klr650: :> how do you do it ? <:

[Luc Legrain]

After much pondering my better half decided to jump the fence and go my way ( that's a first !! ) KLR650 way that is !! She is inseam challenged ,and I stumbled upon " Soupy's lowering links " turnbuckle style up to 4 inches . I am thinking about changing the stock seat ,but that won't give her enough clearence . Any thoughts on those turnbuckle links ??

[transalp 1]

What is your "better half's" inseam? I'm only 5'8" with a 30 in. leg myself. eddie

> [Original Message] > From: Luc Legrain > To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> > Date: 2/22/2010 9:03:45 AM > Subject: [DSN_KLR650] klr 650 :::: lowering ::::: > > After much pondering my better half decided to jump the fence and go my

way ( that's a first !! ) KLR650 way that is !! She is inseam challenged ,and I stumbled upon " Soupy's lowering links " turnbuckle style up to 4 inches . I am thinking about changing the stock seat ,but that won't give her enough clearence .

> Any thoughts on those turnbuckle links ?? > > >

[Luc Legrain]

  She is  5'2'' with a 26 inseam . I want to make her feel comfortable with the bike at first ,2 feet on the ground , then bring the bike back up slightly .

--- On [b]Mon, 2/22/10, transalp 1 [i][/i][/b] wrote: From: transalp 1 Subject: RE: [DSN_KLR650] klr 650 :::: lowering ::::: To: "KLR650 list" DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> Date: Monday, February 22, 2010, 8:22 AM   What is your "better half's" inseam? I'm only 5'8" with a 30 in. leg myself. eddie > [Original Message] > From: Luc Legrain zrislois2klr@ yahoo.com> > To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogro ups.com> > Date: 2/22/2010 9:03:45 AM > Subject: [DSN_KLR650] klr 650 :::: lowering ::::: > > After much pondering my better half decided to jump the fence and go my way ( that's a first !! ) KLR650 way that is !! She is inseam challenged ,and I stumbled upon " Soupy's lowering links " turnbuckle style up to 4 inches . I am thinking about changing the stock seat ,but that won't give her enough clearence . > Any thoughts on those turnbuckle links ?? > > >

[Thomas Komjathy]

Have you considered the amount of ground clearance with the bike lowered that much, she will scrape parts very easily. [b]From:[/b] Luc Legrain [b]To:[/b] transalp1@...; DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com [b]Sent:[/b] Mon, February 22, 2010 10:06:18 AM [b]Subject:[/b] RE: [DSN_KLR650] klr 650 :::: lowering :::::     She is  5'2'' with a 26 inseam . I want to make her feel comfortable with the bike at first ,2 feet on the ground , then bring the bike back up slightly .

--- On [b]Mon, 2/22/10, transalp 1 [i]g.com>[/i][/b] wrote: From: transalp 1 Subject: RE: [DSN_KLR650] klr 650 :::: lowering ::::: To: "KLR650 list" ups.com> Date: Monday, February 22, 2010, 8:22 AM   What is your "better half's" inseam? I'm only 5'8" with a 30 in. leg myself. eddie > [Original Message] > From: Luc Legrain zrislois2klr@ yahoo.com> > To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogro ups.com> > Date: 2/22/2010 9:03:45 AM > Subject: [DSN_KLR650] klr 650 :::: lowering ::::: > > After much pondering my better half decided to jump the fence and go my way ( that's a first !! ) KLR650 way that is !! She is inseam challenged ,and I stumbled upon " Soupy's lowering links " turnbuckle style up to 4 inches . I am thinking about changing the stock seat ,but that won't give her enough clearence . > Any thoughts on those turnbuckle links ?? > > >

[transalp 1]

  I'm with Tom, Luc. Trying to lower the bike enough to fit may make the bike less safe. I know we'd all like one more KLR rider among us. =) But, perhaps a different model DP bike would better suit her. eddie    

----- Original Message ----- [b]From:[/b] klrsisfiddy@... [b]To: [/b]zrislois2klr@...;transalp1@...;DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com [b]Sent:[/b] 2/22/2010 10:43:50 AM [b]Subject:[/b] Re: [DSN_KLR650] klr 650 :::: lowering ::::: Have you considered the amount of ground clearance with the bike lowered that much, she will scrape parts very easily. [b]From:[/b] Luc Legrain [b]To:[/b] transalp1@...; DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com [b]Sent:[/b] Mon, February 22, 2010 10:06:18 AM [b]Subject:[/b] RE: [DSN_KLR650] klr 650 :::: lowering :::::     She is  5'2'' with a 26 inseam . I want to make her feel comfortable with the bike at first ,2 feet on the ground , then bring the bike back up slightly . --- On [b]Mon, 2/22/10, transalp 1 [i]g.com>[/i][/b] wrote: From: transalp 1 Subject: RE: [DSN_KLR650] klr 650 :::: lowering ::::: To: "KLR650 list" ups.com> Date: Monday, February 22, 2010, 8:22 AM   What is your "better half's" inseam? I'm only 5'8" with a 30 in. leg myself. eddie > [Original Message] > From: Luc Legrain zrislois2klr@ yahoo.com> > To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogro ups.com> > Date: 2/22/2010 9:03:45 AM > Subject: [DSN_KLR650] klr 650 :::: lowering ::::: > > After much pondering my better half decided to jump the fence and go my way ( that's a first !! ) KLR650 way that is !! She is inseam challenged ,and I stumbled upon " Soupy's lowering links " turnbuckle style up to 4 inches . I am thinking about changing the stock seat ,but that won't give her enough clearence . > Any thoughts on those turnbuckle links ?? > > >

[Craig Kahler]

I recently acquired a Yamaha TW200. I believe it has the lowest seat hight of any dual sport bike and still moves my 210lbs at over 60mph. It has become my everyday runabout bike. The KLR650 is now my heavy weight cruiser. Craig Kahler

--- On [b]Mon, 2/22/10, transalp 1 [i][/i][/b] wrote:

From: transalp 1 Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] klr 650 :::: lowering ::::: To: "KLR650 list" DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> Date: Monday, February 22, 2010, 11:27 AM     I'm with Tom, Luc. Trying to lower the bike enough to fit may make the bike less safe. I know we'd all like one more KLR rider among us. =) But, perhaps a different model DP bike would better suit her. eddie     ----- Original Message ----- [b]From:[/b] Thomas Komjathy [b]To: [/b]Luc Legrain;transalp1@mindsprin g.com;DSN_KLR650@yahoogro ups.com [b]Sent:[/b] 2/22/2010 10:43:50 AM [b]Subject:[/b] Re: [DSN_KLR650] klr 650 :::: lowering ::::: Have you considered the amount of ground clearance with the bike lowered that much, she will scrape parts very easily. [b]From:[/b] Luc Legrain [b]To:[/b] transalp1@mindsprin g.com; DSN_KLR650@yahoogro ups.com [b]Sent:[/b] Mon, February 22, 2010 10:06:18 AM [b]Subject:[/b] RE: [DSN_KLR650] klr 650 :::: lowering :::::     She is  5'2'' with a 26 inseam . I want to make her feel comfortable with the bike at first ,2 feet on the ground , then bring the bike back up slightly . --- On [b]Mon, 2/22/10, transalp 1 [i]g.com>[/i][/b] wrote: From: transalp 1 Subject: RE: [DSN_KLR650] klr 650 :::: lowering ::::: To: "KLR650 list" ups.com> Date: Monday, February 22, 2010, 8:22 AM   What is your "better half's" inseam? I'm only 5'8" with a 30 in. leg myself. eddie > [Original Message] > From: Luc Legrain zrislois2klr@ yahoo.com> > To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogro ups.com> > Date: 2/22/2010 9:03:45 AM > Subject: [DSN_KLR650] klr 650 :::: lowering ::::: > > After much pondering my better half decided to jump the fence and go my way ( that's a first !! ) KLR650 way that is !! She is inseam challenged ,and I stumbled upon " Soupy's lowering links " turnbuckle style up to 4 inches . I am thinking about changing the stock seat ,but that won't give her enough clearence . > Any thoughts on those turnbuckle links ?? > > >

[Charles]

Wow.... Speaking as an inseam-challenged person myself (5'8" tall - 30" inseam), I'm thinking that with her inseam measurement, the KLR might not be the bike for her. If you've not already picked up a bike for her, I think I'd look at a Yamaha XT250, personally.  But, that's her choice, not yours or mine. YMMV of course, but the KLR has a stock 35" seat height.  You need to drop 9" to get her flat foot if she has a 26" inseam.  A lowered seat may give you 2" (I have a lowered seat and I'd say that's about right), and lowering links may give you up to 2" more, for 31" height.  That's still 5" too tall.  In fact, I plan to lower mine, to fit my 30" inseam, even with the lowered seat. Perhaps someone here has better advice, buy I'd be inclined to say that the KLR may not be her best choice. Of course, it's only a problem when she stops.... Chuck F.NE PA

On Feb 22, 2010, at 10:06, Luc Legrain wrote:

  She is  5'2'' with a 26 inseam . I want to make her feel comfortable with the bike at first ,2 feet on the ground , then bring the bike back up slightly . --- On [b]Mon, 2/22/10, transalp 1 [i][/i][/b] wrote: From: transalp 1 Subject: RE: [DSN_KLR650] klr 650 :::: lowering ::::: To: "KLR650 list" DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> Date: Monday, February 22, 2010, 8:22 AM   What is your "better half's" inseam? I'm only 5'8" with a 30 in. leg myself. eddie > [Original Message] > From: Luc Legrain zrislois2klr@ [url=http://yahoo.com]yahoo.com[/url]> > To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogro [url=http://ups.com]ups.com[/url]> > Date: 2/22/2010 9:03:45 AM > Subject: [DSN_KLR650] klr 650 :::: lowering ::::: > > After much pondering my better half decided to jump the fence and go my way ( that's a first !! ) KLR650 way that is !! She is inseam challenged ,and I stumbled upon " Soupy's lowering links " turnbuckle style up to 4 inches . I am thinking about changing the stock seat ,but that won't give her enough clearence . > Any thoughts on those turnbuckle links ?? > > >

[sopris_2000]

I always love this discussion. I don't know anything about the turnbuckle links. I am an expert on lowering the KLR and riding in the USA, Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Belize. First off, it depends on what the heck you plan on doing with the KLR. Are you going to do lots of off trail riding, gnarly single track, forest service roads or travel. My wife and I are in our advanced 50's but have had big dog experience with 200cc dirt bikes in Colorado and Utah. We know gnarly offroad riding. To us, the KLR's are pigs for big dog offroad riding. As I say the bikes fly like a angel and land like a tank. I bought our KLR's for the express purpose of doing a 3 month trip to Mexico/Central America. We needed step ladders to get on the bikes when they were brand new. I put lowering links on both bikes and my wife also has a dished Corbin. A KLR is a top heavy pig. I find it amusing by the riders who say tip toeing is just fine. Not for us. With fully loaded KLR's flat footing or as close to it is great. Try coming to a stop with a tall loaded bike and put your foot down in pothole or something similar. It is not fun. We spent a month riding the northwest US, Alaska and Canada and 3 months riding Mexico/Central America. Both bikes lowered, loaded and also with center stands. Do we hit things, absolutely, but our bikes are built for abuse, full gladiator gear on the engine and real skid plates underneath. We live in the mountains of western Colorado and ride around here all the time, not now there's lots of snow. They are a great mountain bike in the twisties and a great dual sport touring bike. We call the jeeps, not good at any one thing but multipurpose. Lower her bike and she will smile.

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Luc Legrain wrote: > > After much pondering my better half decided to jump the fence and go my way ( that's a first !! ) KLR650 way that is !! She is inseam challenged ,and I stumbled upon " Soupy's lowering links " turnbuckle style up to 4 inches . I am thinking about changing the stock seat ,but that won't give her enough clearence . > Any thoughts on those turnbuckle links ?? >

[Bogdan Swider]

Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: klr 650 :::: lowering ::::: Sopris_2000 expressed my feelings exactly since I’ve also motorcycled loaded, weight not booze, in many of the same places. However, my aluminum bash plate has some cracks that might not be there had I not lowered my ride 1 1/2”. Ah tradeoffs....politicians ask you what you want, while economists ask what you want more. Bogdan, who is not an economist but certainly is cheap

On 2/24/10 8:42 AM, "sopris_2000" colomtnbiker@...> wrote:

        I always love this discussion. I don't know anything about the turnbuckle links.  I am an expert on lowering the KLR and riding in the USA, Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Belize. First off, it depends on what the heck you plan on doing with the KLR.  Are you going to do lots of off trail riding, gnarly single track, forest service roads or travel. My wife and I are in our advanced 50's but have had big dog experience with 200cc dirt bikes in Colorado and Utah. We know gnarly offroad riding. To us, the KLR's are pigs for big dog offroad riding. As I say the bikes fly like a angel and land like a tank. I bought our KLR's for the express purpose of doing a 3 month trip to Mexico/Central America. We needed step ladders to get on the bikes when they were brand new. I put lowering links on both bikes and my wife also has a dished Corbin. A KLR is a top heavy pig. I find it amusing by the riders who say tip toeing is just fine.  Not for us. With fully loaded KLR's flat footing or as close to it is great.  Try coming to a stop with a tall loaded bike and put your foot down in pothole or something similar. It is not fun. We spent a month riding the northwest US, Alaska and Canada and 3 months  riding Mexico/Central America. Both bikes lowered, loaded and also with center stands.  Do we hit things, absolutely, but our bikes are built for abuse, full gladiator gear on the engine  and real skid plates underneath. We live in the mountains of western Colorado and ride around here all the time, not now there's lots of snow. They are a great mountain bike in the twisties and a great dual sport touring bike.  We call the jeeps, not good at any one thing but multipurpose. Lower her bike and she will smile. --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com , Luc Legrain wrote: > > After much pondering my better half decided to jump the fence and go my way ( that's a first !! ) KLR650 way that is !! She is inseam challenged ,and I stumbled upon " Soupy's lowering links " turnbuckle style up to 4 inches . I am thinking about changing the stock seat ,but that won't give her enough clearence . > Any thoughts on those turnbuckle links ?? >      

[mark ward]