From: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com (klr650-digest) To: klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Subject: klr650-digest V1 #173 Reply-To: klr650@lists.xmission.com Sender: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Errors-To: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Precedence: bulk klr650-digest Monday, August 10 1998 Volume 01 : Number 173 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sun, 9 Aug 1998 08:43:41 -0700 From: "Dean Harrison" Subject: (klr650) Helmet dilemma Yesterday I tried out my new dirt bike style helmet (HJC CLX-2, I think thats the model). To get to the better dirt roads around here involves some 70-75 mph freeways and man, this thing sucked. I wore sunglasses (no goggles) and it seems like my head sits right in the most turbulent air coming off the fairing. Anyway, it felt like 60 miles of riding with a high pressure air hose moving around and blasting the face opening- quite annoying. For freeway riding, was this the wrong style of helmet to have chosen? Will an aftermarket windshield calm this problem down? Right now I feel like selling the helmet and going with my Shoei RF700. Dean in Seattle 95 VFR750, 94 KLR650 ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 9 Aug 1998 12:15:55 EDT From: Subject: Re: (klr650) Mad as hell (KLR et al...) In a message dated 98-08-07 00:06:28 EDT, bullet@scsn.net writes: << They also sell me *lots* of sunglasses... >> I'm brutal on sunglasses. I gave up and started buying tinted safety glasses because I dropped, lost and squished all of my name-brand ones. Gino ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 09 Aug 1998 12:42:02 -0700 From: Tom Simpson Subject: Re: (klr650) Mad as hell (KLR et al...) At 12:15 PM 8/9/98 EDT, K650dsn@aol.com wrote: >In a message dated 98-08-07 00:06:28 EDT, bullet@scsn.net writes: > ><< They also sell me *lots* of sunglasses... >> > >I'm brutal on sunglasses. I gave up and started buying tinted safety glasses >because I dropped, lost and squished all of my name-brand ones. My problem has been that I work second-shift. The sunglasses that I wear on the way to work in the afternoon fall out of my pocket on the way home at night. Need to put a pouch on the bike itself, I guess. It wasent so bad when Wally-World was selling Ammmbervision glasses ("as seen on TV!") for $3 a pair. Now that I am buying polycarbonate glasses at $8, it realy hurts. No Ray-Bans for me, thanks. :) - -Tom ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 09 Aug 1998 12:35:19 -0600 From: bruixot@rmi.net Subject: Re: (klr650) Aerostich Combat touring boots For a real "combat" waterproof riding boot I like the "Matterhorn" boots sold at Army clothing sales stores. May be available other places. These are very durable, have Vibram (TM) soles, Goretex (TM) liner, and Thinsulate (TM) insulation. They provide good support but do not stop bullets (TM). - - Rotten Robert (who needs a good boot now and then) Dean Harrison wrote: > Any comments on these boots? They seem expensive but look stout. Do they > offer good ankle support/protection? I've got the Sidi (they also make the > combat touring boot) Interstate but it's super soft leather and doesn't > seem to offer significant ankle protection. Just curious. > > Dean in Seattle 95 VFR750, 94 KLR650 ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 9 Aug 1998 13:58:23 -0600 From: "skip faulkner" Subject: Re: (klr650) Helmet dilemma >Yesterday I tried out my new dirt bike style helmet (HJC CLX-2, I think >thats the model). To get to the better dirt roads around here involves some >70-75 mph freeways and man, this thing sucked. I wore sunglasses (no >goggles) and it seems like my head sits right in the most turbulent air >coming off the fairing. Anyway, it felt like 60 miles of riding with a high >pressure air hose moving around and blasting the face opening- quite >annoying. For freeway riding, was this the wrong style of helmet to have >chosen? Will an aftermarket windshield calm this problem down? Right now I >feel like selling the helmet and going with my Shoei RF700. > > >Dean in Seattle 95 VFR750, 94 KLR650 > Dean, I`m on the same trail. I have the stock windshield and may drive 300 miles to a destination (camping also) to do my offroad exploring and I refuse to take two helmets. I posted last week about Bieffe`s 3Sport which is a dirt helmet with a faceshield and removeable visor, but it didn`t work that well so I sent it back. Apparently the only choice we have is Arai DS or DS/r that other listers have talked about and that Kurt highly recommends. It sounds like the perfect helmet compromise but Kurt said it was out of production right now. I e-mailed the Arai home office in Japan and the response I received was " We have not decided on the reintroduction of the DS in the USA or our European market as of this moment." Apparently there are some still out there, if you can find one and in your size. Also, Kurt said they were around $300. Good luck. If you come up with something else, let me know. Skip ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 9 Aug 1998 13:24:18 -0700 From: vesannlewis@juno.com Subject: (klr650) Helmet My favorite: Nolan M-40. It won't suit everyone. It suits me, doesn't josstle my head around too much, allows free flow of air inside, stays reasonably cool on my head, is quiet enough, and is reasonably priced ($120). Downside: it doesn't have "full coverage" because it lacks a chin guard, the clear visor doesn't flip completely out of the way in the up position (although it is suitable), and it has few buyers looking for a prestige model. -Ves A12 _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 09 Aug 1998 17:05:27 -0400 From: Brian Roth Subject: Re: (klr650) Helmet dilemma > Good luck. If you come up with something else, let me know. > I've been riding with a N70 Nolan. It is similar to the Arai in that it's designed for dual-sporting. Full face with removable visor and face shield. A bit turbulent with visor installed on hiway, but not with visor off. Shield seals well in the rain and ventilation is sufficient to prevent fogging. Picked mine up for $100 through MAW. Works for me...FWIW. Brian C. Roth COG #1722, AMA #394789 Middletown, RI 92 Concours - 30046 miles 97 KLR 650 - 7641 miles ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 09 Aug 1998 17:35:57 -0400 From: Peter Dahlheimer Subject: (klr650) washing kilimanjaro anybody with the kilimanjaro jacket know zaktly how to wash it without damaging it? _pete 97 ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 9 Aug 1998 16:19:42 -0600 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: Re: (klr650) Aerostich Combat touring boots - -----Original Message----- From: Dean Harrison To: KLR650 list Date: Sunday, August 09, 1998 9:45 AM Subject: (klr650) Aerostich Combat touring boots >Any comments on these boots? They seem expensive but look stout. Do they >offer good ankle support/protection? I've got the Sidi (they also make the >combat touring boot) Interstate but it's super soft leather and doesn't >seem to offer significant ankle protection. Just curious. > > > >Dean in Seattle 95 VFR750, 94 KLR650 I couldn't be happier with mine...definitely not as stiff as motocross boots but plenty of protection and I've worn mine for 15 hours straight on and off the bike with total comfort. Bill Haycock swears by his as well, dogs like'em too as a mutt ran away with one of his when he was in Pancho Villa Skip's driveway... Kurt (they're incredible and absolutely edible) ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 9 Aug 1998 19:22:32 -0500 From: "John Bennett" Subject: (klr650) Where to order a Gripster Tim, John, Fred: Thanks for the input about the Gripster. I'm so "frugal" that I can't spend more than 30 bucks without getting a second opinion. I'll go with MAW since their prices seem to be so much lower than normal retail. Tim, how long did it take for MAW to fill your order? Non-KLR aside: I needed the two struts that hold up the rear hatch on my Honda Accord station wagon. Compare: Local Honda Dealer: $169 plus tax. Take off work (they're only open from 9-5) and go pay them. It's Wednesday and they'll order it the next monday. The FOLLOWING Monday "it should be in". Take off work to go pick it up. www.hondaparts.com $119, no tax, $10 shipping. Got a response to my quote request on the web site in 6 hours. I called and ordered. Three days later I come home from work and the parts are sitting on my porch. YES! I love the internet. John Bennett ===================================== Visit my page! http://www.lcc.net/~jbennett ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 9 Aug 1998 18:50:49 -0600 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: (klr650) NKLR...hatch struts... >Non-KLR aside: > >I needed the two struts that hold up the rear hatch on my Honda Accord >station wagon. >Compare: > >Local Honda Dealer: >$169 plus tax. Take off work (they're only open from 9-5) and go pay >them. It's Wednesday and they'll order it the next monday. The >FOLLOWING Monday "it should be in". Take off work to go pick it up. > >www.hondaparts.com >$119, no tax, $10 shipping. Got a response to my quote request on the >web site in 6 hours. I called and ordered. Three days later I come >home from work and the parts are sitting on my porch. > >YES! I love the internet. I love it too John, I buy just about everything now on-line but...FWIW...I found Hatch /Rear door struts for my Volvo at PepBoys and Checker for less than $20 a piece... Kurt ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 9 Aug 1998 21:01:41 EDT From: Subject: Re: (klr650) Helmet dilemma In a message dated 8/9/98 11:52:40 AM Eastern Daylight Time, vfr750@gte.net writes: << Yesterday I tried out my new dirt bike style helmet (HJC CLX-2, I think thats the model). To get to the better dirt roads around here involves some 70-75 mph freeways and man, this thing sucked. I wore sunglasses (no goggles) and it seems like my head sits right in the most turbulent air coming off the fairing. Anyway, it felt like 60 miles of riding with a high pressure air hose moving around and blasting the face opening- quite annoying. For freeway riding, was this the wrong style of helmet to have chosen? Will an aftermarket windshield calm this problem down? Right now I feel like selling the helmet and going with my Shoei RF700. Dean in Seattle 95 VFR750, 94 KLR650 >> Dean, It seems that for many KLR riders, the design of the mini-windshield directs the wind directly at the head. I wear a full face helmet, but was still bothered by the wind noise and turbulence. I tried different full face helmets (three other brands besides my HJC CL-11) with no difference. I tried removing the mini-windshield with no avail. I then tried a +7" Clearview shield, a +10" Clearview shield and finally a large size Slipstreamer universal windshield. The Slipstreamer is great for riding on pavement and even dirt roads but cannot be used for serious offroad riding since it will bounce around too much. However, it can be removed in about one minute so it would be possible to take it off once you reach your dirt riding location. The Slipstreamer offers superior protection from the noise, turbulence and rain compared to the stock and Clearview windshields. I feel your pain and hope you find a good solution/compromise. Let the list know what works for you. Greg '88 KLR 650 ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 9 Aug 1998 23:14:48 EDT From: Subject: Re: (klr650) Helmet dilemma Just thought I pass on a status on my Nolan N100. Have had it for over 3 months now, not a scratch on the face shield, still comfortable, love it. Gino ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 9 Aug 1998 23:09:59 -0000 From: ericjazz@mindspring.com Subject: (klr650) Motorcycle covers Anyone recommend a good cover that fits the KLR well? If one exists that has a heat shield in the right place, that would be an added bonus. TIA ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 09 Aug 1998 23:54:22 EDT From: yefimov@juno.com (Alexander Yefimov) Subject: (klr650) Oil Additives Has anyone used SLICK 50 or other products in the oil? Is this a bad ideas because of the clutch? - -- Alex _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 09 Aug 1998 20:51:57 -0700 From: BRBO Subject: (klr650) Touring Partner Good Day neighbors, I have just found your Newsletter and info lists, which is becoming very informative. I have been looking for a DP riding partners and I figured someone here you be able to give me a little direction. My name is Brian, and I live in Vancouver B.C., Canada <1hr from Seattle>, and I own a '98 KLR 650. I like too take-on scenic drives with lots of twists, and the occasional logging road . If anyone out there likes to pack a tent and tour for a weekend, give me an E-mail. If you are interested in taking advantage of your strong American Dollar up here in Canada, I have already found a ton of good 1-2-3 day tours, but I would also consider touring Washington. regards, Brian. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 10 Aug 1998 00:12:10 -0600 From: "skip faulkner" Subject: Re: (klr650) Helmet dilemma - -----Original Message----- From: K650dsn@aol.com To: klr650@lists.xmission.com Date: Sunday, August 09, 1998 9:17 PM Subject: Re: (klr650) Helmet dilemma >Just thought I pass on a status on my Nolan N100. Have had it for over 3 >months now, not a scratch on the face shield, still comfortable, love it. > >Gino That`s encouraging Gino because I ordered an N100 last week and it should be here Tuesday. I also meant to tell you that at the BMW rally, that I saw more N100`s than any other one style of helmet there. So even Beemer Bums must know a good thing when they see it. Skip ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 10 Aug 1998 02:12:14 -0400 From: Randolph Schack Subject: (klr650) Whistling gas tank? Hey guys, Took the MSF course (invaluable stuff) and am waiting on my license waiver to arrive in the mail (damned bureaucracies), but in the meantime, I'm riding the KLR along the back roads around my house. Everything's going quite well, but I have a slight problem - the gas tank whistles when it vents. Even just going up to the bike on a warm day and rocking it back and forth, sloshing the gas around, can start it whistling. Popping open the gap cap stops the whistle immediately, but of course that's not a suitable solution. Any ideas on what I can do? Can I take a small drill bit and enlarge the air vent holes in the gas cap slightly? (Or, less intrusively, just score around the edges of the holes with an X-Acto knife and try to change the shape?) Anyone else experienced anything like this? On an aside, I'm almost definitely going to paint the bike this winter. I've been doing lots of tests on the OEM handguards (upgraded to Acerbis ones) and have been getting pretty good results. (I'm gonna wire one of the guards to my truck's grille for a few weeks and see how it holds up.) When I do do it, I'll document it on my webpage... Thanks, Randolph 1991 Jeep Comanche ("The Veteran") 1999 Kawasaki KLR650 ("The Rookie" - at least during the break-in) http://anguish.org/~greyson/index.shtml ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 10 Aug 1998 08:01:27 -0400 From: Bill Wright Subject: (klr650) Slight Mishap Hey Guys, Had a little reminder on Saturday about safety. Did some preventive maintenance on "Special K". You know, clean air filter, adjust chain, clean plug, etc. And you always have to check any changes in riding characteristics. Test drive in front of the house, both in the street and the yard. Now I am a very safety conscious person. I'm the guy who wears his Darien jacket on the hottest day of the summer. I bear the sneers of onlookers when I leave work with a jacket on. Well, I decided to do this little test ride sans equipment. No helmet, no gloves, no jacket. I did have my heavy boots on though. I have a hillside lot (.75 acres) and was running up through the yard and going airborne and landing in the street. Faint memories of my '91 KTM 250 EXC came to mind. I was zooming. I came down the street in front of the house, hopped the curb, flicked the throttle, did a doughnut, I looked cool. Just then I had the rear wheel slide out from under me. So much for looking cool. Went down on the left side, dug a little trench with the foot peg, and as the handle grip burrowed into the turf it smashed my little finger between the hand guard and the clutch lever. Ouch! No damage to bike, just my pride and a black and blue fingernail. What have I learned from this? A reminder of some old rules and some new ones: 1. Always wear your safety equipment. Especially for test rides where you plan on hot dogging. 2. Most accidents happen close to home. (Within 60 ft. in this case) 3. The KLR is NOT a KTM 250 and doesn't behave like one. 4. The hand guard on the KLR only deflects air. I may upgrade to Acerbis. 5. The Avon Gripsters work great on pavement and good on hard pack, but don't work worth a flip on grass. 6. As I am closing in on the half century mark, I probably should stop hot dogging motorcycles. Bill Wright (less cool, but safer) Hotlanta, GA. 98 KLR 650 - "Special K" - 14k miles ------------------------------ End of klr650-digest V1 #173 ****************************