Wilsons Sandbox

Posted: **Fri Apr 28, 2000 7:27 am**

Michael Greer wrote:

> Greetings everyone,I've recently been in touch with Stu Mumford, and > he recommended that I post my questions to you all on this list. So, > here goes..I'm considering the purchase of a KLR, as a commuter and a > weekend runabout, but I'd like to get first-hand opinions before > talking to a dealer. Can you give me any pros and cons, ups and downs, > goods and bads? Anything you can tell me would be appreciated. I'm > currently on a '96 BMW R1100R, but I'm tired of the outrageous > maintenance costs and want something simple and easy to work on > myself. Granted, Beemers are relatively easy to tune-up, but the parts > costs are a bit much for my tastes. I don't get to tour much (W-O-R-K) > but I understand that the KLR keeps you happy no matter where you > ride.I'm a tad concerned about two things - one is how it will carry > me and my stuff. I weigh about 235 and I like the idea of taking my > camping gear and supplies without overloading the bike. Second, how > long does it actually take for you to do valve adjustments. I read the > step-by-step from the web site, and although I'm not afraid of > maintenance or getting my hands dirty, it sounds like a lot of work to > move stuff out of the way just to get to the valves. Maybe I'm reading > too much into it.Thanks for your time! I look forward to hearing from > you.

Leeeme' put it this way: last year I took my KLR to the BMWMOA National Rally in Reinbeck, NY. I live in SC. I weigh 250 lbs. and carry a ton of gear. I spent nine days on the road, sleeping on the ground every night, as I meandered up through NC, VA, WV, PA went into northern NY and over into VT for a bit, back into NY for a two-day layover at the National, then PA, to OH then straight home on I77. The last run was a 750 miler in one day, averaging over 70 MPH and bearly loosing speed in the steepest parts of WV and NC coming home.This bike will get it done. As for valves, in 43,000 miles I have had to actualy swap shims twice. You can do it in under two hours with a little practice. ITs not too much stuff to move to get the valve covers off, realy. IF you inspect your valves like you are supposed to you will get pretty quick at it in a hurry. A teardown for inspection and reassembly takes me about an hour, prehaps a bit more. -tom '96 KLR 650

Posted: **Fri Apr 28, 2000 9:43 am**

In a message dated Fri, 28 Apr 2000 5:42:38 AM Eastern Daylight Time, Michael Greer writes: >>

Posted: **Fri Apr 28, 2000 11:04 am**

Michael, I feel the KLR is perfect for the type of riding your talking about. I don't tour much either( wouldn't it be great if we didn't have to work for a living)! I use the bike to and from work,weekends at the cabin,fun sprints over woods access roads and trails and in this area a combination of pavement and various grades of gravel. With regard to carrying ability,I'm 220 lbs and the wife is 140 + 30 or 40 lbs of gear for the cabin all with no problem.You won't break any speed records but passing or hills offer no difficulties. As to valve adjustments, maybe some other listers can offer advice. I have 15,000 km on mine and the valves have never been touched,still runs like a swiss watch!! Go get that KLR! Steve Pye A7

[b]-----Original Message-----[/b] [b]From: [/b]Michael Greer [b]To: [/b]DSN_klr650@egroups.com DSN_klr650@egroups.com> [b]Date: [/b]Friday, April 28, 2000 6:37 AM [b]Subject: [/b][DSN_klr650] Questions from the "New Guy" Greetings everyone, I've recently been in touch with Stu Mumford, and he recommended that I post my questions to you all on this list. So, here goes.. I'm considering the purchase of a KLR, as a commuter and a weekend runabout, but I'd like to get first-hand opinions before talking to a dealer. Can you give me any pros and cons, ups and downs, goods and bads? I don't get to tour much (W-O-R-K) but I understand that the KLR keeps you happy no matter where you ride. I'm a tad concerned about two things - one is how it will carry me and my stuff. I weigh about 235 and I like the idea of taking my camping gear and supplies without overloading the bike. Second, how long does it actually take for you to do valve adjustments.Ride Safe! Michael Greer [b][i]"Bear" [/i][/b]

Posted: **Fri Apr 28, 2000 12:40 pm**

> I'm considering the purchase of a KLR, as a commuter and a weekend > runabout, but I'd like to get > first-hand opinions before talking to a dealer. Can you give me > any pros and > cons, ups and downs, goods and bads? Anything you can tell me would be > appreciated.

I love my KLR as a daily commuter. It's fabulous and nimble for white-lining/lane-splitting. Nice and tall so it goes over most car mirrors. SUV's are also not much of a problem, as long as they don't have their mirrors exactly parallel. But, what the heck, they're driving a gas guzzler, they can afford new mirrors, right? Weekend runabout, well, there's still a soft spot in my heart for my CBR600F2. But, the KLR has shown itself actually remarkably happy on canyons and the like. The KLR is the bike that goes grocery shopping (with luggage attached). As for negatives, well, in all these things, the seat kinda leaves something to be desired. I've gotten a second seat pan and will be ordering aftermarket soon. But I've ridden 10k miles on the stock seat. It's just kinda uncomfortable. Not hideous.

> I'm a tad concerned about two things - one is how it will > carry me and > my stuff. I weigh about 235 and I like the idea of taking my > camping gear and > supplies without overloading the bike.

It works. Not fabulous speeds, but it works. I shoulda taken a picture of what I subjected mine to on the way to Burning Man. Saddlebags, army duffel across the pillion seat, bag on the back rack, front tank panniers, and myself.

> Second, how long does it > actually take > for you to do valve adjustments. I read the step-by-step from the > web site, and > although I'm not afraid of maintenance or getting my hands dirty, > it sounds > like a lot of work to move stuff out of the way just to get to the valves. > Maybe I'm reading too much into it.

Valve adjust the first time when you don't what the heck those things are called, but the directions have a picture of them, takes about 4 hours. Valve adjust the second time when you're glancing at the directions to make sure you don't forget anything as you do it from memory, takes about 2 hours. Valve adjust the 15th time when you're joshing with the neighbors and keeping an eye on your kid, takes about 1 hour. Like anything it gets easier with practice. The directions are incredibly explicit for the first timer. (I'm very grateful for that!) Um, and, as for the bigdawg, please don't mind him. He just wandered in, and he's not housebroken yet. I'm hoping we won't have to put him down, but if he keeps peeing on the couch, we might have to...

> > You would be making a grand mistake by not considering the BMW > R1150GS. It has a high load capacity and is just as capable if > not more than the KLR650. It has a high reliability factor and > parts should not be a problem because it will never break. >

Although, I do have to say, are you planning on taking the KLR off-road? He might have a valid point if you're planning on only running it on tarmac... But, as for the "never break" part, I highly suspect his "facts" have gotten a bit muddled with his "opinion" again... ---o&>o--- Sarah Barwig sarah@...

Posted: **Fri Apr 28, 2000 1:03 pm**

Re: [DSN_klr650] Questions from the "New Guy" Michael - I weigh about 240, and have done some "loaded touring" on this bike quite well. I think it will serve you perfectly for the use you describe. I am getting a new spring for the shock, as I'm planning some "really loaded" (the KLR, not me) touring for this summer and want a stiffer higher ride. As far as the valves, I never worked on ANY motor vehicle before I bought this bike. Last year, I did the valves for the first time, and it took a few hours to get to them. This year, in preparation for my trip, I did it again, and it took about 20 minutes to get to the valves. Just familiarity with the bike. FWIW, YMMV, DSWYL (don't SH** where you live) Mike Magier 98 KLR650 GroundHog 99 ST1100ABS Sweetness ---------- From: Michael Greer To: DSN_klr650@egroups.com Subject: [DSN_klr650] Questions from the "New Guy" Date: Thu, Apr 27, 2000, 3:16 PM

[quote]Greetings everyone, I've recently been in touch with Stu Mumford, and he recommended that I post my questions to you all on this list. So, here goes.. I'm considering the purchase of a KLR, as a commuter and a weekend runabout, but I'd like to get first-hand opinions before talking to a dealer. Can you give me any pros and cons, ups and downs, goods and bads? Anything you can tell me would be appreciated. I'm currently on a '96 BMW R1100R, but I'm tired of the outrageous maintenance costs and want something simple and easy to work on myself. Granted, Beemers are relatively easy to tune-up, but the parts costs are a bit much for my tastes. I don't get to tour much (W-O-R-K) but I understand that the KLR keeps you happy no matter where you ride. I'm a tad concerned about two things - one is how it will carry me and my stuff. I weigh about 235 and I like the idea of taking my camping gear and supplies without overloading the bike. Second, how long does it actually take for you to do valve adjustments. I read the step-by-step from the web site, and although I'm not afraid of maintenance or getting my hands dirty, it sounds like a lot of work to move stuff out of the way just to get to the valves. Maybe I'm reading too much into it. Thanks for your time! I look forward to hearing from you. Ride Safe! Michael Greer [b][i]"Bear" [/i][/b][u]t_mgreer@... [/u] [i]or [/i][u]Mbeargreer@... [/u] (858) 845-3808 (Office) (858) 636-0614 (Pgr) Visit the KLR650 archives at [u]http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 [/u]Support Dual Sport News... [u]dsneditor@... [/u]Let's keep this list SPAM free! Visit our site at [u]http://www.egroups.com/group/DSN_klr650 [/u]To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [u]DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@egroups.com [/u]

[/quote]

Posted: **Fri Apr 28, 2000 1:34 pm**

>You would be making a grand mistake by not considering the BMW R1150GS. It >has a high load capacity and is just as capable if not more than the >KLR650. It has a high reliability factor and parts should not be a problem >because it will never break. > >BD >R1150GS >F650GS PD on order

No doubt now. Big Dawg will be in Moab. I know there's a world of idiots out there but he isn't one. No he isn't me like some mentioned early on although I do wish I would a have thought this prank. I understand his not knowing Gino's phone number cause Gino has been known to forget his own. It's Gino and he won't stop. Maybe we should call in General Reno. Bogdan ________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com

Posted: **Fri Apr 28, 2000 5:40 pm**

I'm a tad concerned about two things - one is how it will carry me and my stuff. I weigh about 235 and I like the idea of taking my camping gear and supplies without overloading the bike. Second, how long does it actually take for you to do valve adjustments. I read the step-by-step from the web site, and although I'm not afraid of maintenance or getting my hands dirty, it sounds like a lot of work to move stuff out of the way just to get to the valves. Maybe I'm reading too much into it. _________________ The bike does not have a huge GVW rating...but Progressive is supplying us with some great aftermarket springs that can take care of that. I think Tom is pretty fast with the valve adjustment...I take quite awhile with mine but I use it as time to really love up the bike good, I loctite everything, retorque, clean it with WD-40, etc. The good news is that after the first 6,000 miles you can get by with doing it once every 10,000 miles easily. I would say the whole procedure start to finish with adjustment might take 5-6 hours first time...and 2-3 thereafter...but it depends on what is on the radio and what kind of beer is in the cooler... Kurt

Posted: **Sat Apr 29, 2000 9:10 pm**

> >I weigh 255 and she weighs 120 (oops am I supposed to reveal that? >OW! you don't have to hit me...OW!)

Is her name Dot?? Bogdan ________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com

Posted: **Mon May 01, 2000 11:55 am**

e -

>anyone had any similar experiences / solutions? And 'don't live in >Vancouver' doesn't count... > >Rich >

I did 70k miles on a Corbin luckily I live in a relatively dry area, so I left it alone. From what I've been told there's only one fix. That involves taking the seat apart and sealing the foam in plastic. If you try any waterproofing on the outside the seat will become dangerously slippery. Bogdan ________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com

Posted: **Mon May 01, 2000 12:03 pm**

Thank you very much for your replies and words of encouragement! I've discovered that a KLR is not in my immediate future ($$$) but when it is, look out! Thanks again, Bear At 08:11 AM 4/28/00 , Sarah Barwig wrote:

>> I'm considering the purchase of a KLR, as a commuter and a weekend >> runabout, but I'd like to get >> first-hand opinions before talking to a dealer. Can you give me >> any pros and >> cons, ups and downs, goods and bads? Anything you can tell me would be >> appreciated. > >I love my KLR as a daily commuter. It's fabulous and nimble for >white-lining/lane-splitting. Nice and tall so it goes over most car mirrors. >SUV's are also not much of a problem, as long as they don't have their >mirrors exactly parallel. But, what the heck, they're driving a gas guzzler, >they can afford new mirrors, right? > >Weekend runabout, well, there's still a soft spot in my heart for my >CBR600F2. But, the KLR has shown itself actually remarkably happy on canyons >and the like. > >The KLR is the bike that goes grocery shopping (with luggage attached). > >As for negatives, well, in all these things, the seat kinda leaves something >to be desired. I've gotten a second seat pan and will be ordering >aftermarket soon. But I've ridden 10k miles on the stock seat. It's just >kinda uncomfortable. Not hideous. > >> I'm a tad concerned about two things - one is how it will >> carry me and >> my stuff. I weigh about 235 and I like the idea of taking my >> camping gear and >> supplies without overloading the bike. > >It works. Not fabulous speeds, but it works. I shoulda taken a picture of >what I subjected mine to on the way to Burning Man. Saddlebags, army duffel >across the pillion seat, bag on the back rack, front tank panniers, and >myself. > >> Second, how long does it >> actually take >> for you to do valve adjustments. I read the step-by-step from the >> web site, and >> although I'm not afraid of maintenance or getting my hands dirty, >> it sounds >> like a lot of work to move stuff out of the way just to get to the valves. >> Maybe I'm reading too much into it. > >Valve adjust the first time when you don't what the heck those things are >called, but the directions have a picture of them, takes about 4 hours. > >Valve adjust the second time when you're glancing at the directions to make >sure you don't forget anything as you do it from memory, takes about 2 >hours. > >Valve adjust the 15th time when you're joshing with the neighbors and >keeping an eye on your kid, takes about 1 hour. > >Like anything it gets easier with practice. The directions are incredibly >explicit for the first timer. (I'm very grateful for that!) > >Um, and, as for the bigdawg, please don't mind him. He just wandered in, and >he's not housebroken yet. I'm hoping we won't have to put him down, but if >he keeps peeing on the couch, we might have to... > >> >> You would be making a grand mistake by not considering the BMW >> R1150GS. It has a high load capacity and is just as capable if >> not more than the KLR650. It has a high reliability factor and >> parts should not be a problem because it will never break. >> > >Although, I do have to say, are you planning on taking the KLR off-road? He >might have a valid point if you're planning on only running it on tarmac... >But, as for the "never break" part, I highly suspect his "facts" have gotten >a bit muddled with his "opinion" again... > >---o&>o--- >Sarah Barwig >sarah@... > > >------------------------------------------------------------------------ >High rates giving you headaches? The 0% APR Introductory Rate from >Capital One. 9.9% Fixed thereafter! >http://click.egroups.com/1/3010/3/_/911801/_/956943633/ >------------------------------------------------------------------------ > >Visit the KLR650 archives at >http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 >Support Dual Sport News... dsneditor@... >Let's keep this list SPAM free! > >Visit our site at http://www.egroups.com/group/DSN_klr650 >To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: >DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@egroups.com > >

Wilsons Sandbox

[dsn_klr650] wet butt...

[dsn_klr650] questions from the "new guy"

[dsn_klr650] questions from the "new guy"

[dsn_klr650] questions from the "new guy"

[dsn_klr650] questions from the "new guy"

[dsn_klr650] questions from the "new guy"

[dsn_klr650] questions from the "new guy"

[dsn_klr650] questions from the "new guy"

[dsn_klr650] questions from the "new guy"

[dsn_klr650] wet butt...

[dsn_klr650] questions from the "new guy"