vista cruise modification

[notanymoore]

Allow me to unload on all the adventure bike/dual sport comparisons out there.  Are you kidding me?  600 Lb adventure bikes offroad?  Two foot wide cylinder heads on the trail?  Air-cooled versus liquid cooled thumpers? Puuhhlleeez. You're going to take a Yamaha Tenere, BMW Adventure, VStrom 1000 or Tiger XC really offroad? Yeah right. Try picking one up in the mud.  Complain the Honda XR650 and Suzuki DR650 are better offroad than a KLR 650?  Try riding one 100 miles to the trailhead you want to ride - assuming you don't want children. Oh there are watercooled thumpers out there, but nothing from Japan near the 650 displacement.  And you do have BMW 650 - 800 or KTMs at twice the price. The KLR 650 holds a unique position in providing watercooled long distance comfort with competent offroad handling at a fraction of anything else.   The only thing close in the price/performance is the Suzuki VStrom 650 Adventure.  And those dumbkopfs decided to put cast wheels and tubeless tires on it.  On a bike you take offroad?  Gaahhh.. And then there's that moron on Youtube complaining about what his second hand KLR 2007 didn't do on a trip to Alaska.  360 Lbs on a 35HP bike averaging 600 miles a day at 75 MPH?  Chain adjustments every day give you a clue genius?  Never heard of Loctite?  Here's a suggestion, to his co-rider friend who's selling his KLR; don't let this idiot plan your next bike ride - to McDonalds even. I ride a roadified 2006 KLR650 - 16 tooth front sprocket, fork brace, X-Ring Superbike chain, Bridgestone Trailwings, K&N air filter.  A completely new bike after replacing the OEM stuff that was holding it back; and no engine mods. Sorry, here in the Midwest we're limited to flat roads fire trails and two tracks.  No need for 13 tooth sprockets and full knobbies.   A tank of gas and I can ride all day.   Having said that, Kawasaki has a problem.  KLR 650 is past generation technology.  Carburated and underpowered.  In 2008 they added 30 Lbs of streetbike fairing and barely nudged the horsepower meter.  Because they didn't want to change the basic design.  Bad news.   You want to know the future, look at the specs for the Yamaha Tenere XT660 - not available in the US. Watercooled single, EFI and 10 more HP.  I'm still sticking with my KLR for now.  And I still love the ride.  But I can tell you, my next bike WON'T be a KLR 650 as currently designed.     

[rrttbbnn]

Why does the KLR650 in current state, that is so highly regarded by many, suddenly become inadequate because another manufacturer makes something with 10hp more?  Did the "old and crummy KLR650" sudenly become incapable of being ridden because it is past generation technology?   Or is it because for the last 15-20 years the public has been brainwashed into believing they need the latest version of anything, and the prior versions are worthless?    Jeff     -----Original Message----- From: RJTaylor@... [DSN_KLR650] DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> To: DSN_KLR650 DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Sun, Jul 6, 2014 7:01 pm Subject: [DSN_KLR650] KLR Rant   Allow me to unload on all the adventure bike/dual sport comparisons out there.  Are you kidding me?  600 Lb adventure bikes offroad?  Two foot wide cylinder heads on the trail?  Air-cooled versus liquid cooled thumpers? Puuhhlleeez. You're going to take a Yamaha Tenere, BMW Adventure, VStrom 1000 or Tiger XC really offroad? Yeah right. Try picking one up in the mud.  Complain the Honda XR650 and Suzuki DR650 are better offroad than a KLR 650?  Try riding one 100 miles to the trailhead you want to ride - assuming you don't want children. Oh there are watercooled thumpers out there, but nothing from Japan near the 650 displacement.  And you do have BMW 650 - 800 or KTMs at twice the price. The KLR 650 holds a unique position in providing watercooled long distance comfort with competent offroad handling at a fraction of anything else.   The only thing close in the price/performance is the Suzuki VStrom 650 Adventure.  And those dumbkopfs decided to put cast wheels and tubeless tires on it.  On a bike you take offroad?  Gaahhh.. And then there's that moron on Youtube complaining about what his second hand KLR 2007 didn't do on a trip to Alaska.  360 Lbs on a 35HP bike averaging 600 miles a day at 75 MPH?  Chain adjustments every day give you a clue genius?  Never heard of Loctite?  Here's a suggestion, to his co-rider friend who's selling his KLR; don't let this idiot plan your next bike ride - to McDonalds even. I ride a roadified 2006 KLR650 - 16 tooth front sprocket, fork brace, X-Ring Superbike chain, Bridgestone Trailwings, K&N air filter.  A completely new bike after replacing the OEM stuff that was holdi ng it back; and no engine mods. Sorry, here in the Midwest we're limited to flat roads fire trails and two tracks.  No need for 13 tooth sprockets and full knobbies.   A tank of gas and I can ride all day.   Having said that, Kawasaki has a problem.  KLR 650 is past generation technology.  Carburated and underpowered.  In 2008 they added 30 Lbs of streetbike fairing and barely nudged the horsepower meter.  Because they didn't want to change the basic design.  Bad news.   You want to know the future, look at the specs for the Yamaha Tenere XT660 - not available in the US. Watercooled single, EFI and 10 more HP.  I'm still sticking with my KLR for now.  And I still love the ride.  But I can tell you, my next bike WON'T be a KLR 650 as currently designed.     

[notanymoore]

Simple, they can do better.  EFI wasn't available when the KLR was first introduced in it's current configuration.  It is now.  And it;s a lot more reliable (worldwide) than it used to be; even with foreign gas.   No one called the KLR crummy or old.  It's old technology that can and should be improved.  Everyone else is.  

I'm sure there are fans of 1960's pushrod iron V8's out there.  But fact is the basic auto today is more powerful, more efficient, more reliable than cars past.  So are the current bike designs.  The basic KLR hasn't changed in 20 years.  It's time.  

[mark ward]

I love the simplicity of the KLR. I avoided getting a fuel injected bike for taking 2-50 miles away from no-where. Road side fuel issues, MOST can be handled, BUTT NOT with injectors. Looked at all the BMW F,-GS's, you can't even bump start (push) them if (WHEN) the battery get a little slow. (computer protection)     On Sunday, July 6, 2014 10:23 PM, "RJTaylor@... [DSN_KLR650]" DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

  Simple, they can do better.  EFI wasn't available when the KLR was first introduced in it's current configuration.  It is now.  And it;s a lot more reliable (worldwide) than it used to be; even with foreign gas.   No one called the KLR crummy or old.  It's old technology that can and should be improved.  Everyone else is.   I'm sure there are fans of 1960's pushrod iron V8's out there.  But fact is the basic auto today is more powerful, more efficient, more reliable than cars past.  So are the current bike designs.  The basic KLR hasn't changed in 20 years.  It's time.   #ygrps-yiv-1364638557 #ygrps-yiv-1364638557yiv0230376926 #ygrps-yiv-1364638557yiv0230376926 -- #ygrps-yiv-1364638557yiv0230376926ygrp-mkp { border:1px solid #d8d8d8;font-family:Arial;margin:10px 0;padding:0 10px;} #ygrps-yiv-1364638557 #ygrps-yiv-1364638557yiv0230376926 #ygrps-yiv-1364638557yiv0230376926ygrp-mkp hr { border:1px solid #d8d8d8;} #ygrps-yiv-1364638557 #ygrps-yiv-1364638557yiv0230376926 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[Eddie]

I've owned two Transalp 600s, a DL1000, A DL650 and a KLR650. Only the Transalps and KLR ever ended up on top of me in the woods. My Super Tenere has indeed been offroad. But, I've yet to need the optional factor electric winch. (Not a joke: Look it up on the Yamaha site!) =) eddie

----- Original Message ----- [b]From:[/b] RJTaylor@... [DSN_KLR650] [b]To:[/b] DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com [b]Sent:[/b] Sunday, July 06, 2014 10:01 PM [b]Subject:[/b] [DSN_KLR650] KLR Rant  

Allow me to unload on all the adventure bike/dual sport comparisons out there.  Are you kidding me?  600 Lb adventure bikes offroad?  Two foot wide cylinder heads on the trail?  Air-cooled versus liquid cooled thumpers? Puuhhlleeez. You're going to take a Yamaha Tenere, BMW Adventure, VStrom 1000 or Tiger XC really offroad? Yeah right. Try picking one up in the mud.  Complain the Honda XR650 and Suzuki DR650 are better offroad than a KLR 650?  Try riding one 100 miles to the trailhead you want to ride - assuming you don't want children. Oh there are watercooled thumpers out there, but nothing from Japan near the 650 displacement.  And you do have BMW 650 - 800 or KTMs at twice the price. The KLR 650 holds a unique position in providing watercooled long distance comfort with competent offroad handling at a fraction of anything else.   The only thing close in the price/performance is the Suzuki VStrom 650 Adventure.  And those dumbkopfs decided to put cast wheels and tubeless tires on it.  On a bike you take offroad?  Gaahhh.. And then there's that moron on Youtube complaining about what his second hand KLR 2007 didn't do on a trip to Alaska.  360 Lbs on a 35HP bike averaging 600 miles a day at 75 MPH?  Chain adjustments every day give you a clue genius?  Never heard of Loctite?  Here's a suggestion, to his co-rider friend who's selling his KLR; don't let this idiot plan your next bike ride - to McDonalds even. I ride a roadified 2006 KLR650 - 16 tooth front sprocket, fork brace, X-Ring Superbike chain, Bridgestone Trailwings, K&N air filter.  A completely new bike after replacing the OEM stuff that was holding it back; and no engine mods. Sorry, here in the Midwest we're limited to flat roads fire trails and two tracks.  No need for 13 tooth sprockets and full knobbies.   A tank of gas and I can ride all day.   Having said that, Kawasaki has a problem.  KLR 650 is past generation technology.  Carburated and underpowered.  In 2008 they added 30 Lbs of streetbike fairing and barely nudged the horsepower meter.  Because they didn't want to change the basic design.  Bad news.   You want to know the future, look at the specs for the Yamaha Tenere XT660 - not available in the US. Watercooled single, EFI and 10 more HP.  I'm still sticking with my KLR for now.  And I still love the ride.  But I can tell you, my next bike WON'T be a KLR 650 as currently designed.     

[RobertWichert]

So you didn't ever drop the others, or what? Robert Wichert P.Eng. LEED AP BD&C HERS I/II CEPE CEA BPI CERTIFIED SF/MF GREEN POINT RATER +1 916 966 9060 FAX +1 916 966 9068 ===============================================

On 7/7/2014 4:23 AM, 'eddie' edgyver40@... [DSN_KLR650] wrote:

I've owned two Transalp 600s, a DL1000, A DL650 and a KLR650. Only the Transalps and KLR ever ended up on top of me in the woods. My Super Tenere has indeed been offroad. But, I've yet to need the optional factor electric winch. (Not a joke: Look it up on the Yamaha site!) =) eddie ----- Original Message ----- [b]From:[/b] RJTaylor@...%20[DSN_KLR650] [b]To:[/b] DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com [b]Sent:[/b] Sunday, July 06, 2014 10:01 PM [b]Subject:[/b] [DSN_KLR650] KLR Rant Allow me to unload on all the adventure bike/dual sport comparisons out there. Are you kidding me? 600 Lb adventure bikes offroad? Two foot wide cylinder heads on the trail? Air-cooled versus liquid cooled thumpers? Puuhhlleeez. You're going to take a Yamaha Tenere, BMW Adventure, VStrom 1000 or Tiger XC really offroad? Yeah right. Try picking one up in the mud. Complain the Honda XR650 and Suzuki DR650 are better offroad than a KLR 650? Try riding one 100 miles to the trailhead you want to ride - assuming you don't want children. Oh there are watercooled thumpers out there, but nothing from Japan near the 650 displacement. And you do have BMW 650 - 800 or KTMs at twice the price. The KLR 650 holds a unique position in providing watercooled long distance comfort with competent offroad handling at a fraction of anything else. The only thing close in the price/performance is the Suzuki VStrom 650 Adventure. And those dumbkopfs decided to put cast wheels and tubeless tires on it. On a bike you take offroad? Gaahhh.. And then there's that moron on Youtube complaining about what his second hand KLR 2007 didn't do on a trip to Alaska. 360 Lbs on a 35HP bike averaging 600 miles a day at 75 MPH? Chain adjustments every day give you a clue genius? Never heard of Loctite? Here's a suggestion, to his co-rider friend who's selling his KLR; don't let this idiot plan your next bike ride - to McDonalds even. I ride a roadified 2006 KLR650 - 16 tooth front sprocket, fork brace, X-Ring Superbike chain, Bridgestone Trailwings, K&N air filter. A completely new bike after replacing the OEM stuff that was holding it back; and no engine mods. Sorry, here in the Midwest we're limited to flat roads fire trails and two tracks. No need for 13 tooth sprockets and full knobbies. A tank of gas and I can ride all day. Having said that, Kawasaki has a problem. KLR 650 is past generation technology. Carburated and underpowered. In 2008 they added 30 Lbs of streetbike fairing and barely nudged the horsepower meter. Because they didn't want to change the basic design. Bad news. You want to know the future, look at the specs for the Yamaha Tenere XT660 - not available in the US. Watercooled single, EFI and 10 more HP. I'm still sticking with my KLR for now. And I still love the ride. But I can tell you, my next bike WON'T be a KLR 650 as currently designed.

[ron criswell]

Ditto on all that. There could be improvements to the KLR. No way I would want to take a Tenere places I have had my KLR. I saw a bunch of XT 660 Tenere's in Iceland last year. Go figure why they don't bring it here....with all the success of KLR's here.  Never have I been a fan of kraut bikes. Too expensive and too expensive to work on. The problem I have heard with putting FI on KLR's is you couldn't work on them yourself then.I would go for a 750 single though. The only time power has ever been an issue on KLR's is passing. I may go for the 719 kit when my KLR starts to use oil. Criswell Sent from my iPad

On Jul 6, 2014, at 9:01 PM, "RJTaylor@... [DSN_KLR650]" DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

  Allow me to unload on all the adventure bike/dual sport comparisons out there.  Are you kidding me?  600 Lb adventure bikes offroad?  Two foot wide cylinder heads on the trail?  Air-cooled versus liquid cooled thumpers? Puuhhlleeez. You're going to take a Yamaha Tenere, BMW Adventure, VStrom 1000 or Tiger XC really offroad? Yeah right. Try picking one up in the mud.  Complain the Honda XR650 and Suzuki DR650 are better offroad than a KLR 650?  Try riding one 100 miles to the trailhead you want to ride - assuming you don't want children. Oh there are watercooled thumpers out there, but nothing from Japan near the 650 displacement.  And you do have BMW 650 - 800 or KTMs at twice the price. The KLR 650 holds a unique position in providing watercooled long distance comfort with competent offroad handling at a fraction of anything else.   The only thing close in the price/performance is the Suzuki VStrom 650 Adventure.  And those dumbkopfs decided to put cast wheels and tubeless tires on it.  On a bike you take offroad?  Gaahhh.. And then there's that moron on Youtube complaining about what his second hand KLR 2007 didn't do on a trip to Alaska.  360 Lbs on a 35HP bike averaging 600 miles a day at 75 MPH?  Chain adjustments every day give you a clue genius?  Never heard of Loctite?  Here's a suggestion, to his co-rider friend who's selling his KLR; don't let this idiot plan your next bike ride - to McDonalds even. I ride a roadified 2006 KLR650 - 16 tooth front sprocket, fork brace, X-Ring Superbike chain, Bridgestone Trailwings, K&N air filter.  A completely new bike after replacing the OEM stuff that was holding it back; and no engine mods. Sorry, here in the Midwest we're limited to flat roads fire trails and two tracks.  No need for 13 tooth sprockets and full knobbies.   A tank of gas and I can ride all day.   Having said that, Kawasaki has a problem.  KLR 650 is past generation technology.  Carburated and underpowered.  In 2008 they added 30 Lbs of streetbike fairing and barely nudged the horsepower meter.  Because they didn't want to change the basic design.  Bad news.   You want to know the future, look at the specs for the Yamaha Tenere XT660 - not available in the US. Watercooled single, EFI and 10 more HP.  I'm still sticking with my KLR for now.  And I still love the ride.  But I can tell you, my next bike WON'T be a KLR 650 as currently designed.     

[notanymoore]

I've never bought into that EFI versus carburator reliability argument. At this point that argument is the equivalent of an old wive's tale.  It might have applied 20 years ago when EFI was first introduced.  But now EFI is just as, if not more reliable than carburators.    How many bikes do you see on the side of the road because of  EFI issues?  If you like carburators because you can crack them open, fine.  Me personally I'd rather just maintain them.

What I get sick of is all the upgrades people try to throw at the KLR to squeeze a couple more horses out of it. Cylinder upgrades, displacement kits, muffler replacements.  The real problem on the KLR is the 20 year old design.   

It's time for Kaw to step up.  Or they'll lose me on the next bike.    

[david zawadzki]

We need: Couple of more horses, better suspension, better BRAKES and keep the same weight.  It has to come in a stock model.  I know one can do all the upgrades but stock version is the point.   I love my KLR but seriously slight upgrades would not hurt.   Mine is  2007. The shocks are really bad... I know the 08's are better but still not great.   Maybe it's time for a KLR ABS.  $8-9k?   Oouch.... -David Zmobile: 646.267.1109www.thelegendofzarko.com

On Jul 7, 2014, at 6:15 PM, "RJTaylor@... [DSN_KLR650]" DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

  I've never bought into that EFI versus carburator reliability argument. At this point that argument is the equivalent of an old wive's tale.  It might have applied 20 years ago when EFI was first introduced.  But now EFI is just as, if not more reliable than carburators.    How many bikes do you see on the side of the road because of  EFI issues?  If you like carburators because you can crack them open, fine.  Me personally I'd rather just maintain them. What I get sick of is all the upgrades people try to throw at the KLR to squeeze a couple more horses out of it. Cylinder upgrades, displacement kits, muffler replacements.  The real problem on the KLR is the 20 year old design.    It's time for Kaw to step up.  Or they'll lose me on the next bike.    

[ron criswell]

Friend of mine, long time bike mechanic....a used to be a fan of BMW's now cusses them because of EFI problems. He says and I quote while talking to BMW on the phone" I have never had a problem with American or Japanese fuel injection. One of the bike mags said the same trying to solve guys tech issue on a Beemer. Just sayin....just b  Sent from my iPhone

On Jul 7, 2014, at 11:15 AM, "RJTaylor@... [DSN_KLR650]" DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

  I've never bought into that EFI versus carburator reliability argument. At this point that argument is the equivalent of an old wive's tale.  It might have applied 20 years ago when EFI was first introduced.  But now EFI is just as, if not more reliable than carburators.    How many bikes do you see on the side of the road because of  EFI issues?  If you like carburators because you can crack them open, fine.  Me personally I'd rather just maintain them. What I get sick of is all the upgrades people try to throw at the KLR to squeeze a couple more horses out of it. Cylinder upgrades, displacement kits, muffler replacements.  The real problem on the KLR is the 20 year old design.    It's time for Kaw to step up.  Or they'll lose me on the next bike.