nklr - new bike advice - sand!
Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 2:18 pm
I hate my klr in the sand, especially with a Wolfman duffle sitting high up in back, with a gallon of water and tools, etc. in it. I'll got 20 miles down a desert road only to encounter 50 feet of fine sand. If I get through it, 20 miles more, and there's another wash, where the sand has accumulated. Then I start having to compute - if I get through, and then finally find the sand field I can't cross, can I get back throught the two I just wiggled and wobbled through? I hate sand.
Robert Hedrick
Albuquerque, NM
--- On Wed, 7/2/08, Bob Monahan wrote: From: Bob Monahan Subject: RE: [DSN_KLR650] NKLR - New Bike Advice To: "'Ross Lindberg'" , DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Date: Wednesday, July 2, 2008, 3:22 AM Ross, I'm a died in the wool fan of the KLR650 but here in North Florida many of our back roads are sandy and loose sand can quickly take ALL the fun out of riding a KLR. I recently purchased a used KLX250S and was immediately very impressed. It's extremely nimble and light and takes the "sugar sand" roads and trails with none of the tendencies to wash out the front tire like the KLR seems hell bent on doing. I consider it to be a great addition to my KLR in my stable and it gets ridden on most rides that are expected to be on back roads or trails. Power is anemic in comparison to the KLR but it hauls my 5'11" 235 pound frame around quite well once I got used to the fact that it operates at much higher revs than the KLR. It will cruise effortlessly at 75 MPH but if you encounter a head wind or hilly terrain you'll quickly find that your speed will drop and you'll be back in 5th gear to get back to speed. The KLX bikes have one fatal flaw that will drive you crazy though... The gas tank is rated at 1.9 gallons but mine only holds about 1.75 gallons (including reserve) and that get's me just a little over a hundred miles before it needs refueling. There are bigger aftermarket tanks available for them and I suggest that you'll end up pushing it a couple of times in the first month or so of riding and will be as astounded at how quickly this FUN machine will drain that tank and leave you stranded. I'm considering an aftermarket tank but am reluctant to destroy the super slim lines and ultra light handling of this bike. The KLR and it's huge gas tank has me spoiled! Other than that it's pretty easy to get used to 60-65mpg considering today's gas prices and a bike that is both quiet and easy to ride and doesn't require much heavy grunting in the dirt like the KLR is prone to need. I'm very happy I bought mine and wouldn't trade it for the world and think it complements my KLR perfectly. OH.. As far as riding gear goes I'm a bad one to ask. I wear my Joe Rocket fully padded mesh jacket ALL the time I ride as well as a Nolan 102 helmet and lightweight leather gloves with jeans. They seem to work fine but there are other alternatives for the fashion conscious and those that understand trail riding better than I. I hope this helps. $bob$ An additional attraction is that the KLX is street legal. It's 100 miles one-way to the track where they ride and givin the price of fuel, hauling 1 bike down to meet them is getting very expensive. Does anyone have any thoughts on my choice or experience with the KLX? Also, what type of riding gear would you guys reccoment for trail riding and some relaxed track riding? [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]