gas - probably as bad as a oil thread

[nhjim10]

Everyone has a very specific use for their bike. It might be commuting, it might be riding in and out to their hunting camp, it might be riding to work 5 days a week, then hitting nasty rough trails on the weekend, it might be trailering to their riding spot, then hammering the wee out of the bike all day and trailering home. When I bought my KLR I thought I would be doing a lot more trail riding than I ended up doing. I live in northern NH where we have hundreds of miles of graded log roads and several designated ATV riding areas. I also happen to be 6'4" tall and in the neighborhood of 300 lbs. I almost got an XR650R so it would be lighter and more trail capable in the serious rough stuff. As it turned out, I got escorted out of an ATV area with a warning that it was 3 and 4 wheeled vehicles only. I also got stopped on one of the graded log roads (open to vehicles) with a warning that "dirt bikes and ATVs aren't allowed, only passenger vehicles". So essentially I can't ride dirt up here. As a result, my KLR got a set of hard panniers, tank bag, tall windshield, and for most of it's life so far, street-oriented tires. I used it to commute and take long day trips (up to 700 miles in a day) around New England, and a 5-day ride to Kentucky and back, where I logged 2400+ miles on the highway and a couple days riding trails following my Jeep buddies around. For me, the Tenere would be excellent. I hate chains, period, and shaft drive would be an excellent upgrade. This feeling was reinforced when my chain grenaded and wrapped itself around the rear hub at 80 mph in Virginia. I spent several hours doing roadside repairs, a full day running around to locate parts, and nearly $1000 in damaged parts that still need replacing (I just sourced a part's bike with everything I need). Weight isn't a factor, and a larger engine would be great to haul myself and my cargo around. I do want a somewhat dirt-oriented bike, because with my long legs a tall bike is comfortable for me, and a bit of suspension travel is needed on our extremely rough northern New England roads. If I road real trails I would skip the Tenere and get something small and light. If I lived where the roads were smoother, I'd buy a street bike. But its nice to have a bike that you can load up 2 people on comfortably, and still ride the Trans Lab. Highway easily, or hit some mild fire roads, or the thousands of miles of high speed dirt roads in the Southwest. Before I started reviving my KLR, I was looking for a new bike for next spring. On the list were the Tenere and a V-strom 1000. But if I revive the KLR, I'll keep it as a commuter bike/day trip bike, and maybe get an ST1300 for long highway trips. The KLR has no resale anyway, and will end up worth just about what I spend on the big bore kit and parts I recently put in, so selling it isn't an option. Jim

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "roncriswell@..." wrote: > > As an old dirtbike rider like probably most of you are, I get so tired of when the so called next big adventure comes out (emphasis on big). Isn't every bike an adventure? The only adventure you might experience on the Yamaha Tenere is when if you are so stupid to take it down a deep gravel road, a muddy road, a talcum powder sandy road and have to pick the big turd up by yourself. I get hooked into these things every time a new one comes out (until I read the weight). To me weight is everything on a bike that is supposed to be able to go anywhere. You can get away with a bad suspension, under powered the lighter the bike is. I know, I still went more hard rough places on my 100 cc Hodaka than any other bike I have owned and I have had more powerful better suspentioned dirt bikes. I keep waiting for somebody to make a better KLR or Suzuki DR 650. Something under 300 pounds single cylinder with maybe 50 torquey ponies with a great suspension, 4 gallon or so tank, and a comfortable seat. Nine gallon tank, I don't want, 100 high reving ponies I don't need. I had to laugh when the guy that wrote about the Tenere said he went on a 3 day 600 mile trip. WHOOO HOO! I hate to tell him I have done numerous 500 - 600 - and 700 mile days on my KLR (with a Corbin). I have had it up around 100 mph on full 606 knobbies. The only time the power hasn't been adequate was passing a double logging truck in Mexico at 7000 ft. altitude. If the Japanes might build something like the V twin Aprllia dirt bikes with a 4 gallon tank and a comfy seat I might spring for it, but the Tenre, the Multistrada, the KTM 990 or the Beemer GS's, no thanks. The old air head GS Beemrs would be the closest to getting mild interest but still way too heavy and big. I had to laugh once when I rode to Big Bend once on a very windy cold weekend from Dallas with a friend that has the Big Beemer that is like a a Gold Wing with heated grips, CD player and air suspension who was ready to quit after 300 miles. Woosey. And remeber the guys on the big Beemers on the Long Way Around trip with backup parts and film crew in that deep mud? I had to laugh. I just read a book recently about a guy riding from Mexico to Ushuaia Argentina on a 125 air cooled single cylinder Honda. > Smart man it my book. > > Anybody know if Seafoam makes a bike run leaner? A friend with a Honda Shadow let it sit up too long and I told him to use Seafoam which he did at maybe double what he should. He started it and the pipes got glowing red hot so he shut it off. This bike is a bike he bought at one of those auctions with after market loud pipes and probably isn't jetted correctly. Another friend says Seafoam will make it run lean???? > > Criswell >

[Michael Martin]

Jim, I'm baffled by this.  If your bike is licensed for road use, I think that it be legal to use on that road.  To me, the "dirt bikes and ATVs" are unlicensed vehicles, and that's why they're not allowed. Mike Martin, Louisville, KY [b]From:[/b] nhjim10 [b][/b] [b][/b] I also got stopped on one of the graded log roads (open to vehicles) with a warning that "dirt bikes and ATVs aren't allowed, only passenger vehicles". So essentially I can't ride dirt up here.

[spike55_bmw]

Around here (Pennsylvania) many of the dirt / gravel roads are in state / national forest areas. They only allow licensed vehicles (no ATVs or unlicensed motorcycles), except in the winter when they allow snowmobiles. Here and there, people have hunting camps on leased land (99 yr leases) and if the forest rangers see ATVs at your camp and see tracks in/out onto the main gravel road, they will pull your lease - you lost everything that may have been in your family for 70 yrs. Don R100, A6F

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Michael Martin wrote: > > Jim, > > I'm baffled by this. If your bike is licensed for road use, I think that it be > legal to use on that road. To me, the "dirt bikes and ATVs" are unlicensed > vehicles, and that's why they're not allowed. > > Mike Martin, > Louisville, KY > > > > > ________________________________ > From: nhjim10 > > I also got stopped on one of the graded log roads (open to vehicles) with a > warning that "dirt bikes and ATVs aren't allowed, only passenger vehicles". So > essentially I can't ride dirt up here. >

[dooden]

Well my understanding in Michigan ATV's can ride gravel/side of all county roads (with exceptions of course to locations) as long as it has a ORV (Off Road Vehicle) sticker $16.25 a year, but a KLR or any other bike with a tag can ride gravel of course, but also all ATV trails. Only time a tagged bike needs a ORV sticker is MC trials --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Michael Martin wrote: > > Jim, > > I'm baffled by this. If your bike is licensed for road use, I think that it be > legal to use on that road. To me, the "dirt bikes and ATVs" are unlicensed > vehicles, and that's why they're not allowed. > > Mike Martin, > Louisville, KY > > > > > ________________________________ > From: nhjim10 > > I also got stopped on one of the graded log roads (open to vehicles) with a > warning that "dirt bikes and ATVs aren't allowed, only passenger vehicles". So > essentially I can't ride dirt up here. >

[roncriswell@sbcglobal.net]

It is funny these days how it seems all bikes are designed for a specific purpose. In olden days there were just good all around bikes (the KLR fits here with me). I would like the Tenere if it were more the weight of my Kawasaki Versy. The Tenere  approaches the weight of my 2001 Concours. The Connie is great for the Interstate but a pig around town. It isn't much fun on a gravel soupy mud road (which I did about 15 miles once on a road being worked on). The Versy is a blast to ride and a good 100 pounds lighter than the Tenere. It is also a lot cheaper than the Tenere, the Beemer GS or the Multistrada and I think it will do mostly what those bikes will. I picked up a left over 2009 brand new for $5600 out the door.The big negative as you don't like chains is its chain drive. I don't know why your chain apparently fell off unless it was way old, not adjusted properly or you were using a clip type master link. I have gone to a rivet link after loosing two clips. And I buy really top notch chains. Maybe buying dirt bikes or dual sport bikes is a bad future investment if the greenies have their way and get all the dirt / gravel roads closed to us in National or State Parks. Time to join the AMA if you haven't. Criswell 

On Nov 6, 2010, at 4:06 PM, nhjim10 wrote:   Everyone has a very specific use for their bike. It might be commuting, it might be riding in and out to their hunting camp, it might be riding to work 5 days a week, then hitting nasty rough trails on the weekend, it might be trailering to their riding spot, then hammering the wee out of the bike all day and trailering home. When I bought my KLR I thought I would be doing a lot more trail riding than I ended up doing. I live in northern NH where we have hundreds of miles of graded log roads and several designated ATV riding areas. I also happen to be 6'4" tall and in the neighborhood of 300 lbs. I almost got an XR650R so it would be lighter and more trail capable in the serious rough stuff. As it turned out, I got escorted out of an ATV area with a warning that it was 3 and 4 wheeled vehicles only. I also got stopped on one of the graded log roads (open to vehicles) with a warning that "dirt bikes and ATVs aren't allowed, only passenger vehicles". So essentially I can't ride dirt up here. As a result, my KLR got a set of hard panniers, tank bag, tall windshield, and for most of it's life so far, street-oriented tires. I used it to commute and take long day trips (up to 700 miles in a day) around New England, and a 5-day ride to Kentucky and back, where I logged 2400+ miles on the highway and a couple days riding trails following my Jeep buddies around. For me, the Tenere would be excellent. I hate chains, period, and shaft drive would be an excellent upgrade. This feeling was reinforced when my chain grenaded and wrapped itself around the rear hub at 80 mph in Virginia. I spent several hours doing roadside repairs, a full day running around to locate parts, and nearly $1000 in damaged parts that still need replacing (I just sourced a part's bike with everything I need). Weight isn't a factor, and a larger engine would be great to haul myself and my cargo around. I do want a somewhat dirt-oriented bike, because with my long legs a tall bike is comfortable for me, and a bit of suspension travel is needed on our extremely rough northern New England roads. If I road real trails I would skip the Tenere and get something small and light. If I lived where the roads were smoother, I'd buy a street bike. But its nice to have a bike that you can load up 2 people on comfortably, and still ride the Trans Lab. Highway easily, or hit some mild fire roads, or the thousands of miles of high speed dirt roads in the Southwest. Before I started reviving my KLR, I was looking for a new bike for next spring. On the list were the Tenere and a V-strom 1000. But if I revive the KLR, I'll keep it as a commuter bike/day trip bike, and maybe get an ST1300 for long highway trips. The KLR has no resale anyway, and will end up worth just about what I spend on the big bore kit and parts I recently put in, so selling it isn't an option. Jim --- In DSN_KLR650%40yahoogroups.com, "roncriswell@..." wrote: > > As an old dirtbike rider like probably most of you are, I get so tired of when the so called next big adventure comes out (emphasis on big). Isn't every bike an adventure? The only adventure you might experience on the Yamaha Tenere is when if you are so stupid to take it down a deep gravel road, a muddy road, a talcum powder sandy road and have to pick the big turd up by yourself. I get hooked into these things every time a new one comes out (until I read the weight). To me weight is everything on a bike that is supposed to be able to go anywhere. You can get away with a bad suspension, under powered the lighter the bike is. I know, I still went more hard rough places on my 100 cc Hodaka than any other bike I have owned and I have had more powerful better suspentioned dirt bikes. I keep waiting for somebody to make a better KLR or Suzuki DR 650. Something under 300 pounds single cylinder with maybe 50 torquey ponies with a great suspension, 4 gallon or so tank, and a comfortable seat. Nine gallon tank, I don't want, 100 high reving ponies I don't need. I had to laugh when the guy that wrote about the Tenere said he went on a 3 day 600 mile trip. WHOOO HOO! I hate to tell him I have done numerous 500 - 600 - and 700 mile days on my KLR (with a Corbin). I have had it up around 100 mph on full 606 knobbies. The only time the power hasn't been adequate was passing a double logging truck in Mexico at 7000 ft. altitude. If the Japanes might build something like the V twin Aprllia dirt bikes with a 4 gallon tank and a comfy seat I might spring for it, but the Tenre, the Multistrada, the KTM 990 or the Beemer GS's, no thanks. The old air head GS Beemrs would be the closest to getting mild interest but still way too heavy and big. I had to laugh once when I rode to Big Bend once on a very windy cold weekend from Dallas with a friend that has the Big Beemer that is like a a Gold Wing with heated grips, CD player and air suspension who was ready to quit after 300 miles. Woosey. And remeber the guys on the bi! g Beemers on the Long Way Around trip with backup parts and film crew in that deep mud? I had to laugh. I just read a book recently about a guy riding from Mexico to Ushuaia Argentina on a 125 air cooled single cylinder Honda. > Smart man it my book. > > Anybody know if Seafoam makes a bike run leaner? A friend with a Honda Shadow let it sit up too long and I told him to use Seafoam which he did at maybe double what he should. He started it and the pipes got glowing red hot so he shut it off. This bike is a bike he bought at one of those auctions with after market loud pipes and probably isn't jetted correctly. Another friend says Seafoam will make it run lean???? > > Criswell >

[nhjim10]

NH is a screwed up state when it comes to off road recreation. Back in the late 90's the state started enforcing a rule that required any off road use on private land (including snowmobiles, ATVs, and 4x4 trucks) to have "written landowner permission". That means if you want to take your family on an ATV or 4x4 ride on a nice trail, you might need to get written permission from 50 different landowners. If just 1 doesn't give it, the trail is closed. Most people who have no problem with allowing their land to be used, do have a problem with putting it in writing. I don't blame them, it gets into a whole responsibility issue, they would need a lawyer to explain any possible liability to them, etc. Not realistic. Keep in mind this applies to ANY private property. If you get an overzealous officer, you end up busted for riding on your friend's property, which has happened. The exception to this is if a club does the groundwork and gets blanket permission, has insurance which covers liability, etc. Then those trails get opened by the state. Access depends on the agreement that was reached with the landowner. It might allow snowmobiles in the winter, but not ATVs in the summer (very common), or allow ATVs but no dirt bikes. That was all just to show how NH, although rural, is very anti-motorized recreation. Is it legal for me to use my bike on the graded log roads? Probably, according to the state laws I've read. But if I'm going to be stopped and harassed, and given tickets, I can't afford the tickets, OR to fight them in court...so essentially, they win. Jim

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Michael Martin wrote: > > Jim, > > I'm baffled by this. If your bike is licensed for road use, I think that it be > legal to use on that road. To me, the "dirt bikes and ATVs" are unlicensed > vehicles, and that's why they're not allowed. > > Mike Martin, > Louisville, KY > > > > > ________________________________ > From: nhjim10 > > I also got stopped on one of the graded log roads (open to vehicles) with a > warning that "dirt bikes and ATVs aren't allowed, only passenger vehicles". So > essentially I can't ride dirt up here. >

[Michael Martin]

It's ironic that New Hampshire's state motto is "Live Free or Die". Mike Martin, Louisville, KY [b][/b]That was all just to show how NH, although rural, is very anti-motorized recreation. Is it legal for me to use my bike on the graded log roads? Probably, according to the state laws I've read. But if I'm going to be stopped and harassed, and given tickets, I can't afford the tickets, OR to fight them in court...so essentially, they win. Jim

[Jeffrey]

Geez, at least run mid-grade. During the hot summer, run supreme. KLRs definitely ping badly on regular; enough to damage engine esp. during summer. Jeffrey #3