evidently there is a real bright led called ostar headlamp led

[Rick McCauley]

Sounds like your the guy to talk to Keith. What is your advise to a guy who would someday like to own a old air head. If I had my way, it would be an R75/6. An R75/5 would be my second choice. What would be the things to look for / watch out for? Rick A17 ________________________________ From: keith harris To: Rick McCauley Sent: Thursday, September 24, 2009 4:07:09 PM Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] BMW quality Hi The old airheads were very reliable if maintained they could be nightmares if they weren't. also they didn't have enough power to get themselves in to much trouble. working in a honda,suzuki,bmw dealership I saw a lot of under maintained airheads cause no end of problems. KH

--- On Thu, 9/24/09, Rick McCauley wrote: >From: Rick McCauley >Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] BMW quality >To: dsn_klr650@yahoogroups.com >Date: Thursday, September 24, 2009, 2:45 PM > > > >I don't know about anyone else, but when i think of BMW, and quality, the bikes that come to mind, >are the old Air Heads. The newer air/oil cooled series engine isn't as understressed. IMHO.. >Not saying the new ones are junk by any means but just not built with overkill like the old ones. >I'll take an old one anyday.. > >Rick >A17 > >____________ _________ _________ __ >From: biloxipd151 >To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogro ups.com >Sent: Thursday, September 24, 2009 1:08:57 PM >Subject: [DSN_KLR650] BMW quality > > >After many years of getting great information from this group, I want to share my experience and ask a question. > >I have been riding for around 20years. After all the talk from the bmw crowd about bullet proof bikes I took the bait. In 2002 I started riding my first bmw, an 02 1150. Beautiful bike, awesome abs system,very comfortable, but the quality was questionable. The transmission was always jumping gears, two clutch failures and numerous little bugs caused me to upgrade my 02 with only 24000 to a new 04. 600 miles into the 04 the cylinder is blown.I had it with the boxer motors. Even thou I had no major motor failures, I never liked the way the bike would pull you up or down in the corners while accelerating. That plus they had no power. Next up is an 07 or 08, cant remember,4cylinder 1200 with alot more power. Handling is better, but cant tell you much more because of the numerous electrical problems that have resulted in it sitting at the dealership for months. > >In the bikes defense, I ride every bike like they are stolen. Wheelies on a street 1150 rt, you bet. My question is in my motoring history I have never had this much major trouble from one manufacturer. Am I getting all the lemons? I do want to give the bmw 650 dualsport a try but if history repeats itself I am done with them the next problem I have. > >If you need me I will be on the klr or dr 650. The ones that I have no idea what the cylinder or tranmission looks like, bc I have never seen them. How can I get 20000 plus trouble free dualsport miles on klrs, drs, and xrs and I have been into 4 transmission, 2 motors, and numerous other problems on the bmws? > >[Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[hershonm]

Those bikes are 30 years old plus. They have all, because they have become cult bikes, been owned by idiots, urban guys who graduated to airheads from 350 Honda twins with ace bars and age-cracked tires and flat black paint, guys who never leave their neighborhoods on their bikes and fix everything with pliers. Guys who can't tell a spark plug from a drain plug. The early R75s shook their heads and spit their owners off. They had drum brakes that were better than the first few years of disks. They never made any electrical power, had glowworm headlights and wouldn't keep their batteries charged unless they were frequently ridden at speed for some distance. Four-speed or five, they shifted terrible. When people who haven't owned them see them today, they imagine them as symbols of better days, simpler days, when men could maintain their machines. When those machines were new 35 years ago, guys said the glory days of BMW supremacy were over; the old bikes were far better - simpler and easier to maintain. It's what guys always say. The best bikes ever built are being built right now.

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Rick McCauley wrote: > > Sounds like your the guy to talk to Keith. What is your advise to a guy who would someday like to own a > old air head. If I had my way, it would be an R75/6. An R75/5 would be my second choice. > What would be the things to look for / watch out for? > > > Rick > A17 > > > > > ________________________________ > From: keith harris > To: Rick McCauley > Sent: Thursday, September 24, 2009 4:07:09 PM > Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] BMW quality > > > Hi > The old airheads were very reliable if maintained they could be nightmares if they weren't. > also they didn't have enough power to get themselves in to much trouble. working in a honda,suzuki,bmw dealership I saw a lot of under maintained airheads cause no end of problems. > KH > > --- On Thu, 9/24/09, Rick McCauley wrote: > > > >From: Rick McCauley > >Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] BMW quality > >To: dsn_klr650@yahoogroups.com > >Date: Thursday, September 24, 2009, 2:45 PM > > > > > > > >I don't know about anyone else, but when i think of BMW, and quality, the bikes that come to mind, > >are the old Air Heads. The newer air/oil cooled series engine isn't as understressed. IMHO.. > >Not saying the new ones are junk by any means but just not built with overkill like the old ones. > >I'll take an old one anyday.. > > > >Rick > >A17 > > > >____________ _________ _________ __ > >From: biloxipd151 > >To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogro ups.com > >Sent: Thursday, September 24, 2009 1:08:57 PM > >Subject: [DSN_KLR650] BMW quality > > > > > >After many years of getting great information from this group, I want to share my experience and ask a question. > > > >I have been riding for around 20years. After all the talk from the bmw crowd about bullet proof bikes I took the bait. In 2002 I started riding my first bmw, an 02 1150. Beautiful bike, awesome abs system,very comfortable, but the quality was questionable. The transmission was always jumping gears, two clutch failures and numerous little bugs caused me to upgrade my 02 with only 24000 to a new 04. 600 miles into the 04 the cylinder is blown.I had it with the boxer motors. Even thou I had no major motor failures, I never liked the way the bike would pull you up or down in the corners while accelerating. That plus they had no power. Next up is an 07 or 08, cant remember,4cylinder 1200 with alot more power. Handling is better, but cant tell you much more because of the numerous electrical problems that have resulted in it sitting at the dealership for months. > > > >In the bikes defense, I ride every bike like they are stolen. Wheelies on a street 1150 rt, you bet. My question is in my motoring history I have never had this much major trouble from one manufacturer. Am I getting all the lemons? I do want to give the bmw 650 dualsport a try but if history repeats itself I am done with them the next problem I have. > > > >If you need me I will be on the klr or dr 650. The ones that I have no idea what the cylinder or tranmission looks like, bc I have never seen them. How can I get 20000 plus trouble free dualsport miles on klrs, drs, and xrs and I have been into 4 transmission, 2 motors, and numerous other problems on the bmws? > > > >[Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > > > > __________________________________________________ > Do You Yahoo!? > Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around > http://mail.yahoo.com > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >

[Jeff Saline]

On Thu, 24 Sep 2009 22:49:33 -0000 "hershonm" writes:

> Those bikes are 30 years old plus. They have all, because they have > become cult bikes, been owned by idiots, urban guys who graduated to > airheads from 350 Honda twins with ace bars and age-cracked tires > and flat black paint, guys who never leave their neighborhoods on > their bikes and fix everything with pliers. Guys who can't tell a > spark plug from a drain plug. > > The early R75s shook their heads and spit their owners off. They had > drum brakes that were better than the first few years of disks. They > never made any electrical power, had glowworm headlights and > wouldn't keep their batteries charged unless they were frequently > ridden at speed for some distance. Four-speed or five, they shifted > terrible. > > When people who haven't owned them see them today, they imagine them > as symbols of better days, simpler days, when men could maintain > their machines. When those machines were new 35 years ago, guys said > the glory days of BMW supremacy were over; the old bikes were far > better - simpler and easier to maintain. It's what guys always say. > > > The best bikes ever built are being built right now.

<><><><><><><><><> <><><><><><><><><> That surely isn't my experience with airheads, either the bikes or the owners. There is a list for airheads on micapeak that is as good or better than this list for maintenance help, knowledge and friendship. My experience is most KLR and airhead owners are cut from a similar piece of cloth. If a guy wanted to learn a bit more about airheads he could try www.airheads.org for a start. Best, Jeff Saline ABC # 4412 South Dakota Airmarshal Airheads Beemer Club www.airheads.org The Beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota 75 R90/6, 03 KLR650, 79 R100RT . ____________________________________________________________ Best Weight Loss Program - Click Here! http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/BLSrjpTFoYdfYsTral9Qjr8hdxMIqbfxrHtUAY7Z0fBhRFAxJjKKTJTA4us/

[albatrossklr]

Once had an 100GS.... was the best machine I ever rode for the purpose .... albatross who'd like to have that bike back.....

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Jeff Saline wrote: > > On Thu, 24 Sep 2009 22:49:33 -0000 "hershonm" > writes: > > Those bikes are 30 years old plus. They have all, because they have > > become cult bikes, been owned by idiots, urban guys who graduated to > > airheads from 350 Honda twins with ace bars and age-cracked tires > > and flat black paint, guys who never leave their neighborhoods on > > their bikes and fix everything with pliers. Guys who can't tell a > > spark plug from a drain plug. > > > > The early R75s shook their heads and spit their owners off. They had > > drum brakes that were better than the first few years of disks. They > > never made any electrical power, had glowworm headlights and > > wouldn't keep their batteries charged unless they were frequently > > ridden at speed for some distance. Four-speed or five, they shifted > > terrible. > > > > When people who haven't owned them see them today, they imagine them > > as symbols of better days, simpler days, when men could maintain > > their machines. When those machines were new 35 years ago, guys said > > the glory days of BMW supremacy were over; the old bikes were far > > better - simpler and easier to maintain. It's what guys always say. > > > > > > The best bikes ever built are being built right now. > <><><><><><><><><> > <><><><><><><><><> > > That surely isn't my experience with airheads, either the bikes or the > owners. > > There is a list for airheads on micapeak that is as good or better than > this list for maintenance help, knowledge and friendship. > > My experience is most KLR and airhead owners are cut from a similar piece > of cloth. > > If a guy wanted to learn a bit more about airheads he could try > www.airheads.org for a start. > > Best, > > Jeff Saline > ABC # 4412 South Dakota Airmarshal > Airheads Beemer Club www.airheads.org > The Beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota > 75 R90/6, 03 KLR650, 79 R100RT > > . > ____________________________________________________________ > Best Weight Loss Program - Click Here! > http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/BLSrjpTFoYdfYsTral9Qjr8hdxMIqbfxrHtUAY7Z0fBhRFAxJjKKTJTA4us/ >

[Chris Norloff]

Wouldn't any bike be very reliable "if maintained"? Of course, one person's "maintanance" could be another person's "overhaul"... The best (worst) example of that may be the BMW K100 -- every year it needed the transmission input shaft splines (also called the clutch splines) lubricated. Remove the rear wheel and final drive, remove the transmission, put a little grease on the splines, and put it back together. Could you see anybody tolerating a car that required removing the transmission every year? I've met people who insisted their bikes were "100% reliable" then told me they took the bike to the dealer twice a year and told the dealer to do anything the bike needed. Having a virtually-new bike not fail for 6 months is not really an amazing accomplishment. Chris "Soul-less appliance" is a perjorative term for a motorcycle that doesn't break down.

> ________________________________ > From: keith harris > To: Rick McCauley > Sent: Thursday, September 24, 2009 4:07:09 PM > Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] BMW quality > > > Hi > The old airheads were very reliable if maintained they could be nightmares if they weren't. > also they didn't have enough power to get themselves in to much trouble. working in a honda,suzuki,bmw dealership I saw a lot of under maintained airheads cause no end of problems. > KH > >

[Norman Moore]

Chris, I have a K100RS 1987 that I bought wrecked in '89 with 12K miles, had "remodeled" and have basically changed fluids, usually not regularly enough. Rarely done anything else other than pads, the air filter a few times, and a valve adjustment rarely. Have had a small leak in the lower end for probably a decade. It does not die! It keeps on trucking, even after run into in the parking lot twice and all the plastic broken. I gave it to my son, he was worse than me on maintenance. He stripped all the broken plastic and made it into a StreetFighter, all flat-blacked and mean as hell --- a black engine, black tranni, black seat and black muffler. We were told don't open it up, and it may last a few 1000 miles or a lot longer. Now gone well over 150k miles, and the main bad piece has been the odomotor/speedo unit which was replaced on warranty, and the 2nd one won't register past 4k RPM, and we decided was not worth replacing for the money. So yes, maintained in perfect condition it would be expensive. But that engine and drive train and gear box are sweet and long lasting as far as we have experienced. Hal ________________________________ From: Chris Norloff Cc: dsn_klr650@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, September 25, 2009 8:22:48 AM Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] BMW quality NKLR Wouldn't any bike be very reliable "if maintained"? Of course, one person's "maintanance" could be another person's "overhaul".. . The best (worst) example of that may be the BMW K100 -- every year it needed the transmission input shaft splines (also called the clutch splines) lubricated. Remove the rear wheel and final drive, remove the transmission, put a little grease on the splines, and put it back together. Could you see anybody tolerating a car that required removing the transmission every year? I've met people who insisted their bikes were "100% reliable" then told me they took the bike to the dealer twice a year and told the dealer to do anything the bike needed. Having a virtually-new bike not fail for 6 months is not really an amazing accomplishment. Chris "Soul-less appliance" is a perjorative term for a motorcycle that doesn't break down.

> ____________ _________ _________ __ > From: keith harris > To: Rick McCauley > Sent: Thursday, September 24, 2009 4:07:09 PM > Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] BMW quality > > > Hi > The old airheads were very reliable if maintained they could be nightmares if they weren't. > also they didn't have enough power to get themselves in to much trouble. working in a honda,suzuki, bmw dealership I saw a lot of under maintained airheads cause no end of problems. > KH > >

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

[Rick McCauley]

My desire for a R75/6, or /5, is so my wife and i can putt around together and have a comfortable roomy ride. And i thik they are absolutely beautiful to look at. Those old beemers have and endless supply of flywheel affected torque, and a healthy load capacity. I don't care if it doesn't handle like a 250 Ninja, or stop like a 250 Nina hitting a wall. Just want one to putt around on. I will still have the KLR whether I get a beemer or not. So I can always go fast, and stop on a dime when i want to ;- ) Rick A17 ________________________________ From: hershonm To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, September 25, 2009 8:47:18 AM Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Re: BMW quality NKLR The original poster is yearning for an early '70s 750 twin, one he can afford, not a pampered aficionado's bike or a much later GS 1000. We're talking, when we talk about /5's and /6's, about seventh-hand, tavern-to-tavern hipster bikes owned by dudes who can say Toaster Tank but forget to change oil. Nice ones today have had fortunes in parts, and owner and mechanic time spent on them. If they're reliable now, it's not just luck. For the first 20 years of their lives, there were no internet forums.... If you spend the time and make one perfect, you have a perfect 197X BMW twin, perfect for riding in daylight at modest speeds - if you're sure you won't have to stop abruptly. They are fun to look at and wax nostalgia about. I had two. The second, an R75/5, speed wobbled and tried to kill me. I still liked it but could never trust it again. When certain culty products are being discussed, guys lose their grasp of reality. Many band together in clubs/support groups....

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogro ups.com, "albatrossklr" wrote: > > Once had an 100GS.... was the best machine I ever rode for the purpose .... > > albatross > who'd like to have that bike back..... > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogro ups.com, Jeff Saline wrote: > > > > On Thu, 24 Sep 2009 22:49:33 -0000 "hershonm" > > writes: > > > Those bikes are 30 years old plus. They have all, because they have > > > become cult bikes, been owned by idiots, urban guys who graduated to > > > airheads from 350 Honda twins with ace bars and age-cracked tires > > > and flat black paint, guys who never leave their neighborhoods on > > > their bikes and fix everything with pliers. Guys who can't tell a > > > spark plug from a drain plug. > > > > > > The early R75s shook their heads and spit their owners off. They had > > > drum brakes that were better than the first few years of disks. They > > > never made any electrical power, had glowworm headlights and > > > wouldn't keep their batteries charged unless they were frequently > > > ridden at speed for some distance. Four-speed or five, they shifted > > > terrible. > > > > > > When people who haven't owned them see them today, they imagine them > > > as symbols of better days, simpler days, when men could maintain > > > their machines. When those machines were new 35 years ago, guys said > > > the glory days of BMW supremacy were over; the old bikes were far > > > better - simpler and easier to maintain. It's what guys always say. > > > > > > > > > The best bikes ever built are being built right now. > > <><><><><><> <><><> > > <><><><><><> <><><> > > > > That surely isn't my experience with airheads, either the bikes or the > > owners. > > > > There is a list for airheads on micapeak that is as good or better than > > this list for maintenance help, knowledge and friendship. > > > > My experience is most KLR and airhead owners are cut from a similar piece > > of cloth. > > > > If a guy wanted to learn a bit more about airheads he could try > > www.airheads. org for a start. > > > > Best, > > > > Jeff Saline > > ABC # 4412 South Dakota Airmarshal > > Airheads Beemer Club www.airheads. org > > The Beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota > > 75 R90/6, 03 KLR650, 79 R100RT > > > > . > > ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _ > > Best Weight Loss Program - Click Here! > > http://thirdpartyof fers.juno. com/TGL2141/ fc/BLSrjpTFoYdfY sTral9Qjr8hdxMIq bfxrHtUAY7Z0fBhR FAxJjKKTJTA4us/ > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Norman Moore]

Had a 2005 R1200GS which I loved, but did not like the payments. I know have a KLR650 2002 off craigslist with lots of farkles and love it....and love having no payments! It is actually a good commuter too! ________________________________ From: hershonm To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, September 25, 2009 6:47:18 AM Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Re: BMW quality NKLR The original poster is yearning for an early '70s 750 twin, one he can afford, not a pampered aficionado's bike or a much later GS 1000. We're talking, when we talk about /5's and /6's, about seventh-hand, tavern-to-tavern hipster bikes owned by dudes who can say Toaster Tank but forget to change oil. Nice ones today have had fortunes in parts, and owner and mechanic time spent on them. If they're reliable now, it's not just luck. For the first 20 years of their lives, there were no internet forums.... If you spend the time and make one perfect, you have a perfect 197X BMW twin, perfect for riding in daylight at modest speeds - if you're sure you won't have to stop abruptly. They are fun to look at and wax nostalgia about. I had two. The second, an R75/5, speed wobbled and tried to kill me. I still liked it but could never trust it again. When certain culty products are being discussed, guys lose their grasp of reality. Many band together in clubs/support groups....

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogro ups.com, "albatrossklr" wrote: > > Once had an 100GS.... was the best machine I ever rode for the purpose .... > > albatross > who'd like to have that bike back..... > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogro ups.com, Jeff Saline wrote: > > > > On Thu, 24 Sep 2009 22:49:33 -0000 "hershonm" > > writes: > > > Those bikes are 30 years old plus. They have all, because they have > > > become cult bikes, been owned by idiots, urban guys who graduated to > > > airheads from 350 Honda twins with ace bars and age-cracked tires > > > and flat black paint, guys who never leave their neighborhoods on > > > their bikes and fix everything with pliers. Guys who can't tell a > > > spark plug from a drain plug. > > > > > > The early R75s shook their heads and spit their owners off. They had > > > drum brakes that were better than the first few years of disks. They > > > never made any electrical power, had glowworm headlights and > > > wouldn't keep their batteries charged unless they were frequently > > > ridden at speed for some distance. Four-speed or five, they shifted > > > terrible. > > > > > > When people who haven't owned them see them today, they imagine them > > > as symbols of better days, simpler days, when men could maintain > > > their machines. When those machines were new 35 years ago, guys said > > > the glory days of BMW supremacy were over; the old bikes were far > > > better - simpler and easier to maintain. It's what guys always say. > > > > > > > > > The best bikes ever built are being built right now. > > <><><><><><> <><><> > > <><><><><><> <><><> > > > > That surely isn't my experience with airheads, either the bikes or the > > owners. > > > > There is a list for airheads on micapeak that is as good or better than > > this list for maintenance help, knowledge and friendship. > > > > My experience is most KLR and airhead owners are cut from a similar piece > > of cloth. > > > > If a guy wanted to learn a bit more about airheads he could try > > www.airheads. org for a start. > > > > Best, > > > > Jeff Saline > > ABC # 4412 South Dakota Airmarshal > > Airheads Beemer Club www.airheads. org > > The Beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota > > 75 R90/6, 03 KLR650, 79 R100RT > > > > . > > ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _ > > Best Weight Loss Program - Click Here! > > http://thirdpartyof fers.juno. com/TGL2141/ fc/BLSrjpTFoYdfY sTral9Qjr8hdxMIq bfxrHtUAY7Z0fBhR FAxJjKKTJTA4us/ > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Stephen Grisanti]

"...all flat-blacked and mean as hell --- a black engine, black tranni, black seat and black muffler." "Murdered out" is what that's called these days. Stephen

--- On Fri, 9/25/09, Norman Moore wrote: From: Norman Moore Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] BMW quality NKLR To: "Chris Norloff" Cc: dsn_klr650@yahoogroups.com Date: Friday, September 25, 2009, 2:28 PM Chris, I have a K100RS 1987 that I bought wrecked in '89 with 12K miles, had "remodeled" and have basically changed fluids, usually not regularly enough. Rarely done anything else other than pads, the air filter a few times, and a valve adjustment rarely. Have had a small leak in the lower end for probably a decade. It does not die! It keeps on trucking, even after run into in the parking lot twice and all the plastic broken. I gave it to my son, he was worse than me on maintenance. He stripped all the broken plastic and made it into a StreetFighter, all flat-blacked and mean as hell --- a black engine, black tranni, black seat and black muffler. We were told don't open it up, and it may last a few 1000 miles or a lot longer. Now gone well over 150k miles, and the main bad piece has been the odomotor/speedo unit which was replaced on warranty, and the 2nd one won't register past 4k RPM, and we decided was not worth replacing for the money. So yes, maintained in perfect condition it would be expensive. But that engine and drive train and gear box are sweet and long lasting as far as we have experienced. Hal ________________________________ From: Chris Norloff Cc: dsn_klr650@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, September 25, 2009 8:22:48 AM Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] BMW quality NKLR Wouldn't any bike be very reliable "if maintained"? Of course, one person's "maintanance" could be another person's "overhaul".. . The best (worst) example of that may be the BMW K100 -- every year it needed the transmission input shaft splines (also called the clutch splines) lubricated. Remove the rear wheel and final drive, remove the transmission, put a little grease on the splines, and put it back together. Could you see anybody tolerating a car that required removing the transmission every year? I've met people who insisted their bikes were "100% reliable" then told me they took the bike to the dealer twice a year and told the dealer to do anything the bike needed. Having a virtually-new bike not fail for 6 months is not really an amazing accomplishment. Chris "Soul-less appliance" is a perjorative term for a motorcycle that doesn't break down. > ____________ _________ _________ __ > From: keith harris > To: Rick McCauley > Sent: Thursday, September 24, 2009 4:07:09 PM > Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] BMW quality > > > Hi > The old airheads were very reliable if maintained they could be nightmares if they weren't. > also they didn't have enough power to get themselves in to much trouble. working in a honda,suzuki, bmw dealership I saw a lot of under maintained airheads cause no end of problems. > KH > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html Member Map at: http://www.frappr.com/dsnklr650Yahoo! Groups Links [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Monty]

BMW has some outsourcing issues. Trying to keep cost in check has caused them some undo grief. Lots of Beemer guys aren't too happy which will and has cost them. KTM for one is very happy about it. BTW - I ride a R100GS and R1150GSA so not pulling any punches on this issue. The KLR sits nicely between the two big beast and gives me zero trouble. Monty "ride safe and may all roads lead to adventure" [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]