new rider- my girls ..... & fear is real

[Michael Dennis Van Horn]

Well, getting someone else on two wheels and a dual sport no less. She is taking the MSF course this week for her license and we are picking up a 2001 BMW 650 Dakar for her tomorrow.

She loves the wrenching I do on my KLR it is just a bit too tall for her and is really learning... looking forward to seeing her in the wind.

Just think it is cool someone new getting into the sport.

Michael

[Tim Pruitt]

Congrats. I know the feelings you are having. My youngest told me she wanted to start riding a few years, and I was thrilled. She wanted a 250 ninja but as a starter bike I found her a GS450E Suzuki for her. It was as low as the ninja, in truth probably a fair bit less horsepower, but the 450 kinda worried her at first (to her it seemed "bigger"). I loved it. I'm a big guy and I rode it sometimes when she was learning and I thought it was a hoot to ride...oh wait, that's another story, this was about her. Anyway, she did the MFS class, passed, we went down and got her license, and she was set. She got it out, rode to school a couple of times, went to visit her friends once, came home told me she starting to like the twisties, and suddenly stopped riding. I was sad, but at least she took a shot. I'm still not sure what happened and I really don't think she scared her self, but who knows. 

It did break my heart though when she up and sold the little bike. It gave me a whole new respect and admiration for vertical twins. Wow, drop that thing into a corner and back off the throttle...nothing matches the throttle burble of a twin.Ummmmm good!

On Wednesday, April 2, 2014 1:01 PM, Michael Dennis Van Horn wrote:

 

Well, getting someone else on two wheels and a dual sport no less. She is taking the MSF course this week for her license and we are picking up a 2001 BMW 650 Dakar for her tomorrow.

She loves the wrenching I do on my KLR it is just a bit too tall for her and is really learning... looking forward to seeing her in the wind.

Just think it is cool someone new getting into the sport.

Michael

[Fred Hink]

The old adage about you can lead a horse to water but you can t make him drink, is also true concerning new riders and riding motorcycles.  My good friend Peggy would ride on the back of my dirt and street bikes just about any place I rode.  She was a real trooper and I don t know how I never lost her off the back of my bikes sometimes.  It came a time that I felt she should be riding her own bike and experiencing the joys of controlling her own iron horse.  She was willing to give it a go and we discussed all her options.  We ended up getting her a Yamaha TW200 as her first bike.  This is a great learner machine and even has potential for intermediate type of riding.  Heck I even had fun riding that little bike.  Peggy took the MSF classes and got her motorcycle endorsement.  I got her all the right safety gear and I felt she was set for a long happy career as a motorcycle owner.  Peggy seemed to enjoy riding her TW locally but never really got it out on the trails we have here.  She would have trouble getting it started some times and usually I magically could get it to go pretty easily.  She just never really trusted herself on that bike and I found out later it was mostly because of the manual clutch  and transmission.  So eventually the little Yamaha ended up setting and we sold it.  She still had a desire after a few years to ride and after more discussion decided that what she really wanted to do was local street riding only.  I did some research and decided that her next perfect bike would be a Honda SH150i scooter.  This is a great machine.  It is a 150cc four stroke single with fuel injection, auto trans and clutch with larger 16 tires.  It handles easily, very reliable, is able to go highway speeds (65mph) and gets great gas mileage (100mpg).  She uses this machine to go to work with most all year round and to visit friends and do some shopping.  We have modified this scooter slightly with a windshield, a rear Givi box and a Stebel air horn.  I think she has found a bike she can live with.   Peggy was in her 50s when she took up the two wheel life and as hard as we want someone to have the love we share, it most likely isn t going to happen.  I think the younger you can expose someone to motorbikes, the better chance that having this get into their blood is going to happen.  I was about three or four when I had my first experiences and it has been with me most everyday since.    http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/images/Dad__Fred_on_scooter.jpg Peggy Scootin:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zp-A3hKbJXA   We should all give anyone interested a chance at riding a motorbike.  It is a great life but not necessarily for everyone. Fred http://www.arrowheadmotorsports.com   [b]From:[/b] tenntimtwo@... [b]Sent:[/b] Wednesday, April 2, 2014 7:21 PM [b]To:[/b] libertyeagle@... ; dsn_klr650@yahoogroups.com [b]Subject:[/b] Re: [DSN_KLR650] New Rider- my girls getting her license!    

Congrats. I know the feelings you are having. My youngest told me she wanted to start riding a few years, and I was thrilled. She wanted a 250 ninja but as a starter bike I found her a GS450E Suzuki for her. It was as low as the ninja, in truth probably a fair bit less horsepower, but the 450 kinda worried her at first (to her it seemed "bigger"). I loved it. I'm a big guy and I rode it sometimes when she was learning and I thought it was a hoot to ride...oh wait, that's another story, this was about her. Anyway, she did the MFS class, passed, we went down and got her license, and she was set. She got it out, rode to school a couple of times, went to visit her friends once, came home told me she starting to like the twisties, and suddenly stopped riding. I was sad, but at least she took a shot. I'm still not sure what happened and I really don't think she scared her self, but who knows. It did break my heart though when she up and sold the little bike. It gave me a whole new respect and admiration for vertical twins. Wow, drop that thing into a corner and back off the throttle...nothing matches the throttle burble of a twin.Ummmmm good! On Wednesday, April 2, 2014 1:01 PM, Michael Dennis Van Horn wrote:   Well, getting someone else on two wheels and a dual sport no less. She is taking the MSF course this week for her license and we are picking up a 2001 BMW 650 Dakar for her tomorrow. She loves the wrenching I do on my KLR it is just a bit too tall for her and is really learning... looking forward to seeing her in the wind.   Just think it is cool someone new getting into the sport.   Michael

[RobertWichert]

My son treats my bike as if it's radioactive. "Wanna go for a ride?" Backs up. "No way!" Robert Wichert P.Eng. LEED AP BD&C +1 916 966 9060 FAX +1 916 966 9068 ===============================================

On 4/3/2014 4:52 AM, Fred Hink wrote:

The old adage about you can lead a horse to water but you can t make him drink, is also true concerning new riders and riding motorcycles. My good friend Peggy would ride on the back of my dirt and street bikes just about any place I rode. She was a real trooper and I don t know how I never lost her off the back of my bikes sometimes. It came a time that I felt she should be riding her own bike and experiencing the joys of controlling her own iron horse. She was willing to give it a go and we discussed all her options. We ended up getting her a Yamaha TW200 as her first bike. This is a great learner machine and even has potential for intermediate type of riding. Heck I even had fun riding that little bike. Peggy took the MSF classes and got her motorcycle endorsement. I got her all the right safety gear and I felt she was set for a long happy career as a motorcycle owner. Peggy seemed to enjoy riding her TW locally but never really got it out on the trails we have here. She would have trouble getting it started some times and usually I magically could get it to go pretty easily. She just never really trusted herself on that bike and I found out later it was mostly because of the manual clutch and transmission. So eventually the little Yamaha ended up setting and we sold it. She still had a desire after a few years to ride and after more discussion decided that what she really wanted to do was local street riding only. I did some research and decided that her next perfect bike would be a Honda SH150i scooter. This is a great machine. It is a 150cc four stroke single with fuel injection, auto trans and clutch with larger 16 tires. It handles easily, very reliable, is able to go highway speeds (65mph) and gets great gas mileage (100mpg). She uses this machine to go to work with most all year round and to visit friends and do some shopping. We have modified this scooter slightly with a windshield, a rear Givi box and a Stebel air horn. I think she has found a bike she can live with. Peggy was in her 50s when she took up the two wheel life and as hard as we want someone to have the love we share, it most likely isn t going to happen. I think the younger you can expose someone to motorbikes, the better chance that having this get into their blood is going to happen. I was about three or four when I had my first experiences and it has been with me most everyday since. http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/images/Dad__Fred_on_scooter.jpg Peggy Scootin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zp-A3hKbJXA We should all give anyone interested a chance at riding a motorbike. It is a great life but not necessarily for everyone. Fred http://www.arrowheadmotorsports.com [b]From:[/b] tenntimtwo@... [b]Sent:[/b] Wednesday, April 2, 2014 7:21 PM [b]To:[/b] libertyeagle@... ; dsn_klr650@yahoogroups.com [b]Subject:[/b] Re: [DSN_KLR650] New Rider- my girls getting her license! Congrats. I know the feelings you are having. My youngest told me she wanted to start riding a few years, and I was thrilled. She wanted a 250 ninja but as a starter bike I found her a GS450E Suzuki for her. It was as low as the ninja, in truth probably a fair bit less horsepower, but the 450 kinda worried her at first (to her it seemed "bigger"). I loved it. I'm a big guy and I rode it sometimes when she was learning and I thought it was a hoot to ride...oh wait, that's another story, this was about her. Anyway, she did the MFS class, passed, we went down and got her license, and she was set. She got it out, rode to school a couple of times, went to visit her friends once, came home told me she starting to like the twisties, and suddenly stopped riding. I was sad, but at least she took a shot. I'm still not sure what happened and I really don't think she scared her self, but who knows. It did break my heart though when she up and sold the little bike. It gave me a whole new respect and admiration for vertical twins. Wow, drop that thing into a corner and back off the throttle...nothing matches the throttle burble of a twin.Ummmmm good! On Wednesday, April 2, 2014 1:01 PM, Michael Dennis Van Horn libertyeagle@... wrote: Well, getting someone else on two wheels and a dual sport no less. She is taking the MSF course this week for her license and we are picking up a 2001 BMW 650 Dakar for her tomorrow. She loves the wrenching I do on my KLR it is just a bit too tall for her and is really learning... looking forward to seeing her in the wind. Just think it is cool someone new getting into the sport. Michael

[Stephen North]

I have a similar story to Fred's. My wife liked to ride on the back of my KLR but was always frustrated that she couldn't see past my helmet very easily. I also bought her a Yamaha TW200 thinking those big fat tires and low seat height combined with moderate horsepower would be just the ticket. She was doing great for starting to ride at 52 years of age but that clutch just did not come easy for her. After work we would ride over two up to an abandoned commuter parking lot. Then I would get off and coach her while she rode around the parking lot that has a roundabout, painted lines and a stop sign. Perfect place to learn. She did really well for a couple of months. Starting, stopping, slow maneuvering, turning on her directional signals (and off!) panic stops, etc. Everything looked great until one time she momentarily got confused with the whole clutch, gas, brake sequence while slowing down for a 180 degree turnaround and ran the front wheel into a slight depression on the road shoulder and the resulting jolt caused her to whiskey throttle into the ditch. That little 200 took off like a rocket! She had all her gear on and only bruised her wrist but she never rode it again. Additionally, she was always very aware of its weight even though that machine only weighs about 280 lbs. (just backing it out of the garage was a chore. Shes 5'2", 105 lbs.) She's still upset with herself for not getting it dialed in but she also realizes that it's not for everyone and lacking confident, comfortable control of the machine can get you hurt or killed pretty easily. I loved that TW by the way. Awesome trail bike but too small for me. That Honda scooter sounds interesting.......didn't think of that! Stitches Afloat LLC 4580 Harbor Road Shelburne Vermont 05482 802-985-9547 www.stitchesafloat.com stitchesafloat@...

[RobertWichert]

Maybe learning on the dirt, where falling is expected.  For me, like five or six times a day!  Ha!  Gets you over that "first fall" hump. Don'twannafalldon'twannafalldon'twannafalldon'twannafalldon'twannafall Shit!  I fell! I can't do this, I quit. Seems reasonable, really.  I still don'twannafall.... But I do fall.  It happens. Not today, I hope! Cheers! Robert Wichert P.Eng. LEED AP BD&C +1 916 966 9060 FAX +1 916 966 9068 ===============================================

On 4/4/2014 6:32 AM, Stephen North wrote:

  I have a similar story to Fred's. My wife liked to ride on the back of my KLR but was always frustrated that she couldn't see past my helmet very easily. I also bought her a Yamaha TW200 thinking those big fat tires and low seat height combined with moderate horsepower would be just the ticket. She was doing great for starting to ride at 52 years of age but that clutch just did not come easy for her. After work we would ride over two up to an abandoned commuter parking lot. Then I would get off and coach her while she rode around the parking lot that has a roundabout, painted lines and a stop sign. Perfect place to learn. She did really well for a couple of months. Starting, stopping, slow maneuvering, turning on her directional signals (and off!) panic stops, etc. Everything looked great until one time she momentarily got confused with the whole clutch, gas, brake sequence while slowing down for a 180 degree turnaround and ran the front wheel into a slight depression on the road shoulder and the resulting jolt caused her to whiskey throttle into the ditch. That little 200 took off like a rocket! She had all her gear on and only bruised her wrist but she never rode it again. Additionally, she was always very aware of its weight even though that machine only weighs about 28 0 lbs. (just backing it out of the garage was a chore. Shes 5'2", 105 lbs.) She's still upset with herself for not getting it dialed in but she also realizes that it's not for everyone and lacking confident, comfortable control of the machine can get you hurt or killed pretty easily. I loved that TW by the way. Awesome trail bike but too small for me. That Honda scooter sounds interesting.......didn't think of that! Stitches Afloat LLC 4580 Harbor Road Shelburne Vermont 05482 802-985-9547 www.stitchesafloat.com stitchesafloat@...

[mark ward]

Ilearned on dirt, then about 83 & 84 had 2 "GOOD" downs, one was black ice, 1 was split second car pulls in front, T-BONEING. Paralized waist down for about 1.5 hours. Then 4 broken ribs, hitting debree in the road on a sharp wet curve. I KNOW I have back and Nerve damage, and often think, the next time down...... Did a couple of good falls in Moab, one had John B. laughing at how hard the KLR was stuck in the sand wall, on the side of the wall. Took Both of us to get the bike OUT! LOLOLOL ' AH THE GOOD TIMES. (still smiling at that one) I have lost 8 people (including Mother, father, sister, close Aunt, 2 cousins.)  to Cancer 4 others to Suicide, 5 people to Heart attacks, (2 may age & younger 55) Besides all those "regular" deaths. So at what point do I stop LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST! OF THE TOP 15 REASONS FOR DEATH, NONE! ARE RIDING. ( ESPECIALLY  A KLR.)   

  [b]  From:[/b] RobertWichert [b]To:[/b] Stephen North ; "DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com" DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> [b]Sent:[/b] Friday, April 4, 2014 10:55 AM [b]Subject:[/b] Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: New Rider- my girls getting her license!   Maybe learning on the dirt, where falling is expected.  For me, like five or six times a day!  Ha!  Gets you over that "first fall" hump. Don'twannafalldon'twannafalldon'twannafalldon'twannafalldon'twannafall Shit!  I fell! I can't do this, I quit. Seems reasonable, really.  I still don'twannafall.... But I do fall.  It happens. Not today, I hope! Cheers! Robert Wichert P.Eng. LEED AP BD&C +1 916 966 9060 FAX +1 916 966 9068 =============================================== On 4/4/2014 6:32 AM, Stephen North wrote:   I have a similar story to Fred's. My wife liked to ride on the back of my KLR but was always frustrated that she couldn't see past my helmet very easily. I also bought her a Yamaha TW200 thinking those big fat tires and low seat height combined with moderate horsepower would be just the ticket. She was doing great for starting to ride at 52 years of age but that clutch just did not come easy for her. After work we would ride over two up to an abandoned commuter parking lot. Then I would get off and coach her while she rode around the parking lot that has a roundabout, painted lines and a stop sign. Perfect place to learn. She did really well for a couple of months. Starting, stopping, slow maneuvering, turning on her directional signals (and off!) panic stops, etc. Everything looked great until one time she momentarily got confused with the whole clutch, gas, brake sequence while slowing down for a 180 degree turnaround and ran the front wheel into a slight depression on the road shoulder and the resulting jolt caused her to whiskey throttle into the ditch. That little 200 took off like a rocket! She had all her gear on and only bruised her wrist but she never rode it again. Additionally, she was always very aware of its weight even though that machine only weighs about 28 0 lbs. (just backing it out of the garage was a chore. Shes 5'2", 105 lbs.) She's still upset with herself for not getting it dialed in but she also realizes that it's not for everyone and lacking confident, comfortable control of the machine can get you hurt or killed pretty easily. I loved that TW by the way. Awesome trail bike but too small for me. That Honda scooter sounds interesting.......didn't think of that! Stitches Afloat LLC 4580 Harbor Road Shelburne Vermont 05482 802-985-9547 http://www.stitchesafloat.com/ stitchesafloat@...

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[John Biccum]

The lower cam journals on the KLR are integral parts of the head rather than separate bronze bearings like you might see on other applications. The upper cam journals are separate aluminum caps as you noted. Kawasaki assembles the upper journals to the lower journals in the head then line-bores the assembly to suit the camshaft. The two upper cam journals are not interchangeable (e.g swappable right to left). Nor should you swap in upper cam journals from another head. The factory considers the head and the two matching upper cam journals a set, you should too. The alignment of the cam both fore and aft and up and down is critical.

 

If it were me I d find a good used head with matching upper cam journals and use that assembly rather than chancing the bad cam journals. No reason to buy a new head IMHO, good used heads are not too hard to find.

 

Another thing to consider doing when you have the engine torn down is the 685 kit and oversize stainless valves. The oversize valves will only work with the 685 piston, the stock piston lacks sufficient clearance for the larger valves. I would [b]not[/b] advise grinding the valves on a KLR since they are nitride-coated for hardness and the grinding removes the hard coating exposing the softer steel below.

 

I would consider replacing the valve guides on the used head as well. KLR valves guides in most years are very long lasting but [i]some[/i] early Thai-assembled bikes (2002 and subsequent) had a weeping issues with the guides so I d replace them just to know they are good. The valve guides are cheap. Not all of these early Thai bikes had the weeping issue, my 02 (the first Thai year) has run 75K miles on the stock guides with zero weeping or other issues. But I ve seen 5K mile 02 with bad weeping and that bike s engine serial number was 60-some digits later than mine .so why chance it?

 

I have not run Hotcams on my KLRs but have them in a couple of DRZ400s and found them easy to install and very robust in severe service. My DRZ engines are making about 45 hp at the rear wheel on just 435cc so are working a lot harder than the KLR at similar road or trail speeds. The cams come with a small sheet of instructions but I found those instructions superfluous since the Suzuki service manual for the DRZ covers cam replacement quite thoroughly. The Clymer manual for the KLR does as well so I would not worry about the lack of online resources showing the cam replacement. Just ensure that you [b]time[/b] the cams correctly, that is critical but easy to do. You might also consider doing the cam chain too when you can with little additional labor, the OEM chain is not expensive.

 

 

[b]From:[/b] DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com [mailto:DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com] [b]On Behalf Of [/b]Dominick Martin [b]Sent:[/b] Thursday, April 03, 2014 5:03 PM [b]To:[/b] Fred Hink; dsn_klr650@yahoogroups.com [b]Subject:[/b] Re: [DSN_KLR650] New Rider- my girls ..... & FEAR IS REAL

 

 

Hi all,

 

I'm an amateur mechanic who is trying to replace his stock (extremely worn/shot)cam-shafts, with hotcams on a 2009 KLR I bought that was run really hard with low oil levels.

 

I apologize if this has already been brought up in this forum....

 

Two questions:

1. Has anyone put hotcams in their klr650, if so, would you be willing to answer a couple questions? I'm having a hard time finding any info on the internet...

2. The 4 brackets that sit on top of the camshafts were worn as well, but the local kawi dealer wants to sell me a new head for $800+. I only need the 4 brackets though... any suggestions, or does anyone have decent used ones?

 

Thanks in advance for taking the time to read and reply!\

 

Feel free to reply directly to Dominick.Martin25@...

 

All the best,

Dominick Martin

On Thursday, April 3, 2014 4:15 PM, Ron Criswell wrote:  

 

I had a friend that roadaced and flat track raced a bunch and almost got his expert tag. Scared to death of water. Wouldn't go near it. Bikes don't scare me usually. Heights do....like hiking the rim in Grand Canyon. Criswell Sent from my iPad

On Apr 3, 2014, at 9:38 AM, mark ward wrote:

 

The old saying is......

 

Fear is real, even if the reason for the fear is not real.

(and sometimes the reverse is just as true. LOL)

 

I have worked on 220volts 3phase equipment, while kneeling in 1/2 inch of water, in a VERY STEAMY room. (Dish washing/ boiler equipment). and at times 440. No strong fears, as long as those working there STAY AWAY.

 

Yet deeper sand & mud while riding makes NERVIOUS!

 

I have A friend that AVOIDS riding during & after dusk, yet NOTHING else on a bike seams to phase him.

 

Another friend, the TOUGH AS NAILS, Hockey player type, that everyone thinks HAS NO FEAR AT ALL, I learned, is SCARED TO DEATH of small birds. the smaller the worse. (I have protected this secret for him for years) 

 

My Point, WE ALL HAVE OUR "THING", and should respect it, for if you push it to hard for others, you will GET HURT.

I'm not saying give into "IT", I'm saying Respect your fears and others.

 

We have all talked about it being UN-SAFE, to ride while cold, because we get distracted by the discomfort, just imagine trying to stay focused while riding when all you SEE in your head, is the ER or MORGUE.

 

Tell me you think something is boring, I may try to get you to try it out, tell me you have have a fear, I BACK WAY DOWN, out of respect.

Yet if you still want to try, I will work SLOOOOWLY with you.

 

 

 

[b]From:[/b] RobertWichert [b]To:[/b] Fred Hink ; Tim Pruitt ; Michael Dennis Van Horn ; dsn_klr650@yahoogroups.com [b]Sent:[/b] Thursday, April 3, 2014 9:58 AM [b]Subject:[/b] Re: [DSN_KLR650] New Rider- my girls getting her license!

 

My son treats my bike as if it's radioactive.  "Wanna go for a ride?"   Backs up.  "No way!"

Robert Wichert P.Eng. LEED AP BD&C+1 916 966 9060FAX +1 916 966 9068              ===============================================On 4/3/2014 4:52 AM, Fred Hink wrote:

 

The old adage about you can lead a horse to water but you can t make him drink, is also true concerning new riders and riding motorcycles.  My good friend Peggy would ride on the back of my dirt and street bikes just about any place I rode.  She was a real trooper and I don t know how I never lost her off the back of my bikes sometimes.  It came a time that I felt she should be riding her own bike and experiencing the joys of controlling her own iron horse.  She was willing to give it a go and we discussed all her options.  We ended up getting her a Yamaha TW200 as her first bike.  This is a great learner machine and even has potential for intermediate type of riding.  Heck I even had fun riding that little bike.  Peggy took the MSF classes and got her motorcycle endorsement.  I got her all the right safety gear and I felt she was set for a long happy career as a motorcycle owner.  Peggy seemed to enjoy riding her TW locally but never really got it out on the trails we have here.  She would have trouble getting it started some times and usually I magically could get it to go pretty easily.  She just never really trusted herself on that bike and I found out later it was mostly because of the manual clutch  and transmission.  So eventually the little Yamaha ended up setting and we sold it.  She still had a desire after a few years to ride and after more discussion decided that what she really wanted to do was local street riding only.  I did some research and decided that her next perfect bike would be a Honda SH150i scooter.  This is a great machine.  It is a 150cc four stroke single with fuel injection, auto trans and clutch with larger 16 tires.  It handles easily, very reliable, is able to go highway speeds (65mph) and gets great gas mileage (100mpg).  She uses this machine to go to work with most all year round and to visit friends and do some shopping.  We have modified this scooter slightly with a windshield, a rear Givi box and a Stebel air horn.  I think she has found a bike she can live with.

 

Peggy was in her 50s when she took up the two wheel life and as hard as we want someone to have the love we share, it most likely isn t going to happen.  I think the younger you can expose someone to motorbikes, the better chance that having this get into their blood is going to happen.  I was about three or four when I had my first experiences and it has been with me most everyday since.    http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/images/Dad__Fred_on_scooter.jpg

Peggy Scootin:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zp-A3hKbJXA

 

We should all give anyone interested a chance at riding a motorbike.  It is a great life but not necessarily for everyone.

Fred http://www.arrowheadmotorsports.com/

 

[b]From:[/b] tenntimtwo@...

[b]Sent:[/b] Wednesday, April 2, 2014 7:21 PM

[b]To:[/b] libertyeagle@... ; dsn_klr650@yahoogroups.com

[b]Subject:[/b] Re: [DSN_KLR650] New Rider- my girls getting her license!

 

 

Congrats. I know the feelings you are having. My youngest told me she wanted to start riding a few years, and I was thrilled. She wanted a 250 ninja but as a starter bike I found her a GS450E Suzuki for her. It was as low as the ninja, in truth probably a fair bit less horsepower, but the 450 kinda worried her at first (to her it seemed "bigger"). I loved it. I'm a big guy and I rode it sometimes when she was learning and I thought it was a hoot to ride...oh wait, that's another story, this was about her. Anyway, she did the MFS class, passed, we went down and got her license, and she was set. She got it out, rode to school a couple of times, went to visit her friends once, came home told me she starting to like the twisties, and suddenly stopped riding. I was sad, but at least she took a shot. I'm still not sure what happened and I really don't think she scared her self, but who knows.

 

It did break my heart though when she up and sold the little bike. It gave me a whole new respect and admiration for vertical twins. Wow, drop that thing into a corner and back off the throttle...nothing matches the throttle burble of a twin.Ummmmm good!

On Wednesday, April 2, 2014 1:01 PM, Michael Dennis Van Horn libertyeagle@... wrote:

 

Well, getting someone else on two wheels and a dual sport no less. She is taking the MSF course this week for her license and we are picking up a 2001 BMW 650 Dakar for her tomorrow.

 

She loves the wrenching I do on my KLR it is just a bit too tall for her and is really learning... looking forward to seeing her in the wind.

 

Just think it is cool someone new getting into the sport.

 

Michael