more on tires - opinions wanted

[gtrucco1]

Hi all, I'm brand new to this group. I used to have a KLR 650 years ago when I was still studying at the Univesity in Italy. Now I live in Los Angeles - CA, and I'm planning to buy a KLR again. NO COMMENT on the limited choice of dual sport bikes in the US... The problem is that 2005 models come in Red and I don't like red, at all! I asked all the local dealers to search their inventory/warehouse for a 2003 model, but no luck so far. Used models are also very hard to find. I exclude painting as well spending over $1000 for a complete retrofit from Kawasaki. Is there an easy fix that I'm not aware of? Thanks. Giorgio Trucco

[Tengai Mark Van Horn]

At 10:13 PM +0000 9/15/04, gtrucco1 wrote:

>Hi all, >I'm brand new to this group. >I used to have a KLR 650 years ago when I was still studying at the >Univesity in Italy. > >Now I live in Los Angeles - CA, and I'm planning to buy a KLR again. >NO COMMENT on the limited choice of dual sport bikes in the US... > >The problem is that 2005 models come in Red and I don't like red, at all! > >I asked all the local dealers to search their inventory/warehouse for >a 2003 model, but no luck so far. > >Used models are also very hard to find. > >I exclude painting as well spending over $1000 for a complete retrofit >from Kawasaki. > >Is there an easy fix that I'm not aware of?

Look for a owner of a previous model with pristine bodywork who would be interested in a body swap even-up or his old parts plus cash. Another option is to buy the 2002/2003 take-offs from f1engineering.com for cheap. The trouble is, they don't have fenders or side panels, so you can either wait for them to show up on ebay, or pay out the ass for new. Then, you could sell your unused 2005 bodywork for a dent amount of cash and maybe come out of it $200 ahead. Either process could take as long as finding a good used 2001-2003. That being said, I'd hold out for a good used bike because I'm a tightwad. You could then use the money saved on luggage, upgrades, etc. Mark

[Giorgio Trucco]

4 or 5 models on ebay, none of them in CA, and almost all pick-up only. 0 on www.recycler.com and 0 on www.cycletrader.com If I buy the red one, is anybody interested in swapping all the plastics and the tank? Giorgio

>>> The Mule 09/15/04 03:28PM >>> > Used models are also very hard to find.

..........Not true. Hang around this list awhile and check eBay. You'll see plenty. Steve

[Arden Kysely]

If you don't mind a driving a bit, keep your eye out here: http://www.tradeexpress.com/ This covers Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Right now there are two 1993 models listed in Atascadero for $1500. Be patient and you'll find a good used one in a better color. Sometimes I see 3 or 4 KLRs here, sometimes none. __Arden

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "gtrucco1" wrote: > Hi all, > I'm brand new to this group. > I used to have a KLR 650 years ago when I was still studying at the > Univesity in Italy. > > Now I live in Los Angeles - CA, and I'm planning to buy a KLR again. > NO COMMENT on the limited choice of dual sport bikes in the US... > > The problem is that 2005 models come in Red and I don't like red, at all! > > I asked all the local dealers to search their inventory/warehouse for > a 2003 model, but no luck so far. > > Used models are also very hard to find. > > I exclude painting as well spending over $1000 for a complete retrofit > from Kawasaki. > > Is there an easy fix that I'm not aware of? > > Thanks. > > Giorgio Trucco

[Guest]

Keep an eye on Craigslist too--I see plenty of them in the Bay and around San Diego--but I'd have to agree about the lack of KLRs in LA. At least this time of the year. (just bought an A14 a few weeks ago after what seemed like months of trolling.... but you don't want my body panels, they're faded, DPO cut holes in them and I like green anyway) (First post BTW. Hi!) Peter

On Wed, 15 Sep 2004 15:39:31 -0700, Giorgio Trucco wrote: > 4 or 5 models on ebay, none of them in CA, and almost all pick-up only. > > 0 on www.recycler.com and 0 on www.cycletrader.com > > > > If I buy the red one, is anybody interested in swapping all the plastics and the tank? > > Giorgio > > >>> The Mule 09/15/04 03:28PM >>> > > Used models are also very hard to find. > > ..........Not true. Hang around this list awhile and check eBay. You'll see > plenty. > > Steve

[Pat (M)]

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, Mike Frey wrote:

> > I looked at some of the tires on naked's previous email(s) and

still

> come to the conclusion that if I want reasonable performance off

road in

> the east, I have to mount more aggressive knobbies on my bike. > > For example, I can't see how the Avon Gripster would do well on a

stream

> crossing followed by a gnarly, root covered muddy hill climb, which

is

> pretty much the standard ride here in the east when you leave the > pavement behind. I've tried it (with stock tires): can't follow the > KDX's and KLX's. > > On my KLR, I even got stuck in my own back yard (wet grass, steep

slope)

> with the stock tires. I had to slide backwards about 20 feet to get

a

> better running start from a flatter spot. > > Even though my riding is 90% street, 10% off road, my ideal tire

would be:

> -- Off road: Almost as good as a full knobby. See 2nd paragraph

above

> -- On road: will sacrifice handling as long as it doesn't get

dangerous

> or wobbly > -- Noise: Don't care. Wind noise is louder than tire noise, and I

am 50%

> deaf anyway > -- Vibration: Not that important, the bike vibrates at 60 mph

highway

> speeds already > -- Tire life: Not real important. 2,000 miles (or less) is

acceptable

> > Side note on street riding with knobbies: in my old days, used to

ride

> with full knobbies on the street, and when you corner with them,

you can

> certainly feel them start to slide, but that was your signal to

back

> off. If I took a long tour on the KLR, I would not want the same

tires,

> but most of my "long" street rides are in the 100-200 mile range. > > Of course, if there was a tire that can do it all, I'd get that

one. But

> I don't think there is. > > OK, guys, hit me with your opinions. > > Mike

---------------- Since you asked, another "oar in the water" about MT21's. Put a set on a few months ago and last week I changed to my out my 1st rear tire after 3850mi. Usage was roughly 60/40 pavement/dirt and it included a week of Moab dirt & rocks (~800mi worth). The front probably has another 3K ofmiles before I change it. I was expecting a squirmy tire on pavement but they surprised me by their sticky-ness and confidence inspiring lean-ability - DRY. Yea, they whine a little bit but not a show-stopper. I only hear 'em on pavement with my dirt helmet on, silent with face shield headgear. Since they're balanced, I've run over 80mph on the concrete ribbon with no shimmey or ill effect. On dirt and ball-bearing gravel, they're awesome, especially aired down to ~15lb, with rim locks. I don't think I baby the tires off-road but I've not experienced tearing or shredding like some have reported on other lists, even after many miles of the infamous triangular Eastern WA BFR's. A local cycle shop sells the rear for $74 mounted & balanced (the latter is important to me); you remove from the bike. I think the front goes for ~ $65, same deal. Pat M A14 Puget Sound

[CA Stu]

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "Giorgio Trucco" wrote:

> 4 or 5 models on ebay, none of them in CA, and almost all pick-up only. > > 0 on www.recycler.com and 0 on www.cycletrader.com > > > >

Huh? There are 2 on recycler.com, one a 99 for $2400, one was way older. Thanks CA Stu