Wilsons Sandbox

> To further my thought about my dislike for the 2002 tank > graphics...what I really liked was the 1999 color, that bluish / > green color. If anyone knows a source where I can get all the > components, used or new for cheap, I would appreciate it. I checked > with the dealer that I bought my 2002 from and they said that to > order the 1999 stuff new would cost about a $1,000. That stopped me > from persuing that line of questioning.

For what it's worth, that army-wannabe green on the 2000-2k2 is exactly why I took the better part of valor and picked up my '99. Of course, saving $2500 on the exact same bike didn't hurt either! The downside is that it fades pretty easily but on the other hand about ten minutes with a light sandpaper and it's right back. I'm just not a hunter nor do I think I'm an Army Ranger so what do I need a camo bike for on the street or trail? No wonder they can't sell them! I have heard several customers in the shops pointing at the KLR 250, Sherpa and the KLR650 and saying they looked like nice bikes, especially the shorter 250's for the new ridres but none of them could stomach the colors. That said they went over to other bikes like EX500s and Yamaha XT's. There is nothing wrong with the Kawi products (give or take the very dated KLR650 in need of a 15year makeover) but none of those customers would be proud to have those olive drab green things out on their driveway for the neighbors to see. Even the guys in the dealerships hate the color and it's really hard to sell something you can't stand. "If they were just about any other color they would sell." On the other hand, they can't keep the blue/white DR400's in the showroom for more than a few days yet the yellow ones linger. Suzuki ought to get that hint... Come to think of it, someone ought to tell Honda that not everyone wants a red bike when it comes to their dirt line. I like the red but quite a few can't stand it. Choice is a good thing even if it means your precious manufacturers livery is a little harder to detect.. but what the hell should it matter since they plaster their bikes so heavily with stickers that you can't tell one from another anyhow.

I hate the color color scheme of my 2002, but not enough to make me buy the Honda or the Suzuki (though I really did like the Honda's looks). If someone buys one of those bikes just because of the color, thinking all else is equal, they are probably not going to be happy. I have no problem with the basic green of the plastic, but the metalic gas tank and those hideous decals definately need changed. I'm in the process of designing a custom paint scheme for my tank and shrouds. I figure it will cost a couple hundred dollars to have the tank professionally stripped and painted at my local premier body shop and another $150 or so to have some 2 color decals printed up. I think the Gas Tank is shaped sort of like a mountain, so I'm going to work on a Mt. Everest theme. When I get to a certain point in the process I'll post some images. This is definately a back burner issue so it may take most of the winter. Take Care, Brad J. Morris A16 Illinois > For what it's worth, that army-wannabe green on the 2000-2k2 is exactly why > I took the better part of valor and picked up my '99. Of course, saving > $2500 on the exact same bike didn't hurt either! The downside is that it > fades pretty easily but on the other hand about ten minutes with a light > sandpaper and it's right back. I'm just not a hunter nor do I think I'm an > Army Ranger so what do I need a camo bike for on the street or trail? No > wonder they can't sell them! I have heard several customers in the shops > pointing at the KLR 250, Sherpa and the KLR650 and saying they looked like > nice bikes, especially the shorter 250's for the new ridres but none of them > could stomach the colors. That said they went over to other bikes like > EX500s and Yamaha XT's. There is nothing wrong with the Kawi products (give > or take the very dated KLR650 in need of a 15year makeover) but none of > those customers would be proud to have those olive drab green things out on > their driveway for the neighbors to see. Even the guys in the dealerships > hate the color and it's really hard to sell something you can't stand. "If > they were just about any other color they would sell." > > On the other hand, they can't keep the blue/white DR400's in the showroom > for more than a few days yet the yellow ones linger. Suzuki ought to get > that hint... > > Come to think of it, someone ought to tell Honda that not everyone wants a > red bike when it comes to their dirt line. I like the red but quite a few > can't stand it. Choice is a good thing even if it means your precious > manufacturers livery is a little harder to detect.. but what the hell should > it matter since they plaster their bikes so heavily with stickers that you > can't tell one from another anyhow.