhile. Has anyone out there used the TCI racks (or something similar) which are designed for soft bag mounting? > > Here is a link https://tciproductsusa.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=144_161 > > Tp Tim- Congrats on your choice of machine. You will either love it, or it will be gone/sold with very few miles. I believe you will love it. Tell folks where you live and ask for a tech day near you. Change the dohickey. Change the gas often. Take the Motorcycle Safety Foundation Rider Safety course as well. Now, your questions: I have this product; and of course a story as well. smile. This is my TPI installation. https://tciproductsusa.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=144_161_163&products_id=588&zenid=2b6ff3ffc0c58ed6173fdaa880465193 I also bought the Kolpin 1 gal. gas tank and the integrated TPI installation for reserve fuel for the KLR250 (only 2.1 gal). The above link is for the Denali for the KLR250. You will notice the Denali is constructed with a flat base/shelf to support the bottom of the saddle bag; others have a slope that is specific for an odd shaped saddlebag. The Ortlieb worked very well with this rack. Overall-- It is well made and was 'largely' plug and play with some slight tweaking of the rack to make all the bolts align with the frame. The instructions are explicit to install all bolts loosely prior to final tightening. Long story short; I like them. They are expensive. It is also expedient. It has some donkey-brain spacers that were two piece's of pipe that should have only been one piece of pipe--that increased the frustration of having only two hands and juggling 4 pieces at one time while attempting to get a bot started from nearly 3 inches away from the bolt hole. Communication problems: I bought this rack, had it sent to PA where I had a bike waiting for me to ride back to South Dakota. (That worked out fine--except the freight was double. The UPS now measures the box and then tells you to bend over. $50 freight to PA as I recall). I arrived in PA on a Wednesday two months later to pick up the bike, and began the installation Thursday evening. I noticed that they had shipped two left braces (KLR250 specific)--which are clearly marked L and R. I called on Friday and we agreed that they would send me a right brace to my home address--as I intended to depart at 0700 on Monday due to the wx reports were not very good. (It would have been $60 to UPS over night, and will not FedEx the part overnight--of which they said UPS did not service that area on a Saturday. which I think is BS.) They also suggested that I could find/have a blacksmith cut up the brace and reweld it at their expense--which I elected NOT to do. LESSON: If you are absolutely need something to work, and you are using a just-in-time system to prep for an adventure ride, UPS/FedEx/USPS will bring you MURPHY. I depart PA Monday at ~0655. You can read my ride report here: http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/DSN_KLR650/messages/192270 Follow all the additional links at the bottom of the page. I arrive in SD on Friday, and low and behold, they ship the replacement brace to my original PA address--after talking to two different people what we would do; they just forgot to tell the shipping clerk. Back on the phone, and they send me another brace to SD. A goat rope, but no blood, so no foul. I was no loaded like a rented mule--so it matter not much. What would have mattered if I had dropped the bike on the R side--it would not have been braced and would have bent the rack. The only other thing that might be of some concern--is that it is a tad wide--and looks a little vulnerable if you drop the bike in something more than just a slow speed tip over. However, it does give very good clearance on the exhaust pipe. It might be more easily bent than other rack-applications, but that is purely conjecture on my part--as I have not field tested this as extensively as I have the SU racks or a single-pipe, two point rack system that only keeps the Ortlieb bags off the plastic and exhaust pipe. I will tell you, I have bent and broke both the SU racks and the two-point single-pipe racks. shrug. They were not installed to sit in the garage. smile. For these racks, I am sure there will be bike weight being supported by the racks if you take a dirt nap. Will you take a dirt nap? One post mistress in MT said, If you are not falling down, you are not riding fast enough. By that measure, I ride plenty fast enough. revmaaatin.

[Kevin Powers]

Congrats on the new ride! Take a look at ebay item 110474647337 - much cheaper than the TCI stuff and I've had these for a number of years now and they have stood up to all sorts of abuse. Kevin

On Thu, Jan 7, 2010 at 7:38 PM, Tim Pruitt wrote: Ok, so I am no longer just hanging around learning and getting involved once in a while. I now an Oriental Blue 2009 KLR to match my Sonic Blue 2001 Concours. Hopefully I'll be riding it real soon, usually the winter here doesn't stop me...on the Connie, but no heated grips, and vest plug-in on the KLR (for now, it will have both soon), snow and sub-freezing weather has slowed me down so far. BUt besides riding the other great motorcycle past time can happen - FARKLING! I've been looking for luggage, racks, cans, tank-bags, etc... and I have a question. I have a nearly new set of soft bags and a tail pak that I do plan to use for awhile. Has anyone out there used the TCI racks (or something similar) which are designed for soft bag mounting? Here is a link https://tciproductsusa.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=144_161 I've also considered buying "can" mounts and using them to strap the bags to until I decide to go with cans, but I like the way these racks look and for soft bags their attaching points for the bags, and underneath support of the bags does seem like it would be more secure, and I could move up to a premium set of soft bags later and not go to cans. Anyway, what say ye of knower's of all KLR? Tp Knoxville TN Blue KLR 2009 - just born...

-- Kevin Powers White Bear Lake, MN

[Jim Douglas]

I it's looks like there is a killing to be made manufacturing skid plates for the KLR, or maybe I am just a cheap ass! $220.00 seems to be high to me, unless it's made of carbon fiber or material from outer space.

> > > Congrats on the new ride! Take a look at ebay item 110474647337 - > much cheaper than the TCI stuff and I've had these for a number of > years now and they have stood up to all sorts of abuse. > > Kevin > > On Thu, Jan 7, 2010 at 7:38 PM, Tim Pruitt > wrote: > > > Ok, so I am no longer just hanging around learning and getting > involved once in a while. I now an Oriental Blue 2009 KLR to match > my Sonic Blue 2001 Concours. Hopefully I'll be riding it real > soon, usually the winter here doesn't stop me...on the Connie, but > no heated grips, and vest plug-in on the KLR (for now, it will > have both soon), snow and sub-freezing weather has slowed me down > so far. BUt besides riding the other great motorcycle past time > can happen - FARKLING! > > I've been looking for luggage, racks, cans, tank-bags, etc... and > I have a question. I have a nearly new set of soft bags and a tail > pak that I do plan to use for awhile. Has anyone out there used > the TCI racks (or something similar) which are designed for soft > bag mounting? > > Here is a link > https://tciproductsusa.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=144_161 > https://tciproductsusa.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=144_161> > > I've also considered buying "can" mounts and using them to strap > the bags to until I decide to go with cans, but I like the way > these racks look and for soft bags their attaching points for the > bags, and underneath support of the bags does seem like it would > be more secure, and I could move up to a premium set of soft bags > later and not go to cans. Anyway, what say ye of knower's of all KLR? > > Tp > Knoxville TN > Blue KLR 2009 - just born... > > > > > > -- > Kevin Powers > White Bear Lake, MN >

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