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klr650-digest         Friday, October 2 1998         Volume 01 : Number 277




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

Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1998 14:42:42 -0400
From: [e-mail] (Mark)
Subject: Re: (klr650) KLR vs Sport bike

At 10:34 AM 10/2/98, Lance Rushing wrote:
~SNIP~
>I've seen some old hard core BMW R100GS riders TOAST many sport bike
>riders.  I could even toast most sport bikers with my K75s on Sunday
>afternoon. Key word being "most".  For me, it took a lot of consentration
>to ride at those speeds.  In fact, it would wear me out mentally
>after about 15-30 minutues.  But KLR is easier (with the right rubber),
>and doesn't require as much mental stress for me.

That's because "most" sport bike riders are zit-faced 17 year-old
first-timers on a Smokin' Joes CBR600F3 soon to be hosed off of some tree.

Mark

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

Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1998 14:42:42 -0500 (CDT)
From: Dale Borgeson <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) Sportbike vs KLR

On Fri, 2 Oct 1998, klr650-digest wrote:
> From: Carlos Yonan Gonzalez <[e-mail]>
> and only bike, I can't compare it to a sportbike.  I was wondering if
> anyone out there with the good fortune of owning a KLR and a sportbike can
> comment on how they compare.  Specifically I'm interested in handling
> rather than acceleration (I assume any sportbike worth its salt would blow
> away the KLR on acceleration).

In most twisties I can easily keep up with most sport bike riders when I'm
on my KLR. The significant word here is "most." it's not that I'm that
good a rider as much as most sport bike riders are not nearly as good as
they think they are. When I bought the KLR I was quite surprised how well
it handled, even with the OEM tires. Now that I have Progressive
Suspension springs, 20W fork oil, a WP rear shock, and proper suspension
setup adjustment it handles even better - even with MT70 tires.

That being said my CBR600 still handles better. The KLR is more flickable
due to the wide bars and I never have to worry about scraping anything on
the KLR but the CBR still handles better. Not a lot better but better none
the less. THe CBR is more stable and and planted, especially at higher
lean angles. On the CBR the tires have better grip at the edge and the
suspension is more compliant. The KLR also has considerable frame flexing
when pushed hard which causes a bit of unsettled behavior.

I still love riding the KLR because it's just plain fun.

> The reason I'm asking is because I am considering parting with a couple of
> grand for a nice used EX500 (I know, not exactly a high tech sportbike),

The EX500 and the Suzuki GS500 are the most commonly used bikes for
beginning racers. They are quite competitive in the ultra-light superbike
class and handle very well when properly setup and ridden by a good rider.
The "proper setup" is not what you get out of a box stock bike. You'll
need to put in a decent rear shock and a do some fork work. A stock EX500
still handles ok but IMO not enough better than a KLR to be a second bike.

If it were me, and of course it's NOT me in this case, I'd wait a little
longer and save a bit more money and buy a used CBR600. Even an 87-90
Hurricane is a great handling bike and can be had pretty cheap although
finding one in decent shape might be tough. It might be easier to find a
decent used f2 at a still reasonable price.

Cheers
- --
Dale Borgeson    [e-mail]    Minneapolis, MN U.S.A.
"Motorcycle Touring For Beginners" at www.visi.com/~dalebor

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

Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1998 13:09:55 -0700
From: "Kathleen" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) K&N jet, filter -- opinions?

<<Uh Oh.....Doug....has to be gender inclusive. Kathleen let me know you are
still there!>>

Oh, yes;  I am still here.  Just in lurk mode.  Doug can be excused *this*
time, as I have not posted so how was a guy to know????

Kathleen

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

Date: Fri, 02 Oct 1998 16:20:13 -0500
From: Cary Bettenhausen <[e-mail]>
Subject: (klr650) For Sale:

For Sale:

1999 KLR650, totally stock, <400 miles, absolutely perfect cond.
FirstGear rack trunk included.  I've owned about 6 streetbikes and
several dirt bikes/ATVs and I'd love to be able to keep this one, but I
traded in a Banshee ATV on this one when I really should have sold the
Banshee outright as I am financially challenged right now.  I am waiting
for the title to show up in the mail (no lien).  First $4200 takes it.
Located in Indianapolis, IN.

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

Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1998 15:13:11 -0600
From: "Kurt Simpson" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (klr650) Re: NKLR Gender Inclusivity

><<Uh Oh.....Doug....has to be gender inclusive. Kathleen let me know you
are
>still there!>>
>
>Oh, yes;  I am still here.  Just in lurk mode.  Doug can be excused *this*
>time, as I have not posted so how was a guy to know????
>
>Kathleen


Kathleen, you may be in lurk mode but I just did a scan of subscribers. The
list now has 178 "regular" subscribers and 130 "digest" subscribers (308 and
growing).

Whenever someone new subscribes they are added to the end of the list. Those
who have been subscribed the longest move "up" the list. The same happens
when someone unsubscribes even if they subscribe later (like over a
weekend).

So, my point in this is that you, Kathleen...aka [e-mail] are number 2
on the list...right behind Fred Hink who is numero uno. It also means that
you probably work too hard and don't take a vacation...Heck, I'm 71st...how
can that be?

Kurt (scratching his head while bowing in honor)

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

Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1998 15:24:35 -0600
From: "Kurt Simpson" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) For Sale:

>1999 KLR650, totally stock, <400 miles, absolutely perfect cond.
>FirstGear rack trunk included.  I've owned about 6 streetbikes and
>several dirt bikes/ATVs and I'd love to be able to keep this one, but I
>traded in a Banshee ATV on this one when I really should have sold the
>Banshee outright as I am financially challenged right now.  I am waiting
>for the title to show up in the mail (no lien).  First $4200 takes it.
>Located in Indianapolis, IN.


If you belong to THE Bettenhausen family you probably should ask quite a bit
more considering the great indy aura you spread over the bike...

Kurt

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

Date: Fri, 2 Oct 98  16:54:42 CST
From: "John W. Houchins  --UNMCVM(JWHOUCHI)" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (klr650) KLR vs sport bike

From:  John W. Houchins  --UNMCVM(JWHOUCHI)


> Carlos Yonan Gonalez <[e-mail]> wrote:
> I was wondering if anyone with the good fortune of owning a KLR and a sport
> bike can comment....

No sport bike, but I have some comments about the KLRs cornering. I've
had mine about 2 yrs 11,000 miles, love those twisties. I have Dunlop
Trailmax's, replacing the originals, and they are much better road
tires. They are 80/20 road/trail with large tread blocks.

It was a sunny day, loaded with camping gear and headed for a fishin
hole. when I discoved the adhesion limits of dual sport tires. Too much
speed not enough tire, whatever! I lowsided guickly, skidded about ten
feet, broke my leg, but thats another story. The tire let go guickly
without warning, so take care with dual sport tires. Has anyone put real
street tires on their KLR or any dual sport?

John Houchins ( who is cornering slower)

P.S. Best twisty road yet, Poudre River Canyon west of Fort Collins, CO.
Yea haw!

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

Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1998 20:37:42 EDT
From: [e-mail]
Subject: (klr650) Fwd: Quota 1100ES

This is a multi-part message in MIME format.

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In a message dated 10/2/98 3:10:54 PM EST, [e-mail] writes:

<< Does anyone really buy bikes based on how they do in competition?  I know
 the folks who compete in races probably do. But for those of us who only
 race when we have to beat a Chrysler onto the freeway, do the results of
 the PD or any other race for that matter, make any difference as to what
 we buy?  I know race results are neat to read for entertainment, but
 otherwise are absolutely useless to me and have very little if any
 influence on my motorcycle related purchases.

 Gino, yes I have raced before, Pokluda
  >>

Way to go Gino!!!  I don't know of any races won by a KLR, or a Kawi thumper
for that matter.  I agree with you on this, the Goose looks interesting.

MN Ron

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From: "Pokluda, Gino F" <[e-mail]>
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>>These are very similar to the BMW GS - in fact I think that is mostly
what MG is trying to go head to head with <<

Yeh, I knew that.  But the Guzzi looks slab-sided and monolithic compared
to the BMW.  The exhaust seems oddly placed because it's not high and not
low, but right in the middle where it would be hard to work around with
soft saddle bags.

>>but who has won the Paris-Dakar with a Goose?<<

Does anyone really buy bikes based on how they do in competition?  I know
the folks who compete in races probably do. But for those of us who only
race when we have to beat a Chrysler onto the freeway, do the results of
the PD or any other race for that matter, make any difference as to what
we buy?  I know race results are neat to read for entertainment, but
otherwise are absolutely useless to me and have very little if any
influence on my motorcycle related purchases.

Gino, yes I have raced before, Pokluda



- --part0_907375062_boundary--

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

Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1998 18:54:53 -0600
From: "Fred Hink" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (klr650) I'M B A C K !

Let it rain Let it rain Let it rain

Fred Hink
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
                    Arrowhead Motorsports
http://cctr.umkc.edu/user/khink/moabmc/index.html
                           435-259-7356
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

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

Date: Sat, 03 Oct 1998 09:25:09 +0800
From: Linus <[e-mail]>
Subject: (klr650) Batteries,stock or OEM?

Carlos,

I did the same as you did,changing to an identical battery but a much
cheaper version and I realised that it did not last more than 3 months.It
seems that the KLR starter motor is more current hungry than others and
requires batteries which can withstand a high current drain.
After fixing a stock it never gave any problems.BTW the cheaper versions
are usually from Yuasa Taiwan .I don`t know about your`s.Would welcome
feedback
on this matter.

Thanks
Linus
Tengai90



At 09:09 AM 02-10-98 -0500, you wrote:
>On Thu, 1 Oct 1998, Rob  Clement wrote:
>
>>
>> I'm guessing your battery went down because you turned the key too far
>> counterclockwise, leaving the tail light on.  That's what I nearly did,
>> several times.  That feature (turn key left past lock, leaving the tail
>> light on) is one that may strand me with a dead battery one day.
>
>That's exactly what I did yesterday.  Went to start it today and the
>battery was dead.  Got to tell ya, that parking light switch is in a
>pretty stupid position, I bet thats the number one reason for dead
>batteries on the KLR.  Tried to use a battery booster pack on it to jump
>start it, but it didn't work so I decided to buy a generic
>(identical)version of the stock Yuasa.  It was 25 bucks, not bad I
>thought, considering my buddy with a DR had to pay almost 100 bucks for
>a sealed Yausa!
>
>Carlos
>
>
>
>

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

Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1998 21:36:15 -0500
From: "rg" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) Is it Wobble or Wiggle or Wander

Me too.  Mine did not wobble, it just wandered some at 80 and above until I
found the front tire was low and got it back to 21 psi.  87 KLR, stock
except for Gripsters and Rifle standard height windshield with a 235 LB
rider.  Stable now past 85 mph.

Robert


>Lance,
>
> This is definately true,  a wobble is an oscillation that feeds itself
>more and more until you end up going over the bars. What my KLR does
>isn't severe enough to magnify itself. BIG DIFFERENCE.
>
> Todd   A11

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

Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1998 20:52:48 -0600
From: "Fred Hink" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) speaking of dead batteries

- -----Original Message-----
From: [e-mail] <[e-mail]>
To: Carlos Yonan Gonzalez <[e-mail]>; [e-mail]
<[e-mail]>
Date: Friday, October 02, 1998 12:28 PM
Subject: Re: (klr650) speaking of dead batteries


>
>Batteries:  has anyone had any experience with replacement sealed gel-cell
>batteries of the KLR size and amp rating requirements?
>
>Part numbers and sources? Prices, and all the usual?
>
>- The Evil Wizard
>
>
>

The only sealed battery for the KLR that I know of is sold by Westco
Battery.  You can check out there web page at:
http://www.westcobattery.com/  I may be a dealer for them, haven't had to
time to check all my mail yet.

Fred Hink
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
                    Arrowhead Motorsports
http://cctr.umkc.edu/user/khink/moabmc/index.html
                           435-259-7356
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

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

Date: Fri, 02 Oct 1998 23:17:57 -0400
From: Randolph Schack <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) klr paint

On Tue, 29 Sep 98  14:39:39 CST, John W. Houchins  --UNMCVM(JWHOUCHI) wrote:
>
> Hey Randolph,
>
> Your paint job looks good! How did you do that? Do you have a paint booth
and
> sprayer? How did you prep the plastic? I want to do my scratched up and ugly
> 93!

  Nope, I looked into conventional auto-paints, but it would just cost too
much to paint a bike that I'll probably drop quite a few more times before
I'm done.  I'm using Plasti-Kote spray paints - they have a whole line of
plastics stuff, adhesion promoters and flexible primers and the like, and
it's much less of an investment and still looks (and behaves) great.  Heck,
I'd give the thing a going over with cheap flat black paint every week if I
had to, the original color pukifies me that much.
  When I do the whole bike this winter I'll put up a webpage about the
experience, but for now, a quick rundown of what I do: Wash the part in
liquid Dawn, scuff/sand it, wash it again, apply Plasti-Kote adhesion
promoter, apply P-K flexible primer, fill in surface imperfections with
spot putty, prime again, sand, apply conventional P-K color coat, then
clear coat.  Wait a week or three for it to dry, then sand and apply
rubbing compound.  The topcoat WILL crack if you flex it enough, but the
only part that might even come close to flexing that much under non-crash
stress is the fender.  And even so, the cracks are hairline and all but
disappear when the part regains its normal shape.  The adhesion is great -
the paint's never in danger of chipping or peeling.  (Of course, I have no
idea how it'll hold up after three or four months of baking in the sun...)

Randolph

1991 Jeep Comanche ("The Veteran")
1999 Kawasaki KLR650 ("The Rookie")
http://anguish.org/~greyson/index.shtml
http://anguish.org/~greyson/klrpaint.jpg

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

Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1998 20:24:34 -0700
From: "Rob  Clement" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (klr650) Battery, parking light disconnect, and 16-tooth front sprocket

Carlos, I hope the generic battery works great for you.  I'll probably try a
generic (K-Mart or something) battery too, when mine goes out.  I always
check the tail light after I remove the key, these days.  Someone wrote
about how to disconnect the tail light/ parking light feature recently, but
I didn't save it.  It shouldn't be too hard to find the wire and connector
to unplug, however, and that's going to be my next project on my KLR650,
right after I install the 16-tooth front sprocket I've ordered today.  My
bike has so much torque (with the large main jet, modified Cobra exhaust,
and K&N air filter) that I can probably increase the sprocket size one tooth
and not feel much difference, while saving engine rpms and (probably)
increasing gas mileage a little.  We'll see.  The dealer couldn't find a
recent-model Kawasaki sprocket, so he ordered one for an '89 KLR650, which
he says should fit my '98A12.  I hope he's right, and that it fits.  I hate
taking my bike apart only to find that the part doesn't fit!  Take care, Rob
C.

Atascadero, California
KLR650A12 '98, 3750 miles; KLR250 '97, 1380 miles; Voyager XII '98, 2014
miles.

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

End of klr650-digest V1 #277
****************************