still "overheating"....grrrrrrr!

[husabob]

I guess you were lucky to have your pesky brother in law along to take photos and get your KLR running again!! :>)~ I put all of the photos on the Yahoo KLR site, in an album titled "Maine Fall of '06" for everyones viewing pleasure. --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Dominic Breen" wrote:

> > I concur. For rough off roading, there is no substitute for

a 'true'

> dirt bike. Also, the deep woods are no place for a back injury. > > The KLR (as much as I love it) is a pig when laying down. I am

6'1",

> 265, fairly strong (boxed competitively till 43), but strain to

pick-up

> the KLR when it is horizontal in difficult terrain. In Maine last > month I hit a submerged log and wound up laying virtually underwater > with the KLR beside me. The engine flooded with water before I

could

> lift the bike. (photo attached). > > The bike needs an airbag! > > Regards, > > Dominic > > > -----Original Message----- > From: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com

[mailto:DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com] On

> Behalf Of Devon Jarvis > Sent: Sunday, October 29, 2006 9:50 AM > To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com > Subject: [DSN_KLR650] KLR vs my other bikes > > > > > If the top of the bike is down hill I simply cannot lift it. The > > options are > > to drag or lever it around which doesn't do things much good; or

to

> > get help > > to heave it up. > > Norm, that has little to do with being 58- I'm 35, 5'8" 155lbs and > lifting the 650 back onto the wheels was a big hassle. If it fell

in an

> unlucky position, then I would need help. > > > > > Lowering links really helped in the lifting department too as the

bike

> > > 1 > > 1/2" closer to the tire. If anyone doesn't think that 1 1/2" is > > significant > > in lifting, try a bike with links. Much easier to lift. > > I was going to speculate on other areas where 1 1/2" are

significant,

> but I think everyone gets your meaning (and good for you staying on > topic). > > I just got cleared for exercise by the surgeon who repaired my

hernia

> six weeks ago. Two weeks before plus six weeks after, makes two

months

> of no bicycling, no dirtbikes, no gym, etc. I'm going riding next

week.

> > My point is, not riding sucks. If you could ride another five or

ten

> years by changing to a bike that is better suited to your body and > riding abilities, you'd be crazy not to do it. Even for a large,

fit

> 27yo, a KLR650 is no joke to pick up when it's upside down in the > rocks. > > If you want a road bike that you could take down dirt roads and

easy

> trails loaded with camping gear, nothing beats a KLR650. If you

want a

> bike to challenge yourself in the woods, get something for trail

riding

> that's lightweight and has proper throttle response- WR-250, KTM

450

> EXC, Husky TE-250, CRF-230, etc. The KTM and the Husky are street > legal, the Japanese trail bikes are not. I hate to say it, since I

did

> tons of trail riding on a KLR650, but trail riding is more fun on a > bike that's meant to be there. Even a KLR250 is too heavy, and

lacks

> suspension. > > The first enduro I entered (on a KLR650) I got passed by a 58yo > grandmother on a KDX200. She hadn't been riding long either. > > Devon > > Brooklyn > '78 SR500 > '01 KL250 Super Sherpa > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >

[Dominic Breen]

This is why one should never let their brother-in-law have an email address. He posts incriminating pictures :>( . But yes, Bob got the bike pointed to at the sky and pumped the water out of the engine through the exhaust, drained the float bowl and got it going again. We changed the oil/water emulsion a few miles later, and again when we got home. Dominic -----Original Message----- From: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com [mailto:DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of husabob Sent: Monday, October 30, 2006 11:01 AM To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Re: KLR vs my other bikes I guess you were lucky to have your pesky brother in law along to take photos and get your KLR running again!! :>)~ I put all of the photos on the Yahoo KLR site, in an album titled "Maine Fall of '06" for everyones viewing pleasure. --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogro ups.com, "Dominic Breen" wrote:

> > I concur. For rough off roading, there is no substitute for

a 'true'

> dirt bike. Also, the deep woods are no place for a back injury. > > The KLR (as much as I love it) is a pig when laying down. I am

6'1",

> 265, fairly strong (boxed competitively till 43), but strain to

pick-up

> the KLR when it is horizontal in difficult terrain. In Maine last > month I hit a submerged log and wound up laying virtually underwater > with the KLR beside me. The engine flooded with water before I

could

> lift the bike. (photo attached). > > The bike needs an airbag! > > Regards, > > Dominic > > > -----Original Message----- > From: DSN_KLR650@yahoogro

ups.com [mailto:DSN_KLR650@yahoogro ups.com] On

> Behalf Of Devon Jarvis > Sent: Sunday, October 29, 2006 9:50 AM > To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogro ups.com > Subject: [DSN_KLR650] KLR vs my other bikes > > > > > If the top of the bike is down hill I simply cannot lift it. The > > options are > > to drag or lever it around which doesn't do things much good; or

to

> > get help > > to heave it up. > > Norm, that has little to do with being 58- I'm 35, 5'8" 155lbs and > lifting the 650 back onto the wheels was a big hassle. If it fell

in an

> unlucky position, then I would need help. > > > > > Lowering links really helped in the lifting department too as the

bike

> > > 1 > > 1/2" closer to the tire. If anyone doesn't think that 1 1/2" is > > significant > > in lifting, try a bike with links. Much easier to lift. > > I was going to speculate on other areas where 1 1/2" are

significant,

> but I think everyone gets your meaning (and good for you staying on > topic). > > I just got cleared for exercise by the surgeon who repaired my

hernia

> six weeks ago. Two weeks before plus six weeks after, makes two

months

> of no bicycling, no dirtbikes, no gym, etc. I'm going riding next

week.

> > My point is, not riding sucks. If you could ride another five or

ten

> years by changing to a bike that is better suited to your body and > riding abilities, you'd be crazy not to do it. Even for a large,

fit

> 27yo, a KLR650 is no joke to pick up when it's upside down in the > rocks. > > If you want a road bike that you could take down dirt roads and

easy

> trails loaded with camping gear, nothing beats a KLR650. If you

want a

> bike to challenge yourself in the woods, get something for trail

riding

> that's lightweight and has proper throttle response- WR-250, KTM

450

> EXC, Husky TE-250, CRF-230, etc. The KTM and the Husky are street > legal, the Japanese trail bikes are not. I hate to say it, since I

did

> tons of trail riding on a KLR650, but trail riding is more fun on a > bike that's meant to be there. Even a KLR250 is too heavy, and

lacks

> suspension. > > The first enduro I entered (on a KLR650) I got passed by a 58yo > grandmother on a KDX200. She hadn't been riding long either. > > Devon > > Brooklyn > '78 SR500 > '01 KL250 Super Sherpa > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >

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

[thomas breedlove]

I recently sold my beloved KDX for several reasons. One of which is, I was riding alone. This is a BAD idea in the woods, desert, Mtns. etc. I loved that bike! the reality is....I couldn't really, "take it easy" AND have fun. I have a 2000 KLR and it does fine on non-technical off road excursions. I would NEVER jump it. I have a lot of respect for my bike, that being said, I know that it can not take a serious trail crash (as opposed to the KDX) and get me back home. Knowing your machines limits will greatly improve your ride. Knowing your own limits, will save your life, sooner or later. Cheers, Tom. --------------------------------- Access over 1 million songs - Yahoo! Music Unlimited Try it today. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[revmaaatin]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Norm Keller" wrote:

> > *This started off list as Andy was advising on the DRZ400 versus

the KLR650.

> He's a bigger guy than I am so the size of the KLR may be less of

an issue.

> IMO it may be worth posting.* > > Thanks for the impressions. It sounds like the quest is still on.

(VBG) At

> 5' 8" and 165 pounds, but old (58 years) the KLR is a real

challenge and I'm

> beginning to doubt that I will be able to ride it another 10 years

as hoped. SNIP A LOT

> One of these days it is going to be impossible which likely

illustrates why

> I shouldn't ride alone but that's often the only way to go riding. > > Any thoughts? > > Norm

Hi Norm, A great post on aging, and Don S., thanks for your thoughts about doing what we can...maybe just a little slower. Both of your comments got me to thinking about the 2004 Great Divide ride with Jeff Saline, Mike, Bill, and Steve. ON the second day of the actual divide ride, we encounter a group of 7 riders (largely know by my riding companions through BMW circles) and two of these riders were on KTM 950's. One guy was 67, and the other 71; On a 105hp dirt bike! In conversation, 'we never stopped riding, we just ride a little slower' yeah, slower...down to 60-70mph on the gravel roads! Been thinking a lot about your original post, (and the replies written so far) about aging, cycling and such, in particular while transporting a 61 y/o cardiac patient Sunday morning (described as alert and oriented X3; ). Bright clear sky, the kind of day you hope to ride a KLR650...and I am 'stuck' at the office at 2000feet AGL in 'my other KLR'... you could see forever and the patient wanted to know the name of every little town he could see out the window. He reminded me of what I call the 'Chuck Yeager' syndrome. He was going to keep doing, like Yeager, doing what he does until he could not do it anymore. For him, he pheasant hunted, fished and duck hunted the entire 160 miles to Sioux Falls. He reminded me of Yeager and his flying; no longer flying a fighter plane solo, then a fighter plane with dual controls. This patient wanted to 'be in the game' as long as there was breath. I liked his attitude, even if his immediate prognosis was not so good. So what is our prognosis? For us, if not a KLR then a KLX250 (at ~100 lbs less) or an XT250, or the fat-tire Yamaha. After I bought a KLX300R last Oct, 'real off-road' became a whole lot easier and a whole lot more fun. In one year of KLX300R riding of ~500 miles of trails, I have not broken anything yet. I doubt that would have been the case riding the same trails, or hill climbing the KLR. It has been commented on earlier, the more difficult track while riding the KLR might just be to difficult. Picking up the KLR more than twice in one hour would not be much fun for anybody, regardless of their conditioning. Aging also gives us an excellent reason to 'adopt' a younger rider, teenager, young father with kids and show them ropes of dual sporting, show the fun, freedom, comradarie, and fellowship of riding (of course on Sunday, after we attend church). A case in point: When I was 10, my family moved to a farm that was 12 miles from the nearest town, and my nearest neighbor (Charlie B., age 65) became new best friend. He took me everywhere fishing...he was not allowed to go fishing alone because his wife wanted to know where he had (sic)'drowned'. Nice lady. He had permission to fish in almost every pond within a 20 mile radius of where we lived in central Missouri. For a kid, it was heaven. Charlie fished regularly until he was 90, he just had to get someone else to drive, but he still caught fish...just a little slower to get there. Charlie had also been a WWI tank mechanic, and I learned/experienced my first wrenching beyond basic bicylce repair. The time I spent with him is some of my most precious memories as a child. Presently, I have followed a similar route, not with fishing but with motorcycles. I have several boys that ride my bikes (fully supervised by me, with my son and daughter), and are very attentive to being asked to go riding. They exchange a bike ride for a promise to be in church next week. It is more than just a free ride on the bike. They are also learning bike maintenance, team disciple in loading, un-loading the bikes, fueling, helping each other get-on their safety gear (that I provide)and looking out for each other on the ORV trail. (They also believe chain maintenance sucks, but they do it.) I buy the gas, the bike, the gear: The only thing I ask is that they have to replace anything they break. In the end, while herding the kids, I may ride 20% less than I would if I went by myself, but maybe (shrug)that 20% less keeps me from riding past my fatigue limit. This way, at least someone will know where to find the corpse. Perhaps aging sucks, but we can use it as an opportunity to share (sharing is what makes the KLR list so great), and instead of taking a kid fishing, buy a couple of older (sic)Honda's and teach a kid to ride. Just think of all the friendships you will develop, and in 'the end', they can also be your pall bearer! revmaaatin.

[Matt Knowles]

Generally means he knows who he is, where he is, and what time it is. First to go is knowing time. Second is knowing location. Third is knowing self. Lose that, and you've probably bought yourself a chopper ride.

On Oct 30, 2006, at 7:24 PM, revmaaatin wrote: > (described as > alert and oriented X3; Matt Knowles - Ferndale, CA - http://www.knowlesville.com/matt/motorcycles '99 Sprint ST - for going fast and far (2CZUSA) '01 KLR650 (A15) - for exploring the North Coast backroads '97 KLX300 & '01 Lakota - for playing in the dirt '79 KZ400 - just because it was the first vehicle I ever owned

[hal gainous]

how much did you get for the kdx i know a group of people that are into off road and we have a great national forest to ride in Tallahassee i borrowed a bike this weekend and wore myself out i feel like I've been beaten with baseball bats. i very much agree that off road riding alone is risky. i went down this weekend and my leg was tramped under the bike while i held my body up from a cliff. if i had been alone i might of had to brake my leg to get out . that was not the plan that would have sucked but it was a lot of fun not hooked yet but trying hal2006

----- Original Message ----- From: thomas breedlove To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Sent: 10/30/2006 8:44:27 PM Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Re: KLR vs My other bikes I recently sold my beloved KDX for several reasons. One of which is, I was riding alone. This is a BAD idea in the woods, desert, Mtns. etc. I loved that bike! the reality is....I couldn't really, "take it easy" AND have fun. I have a 2000 KLR and it does fine on non-technical off road excursions. I would NEVER jump it. I have a lot of respect for my bike, that being said, I know that it can not take a serious trail crash (as opposed to the KDX) and get me back home. Knowing your machines limits will greatly improve your ride. Knowing your own limits, will save your life, sooner or later. Cheers, Tom. --------------------------------- Access over 1 million songs - Yahoo! Music Unlimited Try it today. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[kestrelfal]

Bill, Are you planning on offering a bypass and thermostat kit to the community, and if so, when? TIA. Fred

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Bill Watson wrote: > > Jeff Layton did have some problems with a gauge that was reporting very high readings even though the bike was not over heating. I've calibrated a number of gauges and have posted the basic temp-vs.-nedle angle at the very bottom of www.xanga.com/watt_man . > > On another note, the ability to trap air in a factory system is quite low - the design is quite good as long as the thermostat is installed with the bleeder hole at the top. > > You could remove the 'stat and drive around as well... my guess is that you have a funky gauge. Of course, my favorite solution... measure actual temps! I know, I know... easier said than done. > > Bill Watson > Phoenix > > > --------------------------------- > Check out the New Yahoo! Mail - Fire up a more powerful email and get things done faster. > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >