rear tire 120/90 or 130/80?

[revmaaatin]

List. ATGATT was the costume for today, including MX boots and earplugs. Pick the blue bike, most trail worthy and geared to pull stumps at 14/46 sprockets. She has been overlooked for a few days and she needs the exercise. Mount the pig, thumb the starter and it cranks a little slow. sigh. Stop. Add choke, repeat. Slow crank and it hits. She dies. sigh. Adjust choke, thumb starter, cranks slower, so I deceide, the punt...release the starter button. Does it stop the sequence? oh, no. It keeps on cranking, and cranking, and in the background I hear the EverReady bunny beating the drum. Remember the ATGATT. yeah its REAL handy with a stuck starter. Key off. HA! keeps cranking, slowly. Kill Switch--OFF. keeps cranking, more slowly. Sun glasses on, maybe I can get the bigh #3 Phillips on the batt. ground bolt off. Ah, no. (I ride with the side panels off.) crap. keeps cranking, more, more, slo-w-w-ly. back to the tool box and get the gear wrench. no longer cranking. wrong wrench back to the tool box, right wrench, ATGATT and I can't see because of the sun glasses. Find the right glasses, I pause to think, 'Is there a fire yet?' no Remove the batt. ground terminal and scratch my head. From previous post read right here on DSN, I knew that I would need to remove the ground cable or 'cut' it. I wasn't wanting to cut it and scurried around (ATGATT) and got it disconnected--hoping I had not fragged the starter or burnt up other components or wiring. Of course, I have an appointment/deadline with the US Post Office, and now I am late. sigh. At least later than I intended. No problem. Park the blue pig, take the son's green pig (= my first KLR as well.) The beauty of a multiple KLR family! I make it to the Post Office before the closing bell-- Life is good. 12 more miles then it will be two hours of gravel. Yes, 138 miles later, counted after the blue-pig whines (that would be starter whine) later; life is very, very good. Maybe only one very good. I left at 4pm/78F on the second leg of the journey with the summer weight coat and after 1 hour, the temp had dipped below 55F and I was a long way to a warm spot. I was riding a bike with heated grips (since 2004) and that helped a lot. Backk to the blue-pig. As soon as I got home, I pulled the battery, checked at 11.8v residual volts. sigh. 4 cells at the min-fluid line, but none showing any excess dryness or abuse. I serviced the battery with distilled water to 'max-fill' line and put it on the battery tender. Two months ago, I acquired an extra starter relay; just in case. I spoke to Jeff Saline, and he suggested I install the just-in-case relay, becuase NOW was that just in case time! I did take a v-meter and meter out the relay while still on the bike, the installed 'problem' relay bench tested 'good'--but at the recc of Jeff I located the spare--12K mile relay--and installed it. Jeff suggested the previous relay kept cranking due to low volts (increasing amps) and had temp-welded/porbalbly damaged the relay and for certain, kept the starter cranking. When that happens, the only cure for a runaway starater is to remove the ground strap from the battery or cut the cable. For now, the offending relay is resting on the bench, probably the first time it has been disconnected since 1998 and 49000 miles. Maybe it just needed a rest? Maybe it objects to being called a 'blue-pig?' shurg. I do know this, it may be a 'blue-pig' but it is the prettest KLR ever made; and the first chance I get, I am going to tell her, just that. Probably should go tell her that right now--as she saw me ride off on my old girl friend (the green pig) earlier today--and get dirty. As you well know, never wrestle with a pig; the pig likes it and you get dirty. What more could a KLR rider ask for? revmaaatin.

[Jud]

The same thing happened to me, once, about 8 or 9 years ago. I called Fred, thinking I might need a new relay. Fred said just go with it, so I did, although that relay did eventually develop a condition where I had to give the connector for the trigger circuit a finger wave to start the bike. I had to replace that relay last month, but I have no idea if the failure was related to that low-voltage runaway cranking episode.

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "revmaaatin" wrote: > > List. > ATGATT was the costume for today, including MX boots and earplugs. > > Pick the blue bike, most trail worthy and geared to pull stumps at 14/46 sprockets. She has been overlooked for a few days and she needs the exercise. > Mount the pig, thumb the starter and it cranks a little slow. sigh. > Stop. Add choke, repeat. Slow crank and it hits. She dies. sigh. > > Adjust choke, thumb starter, cranks slower, so I deceide, the punt...release the starter button. > Does it stop the sequence? > oh, no. > It keeps on cranking, and cranking, and in the background I hear the EverReady bunny beating the drum. > > Remember the ATGATT. yeah its REAL handy with a stuck starter. > Key off. HA! keeps cranking, slowly. > Kill Switch--OFF. keeps cranking, more slowly. > > Sun glasses on, maybe I can get the bigh #3 Phillips on the batt. ground bolt off. Ah, no. (I ride with the side panels off.) > crap. > keeps cranking, more, more, slo-w-w-ly. > back to the tool box and get the gear wrench. > no longer cranking. > wrong wrench > back to the tool box, > right wrench, ATGATT and I can't see because of the sun glasses. > Find the right glasses, > I pause to think, 'Is there a fire yet?' > no > Remove the batt. ground terminal and scratch my head. > > From previous post read right here on DSN, I knew that I would need to remove the ground cable or 'cut' it. I wasn't wanting to cut it and scurried around (ATGATT) and got it disconnected--hoping I had not fragged the starter or burnt up other components or wiring. > > Of course, I have an appointment/deadline with the US Post Office, and now I am late. sigh. At least later than I intended. > > No problem. > Park the blue pig, take the son's green pig (= my first KLR as well.) > The beauty of a multiple KLR family! > > I make it to the Post Office before the closing bell-- > Life is good. 12 more miles then it will be two hours of gravel. > Yes, 138 miles later, counted after the blue-pig whines (that would be starter whine) later; life is very, very good. > > Maybe only one very good. > I left at 4pm/78F on the second leg of the journey with the summer weight coat and after 1 hour, the temp had dipped below 55F and I was a long way to a warm spot. I was riding a bike with heated grips (since 2004) and that helped a lot. > > Backk to the blue-pig. > As soon as I got home, I pulled the battery, checked at 11.8v residual volts. sigh. > 4 cells at the min-fluid line, but none showing any excess dryness or abuse. I serviced the battery with distilled water to 'max-fill' line and put it on the battery tender. > > Two months ago, I acquired an extra starter relay; just in case. > I spoke to Jeff Saline, and he suggested I install the just-in-case relay, becuase NOW was that just in case time! > > I did take a v-meter and meter out the relay while still on the bike, the installed 'problem' relay bench tested 'good'--but at the recc of Jeff I located the spare--12K mile relay--and installed it. Jeff suggested the previous relay kept cranking due to low volts (increasing amps) and had temp-welded/porbalbly damaged the relay and for certain, kept the starter cranking. > When that happens, the only cure for a runaway starater is to remove the ground strap from the battery or cut the cable. > > For now, the offending relay is resting on the bench, probably the first time it has been disconnected since 1998 and 49000 miles. > Maybe it just needed a rest? > Maybe it objects to being called a 'blue-pig?' shurg. > > I do know this, it may be a 'blue-pig' but it is the prettest KLR ever made; > and the first chance I get, I am going to tell her, just that. > > Probably should go tell her that right now--as she saw me ride off on my old girl friend (the green pig) earlier today--and get dirty. > > As you well know, never wrestle with a pig; > the pig likes it and you get dirty. > > What more could a KLR rider ask for? > > revmaaatin. >

[Tony]

Had a stuck starter on my snowmobile some years back, and didn't realize it as I took off immediately after the sled restarted (excess adrenalin / blood pumping after righting a tipped 1000cc 600lb sled, ear plugs, balaclava and tight fitting helmet all partly to blame). Some 20 miles later we stopped for a break, and no restart.... 1000cc 4-strokes with no direct drive gears don't start with a very fried / fused starter. Spent the rest of the day getting back to civilization, then renting a utility sled, towing my sled out, muscling it on the trailer, and the rest... ATGATT can be a PITA at times. Spend a lot of time in SE Asia (tropical, humid, temps never dip much below 77 at night), and traffic / travel is very slow, so getting relief from the breeze is not an option in town, and minimal even on the open road at times. Mix that in with lots of rain and lots of very muddy road works, and water shorts / water shoes or sandals become more attractive having the lower half of your body encased in a mix of mud and water for most of the day... [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[revmaaatin]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Tony wrote:

> > Had a stuck starter on my snowmobile some years back, and didn't realize it as I took off immediately after the sled restarted (excess adrenalin / blood pumping after righting a tipped 1000cc 600lb sled, ear plugs, balaclava and tight fitting helmet all partly to blame). > > Some 20 miles later we stopped for a break, and no restart.... 1000cc 4-strokes with no direct drive gears don't start with a very fried / fused starter. Spent the rest of the day getting back to civilization, then renting a utility sled, towing my sled out, muscling it on the trailer, and the rest... > > > ATGATT can be a PITA at times. Spend a lot of time in SE Asia (tropical, humid, temps never dip much below 77 at night), and traffic / travel is very slow, so getting relief from the breeze is not an option in town, and minimal even on the open road at times. > Mix that in with lots of rain and lots of very muddy road works, and water shorts / water shoes or sandals become more attractive having the lower half of your body encased in a mix of mud and water for most of the day... >

But Tony, Don't you have the added advantage of leeches? Just asking.... revmaaatin.

[RobertWichert]

As a former snowshoe user, I always thought snowmobiles were a bit dangerous for this very reason, that is, the ability to go very far, very fast, and then, if it stops, you are SOL. Robert Wichert P.Eng. LEED AP BD&C +1 916 966 9060 FAX +1 916 966 9068 ===============================================

On 8/16/2012 10:06 AM, revmaaatin wrote: > > > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com > , Tony wrote: > > > > Had a stuck starter on my snowmobile some years back, and didn't > realize it as I took off immediately after the sled restarted (excess > adrenalin / blood pumping after righting a tipped 1000cc 600lb sled, > ear plugs, balaclava and tight fitting helmet all partly to blame). > > > > Some 20 miles later we stopped for a break, and no restart.... > 1000cc 4-strokes with no direct drive gears don't start with a very > fried / fused starter. Spent the rest of the day getting back to > civilization, then renting a utility sled, towing my sled out, > muscling it on the trailer, and the rest... > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Mike Frey]

Leeches can help take the place of protective gear. Having a bunch of them attached to your legs is like having little airbags in the event of a fall. Of course, evolution never really prepared leeches for 30 mph slides down an asphalt road.

On 8/16/2012 1:06 PM, revmaaatin wrote: > > > But Tony, > Don't you have the added advantage of leeches? > Just asking.... > > revmaaatin. > >

[revmaaatin]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Mike Frey wrote:

> > Leeches can help take the place of protective gear. Having a bunch of > them attached to your legs is like having little airbags in the event of > a fall. Of course, evolution never really prepared leeches for 30 mph > slides down an asphalt road.

Bad engineer! Aren't you supposed to be inventing new plastics to send to Mars or something, instead, you are inventing stories. No cookie for you either. wink. revmaaatin.

> > On 8/16/2012 1:06 PM, revmaaatin wrote: > > > > > > But Tony, > > Don't you have the added advantage of leeches? > > Just asking.... > > > > revmaaatin. > > > > >

[Eddie]

As others have pointed out, the difference will be very small and you will likely not see any real change in fuel consumption and the suspension won't know it's back there. As for absorbing shock, the slightly bigger tire itself will take hits a little better. A 120mm tire with a 90 aspect ratio has a tire height of 120 x 0.9 or 108mm. The 130/80 is 130 x 0.8 = 104mm. 4mm isn't much at all. In fact, a 120/90 tire would probably lose 4mm of tread long before it was worn out. The 08' and later KLRs come with a 130 rear tire. Even so, I run Avon Gripsters on my 09' and have to be careful I don't over fill the rear tire past 30psi for mostly road use. If I do, the tire rubs the chain guard. The stop Dunlop in the same size didn't do that. eddie

> [Original Message] > From: georgios_ace > To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> > Date: 8/17/2012 12:30:57 PM > Subject: [DSN_KLR650] rear tire 120/90 or 130/80? > > Hello, > > I am in a dilemma choosing a rear tire. Currently I have a DUNLOP

TRAILMAX J 120/90. I am considering fitting a 130/80 tire. This will lower about 10mm the bike and it will also shorten a bit the gearing both of them I would welcome. But what disadvantages will I have? Will the turning in twisty mountain roads become more difficult? Will the lower profile 130/80 tire be harder on the rear shock as less absorbing? Will the petrol consumption increase? What size rear tire do you prefer for 80% asphalt 20% dirt riding?

> > >