Wilsons Sandbox

Posted: **Sat Mar 20, 2010 11:44 am**

I have been following this group for a while now. I decided that the KLR was the type bike I needed. Last night I went to a Kawa dealer and looked at the height. My inseam is only 29" What do you do? Thanks Tim

Posted: **Sat Mar 20, 2010 12:20 pm**

Usually I "tiptoe" while at a light, etc, as I can't flatfoot it with my 31" inseam. You get on by doing the "KLR dance" - right foot as high as possible and then dance toward the bike on the left foot 'till the right leg is over the seat. Either THAT, or get on from the right while the KLR is on the stand, like getting on a horse. Right foot onto right 'peg while pushing the rear brake and right hand holding front brake lever ON. Swing up and over while the left hand grasps the left grip (so that your weight is NOT overbalancing to the right!) Cheers, Ed

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "timoteo_del_panama" wrote: > > I have been following this group for a while now. I decided that the KLR was the type bike I needed. Last night I went to a Kawa dealer and looked at the height. My inseam is only 29" What do you do? > > Thanks > Tim >

Posted: **Sat Mar 20, 2010 12:23 pm**

Tim, I also have a 29 inch inseam, but ride a KLR. I guess I’ve just gotten used to the height and it doesn’t bother me that much. Last summer I wore out the stock shock and replaced it with the Moab shock. When fitting the internals and spring rate for me over the phone based on my height, weight and riding style, Rick suggested that he shorten the shock slightly and lower the seat height by one inch. One inch doesn’t sound like much, but it is a noticeable difference when mounting the bike. I went this route rather than installing lowering links because by shortening the shock, the geometry of the linkage stays the same. Yes, I did lose one inch of ground clearance, but with the proper spring on the shock it isn’t a noticeable change.

To mount the bike I put my left foot on the left side foot peg and use it like a step. Be sure to lean your body over the seat of the bike a bit when you do this to keep everything balanced. It’s a pretty easy trick to master, and I haven’t bent my side stand or caused any other damage doing this even though I’m a big guy (265) and travel with panniers and camping gear as well.

I love the height of the KLR, even when travelling by highway. Last summer a friend talked me into accompanying her on a 1400 mile road trip riding one of her Harley’s (she has two). While that was an adventure all in itself, it took me awhile to get used to the low seat height on a cruiser. On the Harley I was looking up to see the occupants of cars on the highway. On the KLR, I I have to look down. I love my KLR for its ability to go anywhere my imagination and skill level will take me, and with the tall seat height the view is spectacular.

Ross Lindberg

Fertile, MN

Posted: **Sat Mar 20, 2010 12:34 pm**

I have seen people get on from the left by standing on the left peg. I tried it myself once, and it works, but I think if you weighed too much (the person I saw do it weighed about 120# and I weigh 180#) the bike might tip left on the stand. I was almost too much for it, I think. Robert P. Wichert P.Eng +1 916 966 9060 FAX +1 916 966 9068 ========================================================

On 3/20/2010 10:20 AM, fasteddiecopeman wrote: Usually I "tiptoe" while at a light, etc, as I can't flatfoot it with my 31" inseam. You get on by doing the "KLR dance" - right foot as high as possible and then dance toward the bike on the left foot 'till the right leg is over the seat. Either THAT, or get on from the right while the KLR is on the stand, like getting on a horse. Right foot onto right 'peg while pushing the rear brake and right hand holding front brake lever ON. Swing up and over while the left hand grasps the left grip (so that your weight is NOT overbalancing to the right!) Cheers, Ed --- In DSN_KLR650%40yahoogroups.com, "timoteo_del_ panama" tim@... wrote: > > I have been following this group for a while now. I decided that the KLR was the type bike I needed. Last night I went to a Kawa dealer and looked at the height. My inseam is only 29" What do you do? > > Thanks > Tim >

Posted: **Sat Mar 20, 2010 12:39 pm**

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

> > I have been following this group for a while now. I decided that the KLR was the type bike I needed. Last night I went to a Kawa dealer and looked at the height. My inseam is only 29" What do you do? > > Thanks > Tim >

If your suspension is set up correctly, that 35" will become 32" or 31.5" as soon as you plant your ass on the seat. If you have the stock spring, your seat will probably go even lower than that when you sit down. I usually get on by leaning forward and swinging my leg over, knee first. Sometimes I will step up on the foot peg, especially with luggage. This can be done either with the bike resting on the side stand, or rolling off in first, ala the Pony Express. At stop lights, just slide a cheek and plant one foot on the ground. The KLR is a bike that just about anybody can ride, and hardly anybody has a 35" inseam. Mine is 28"

Posted: **Sat Mar 20, 2010 12:51 pm**

Tim,

I’m 5’7” with a 28” inseam. Buy the bike. At first the height was a little intimidating. Got over that quickly.

Ken

Colorado

[b]From:[/b] DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com [mailto:DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com] [b]On Behalf Of [/b]timoteo_del_panama [b]Sent:[/b] Saturday, March 20, 2010 10:44 AM [b]To:[/b] DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com [b]Subject:[/b] [DSN_KLR650] Inseam

I have been following this group for a while now. I decided that the KLR was the type bike I needed. Last night I went to a Kawa dealer and looked at the height. My inseam is only 29" What do you do? Thanks Tim

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Posted: **Sat Mar 20, 2010 2:52 pm**

I've got a 30" inseam, wear modest soled boots and even have a Wal-Mart sourced ATV seat cover on my 09' KLR with stock suspension. As others on the list say, I,too just tiptoe at stops keeping in mind that no matter what, the bike's job is to hold me off the ground, not the other way around. My job is to provide it's balance. The KLR is fairly light for a street bike. Heck, my 08' GL1800 Gold Wing out weights it by over 500 pounds!

eddie

> [Original Message] > From: timoteo_del_panama > To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> > Date: 3/20/2010 12:44:25 PM > Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Inseam > > I have been following this group for a while now. I decided that the KLR

was the type bike I needed. Last night I went to a Kawa dealer and looked at the height. My inseam is only 29" What do you do?

> > Thanks > Tim >

Posted: **Sat Mar 20, 2010 3:54 pm**

This group loves this subject. I have two KLR's both lowered, we travel and are heavily loaded. What do you want to do with your KLR?

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "timoteo_del_panama" wrote: > > I have been following this group for a while now. I decided that the KLR was the type bike I needed. Last night I went to a Kawa dealer and looked at the height. My inseam is only 29" What do you do? > > Thanks > Tim >

Posted: **Sat Mar 20, 2010 10:28 pm**

Slice some foam from the seat and restaple it. Move the forks up and inch. Buy lowering links. Wear boots with 2" heels. Buy a corbin seat. Pick and choose. All will work don 29" inseam

Posted: **Sat Mar 20, 2010 11:09 pm**

Tim, I have an '09 that is my third KLR. However, it's the first I actually took any "action" regarding my inseam. Being generous, I'd say I have about a 30" inseam. I had no real problems riding any of the three, although as I am getting older (who isn't), I wanted a feeling of more control at a stop, especially when on uneven ground. (When you're moving, who cares if you can touch the ground?) Bottom line, I bought a lower seat from Fred at Arrowhead. It's an Africa Single Dual Platform seat. It made a big difference in reach for me. I am still considering going with 1" lowering links, which should almost get me "flat footed", but at this point it is significantly improved. The bike is great; I doubt you'd be sorry if you are looking for a dual-sport type of machine. And, don't be afraid of the seat height; there are options. Chuck F. NE PA On Mar 20, 2010, at 12:44, "timoteo_del_panama" > wrote: > I have been following this group for a while now. I decided that the > KLR was the type bike I needed. Last night I went to a Kawa dealer > and looked at the height. My inseam is only 29" What do you do? > > Thanks > Tim > > > > ------------------------------------ > > List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com > List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > Member Map at: http://www.frappr.com/dsnklr650Yahoo! Groups Links > > >

Wilsons Sandbox

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