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getting closer...
Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2011 11:19 am
by Vik Banerjee
So I have been giving the DS bike thing a bunch of thought. Had a close look at a BMW F800GS, but the suspension and gearing issues are too big to ignore and I won't buy a $15K+ bike that I have to rip apart and do expensive mods to. So having seen the ugly side of my dream bike I'm more sold than ever on getting a KLR.
Doing my homework I can get moderately farkled used last generation KLR [what are we calling these?] at a decent price or I can buy a new 2011 KLR. There don't seen to be much in the way of slightly used current generation KLRs locally [I live on a big, but under populated island].
So far I am leaning towards a new bike. The mods they made to the current generation KLR seem to be worth the extra $$ and I get a warranty and know exactly what's happened to the bike from day 1.
Can you give me some ideas of what farkles you'd recommend for the current generation KLR that would all be compatible:
- crash bars [don't need/want highway pegs]
- radiator/waterpump guard
- metal skid plate
- centre stand
I've got a job back in my old home town where I left all my KLR goodies [ortleb panniers, aerostich tank panniers, bike clothing, helmets, etc..] so I'm going to head there grab my suff from storage and come back home and score a KLR.
I'm excited...=-)
safe riding,
Vik Banerjee
threeohm@...
www.thelazyrando.com
"the age old windshield question"
Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2011 9:35 pm
by Jud
Do yu really want to minimize wind in the face, or do you really want to minimize turbulence and get a quiet ride. There are many ways to accomplish the former, but most of them give you turbulence around the head, and thus a noisy ride, even though no (little) wind in the face.
For a quiet ride, 2 options:
1. remove the stock windscreen, and get a helmet that is quiet in clean air, like a Shoei. If you want a quiet ride that can go offroad, this is your best option.
2. Mount a National Plexishield or similar handlebar-mounted clear shield. Mount s it sits about 3 inches in front of your face and you can just look over it. Quiet ride, no wind in your face. Unwieldy off-road.
Any screen mounted to the stock fairing is likely to sit just far enough in front of your face to spill turbulence right where it gives a noisy ride. The wind will be off your chest, and largely out of your face, but you will wish you could pour hot cement in your ears to drown out the sound because your ear plugs will be useless.
--- In
DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "onlyshlomo" wrote:
>
> Hello from BC,
> Lookingg to get a taller than stock windshiled for my 2001 KLR.
> Removed the stocker as it directed wind and air staright at my helmet / face.
> There are many windshield options online for various sizes and shapes.
> Could some of you please share some experiences and recommendations with taller windshields.
> Few that cought my eye are the MRA (one size +5.35"), Dual Star (one size +4")and 7Jurock (many + sizes)...
> The opinions on all the forums I looked at are very confusing to say the least...
> My objective is to minimize wind in the face area (I am 5'8" sitting on dual platform corbin seat).
> Thanks!
> Best,
> Shlomo
>
getting closer...
Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2011 9:51 pm
by Jud
--- In
DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Vik Banerjee wrote:
[I live on a big, but under populated island].
What island? Did a plague rip through Manhattan?
Truth be told, the bike you want is a Suzuki. DR650 or DR350 depending on terrain. The KLR will be OK, but will be a bit of a whale any time the roads get Third-Worldish, i.e. steep, rocky or sandy. Not to mention muddy.
It gives me no joy to say this on a KLR forum, but the truth is, I own and ride all these bikes. There are places I would prefer the KLR, but I'm guessing your big, underpopulated island is not one of them.