From: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com (klr650-digest) To: klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Subject: klr650-digest V1 #213 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 Tuesday, September 1 1998 Volume 01 : Number 213 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 01 Sep 1998 08:27:23 -0600 From: Bogdan Swider Subject: (klr650) To: "'klr650@lists.xmission.com'" Don't know much about monkey butt. I can tell you about 'baboon butt'. Just go to any BMW rally and look at the guy in the Aerostich suit. It used to be bright red when he bought it. It's now completely faded except in one conspicuous spot. Bogdan ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 01 Sep 1998 08:48:29 -0700 From: Chris Beasley Subject: Re: (klr650) Petcock: installation skip faulkner wrote: > >>>I like the idea of adding the 2nd petcock to get full use of the tank. > the supply line just below the stock petcock. You would then feed off of the > right side first with the main petcock turned off. When it ran out, you > would turn the main tank on till you had to switch to reserve. > The only problem with this scenario is if the system will try to suck air > from the right side when it is empty. If it does, I`ll place a valve on it > then. > Any other ideas ? > > Skip How about just a fitting on each side with a crossover tube. Then the stock petcock would work like it used to except that you would get to use ALL the gas in the tank. b ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1998 08:59:29 -0700 From: "Eric Rhoads" Subject: (klr650) 16T Sprocket List, I recently purchased 16T sprocket from Chris Products (local to me in Oregon) for $17.40. Shipping might add about $5. Seems well made, black finish, stamped numbers face out. Mike says they plan to keep it in stock. Stock # 440-16, ph # 503-614-8353 ericR ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 01 Sep 1998 21:04:55 +1000 From: Ted Palmer Subject: Re: (klr650) newbee again roger kriegel wrote: [...] > by the way...i like listening to music while on the road...is it impossible > to enjoy headphones on this bike. Depends more on your helmet than the bike. How your helmet handles the aerodynmics of the KLR seating position makes a difference too, ie a helmet that is quiet in a roadracer crouch might be a bit noisy in the sit-up-and-beg position of the KLR. I've used earphones in the past, but they were too noisy on a long trip as I had to turn the volume up to make them heard over the wind noise, so I ended up with loud music on top of loud wind noise. Mister_T ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 01 Sep 1998 22:03:41 +1000 From: Ted Palmer Subject: Re: (klr650) newbee to motorcycles. KLR650 questions. roger kriegel wrote: [KLR vs Tiger] The Tiger is just a road bike with extra ground clearance. The KLR is a true dual-purpose bike with better offroad ability. I've got a KLR600, but it should be similar enough to a 650 in use: > 1. how long can you ride before your arms get numb from vibration Doesn't happen. > 2. how long can you ride before your butt gets sore Depends on the weather, but generally about 8 hours. I've done a total of about 16 hours in one hit, and by then I was _very_ glad it was over. By the time my arse is getting numb, the tank (smaller than a 650's) needs a fill anyway. Very few stock bikes will keep you walking normally after a whole day's touring, and those are generally in the Gold Wing class. I guess my sorry old arse has moulded to the shape of the KLR seat, as I've done plenty of 12 hour rides and each one got easier. > 3. how long can you ride before your back gets uncomfortable Depends on headwinds, but there is a fair bit of space to move around and change position, so my back lasts ok. > 2. how noisy is it...(annoying, mild, quiet with a helmet..) I wear earplugs which reduce noise a lot. The windnoise drowns out my stock muffler on cruise. > 3. how low can i get the seat. i sat on one and toes barely touched the > ground. im 5'8.5". if i cant get my feet much closer to the ground i doubt > ill get it. Once the soft suspension beds in, just sitting on the bike should compress it enough to be comfortable. But lowering kits are available if really necessary. Soft suspension isn't a bad thing as it easily sorts out bad roads that would have your teeth rattling on a road bike. > 4. hows maintenance on the bike...need alot, or built well. As good as anything else in it's class. Mister_T - -- \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\ | RC17 KLR600 Roces BCN FreeBSD 2.2.5-R NT4W (ugh) | | tedp[at]replicant[dot]apana[dot]org[dot]au | \|_________________________________________________________________| ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1998 11:14:01 -0600 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: Re: (klr650) newbee to motorcycles. KLR650 questions. >1. how long can you ride before your arms get numb from vibration >2. how long can you ride before your butt gets sore >3. how long can you ride before your back gets uncomfortable The key to comfort is being able to switch positions. IMHO the Corbin is a huge improvement over the stock seat because of its much greater width. I run Driveline highway pegs and Moose aluminum handguards with a 7" Clearview with Stealth edging. With the pegs, I can put my feet forward, I can put my feet back on the passenger pegs, I can put one forward one back, etc. With the Corbin, I can sit way to the left way to the right, back or forward (I have the modified Corbin with no dip). Finally, last night I discovered that I can set the throttle on lock and put both hands on the aluminum handguards and get a forward lean much more like a Sport touring bike. This position brings me much closer to the Clearview and cuts the turbulence considerably. With all those choices and places to move it is not hard to stay comfortable. Ear plugs are a must mostly because of the wind noise. I also followed Skip's advice (I think) and raised my tubes in the triple clamps a 1/2" strong, it feels like the front end is much more solid at speed. Kurt A12 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1998 11:18:43 -0600 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: Re: (klr650) diffs between KLX and KLR - -----Original Message----- From: Tony Jones To: klr650@lists.xmission.com Date: Monday, August 31, 1998 2:42 PM Subject: (klr650) diffs between KLX and KLR >Hi > >I'm looking to buy a 650 DP bike, used if possible (financial reasons). > You might consider a DR 350SE, great bike and have been electric start since '94. More dirtworthy than a KLR but still roadable... Kurt ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1998 11:28:42 -0600 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: Re: (klr650) 16T Sprocket > I recently purchased 16T sprocket from Chris Products (local to me in >Oregon) for $17.40. Shipping might add about $5. > > Seems well made, black finish, stamped numbers face out. > > Mike says they plan to keep it in stock. Stock # 440-16, ph # >503-614-8353 > >ericR The sprocket I ordered from PBI came COD from Chris Products, are they related? Someone commented last week that the 400 or so RPM difference between the stock 15 countershaft sprocket and the 16 didn't seem like it was worth the difference. I've been thinking of the right way of pointing out that there is, IMO a considerable difference. Here is what I've come up with after my ride last night. Between 45-60 MPH, with the 15 T I frequently found myself dabbing to see if I was in fifth...usually I was. With the 16 T I find myself dabbing to see if I am in fifth...I almost always am not...Big difference, never find myself wishing for a sixth. Kurt A1 > > > ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1998 10:38:48 -0700 From: "Bob KLR" Subject: RE: (klr650) newbee to motorcycles. KLR650 questions. > 1. how long can you ride before your arms get numb from vibration My arms never get numb but my hands certainly tingle after an hour or two, this isn't a feature of the KLR I think, it even happens on my Honda ST1100 (V4). > 2. how long can you ride before your butt gets sore As a new rider I doubt that you will be able to ride very long at all, an hour maybe on a new KLR. As you ride more you get toughened up and break in the seats (yours and its) I just got a 1998 KLR to replace my 1992 and the seat seems to be much harder though maybe it's just new. > 3. how long can you ride before your back gets uncomfortable No problem, you can move around a lot on the KLR and the upright position is great, then again I don't have problems on my Hurricane 600 (crotch rocket) - I'm 42 and physically over the hill so you shouldn't have a problem. > 2. how noisy is it...(annoying, mild, quiet with a helmet..) The bike itself is not noisy - there is a certain amount of mechanical noise from the engine, more than most multi cylinder bikes but the exhaust is quiet. As with most bikes the majority of the noise comes from the wind, you can hide behind a big fairing if you really want to but that restricts the off road adventures somewhat (at least they would be more expensive 8-) > 3. how low can i get the seat. i sat on one and toes barely touched the > ground. im 5'8.5". if i cant get my feet much closer to the ground i doubt > ill get it. Can't answer specifically (6'0") but there seem to be lots of lowering kits. > 4. hows maintenance on the bike...need alot, or built well. Low maintenance but uses more oil than any other model I've owned (9 others). As a newbee you should take an MSF course as soon as possible, helps get your license in many states too. Bob Palin CBR600, ST1100, KLR650, 275,000 miles and counting... ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1998 13:55:35 -0400 From: James Naus Subject: RE: (klr650) diffs between KLX and KLR If you can find a KLX it is definitely worth checking out. The KLX sounds like the bike you are looking for. It has a very beefy upside down front shock, which works great. The engine looks the same but I don't think any of the parts are interchangeable. It is missing a balancing shaft the KLR has, so it is not as smooth but it revs faster and has more power. The KLX has a smaller gas tank, harder seat, and no front fairing. These are pluses or minuses depending if you do more on or off-road. The bike is great off road and I have done 400 mile days on it. The seat is very narrow so I have a inflatable seat pad from Therm-a-rest which works great. The range is only 125 miles so my butt is fine going tank to tank. After market parts are not the easiest to find for this bike but there are not a lot of upgrades needed. You can get parts off a KLX650R, which is the offroad only version, if you find one. James Tallahassee, FL '95 KLX650C > -----Original Message----- > From: Tony Jones [SMTP:tony@rtd.com] > > I'm looking to buy a 650 DP bike, used if possible (financial > reasons). > > 1. Can anyone give me a _detailed_ set of differences (equipment, > street > focus, dirt focus etc) between the KLR and the now discontinued > KLX650. > > Many thanks in advance > > Tony (tony@rtd.com) > ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 01 Sep 1998 12:28:36 -0600 From: bruixot@rmi.net Subject: Re: (klr650) newbee to motorcycles. KLR650 questions. roger kriegel wrote: This is for a 5foot 11 weasel in a Shoei 700: > > 1. how long can you ride before your arms get numb from vibration - - On cold days, about 10 minutes, unless I'm wearing hippo hands. Otherwise depends upon engine speed and vibration. Oh, and the amount of death-grip required for bad traffic maneuvering or nasty off-pavement. > 2. how long can you ride before your butt gets sore The first day of a long ride is typically the hardest, and butt soreness sets in at about 4- 6 hours for me. On subsequent days, depending upon weather, it takes longer. I happen to like the stock seat. > 3. how long can you ride before your back gets uncomfortable Depends upon road conditions and weather (esp wind). Figure about 4-6 hours on first day, when everything else is starting to hurt. > 2. how noisy is it...(annoying, mild, quiet with a helmet..) A radar detector speaker plug in one ear, an ear plug in the other... works wonders. The stock KLR isn't unbearably noisy. FWIW ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1998 13:08:57 -0500 From: David M. King Subject: RE: (klr650) NKLR accidents Bob wrote: > Bob Palin > CBR600, ST1100, KLR650, 275,000 miles and counting... Just out of curiosity, have you had any major accidents in that 275,000 miles? David M. King ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 01 Sep 1998 16:15:13 EDT From: alyef@juno.com (Alex Yefimov) Subject: Re: (klr650) IMS Fuel Tank for KLR650 Eric, With the new plastics the we have, the tank could be stronger with plastic than with the steel. It depends on the type of plastic and thickness more than anything else. For instance, bullet proof "glass" is made of polycarbonate (I think that's the right spelling). Your tank is not bullet proof!! Alex On Sun, 30 Aug 1998 09:20:50 +0100 "Eric Dietiker" writes: >How safe are plastic gas tanks compared to steel? It seems to me that >where >a steel tank would dent but still stay intact, a plastic tank would >crack >and spill its contents. I worry about crashing and going up in flames. > >Eric. > > > > _____________________________________________________________________ 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: Tue, 01 Sep 1998 16:44:52 EDT From: alyef@juno.com (Alex Yefimov) Subject: Re: (klr650) 16T Sprocket On Tue, 1 Sep 1998 11:28:42 -0600 "Kurt Simpson" writes: >Between 45-60 MPH, with the 15 T I frequently found myself dabbing to >see if I >was in fifth...usually I was. With the 16 T I find myself dabbing to >see if I am >in fifth...I almost always am not...Big difference, never find myself >wishing >for a sixth. What is the reason for changing the front sprocket and not the rear sprocket? The email last week said that there was very little clearance for the increased diameter of the countershaft sprocket, so based on that information and none other, I would try changing the rear sprocket first. 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: Tue, 01 Sep 1998 14:19:58 -0700 From: Ron Heidenreich Subject: (klr650) lowering kits and centerstands I am considering the purchase of a KLR650 and I am interested in the lowering kits mentioned in the recent posts. The Kawasaki dealer said it is possible to raise the fork tubes in the triple clanps to lower the front but did not know of any kits or shock mods to lower the rear. I would like to lower the bike 3 in. if possible. Also are there any centerstands available that can be modified to go along with the lowered bike. Thanks in advance. 88 Hawk Gt 92 Suzuki VX800 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1998 14:25:30 -0700 From: "Eric Rhoads" Subject: Re: (klr650) 16T Sprocket - -----Original Message----- From: Alex Yefimov To: klr650@lists.xmission.com Date: Tuesday, September 01, 1998 1:46 PM Subject: Re: (klr650) 16T Sprocket Big difference, never find myself >>wishing >>for a sixth. <<<<<<<<<<< from Kurt > >What is the reason for changing the front sprocket and not the rear >sprocket? The email last week said that there was very little clearance >for the increased diameter of the countershaft sprocket, so based on that >information and none other, I would try changing the rear sprocket >first. > >Alex > >_____________________________________________________________________ Alex, A friend of mine recently pointed out there's good 'sprocket tech' reasons to do the smaller sprocket first. Practical reasons are the simple setup and cost. I almost didn't try the front as it looked like there wouldn't be enough clearance, but one of us did it and assured me about the clearances. In his case the chain almost touches the cover at the front, in my case it juuust barely touches, so I'm not worried. You need to remove a bit at the back bottom of the cover (there's a lip there) and rear wheel moves forward about 3/8". ericR ------------------------------ End of klr650-digest V1 #213 ****************************