Wilsons Sandbox

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Ron Criswell wrote: > > I weigh about 210 and never ride offload with luggage (except for Fig Newtons and WD 40, plus tire repair tools). The Fig Newtons and WD 40 makes great concrete when mixed together. > > Criswell > > Sent from my iPad > > On Dec 27, 2012, at 6:18 PM, Michel Chamberland wrote: > > > Shouldn't rider weight and amount of luggage you haul your bike play into the equation as well? I don't think the same solution will work for everyone. > > > > > > On Thu, Dec 27, 2012 at 6:52 PM, Ron Criswell wrote: > > > > If you lower it, you will bang the crap out of the skid plate if you ride in places like Moab (White Rim) or Big Bend National Park (the gravel / rock river road) and some fire roads. Mine is stock. I have some pretty good gouges in my after market aluminum skid plate. That oil drain plug is just too vulnerable for me.I think if I was going to spend some money, I would spring for a better rear shock as it bottoms pretty easy in the rougher stuff. I have Progressive springs on front. > > > > Criswell > > > > Sent from my iPad > > > > > > > > On Dec 27, 2012, at 3:23 PM, "revmaaatin" wrote: > > > > > West Virginia, > > > Welcome to the DSN and initiation to the KiLeRista's. > > > > > > You will find this link (upper left banner/column) of FAQ's to be helpful as well. > > > http://www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > > > > > > After reading all the 'opinions', let me give you the quick and dirty answer! There is actually several. smile. > > > > > > You are correct in asking the question; you will enjoy the bike more if you can touch the ground easily. > > > There are a couple of ways to accomplish that: > > > > > > 1. You can lower the rear, 1 or 2 inches with lowering links. > > > --as other posters have stated, it changes the geometry some. > > > and it will change the ground clearance. > > > I say, so what. > > > I note that you are not a Mx rider or single track rider on a KLR overall, it will work just fine for you > > > > > > I also say, 'so what' based on your age disclosure, and the realistic view of what you will use the bike for, it truly is, 'so what') > > > > > > 2. You can put on a shorter shock. Same results; though I have no personal experience here. The list moderator, "FRED" would be a good person to talk to about this. > > > Fred's product list is here; phone number is listed at the site. > > > http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/ > > > > > > 3. If you do 1 or 2, it is 'generally' recommended sliding the forks up in the triple trees an equal amount. = one inch for one inch of lowering links. > > > > > > 3a. For Free! > > > You might try sliding the forks up in the triple trees an inch and see if that is 'enough' to increase your comfort level. > > > Yeah, it changes the geomotry some; it is not a race bike at this point. > > > > > > NOTE: using method 1-3 will require an adjustment to you side stand length = shorter. > > > > > > 4. Different seat = moves your butt closer to the ground; leaves the bike with superior ground clearance. > > > There are two types of lowered seats: platform and a dipped; Corbin brand is a popular model. Meyers is another.... > > > > > > It would be nice if you could borrow a seat and try it. > > > I have owned both the Corbin dipped seat and the platform, and settled on the platform; sold the dip seat to a SHORT-legged Ross of ND. It was the perfect solution for him. He could touch the ground with both feet > > > and > > > he kept the wonderful clearance. > > > > > > THE BAD: > > > The dipped seat places you in a V-shaped pocket; the platform seat has two seating areas. Neither seat allows for much fore/aft movement in the saddle. > > > For every mod, there is an equal and opposite reaction. shrug. > > > > > > The GOOD: > > > Both seats allow the bike to keep its OEM geometry and ground clearance while subtracting ~two or more inch of seat height. > > > > > > 5. OEM seat mods: many here have removed their seat, replaced the foam with denser foam with less height which moves the butt closer to the ground as well. > > > > > > 6. Using a 4.50 x 17 tire instead of a 5.10 x 17 tire will net you about 3/4 inch. > > > > > > For MAX results: > > > 7. You can use lowering links and a different seat to gain up to 4" of less butt-altitude. > > > > > > Overall, I found the best solution for me (though not necessarily the cheapest) was the platform seat. > > > > > > Let us know what you decide. > > > revmaaatin. > > > > > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "wvskypilot" wrote: > > > > > > > > > > > > I have just bought my first KL6 650 after have all sorts of m/cs since > > > > age 16 (now 83) riding on road off road and motorcross. I am 5' > > > > 11" but find it hard to put my feet on the ground. > > > > > > > > I have heard that these bike can be lowered, My question is what > > > > is the best method, for the best use of the machine. > > > > > > > > Any ideas or comment are welcome > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > > > > > > > -- > > Michel Chamberland (merc@...) > > C|EH, C|HFI, GIAC G2700, CCNA, CCNA Security, CCSK, Security+, Network+, A+, Project+, MCTS, MCP, CIW Professional/JavaScript Specialist/Database Design Specialist > > http://www.securitywire.com > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >