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klr650-digest         Saturday, April 10 1999         Volume 02 : Number 263




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Date: Sat, 10 Apr 1999 21:43:24 -0600
From: "Skip Faulkner" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (klr650) Kawasaki Screws Up Big Time With Windshield

List,
  Kawasaki has screwed up their policy on poor KLR support and mediocre KLR
products. I got my new  " larger windshield"
today and I have to tell you, I was floored. I had to look again to make
sure it was from Kawasaki. It is really a nice windshield.
I love it! It is sort of like a Clearview. It is about 5" wider and 4"
taller than the stock with nice cut outs for the handlebars. It is made of
quality DOT approved polycarbonate. It uses the original 3 mounting holes
plus an additional one on each side where the fairing mount screws are.
This, along with the depth
of the shield give it good rigidity. The shield has a forward flare at the
top, like the stock one, but larger and more gentle.
You have to other than the original black knurled nuts on the screws. The
holes are large like the original but this one doesn`t have the thicker
build up. I used rubber grommets from the hardware store and washers with a
nut. It worked great.
  The shield has a nice smoke tint, not as dark as the stock.
 I can`t ride yet ( due to more snow and re-assembly of the bike)
so I can`t give a riding impression, but it has to be better than the stock.
  I can`t get over the perfect fit and quality of it. For $65, it`s well
worth it. I`m going to order another just in case they realized they
actually made a good product for the KLR and pull it, like they did with the
side protectors.

Skip ( great wind protection on a bike I can`t ride)

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

Date: Sat, 10 Apr 1999 21:47:14 -0600
From: "Skip Faulkner" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) NKLR- BMWMOA

>I am in agreement with regards to membership in
>the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America thing.  The
>Owners Anonymous book alone justifies the price
>of admission.  However, I absolutely despise the
>BMW Owner News magazine.   It's sickeningly
>self-congratulatory in nature, with nary an
>objective assessment of anything BMW.  The only
>thing that keeps me from pitching them outright
>is the odd riding or safety tip you find in
>there.  Makes me thankful for the honesty of the
>KLR list.
>My two cents...
>
>Juan Villarreal, '97 KLR
>"The Happy Hooligan"


I agree with you Juan on the News Mag, but the other benefits I`ve gotten
and rallies I`ve been to make it worth it.

Skip ( KLRMOA)

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

Date: Sat, 10 Apr 1999 21:52:17 -0600
From: "Skip Faulkner" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) NKLR- Building the Perfect Beast

>Fellow listers...
>................> snip<...................
>Would it be possible for a KLR to win the Dakar?


>Juan Villarreal, '97 KLR
>"The Happy Hooligan"




Take a Works F650 and put a KLR sticker on it.
   Seriously, I know it could be done, it`s the effort and vision that`s
lacking.

Skip

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

Date: Sun, 11 Apr 1999 00:05:27 EDT
From: [e-mail]
Subject: (klr650) NKLR- Building the Perfect Beast

Juan poses an interesting question:

<<Would it be possible for a KLR to win the Dakar?
What modifications would need to be done?  And
how much would it cost?  Could such an animal be
created for less than $7,500 (including the cost
of a new bike).  I say yes.>>

I say no. It's not remotely possible. Not even if you spent $75,000 would you
have a ghost of a chance. Perhaps $750,000 of development and conjuring and
laying on of hands and wrenching together mystical bits of technoware might
give you a chance. Then, of course, you'd need a true hero to ride it.

Kawasaki knows this. That's why they're saving their yen.

Chris Lawson
KLR650

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

Date: Sun, 11 Apr 1999 00:15:30 -0400
From: Michael Durham <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) NKLR- Building the Perfect Beast

>Fellow listers...
>................> snip<...................
>Would it be possible for a KLR to win the Dakar?


>Juan Villarreal, '97 KLR
>"The Happy Hooligan"

Take a Works F650 and put a KLR sticker on it.
   Seriously, I know it could be done, it`s the effort and vision that`s

lacking.

Skip

Yeah, but you start winning too many races and the next thing you know
they're putting beemer prices on the KLR's. It might start detracting
from the bikes hidden beauty.....its affordability.
mike

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

Date: Sat, 10 Apr 1999 22:08:19 -0600
From: "Skip Faulkner" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) Patchwork Exhaust

>Is your can mostly double layer sheet?
>How can you tell what is which? I was considering getting all the
>parts dipped in a hot-tank to get it all clean before getting some
>welding done.
>
>Mister_T
>

My can is single wall but two of the internal tubes are double wall.  I
didn`t know this until I cut the top of the primary baffle tube off. You can
take a magnet to each section in question. If the magnet won`t stick, it`s
stainless steel, if it sticks, it`s ferrous. And no to some of you who might
say it could be aluminum. Believe me, it`s not, or it wouldn`t have welded
with stainless rod.

Skip

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

Date: Sat, 10 Apr 1999 22:06:30 -0600
From: "Vik Banerjee" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) NKLR- Building the Perfect Beast

- -----Original Message-----
From: Juan Villarreal <[e-mail]>
To: KLR  650 <[e-mail]>
Date: Saturday, April 10, 1999 9:46 PM
Subject: (klr650) NKLR- Building the Perfect Beast


>Fellow listers...
>
>Would it be possible for a KLR to win the Dakar?

Sure.

>What modifications would need to be done?  And
>how much would it cost?  Could such an animal be
>created for less than $7,500 (including the cost
>of a new bike).  I say yes.  You could always
>spend more but the $7,500 cap would serve to
>maintain the bike's fundamental character.

$7500 incl cost of a KLR would not do cut it Juan..ummmm.....have you seen
the works bikes that compete???????
Perhaps $75,000.

What needs to be done??

- - totally new suspension front & rear
- - new wheels & tires
- - totally rebuilt engine and exhaust - get me 75hp or so
- - strengthened frame
- - 300mile range in sand (ie big ass tank)
- - new electrical system
- - high power lighting

Umm..basically a new desert bike with a hyper-KLR motor.

>The next logical question to ask is why Kawasaki
>hasn't made an effort on this front.  To win the
>thing would be a real coup.  Do you see where I'm
>going with this?

No I don't Juan..lol...do you think many KLR buyers even know where Dakar
is?  Let's just say a works KLR kicks ass and wins - what then?  Big sales
for KLRs?  Nope.  Just you, me and this list having a party in Moab like
Moab's never seen.


>What would be involved in
>selling Kawasaki on such a thing?  In one week
>(probably less) this list could put together a
>package of mods that could make the KLR a
>contender.  Or is there anybody out there with
>the bank, time, and inclination to do/sponsor
>something like this?  I think it's safe to say
>that anyone with the cash and brass to actually
>pull it off would HAVE to be subsequently
>annointed a demi-god by this list.


Okay so we have a bike that would cost a lot to develop.  Who's going to
kick Sainct's ass?   Gino, Kurt, Fred???  No offense, but these guys [P-D
racers] are to you and me what Carl Lewis is to Clinton out jogging.  So
let's say Sainct returns our call - he'll want say $250K US to race and
$250K if he wins.  Then we have to get to Africa, hire a support crew,
train, and operate during the race.  We could probably do it for less than
$1,000,000.00 US.

>Anybody out there up for making a list?  All
>that's needed are the items and their estimated
>cost.  This might be a good excercise for our
>snowed-in Canadian friends (you're not going to
>be going anywhere for a couple weeks yet...).
>Whattaya think?  Jus' dreamin' I guess....


I'll be happy to design a dream bike!  Heck you find the sponsors and I'll
race the P-D...for free!!!!

I know what you are saying in your post Juan and it sounds great till you
work it out.  Ever wonder why Honda and Suzuki hasn't raced seriously in the
P-D?  Its expensive and its really not going to make much sales difference -
especially in North America and its very risky.

Also keep in mind Kawi has positioned the KLR as an adventure touring bike,
not a desert racer.

Although I must admit whenever I am riding dirt I do fantasize about riding
P-D......=)

Cheers,

Vik

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

Date: Sun, 11 Apr 1999 00:00:33 -0400
From: Tom Simpson <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) NKLR- BMWMOA

At 08:28 PM 4/10/99 -0700, Juan Villarreal wrote:
>I am in agreement with regards to membership in
>the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America thing.  The
>Owners Anonymous book alone justifies the price
>of admission.  However, I absolutely despise the
>BMW Owner News magazine.   It's sickeningly
>self-congratulatory in nature, with nary an
>objective assessment of anything BMW.  The only
>thing that keeps me from pitching them outright
>is the odd riding or safety tip you find in
>there.  Makes me thankful for the honesty of the
>KLR list.
>My two cents...



    Yeah, thats all true. The BMWMOA ragazine sucks by any standard of
editorial objectivity. I just like the ads and the rally anouncements. BMW
guys have the coolest rallies.  :)


- -Tom
'96 KLR 650
'77 R60/7 (which I wish my dad would quit stealing parts off of  :)

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

Date: Sun, 11 Apr 1999 00:13:48 -0400
From: Tom Simpson <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) NKLR- Building the Perfect Beast

At 09:52 PM 4/10/99 -0600, Skip Faulkner wrote:
>
>
>>Fellow listers...
>>................> snip<...................
>>Would it be possible for a KLR to win the Dakar?
>
>
>>Juan Villarreal, '97 KLR
>>"The Happy Hooligan"
>
>
>
>
>Take a Works F650 and put a KLR sticker on it.
>   Seriously, I know it could be done, it`s the effort and vision that`s
>lacking.




    The only major thing I would want to do is replace the subframe and beef
up the frame where it connects., put a trick shock on the rear and a more
modern front end, a la the KLX. On top of that, new aluminum handle bars, a
few other ge-gaws.


    Redoing the subframe would give you the opportunity to design in
provisions for increased fuel tankage while you are at it, BTW. The result
of all this would be a bike that could finish. The engine in stock trim
(and I dont recomend screwing with it too much) will never, ever make the
power required to win, however. This would be a project by which you plan
on a decent finishing position just by being the 1/2-1/3 of those that
start and survive. If you wanna win, go with a Yama, KTM or BMW. If you
dont blow it up you might win. With a properly set up KLR, it wil *not*
blow up and will thus finish. Also, the heavy aluminum Moose bash plate on
a KLR should prove consideraby more land mine-resistant than any carbon
fiber equvilant on a factory reace bike. Keep this in mind as well.  :)



- -Tom
'96 KLR 650
'97 Moose Bashplate (note* not rated for AT or large rebounding AP mines  :)

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

Date: Sat, 10 Apr 1999 22:15:09 -0600
From: "Skip Faulkner" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) NKLR- Building the Perfect Beast

>I say no. It's not remotely possible. Not even if you spent $75,000 would
you
>have a ghost of a chance. Perhaps $750,000 of development and conjuring and
>laying on of hands and wrenching together mystical bits of technoware might
>give you a chance. Then, of course, you'd need a true hero to ride it.
>
>Kawasaki knows this. That's why they're saving their yen.
>
>Chris Lawson
>KLR650
>

Sorry Chris, but I disagree.  A Privateer on a stock Yamaha
Tenere` placed and may have gotten third if not for some bad luck. The
Privateers are really moving up in the standings every year. The bike part
is not as hard as finding an experienced, skilled rider, and I mean
experienced in this type of rally.


Skip

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

Date: Sat, 10 Apr 1999 22:17:04 -0600
From: "Skip Faulkner" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) NKLR- Building the Perfect Beast

>Yeah, but you start winning too many races and the next thing you know
>they're putting beemer prices on the KLR's. It might start detracting
>from the bikes hidden beauty.....its affordability.
>
mike



You`re right, forget it. I`d hate to see an $8000 KLR650 price tag.

Skip

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

Date: Sat, 10 Apr 1999 22:14:18 -0600
From: "Vik Banerjee" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) NKLR- Building the Perfect Beast

- -----Original Message-----
From: Juan Villarreal <[e-mail]>
To: KLR  650 <[e-mail]>
Date: Saturday, April 10, 1999 9:46 PM
Subject: (klr650) NKLR- Building the Perfect Beast


>Fellow listers...
>
>Would it be possible for a KLR to win the Dakar?
>What modifications would need to be done?  And
>how much would it cost?  Could such an animal be
>created for less than $7,500 (including the cost
>of a new bike).  I say yes.  You could always
>spend more but the $7,500 cap would serve to
>maintain the bike's fundamental character.


Having just told you why it won't work I forgot about the Marathon Class at
P-D.  You race a basically stock bike....not sure exactly what other
restrictions apply, but now there is a class you might have a shot in with a
$7500 bike, still a lot of other costs, but you won't be competing against
Sainct in any case.

Cheers,

Vik

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

Date: Sun, 11 Apr 1999 00:25:24 EDT
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: (klr650) NKLR- Building the Perfect Beast

Wasn't somebody trying to "hype" out a KLR a few months back on the list, and
make it alot more powerful and SuperMotard-ish? I know this SuperMotard has
nothing to do with a Dakar bike, but is a KLR powerplant even capable of 75
H.P.?
Hmmmmm.....

Bill Swindle
A12 "Moose"
Montgomery, IL.

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

Date: Sun, 11 Apr 1999 00:49:41 -0400 (EDT)
From: [e-mail] (Michael Stecyk)
Subject: (klr650) klr Paris - Dakar--Moab

Dear List--Idea-----
Rally in Moab -Lets have a Paris - Dakar
style --race /fun for the KLR"s--no pressure but a test of riding
skills-etc.
Prizes-One thing for sure a KLR will place first and then world D-P
domination
Mike Montreal

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

Date: Sat, 10 Apr 1999 21:52:23 -0700
From: "Jeff & Lisa Walker" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) Let it bleed?

>andy wrote:
>
>Tip:  measure the new brake line first as mine turned out to be
a couple
>of
>inches longer than the original and I'd have sent it back if I
hadn't
>fitted
>it already.
>
>andy,
>was it a pain to cut the brake line to fit? Does it seem to
cause any
>structural weaking if this is what you did?
>just trying to expand on the tip, thanks!
>mike
>
>
I kind of doubt that he cut it.  I think that he just installed
it and had extra slack in the line.  Just a speculation on my
part.

Jeff

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

Date: Sun, 11 Apr 1999 00:55:44 EDT
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: (klr650) NKLR- BMWMOA

In a message dated 99-04-10 23:27:49 EDT, [e-mail] writes:

<<  It's sickeningly
 self-congratulatory in nature, with nary an
 objective assessment of anything BMW.  The only
 thing that keeps me from pitching them outright
 is the odd riding or safety tip you find in >>

Well, we all have our own opinions.  The MOA magazine has alot of useful
information from my perspective.  For example, you can find alot of BMWs for
sale.  Huge amounts of parts for sale - new and used.  There is always a list
of rallys throughout the USA.  Sure, some of the stuff is jibberish.  But it
far superior to ANY other single marque magazine being published today.  And
I'd love to see something similiar for KLR, or more realistically, big
thumpers that are dual purpose.

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

Date: Sat, 10 Apr 1999 22:04:47 -0700
From: "Jeff & Lisa Walker" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) Kawasaki Screws Up Big Time With Windshield

>List,
>  Kawasaki has screwed up their policy on poor KLR support and
mediocre KLR
>products. I got my new  " larger windshield"
>today and I have to tell you, I was floored. I had to look again
to make
>sure it was from Kawasaki. It is really a nice windshield.
>I love it! It is sort of like a Clearview. It is about 5" wider
and 4"
>taller than the stock with nice cut outs for the handlebars. It
is made of
>quality DOT approved polycarbonate. It uses the original 3
mounting holes
>plus an additional one on each side where the fairing mount
screws are.
>This, along with the depth
>of the shield give it good rigidity. The shield has a forward
flare at the
>top, like the stock one, but larger and more gentle.
>You have to other than the original black knurled nuts on the
screws. The
>holes are large like the original but this one doesn`t have the
thicker
>build up. I used rubber grommets from the hardware store and
washers with a
>nut. It worked great.
>  The shield has a nice smoke tint, not as dark as the stock.
> I can`t ride yet ( due to more snow and re-assembly of the
bike)
>so I can`t give a riding impression, but it has to be better
than the stock.
>  I can`t get over the perfect fit and quality of it. For $65,
it`s well
>worth it. I`m going to order another just in case they realized
they
>actually made a good product for the KLR and pull it, like they
did with the
>side protectors.
>
>Skip ( great wind protection on a bike I can`t ride)
>
Excellent!  This is the word I was waiting to hear.  Fred?
Oh-Fred?  Please tell me that you either stock this or can get
your hands on it!  I refuse to go into the local dealer again,
all they ever want to do is try to bad mouth my ride, and sell me
a HD.  I knew they were trouble when I went there to buy an oil
filter and they said, and I quote, "KLR?  What kind of Ninja is
that?"  Can you believe it, a Kawasaki "dealer" in a Harley shop.

Jeff

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

End of klr650-digest V2 #263
****************************