commuter bike and tires

[jlawburg@seidata.com]

Thanks for the help on pricing. Picked up the 650 yesterday but the KE100 wasn't in yet(daughter not happy). Got three hundred off the bikes plus a Nolan 100 Classic helment. I'm 48 and this is my 14th or 15th bike but haven't ridden in ten years. Recently got divorced and have sole custody of daughter and decieded it was time to add some fun to our lives. Was going to get a cruiser(Vulcan Classic) but deceided that was for old people and that I still had a couple of wheelies left in me Actually ran across the KLR webring and you all made up my mind for me. Seem like a great group of people. I also figured a bike that has a "cult" folling like this one has to have something to it. Thanks again for all the help in making this choice and on the pricing. I've had to work both days(dealer on a riverboat casino)so haven't ridden much yet but plan on putting 2 or 3 hundred miles on it Sunday. High temp is going to be 45, I'm sure I'll have some questions about cold riding gear after that. I'm inseam challenged(5'8") and had them order lowering links for me, should be in soon. With your recomendations will be adding more goodies from Fred,Tim,Mike(am I missing anyone)in the near future. First impression of the KLR is great, had to take it on a few twisties on the way home so we could start getting to know one another. Didn't press anything with the break in period both of us need but was impressed with the handling. More later. Nolan Classic 100? Outstanding also. Quite,warm,comfortable,good visibility,love the option off full face or 3/4 at your fingertips and the wineberry color(YMMV) of course. More on it later if anyone is interested. The lady I gave my money to said the owners manual was on the bike.......is there a secret compartment I don't know about??? Do I need to know any dont's except 4000 rpm's and no steady speeds before I get a manual Monday? Thanks again........Jim

[Kurt Simpson (Editor Dual Sport News)]

> Do I need to know any dont's except 4000 rpm's and no steady > speeds before I get a manual Monday? > Thanks again........Jim

Jim, we've seen a few bikes come from the dealer not setup well. You might give the bike a once over tightening screws and bolts that are visible. My general practice is to put blue loctite on anything that has worked its way loose and when I have more time take off some of the obvious and put loctite on them (especially around the radiator, shrouds, front fenders, etc). Also, many bikes come with the front forks "up" in the triple clamps...you might like to experiment later when you get your links but for now you owe it to yourself to start with them flush as they were intended. We'll be here when you have the first 500 miles on it. Don't lug it... Kur

[William Whalen]

I have a KLR and think it is the best commuter bike made for many reason. You sit high and can see over the car in front of you. If some idiot pulls out in front of you or cuts you off you have a much better change not crashing if do do leave the road. I have seen alot of discussion on many different tires but nobody has mentions the Metzeler Enduro 4. Since I spend most of my time on the street and the are rated 90\10 the work extremely well. I recommend them to anyone who spends most of there time on the street. Bill Whalen Central Florida 92 KLR-650 _________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com Share information about yourself, create your own public profile at http://profiles.msn.com