flat tire again
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- Posts: 9
- Joined: Wed Aug 01, 2001 10:17 pm
cringe...another newbie asking questions
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
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- Posts: 413
- Joined: Wed Apr 12, 2000 10:04 am
cringe...another newbie asking questions
--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
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- Posts: 267
- Joined: Fri Jun 22, 2001 11:59 pm
cringe...another newbie asking questions
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>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.
cringe...another newbie asking questions
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> 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
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- Posts: 2322
- Joined: Thu May 10, 2001 9:41 am
cringe...another newbie asking questions
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 $$$ as you can
spare on reinforced handguards, bash plate, engine guards etc. It really
inspires confidence when you dump your bike in the dirt and pick it up
undamaged.
Devon
Dale Johnson wrote:
> > --Snip > > D, I am 5'5 with a SHORT inseam.. (about 29 inches) I do not have the > lowering links, but If you get the links and shave the seat it might > just actually fit you.. Like I said I don't have em mine is stock > height and I love it, I can't put one foot flat on the ground but > while your moving it doesn't matter. > > Dale > Y2k KLR with 30700 miles > > Visit the KLR650 archives at > http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 > > Post message: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com > Subscribe: DSN_klr650-subscribe@yahoogroups.com > Unsubscribe: DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com > List owner: DSN_klr650-owner@yahoogroups.com > > Support Dual Sport News by subscribing at: > http://www.dualsportnews.com > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
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- Posts: 359
- Joined: Fri Jun 08, 2001 12:41 am
cringe...another newbie asking questions
--- In DSN_klr650@y..., Devon Jarvis wrote:
I second the handguard idea. I've noticed that 9 times out of 10, when the bike falls the handlebars will turn towards the direction of the fall. In this situation, the handguard will actually hold the bike up off the ground a little thereby helping to reduce the possibility of damage to Breakable Stuff. I got to test this theory two nights ago... RM>I would also recommend spending as much $$$ 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.
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- Posts: 9
- Joined: Wed Aug 01, 2001 10:17 pm
cringe...another newbie asking questions
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
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- Posts: 9
- Joined: Wed Aug 01, 2001 10:17 pm
cringe...another newbie asking questions
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:
-- DIANE A.S. STUCKART ======================= Coming November 2001... A CONSTELLATION OF CATS "Once, We Were Worshipped" DAW Books Anthology ISBN 0-7564-0016-3> > > 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.
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- Posts: 165
- Joined: Wed Jun 29, 2011 7:47 pm
cringe...another newbie asking questions
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
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- Posts: 318
- Joined: Mon Feb 12, 2001 10:10 pm
flat tire again
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
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