Wilsons Sandbox

I am a previous KLR650, KLX650C, and DR650SE owner. I've been away from m/c for personal reasons, but will be re-entering the sport/lifestyle again soon. I live in Idaho and do alot of long dirt tours using county roads and back hiways. I am considering the KTM because of the quality suspension components and the fuel range coupled with the off-road handling ability. It would mean finding the right used KTM as opposed to buying new KLR/DR. Any thoughts and or personal experiences with the KTM? Thanks from a new lister. Bert Fox __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail. http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., Bert Fox wrote:

> I am a previous KLR650, KLX650C, and DR650SE owner. > I've been away from m/c for personal reasons, but will > be re-entering the sport/lifestyle again soon. I live > in Idaho and do alot of long dirt tours using county > roads and back hiways. I am considering the KTM > because of the quality suspension components and the > fuel range coupled with the off-road handling ability. > It would mean finding the right used KTM as opposed to > buying new KLR/DR. Any thoughts and or personal > experiences with the KTM? Thanks from a new lister. > Bert Fox > >

Bert, I remember you from the "early days" of Kawasaki 650 Dual Sport News. So you want an Adventure, eh? Look at the Adventure R's with the LC4 640. From what I have heard, they will serve you well, but will get about the same mileage as a KLR despite the extra gallon+ of fuel. They vibrate more but have more power than the KLR too. Anyway, good luck. Good to hear from you. Gino

Hi Bert, I looked at the KTMs before I bought my Y2KLR. The fit and finish and quality of the components was great, in fact stunning, but alas, I couldn't put a flat foot on the ground unless I leaned the bike over far enough so that I was holding up much of the weight of the bike. The spec sheet for the Adventure R lists the seat height at 37.2". I thinks that must be with the rear shock compressed. It felt taller than the Honda. Which for me was going to cause distress offroad, particularly during those awkward moments when I stupidly try to put a foot down on the downhill side of the bike. (Jeez, I gotta stop doing that!) Anyway, it is an absolutely beautiful machine, but unless you are as tall as Shaquile you might find it awkward offroad. Happy Trails K.C. 2 - Y2KLRA14s (shivering in Monkton Vermont, 12F, 10 mph wind, sunny)

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., Bert Fox wrote: > I am a previous KLR650, KLX650C, and DR650SE owner. > I've been away from m/c for personal reasons, but will > be re-entering the sport/lifestyle again soon. I live > in Idaho and do alot of long dirt tours using county > roads and back hiways. I am considering the KTM > because of the quality suspension components and the > fuel range coupled with the off-road handling ability. > It would mean finding the right used KTM as opposed to > buying new KLR/DR. Any thoughts and or personal > experiences with the KTM? Thanks from a new lister. > Bert Fox > > __________________________________________________ > Do You Yahoo!? > Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail. > http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/

Yes, the KTM Adventure is/has been sold in the US, just not all that popular. My brother had one, and I rode it. Great bike, if you like to ride a paint mixer and pay $80 for the two oil filters it requires for an oil change (that also take at least an hour to change). It's also expensive to buy and dealers are only available in larger cities... not exactly KLR-lover's criteria! I did like that it was orange... Judy -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 14 Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2005 01:23:49 -0000 From: "klr250not" Subject: Re: Best 650 might not BE a KLR Answering my own questions: the KTM 640 Adventure bike is not sold in the U.S., not currently anyway. Its specs are pretty close to the KLR's with about 40 claimed ft lbs of torque at 5500 rpm. Weighs 348 dry. Liquid cooled, single cylinder. Somehow the KTM rings out another 5-6 hp--53.6 claimed vs. 48 for the KLR 650. What I like about the KTM 640 especially is its 37.2 inch seat height and clean lines--like a tall street bike. Yet its probably as capable offroad as a KLR. Problem is its expensive, and I at least don't know its reliability track record. And you can't buy one here, thats a problem too. --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "klr250not" wrote:

> > > note: the KTM 640s arent called "Adventurers" are they? Also, I > didnt think KTM's 640s were sold in the U.S. or are you saying

they

> might start offering them here? > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "ken" wrote: > > > > Two points: > > > > First, the best 650single might not be a KLR. KTM is sett o > > reitroduce the 640 Adventure and that might get punched out 10cc > and > > be the "best" 650.AN XR650R that has a button and is DOT would

be

> > considered "the best" by many,many people. An F650 on a diet

would

> > be "best" to some... BTW, who's in charge of desiding what 650

is

> > the "best"? > > > > ........................................

________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Message: 15 Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2005 17:25:19 -0800 From: Jon Till Subject: Sacramento storm [was - Re: Rode the Wave] I'm playing catchup with email. My apologies if the link I'm providing has already been posted. First off - Jim, excellent post re: the wave Regarding Sacramento. I did a search and came across these images for the groups viewing pleasure..... http://www.sacbee.com/content/gallery/projects/febtornado/photos If that link does not work, go here (same page).... http://www.sacbee.com/content/gallery/projects/febtornado/photos/story/12421 338p-13277708c.html Enjoy, Jon... ================================= At 09:02 PM 2/21/2005, you wrote:

>Jim, I'll bet that's a ride you never forget. In Sacramento they >had numerous funnel clouds that caused some fairly impressive >damage. I never did hear of a confirmed tornado (a funnel cloud that >actualy touches ground) but one guy and several witnesses were on >the news reporting this guys car was lifted off the ground a couple >feet while he was driving driving. There were no injures but the >force of the wind smashed all the glass in the car. I'm glad you >didn't run into one of those! > >Matt

________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Message: 16 Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2005 19:32:57 -0600 From: "Mark Sampson" Subject: RE: Re: Best 650 might not BE a KLR the KTM 640 Adventure bike is not sold in the U.S., not currently anyway Oh yes it is----they are arriving in dealers right now-----very few mind you---go to the Advrider site and see for yourself. My local dealer has one. A 2005. Mark Sampson ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Message: 17 Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2005 18:51:05 -0700 From: Jeff Saline Subject: Jake's Nuts Listers, I just tried to view Jake's web page at www.sagebrushmachine.com and it says the domain has expired. Anybody have any contact info for Jake and or know specifics about the countershaft nuts he was adapting for the KLR? Thanks, Jeff Saline Airhead # 4412 South Dakota Airmarshal Airheads Beemer Club www.airheads.org The Beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota '75 R90/6, '03 KLR650, '79 R100RT, '00 H-D MT-500 ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Message: 18 Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2005 02:07:48 -0000 From: "klr250not" Subject: Re: Best 650 might not BE a KLR Interesting, its not shown on the KTM's U.S.A. website and is marked "not U.S.A." on their main site. If they are just now beginning to import them, that might answer the question about the new, "best 650 dual sport" someone raised. If its reliable it might be the best, probably one of the most expensive too. "Best" would be evaluated by scoring a max of 40 points for street performance, 40 for offroad performance and 20 for reliability, for a max of 100 total points. --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Mark Sampson" wrote:

> > the KTM 640 Adventure bike is not sold > in the U.S., not currently anyway > > > Oh yes it is----they are arriving in dealers right now-----

very

> few mind you---go to the Advrider site and see for yourself. My

local

> dealer has one. A 2005. > > Mark Sampson

________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Message: 19 Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2005 02:08:14 -0000 From: "mudslinger8883" Subject: Re: KLR w/XR650 motor? --- why bother. other than the street legal part ( i assume u mean the 650R motor ) why bother ?? if i want a XR650R ( and i do )ill buy one, dual sport it then ride it like its stolen. just my opinion, scott --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Streetfighters" wrote:

> Don't go there. You all know you've thought about it at least once. > > Seriously, has anyone ever transplanted the KLR motor with a Honda

XR650

> motor? > Yes? No? When? Who? > Did it work? > Pros? cons? > > Details please, > > Geoff- > www.oldrice.com

________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Message: 20 Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2005 21:14:29 EST From: kdxkawboy@... Subject: Re: high beam burnout? In a message dated 2/23/2005 4:48:51 PM Pacific Standard Time, roncriswell@... writes: For some reason I keep burning out my high beam on my headlight bulb. I think the latest one lasted about a month. Any reason why? The only thing I can think of is to check the high beam circuit for a short. I've seen where off roading can shake a filament to death, but I've only ever seen that happen once in while. I've seen problems using the old Kriss headlight modulator with 50W/100W bulbs, but if you're not running a modulator and a high intensity bulb that wouldn't be it. Pat G'ville, NV [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Message: 21 Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2005 02:15:44 -0000 From: "madmotorcyclist2001" Subject: re dohickey gone bad Hey Paul, I owe you a million thanks for your post. I had just changed my dohickey the day before. The ecentric balance shaft had come out and I slid it back in but couldn't remember anything about a washer. I had already ridden 20 miles or so, but your post was nagging at the back of my mind, so I took out the old stethascope and listened. I did not like the noise I was hearing, so tonight, I took the thing apart again and sure enough, there was no washer on the shaft. I fished around in the oil reservoir and found it. No serious damage had been done. Thanks for your post. Joe Grove Jonesboro, AR ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Message: 22 Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2005 21:22:40 -0500 From: Tengai Mark Van Horn Subject: Re: rally kits nklr At 9:35 PM +0000 2/23/05, simonandnulla wrote:

>has anyone seen a rally kit for the klr like the kits for the bmw f650 >that raced in the dakar rally

Huh? Oh....you mean POSEUR kit! No, unless you can get your hands on a used Tengai and slap some racing decals on it. Or, you can buy replacement Tengai bodywork from replicofairings.com and try to Tegaify your KLR. Mark ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Message: 23 Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2005 21:25:41 EST From: kdxkawboy@... Subject: Re: Re: DP MX Pro front brake pad update In a message dated 2/23/2005 10:49:07 AM Pacific Standard Time, k.saltzer@... writes: From what I have read from the company, and others online, including race bikes, they are saying that these do not wear the rotors any faster. We'll see. I will say this though, I think it has a lot to do with how hard you pull that lever while riding. Even with the super soft Galfter Greens, I notice that my rotor is seeing some decent wear, as far as I can tell. But I am hard on the brakes. After reading your first post I went to Dunlopads web site to read up and these sound great. For off roading the old fashioned sintered brakes, like the OEM pads, were the best compromise. They worked when wet, worked when muddy, and wore well. The fancier street compounds mostly had problems with either wearing too fast in the dirt or fading with water and mud. These appear to be the first HH rated pads designed for the dirt and since I use the regular DP pads I expect I'll make the switch when the current pads wear out and I might just have to decide they are already worn out. Pat G'ville, NV [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Message: 24 Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2005 21:29:33 -0500 From: Tengai Mark Van Horn Subject: Re: Best 650 might not BE a KLR At 9:58 PM +0000 2/23/05, ken wrote:

>Oh, Mark, TY for the carb help. I'm going down tmorrow to look at >it.

No problem, good luck and be sure to take CASH with you. Try to cut him down another $100 by waving the bills under his nose. If he's a hard sell, don't wheel-N-deal too much that you piss him off.

>Are you doing your PA tour this year?

Right now things are just starting to shape up. NOAB '05 is >95% certain. The dates are April 29th - May 1st (2nd for the stragglers). Check http://www.reelrider.com/noab05 starting March 15 for details and updates. Mark ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Message: 25 Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2005 21:33:11 EST From: kdxkawboy@... Subject: Re: DP MX Pro front brake pad update In a message dated 2/23/2005 11:07:06 AM Pacific Standard Time, rm@... writes: I've only been halfway paying attention. Did DP finally put an HH pad into production for the front of the KLR? I contacted DP over a year ago and told them that NOBODY is making a high-friction pad for this bastard 1987 KX250 caliper and that we really need something better than what's out there now. I even asked them if they could bang out their HH+ formulation in a #322 fitment and that I'd buy their entire production run. I backed away when minimum quantity was set at 5000 units. If my KLR ever goes back onto the street, I'll buy a set of these pads ASAP. As for rotor wear, I'd gladly replace a worn front rotor in exchange for better braking. RM From _http://www.dp-brakes.com/_ (http://www.dp-brakes.com/) - SDP Pro-MX Developed by pro-factory riders. Successor to #1-ranked DP Sport off-road pad. Powerful HH+ friction rating with no mileage penalty. High-tech ceramic heat shield... no brake fade. Outperforms original equipment and other off-road pad compounds. Quick break-in... immediate response. Progressive feel. ProMX KAWASAKIKLR650A1-Axx 1987- on Front:SDP313 Rear:_SDP310_ (javascript:;) Pat G'ville, NV [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Archive Quicksearch at: http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/klr650_data_search.html List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links ------------------------------------------------------------------------