radiator fluid

[Tam a'Rack]

Well, we all know the answer... However, for a rear tire on a KLR650. 130/80-17 or 120/90-17?? I have the 130/80 on now, it it time for tires and I have seen sources claiming that the 120/90 is better. So I figure I will stir things up and ask. (Later I will ask about dino vs synth oil... hehe) Tam [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Tam a'Rack]

No, I don't think Kawasaki necessarily though that the 130/80 was "better" than the 120/90. Over the past 5 decades I have found that manufactures often make marketing decisions based on factors other than what is "best". And then people even change the front wheel size on the KLR from 21 to 19 and even smaller. There must be some logic in doing so. Furthermore, "best" is subjective I wanted to hear from people who may have actually TRIED a 120/90 and can tell me how it worked for them, rather than getting second hand information on it working or not. I have owed many, many motorcycles. Everyone of them was different in some way. On some bikes using a different tire profile had a marked improvement, on others, or with different tires, less of an improvement and sometimes problems. For example I ran "down" one size in the rear on my VT1100 and it gave the bike more 'pep' and improved the feel when cornering. I have had other bikes where changing to a different size tire did not make any noticeable difference, other than the tire was cheaper. I ran a larger tire on my '83 Honda CB650SC it worked great, but when I tried 2-up riding, it rubbed. Not good... By the way, the tire chart you linked shows both 120/90, 130/80 and 130/90, so I guess some people do not think that Kawasaki necessarily made the right choice. Tam ________________________________ From: Fred Hink To: Tam a'Rack Sent: Sunday, July 15, 2012 9:46 AM Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] A different tire question. If Kawasaki thought that the 120/90-17 was a better size for the KLR, don t you think they would have that installed instead of the 130/80? The 130/80 is not too wide for this bike and has a much larger selection of tires in this size. You can see all the tires listed for your bike on my Parts Pages under the General/Tire section. If you have any other tire questions, please let me know. Fred http://www.arrowheadmotorsports.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Jud]

I have not yet tried a 120 rear tire on my KLR, but have a set of MT21 takeoffs from a guy who wanted to put on fresh tires for a trip. The rear is a 120. It is about half gone, so it should give me at least 700 miles (based on my experience with the MT21 on a variety of 650-class dual sports). That should be enough to give me an impression of its handling. There should not be a lot of difference, except that it should steer a little quicker.

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Tam a'Rack wrote: > > No, I don't think Kawasaki necessarily though that the 130/80 was "better" than the 120/90. > > Over the past 5 decades I have found that manufactures often make marketing decisions based on factors other than what is "best". > > And then people even change the front wheel size on the KLR from 21 to 19 and even smaller. There must be some logic in doing so. > Furthermore, "best" is subjective I wanted to hear from people who may have actually TRIED a 120/90 and can tell me how it worked for them, rather than getting second hand information on it working or not. > > > I have owed many, many motorcycles. Everyone of them was different in some way. On some bikes using a different tire profile had a marked improvement, on others, or with different tires, less of an improvement and sometimes problems. > For example I ran "down" one size in the rear on my VT1100 and it gave the bike more 'pep' and improved the feel when cornering. I have had other bikes where changing to a different size tire did not make any noticeable difference, other than the tire was cheaper. > I ran a larger tire on my '83 Honda CB650SC it worked great, but when I tried 2-up riding, it rubbed. Not good... > > > By the way, the tire chart you linked shows both 120/90, 130/80 and 130/90, so I guess some people do not think that Kawasaki necessarily made the right choice. > > Tam > > > ________________________________ > From: Fred Hink > To: Tam a'Rack > Sent: Sunday, July 15, 2012 9:46 AM > Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] A different tire question. > > > If Kawasaki thought that the 120/90-17 was a better size for the KLR, don t > you think they would have that installed instead of the 130/80? The 130/80 > is not too wide for this bike and has a much larger selection of tires in this > size. > > You can see all the tires listed for your bike on my Parts Pages under the > General/Tire section. > > If you have any other tire questions, please let me know. > > Fred > http://www.arrowheadmotorsports.com > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >

[Tam a'Rack]

Thanks Let me know what you think when you get it on. I am leaning toward the 130/90 D606, I hear more good than bad about it. I ride solo, do not load up a lot of gear, and do not ride aggressive enough to bottom out the suspension very often. I think it should clear ok. There seem to be plenty of people running them. ________________________________ From: Jud To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Sent: Sunday, July 15, 2012 7:54 PM Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Re: A different tire question. I have not yet tried a 120 rear tire on my KLR, but have a set of MT21 takeoffs from a guy who wanted to put on fresh tires for a trip. The rear is a 120. It is about half gone, so it should give me at least 700 miles (based on my experience with the MT21 on a variety of 650-class dual sports). That should be enough to give me an impression of its handling. There should not be a lot of difference, except that it should steer a little quicker.

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Tam a'Rack wrote: > > No, I don't think Kawasaki necessarily though that the 130/80 was "better" than the 120/90. > > Over the past 5 decades I have found that manufactures often make marketing decisions based on factors other than what is "best". > > And then people even change the front wheel size on the KLR from 21 to 19 and even smaller. There must be some logic in doing so. > Furthermore, "best" is subjective I wanted to hear from people who may have actually TRIED a 120/90 and can tell me how it worked for them, rather than getting second hand information on it working or not. > > > I have owed many, many motorcycles. Everyone of them was different in some way. On some bikes using a different tire profile had a marked improvement, on others, or with different tires, less of an improvement and sometimes problems. > For example I ran "down" one size in the rear on my VT1100 and it gave the bike more 'pep' and improved the feel when cornering. I have had other bikes where changing to a different size tire did not make any noticeable difference, other than the tire was cheaper. > I ran a larger tire on my '83 Honda CB650SC it worked great, but when I tried 2-up riding, it rubbed. Not good... > > > By the way, the tire chart you linked shows both 120/90, 130/80 and 130/90, so I guess some people do not think that Kawasaki necessarily made the right choice. > > Tam > > > ________________________________ > From: Fred Hink > To: Tam a'Rack > Sent: Sunday, July 15, 2012 9:46 AM > Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] A different tire question. > > > If Kawasaki thought that the 120/90-17 was a better size for the KLR, don t > you think they would have that installed instead of the 130/80? The 130/80 > is not too wide for this bike and has a much larger selection of tires in this > size. > > You can see all the tires listed for your bike on my Parts Pages under the > General/Tire section. > > If you have any other tire questions, please let me know. > > Fred > http://www.arrowheadmotorsports.com > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Ron Haraseth]

Caution...too many bottoming-out-the-suspensions with a large 606 can re-locate your license plate and the holder. If it wedges between the large knobs of the 606 and the front of the swing arm, it can instantly lock the rear tire. At 45 mph you can imagine the rest of the scenario. Mine is now relocated....... -----Original Message----- From: Tam a'Rack Sent: Sunday, July 15, 2012 7:09 PM To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: A different tire question. Thanks Let me know what you think when you get it on. I am leaning toward the 130/90 D606, I hear more good than bad about it. I ride solo, do not load up a lot of gear, and do not ride aggressive enough to bottom out the suspension very often. I think it should clear ok. There seem to be plenty of people running them. ________________________________ From: Jud To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Sent: Sunday, July 15, 2012 7:54 PM Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Re: A different tire question. I have not yet tried a 120 rear tire on my KLR, but have a set of MT21 takeoffs from a guy who wanted to put on fresh tires for a trip. The rear is a 120. It is about half gone, so it should give me at least 700 miles (based on my experience with the MT21 on a variety of 650-class dual sports). That should be enough to give me an impression of its handling. There should not be a lot of difference, except that it should steer a little quicker.

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Tam a'Rack wrote: > > No, I don't think Kawasaki necessarily though that the 130/80 was "better" > than the 120/90. > > Over the past 5 decades I have found that manufactures often make > marketing decisions based on factors other than what is "best". > > And then people even change the front wheel size on the KLR from 21 to 19 > and even smaller. There must be some logic in doing so. > Furthermore, "best" is subjective I wanted to hear from people who may > have actually TRIED a 120/90 and can tell me how it worked for them, > rather than getting second hand information on it working or not. > > > I have owed many, many motorcycles. Everyone of them was different in some > way. On some bikes using a different tire profile had a marked > improvement, on others, or with different tires, less of an improvement > and sometimes problems. > For example I ran "down" one size in the rear on my VT1100 and it gave the > bike more 'pep' and improved the feel when cornering. I have had other > bikes where changing to a different size tire did not make any noticeable > difference, other than the tire was cheaper. > I ran a larger tire on my '83 Honda CB650SC it worked great, but when I > tried 2-up riding, it rubbed. Not good... > > > By the way, the tire chart you linked shows both 120/90, 130/80 and > 130/90, so I guess some people do not think that Kawasaki necessarily made > the right choice. > > Tam > > > ________________________________ > From: Fred Hink > To: Tam a'Rack > Sent: Sunday, July 15, 2012 9:46 AM > Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] A different tire question. > > > If Kawasaki thought that the 120/90-17 was a better size for the KLR, > don t > you think they would have that installed instead of the 130/80? The > 130/80 > is not too wide for this bike and has a much larger selection of tires in > this > size. > > You can see all the tires listed for your bike on my Parts Pages under the > General/Tire section. > > If you have any other tire questions, please let me know. > > Fred > http://www.arrowheadmotorsports.com > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ List Sponsors - Dual Sport News: http://www.dualsportnews.com Arrowhead Motorsports: http://www.arrowheadmotorsports.com List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok: http://www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html Member Map: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DSN_KLR650/app/peoplemap/view/map Group Apps: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DSN_KLR650/grouplets/subscriptionsYahoo! Groups Links

[John Biccum]

My subfender has a D606-shaped "bite" mark where the D606 relocated the plate to the top of the swingarm where the plate "plinked" in the spokes like the playing cards kids put into their bicycle spokes to make noise. Mine too is now relocated, to the outside of the (main) fender, just below the tail light.

On 7/15/2012 11:51 PM, Ron Haraseth wrote: > > Caution...too many bottoming-out-the-suspensions with a large 606 can > re-locate your license plate and the holder. If it wedges between the > large > knobs of the 606 and the front of the swing arm, it can instantly lock > the > rear tire. At 45 mph you can imagine the rest of the scenario. Mine is > now > relocated....... > > -----Original Message----- > From: Tam a'Rack > Sent: Sunday, July 15, 2012 7:09 PM > To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com > Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: A different tire question. > > Thanks > Let me know what you think when you get it on. > > I am leaning toward the 130/90 D606, I hear more good than bad about it. > I ride solo, do not load up a lot of gear, and do not ride aggressive > enough > to bottom out the suspension very often. I think it should clear ok. > There > seem to be plenty of people running them. > > ________________________________ > From: Jud > > To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com > Sent: Sunday, July 15, 2012 7:54 PM > Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Re: A different tire question. > > I have not yet tried a 120 rear tire on my KLR, but have a set of MT21 > takeoffs from a guy who wanted to put on fresh tires for a trip. The > rear is > a 120. It is about half gone, so it should give me at least 700 miles > (based > on my experience with the MT21 on a variety of 650-class dual sports). > That > should be enough to give me an impression of its handling. > > There should not be a lot of difference, except that it should steer a > little quicker. > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com > , Tam a'Rack wrote: > > > > No, I don't think Kawasaki necessarily though that the 130/80 was > "better" > > than the 120/90. > > > > Over the past 5 decades I have found that manufactures often make > > marketing decisions based on factors other than what is "best". > > > > And then people even change the front wheel size on the KLR from 21 > to 19 > > and even smaller. There must be some logic in doing so. > > Furthermore, "best" is subjective I wanted to hear from people who may > > have actually TRIED a 120/90 and can tell me how it worked for them, > > rather than getting second hand information on it working or not. > > > > > > I have owed many, many motorcycles. Everyone of them was different > in some > > way. On some bikes using a different tire profile had a marked > > improvement, on others, or with different tires, less of an improvement > > and sometimes problems. > > For example I ran "down" one size in the rear on my VT1100 and it > gave the > > bike more 'pep' and improved the feel when cornering. I have had other > > bikes where changing to a different size tire did not make any > noticeable > > difference, other than the tire was cheaper. > > I ran a larger tire on my '83 Honda CB650SC it worked great, but when I > > tried 2-up riding, it rubbed. Not good... > > > > > > By the way, the tire chart you linked shows both 120/90, 130/80 and > > 130/90, so I guess some people do not think that Kawasaki > necessarily made > > the right choice. > > > > Tam > > > > > > ________________________________ > > From: Fred Hink > > To: Tam a'Rack > > Sent: Sunday, July 15, 2012 9:46 AM > > Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] A different tire question. > > > > > > If Kawasaki thought that the 120/90-17 was a better size for the KLR, > > don t > > you think they would have that installed instead of the 130/80? The > > 130/80 > > is not too wide for this bike and has a much larger selection of > tires in > > this > > size. > > > > You can see all the tires listed for your bike on my Parts Pages > under the > > General/Tire section. > > > > If you have any other tire questions, please let me know. > > > > Fred > > http://www.arrowheadmotorsports.com > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > ------------------------------------ > > List Sponsors - Dual Sport News: http://www.dualsportnews.com > Arrowhead Motorsports: http://www.arrowheadmotorsports.com > List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok: http://www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > Member Map: > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DSN_KLR650/app/peoplemap/view/map > Group Apps: > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DSN_KLR650/grouplets/subscriptionsYahoo! > Groups Links > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Jud]

Didn't you get the memo? Probably not. When I first got my KLR, the various fora had a list of things you needed to do right away. One was to relocate the license plate. Of course, by the time I had taken my first turn around the block, I had already figured that out. The K270 that came on the bike had already shredded the thin plastic dealer plate. So I relocated the plate to the rear fender, whereupon the tire started grinding an arc out of the inner fender. In the end, I just cut the inner off with a Dremel, and never thought about it again. That was ten years ago, and everybody did it sooner or later. I had forgotten all about it. Isn't there something about it in the FAQ. The other thing that had to be done, without hesitation and without fail, was to replace the frail stock shift lever with an aftermarket one. So I up and ordered a replacement from Happy Trails. Then I caught my breath for a moment, and thought about it. Why fix it if it ain't broken. I dropped that robust new lever in a tank pannier and waited for the inevitable. Ten years and 50,000 miles later, my bike still sports its original shift lever. The replacement waits at the ready. I even took it to Mexico with me even though I was on a DR650, because my buddy Al thought He might need a spare lever. This is a classic example of karmic prophylaxis at work. I have never needed the spare lever. As long as Al was riding with me, he didn't need on either. But no sooner had our paths diverged for a couple of days, then Al's shift lever broke. The spare? With me, natch. So Al got to have the adventure of hunting up a guy at a mine who had a welder, explaining what he needed, then showing the guy how to weld as he fixed it himself. Anyway, I apologize for never having mentioned the fender thing, but I could have sworn it was in the FAQ.

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Ron Haraseth wrote: > > Caution...too many bottoming-out-the-suspensions with a large 606 can > re-locate your license plate and the holder. If it wedges between the large > knobs of the 606 and the front of the swing arm, it can instantly lock the > rear tire. At 45 mph you can imagine the rest of the scenario. Mine is now > relocated....... > > -----Original Message----- > From: Tam a'Rack > Sent: Sunday, July 15, 2012 7:09 PM > To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com > Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: A different tire question. > > Thanks > Let me know what you think when you get it on. > > I am leaning toward the 130/90 D606, I hear more good than bad about it. > I ride solo, do not load up a lot of gear, and do not ride aggressive enough > to bottom out the suspension very often. I think it should clear ok. There > seem to be plenty of people running them. > > > > ________________________________ > From: Jud > To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com > Sent: Sunday, July 15, 2012 7:54 PM > Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Re: A different tire question. > > > > I have not yet tried a 120 rear tire on my KLR, but have a set of MT21 > takeoffs from a guy who wanted to put on fresh tires for a trip. The rear is > a 120. It is about half gone, so it should give me at least 700 miles (based > on my experience with the MT21 on a variety of 650-class dual sports). That > should be enough to give me an impression of its handling. > > There should not be a lot of difference, except that it should steer a > little quicker. > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Tam a'Rack wrote: > > > > No, I don't think Kawasaki necessarily though that the 130/80 was "better" > > than the 120/90. > > > > Over the past 5 decades I have found that manufactures often make > > marketing decisions based on factors other than what is "best". > > > > And then people even change the front wheel size on the KLR from 21 to 19 > > and even smaller. There must be some logic in doing so. > > Furthermore, "best" is subjective I wanted to hear from people who may > > have actually TRIED a 120/90 and can tell me how it worked for them, > > rather than getting second hand information on it working or not. > > > > > > I have owed many, many motorcycles. Everyone of them was different in some > > way. On some bikes using a different tire profile had a marked > > improvement, on others, or with different tires, less of an improvement > > and sometimes problems. > > For example I ran "down" one size in the rear on my VT1100 and it gave the > > bike more 'pep' and improved the feel when cornering. I have had other > > bikes where changing to a different size tire did not make any noticeable > > difference, other than the tire was cheaper. > > I ran a larger tire on my '83 Honda CB650SC it worked great, but when I > > tried 2-up riding, it rubbed. Not good... > > > > > > By the way, the tire chart you linked shows both 120/90, 130/80 and > > 130/90, so I guess some people do not think that Kawasaki necessarily made > > the right choice. > > > > Tam > > > > > > ________________________________ > > From: Fred Hink > > To: Tam a'Rack > > Sent: Sunday, July 15, 2012 9:46 AM > > Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] A different tire question. > > > > > > If Kawasaki thought that the 120/90-17 was a better size for the KLR, > > don t > > you think they would have that installed instead of the 130/80? The > > 130/80 > > is not too wide for this bike and has a much larger selection of tires in > > this > > size. > > > > You can see all the tires listed for your bike on my Parts Pages under the > > General/Tire section. > > > > If you have any other tire questions, please let me know. > > > > Fred > > http://www.arrowheadmotorsports.com > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > ------------------------------------ > > List Sponsors - Dual Sport News: http://www.dualsportnews.com > Arrowhead Motorsports: http://www.arrowheadmotorsports.com > List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok: http://www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > Member Map: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DSN_KLR650/app/peoplemap/view/map > Group Apps: > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DSN_KLR650/grouplets/subscriptionsYahoo! > Groups Links >

[Mark Harris]

Evans has a non-water coolant, you never change. Pricey, but works well in Jay Leno's vintage cars and bikes. I ordered some for my vintage bikes and KLR650. Mark in Nevada Sent from my iPad instead of landsailing at 126.2 mph!!!