On Fri, 16 Oct 2009 17:20:21 -0000 "jsharmer222"
writes:
> Hi Everyone!
>
> Just wanted to introduce myself and say Hi. Im a new rider, I
> finished my MSF class a few weeks ago
SNIP
> Thanks for the time everyone! Im really excited about my KLR and
> hope to put a lot of miles on it over the years.
>
> Joe
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Joe,
Welcome to the group, riding, KLR ownership and maybe most importantly in
my eyes congratulations for becoming a graduate of the MSF course. Well
done! The MSF course might be one of the best things you can do for your
early motorcycling experience survival next to wearing your gear all the
time you ride.
Here are a few comments based on your introduction post.
I think a smaller bike is a very good choice when you first start out.
They tend to be a bit more forgiving of your mistakes (and you will make
them if you ride) than more powerful/performance bikes. Leaned over in a
corner and grab too much throttle and on the KLR you'll probably have
time to realize it's not a good idea and back off a bit. On a more
powerful/performance bike the rear very well may break loose and allow
you to test your new riding gear.
If I may suggest... take it easy in the twisties as well as other
places. Just enjoy the ride and control of the motorcycle. Look where
you want to go. I'd like to repeat that... Look where you want to go.
I mean turn your head to look where you want to go if you need to and
watch where you want to go. Do not look at the tree, rock, deer, car etc
you want to avoid. Look where you want to go and the bike will probably
go there. Also try to plan ahead for what might happen and signal your
intentions to other road users by using your turn signals and brakelight.
Re the Torrent air mesh jacket by First Gear. I bought one last
April/May for $120 and thought I was getting a pretty good deal. You
should feel like a criminal getting it for $65. : ) I've been looking
for a couple of years for a replacement for my First Gear Air Mesh
Kilimanjaro which I did the superman slide on asphalt during the Great
Divide Ride in 2004. I'm still using that Kili and it's got 5 seasons of
use since the slide. So do the pants. The Torrent is pretty much a
replacement for the air mesh Kili which has been discontinued. My First
Gear gear with good riding boots, gloves and an HJC Sy-Max helmet allowed
me to walk away from that incident in great shape. Mike, who was riding
in front of me and actually got run over by the pick up truck crossed
over into our lane totalling his bike, was also ok. The ambulance crew
that showed 4 1/2 minutes after we both hit the pavement was sure they'd
be scraping pavement of body parts was amazed when neither of us really
wanted them to check us out. We explained that we were dressed properly
and were fine. For those concerned, we both let them check our vitals.
My heart rate was 62 bpm about 6 minutes after the event. Anyway, good
gear helped keep us ok. I put the Torrent jacket in the category of good
gear. Please remember the gear will only do you any good if you are
wearing it. : )
I don't want to get into an oil thread but since you asked I'll voice my
opinion. I've done some oil analysis after Blake Sobiloff first brought
it up on this list maybe 5 years ago. First I used Valvoline auto oil
which just didn't hold up. It was really only good for about 1,000 miles
and then was sheared from a 40 to a 20 weight. I switched to Rotella T
15w/40 and did oil analysis on it. So did a few guys I was riding with
and naming them if it's helpful to folks... Martin Earl (aka
RevMaaatin), GDR and many Black Hills rides together and Steve Rankin,
GDR, De Tour, local hills rides, and sometimes Airhead riding partner
from West Texas. We all got similar results under similar conditions
with the Rotella T holding up well for oil change intervals of 1,750 to
2,000 smiles. At the same time we all use No Toil air filters and filter
maintenance products and those have been shown to work well in dusty
conditions based on oil analysis too. At the time I was doing oil
analysis we all had stock cooling systems. Near the middle of the tests
I added a Thermo-Bob type stat by-pass system to my bike. Later I also
added a second radiator. Results stayed the same with the Rotella. I
also use Emgo oil filters as they are inexpensive and easy to get through
a local independent shop through Parts Unlimited. Part number for those
interested is 10-30000 and you get ten to a carton although you can buy
them one at a time if you want.
I use a stock seat on my KLR which is a 2003. Longest day in the saddle
is 812 smiles from Albuquerque, NM to Rapid City, South Dakota at the end
of the GDR in early August 2004. You'll have to figure out what works
for you. : )
Again, welcome, congratulations and safe riding.
Best,
Jeff Saline
ABC # 4412 South Dakota Airmarshal
Airheads Beemer Club
www.airheads.org
The Beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota
75 R90/6, 03 KLR650, 79 R100RT
.
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