Wilsons Sandbox

Andy, The KLR is a bargain bike with few (no?) frills, so you'll have to just keep counting gears. It's pretty easy to know when you're in first, and there's no shame or damage done trying to find a gear above fifth. I still look for that phantom sixth gear from time to time. __Arden

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "manycan1" wrote: > > I wonder why there is no gear number indicator on the instrument panel. > > Maybe after you ride for a while you surely don't need it. But in the > first thousand miles it would be some helpful. andy >

> still look for that phantom sixth gear from time to time. >

. I agree on that. I even find myself looking for 7th on my DL at times. After riding a new bike a bit and paying attention to gear/rpm/speedo you can about get it right just looking at the rpm/speed ratio. My klr is 4000 to an indicated 60 ( really about 53 on the GPS ). When I was playing at road racing it was a mental count down inwhich, after a few 100 laps of practice, you didn't hardly think of it. Have a good time and enjoy the ride. Andy ( also ) in Jennings, La. DL1000 KLR650

Thats some engineers giggle factor, knowing most of us always and I mean ALWAYS reach for that phatom 6th Gear.... Dooden A15 Green Ape

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "manycan1" wrote: > > I wonder why there is no gear number indicator on the instrument panel. > > Maybe after you ride for a while you surely don't need it. But in the > first thousand miles it would be some helpful. andy >

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "manycan1" wrote:

> > I wonder why there is no gear number indicator on the instrument

panel.

> > Maybe after you ride for a while you surely don't need it. But in the > first thousand miles it would be some helpful. andy >

Hello Andy, Next time out on your bike, take note of where the tach needle is in relationship to your speedo (=MPH meter, not swimsuit) as in, the 12'oclock position, top of the gauge. In 4th you will notice the tach will lead the speedo in its relative position. The tach needle will be ahead of the speedo in its 'clock position', moving left to right. When in 5th gear, the tach and speedo will be very close to pointing at the same clock position. Here are a couple of 'related' freebies: 1) You will also (quickly) find that your KLR will not like RPMS much below 3000, i.e. keep the rev's up above 3000 most of the time. (Advice attributed to "Fred" nearly 5 years ago; thanks Fred) With a little experience (=stalling and dropping the bike; we are all experienced here, cough, some more than others, varying results) you will quickly learn when to shift, literally seat of the pants, relying on sound and vibration, rather than relying on an (idiot) light or even tach, to tell you when to shift. smile. Sudden silence, otherwise known as stalling, is usually an indication you waited to long to down-shift. NOTE: don't let the bike fall on you if it stalls; you won't like the results. 2) The tach is good for telling you that you are approaching the design limits of the machine. NOTE: many observe increased oil consumption when operating at/above 6000 rpms for extended periods. Check you oil at every gas fill up! Especially, when playing hard. 3) Sing out and tell us where you live; ask about when and where there is a KLR tech day; and go to it, even if it is 200 miles away. Good excuse to change the gas in your bike. 4) Enroll in a motorcycle safety course. It will be the best money you spend on yourself/family this year. 5) Ride like you are invisible; to most people, you are exactly that: invisible. The six most useless word in the world are, "Officer, I did not see him/her." And the KLRchoir now may sing, AMen. revmaaatin.