Wilsons Sandbox

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "thad_carey" wrote:

> Dooden, your mention of not touring on your KLR struck on > something I've noticed on the site before, and your comment of > labeling yourself as a "lightweight" because of it kinda confirms > it. I notice many here think it heresy to tote a KLR anywhere.

I'm

> with you on the issue of hauling the KLR so you can bring the > other "necessities" of life for a good campout. Besides not

looking

> forward to sitting on the beast for several hours on a boring > highway, backpacking style camping doesn't get it for me either. > Man, I want my lounge chair in camp, my XM radio (when

appropriate),

> and plenty of food with a decent stove to cook it up. I'm not much > on campground camping. I like BLM land and other remote places

where

> you can get the real experience. You can be truly self-sufficient > when you can carry plenty of equipment and water (ah, can you say > solar shower at the end of a long day's ride?). Having the

portapot

> in the pickup camper tends to help in keeping the outdoors a little > cleaner too (that's my greenie moment for the day). > Plus who wants to wear out all their high dollar gear and

parts

> droning down the highway? OK, OK, I know a lot of people do enjoy > highway trips on the KLR, and that's perfectly fine--just don't

hate

> us "lightweights" who love the off road part of the experience a

lot

> more. Besides, you ever try to pack the 1/2 gal., family size, > bottle of tequila in your bedroll on the back of your KLR? > Thad Carey > A15 (no "lightweight" or GI Joe)

I am of two minds on this one. On the one hand, the KLR is a wonderfully versatile touring bike, with enough capacity to carry gear for an extended tour, and able to follow routes that are not accessible on a street bike. On the other hand, one of my favorite vacations is one where I go to a locale where there is a variety of riding available, where I can make camp for a number of days, preferably with like-minded friends, and spend some time exploring, hanging out in camp, and generally having fun with motor bikes. While you can do this with one bike, it is a lot more fun with two or even three, to take advantage of the full range of humor available. This means trucking, which as you point out, allows a lot more comfort in camp as well as a variety of bikes. I used to bring a couple of dirt bikes and a street bike; now the KLR is always included. Another factor to consider is time. The CMC, for example, is at least 1300 miles away for me, three days by KLR, a day and a half if I drive. That means at least another couple of days riding in a desirable area, well worthwhile if time is limited.