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klr650-digest        Thursday, October 29 1998        Volume 01 : Number 333




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Date: Wed, 28 Oct 1998 21:05:36 -0600
From: [e-mail] (Cornell, Bob)
Subject: (klr650) Dead Father On Last Motorcycle Ride

>He stopped at a kerbside bar, where he bought two beers and stuck a
>lit cigar between his dead father's lips.


Musta been The Grateful  Dead.

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

Date: Wed, 28 Oct 1998 22:12:02 -0500
From: Michael Kovaliv <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) KLR - outdated - or who cares?

Does this mean you don't think I should buy one?

Michael Kovaliv

[e-mail] wrote:

> KLR - Dated Machine or So What?
> The Editorial Continues --
>
> Agreed: lots of them KLRs helps to have aftermarket stuff and some knowledge
> base.  But compared to other Kawasaki models, the KLR is a low-quantity seller
> and evidently is not regarded as going anywhere. That is just the nature of the
> dual-sport market. They are not enough of us, but enough to buy the small
> quantity they bring in, and no more.  Note that Yamaha discontinued the XT600 in
> the US not because it was a bad bike, but because of marginal sales. By not
> updating the KLR, the bike can be kept relatively cheap.
>
> Opinion:   IMHO, the KLR is outdated. Many elements of it are not made from
> good-quality materials or components. Some of the workmanship is shoddy.  The
> wiring belongs on a 1969 Lucas-equipped Triumph.  The KLR is, in a word, cheap.
> More words: Adequate. Fun.  Proletarian. Cost-efficient.  The 2CV of the
> dual-sport sphere. Not great, but good, and cheap.  Economically, I like it the
> way I liked the XS650 Yamaha: cheap, and pretty good, and they both give 50
> mpg.  The F650  pseudoBMW is half again the bike the KLR is, but at twice the
> price.
>
> FWIW
>
> Dr Robert
> Litigaro ergo sum ("I litigate, therefore I am"--  I was mistaken for an
> attorney yesterday) .
>
> Black Forest, Colorado

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

Date: Wed, 28 Oct 1998 19:17:11 PST
From: "Juan Villarreal" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (klr650) KLR on steroids / suspension recommedations

Rob wrote:
     "I plan on riding about 50 percent aggressive off-road.  The other
50 percent will be scenic back roads or light city stuff.  Does anyone
have any setup recommendations (not just suspension) to handle serious
off-road riding?"

Sorry to disappoint you Rob, but in my humble opinion the KLR is not
designed for much in the way of "air time."  We all love our KLRs, and I
swear by mine, but a quick look at the beast will tell you that it's not
cut out for that sort of thing.  You sound like a very competent rider,
but I'm afraid the bike that "Kills Little Rabbits" just wouldn't be
able to hang, Progressive springs or no.  Perhaps an XR650L would be
more up your alley?

Juan Villarreal, '97 KLR
"El Lobo Solo"

______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

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

Date: Wed, 28 Oct 1998 20:45:36 -0700
From: Rob Gendreau <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) Falling Over At Stoplights?

Karl:

I'm not sure about the actual height, but I've got a 34" inseam and I
reach the ground with both feet flat. Some folks have written here that
the lowering kit will definitely allow you to "touch down," and some have
said it even makes the bike more street worthy handling wise.

The KLR was my first street bike after some off-road experience (long
ago) and I am glad I got it. It's a great commute bike: rugged, simple,
good visibility, lots of cargo space, and I like the big gas tank. And
you're right: the free tech support you get here was a reason I got mine,
and this list and Gino's newsletter have been unbelieveable helpful. A
bike with free tech support: cool.



Rob Gendreau
Oakland, California
[e-mail]

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

Date: Wed, 28 Oct 1998 20:45:33 -0700
From: Rob Gendreau <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) (NKLR) non-moto-specific riding gear.

A couple more comments re MEC to add to Don's:

In my experience, MEC sizes are tending to the large side of things. Tall
means tall, and most garments are cut pretty full, at least in the Men's
medium and large sizes. They're good about returns if something doesn't
fit.

They are often, unfortunately, out of stock on stuff. Check first (my
Canadian friends sometimes call them the Out-of-Equipment Co-op).

I think I already mentioned this, but note that you can purchase an
unlimited amount of goodies from over the border if it is CANADIAN or
AMERICAN made. BUT remember that many US companies actually make their
stuff in China or Malaysia, and that stuff can be charged duty if you
purchase more than $400 US of it. I've NEVER been charged duty on a mail
order, and I've ordered up to $800 CDN at one time. The exchange rate is
hovering at about $.65 US to the CDN $1.00. So Americans can do quite
well ordering from Canada. Some examples: a humongous duffle, with padded
carry strap, waterproof cordura, will set you back about $25 US. A very
waterproof shell anorak (kayak jacket) which works GREAT in rain will
cost about $100 US. The Ortleib dry bags described in the Rider Wearhouse
catalog cost about $40 US (they're $67 here). And on and on.

Now if they could only lower the price of beer in Canada in time for my
return there next summer....



Rob Gendreau
Oakland, California
[e-mail]

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

Date: Wed, 28 Oct 1998 20:45:41 -0700
From: Rob Gendreau <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) Riding tips...

I appreciate the tips...more specifically, here's a question:

Let's say you're out at the local OHV motorcycle park, and decide to try
a little hillclimbing. You're powering up nicely, then kinda run out of
steam and don't make it. So now you've got about 400 lbs. of bike stopped
precariously on a steep hill (the thing climbs quite well, well enough to
get me in trouble obviously), facing the wrong direction.

Any tips for getting the behemoth turned around and pointed the right
way? Especially after I dropped it?

I'm probably asking the impossible, and I suppose the answer was not to
get stuck in the first place, but I thought I'd ask. Thanks.



Rob Gendreau
Oakland, California
[e-mail]

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

Date: Wed, 28 Oct 1998 20:45:38 -0700
From: Rob Gendreau <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) Jacket question

Is this the Fieldsheer Patriot?

I've got a Fieldsheer cordura jacket, and I think that's the model. I
believe it may have been discontinued; I got mine cheap at a sale (maybe
it was just my color that was discontinued, but I couldn't find any
cordura jackets on Fieldsheer's web page last time I looked). I'm 6'1"
and the jacket, a large, fits great. I love it.


Rob Gendreau
Oakland, California
[e-mail]

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

Date: Wed, 28 Oct 1998 22:37:27 EST
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: (klr650) NKLR '99 KTM Adventure R 640

In a message dated 10/28/98 1:49:50 PM Mountain Standard Time, dking-
[e-mail] writes:

<< If it wasn't for those things I would take a real serious look
 at it.

 Any comments? >>

I have a deposit on one, but the horror stories of parts availability and
price gouging for parts is beginning to make me rethink it.  It won't be in
until April.  The seat height was much worse on the earlier models, they have
lowered it by about an inch.

Gino

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

Date: Wed, 28 Oct 1998 22:42:43 EST
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: (klr650) NKLR '99 KTM Adventure R 640

In a message dated 10/28/98 3:03:23 PM Mountain Standard Time,
[e-mail] writes:

<< Gino ordered one and we're destined to read about it forever (I'm afraid)
in
 the new Dual Sport News (just kidding Gino)...In five years we'll all own
 one and then Gino will buy something else and we'll all be stuck looking at
 each other again... >>

HEY!  Let's pipe down out there.  Actually, ever since I put down the deposit,
my KLR began running like a gem.  I think it may be jealous.

Gino

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

Date: Wed, 28 Oct 1998 21:10:03 -0700
From: "SAM DILLINGHAM" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (klr650) Re:NKLR '99 KTM Adventure R 640

David M. King wrote:
>1.  Seat height is almost 38"!
>2.  Price is ~$2500 U.S. more
>3.  Parts would be harder to come by
>Any comments?

Alex Yefimov wrote:
>What kind of giant has a 38" inseam? <snip> Taking into account that not
all people
>ride motorcycles, I would say that they do not have a very large potential
customer base in the >US.

Alex, did you forget about the NBA    lockout????  All those (>6ft. 8in.)
rich(!) basketball players with nothung to do but buy and ride KTM's.  Could
be the MC marketing coup of the year! :-)
Sam Dillingham - AZ
[e-mail]
'97 KLR650
'98 Valkyrie

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

Date: Wed, 28 Oct 1998 20:28:21 -0800
From: "Eric Rhoads" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) NKLR - outdated - or who cares?

- -----Original Message-----


>Does this mean you don't think I should buy one?
>
>Michael Kovaliv
>
>[e-mail] wrote:
>
>> KLR - Dated Machine or So What?
>> The Editorial Continues --

>> Opinion:   IMHO, the KLR is outdated. Many elements of it are not made
from
>> good-quality materials or components. Some of the workmanship is shoddy.

>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>.   Michael....... I think he means it's not cutting edge tech.  I
myself am outdated but seem to be doing ok, so what's the fuss?  In my
opinion, the materials/components are "adequate"....can't say as I've
actually seen "shoddy" yet....although I'd probably know it if I saw it.

 The
>> wiring belongs on a 1969 Lucas-equipped Triumph.

>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Oh, I dunno about that...I wouldn't call it wonderful, but calling
it 'old Lucas' seems like going too far...I don't think of Kawasaki as the
prince of darkness.

 The KLR is, in a word, cheap.
>> More words: Adequate. Fun.  Proletarian. Cost-efficient.  The 2CV of the
>> dual-sport sphere. Not great, but good, and cheap.  Economically, I like
it the
>> way I liked the XS650 Yamaha: cheap, and pretty good, and they both give
50
>> mpg.  The F650  pseudoBMW is half again the bike the KLR is, but at twice
the
>> price.
>>

>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Really,  I think this guy loves his KLR and wishes Kawasaki loved
it enough to make him even more proud of it.  In my opinion it is a
utilitarian machine. Built to be quite reasonable to use, reliable for the
long term, emminently worthy of upgrades.
    By the way...if you need to pay twice as much to buy BMW engineering but
only get half again the bike, why, I'd say that makes the KLR look darn
good.  (this 'twice the price, half again the bike'  stuff seems to be the
general consensus and illustrates the  meaning of  'diminishing returns on
investment'  which further proves how much 'bang for the buck' you get with
KLR )
   Consider yourself encouraged to buy one/try one.

eric

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

Date: Wed, 28 Oct 1998 23:41:50 -0500
From: Michael Kovaliv <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) NKLR - outdated - or who cares?

Thanks Eric,  I'm 90% convinced that the KLR is the right bike for me.  The only
thing left is to actually ride a newer one.  I wonder if there is anywhere in
the Windsor/Detroit area that I can rent one for a day to really give it a solid
evaluation?

Michael Kovaliv

Eric Rhoads wrote:

> -----Original Message-----
>
> >Does this mean you don't think I should buy one?
> >
> >Michael Kovaliv
> >
> >[e-mail] wrote:
> >
> >> KLR - Dated Machine or So What?
> >> The Editorial Continues --
>
> >> Opinion:   IMHO, the KLR is outdated. Many elements of it are not made
> from
> >> good-quality materials or components. Some of the workmanship is shoddy.
>
> >>>>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>>>.   Michael....... I think he means it's not cutting edge tech.  I
> myself am outdated but seem to be doing ok, so what's the fuss?  In my
> opinion, the materials/components are "adequate"....can't say as I've
> actually seen "shoddy" yet....although I'd probably know it if I saw it.
>
>  The
> >> wiring belongs on a 1969 Lucas-equipped Triumph.
>
> >>>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>> Oh, I dunno about that...I wouldn't call it wonderful, but calling
> it 'old Lucas' seems like going too far...I don't think of Kawasaki as the
> prince of darkness.
>
>  The KLR is, in a word, cheap.
> >> More words: Adequate. Fun.  Proletarian. Cost-efficient.  The 2CV of the
> >> dual-sport sphere. Not great, but good, and cheap.  Economically, I like
> it the
> >> way I liked the XS650 Yamaha: cheap, and pretty good, and they both give
> 50
> >> mpg.  The F650  pseudoBMW is half again the bike the KLR is, but at twice
> the
> >> price.
> >>
>
> >>>>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>>> Really,  I think this guy loves his KLR and wishes Kawasaki loved
> it enough to make him even more proud of it.  In my opinion it is a
> utilitarian machine. Built to be quite reasonable to use, reliable for the
> long term, emminently worthy of upgrades.
>     By the way...if you need to pay twice as much to buy BMW engineering but
> only get half again the bike, why, I'd say that makes the KLR look darn
> good.  (this 'twice the price, half again the bike'  stuff seems to be the
> general consensus and illustrates the  meaning of  'diminishing returns on
> investment'  which further proves how much 'bang for the buck' you get with
> KLR )
>    Consider yourself encouraged to buy one/try one.
>
> eric

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

Date: Wed, 28 Oct 1998 23:49:08 EST
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: (klr650) Re:NKLR '99 KTM Adventure R 640

In a message dated 10/28/98 8:13:54 PM Pacific Standard Time,
[e-mail] writes:

<< Alex, did you forget about the NBA    lockout????  All those (>6ft. 8in.)
 rich(!) basketball players with nothung to do but buy and ride KTM's.  Could
 be the MC marketing coup of the year! :-) >>

Not Jordan. He just bough a new BMW cruiser at the Dealership in Lisle near
here!
The newspapers had articles about it. He said he wanted to get something with
more style than Rodman/Pippen (Harleys)!

Bill S. in Montgomery, IL

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

Date: Wed, 28 Oct 1998 22:33:51 -0700
From: "Fred Hink" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (klr650) KLR Parts List

Hello Kmart Shoppers,

I have a new and improved KLR parts list that I just came up with.  If you
would like to see this list let me know.  If I get enough requests then I
might as well just put it on the list.  I did this list of about 270 KLR
parts in Microsoft Works (if this makes any difference).

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach him to use the Net
and he won't bother you for weeks.

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

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

Date: Thu, 29 Oct 1998 03:45:21 EST
From: [e-mail] (Alex Yefimov)
Subject: (klr650) Re: NKLR '99 KTM Adventure R 640

Is the '98 also have a seat height of 38"?


On Thu, 29 Oct 1998 07:26:47 -0600 Jim Robinson <[e-mail]>
writes:
>At 04:36 PM 10/28/98 -0600, you wrote:

>Well, I have a '98 Adventure and I don't have any problem with it.  I
>have
>a 30" inseam.  There is about a four inch sag I think when the bike is
>set
>up properly.

>Jim Robinson
>Spring Hill, Kansas
>
>

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

Date: Thu, 29 Oct 1998 09:08:06 EST
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Fwd: (klr650) Re:NKLR '99 KTM Adventure R 640

This is a multi-part message in MIME format.

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In a message dated 10/28/98 11:52:24 PM EST, [e-mail] writes:

<< Not Jordan. He just bough a new BMW cruiser at the Dealership in Lisle near
 here!
 The newspapers had articles about it. He said he wanted to get something with
 more style than Rodman/Pippen (Harleys)!

 Bill S. in Montgomery, IL
  >>

I always new that Jordan was class.  I may not be all that impressed with the
BMW, at least it's original.  I guess that's why the dude is the best!!  Now,
if we could just get him to get a dual-sport, our image would climb as well???

MN Ron

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In a message dated 10/28/98 8:13:54 PM Pacific Standard Time,
[e-mail] writes:

<< Alex, did you forget about the NBA    lockout????  All those (>6ft. 8in.)
 rich(!) basketball players with nothung to do but buy and ride KTM's.  Could
 be the MC marketing coup of the year! :-) >>

Not Jordan. He just bough a new BMW cruiser at the Dealership in Lisle near
here!
The newspapers had articles about it. He said he wanted to get something with
more style than Rodman/Pippen (Harleys)!

Bill S. in Montgomery, IL


- --part0_909670086_boundary--

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End of klr650-digest V1 #333
****************************