From: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com (klr650-digest) To: klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Subject: klr650-digest V2 #196 Reply-To: klr650 Sender: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Errors-To: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Precedence: bulk klr650-digest Monday, March 29 1999 Volume 02 : Number 196 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sun, 28 Mar 1999 21:30:19 -0800 (PST) From: KLR650@webtv.net (Conall O'Brien) Subject: (klr650) Re:KLR Prices Diablo Kawasaki-BMW in Walnut Creek CA has a '99 KLR for $4185, or $4850 out the door. $4800 out the door is a good deal, about $550 discount. Low mileage used KLR is the way to go though. Conall All messages to klr650 must be 'plain text' only...no attachments... Subscribe /unsubscribe info at http://www.geocities.com/~klrdsn/page60.html ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 28 Mar 1999 22:38:21 -0700 From: "Fred Hink" Subject: Re: (klr650) getting a deal on a KLR650 -NKLR? - -----Original Message----- From: Roundr1@aol.com To: klr650@lists.xmission.com Date: Sunday, March 28, 1999 3:26 PM Subject: Re: (klr650) getting a deal on a KLR650 -NKLR? >Alex writes: >>how do you really know when you're getting a 'good deal' from a dealer? >>Would some of you out there please take a minute to enlighten me? > > Glad you asked... >If you truly want the best deal Alex, you must go to your dark >side, fight fire with fire, beat them at their own game. Drop any >altruistic ideals about the dealer needing to make a fair profit >in order to be around to sell you parts and service your ride. > >Don't view them as human beings, but rather as the scum sucking >bottom feeders that they are. It's best to be prepared before you >are confronted with the pressure techniques that the dealer will >surely try to perpetrate upon you. So let's do a little dry run. > >Upon entering the showroom you are greeted by the salesman... > >Dealer: Hello. May I help you Sir? > >Alex: Back off!!! You don't fool me for a minute smiley boy. > I know all about you and your tricks. You're not going > to rip me off like the rest of your clients. I want that > bike in the corner that's collecting dust. The one you > call a KLR. You know, the one with the weak front > suspension and brake, that needs to be put on a diet > and wobbles like a weeble. Write it up at your cost > and you eat the sales tax. And there'd BETTER be a > full tank of gas in it when I come back to pick it up. > >Dealer: Of course Sir. We'll have it ready for you in an hour. > >So you see Alex the key is to be prepared. Don't hesitate to >ask for any other tips or tricks. There is an abundance of >help for the taking here. > >John O. A10 - back on the air John, If you need a job as my parts buyer, YOU'RE HIRED!! Just be prepared to get laughed at from time to time. ;<) Fred All messages to klr650 must be 'plain text' only...no attachments... Subscribe /unsubscribe info at http://www.geocities.com/~klrdsn/page60.html ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 28 Mar 1999 22:52:04 -0700 From: "Skip Faulkner" Subject: Re: (klr650) (NKLR) Oil Again >Skip, what are you and Mollye using? BTW, I checked my Rotella and unless I'm reading it wrong >it is SJ/SH also... > >Kurt > Kurt, I am currently using the older auto Mobil One. I`m waiting on a new oil analysis to see if the new auto Mobil One has over .10% ppm zinc. If it does I`ll stay with it. Mollye`s bike won`t be in till next week. At her first oil change, she`ll probably be using Mobil`s Delvac 1300 Super 10W30. That`s not for sure till I get some info back from my Mobil rep Tuesday. Check the API donut on the back of your Rotella and make sure the donut says SH/SJ. If the donut is not there but it says SH/SJ " compliant", then it is SJ but with more than .10% zinc, which prevented it from receiving the API donut. Shell is producing non-SJ multi-grade oil, but I`m not sure how available it is. After I hear from Mobil, I`ll be posting some " Oil Facts" from some oil companies and motorcycle companies that I`ve talked to over the last couple of weeks. It will be short and "Their" facts only, and then individuals can choose how they want to use the information. Skip All messages to klr650 must be 'plain text' only...no attachments... Subscribe /unsubscribe info at http://www.geocities.com/~klrdsn/page60.html ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 28 Mar 1999 22:07:24 -0800 From: "Arne Larsen" Subject: Re: (klr650) Camping thoughts...NKLR - -----Original Message----- From: Kurt Simpson To: KLR-List Date: Sunday, March 28, 1999 8:33 AM Subject: (klr650) Camping thoughts...NKLR >3) better stakes...the ground was packed gravel/rock and the stakes simply didn't >work...suggestions? I've always found that a real heavy galvanized spike (8" or so), the kind that you get at the lumber-yard works great. Arne All messages to klr650 must be 'plain text' only...no attachments... Subscribe /unsubscribe info at http://www.geocities.com/~klrdsn/page60.html ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 28 Mar 1999 22:12:37 -0800 From: "Arne Larsen" Subject: Re: (klr650) Camping thoughts...NKLR - -----Original Message----- From: ripkid To: klr Date: Sunday, March 28, 1999 9:59 AM Subject: FW: (klr650) Camping thoughts...NKLR > It was mean, ugly, and damn near >the fastest thing on a 1000 legs I've ever seen! Is it true they are >poisonous? Or have I no excuse for my phobia? I remember watching a "Magnum P.I." episode many moons ago where he was out and about and got bit by an apparently poisoness centipede. He went into dillusions, and sang a convincing rendition of, "Look at me, I'm as helpless as a kitten up a tree..." Arne - who prefers two, long, shapely legs All messages to klr650 must be 'plain text' only...no attachments... Subscribe /unsubscribe info at http://www.geocities.com/~klrdsn/page60.html ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 28 Mar 1999 22:23:44 -0800 From: "Arne Larsen" Subject: Re: (klr650) First-time questions >P.S. I switched to a pair of Honda XR650L >mirrors, it's helped immensely. Hi Juan, Arne here. I have a new bike and the same problem also. How is it that the Honda mirrors help? Are they heavier? And were you able to mount them in the KLR mounts or did you have to switch the whole schebang. Thanks, Arne All messages to klr650 must be 'plain text' only...no attachments... Subscribe /unsubscribe info at http://www.geocities.com/~klrdsn/page60.html ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 28 Mar 1999 23:47:13 -0800 From: "Tom McKenzie" Subject: (klr650) prices Alex Wrote AGKesaris@aol.com Pricing and getting a deal on a KLR650: What can I expect to get from a dealer in terms of discounting, decrease in 'set-up' fee, or other discounting on accessories, etc., as I purchase a 1999 KLR650? I often buy musical equipment, and I expect anywhere from a 10 - 50% discount on a retail price in that business. But, I expect that the market in motorcycles is different; so, how do you really know when you're getting a 'good deal' from a dealer? I've purchased used bikes from owners and dealers in the past, but never a new bike... ain't too savvy to the ways of the world in this regard... Would some of you out there please take a minute to enlighten me? Alex in Canada the dealer makes about 16% on the bike at full retail. He does have to pay freight and he does have to pay staff to assemble and service the bike. I could have purchased my bike from a discounter, he said 10% right off the bat. But!!!! No valve shims in stock, he also told me there was no way to adjust the balancer chain from the outside and was not sure if he stocked oil filters but would give me one before I left, if I bought a bike. He did not get a sale. I purchased my bike from SG Power Products. I paid full retail. They voluntarily included a 2 year extended unlimited mileage warranty no charge, bringing my warranty to a full 3 years. My bikes travel at least 35 K every year, so I have a hunch the warranty might be of some value, but if not that's OK. Not only did the dealer not bitch when I went to buy filter and shims for the 1st service that I was performing myself, he gave me free valve shims. And the valve shims were new, not exchange. I was going to buy an F650. For that I would want a discount. It is extremely over priced to start with. But I bought the better bike, and I do not think that paying "full pop" is wrong if you want good service from a profitable dealer. I have been riding for 37 years, and I have watched countless numbers of dealers come and go. But the dealers that charge a fair price and get it, stay around. They also take care of their customers. Maybe not on a one on one basis like the guy that only has 4 customers, but they have the parts, and the service is usually something better than Labatt's monkeys doing the wrenching. Support your local dealer when you can, and for everything else Fred Hink can't be beat. Tom McKenzie tomck@prospexx.com Tom McKenzie tomck@prospexx.com telephone 250 812-9951 fax 250 478-4409 All messages to klr650 must be 'plain text' only...no attachments... Subscribe /unsubscribe info at http://www.geocities.com/~klrdsn/page60.html ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 29 Mar 1999 05:51:35 -0600 From: "Todd Kuss" Subject: (klr650) valve clearance check Greetings, I bought my 95 w/ 800 miles on it. A couple of months later I Called the dealer who sold it to me and inquired about the check. He said that it was never done because it had so few miles on it and that they normally don't really need it until 5 - 6k miles. or unless you hear the "ticking". One hot day last year I thought I could hear a little more noise than normal, so this spring (2400 mi) I took the bike to a different dealer and all I asked for was for them to check the valve clearances. This was more of a small town shop. I talked to the mechanic afterwards and he said he changed shims on three of the four, one was too loose and two were too tight. He did say that they were not too far out, I didn't get anymore of the details. Anyway, I was very satisfied with the local shop, but thought I would share what the first dealer told me. They were one of those "120 bikes on the showroom type dealer", my local shop is lucky to have 20 bikes on the floor, Todd Kuss Chaska Mn All messages to klr650 must be 'plain text' only...no attachments... Subscribe /unsubscribe info at http://www.geocities.com/~klrdsn/page60.html ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 29 Mar 1999 05:51:42 -0700 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: Re: (klr650) prices...NKLR >has 4 customers, but they have the parts, and the service is usually >something better than Labatt's monkeys doing the wrenching. did someone say Labatt's? geez...I must have been sleeping but I'm awake now (g) Kurt All messages to klr650 must be 'plain text' only...no attachments... Subscribe /unsubscribe info at http://www.geocities.com/~klrdsn/page60.html ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 29 Mar 1999 05:53:16 -0700 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: Re: (klr650) First-time questions >Hi Juan, Arne here. I have a new bike and the same problem also. How is it >that the Honda mirrors help? Are they heavier? And were you able to mount >them in the KLR mounts or did you have to switch the whole schebang. > >Thanks, > >Arne you have to be the whole enchilada...the diameter of the stocks are different..they work because they include a rubber damper....they also get the mirrors out behind your shoulders so you get a better field of view... Kurt All messages to klr650 must be 'plain text' only...no attachments... Subscribe /unsubscribe info at http://www.geocities.com/~klrdsn/page60.html ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 29 Mar 1999 05:59:56 -0700 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: (klr650) Leather Gloves... I've found a great low price alternative to Aerostitch Elkskin Ropers ($36 US)....They are Yellowstone Seamless Palm, Seamless Back Elkskin Gloves style 549-E (Yellowstone Leather Products, Inc., Idaho Falls, Idaho 83402). They are thicker, have a longer gauntlet and wear really well. I bought my first pair last year and they are still in great shape...picked up another pair yesterday...Local price $18.95. Kurt All messages to klr650 must be 'plain text' only...no attachments... Subscribe /unsubscribe info at http://www.geocities.com/~klrdsn/page60.html ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 29 Mar 1999 05:38:31 -0800 (PST) From: Juan Villarreal Subject: (klr650) Honda Mirrors I'm not too clear on what Kurt was describing but the Honda mirrors I bought screwed right into the stock Kawasaki mounts (if that's what you're asking). So as far as I know, the mounts don't need replacing. I use them a lot more now that I don't see everything in triplicate... Good luck... Juan Villarreal, '97 KLR "The Happy Hooligan" > >them in the KLR mounts or did you have to > switch the whole schebang. > > > >Thanks, > > > >Arne > > > you have to be the whole enchilada...the > diameter of the stocks are different..they > work because they include a rubber > damper....they also get the mirrors out behind > your > shoulders so you get a better field of view... > > Kurt > > _________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com All messages to klr650 must be 'plain text' only...no attachments... Subscribe /unsubscribe info at http://www.geocities.com/~klrdsn/page60.html ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 29 Mar 1999 06:59:12 -0700 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: Re: (klr650) Honda Mirrors - -----Original Message----- From: Juan Villarreal To: KLR 650 Date: Monday, March 29, 1999 6:38 AM Subject: (klr650) Honda Mirrors |I'm not too clear on what Kurt was describing but |the Honda mirrors I bought screwed right into the |stock Kawasaki mounts (if that's what you're |asking we're probably talking about different things...yes, the stock clutch and brake perches work fine to accept the Honda mirrors...no, you can't just buy the Honda shock mount that screws into the perch and then put your Kawasaki mirrors into the shock mount...you have to buy both the shock mount and the mirrors... Sorry for any confusion.... Kurt All messages to klr650 must be 'plain text' only...no attachments... Subscribe /unsubscribe info at http://www.geocities.com/~klrdsn/page60.html ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 29 Mar 1999 09:06:50 -0600 From: "Bixby, Jeff" Subject: (klr650) New Bike Service Picked up my A13 on Friday, $5000 out the door from a very reputable dealer. Due to weather conditions and S.O. rankings (I appeared to have forgotten to inform her about my intentions!) I only put 200 miles on it this weekend. So far so good..... My salesman recommended that I change the oil at 500 miles and wait for the initial service until 1000 miles. What are your thoughts on this? Should I check valve clearances at 500 miles to be safe? Are the valve cover gaskets reusable? Also, I plan on doing the initial service myself with photo/video documentation as proof it was done correctly. Does anyone have the list of specific things to be checked/adjusted as per factory recommendations for the initial check? Is this list in the factory service manual? One last thing, where should I order a SS brake line from? (Fred?) What is the cost? Thanks for any/all responses! Jeff Bixby Automation Instructor Dunwoody MMLC All messages to klr650 must be 'plain text' only...no attachments... Subscribe /unsubscribe info at http://www.geocities.com/~klrdsn/page60.html ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 29 Mar 1999 10:12:39 EST From: VFR754@aol.com Subject: (klr650) T.V. program review of the KLR is done...... O.K. guys, I finished the "Resurrection Riders" television program where we reviewed the KLR 650. It aired Saturday, and will air this week sometime. A bunch of people e-mailed me personally, and asked if I could put some clips from it up on the website. Well...sure, I'm willing, but I have no clue as to how to go about it. I can send a VHS copy of the show to Kurt or somebody that could make mpegs of it or whatever. I don't have anything to send the video into my computer so if we're gonna do this, you guys gotta help me.........The video does have some nice KLR clutchless wheelie shots! Bill Swindle A12 "Moose" (Now a movie star!) Montgomery, IL. All messages to klr650 must be 'plain text' only...no attachments... Subscribe /unsubscribe info at http://www.geocities.com/~klrdsn/page60.html ------------------------------ End of klr650-digest V2 #196 ****************************