successful central texas tech day

[rpcampbell1958]

I have ridden large sport-tourers for over thirty years (though I also did some dirt-biking as a teenager). I am moving from Toronto, surrounded by howling expressways, to a Greek island where many of the roads are pitted dirt trails (including the route to my new house). I have tentatively identified the KLR 650 as the bike for me and would welcome thoughts on its suitability. I am 6" 3' tall, 250 pounds. There are only about three miles on the entire island where you can go 60 mph (100kph). I will need to do some two-up riding--not a lot. I'd like to do a bit of south Europe touring--say 250 mile days. I value reliability (I can do little more than regular maintenance myself). And I am new to the board. There's obvously something about this bike you guys like. I am all ears. Phil [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Analog Aardvark]

Hey Phil-- If you didn't want to do the touring, I'd say you might be happier with a smaller bike. Two-up around an island on a little bike isn't a big deal--tons of people are going twoup on scooters there--and there's just no reason for the larger 650. A 400 would be where I'd be looking, either a DRZ because it's a great bike, or plated XR (they probably COME plated there) because it's solid as a rock and parts availability is great. A 400 in the islands--or really, most of the rest of the world--is still a "big bike". If you're not looking to really RIDE the thing--ie, you're looking for solid robust go-anywhere transporation, but not planning on pushing any limits onroad or off-- a 250 would even make sense. You won't get anywhere fast, but you'll get there, and you'll be doing it at 70mpg on a cheap, bullerproof engine. I'd still be looking at XR/XLs. One other thing I'd think about, if you're really not interested in becoming "mechanically inclined", is the dealer support. Parts are a bit of a hassle outside the states I think, but doable. On an island, who knows. But finding a Kawi dealer on the island of ookaphonononoplus may be a stretch. A bike like a honda XR400 which has been the same old thumper forever AND is a honda (read: EVERYONE knows/sells them) may make a lot of sense. I'm not the jaded world traveller some are, but hondas have been the most prevalent in all the weird corners I have been to. People say you can tour on a DRZ but it's definitely the exception rather than the rule, and you're a bit substantial for that. Having said all that, if touring is in the picture and you're used to the comfort of a real street bike, the KLR is the only way to go. An XR650L will have better parts and dealer support, and will go the distance, but feels like riding a dirtbike. Keep us in the loop... and what island are you going to? I kicked around down there for a little bit, years ago, fell in love with Anafi. The folks I knew there all said it's changed so much in the previous five years, I can only imagine what it might be like now. Loved it. -Luke --- rpcampbell1958 wrote:

> > I have ridden large sport-tourers for over thirty > years (though I also > did some dirt-biking as a teenager). I am moving > from Toronto, > surrounded by howling expressways, to a Greek island > where many of the > roads are pitted dirt trails (including the route to > my new house). I > have tentatively identified the KLR 650 as the bike > for me and would > welcome thoughts on its suitability. > > I am 6" 3' tall, 250 pounds. There are only about > three miles on the > entire island where you can go 60 mph (100kph). I > will need to do some > two-up riding--not a lot. I'd like to do a bit of > south Europe > touring--say 250 mile days. I value reliability (I > can do little more > than regular maintenance myself). > > And I am new to the board. There's obvously > something about this bike > you guys like. I am all ears. > > Phil > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > removed] > >

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[Jeff Layton]

We had 11 people show up, and 9 bikes for the Tech Day held Saturday at my shop in Georgetown. Five people did the 'doo' and only one bad doohickey was found, but we also found one spring that was toast. We all had fun, and learned a whole lot. It was much easier than it looked. Thanks to Cloyce for providing the parental supervision, and to marknet for the detailed instructions, with photos. I think now that I've done one, I could do my 2nd one in under an hour, especially with an air ratchet to remove those 20 (!) cover bolts. (Don't freak out - I said "remove" - we torqued them down with a torque wrench!) I have uploaded the photos I have to the group website. Thanks to all who showed up - it was a blast! Jeff Layton 'El Jefe' A15 Austin TX [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]