Wilsons Sandbox

larryprivate@... wrote:

>Just bought a 2003 KLR! (congratulations to me!) I have been wanting >one for a few years and finally took the plunge, of course it has >been cold and rainy here in charleston WV since the day I bought it. >I need some help guys. I really like my fiance, and I dont want >her to fall off the back of the bike!!! Any suggestions on a tail >bag that would double as something for her to lean on and not take up >the whole seat?? I guess it would have to secure to the bike pretty >tight.. >

The JC Whitney removeable travel trunk, complete with mounting plate and lock for under $60. Devon

What's great about that trunk is, it is nicely made and inexpensive. Holds up really well too. Actually it would be perfect for this use as if you started parking the bike out in the sun all the time with the mounting plate exposed, it should deteriorate at a perfect rate so she'll fall off the back juuuust when you need her to. A claims adjuster would never know it was anything more than a freak accident. I commute and can't see how anyone could without a locking trunk, it's my most valued accessory. Holds a XXL helmet with room for gloves and a small air pump too. The big Givi trunks are very nice, but the price doesn't even compare.

On Thu, Apr 01, 2004 at 10:28:26PM -0500, Devon Jarvis wrote: > larryprivate@... wrote: > >I need some help guys. I really like my fiance, and I dont want > >her to fall off the back of the bike!!! Any suggestions on a tail > >bag that would double as something for her to lean on and not take up > >the whole seat?? I guess it would have to secure to the bike pretty > >tight.. > > > > The JC Whitney removeable travel trunk, complete with mounting plate and > lock for under $60. > > Devon -- ___ ______ _____ __ ________ ___ / _ |< < / == / ___/__ / /_ /_ __/ / __ ____ _ ___ /__ \ / __ |/ // / ****/ (_ / _ \/ __/ / / / _ \/ // / ' \/ _ \ /__/ /_/ |_/_//_/ == \___/\___/\__/ /_/ /_//_/\_,_/_/_/_/ .__/ (_) 8600 miles*Russel Lines*Supertrapp Race* /_/ http://www.kingsqueak.org/klr650/

> Just bought a 2003 KLR! (congratulations to me!) I have been wanting > one for a few years and finally took the plunge, of course it has

Congratulatiuons! You're in for a bunch of fun!

> I need some help guys. I really like my fiance, and I dont want > her to fall off the back of the bike!!! Any suggestions on a tail > bag that would double as something for her to lean on and not take up > the whole seat?? I guess it would have to secure to the bike pretty > tight..

My last bike was a Goldwing, so my wife became very used to feeling secure on rides. I knew I wanted a trunk for the KLR anyway, and the one from JC Whitney has turned out to be the perfect thing. It's inexpensive, and works perfectly on and off the bike. In a couple seconds you've got it in your hand as luggage, or back on again and ready to go. I got mine a couple weeks after I picked up my KLR in early May of 2001, and it continues to be 100% waterproof, and in excellent working order. And, my wife once again feels secure on the back - has even nodded off a couple times! Pictures & installation info: http://klr6500.tripod.com/jcwtrunk.htm

> Secondly, I need a tent! I am assuming the small two person back > pack tents would work great, but if anyone has anything they would > REALLY recommend, please let me know!

I've had good luck with this one from Campmor. I know from experience that you'd probably want to avoid tents that give capacity as 1-2. Get one that says just 2 if that's what you'll ever have in it, unless you want to experience the night as a sardine. http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=39144334&memberId=12500226 Mark --------------------------------------- KLR650 Motorcycle Website: http://klr6500.tripod.com/

Congrats on the bike. You'll enjoy it more than you could ever imagine. And another WV'ian! Finally, we're up to 3! As for the tent and sleeping bag: Buy the best you can afford or a good deal on the good stuff. Ebay is pretty much the "cheap" place to find stuff, but places like Campmor, REI and sometimes Sierra Trading Post are pretty good as well. Since you bought a KLR and not some yuppie cruiser, you should have all kinds of cash left. Names like North Face, REI and (believe it or not) some Coleman bags are pretty good quality. My 2 bags I use now for the wife and I are from Coleman. They were made for Marlboro (of cigarrette fame) for their "Marlboro Miles" Program. I got them for $15 each on Ebay. They're rated to 15F, and are more than warm enough for even my cold blooded wife. I've got a North Face bag that does -15, but you'll have to decide what your outside limits are. -15 is a bit much for most. Remember, the entire next day's ride is only as good as the previous night's sleep. (you can quote me on that) My tents come from REI and North Face. The original biking tent was a Firefly NHP 2 man, 3 season. Fast to put up, but lacked space even for a 2 person tent. If you store most of your stuff on the bike, it's fine. I now own a REI Taj 3, 3 person, 3 season. It's not much bigger packed than the NF, but has loads of space inside for all my gear. Also has an actual window(clear plastic) that is pretty cool. The weights are more than adequate, with 4.5 for the NF and 7something for the REI. The space wins out for me. It also has 2 doors as well as a vestibule area so you don't have to bring your boots in the tent to take them off. A bottle or 2 of Seam Sealer is a must if you want to guarantee a good DRY night's sleep in the pouring rain. Even with an expensive tent, it's VERY CHEAP insurance. See you on the trail! millerized Inwood, WV (opposite side of the state) --- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "larryprivate" wrote:

> Just bought a 2003 KLR! (congratulations to me!) I have been

wanting

> one for a few years and finally took the plunge, of course it has > been cold and rainy here in charleston WV since the day I bought

it.

> I need some help guys. I really like my fiance, and I dont want > her to fall off the back of the bike!!! Any suggestions on a tail > bag that would double as something for her to lean on and not take

up

> the whole seat?? I guess it would have to secure to the bike

pretty

> tight.. > Secondly, I need a tent! I am assuming the small two person back > pack tents would work great, but if anyone has anything they would > REALLY recommend, please let me know! > Im excited, and appreciate any help! Oh, and look out WV

mountains,

> I will be coming very soon on my KLR!

I agree on the JC Whitney trunk. I have one. I'd keep it on all the time 'cept I can't get my leg that high anymore and my right knee won't bend much. As for all camping gear, you need quality #1 and secondly, price. I've always been partial to Sportsman's Guide and Sierra Trading Post. Both are deep discount places. I think they know me by my first name (shithead most of the time). Specifically, we ordered some very expensive bags from STP years ago and have never been sorry. List price would have been out of the question. As for tents, I had a Rio Grande float trip last year and had to buy a new tent. I read and read and finally chose the Eureka Tetragon 5, but the Apex 2 would also work. We're talking under $100. Don't be taken in by the yuppie crowd that has to have $2000 worth of camping gear. Yes, Campmore is also good as is Cabelas. Years ago, one of the outdoor mags took a few hundred and went to WalMart for their camping gear. Their conclusion was that for most people, this stuff works good enough. I'll bet it made their advertisers mad. Spend the extra money on gas, tires, helmet, riding clothes and beer. don

----- Original Message ----- From: "Mark St.Hilaire, Sr" : Re: [DSN_klr650] tailbag/sissybar and tent issue.... HELP! > > Just bought a 2003 KLR! (congratulations to me!) I have been wanting >> > Secondly, I need a tent! I am assuming the small two person back >

I like my Half Dome Plus 2 tent from REI. It's free standing, has lots of ventilation, separate doors for each sleeper, packs down pretty small (poles break down short), good quality, and is reasonably priced. Have fun! __Arden --- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "larryprivate" wrote:

> Just bought a 2003 KLR! (congratulations to me!) I have been

wanting

> one for a few years and finally took the plunge, of course it has > been cold and rainy here in charleston WV since the day I bought

it.

> I need some help guys. I really like my fiance, and I dont want > her to fall off the back of the bike!!! Any suggestions on a tail > bag that would double as something for her to lean on and not take

up

> the whole seat?? I guess it would have to secure to the bike

pretty

> tight.. > Secondly, I need a tent! I am assuming the small two person back > pack tents would work great, but if anyone has anything they would > REALLY recommend, please let me know! > Im excited, and appreciate any help! Oh, and look out WV

mountains,

> I will be coming very soon on my KLR!

> Is this it? > > http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Breakers/8462/KLR650/ForkSeal-RR.html

Yes sir, it sure is! Thanks so much! It's odd, the link that I had, and the one that you posted look the same, but when I clicked yours I got the page. When I click mine, I get spam... Weird. Anyway, thank you! Mark --------------------------------------- KLR650 Motorcycle Website: http://klr6500.tripod.com/