brake line upgrade

[albatrossklr]

The most excellent thing about riding bikes (motor or other) is that you can choose to ride alone or in a group even if a crowd is going to the same place. The route you choose, the company you keep, the level of noise & enjoyment is entirely up to you (unless the wife is riding pillion, mine doesn't). Like many prejudices, the Harley rider one is based on the actions of the few. My experience is that for many it is belonging to the group, doing everything with the group, and dressing, being loud (on & off the bike) like the group. That does not make hem bad people, just people who follow the crowd...... Ride safe, often, and sometimes alone.... albatross a happy bird who flies alone

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Rick McCauley wrote: > > Absolutely. It isn't Harley Davidson that is the problem. It is the weak character of 90% of the people that buy them. Something about owning a Harley has an overwhelming influence, on those not secure enough in their own character, to try to fit into the Harley image / stereotype. Straight pipes and all. > Someone on this group said it best; The Harley lifestyle is fine, for those that don't have one of their own. > > Rick > A17 >

[Rick McCauley]

--- On Fri, 8/7/09, albatrossklr wrote: Like many prejudices, the Harley rider one is based on the actions of the few. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Usually true. But in the case of Harley riders it is not the few, It is the overwhelming, and vast majority. Rick A17 Recent Activity 13 New MembersVisit Your Group Give Back Yahoo! for Good Get inspired by a good cause. Y! Toolbar Get it Free! easy 1-click access to your groups. Yahoo! Groups Start a group in 3 easy steps. Connect with others. . [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Lee Dodge]

My generalized thoughts on Harley riders has formed over 50+ years of riding and some characteristics that to me are consistent over that period. They are the attitude and the almost universal need to have intrusively loud exhaust noise. Now weather the latter-maybe both-are due to being unaware that they are impacting other people s lives aka ignorance, or they re sociopathic if they do. I just minimize the contacts.Are all H-D riders like that? No but too many are. Too bad isn't it?Lee As an aside . . I have learned there is a relatively sure-fire way to make a Harley quiet; just line up with one, at a light, riding a liter bike (Hell these days a 600 is plenty) and make it obvious that if he makes a move you ll embarasses him in front of whoevembarrassnd. Some will go most will look straight ahead and casually move out.I wonder if anyone has ever done a psychological study the "Harley rider and lifestyle" [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Ed Chait]

----- Original Message ----- From: "Lee Dodge" To: "KLR650 List" DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Friday, August 07, 2009 8:01 PM Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: NKLR - Harleys My generalized thoughts on Harley riders has formed over 50+ years of riding and some characteristics that to me are consistent over that period. They are the attitude and the almost universal need to have intrusively loud exhaust noise. Now weather the latter-maybe both-are due to being unaware that they are impacting other people s lives aka ignorance, or they re sociopathic if they do. I just minimize the contacts.Are all H-D riders like that? No but too many are. Too bad isn't it?Lee As an aside . . I have learned there is a relatively sure-fire way to make a Harley quiet; just line up with one, at a light, riding a liter bike (Hell these days a 600 is plenty) and make it obvious that if he makes a move you ll embarasses him in front of whoevembarrassnd. Some will go most will look straight ahead and casually move out.I wonder if anyone has ever done a psychological study the "Harley rider and lifestyle" oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo The fact that anyone would pull up next to a Harley rider at a stoplight and: "make it obvious that if he makes a move you ll embarasses him" suggests that whatever deficiencies the Harley rider may have, pale in significance.. regards, ed A17 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[fasteddiecopeman]

Pull up on a liter bike...? Hell, pull up on a KLR650 and you'd 'wax his a**!!! Ed

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Lee Dodge wrote: > > > > > > My generalized thoughts on Harley riders has formed over > 50+ years of riding and some characteristics that to me are consistent over > that period. They are the attitude > and the almost universal need to have intrusively loud exhaust noise. Now weather the latter-maybe both-are due > to being unaware that they are impacting other people s lives aka ignorance, or > they re sociopathic if they do. I just > minimize the contacts.Are all H-D riders like that? No but too many are. > > > Too bad isn't it?Lee > > As an aside . . I have learned there is a relatively sure-fire way to make a Harley > quiet; just line up with one, at a light, riding a liter bike (Hell these days a > 600 is plenty) and make it obvious that if he makes a move you ll embarasses him " > in front of whoevembarrassnd. Some > will go " most will look straight ahead and casually move out.I wonder if anyone has ever done a psychological study the "Harley rider and lifestyle" > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >

[jokerloco9@aol.com]

Pull up on the liter bike and the Harley guy is probably laughing at you, because the Harley guy has already owned a liter bike, and knows how ridiculously uncomfortable they are. And the Harley rider knows there is more to riding bikes than seeing how fast you can go, because that is about all a liter bike is good for. Out of the 4 I have owned, the only one that was reasonably comfortable was a 1984 Honda VFR1000. Yes, modern sport bikes are engineering marvels. I used to look more at my 2001 GSXR1000 than ride it. As a side note, I have owned probably 20 bikes, all Japanese and one Harley. People routinely wave to me just riding down the street while riding the Harley. Never on a Japanese bike. I have had numerous people, the last two were female, pull up in cars beside me on the street, and tell me what a nice bike I have, while on my Harley. Never on a Japanese bike. I have taken many girls on bike rides. They all want to go on the Harley. Rarely do they want to go on my Japanese bikes. And my Harley is stock, but with a bit of a loud muffler. So basically what the comments here are saying, is that Harley riders are idiots, and so must all the girls I know, and all of the people and public in general have come across on the street. But your Japanese bikes are better because they are ?faster?? And of course they must be better, because nobody gives a crap about Japanese bikes on the street, or in the general populaion??? Sounds more to me more like insecure Japanese bike riders that need to boost their own ego. Or wannabe Harley owners that can't afford the bikes? Jeff A20 In a message dated 8/8/2009 6:54:21 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time, fasteddiecopeman@... writes: Pull up on a liter bike...? Hell, pull up on a KLR650 and you'd 'wax his a**!!! Ed --- In _DSN_KLR650@yahoogroDSN_KLR_ (mailto:DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com) , Lee Dodge wrote:

> > > > > > My generalized thoughts on Harley riders has formed over > 50+ years of riding and some characteristics that to me are

consistent over

> that period. They are the attitude > and the almost universal need to have intrusively loud exhaust noise.

Now weather the latter-maybe both-are due

> to being unaware that they are impacting other people s lives aka

ignorance, or

> they re sociopathic if they do. I just > minimize the contacts.Are all H-D riders like that? No but too many

are.

> > > Too bad isn't it?Lee > > As an aside . . I have learned there is a relatively sure-fire way to

make a Harley

> quiet; just line up with one, at a light, riding a liter bike (Hell

these days a

> 600 is plenty) and make it obvious that if he makes a move you ll

embarasses him "

> in front of whoevembarrassnd. Some > will go " most will look straight ahead and casually move out.I wonder

if anyone has ever done a psychological study the "Harley rider and lifestyle"

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

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

[The Reverend]

To me bikes have always been about cheap and fun transportation. Living in Los Angeles, it was also a way to combat sitting in traffic (lane-sharing). So, not only have I never paid over $6000 for a motorcycle, but I also like something that requires a minimum of maintenance. Having owned 30-some bikes over the years, I've always gravitated towards the big four imports. They pour a lot of engineering and thought in their bikes. They are often inexpensive (at least used) and they are reliable. I can get a cheap liter-bike with lots of torque (not about speed for me, the KLR can break all domestic speed limits) that will last me 30K miles and not need anything but oil changes, maybe coolant, the odd valve adjust and tires. Insurance is cheap, purchase is cheap, registration is cheap, parts and maintenance is cheap and the big thing is that I don't have to worry where I park it. Harley is a damn good brand from a stock-holders perspective. You get people to PAY you for not just a run-of-the-mill bike, but for YOUR NAME on it. Same with shirts, the S&M vests, pants, jackets, and cheap chrome parts (neighbor does plating - it's cheap) that you sell for the bikes at a HUGE markup. Of course, in a soft market, people aren't as likely to blow loads of money on essentially a hobby - as we've seen with Harley Financial. There are stereotypes in all groups. The "sport riders" who never wear gear or the "Harley dudes" who block the freeway. Both stereotypes are alive and real and many more with it. Perhaps it's a herd-phenomenon or not, but an asshole is an asshole no matter what his affiliation. -----Original Message----- From: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com [mailto:DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of jokerloco9@... Sounds more to me more like insecure Japanese bike riders that need to boost their own ego. Or wannabe Harley owners that can't afford the bikes?

[roncriswell@sbcglobal.net]

You say chicks tell you what a nice bike you had when you were on your Harley?I had a funny experience when hanging out with friends at an outdoor restaurantOne guy had just bought a Wideglide toattract chicks. My KLR was parked next to his Harley when this strawberry blond chick about 6 ft tall went and sat on my KLR and raved about what a neat bike is was and wanted to go for a ride. My WideGlide buddy was pissed as he paid 3 times the money for his bike. I had a chick just rave abouty KLR once at a convinience store in Colorado once. I think both girls had a dirt bike sometime growing up. You should have seen the look on my Wideglides face. Justice! Criswell (but chicks do love Harley's). Sent from my iPhone

On Aug 8, 2009, at 10:08 AM, jokerloco9@... wrote: > Pull up on the liter bike and the Harley guy is probably laughing at > you, > because the Harley guy has already owned a liter bike, and knows how > ridiculously uncomfortable they are. And the Harley rider knows > there is more to > riding bikes than seeing how fast you can go, because that is about > all a > liter bike is good for. Out of the 4 I have owned, the only one that > was > reasonably comfortable was a 1984 Honda VFR1000. Yes, modern sport > bikes are > engineering marvels. I used to look more at my 2001 GSXR1000 than > ride it. > > > As a side note, I have owned probably 20 bikes, all Japanese and one > Harley. People routinely wave to me just riding down the street > while riding > the Harley. Never on a Japanese bike. I have had numerous people, > the last > two were female, pull up in cars beside me on the street, and tell > me what > a nice bike I have, while on my Harley. Never on a Japanese bike. I > have > taken many girls on bike rides. They all want to go on the Harley. > Rarely > do they want to go on my Japanese bikes. And my Harley is stock, but > with > a bit of a loud muffler. > > So basically what the comments here are saying, is that Harley > riders are > idiots, and so must all the girls I know, and all of the people and > public > in general have come across on the street. But your Japanese bikes are > better because they are ?faster?? And of course they must be better, > because > nobody gives a crap about Japanese bikes on the street, or in the > general > populaion??? > > Sounds more to me more like insecure Japanese bike riders that need to > boost their own ego. Or wannabe Harley owners that can't afford the > bikes? > > Jeff A20 > > > In a message dated 8/8/2009 6:54:21 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time, > fasteddiecopeman@... writes: > > Pull up on a liter bike...? Hell, pull up on a KLR650 and you'd 'wax > his > a**!!! > Ed > --- In _DSN_KLR650@yahoogroDSN_KLR_ > (mailto:DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com) , > Lee Dodge wrote: > > > > > > > > > > > > My generalized thoughts on Harley riders has formed over > > 50+ years of riding and some characteristics that to > me are > consistent over > > that period. They are the attitude > > and the almost universal need to have intrusively loud exhaust > noise. > Now weather the latter-maybe both-are due > > to being unaware that they are impacting other people s > lives aka > ignorance, or > > they re sociopathic if they do. I just > > minimize the contacts.Are all H-D riders like that? No but too ma > ny > are. > > > > > > Too bad isn't it?Lee > > > > As an aside . . I have learned there is a relatively sure-fire way > to > make a Harley > > quiet; just line up with one, at a light, riding a liter bike (Hell > these days a > > 600 is plenty) and make it obvious that if he makes a move you > ll > embarasses him " > > in front of whoevembarrassnd. Some > > will go " most will look straight ahead and casually move > out.I wonder > if anyone has ever done a psychological study the "Harley rider and > lifestyle" > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[jokerloco9@aol.com]

You are probably right about the chicks with past bike riding experience liking the KLR. But they are relatively few. But I have noticed a pretty fair number of girls riding Harleys, and a lower percentage riding import bikes. Jeff A20 In a message dated 8/8/2009 10:02:56 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time, roncriswell@... writes: You say chicks tell you what a nice bike you had when you were on your Harley?I had a funny experience when hanging out with friends at an outdoor restaurantOne guy had just bought a Wideglide toattract chicks. My KLR was parked next to his Harley when this strawberry blond chick about 6 ft tall went and sat on my KLR and raved about what a neat bike is was and wanted to go for a ride. My WideGlide buddy was pissed as he paid 3 times the money for his bike. I had a chick just rave abouty KLR once at a convinience store in Colorado once. I think both girls had a dirt bike sometime growing up. You should have seen the look on my Wideglides face. Justice! Criswell (but chicks do love Harley's). Sent from my iPhone On Aug 8, 2009, at 10:08 AM, _jokerloco9@..._ (mailto:jokerloco9@...) wrote: Pull up on the liter bike and the Harley guy is probably laughing at you, because the Harley guy has already owned a liter bike, and knows how ridiculously uncomfortable they are. And the Harley rider knows there is more to riding bikes than seeing how fast you can go, because that is about all a liter bike is good for. Out of the 4 I have owned, the only one that was reasonably comfortable was a 1984 Honda VFR1000. Yes, modern sport bikes are engineering marvels. I used to look more at my 2001 GSXR1000 than ride it. As a side note, I have owned probably 20 bikes, all Japanese and one Harley. People routinely wave to me just riding down the street while riding the Harley. Never on a Japanese bike. I have had numerous people, the last two were female, pull up in cars beside me on the street, and tell me what a nice bike I have, while on my Harley. Never on a Japanese bike. I have taken many girls on bike rides. They all want to go on the Harley. Rarely do they want to go on my Japanese bikes. And my Harley is stock, but with a bit of a loud muffler. So basically what the comments here are saying, is that Harley riders are idiots, and so must all the girls I know, and all of the people and public in general have come across on the street. But your Japanese bikes are better because they are ?faster?? And of course they must be better, because nobody gives a crap about Japanese bikes on the street, or in the general populaion??? Sounds more to me more like insecure Japanese bike riders that need to boost their own ego. Or wannabe Harley owners that can't afford the bikes? Jeff A20 In a message dated 8/8/2009 6:54:21 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time, _fasteddiecopeman@..._ (http://yahoo.com/) writes: Pull up on a liter bike...? Hell, pull up on a KLR650 and you'd 'wax his a**!!! Ed --- In _DSN_KLR650@--- In --- In _DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com_ (http://ups.com/) ) , Lee Dodge wrote:

> > > > > > My generalized thoughts on Harley riders has formed over > 50+ years of riding and some characteristics that to me are

consistent over

> that period. They are the attitude > and the almost universal need to have intrusively loud exhaust noise.

Now weather the latter-maybe both-are due

> to being unaware that they are impacting other people s lives aka

ignorance, or

> they re sociopathic if they do. I just > minimize the contacts.Are all H-D riders like that? No but too many

are.

> > > Too bad isn't it?Lee > > As an aside . . I have learned there is a relatively sure-fire way to

make a Harley

> quiet; just line up with one, at a light, riding a liter bike (Hell

these days a

> 600 is plenty) and make it obvious that if he makes a move you ll

embarasses him "

> in front of whoevembarrassnd. Some > will go " most will look straight ahead and casually move out.I wonder

if anyone has ever done a psychological study the "Harley rider and lifestyle"

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

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

[Ross Lindberg]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, jokerloco9@... wrote: ride it. > (Massive Snip) > > As a side note, I have owned probably 20 bikes, all Japanese and one > Harley. People routinely wave to me just riding down the street while riding > the Harley. Never on a Japanese bike. I have had numerous people, the last > two were female, pull up in cars beside me on the street, and tell me what > a nice bike I have, while on my Harley. Never on a Japanese bike. I have > taken many girls on bike rides. They all want to go on the Harley. Rarely > do they want to go on my Japanese bikes. I've had the opposite reaction in my experiences. I recently went on a 1360 mile trip with some friends on Harley's. I even rode one the entire trip, which was an experience all in itself. One thing that I have noticed over the course of my travels is that when I am on my KLR, I am approachable. Complete strangers come up and start conversations. They want to know what kind of adventure I'm on, where I've been and where I'm going. Little old ladies wave at me. Kids go nuts and think it's the coolest bike ever. Park my KLR in amongst a bunch a Harleys, then walk away and see which bike garners the most attention. It's the KLR every time, which annoys the Harley riders to no end. They've spent a ton of money purchasing, then accessorizing their Harley and have a huge investment in it, and the average passerby doesn't give their bike even a passing glance. They are facinated by the dirt bike with the panniers and the mud on it. Dress me up in black leathers and watch people's reaction to me change. I always find this curious, because I'm still the same friendly, good natured guy, but people on the street will avert their gaze. Strange, but true. The most interesting reaction I noticed was when I was on our weekly Wednesday night dinner ride. The entire groups of 15 bikes were on V-twins by various manufacturers, while I was on my trust KLR. As the group passed by a bunch of teenagers walking down the street, the procession of shiny bikes didn't illict any interest by the kids. They has the reaction of "Yawn, another bunch of loud Harleys". I can understand the reaction; there are so many loud V-twins around everywhere that it's nothing special to see any more. I come into thier field of view and thier eyes bug out, they point, and I get a whole bunch of waving and thumbs-up. As I pass I look in the mirrors and the group is watching me disappear in the distance while engaged in animated conversation. A few blocks down the street our column passes a 4 year old on his tricycle. He is terrified by all the noise and it attemping to hide behind a tree. When he seen me come putting along at the end of the column, his eyes light up, and he overcomes his fear a bit and sticks his head out for a better look. I wave to him. His face breaks out into a big grin. The fear is gone and he is waving for all he is worth. This makes my entire week. Who knows what will happen to that little boy in the future. I hope he will have fond memories of that moment as I do, and that when he gets older he will have first a curiousity, and then a passion for motorcycling like I did when I was a kid. I always try to be a good ambassador for motorcycling wherever and on whatever I am riding. It just seems to be a whole lot easier on a KLR. Ross Lindberg Fertile, MN