sand riding

[DanErb@att.net]

I am thinking of buying a KLR605 primarily for on-road use (putting around town), but I was also thinking of outfitting it with paddle tires and taking it to Glamis every now and then. I thought buying an extra rear wheel and just changing the wheel and tire (combined) as the need arises would be the best way to achieve this. Does anyone have any experience riding the KLR with paddle wheels in the sand, like at Glamis or Ocean Dunes (a.k.a. Pismo Dunes)? I'd be real interested in hearing about it. I've heard mixed reviews. Some feel the bike is too heavy for the sand. Please let me know if you think this may not be such a good idea. Thanks a bunch. PS: My apologies if you've seen this already, as I just found out about this group and had emailed several people before that.

[Mark St.Hilaire, Sr]

> Does anyone have any experience riding the KLR with paddle wheels in > the sand, like at Glamis or Ocean Dunes (a.k.a. Pismo Dunes)? I'd be

No, but that won't keep me from posting anyway! This may very well be a case of attempting to compare apples and oranges, but I was just on beach sand a few days ago, and found the KLR to be quite a handful. This was, however, on 3000 mile old stock tires, and it was my first sand experience on a KLR - and almost 20 years on ANY bike, so take my opinion for what it's worth, remembering it was free... Wise men still seek Him... Mark St.Hilaire, Sr A15 HomePage: http://home.adelphia.net/~msaint/index.html KLR650 Pages: http://klr6500.tripod.com/ Valve Check & Adjustment Guide: http://klr6500.tripod.com/valves.html

[Chris Krok]

> Does anyone have any experience riding the KLR with paddle wheels in > the sand, like at Glamis or Ocean Dunes (a.k.a. Pismo Dunes)? I'd be > real interested in hearing about it. I've heard mixed reviews. Some > feel the bike is too heavy for the sand. Please let me know if you > think this may not be such a good idea.

Real men ride their KLRs in the sand with worn-out DOT knobbies at 20 psi: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=1595966&a=13876788&p=55282845&f=0 They just don't stop: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=1595966&a=13876788&p=55282837&f=0 But seriously, I don't know if they make paddle tires in our size; apparently, 17" is a wierd rim for off road. The bike _is_ a bit heavy, and you could probably have more fun with something like this: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=1595966&a=13876788&p=55282850&f=0 (awesome pic, RM!) However, it is possible, and you won't need a trailer... -- Dr. J. Christopher Krok John Lucas Adaptive Wind Tunnel Caltech MS 205-45, Pasadena, CA 91125

[RM]

On Mon, 29 Oct 2001 DanErb@... wrote:

>Does anyone have any experience riding the KLR with paddle wheels in >the sand, like at Glamis or Ocean Dunes (a.k.a. Pismo Dunes)? I'd be >real interested in hearing about it. I've heard mixed reviews. Some >feel the bike is too heavy for the sand. Please let me know if you >think this may not be such a good idea.

Be careful. This might happen: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=1595966&a=13876788&p=55282834 RM PS. Can you get a paddle tire in 17" sizes? PPS. Be sure to squish any Arroyo toads you see, roost up any milk-vetch you come across, and get Big Air off the shells of any desert tortoises that cross your path. Do it for the children.

[Austin, Guy]

Riding in the sand is not for the novice nor the faint of heart. However, the only way to overcome novice-dom is to go for it. The faint of heart part is up to you. Generally, lighter is better in the sand. (You know, less weight and you go faster. Weight sponges up horsepower (KLRs are heavy compared to moto-crossers); but sand sucks it up even more. Together its kinda like 2+2=8. Real world advice: Get used to the bike in the low dunes; "become one with the bike (in the sand, and feel the weight) grasshopper". Hill-climbs should be no problem; you are going straight up. Its the turning around part of the way up (if you do not make it to the top) that is important part; its a gravity thing. Sand is softer on the southern exposures than on the northern ones. You WILL eventually find a softer than soft pocket of sand that WILL suck in your front wheel up to the triple tree. Result? you WILL fall; its a weight thing. Make sure your main jet is correct. Sand = low ground speeds and high engine speeds. This = increased heat production (use Water Wetter if the air temp is up.) If you have a rimlock on the rear: make sure it is tight. For a knobby, or combo tire, let the pressure down to 5 - 7psi or so (rocks don't live in the dunes). The low pressure spreads out the contact patch. Paddle tires do not always fit a given motorcycle. A good practice is to borrow one and mount it to check for clearances. At least 8 paddles. WHEN you fall be absolutely sure you are NOT under the bike. Even a light motocrosser can produce the most humiliating entrapment for its rider. Just go out and do it. Start off low and slow and move on from there. Oh yea, the slow thing. Speed = floatation on the sand; thus speed is relative. Keeping your weight back is also a good thing. Gas is class, back off is get off (circa mid 70s motocross at Saddle Back Park) Now, the most important part(s): If your smile is large ignore what others are saying or have said. Its the fun factor that keeps me riding. gotta go ride safe guy

> -----Original Message----- > From: DanErb@... [SMTP:DanErb@...] > Sent: Monday, October 29, 2001 11:33 AM > To: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com > Subject: [DSN_klr650] KLR650 in the sand (Glamis) with Paddle Tires? > > I am thinking of buying a KLR605 primarily for on-road use (putting > around town), but I was also thinking of outfitting it with paddle > tires and taking it to Glamis every now and then. I thought buying > an extra rear wheel and just changing the wheel and tire (combined) > as the need arises would be the best way to achieve this. > > Does anyone have any experience riding the KLR with paddle wheels in > the sand, like at Glamis or Ocean Dunes (a.k.a. Pismo Dunes)? I'd be > real interested in hearing about it. I've heard mixed reviews. Some > feel the bike is too heavy for the sand. Please let me know if you > think this may not be such a good idea. > > Thanks a bunch. > > PS: My apologies if you've seen this already, as I just found out > about this group and had emailed several people before that. > > > Checkout Dual Sport News at > http://www.dualsportnews.com > Be part of the Adventure! > > 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 > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ >