From: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com (klr650-digest) To: klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Subject: klr650-digest V2 #100 Reply-To: klr650 Sender: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Errors-To: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Precedence: bulk klr650-digest Sunday, March 7 1999 Volume 02 : Number 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sun, 07 Mar 1999 18:03:03 -0700 From: Bogdan Swider Subject: RE: (klr650) Alpinestar Boots Let me put in a word for Vasque Sundowners.They're not cheap, $180-200 U.S. (What's the loonie worth now?), but I believe a great value Completely waterproof, they come in widths & you can walk all day in them. Best part, they're cool (In both ways but here I mean the original sense of the word). Much cooler than running shoes for example. I've ridden and walked in them when it was 100+ many times. I buy them so they fit with Spenco inserts. That way for winter rides (like yesterday) removing the inserts makes room for warm socks. They don't offer the protection of a serious off road boot, of course, but that boot would be too hot & you couldn't walk in it.They're resoleable: They're everywhere: I've used them for years. Bogdan > I have been looking for a good quality boot, waterproof, durable, > for dirt / road use, any recommendations or experience that anyone would > like to share ? > ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 07 Mar 1999 20:17:58 +0000 From: Tom Simpson Subject: Re: (klr650) Low battery At 03:19 PM 3/7/99 -0800, Jeff & Lisa Walker wrote: >>Time to crank up the trickle charger, top off the cells, and get my last >>12 months out of this 36 month wonder. KLR batteries aren't cheap. I >>think this gem cost me about $70.00 filled from a dealer 2 years ago. >>It shocked me a little because I used to buy Dorsey batteries for >>previous bikes for a lot less. Just had to be careful with the acid >>bag. I think I'll shop around next time. >> >>Jeff >> >Seems to me, Fred had some batteries listed on his site for much less than >that. I thought that my battery was a goner after this winter, but after >topping off the cells, (maybe about 10 cc's of distilled water needed,) and >some progressive charging (about 10 seconds at 50 amps, 5 minutes at ten >amps, and overnight at a trickle) the battery has performed great for the >last two weeks. I'm not sure how old this battery is, as I bought my A3 >last year, but it looks pretty used, and one of the cell caps broke off and >I had to glue it in permanently. (Thankfully that cell is still topped >off). Strange. My 30-something dollar Wal-Mart battery is now beginning its third year in my bike. Still going strong. - -Tom '96 KLR 650 ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 7 Mar 1999 21:12:12 -0500 From: "Stephen Rivett" Subject: Re: (klr650) Low battery Hehe, I refuse to go to walmart so that battery is out of the question. No offence but the people who shop at Walmart are also McDonalds eaters too, gah :) > Strange. My 30-something dollar Wal-Mart battery is now beginning its >third year in my bike. Still going strong. > > >-Tom >'96 KLR 650 > > > ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 7 Mar 1999 21:30:17 EST From: TRA1115@aol.com Subject: (klr650) Battery Question How long should the stock battery last?? I'm sure alot ot things can cause a battery to have a "long" or "short" life, but is there any rule of thumb for changing?? My 94 still has the original battery but has always been on a battery maintainer since new. Thanks, Todd 94 KLR ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 7 Mar 1999 21:41:02 -0500 From: "Stephen Rivett" Subject: Re: (klr650) Battery Question Battery Maintenance Don't put it on the floor if you take it out for long periods of time Never let it get totally dead, dead batteries freeze at a warmer temp than charged batteries Charge it for a while every month during the winter Keep the electrolite levels up Keep its top clean Smother each terminal with grease if it keeps building up corrosion Keep the terminals tight or you'll burn off the contacts (I saw a cloud of smoke come out of an excavator I was working on, the terminals boiled right off) Stephen Rivett - -----Original Message----- From: TRA1115@aol.com To: KLR650-List Date: March 7, 1999 9:32 PM Subject: (klr650) Battery Question >How long should the stock battery last?? I'm sure alot ot things can cause a >battery to have a "long" or "short" life, but is there any rule of thumb for >changing?? > >My 94 still has the original battery but has always been on a battery >maintainer since new. > >Thanks, > >Todd 94 KLR > > ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 7 Mar 1999 20:43:50 -0600 From: "Roscoe" Subject: (klr650) klx or klr Hi I wanted a KLR but have found a nice used KLX. Whats the dif and can you get a big tank for the KLX? If anybody on this list has comments Thanks in advance. Thanks Roscoe Roscoe's Music 164 W Van Buren Eureka Springs Ar 72632 501.253.5876 www.roscoesmusic.addr.com ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 7 Mar 1999 22:09:04 -0500 From: "Steamroller" Subject: Re: (klr650) Re: (KTM 650) field operative reports No flame from me. I have no problem in what people choose as their vehicl= e. I get a good laugh, though, when most of the vehicles you see pulled back onto the highway have 4 wheel drive, anti-lock brakes, and traction control,and meanwhile the open differential, 2 wheel drive, standard brak= ed vehicles. like the ones I have, plod along getting to where they are goin= g. I might be able to drive as fast, but If I happen to lose it and leave th= e "traveled portion of the roadway", I won't be so far off I can't hike bac= k for help, hehehehehe. NY Pete - -----Original Message----- From: Jeff & Lisa Walker To: Steamroller ; Carlos Y. Gonz=E1lez ; Robert Morgan ; K650dsn@aol.com ; klr650@lists.xmission.com Date: Sunday, March 07, 1999 6:04 PM Subject: Re: (klr650) Re: (KTM 650) field operative reports >Well, at least here in New York, there are no "legal, public" places to >ride. I've spent my entire Saturday researching places (it was snowing >anyway). So far I've found one forest in PA, the Alleghany, way out by Ohio, >a few seasonal trails in MA, one "pay-to-play" off-road park in NJ. >Everything else is "illegal". All this and NY requires ALL ATV's to >registered and insured, even when solely used on ones own property, for = the >purposes of a "trail fund", yeah right, try ,"balance the budget fund" t= his >seems to be the problem all over the Northeast. >Plus, DP's just don't generate the "STATUS" that a SUV generates, which = in >my opinion is a major reason why people buy the damn things anyhow. >That's the way I see it, at least around here, anyway. >What I should do is move to North Carolina or maybe Arizona, at least at >these places, you can still do stuff, like have fun. >New York Pete > > >> >>Anybody have any thoughts on why dual sport bikes haven't been as popul= ar >>as sport-utility vehicles have been in the last few years? At least in >>purpose of design, DP bikes seem like the SUV's equivalent in the >>motorcycling world. >> >>Carlos >>Milwaukee, WI >> >I agree. Buying SUV's has become a real status thing. Talk about >pretentiousness! A MERCEDES SUV! Please! If that isn't a status thing= , >then I don't know what is. Here in WA we USE our SUV's. I got mine to = get >around off road for hunting, skiing, fishing, mountainbiking, hiking, >camping, and all the other things I do that takes me off the pavement. = If I >didn't do at least one activity like that per month, then I would have j= ust >gotten a minivan with studded tires for the snow. > >Pretentiousness in motorcycles seems to be for BMW and HD owners, not tr= ue >Dual Sporters who actually ride there bikes off road, where they get mud= dy, >scratched and beat up. If you fall into the catagory that is offended b= y my >remarks, sorry to hear that you're just another typical American consume= r. >If you want to flame me back, feel free. If its interesting enough, I might >just put down my copy of Thoreau long enough to reply. > >Jeff--"Simplify, simplify, simplify" > > > > > ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 7 Mar 1999 22:15:00 -0500 From: "Steamroller" Subject: Re: (klr650) re. Spring Industry Announcments Out of ignorance, may I ask a question? Who is Fred? I like "improving" and maintaining my rides. Is Fred someone who can fill the need for parts? Thanks, NY Pete - -----Original Message----- From: Rcklr@aol.com To: klr650@lists.xmission.com Date: Sunday, March 07, 1999 4:44 PM Subject: Fwd: (klr650) re. Spring Industry Announcments >In a message dated 3/7/99 11:29:00 AM Central Standard Time, >robertlmorgan@worldnet.att.net writes: > ><< I have ordered stuff from Fred in Moab and had it in my mailbox in San >Diego > the next afternoon. I'm giving Fred the credit here not the Post Office by > the way. > Morgan > >> > >I not only second this on after market stuff, but Fred has been able to get me >genuine Kawaski parts faster than my local dealer, and I'm all the way out in >MN, (that's almost the arctic, but not quite) so if you can't find it locally >or they have to order it, give Fred a call. > >MN Ron > ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 7 Mar 99 19:16:38 PST From: "Marick Payton" Subject: (klr650) KLX or KLR Once again, the subject of KLR vis-a-vis KLX comes up. Here's the scoop, Roscoe, presuming you are asking about the KLX-C, not the dirt-only R model KLX has a newer engine design but about the same power. Better brakes, better suspension, stronger frame, better footpegs (at least for dirt riding) and the gear shift lever won't brake. The KLR has some road advantages, e.g., a fairing, a more comfortable seat, and a lot bigger gas tank. Most valuable, I think, it's much better supported with aftermarket items and this great news group. If you are planning to ride mostly on asphalt, the KLR's advantages should weigh heavily. If you plan to spend serious time riding in gnarly dirt, the KLX's advantages will serve you well. Not being a very experienced dirt rider, I'm happy to have the greater dirt competency of the KLX on my side. I love my KLX and have addressed its two major shortcomings as an adventure tourer with an Acerbis 4.75 gallon gas tank and some custom work on the seat. Still short of the 6-gallon KLR gas tank but I'm happy to deal with that to gain its other advantages. Both great all-around motorcycles and a great bargain, to boot. Marick ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 7 Mar 1999 22:33:57 -0500 From: "Steamroller" Subject: (klr650) Fred Hink Fast, very fast. Checked out your page a bit just now. Very impressive. Right off the bat I see you sell the Scottoiler. Is it worth the $$$? Also like the Umbrella girl. Where do you go to put her in your shopping cart? heh heh heh. For my KLR 650, this looks like a candy store. NY Pete ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 07 Mar 1999 22:55:45 -0500 From: "J.Taylor" Subject: Re: (klr650) Low battery True to your email address, you are the apotheosis.... of ignorant stereotyping. Open your mouth and remove all doubt..... Jake, avoiding McDonalds for a whole different set of reasons. Stephen Rivett wrote: >people who shop at Walmart are also McDonalds eaters too, ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 7 Mar 1999 23:04:19 -0500 From: Mark Subject: Re: (klr650) Low battery Oh Boy!!! This oughta get good..... So, how 'bout that ozone layer? Mark >True to your email address, you are the apotheosis.... of ignorant >stereotyping. Open your mouth and remove all doubt..... > >Jake, avoiding McDonalds for a whole different set of reasons. > >Stephen Rivett wrote: >>people who shop at Walmart are also McDonalds eaters too, ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 7 Mar 1999 21:59:47 -0000 From: "Eric Jasniewicz" Subject: (klr650) KLR - Looking for places to ride? Check out the "Places to Ride" link. http://www.motonetmag.com/motonet/index.html ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 7 Mar 1999 23:15:29 -0500 From: "bob kaub" Subject: (klr650) NKLR Eater? If I occasionally shop at Wal-Mart and eat at McDonald's does that make me a bad person? Please let me know the "approved" places to shop/eat. Wouldn't wanna be un-cool. Thanks. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 07 Mar 1999 23:06:02 +0000 From: Tom Simpson Subject: Re: (klr650) Low battery At 09:12 PM 3/7/99 -0500, Stephen Rivett wrote: >Hehe, I refuse to go to walmart so that battery is out of the question. No >offence but the people who shop at Walmart are also McDonalds eaters too, >gah :) Hey, when 'yo ass is in far western North Carolina on a Sunday and you need a battery, you *go* to Wal-Mart. :) - -Tom only eats breakfast at McDonalds '96 KLR 650 ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 07 Mar 1999 23:26:41 -0500 From: Tim Bootle Subject: (klr650) motoport ultraII cordura jacket and pants. Does anybody have any experience with these? I talked to the company president at Daytona yesterday for about 20 minutes and he was very convincing that this combo would make a perfect hot weather protective gear set. He claims it is much much cooler than Aerostich as his is not rain proof and therefore breathes well. Can anybody comment? I'm going to be riding year round in Florida with 95% humidity, 95 degrees for the six months of summer and need something to keep my skin from peeling off in a crash that won't give me heatstroke. Thanks, -Tim Bootle, Largo Florida ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 7 Mar 1999 23:27:12 EST From: K650dsn@aol.com Subject: Re: (klr650) NKLR Eater? In a message dated 3/7/99 9:12:02 PM Mountain Standard Time, kaub@epix.net writes: << If I occasionally shop at Wal-Mart and eat at McDonald's does that make me a bad person? Please let me know the "approved" places to shop/eat. >> Walmart and McDonald's have bailed my butt out of a few binds. Last summer, in Nevada, my Virago blew a fuse and had no headlight or instrument lights. The philips head screw to my fuse panel got buggered up and I couldn't get the screw out. It was late Sunday, getting dark and I needed to keep rolling. I scooted to a Walmart, they had a screw extractor and metric screws. They *lent* me the use of their cordless drill and bits to remove the head and extract the screw. I know plenty of bike shops where they won't lend you a screw driver much less let you walk out the door with with a $60.00 Makita. I don't know how many cups of lousy McDonalds coffee have kept me going on long rides in the cold. Gino ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 8 Mar 1998 23:36:47 -0500 From: "Leslie" Subject: Re: (klr650) Re: suv I agree. Buying SUV's has become a real status thing. Talk about pretentiousness! A MERCEDES SUV! Please! If that isn't a status thing, then I don't know what is. Jeff--"Simplify, simplify, simplify" I agree totally, the license plate on my 89 KLR is " SUV Y "...... I wanted :My SUV", but some soccer mom in her 2 ton SUV already had it....I hope all of the people in this area that use there 4 wheel drives to commute to work, get the point. Ofcourse that is if I wash the mud off the bike so they can see the plate......enjoy Les ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 7 Mar 1999 23:40:17 -0500 From: "Stephen Rivett" Subject: Re: (klr650) Low battery I'm gonna let it pass. Although I can't comprehend somebody sticking up for McDonalds. New topic, Canada has it's positive points. >Oh Boy!!! This oughta get good..... >So, how 'bout that ozone layer? >Mark > > >>True to your email address, you are the apotheosis.... of ignorant >>stereotyping. Open your mouth and remove all doubt..... >> >>Jake, avoiding McDonalds for a whole different set of reasons. >> ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 7 Mar 1999 20:32:50 -0800 From: "Robert Morgan" Subject: Re: (klr650) motoport ultraII cordura jacket and pants. Motoport is right over the hill from where I work. I don't know anything about the jackets they sell but the tall blonde that works there is absolutely gorgeous. Morgan (oops, must have been that "motorhead testosterone thing) ------------------------------ End of klr650-digest V2 #100 ****************************