From: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com (klr650-digest) To: klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Subject: klr650-digest V2 #1181 Reply-To: klr650 Sender: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Errors-To: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Precedence: bulk klr650-digest Sunday, November 28 1999 Volume 02 : Number 1181 Re: (klr650) Re: New to the list and KLR650 Re: (klr650) Re: New to the list and KLR650 Re: (klr650) Re: New to the list and KLR650 (klr650) Re: NKLR Dawn Rides ...L.A. Motorcycle Show Appearance Re: (klr650) Top Dead Centre / dropped bolt Re: (klr650) RE: Front end washing out Re: (klr650) Top Dead Centre Re: (klr650) RE: Front end washing out - NKLR (klr650) 640 Adventure R Re: (klr650) Top Dead Centre (klr650) Valkyrie Re: (klr650) RE: Front end washing out - NKLR ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 27 Nov 1999 23:28:52 -0600 From: juan carlos ibarra Subject: Re: (klr650) Re: New to the list and KLR650 At 20:01 11/27/99 -0800, you wrote: >Welcome Jose, from a fellow "Newby." > > >Gentlemen, I have been out test riding bikes and now have it down to >the KLR and the DR. The KTM was too tall and too much money (sigh...). >I have an offer from the dealer of $5,400 out the door for a '99 DR650, >and am awaiting a reply from the Kawi dealer on the KLR650. > >I want the dealership to make a fair profit on the sale, as I wish him >to stay in business. At the same time, I naturally want to keep more of >my money. Any suggestions on price would be appreciated. Thanks! I don't think there is a motrcycle dealer in the world that would sell a bike too cheap to make a profit. You seem to be a good buyer, but I bet the dealer is a better seller. So don't worry about that, look for the best deal and use your consciense (sp?) to tread lightly! Juan > >Visit the KLR650 archives at >http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 >Subscribe to Dual Sport News...write to dsneditor@softhome.net >for info. > Visit the KLR650 archives at http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 Subscribe to Dual Sport News...write to dsneditor@softhome.net for info. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 27 Nov 1999 20:21:29 -0800 From: "billmonahan" Subject: Re: (klr650) Re: New to the list and KLR650 KLR is a better deal. Especially when you have to go somewhere down the freeway, you'll be able to cruise at 75 or better. On a DR that is going to be its upper limit. On the KLR you can run it at 90 all day long if you can stand the wind blast. End of December, the dealers are looking to finish off the year with big sales numbers....that might make them more amenable to making a deal. You don't have to worry about the dealer making money...that's his concern. If he can't do it, maybe he should do something else... - ----- Original Message ----- From: Fredboe Fartzollotti To: Sent: Saturday, November 27, 1999 8:01 PM Subject: (klr650) Re: New to the list and KLR650 > Welcome Jose, from a fellow "Newby." > > > Gentlemen, I have been out test riding bikes and now have it down to > the KLR and the DR. The KTM was too tall and too much money (sigh...). > I have an offer from the dealer of $5,400 out the door for a '99 DR650, > and am awaiting a reply from the Kawi dealer on the KLR650. > > I want the dealership to make a fair profit on the sale, as I wish him > to stay in business. At the same time, I naturally want to keep more of > my money. Any suggestions on price would be appreciated. Thanks! > > Visit the KLR650 archives at > http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 > Subscribe to Dual Sport News...write to dsneditor@softhome.net > for info. > Visit the KLR650 archives at http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 Subscribe to Dual Sport News...write to dsneditor@softhome.net for info. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 27 Nov 1999 20:25:58 -0800 From: "billmonahan" Subject: Re: (klr650) Re: New to the list and KLR650 Freddy, I forgot to mention...if you are looking for something for less money but a very pretty and roadworthy machine, I could sell you my Tengai...it's super clean and runs perfect. How does $2600 sound? Have you ever seen one? They're very cool. - ----- Original Message ----- From: billmonahan To: Fredboe Fartzollotti ; Sent: Saturday, November 27, 1999 8:21 PM Subject: Re: (klr650) Re: New to the list and KLR650 > KLR is a better deal. Especially when you have to go somewhere down the > freeway, you'll be able to cruise at 75 or better. On a DR that is going to > be its upper limit. On the KLR you can run it at 90 all day long if you can > stand the wind blast. End of December, the dealers are looking to finish > off the year with big sales numbers....that might make them more amenable to > making a deal. You don't have to worry about the dealer making > money...that's his concern. If he can't do it, maybe he should do something > else... > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Fredboe Fartzollotti > To: > Sent: Saturday, November 27, 1999 8:01 PM > Subject: (klr650) Re: New to the list and KLR650 > > > > Welcome Jose, from a fellow "Newby." > > > > > > Gentlemen, I have been out test riding bikes and now have it down to > > the KLR and the DR. The KTM was too tall and too much money (sigh...). > > I have an offer from the dealer of $5,400 out the door for a '99 DR650, > > and am awaiting a reply from the Kawi dealer on the KLR650. > > > > I want the dealership to make a fair profit on the sale, as I wish him > > to stay in business. At the same time, I naturally want to keep more of > > my money. Any suggestions on price would be appreciated. Thanks! > > > > Visit the KLR650 archives at > > http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 > > Subscribe to Dual Sport News...write to dsneditor@softhome.net > > for info. > > > Visit the KLR650 archives at http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 Subscribe to Dual Sport News...write to dsneditor@softhome.net for info. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 27 Nov 1999 22:58:39 -0800 From: "Stuart Mumford" Subject: (klr650) Re: NKLR Dawn Rides ...L.A. Motorcycle Show Appearance I will be at the Motorcycle show tomorrow, Sunday. Any KLR listers who approach me and say the secret phrase will be awarded several beers, or cokes if you are not a drinker. I will be dressed as a 6 foot 3, 350 pound, tattoo covered biker, Harley t-shirt, earrings, and a freshly shaved head. The secret phrase is "Hello sailor, buy a fella a drink?" and wink suggestively. Seriously, I will be there with my old man and my son. 3 generations of motorcycling Mumfords. Woo woo woo! CA Stu Stuart Mumford 99 KLR650 A13 99 Sprint ST Visit the KLR650 archives at http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 Subscribe to Dual Sport News...write to dsneditor@softhome.net for info. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 27 Nov 1999 23:00:56 -0800 From: "Stuart Mumford" Subject: Re: (klr650) Top Dead Centre / dropped bolt - - seems kinda irrelevant now that I dropped a chain guide bracket bolt down into the engine... any suggestions. Don't panic (yet). I did this same exact maneuver a while ago, and for me it was as easy as taking off the cover on the left of the engine. After that it took me 10 minutes of dedicated fishing with a custom bent wire coat hanger and a magnet, and I managed to extract that bolt. Vic DeFilippi did the same drop, don't know how he got his out.... CA Stu Stuart Mumford 99 KLR650 A13 99 Sprint ST Visit the KLR650 archives at http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 Subscribe to Dual Sport News...write to dsneditor@softhome.net for info. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 27 Nov 1999 23:12:25 -0800 From: "Jeff & Lisa Walker" Subject: Re: (klr650) RE: Front end washing out By doing this you are allowing the front end > to 'float' over the soft sand rather than digging in and washing out and > standing on the pegs lowers your center of gravity, which is a good thing. HUH? I'm afraid the exact opposite is true, but standing on the pegs, you raise the center of gravity. You also move the center of gravity forward, putting some more pressure on the front, and improving your balance and control. Jeff Visit the KLR650 archives at http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 Subscribe to Dual Sport News...write to dsneditor@softhome.net for info. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 28 Nov 1999 00:55:22 -0800 From: Brian Subject: Re: (klr650) Top Dead Centre I guess I will be drinking my own beer at Moab 2000 !! After some serious focus followed by a few f-shots... the bolt has reappeared,,, pheewww !! However after all is said and done - both the cam gears are maybe 1 tooth up or retarded (?) from perfect TDC,, without wanting to tear it down again this morning,, will this cause a problem - in derivability - damaged parts - or - improve performance ? It looks so minor it's not really worth the effort... but I would like opinion from the collective of how it will react ?? anyone ??? Thanks for the help,, always a great support group,, in those times of pure stupidity... ciao,, Brian - Baja is only a vlv cvr away !! Brian wrote: > you'll be the proud new owner of some good old Canadian beer for the Moab trip > this > year.. Thanks !! Brian. Visit the KLR650 archives at http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 Subscribe to Dual Sport News...write to dsneditor@softhome.net for info. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 28 Nov 1999 03:37:27 -0800 From: "Arne Larsen" Subject: Re: (klr650) RE: Front end washing out - NKLR Subject: Re: (klr650) RE: Front end washing out > By doing this you are allowing the front end > > to 'float' over the soft sand rather than digging in and washing out and > > standing on the pegs lowers your center of gravity, which is a good thing. > HUH? I'm afraid the exact opposite is true, but standing on the pegs, you > raise the center of gravity. You also move the center of gravity forward, > putting some more pressure on the front, and improving your balance and > control. > > Jeff Now this is kinda interesting and I've wondered how the two forces (overall height vs. point of contact) would offset or play against each other... your balance and control improve while standing, but I think you're wrong on the center of gracvity thing Jeff. When you sit on the seat, the majority of your weight is being born over 30" off the ground... When you stand on the pegs (just enough to raise your ass off the seat, not enough to be able to see over the landrover in front of you) all your weight is being born by the pegs which are approx 12" off the ground. Yes, you are physically higher (but not by too much), but all the weight is on the pegs, which I would think lowers your center of gravity. The opposite would be true if you stood on your seat in a crouch... Your head would not be any higher than if you were sitting in the seat, but because more of the weight is being born on a higher location on the bike, your center of gravity is noticably higher. The same scenario applys when you pack your saddle bags no? Pack the heavy stuff down low. Arne Visit the KLR650 archives at http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 Subscribe to Dual Sport News...write to dsneditor@softhome.net for info. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 28 Nov 1999 07:19:06 EST From: Oilie@aol.com Subject: (klr650) 640 Adventure R >The KTM Adventurer 640 is neato, but it sure is > tall (I am only 6 feet tall, and it looked too big for me). I agree. I recently saw the 640 at the Cycle World show in Dallas. It really is a gorgeous bike, but at 37 inches, the seat height is stratospheric. And even worse, it doesn't have a kickstand! When you stop to park it, you have to struggle off the high seat being careful not to drop it, then deploy the kick starter (which is on the left side) with one hand, and use it as a handle to pull the big bike up on its center stand. Sheesh! What a pain in the ass! You'd think that somebody at KTM would eventually figure out why these otherwise wonderful bikes aren't selling. Only a seven-foot gorilla could handle the damn thing. If they'd lower it four inches and put a kickstand on it, they couldn't make enough of them to keep up with the demand. - -Jim Henry: Co-Honcho, Republic of Texas Biker Rally - -Travis County Expo Center in Austin, 9-11 June 2000 - -oilie@aol.com - -(972) 386-7619 vox - -(972) 866-8363 info line/fax Visit the KLR650 archives at http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 Subscribe to Dual Sport News...write to dsneditor@softhome.net for info. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 28 Nov 1999 07:54:19 -0500 From: Scot Macdonald Subject: Re: (klr650) Top Dead Centre Brian wrote: > Thanks for the comments to date for finding TDC - seems kinda irrelevant now > that I dropped a chain guide bracket bolt down into the engine... any > suggestions - other than using a magnet on a rod - or having to open up the > engine ? Boy does this sound familiar...... Brian. I just went through this and the only way to retrieve the bolt (unless you can see the bolt from the top and can reach it with a magnet) is by pulling the magneto cover off. This is not a difficult task - just take care not to be too ham fisted on the cover as it may crack if you take to beating it to break the gasket cement seal. If you still cannot see the bolt (there is not much clearance between the motor casing and the magneto flywheel) you will have to pull the flywheel. If it comes to that, you will need to purchase a flywheel puller from your local shop or better yet, from Fred Hink at Arrowhead. Be careful when purchasing a puller. My local Kawi shop sold me a "universal" puller that fit everything except my KLR600. The one that fits is actually labelled for a Husky WR series bike. The puller is only about $15. Kawi suggests that you purchase a special wrench to hold the flywheel still while you crank the puller tool in (the wrench is ~$40). You can get away without that and use a 300mm adjustable wrench. Good luck Scot Visit the KLR650 archives at http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 Subscribe to Dual Sport News...write to dsneditor@softhome.net for info. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 28 Nov 1999 10:20:36 -0500 From: "F.Otta" Subject: (klr650) Valkyrie Well, here is my $0.02 A few months ago I had the opportunity to test ride several brand new Hondas back to back over a (somewhat) twisty course of about 25 km in length. A VTR1000, A CBR900RR, A Blackbird and lastly a Valkyrie. I thought that the Valkyrie looked very cool and wanted to try it especially because of the fantastic commercial on Speedvision (the one where it power-slides around a corner). The one that I rode had 6 into 6 pipes and sounded like a Porsche - very cool! That, and the looks however were the only things that I liked about it. The power was very lacking - especially for such an enormous engine. It had a very short power spread and it felt like I was always short shifting it. The seating position was the standard cruiser sit-up-and-beg with much of my weight on the tailbone. It had me wishing that the ride was over halfway through it. The handling was OK, for a cruiser and though it felt fairly composed in corners it was not especially confidence inspiring. Would I buy one? Not a chance. There was nothing enticing about the bike except the sound and its looks. If you want to park it in front of a coffee shop and look at it then go ahead and buy it. If you want a bike to ride - I would not recommend it - but then IMO, most cruisers fit this category. On the other hand, the Blackbird was outstanding. Comfortable, powerful and well-handling. Certainly my favourite of the 4 Hondas that I tried that day. The preceding was not meant to offend - merely to express my opinion. Awaiting the inevitable flames.... >Consider the engine with it's 6 cylinders, 6 carburetors, six into six >exhaust, solid lifters... then there's the inverted front forks that >partially attributes to the fact that the Valk feels like it's running on >rails while you're scraping your pegs around corners... no wallowing with >this beast. >I would describe the Valkyrie Interstate not as a Generic Cruiser, but a >Hot-rod in a tuxedo... end ........................... Frank Otta Toronto, Ontario http://www.the-wire.com/~fotta/home.htm "someday I hope to be half the man my dog thinks I am" Visit the KLR650 archives at http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 Subscribe to Dual Sport News...write to dsneditor@softhome.net for info. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 28 Nov 1999 08:16:07 -0700 From: "Verle Nelson" Subject: Re: (klr650) RE: Front end washing out - NKLR - ----- Original Message ----- From: "Arne Larsen" > Subject: Re: (klr650) RE: Front end washing out > > > > By doing this you are allowing the front end > > > to 'float' over the soft sand rather than digging in and washing out and > > > standing on the pegs lowers your center of gravity, which is a good > thing. > > > HUH? I'm afraid the exact opposite is true, but standing on the pegs, you > > raise the center of gravity. You also move the center of gravity forward, > > putting some more pressure on the front, and improving your balance and > > control. > > > > Jeff > > Now this is kinda interesting and I've wondered how the two forces (overall > height vs. point of contact) would offset or play against each other... your > balance and control improve while standing, but I think you're wrong on the > center of gracvity thing Jeff. > > When you sit on the seat, the majority of your weight is being born over 30" > off the ground... When you stand on the pegs (just enough to raise your ass > off the seat, not enough to be able to see over the landrover in front of > you) all your weight is being born by the pegs which are approx 12" off the > ground. Yes, you are physically higher (but not by too much), but all the > weight is on the pegs, which I would think lowers your center of gravity. > The opposite would be true if you stood on your seat in a crouch... Your > head would not be any higher than if you were sitting in the seat, but > because more of the weight is being born on a higher location on the bike, > your center of gravity is noticably higher. The same scenario applys when > you pack your saddle bags no? Pack the heavy stuff down low. > > Arne > Yeah! And not only have you disturbed the center of gravity by standing on the pegs, perhaps more importantly, when you get your butt off the seat, a significant portion of the total mass (more significant in some cases than others) now has a suspension, a shock dampening weight distribution system of it's own, controlled by a very capable (more capable in some that others) processor. An active suspension system. If you dance the pegs with enough finesse, I defy even a student armed with engineering text books to pin down the center of gravity. That's called Body English. Unless, of course, you play a guitar, then it's sometimes called Bawdy English. Verle Nelson KLR650 A13 Cedaredge, CO USA Visit the KLR650 archives at http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 Subscribe to Dual Sport News...write to dsneditor@softhome.net for info. ------------------------------ End of klr650-digest V2 #1181 *****************************