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klr650-digest         Wednesday, July 15 1998         Volume 01 : Number 138




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Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 13:29:36 -0400
From: Bill Wright <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) KLR vs. BMW

Robert Kaub wrote:

> In regard to the post about the BMW folks afraid to ride with a KLR, I
> think that those guys are really not your (our) friends.  There could be an
> elitist dynamic at work here.
> Bob Kaub

Hey Guys,

I think that the BMW riders are worried that you'll do fine on the trip at one
third the cost. Oh darn, there I go again tellin' the truth.

Bill Wright
Hotlanta, GA
98 KLR 650

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 10:31:39 -0700 (PDT)
From: [e-mail] (Francis Smith)
Subject: (klr650) Fwd: Royal Purple Synthetic

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Listers:

I'm re-sending this post as my Webtv was on the blink when I sent it.  I
don't know if the post
got through or if anyone commented on it.

Thanks for indulging me.

Jim


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From: [e-mail] (Francis Smith)
Date: Mon, 13 Jul 1998 10:37:53 -0700 (PDT)
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Royal Purple Synthetic
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
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Fellow Listers:

Attended the WSB races in Monterey this week-
- -end.  A friend of mine who is a motorcycle
dealer as well as a owner/rider from the Atlanta
area was there as well.  He swears by this Royal Purple Synthetic and
uses it in all of his
numerous personal bikes.  Says that all of the
NASCAR racers (regardless of what the logos
on their car says) secretly use this stuff.

Anyone heard of it?.  Is it only available in the Southwestern U.S.?.

Jim
'98 KLR
'98 GL 1500
"98 Bandit 1200


- --WebTV-Mail-228774378-78--

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Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 10:56:25 -0700
From: "Jeffrey L. Walker" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) Tampa-Montreal

>Chris, it's not an offical list but here's what's in my toolbag when I
>go on a long trip, any motorcycle, hope you find it useful...
>
>- Chain Lube (small can wrapped in a plastic bag)
>- Spark Plug
>- Oil Filter (the KLR's are small so why not?)
>- 1 quart oil (sometimes more)
>- 2 pieces of clothes line (cotton rope) about 4' each
>- Cargo net
>- Brake fluid
>- The tools that came with the bike (they aren't great but I don't
>worry about loosing them)
>- adjustable wrench and vise grips
>- Screw driver with multiple types and sized bits
>- hacksaw blade with small handle
>- 1 fine, 1 course emery cloth
>- rags
>- duct tape
>- tube of silicon
>- gasket in a tube
>- Bic lighter
>- 2 motorcycle tie downs (used for large ferrys or when all goes bad
>and a kind person with a truck or trailer comes along.)
>- 2 large garbage bags (to put things in when it rains)
>- small tube of hand cleaner
>- Paper towels
>- Sharp swiss army knife
>- spare bulbs
>- spare fuses
>- Air pressure gauge
>- I forget the name of it but it looks like a giant syringe (with a
>hose instead of a needle) and is used to adjust the air pressure in
>the forks.
>- a few coffee filters (in case I need to get water for the radiator
>from a stream)
>- Small first aid kit wrapped in plastic
>- Small flashlight
>- I then get really carried away because I also bring a small amount
>of cleaner (honda bright or S100 and wax so I can work on the bike if
>I am waiting for something or someone.
>- Soon I will add the tools necessary to repair a flat.
>- I haven't adjusted the valves on my KLR myself yet (only 3,600
>miles)but on my old Honda I also always brought my valve adjusting
>tools.
>- I want to add Electricals diagnostic tools
>- If you don't know the bike real well, bring a manual.
>
>I probably missed some things, this is from memory.  I know it looks
>like a lot but most are small, light items that you will hopefully
>never need.
>
>My KLR is my first water cooled bike.  Anyone have any suggestions on
>what to bring for street/trail repairs for the cooling system?
>


Great gear to have.  I would suggest that you don't take the clothes line,
and instead get some Military parachute cord, officially called "550 cord"
due to its 550 lb.. test strength.  I can break clothesline with my hands.
For the same amount of space as your 8 ft of clothesline, you can take over
25 ft. of 550 cord.  You can get it in 500 ft. rolls, but you might have to
shop around the surplus stores to find it.  550 cord is part of my
wilderness survival gear.  You can take the inner thread strands out and use
it for fishing line, or if you have the time you can use it to make a net.
(don't waste the outer sheath though, it still makes great cord, just not as
strong.)  550 cord does unravel though, so your bic lighter is the perfect
tool to burn the ends.

As for gear to repair the water cooling system:  The only thing that I can
see malfunctioning is the hoses, so a few spare hose clamps and a long
enough hose to replace either hose should it fail.  (for both to fail would
be very bad luck.)  Also, a replacement hose for the overflow bottle would
be good.  It could also serve as a spare fuel line in a pinch.  It would be
very unlikely, but for anything else in the cooling system to fail, you
really couldn't repair it on the road.  You'd have to limp to the closest
repair shop.  (run it until it gets hot, then stop and let it cool, and
etc..)

Jeff

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 11:01:46 -0700
From: "Jeffrey L. Walker" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) Manuals

>Before I go to the dealer...
>
>Does anyone know of any other options for a good manual for the KLR
>than spending $80 at the dealership for the base and supplemental
>factory manuals?
>


Nope, your stuck.  Shop around dealers though, as I have noticed a
difference in prices between them.  You might save a couple of bucks.

Jeff

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 11:03:34 -0700
From: Chris Beasley <[e-mail]>
Subject: (klr650) Hose routing

Uum, I just put a new battery in my '89 and I am not sure where the battery drip
tube should come out on the bottom of the bike.  It seems to want to end up
right above the uni-trak linkage which can't be a good thing.  Is there a page
in the manuals that tells how to route the hoses?  If so, I can't find it.
Thanks!
b

p.s. doncha think it's cool when a KLR overheats it pumps coolant out the back
of the bike instead of onto the ground in front of the rear tire?  I was
wondering what that looooong tube was for...
l8r
b

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 11:17:25 -0700
From: "Jeffrey L. Walker" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) Gas Tank

>Okay, so I have a KLR650 with a LARGE gas tank.  What use is it if I
>never fill more than 4 1/2 gallons when just switched to reserve?  Am I
>carrying 3/4 of a gallon around I never get to use, probably going stale,
>adding weight without benefit, etc.  Any solutions to my "non-problem?"
>-Ves
>


Non problem is right.  It usually takes over a month for gas to go stale,
depending upon the initial quality of the gas purchased, and the weather
conditions.  I would hope that you ride more often than that.  Also, when
you fill up, you have totally mixed the fresh gas with the old, and thus no
worries.

When I winterize my boat, I fill the tank up so as to minimize condensation,
then add a fuel stabilizer.  Over the four to five months that my boat sits,
I haven't really noticed the fuel go stale.  Still, to be on the safe side I
siphon all 50 gallons of  the gas out and put it in the tanks of my
vehicles, my lawn mower, even my bike this season.   I burned off this
"stale" gas this way with no problems.  I probably don't even need to do
this, but I refuse to take any chances with my high performance marine
engine, as repairs on it cost 200 % more than on the vehicles.  Actually,
for bad gas all I'd need to do is siphon it all, then drain the float bowels
on my dual carbs and fuel pump, but who needs the trouble.  Easier to siphon
it all in the first place.

Hey, be adventurous!  See how far you can go on your reserve tank so you
know!  Once you know, then in the future once you hit reserve you can plan
on going 80% of the reserve distance or so to burn this gas off, depending
on how many gas stations are around of course.  Personally, I always look
for a gas station as soon as I hit reserve, but then I'm a better safe than
sorry kind of guy.

Jeff

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 11:23:00 -0700
From: "Jeffrey L. Walker" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) And people wonder...

>At 07:37 AM 7/15/98 -0600, Pokluda, Gino F wrote:
>>So, I get this message that a fellow named Rick is desperate to talk to
>>me about KLR's.   I call him up and he is somewhat frantic.  He wants me
>>to look at his bike because he is leaving on a motorcycle trip on Sunday
>>and he wants my opinion as to the condition of his bike.  I tell him I'm
>>not a certified bike mechanic, but bring it over and we'll have a look.
>> He comes over.  He has a beautiful 97 KLR in perfect condition except
>>for a small scrape on a side cowl.  Has new Avon Gripsters and 5,000
>>miles on the clock.  I ride the bike at his request and it runs perfect.
>> The bike is in great repair, so I ask him why he is concerned about the
>>trip.  "The guys I am riding with are concerned that the bike will not
>>make the trip (3000 miles)", he says.   "One guy has even thought about
>>not going because he doesn't want to have to keep stopping while I get my
>>bike repaired".
>>
>>"What kind of bikes are your friends riding?", I ask.
>>
>>He replies, "BMW R100GS's."
>>
>>And people wonder why I have a hard time dealing with the BMW crowd.  I
>>rest my case.
>
>
> You have my sympathies, but I think the real problem is some
>of the later BMWs, especialy the paralever GSs and the oilheads. The
>pre-paralever airheads (like my R60/7) actualy (almost) live up to their
>reputations. Aside from the valve maintnence, they realy are just about
>bulletproof. If they ever had made a DOHC, shim-over-bucket airhead,
>it realy would be an almost maintenece free ride.
>
> However, it should be noted that I have taken my KLR far further
>from home that I hever have my R60/7. This may remain the case, too.
>


I have a friend with an old '78 Boxter (don't know what kind specifically).
In over 120,000 miles, all he's done is take the cylinders off, hone them,
and put new rings on.  Sprayed some carb cleaner in the carbs and he was
good to go.  He might have had his shaft worked on, but he didn't mention
it.

While riding home one day, a group of Beemer riders were in staggered
formation in the HOV lane.  I was going to pass them, then they waved me in.
I joined their formation at the tail, and we safely cruised like that for 40
miles, until I had to turn off.  Very friendly of them.

Jeff

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 11:25:01 -0700
From: "Jeffrey L. Walker" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) Ride Your Bike Day

>>Today was supposed to be the day everyone who could would ride their bikes
>>to work.  To promote positive awareness of folks who ride bikes and all
>>that. Well, I rode mine and saw only one other rider, a Harley-dude who
>>looked like he wasn't quite sure what planet he was on.  This was 7AM on a
>>slightly foggy and cool morning but I expected to see more bikes.  I guess
>>I'm kinda disappointed.  Thanks.
>>Bob Kaub
>>SUNY Binghamton
>>Watson School Student Shop
>>PO Box 6000
>>Binghamton, NY  13902
>>607-777-2715
>>
>>
>
>I rode today...I'm waving at you Bob...
>
>Kurt
>


I ride every day.  A bad day riding is better than a good day behind the
wheel in my book.

Jeff

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 11:38:11 -0700
From: "Jeffrey L. Walker" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (klr650) Re: Hose routing

>Uum, I just put a new battery in my '89 and I am not sure where the battery
drip
>tube should come out on the bottom of the bike.  It seems to want to end up
>right above the uni-trak linkage which can't be a good thing.  Is there a
page
>in the manuals that tells how to route the hoses?  If so, I can't find it.
>Thanks!
>b
>
>p.s. doncha think it's cool when a KLR overheats it pumps coolant out the
back
>of the bike instead of onto the ground in front of the rear tire?  I was
>wondering what that looooong tube was for...


I'll have to check for myself, but I recall a page that showed where all the
hoses and control cables were routed.

Jeff

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 12:39:49 -0600
From: [e-mail]
Subject: (klr650) (no subject)

Well, it rained in Colorado Springs this morning (Black Forest,
actually) but I rode my KLR650 to work, anyway.

- - El Vell Bruixot
(The Evil Wizard)

"Ride long and hard and fast, dammit, and take no prisoners."

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 12:49:52 -0600
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: (klr650) KLR vs. BMW

I own a new KLR650, and two 1992 BMW R100 GSs (one a Paris-Dakar).

I'm selling the BMWs.......

- -- El Vell Bruixot

Bill Wright wrote:

> Robert Kaub wrote:
>
> > In regard to the post about the BMW folks afraid to ride with a KLR, I
> > think that those guys are really not your (our) friends.  There could be an
> > elitist dynamic at work here.
> > Bob Kaub
>
> Hey Guys,
>
> I think that the BMW riders are worried that you'll do fine on the trip at one
> third the cost. Oh darn, there I go again tellin' the truth.
>
> Bill Wright
> Hotlanta, GA
> 98 KLR 650

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 15:06:45 -0400
From: Stuart Heaslet <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) CHEAP?

To me, changing oil means changing filters.  It seems like incredibly cheap
insurance, along with a magnetic drain plug.  And you're right,
thunderstorms beat fires any day.  :-)

Stuart

At 12:51 PM 7/15/98 +0000, Robert Kaub wrote:
>I just turned 2000 miles on the bike and am gonna change the oil.  I've
>already changed the oil and filter twice, once at 500 miles and again at
>1000 miles.
>The question is do I really need to change the filter again with only 1000
>miles on it?  Or, am I just being too cheap?  Thanks.

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 15:33:05 -0400
From: "Robert frey" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (klr650) KLR vs BMW

Well, first off;
BMWs are NOT REAL DUAL-SPORTERS! See one go down a single track trail
lately? A KLR is a handful on a single track, but does fine with a lot of
rider input! I've seen BMWs at Daytona, Chattahoochee, and other D/S Rides,
why do they not go on the challenging sections? Because their riders/owners
are more of the lazy-boy adventurers. They'd rather sit out and watch
everyone else, and think that they really belong to the party. Truth is,
just like the bikes, their experience in the great outdoors is not a real
deal either.

Being of age and of economic earning power has allowed me to push the limits
of my enthusiasm for dual sport. KLR is good for fire roads and some
not-too-tight single tracks, and at less than $6000, one Hell-Of-A-Steal! My
$7000 KTM  RXC620 is more bike than any BMW! I'd Would love to see a GS
ride up a gnarly, rockstrewn, mud drenched, fallen-tree trail turn around
and do it again then head for the highway and go home again. It Aint Gonna
Happen. For less than  $13,000 I've got TWO GREAT BIKES IN MY GARAGE! I
don't need No status seeking steeenkin B-M-W!

Robert Frey
96 KTm RXC 620
Almost-Done-Being-Fixed-from-A-Down-The-Mountain-Crash-On-A-Tight-Single-Tra
ck-Trail-"My-God-This-Is-A-Great-Bike"-  93 KLR 650.
(Read About The Crash My Son Took The KLR On On The "Favorites"Page Of The
KLR Site. Click On The Chattahoochee D/S Ride!)

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 16:02:50 -0400
From: Peter Dahlheimer <[e-mail]>
Subject: (klr650) long klr ride

regarding that guy with the bmw "friend" who doesn't want to do the ride
with him for fear of the klr
dying:

screw em.

8^)

_pete
97KLR650 (22k, having put 3500 on the beast in six days a coupla months
ago...)

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End of klr650-digest V1 #138
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