Wilsons Sandbox

Posted: **Wed Jun 22, 2011 1:57 pm**

Hello. I am new to the group and have just recently bought a 2004 KLR650 with 3100 km on it. I love it on road but feel a liTtle unsure offroad with it. I had a 82 XL 500 years ago and don't remember having an issue off road with it. My KLR has decent off road tires but I feel like I'm driving on my tippy toes and that I will slide the front wheel at any fast turn in dirt or gravel. One motorcycle fellow I know says that I need to change the front fork springs and this is common. I am 47 now and not as crazy when I had my +ther bike either. Is this the problem that I need to practice a lot or is the bike a handful to drive in the loose stuff regardless. Please advise. Love to hear various opinions. Thank you in advance. Darceman

Posted: **Wed Jun 22, 2011 8:01 pm**

Sorry you arrived in the midst of the latest heated discussion, the "First Thermo Bob Symposium 2011"

)))) My limited experience is that the KLR is a Big Ass Dirt Bike but I never did well in the conditions you describe, so no expert here! Hang out a bit and the guys that know the answers will weigh in. Great group here, Regards and welcome to the forum! Don M -----Original Message----- From: Darcy Sent: Wednesday, June 22, 2011 2:48 PM To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Questions.... Hello. I am new to the group and have just recently bought a 2004 KLR650 with 3100 km on it. I love it on road but feel a liTtle unsure offroad with it. I had a 82 XL 500 years ago and don't remember having an issue off road with it. My KLR has decent off road tires but I feel like I'm driving on my tippy toes and that I will slide the front wheel at any fast turn in dirt or gravel. One motorcycle fellow I know says that I need to change the front fork springs and this is common. I am 47 now and not as crazy when I had my +ther bike either. Is this the problem that I need to practice a lot or is the bike a handful to drive in the loose stuff regardless. Please advise. Love to hear various opinions. Thank you in advance. Darceman ------------------------------------ List Sponsors - Dual Sport News: http://www.dualsportnews.com Arrowhead Motorsports: http://www.arrowheadmotorsports.com List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok: http://www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html Member Map: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DSN_KLR650/app/peoplemap/view/map Group Apps: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DSN_KLR650/grouplets/subscriptionsYahoo! Groups Links ----- No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 10.0.1382 / Virus Database: 1513/3720 - Release Date: 06/22/11

Posted: **Wed Jun 22, 2011 11:35 pm**

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

> > My KLR has decent off road tires but I feel like I'm driving on my > tippy toes and that I will slide the front wheel at any fast turn in > dirt or gravel. One motorcycle fellow I know says that I need to > change the front fork springs and this is common.

Yes the fork spring upgrade should be on the short list of the inexhaustable number of farKLes if you plan on riding off road (or if you weigh more than 137 pounds regardless of where you're riding it). Depending on your weight, a rear suspension upgrade could be necessary. A real bash plate is mandatory for offroading and a low profile drain plug is a good idea. If you're riding in woods, real handguards are cheaper than replacing levers.

> Is this the problem that I need to practice a lot or is the bike a > handful to drive in the loose stuff regardless.

Yes the bike is a handful and likes to push a bit in the loose stuff. Airing the tires down to whatever pressure below 20psi you feel comfortable with will help a great deal. I run as low as 13 for sand and mud, and usually around 15 for hardpack and/or rocks. And the KLR, the stinbkbug of a dirt bike she is, demands correct body position if you're going to try to keep up with your friends CRFs and YZs. ;') Get your balls up on that tank and hang at least one butt cheek off the opposite side of the seat from the direction of the turn (right cheek off for left handers and vice versa). The basic idea is to keep your body weight perpendicular to the ground and as far forward as you can to keep the weight on the front wheel. If the front wheel is unweighted, you can't steer (until we get to the advanced class and then we can discuss steering with the throttle). Wait until you can see your exit, and then you get on the gas. And the biggest component of all: come in slow, go out fast. I could go on, but that's the nuts and bolts of it. As always, JMHO and YMMV. da Vermonster

Posted: **Thu Jun 23, 2011 9:25 am**

What are "decent off road tires"? What pressures?

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Darcy" wrote: > > Hello. I am new to the group and have just recently bought a 2004 KLR650 with 3100 km on it. I love it on road but feel a liTtle unsure offroad with it. I had a 82 XL 500 years ago and don't remember having an issue off road with it. My KLR has decent off road tires but I feel like I'm driving on my tippy toes and that I will slide the front wheel at any fast turn in dirt or gravel. One motorcycle fellow I know says that I need to change the front fork springs and this is common. I am 47 now and not as crazy when I had my +ther bike either. Is this the problem that I need to practice a lot or is the bike a handful to drive in the loose stuff regardless. Please advise. Love to hear various opinions. Thank you in advance. > Darceman >

Posted: **Thu Jun 23, 2011 2:19 pm**

My 70s big bore dual sport bike was the Kawasaki 350 Bighorn. Although it's been years since I've been on one, and I am not as good as I once was, the KLR has to be better than the bighorn was, if you did a side by side comparison. After I got a KLR, I had to re-learn some things that I had forgotten, and one biggie is the air pressure in the tires. There is a world of difference between "over 30 psi" and "20 or less psi". At higher air pressures, the KLR gets really squirrelly in the loose stuff. It is much better behaved when the tire pressures are around 20, or even less, as Tumu noted. Regardless of what tires you have on it, try airing them down when venturing off road. That's free, and you should feel a difference right away. Then, beware of the bike's handling at road speeds over 50 mph or so, if you go back on pavement without increasing the pressures. Mike - who can't remember changing tire pressures in the 1970s. (but, hey, it was the 70s after all, ya know?)

On 6/23/2011 12:35 AM, dat brooklyn bum wrote: > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com > , "Darcy" wrote: > > > > My KLR has decent off road tires but I feel like I'm driving on my > > tippy toes and that I will slide the front wheel at any fast turn in > > dirt or gravel. One motorcycle fellow I know says that I need to > > change the front fork springs and this is common. > > Yes the fork spring upgrade should be on the short list of the > inexhaustable number of farKLes if you plan on riding off road (or if > you weigh more than 137 pounds regardless of where you're riding it). > Depending on your weight, a rear suspension upgrade could be > necessary. A real bash plate is mandatory for offroading and a low > profile drain plug is a good idea. If you're riding in woods, real > handguards are cheaper than replacing levers. > > > Is this the problem that I need to practice a lot or is the bike a > > handful to drive in the loose stuff regardless. > > Yes the bike is a handful and likes to push a bit in the loose stuff. > Airing the tires down to whatever pressure below 20psi you feel > comfortable with will help a great deal. I run as low as 13 for sand > and mud, and usually around 15 for hardpack and/or rocks. And the KLR, > the stinbkbug of a dirt bike she is, demands correct body position if > you're going to try to keep up with your friends CRFs and YZs. ;') Get > your balls up on that tank and hang at least one butt cheek off the > opposite side of the seat from the direction of the turn (right cheek > off for left handers and vice versa). The basic idea is to keep your > body weight perpendicular to the ground and as far forward as you can > to keep the weight on the front wheel. If the front wheel is > unweighted, you can't steer (until we get to the advanced class and > then we can discuss steering with the throttle). Wait until you can > see your exit, and then you get on the gas. And the biggest component > of all: come in slow, go out fast. I could go on, but that's the nuts > and bolts of it. > > As always, JMHO and YMMV. > > da Vermonster > >

Posted: **Thu Jun 23, 2011 2:41 pm**

I'm on my second set of Kenda K270's....I used to run Metzler Karoo 2's and the rear would only last less than 5k and ran about $150 a set....I'm getting a few more miles out of the rear K270 and just spent a little over $100 for a set....You also can get a 325-21 front which is a bit fatter and handle those sandy washouts better .....I usually run mine at about 22-24psi all the time and I'm ready for anyplace I want to wander off too !!! I wander ALOT !!!! Mike Huber Carlsbad, NM I also run Fred's HD tubes and Slime them .....Haven't had a flat in years !!!! (Knock on WOOD) To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com From: judjonzz@... Date: Thu, 23 Jun 2011 14:25:03 +0000 Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Questions.... What are "decent off road tires"? What pressures?

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Darcy" wrote: > > Hello. I am new to the group and have just recently bought a 2004 KLR650 with 3100 km on it. I love it on road but feel a liTtle unsure offroad with it. I had a 82 XL 500 years ago and don't remember having an issue off road with it. My KLR has decent off road tires but I feel like I'm driving on my tippy toes and that I will slide the front wheel at any fast turn in dirt or gravel. One motorcycle fellow I know says that I need to change the front fork springs and this is common. I am 47 now and not as crazy when I had my +ther bike either. Is this the problem that I need to practice a lot or is the bike a handful to drive in the loose stuff regardless. Please advise. Love to hear various opinions. Thank you in advance. > Darceman > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Posted: **Thu Jun 23, 2011 2:48 pm**

Darcy wrote: I am new to the group and have just recently bought a 2004 KLR650 with 3100 km on it. I love it on road but feel a liTtle unsure offroad with it. I had a 82 XL 500 years ago and don't remember having an issue off road with it. ----------------------------------- Darcy, we have a similar background. When I bought my 2004 KLR650 I was replacing a 83 XL600R. Big difference in bikes. The primary reason? The Kawasaki is 100 pounds heavier! With fuel, my XL came in around 310-315 lb. My KLR is 406 last time I weighed it. Don't EVER believe the "337" number that Kawasaki published for the A models, dry. It was really 369 or 370. Add fuel, oil (you know, this stuff tends to be required) and they'll come out around 400 every time. You'll get tips from the people here, but keep in mind this is a different beast with a different goal in its design. It is a much better street bike than the XL... It took me 22 years to put 70,000 miles on the XL... I've put 70,000 miles on the KLR in only 6.5 years. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Posted: **Fri Jun 24, 2011 8:31 am**

Pirelli MT-21 Rally Cross tires have served me well in both the soft sand of the Pine Barrens 300 and the super deep water and mud of Ottawa's Roaming Rally. They also handle very well on pavement for knobbies. For day to day commuting I run Kenda K270s DS tires since I got them crazy cheap when JC Whitless mistakenly listed them for $20 on their web site. They are a good compromise tire though some don't like the wash out feeling when dropping into a turn on pavement. That said they do grip fairly well even though they feel funny. I have had them in sand, gravel and mud a few times. They did well for a DS tire but they are not knbbies Chris

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Jud" wrote: > > What are "decent off road tires"? What pressures? > > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Darcy" wrote: > > > > Hello. I am new to the group and have just recently bought a 2004 KLR650 with 3100 km on it. I love it on road but feel a liTtle unsure offroad with it. I had a 82 XL 500 years ago and don't remember having an issue off road with it. My KLR has decent off road tires but I feel like I'm driving on my tippy toes and that I will slide the front wheel at any fast turn in dirt or gravel. One motorcycle fellow I know says that I need to change the front fork springs and this is common. I am 47 now and not as crazy when I had my +ther bike either. Is this the problem that I need to practice a lot or is the bike a handful to drive in the loose stuff regardless. Please advise. Love to hear various opinions. Thank you in advance. > > Darceman > > >

Posted: **Fri Jun 24, 2011 7:25 pm**

Thank you to everyones answers. Sounds like I need practice and practice and practice...have had the bike one month and done the exhaust mod "great sound" the 22 cent mod" great improvement" and tusk d lever protectors to save my levers in the event of a fall....I have happy trails rad guard coming next week....imthinking of changing the front springs to eliminate the mushy front forks...any input on this will be appreciated as well...thank you again for everyones great response ....Darceman

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Posted: **Fri Jun 24, 2011 11:25 pm**

Thanks, but my question about tires was to Darceman. I already have definite ideas on the subject of tire selection, but I was thinking if we knew what tires he is using, we might help him sort out his handling. P.S. since you mention them, I agree that MT21s work well, but I don't buy them because I find them very short-lived. Therefore, although they don't cost a lot, they are expensive to run because I have to change them too often.

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "skypilot110" wrote: > > Pirelli MT-21 Rally Cross tires have served me well in both the soft sand of the Pine Barrens 300 and the super deep water and mud of Ottawa's Roaming Rally. They also handle very well on pavement for knobbies. > > For day to day commuting I run Kenda K270s DS tires since I got them crazy cheap when JC Whitless mistakenly listed them for $20 on their web site. They are a good compromise tire though some don't like the wash out feeling when dropping into a turn on pavement. That said they do grip fairly well even though they feel funny. I have had them in sand, gravel and mud a few times. They did well for a DS tire but they are not knbbies > > Chris > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Jud" wrote: > > > > What are "decent off road tires"? What pressures? > > > > > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Darcy" wrote: > > > > > > Hello. I am new to the group and have just recently bought a 2004 KLR650 with 3100 km on it. I love it on road but feel a liTtle unsure offroad with it. I had a 82 XL 500 years ago and don't remember having an issue off road with it. My KLR has decent off road tires but I feel like I'm driving on my tippy toes and that I will slide the front wheel at any fast turn in dirt or gravel. One motorcycle fellow I know says that I need to change the front fork springs and this is common. I am 47 now and not as crazy when I had my +ther bike either. Is this the problem that I need to practice a lot or is the bike a handful to drive in the loose stuff regardless. Please advise. Love to hear various opinions. Thank you in advance. > > > Darceman > > > > > >

Wilsons Sandbox

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