From: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com (klr650-digest) To: klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Subject: klr650-digest V2 #1240 Reply-To: klr650 Sender: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Errors-To: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Precedence: bulk klr650-digest Sunday, December 19 1999 Volume 02 : Number 1240 (klr650) crash Re: (klr650) fork spring replacement Re: (klr650) crash Re: (klr650) crash Re: (klr650) crash Re: (klr650) Latest DSN Issue Re: (klr650) Latest DSN Issue Re: (klr650) crash Re: (klr650) crash ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 18 Dec 1999 15:48:05 -0800 From: Alexander Yefimov Subject: (klr650) crash Well, I knew from the list that when one gets a new tire that one should ride carefully for the first few hundred miles, especially if it is the front tire. I knew that, but it did not help me. Perhaps this post will help someone not to make the same mistake! I was making a 90 deg. right hand turn and got too enthusiastic ( 30 mph on a standard street corner with a turn lane, no cars around). I low-sided it and slide about 15 feet on the pavement on my right side staying just behind my "baby". Conditions were dry and sunny. I was wearing the Kilimanjaro Jacket with the matching pants, Shoei Duo-Tech helmet, Olympia Kevlar Wind-Tex gloves and street shoes(leather). KLR is stock except for a Moose skid plate, Gel grips, MT 70s - front(new) and back; TourMaster Tailbag. Results: KLR Damage: Broken/bent - fair, windshield, fair mounts, plastic cover on the instruments, right side plastic cowling Scraped up - Gas tank, heat shield on exhaust, skid plate, right hand guard Replacement cost - $520 (estimate - will start taking it apart tomorrow) Clothing Damage: Jacket - 3 small holes right sleeve ( 1 through all layers - this was not in the padded area). Pants - 12 holes right pant leg (4 small holes completely through all layers - these were not in the padded areas). Gloves - no holes ( could tell that right glove had contact with the pavement ). Leather shoe - tore laces off right shoe. Body Damage: Left toe bruised ( I may have hit the bike with my left foot ) Sore back for 1 day ( Went to the Chiropractor 2nd day ) Cost of my adventure: ~ $1000 Discussion: It was carelessness that lead to the accident more than anything else. If I had been going slower it most likely would not have happened. There may or may not have been oil on the rode; I did not check. My gear worked. I did not have any holes in my street clothes underneath. Gear is a big part of riding. It is protection when thing do not go as expected and comfort when things go as expected. Though, I am a little disappointed in the fragility of the jacket and pants. I wonder how well it would have with stood an accident at 60+ mph. The replacement cost for the jacket and pants is about half the quoted cost of the accident. I called First Gear to ask about repairs and was told that the jacket and pants are not repairable. For comparison, I called Darien to ask about repair of their jacket/pants. I was told that they are repairable with a minimum repair cost of $50. If the Darien jacket/pants are "totaled", they will give a %20 crash discount on a replacement. So then, is the FirstGear less expensive than the Darien which is repairable? Perhaps leather is still better with rain gear packed in a tail bag. A friend of my at work has crash several times with his leather jacket and has not needed repairs. No, he does not crash for the fun of it : ). My leather gloves do not need repair/replacement even though it is obvious that there was significant contact with the pavement. I am happy with the "toughness" of the KLR. I rode the bike home after my accident. What amazes me is that the right side signal lights are not damaged, just a little scuffed up. I called 2 Kawasaki dealer to get part estimates. There was up to a 10% difference in the price quoted on some parts. So, it pays to call around a bit. Conclusions: I need to reevaluate my choice in riding apparel. I ride year around, but at this point I am seriously considering leather. And certainly, the Darien seems to be a better value than it first appears to be. FirstGear has the look and fix that I like but maybe best for those who will never crash. Alex ___________________________________________________________________ Why pay more to get Web access? Try Juno for FREE -- then it's just $9.95/month if you act NOW! Get your free software today: http://dl.www.juno.com/dynoget/tagj. Visit the KLR650 archives at http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 Support Dual Sport News... dsneditor@softhome.net To subscribe/unsubscribe send message to majordomo@lists.xmission.com leave subject blank. In the body of the message type: subscribe/unsubscribe klr650 (or subscribe/unsubscribe klr650-digest). ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 18 Dec 1999 16:26:02 -0800 From: "Arne Larsen" Subject: Re: (klr650) fork spring replacement - ----- Original Message ----- From: joseph hart Subject: (klr650) fork spring replacement > Hello out there, > > While I understand it > isn't necessary to remove the front wheel, if your only replacing springs, > it seems like it would be a good idea if you're changing fork oil, and is > this really necessary for me. (a13 2500 miles) Yes... your oil is old and factory puke. And why would it be a good idea to remove the wheel? Use the drain plug screws at the bottom of the forks. Removing the wheel is a waste of time for a fork/oil/spring re & re... Prop the biuke up so the front is off the ground; Remove top caps after loosening off the upper pinch bolts; Remove the stock spacers and cut 1/2" off with a tube cutter or chop saw... the trick is to make a perfectly square cut; take a piece of wire with a little hook bent into the end and pluck out the springs... throw away... but keep the little things that go between the spring and the spacer; Assuming you have already removed the oil drain screws at the end of the forks, pump the front forks a few times to ensure that you clear out all of the old oil - this is where the tire serves as a handle to grab and pump from; Replace the drain screws with a bit of anti-sieze; Add exactly 420 ml of whatever oil you choose to use... OR fill each side until you're 7" from the top; Drop in your new springs; Drop in your modified spacers; Replace the top caps; Re-tighten the pinch bolts; Ride. Arne Visit the KLR650 archives at http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 Support Dual Sport News... dsneditor@softhome.net To subscribe/unsubscribe send message to majordomo@lists.xmission.com leave subject blank. In the body of the message type: subscribe/unsubscribe klr650 (or subscribe/unsubscribe klr650-digest). ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 18 Dec 1999 16:33:39 -0800 From: "Arne Larsen" Subject: Re: (klr650) crash - ----- Original Message ----- From: Alexander Yefimov Subject: (klr650) crash > I need to reevaluate my choice in riding apparel. I ride year around, but > at this point I am seriously considering leather. And certainly, the > Darien seems to be a better value than it first appears to be. FirstGear > has the look and fix that I like but maybe best for those who will never > crash. Alex, glad to hear that you're O.K. A friend of mine crashed with his Kilimanjaro, and had it repaired locally by a seamstress with heavy cordura for CHEAP... something like $30 Canadian. As for choice of riding gear, you'll never see me in leather on a hot day riding off road. I'll still take the Kilimanjaro. If all you're doing is street riding though, it may be an excellent choice. Cheers, Arne KLR650 Listmeister Eh 13 Visit the KLR650 archives at http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 Support Dual Sport News... dsneditor@softhome.net To subscribe/unsubscribe send message to majordomo@lists.xmission.com leave subject blank. In the body of the message type: subscribe/unsubscribe klr650 (or subscribe/unsubscribe klr650-digest). ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 18 Dec 1999 19:34:49 -0500 From: "Mark Wilson" Subject: Re: (klr650) crash - ----- Original Message ----- From: Alexander Yefimov > Well, I knew from the list that when one gets a new tire that one should > ride carefully for the first few hundred miles, especially if it is the > front tire. I knew that, but it did not help me. Perhaps this post will > help someone not to make the same mistake! > What kind of tire was it?? I am going to put a MT21 on the front of mine soon. And I'm gonna go straight to the local trails to scuff it up good before any road trips. You might be able to get some of those parts from Dual Star. Mark Wilson http://www.geocities.com/motormark64/ http://www.angelfire.com/mo/motormark/ KLR-650 A-13 " Warthogg" Stone Mountain, Ga. Visit the KLR650 archives at http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 Support Dual Sport News... dsneditor@softhome.net To subscribe/unsubscribe send message to majordomo@lists.xmission.com leave subject blank. In the body of the message type: subscribe/unsubscribe klr650 (or subscribe/unsubscribe klr650-digest). ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 18 Dec 1999 22:49:43 -0600 From: "John Houchins" Subject: Re: (klr650) crash Alexander wrote: >Well, I knew from the list that when one gets a new tire that one should >ride carefully for the first few hundred miles, especially if it is the >front tire. I knew that, but it did not help me. Perhaps this post will >help someone not to make the same mistake! >Body Damage: > >Left toe bruised ( I may have hit the bike with my left foot ) >Sore back for 1 day ( Went to the Chiropractor 2nd day ) > >Cost of my adventure: ~ $1000 > >I am happy with the "toughness" of the KLR. I rode the bike home after my >accident. What amazes me is that the right side signal lights are not >damaged, just a little scuffed up. I called 2 Kawasaki dealer to get part >estimates. There was up to a 10% difference in the price quoted on some >parts. So, it pays to call around a bit. > >Conclusions: > >I need to reevaluate my choice in riding apparel. I ride year around, but >at this point I am seriously considering leather. And certainly, the >Darien seems to be a better value than it first appears to be. FirstGear >has the look and fix that I like but maybe best for those who will never >crash. > Alexander, Sorry to hear about your crash, I hope you heal quickly. sounds like your gear did the job in protecting you. Its expensive to replace,but it did its job. I had a similar crash, tib/fib fx cost 15 thousand dollars to fix, Ins paid all but about 2 k. My jacket came out with few scratches, still wearing it. I replaced Shoei helment, hit hard enough to break the face shield off one side. I wasn't comfortable with using it any longer. My bike got one lever and new handguards. Go figure, you never know what will happen when you go down. Johnny Safety Omaha A-7 Visit the KLR650 archives at http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 Support Dual Sport News... dsneditor@softhome.net To subscribe/unsubscribe send message to majordomo@lists.xmission.com leave subject blank. In the body of the message type: subscribe/unsubscribe klr650 (or subscribe/unsubscribe klr650-digest). ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 19 Dec 1999 00:59:31 EST From: TLrydr@aol.com Subject: Re: (klr650) Latest DSN Issue I am still waiting for my DSN to get here, I think in Texas it comes by mule right? Mike Visit the KLR650 archives at http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 Support Dual Sport News... dsneditor@softhome.net To subscribe/unsubscribe send message to majordomo@lists.xmission.com leave subject blank. In the body of the message type: subscribe/unsubscribe klr650 (or subscribe/unsubscribe klr650-digest). ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 19 Dec 1999 01:04:48 -0500 From: "Mark Wilson" Subject: Re: (klr650) Latest DSN Issue - ----- Original Message ----- From: > I am still waiting for my DSN to get here, I think in Texas it comes by > mule right? > > Mike I'm still waiting too. Hopefully it will be here soon, it sounds like a good one. Mark Wilson http://www.geocities.com/motormark64/ http://www.angelfire.com/mo/motormark/ KLR-650 A-13 " Warthogg" Stone Mountain, Ga. Visit the KLR650 archives at http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 Support Dual Sport News... dsneditor@softhome.net To subscribe/unsubscribe send message to majordomo@lists.xmission.com leave subject blank. In the body of the message type: subscribe/unsubscribe klr650 (or subscribe/unsubscribe klr650-digest). ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 19 Dec 1999 02:06:51 EST From: Cdekmg@aol.com Subject: Re: (klr650) crash Alex, Glad you're OK. Thanks for sharing the stats, I shudder, but I think it helps me to prepare better. It sounds like your gear did its job despite wondering what might happen at higher speeds. At least you were wearing gear, any gear! I'm apalled by how many people cruise around here without riding gear/even shorts. I still use my black leather streetbike jacket (a Hein Gerike) which my buddy donated to me. He made an early departure off a BMW 1100 streetbike at ~50mph. Unfortunately he broke his ankle rather badly, but the jacket is only lightly scuffed. I feel well-protected, and I also roast in it on hot days (without liner and all vents open). Admittedly, I am going to go synthetic for what I perceive as DS versatility. I been waiting and saving my pennies for a Darien. I wish I could actually check-out Aerostich gear. Being able to feel the material and check-out the seams and features would be nice. Looking at the Kili at the shop, it looks like a very nice jacket for much less. Leather is great for cooler climes, I wonder though when I am roasting if safety is reduced because so much of my mind is preoccupied with my personal comfort level. The worst new and slippery tire story I witnessed was some guy who had new rubber put on his just restored Seven fifty-Four, and after having been warned by my mechanic about new tires, decided to make a dramatic exit, and revved-it up and took-off, lighting-up the rear and doing S's back and forth before sending him and his girlfriend flying. Lots of cuts and bruises and bike hammered. And right in front of my friends shop. Not good. Anyways, not just sharing war stories, slippery tires have been high in my mind with the new KLR and I am convinced that I am going synthetic. Hope you get the bike back together soon. Charles A-14 Visit the KLR650 archives at http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 Support Dual Sport News... dsneditor@softhome.net To subscribe/unsubscribe send message to majordomo@lists.xmission.com leave subject blank. In the body of the message type: subscribe/unsubscribe klr650 (or subscribe/unsubscribe klr650-digest). ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 19 Dec 1999 08:50:50 -0700 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: Re: (klr650) crash > Admittedly, I am going to go synthetic for what I perceive as DS > versatility. I been waiting and saving my pennies for a Darien. I wish I > could actually check-out Aerostich gear. Being able to feel the material and > check-out the seams and features would be nice. You can...it is going to cost you the price of shipping though. The folks at Riderwearhouse are more than pleased to send out anything you want with the expectation that some or all of it may get returned. The last time I ordered a suit I ordered about a half dozen pieces to make different combinations. I tried a Darien top and bottom, a Roadcrafter top, a Roadcrafter bottom, I flirted with the idea of a Darien top and Roadcrafter bottom, I looked at a new one-piece (I already have a two piece). When all is said and done you sometimes end up sending the one's you're going to buy back for extra fitting, "take off 1" above the knee, add 1" below the knee"...when you consider the total price of investment it is a relatively small start to pay the $15 for shipping. You'll find their customer service to be the very best in the business, I have never heard one complaint about them... Standard disclaimer... Kurt Visit the KLR650 archives at http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 Support Dual Sport News... dsneditor@softhome.net To subscribe/unsubscribe send message to majordomo@lists.xmission.com leave subject blank. In the body of the message type: subscribe/unsubscribe klr650 (or subscribe/unsubscribe klr650-digest). ------------------------------ End of klr650-digest V2 #1240 *****************************