flat tire again

DSN_KLR650
Post Reply
Diane A.S. Stuckart
Posts: 9
Joined: Wed Aug 01, 2001 10:17 pm

cringe...another newbie asking questions

Post by Diane A.S. Stuckart » Wed Aug 01, 2001 11:17 pm

Hi all... I'm new to the list, having been lurking the past few days reading the copious amount of messages that come thru daily. Let me say that I have been amazed, amused, awed, and confused (sometimes simultaneously) by the info here. I've learned more in the past few days about bikes (and about the French!) than I thought possible. Which obviously leads to the confession that I am a newbie to the wonderful world of biking...I'm signed up for my MFS course this month and hope to buy a bike by the first of September. My husband (he rode bikes 20 yrs ago, but quit when he got run over by a drunk driver) and I both had planned on buying KLR650s, since a dual purpose bike seems to best fit what we want to do. But my problem...I've checked them out in the Kaw dealerships and have come to the inescapable conclusion that this bike is just too tall for me. Being only 5'4 and of sturdy peasant stock (ie, short-legged), I can barely swing a leg over the top of the bike, and my toes reach the ground only if I let the nails grow out. And, top heavy as this bike is, with no foot support, I have no leverage and just can't wrestle the weight (and I'm pretty strong for a girl). Same problem on other dual purpose bikes like Suzuki that I tried out. The Kaw dealer did say that it is possible to get the lowering links (as mentioned in one thread) but after we talked about it, we don't think the bike can be lowered enough for the bike to still handle well yet me to feel comfortable. So, while the hubby will get his 650, I'm going to have to go a different route. My question to you big macho guys...do you know any ladies who have ridden/bought the Super Sherpa? Or, better yet, are there any women on this link who have one and could comment? Don't laugh...I know y'all probably think it's a wussy bike, but it is perfectly my size. And, as I said, most of our riding will be on dirt roads and trails, rather than the street. Keep in mind, too, that this will be my learner bike. Any info/comments would be appreciated, and then I promise to go back to lurk . Thanks...Diane

Dale Johnson
Posts: 413
Joined: Wed Apr 12, 2000 10:04 am

cringe...another newbie asking questions

Post by Dale Johnson » Wed Aug 01, 2001 11:24 pm

--Snip D, I am 5'5 with a SHORT inseam.. (about 29 inches) I do not have the lowering links, but If you get the links and shave the seat it might just actually fit you.. Like I said I don't have em mine is stock height and I love it, I can't put one foot flat on the ground but while your moving it doesn't matter. Dale Y2k KLR with 30700 miles

jayed36@yahoo.com
Posts: 267
Joined: Fri Jun 22, 2001 11:59 pm

cringe...another newbie asking questions

Post by jayed36@yahoo.com » Wed Aug 01, 2001 11:28 pm

>But my problem...I've checked them out in > the Kaw dealerships and have come to the inescapable conclusion that > this bike is just too tall for me.
Maybe with lowering links *and* a Corbin seat, might get you enough. The Corbin seat is more comfortable and (I think I read) is 1" lower than the stock wooden seat. Another alternative, if this is your first bike, KLR comes in a 250cc flavor. Jeff

Mark St.Hilaire, Sr

cringe...another newbie asking questions

Post by Mark St.Hilaire, Sr » Thu Aug 02, 2001 5:13 am

> My question to you big macho guys...do you know any ladies who have > ridden/bought the Super Sherpa? Or, better yet, are there any women on
Diane, my sister has a Super Sherpa, and was the main reason this "nothing-but-Honda" guy was convinced to venture into Kawasaki-land and get a KLR. My sister is about your height, (I don't know *exactly* how tall she is), has a little over 8,000 miles on her bike last I knew - she lives in another state - and is loving it! She's in her late 30's, and her 2 kids think it's pretty wild to see mom hotfoot it out of the driveway on her bike. My brother-in-law is a walking mechanical disaster waiting to happen, so she does most of her own maintenance. (She can do the oil change, but doesn't want to get all "icky," , so goes to the dealer for that.) I know she enjoys the bike quite a bit. I hope that helps... Mark St.Hilaire, Sr A15 My HomePage: http://home.adelphia.net/~msaint/index.html My KLR650 Pages: http://klr6500.tripod.com/ Valve Check & Adjustment Guide: http://klr6500.tripod.com/valves.html

Devon Jarvis
Posts: 2322
Joined: Thu May 10, 2001 9:41 am

cringe...another newbie asking questions

Post by Devon Jarvis » Thu Aug 02, 2001 9:16 am

As an experienced road rider now learning to ride on dirt, I have to say the KLR is a handful at 5'7" and 150lb. I am strong enough to pick it up without trouble, and most of the time you shouldn't be putting your feet down anyway, but it's not a small or light bike. I ride enough highway miles that I didn't really have any other option for the mix of riding I do. While you will pay the price when riding 250cc on the highway, off-road I am thinking the super sherpa will be much more comfortable and fun than the KLR. I would also recommend spending as much $$$ as you can spare on reinforced handguards, bash plate, engine guards etc. It really inspires confidence when you dump your bike in the dirt and pick it up undamaged. Devon Dale Johnson wrote:
> > --Snip > > D, I am 5'5 with a SHORT inseam.. (about 29 inches) I do not have the > lowering links, but If you get the links and shave the seat it might > just actually fit you.. Like I said I don't have em mine is stock > height and I love it, I can't put one foot flat on the ground but > while your moving it doesn't matter. > > Dale > Y2k KLR with 30700 miles > > Visit the KLR650 archives at > http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 > > Post message: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com > Subscribe: DSN_klr650-subscribe@yahoogroups.com > Unsubscribe: DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com > List owner: DSN_klr650-owner@yahoogroups.com > > Support Dual Sport News by subscribing at: > http://www.dualsportnews.com > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

RichardM
Posts: 359
Joined: Fri Jun 08, 2001 12:41 am

cringe...another newbie asking questions

Post by RichardM » Thu Aug 02, 2001 1:47 pm

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., Devon Jarvis wrote:
>I would also recommend spending as much $$$ as you can spare on >reinforced handguards, bash plate, engine guards etc. It really >inspires confidence when you dump your bike in the dirt and pick it >up undamaged.
I second the handguard idea. I've noticed that 9 times out of 10, when the bike falls the handlebars will turn towards the direction of the fall. In this situation, the handguard will actually hold the bike up off the ground a little thereby helping to reduce the possibility of damage to Breakable Stuff. I got to test this theory two nights ago... RM

Diane A.S. Stuckart
Posts: 9
Joined: Wed Aug 01, 2001 10:17 pm

cringe...another newbie asking questions

Post by Diane A.S. Stuckart » Thu Aug 02, 2001 9:17 pm

Thanks, guys, for all your feedback. After much thought, I decided to go with the Sherpa, at least for my "learner" bike. I have a feeling, tho, that this won't be my last one, heh heh. I definitely will check out the handguard suggestion...I would pretty well bet that _I_ will fall 9 times out of 10! Now, play nice with all those French boys, and I will go back to lurk. ...Diane
--- In DSN_klr650@y..., Devon Jarvis wrote: >I would also recommend spending as much $$$ as you can spare on >reinforced handguards, bash plate, engine guards etc. It really >inspires confidence when you dump your bike in the dirt and pick it >up undamaged. I second the handguard idea. I've noticed that 9 times out of 10, when the bike falls the handlebars will turn towards the direction of the fall. In this situation, the handguard will actually hold the bike up off the ground a little thereby helping to reduce the possibility of damage to Breakable Stuff. I got to test this theory two nights ago... RM -- DIANE A.S. STUCKART ======================= Coming November 2001... A CONSTELLATION OF CATS "Once, We Were Worshipped" DAW Books Anthology ISBN 0-7564-0016-3

Diane A.S. Stuckart
Posts: 9
Joined: Wed Aug 01, 2001 10:17 pm

cringe...another newbie asking questions

Post by Diane A.S. Stuckart » Thu Aug 02, 2001 9:21 pm

Well, heck, why didn't _I_ think of that? Or, cheaper solution, I could just buy some of those 4" hooker heels from Fredrick's .... David Kelly wrote:
> > > Clearly what is needed is a pair of boots with telescoping heels. > Extend them when you need to put your foot down. Retract for take off. > > Technology solves all problems where high explosives fail. > > -- > David Kelly N4HHE, dkelly@... > ===================================================================== > The human mind ordinarily operates at only ten percent of its > capacity -- the rest is overhead for the operating system.
-- DIANE A.S. STUCKART ======================= Coming November 2001... A CONSTELLATION OF CATS "Once, We Were Worshipped" DAW Books Anthology ISBN 0-7564-0016-3

Larry
Posts: 165
Joined: Wed Jun 29, 2011 7:47 pm

cringe...another newbie asking questions

Post by Larry » Fri Aug 03, 2001 11:44 pm

Diane, Keep us informed of how the Sherpa meets your expectations, was thinking of getting one for my wife... kinda torn between Suzuki and Kawasaki though, I really like the look of the 02'sherpa kind of a trials bike styling. Anyhow would appreciate your feedback after you have a few miles on the bike.
--- In DSN_klr650@y..., "Diane A.S. Stuckart" wrote: > Thanks, guys, for all your feedback. After much thought, I decided to > go with the Sherpa, at least for my "learner" bike. I have a feeling, > tho, that this won't be my last one, heh heh. I definitely will check > out the handguard suggestion...I would pretty well bet that _I_ will > fall 9 times out of 10! > > Now, play nice with all those French boys, and I will go back to lurk. > > ...Diane > > --- In DSN_klr650@y..., Devon Jarvis wrote: > > >I would also recommend spending as much $$$ as you can spare on > >reinforced handguards, bash plate, engine guards etc. It really > >inspires confidence when you dump your bike in the dirt and pick it > >up undamaged. > > I second the handguard idea. > > I've noticed that 9 times out of 10, when the bike falls the > handlebars will turn towards the direction of the fall. In this > situation, the handguard will actually hold the bike up off the > ground a little thereby helping to reduce the possibility of damage > to Breakable Stuff. > > I got to test this theory two nights ago... > > RM > -- > > DIANE A.S. STUCKART > ======================= > Coming November 2001... > A CONSTELLATION OF CATS > "Once, We Were Worshipped" > DAW Books Anthology > ISBN 0-7564-0016-3

Susan Moorhead
Posts: 318
Joined: Mon Feb 12, 2001 10:10 pm

flat tire again

Post by Susan Moorhead » Sun Aug 05, 2001 4:32 pm

Dale, Been running Gripsters for about 8000 miles now, guess I've been lucky, no flats. I check the pressure twice a week, keep the pressure up (32 rear, 30 front) and keep on riding. 95% of my riding is pavement, if that makes any difference. Just my .02 worth. Marshall in Afton, Ok '95 KLXC3 "Blackhorse" (in honor of those who served)
----- Original Message ----- From: Dale Johnson To: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Friday, August 03, 2001 4:40 PM Subject: [DSN_klr650] Flat tire AGAIN > On my way to work today.. Guess what happend? Yes I got my 3rd flat > in 1 month, 1st flat I walked 4 miles to buy a tube and tire irons > and fixed it myself on the side of the freeway, 2nd flat was my front > tire blowout where i did a pavement slide @ 30mph. now on the way to > work this morning i am just zippin along and went to change lanes, > hey that doesn't feel right, rear tire was all loose feeling, so i > got off the freeway and sure enuff i was slowly going flat.. so i > drove as far as i could on a low tire then walked a mile or 2 to a > place i could air up drove 3 miles aired up and then made it to a > bike shop.. paid the guy 40 bux to fix my flat,ohh that was with the > discount the guy SAID he would give me for working at Honda (2 bux > cheap fu#$),damn rip off. But i had to get to work, couldn't spend > the time doing it myself and come to work all dirty.. > > Anyone with gripsters get a lot of flats? I don't remember getting > this many with my kenda's.. > > btw the service guy said "how old is that bike? thats a lot of miles > (31000) I told him it was a Y2k and he was amazed.. > > Dale > screwd by the dealer

Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 23 guests