From: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com (klr650-digest) To: klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Subject: klr650-digest V2 #127 Reply-To: klr650 Sender: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Errors-To: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Precedence: bulk klr650-digest Sunday, March 14 1999 Volume 02 : Number 127 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 13 Mar 1999 22:48:58 -0800 From: "Arne Larsen" Subject: Re: (klr650) Avon AM24 Front Tire - -----Original Message----- From: brbo@uniserve.com To: KLR List Date: Saturday, March 13, 1999 9:39 PM Subject: (klr650) Avon AM24 Front Tire >Any thoughts about mixing f/r tires with different brands/tread pattern >for safety.. > >Thanks >Brian A12CE,7k I don't think you should mix a bias with a radial but I don't think brands would matter unless the tread aggressiveness of the two tires were at opposite ends of the spectrum. Arne ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 13 Mar 1999 23:53:03 -0700 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: Re: (klr650) Avon AM24 Front Tire | After reviewing the archives for some information on the AM24 |Gripsters for the front of the KLR, I came up empty. Has anyone had the |opportunity to compare the Avon vs. the Pirelli MT21 on the front of the |bike. I am in the process of installing the new Avon on the rear, and |need some help for the front tire. Currently burning off the OEM Dunlop |in the front and I really don't like it's ability in large riverbed rock |and sand, they do an OK job on hard pack and blacktop. |Any info. on different front tire brands, are welcome... |Any thoughts about mixing f/r tires with different brands/tread pattern |for safety.. Puzzled here Brian, there have been so many reports of Gripsters being the tire of choice front and back...I think it is Tom that uses the Gripster up front and the Roadrunner in the rear for more blacktop work...the MT21 is a much much more aggressive tread pattern and is going to wear out considerably faster on the road. I have a pair that I would use if I wasn't going to put on any serious long highway miles...Fred uses them and likes them but a long trip for Fred is anywhere North of Green River (local joke just kidding my friend)... No one claims great things for either the Gripster or the MT21 in soft stuff...probably ok on harder stuff...lots of folks mix front and back...just have to be careful as you try it out... Kurt ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 14 Mar 1999 01:56:02 +0000 From: Tom Simpson Subject: Re: (klr650) Avon AM24 Front Tire At 11:53 PM 3/13/99 -0700, Kurt Simpson wrote: >| After reviewing the archives for some information on the AM24 >|Gripsters for the front of the KLR, I came up empty. Has anyone had the >|opportunity to compare the Avon vs. the Pirelli MT21 on the front of the >|bike. I am in the process of installing the new Avon on the rear, and >|need some help for the front tire. Currently burning off the OEM Dunlop >|in the front and I really don't like it's ability in large riverbed rock >|and sand, they do an OK job on hard pack and blacktop. >|Any info. on different front tire brands, are welcome... >|Any thoughts about mixing f/r tires with different brands/tread pattern >|for safety.. > > >Puzzled here Brian, there have been so many reports of Gripsters being the tire of choice front >and back...I think it is Tom that uses the Gripster up front and the Roadrunner in the rear for >more blacktop work...the MT21 is a much much more aggressive tread pattern and is going to wear >out considerably faster on the road. I have a pair that I would use if I wasn't going to put on >any serious long highway miles...Fred uses them and likes them but a long trip for Fred is >anywhere North of Green River (local joke just kidding my friend)... > >No one claims great things for either the Gripster or the MT21 in soft stuff...probably ok on >harder stuff...lots of folks mix front and back...just have to be careful as you try it out... Yup, thats me with the Roadrunner/Gripster combo. Seems to work very well for me. At 7,000 miles, my Roadrunner looks like it just getting started, as oppsed to a rear Gripster at 7,000 miles, which is on its last legs. - -Tom '96 KLR 650 ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 14 Mar 1999 02:08:57 +0000 From: Tom Simpson Subject: Re: (klr650) Windshield bracing/Saeng At 03:02 PM 3/13/99, Guy Cheney wrote: >Hey All, > >1)Has anybody who has run an after market windshield for any length of time >experienced any fatigue of the shield or the fairing? I have the 13" Rifle >and it does wiggle about somewhat at speed. Only ~600 miles on it so far >and no signs of fatigue but I'm thinking of bracing it with some flat stock >to the fairing mount. Been there? Please advise. I had a tall Rifle shield that also wobbled about. I was going to brace it untill I broke it in a minor spill at a dual sport rally. I have not bothered to replace it and now run a handlebar mount windshield that I actualy like a good bit better. - -Tom '96 KLR 650 ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 14 Mar 1999 02:51:05 -0800 From: "Jeff & Lisa Walker" Subject: Re: (klr650)NKLR oil changes > I`ve been seriously studying mechanical lubrication for the past 9 years >( part of my job) and keep up with with new research and developments as it >comes out. I attend at least two lubrication/petroleum symposiums a year. I >regularly deal with engineer reps from Mobil, Shell and Phillips. I am a >registered subscriber to the SAE and Aerospace publication papers and >digests. All Right! a bonefide authority in the house! Aside from the issue of slipping clutches, is there any truth to the sales pitches of motorcycle oils having a more stable shear factor, doesn't get its long chain hydrocarbons broken down by the straight cut gears and clutch? I personally think that its a bunch of bunk, because my Rodeo tranny and transfer case both have straight cut gears, and use 5w-30 mineral oil for lube. I can't see the and pressure being great enough, and the tolerances being small enough to "shear" the hydrocarbon chains in the oil at the microscopic level, as I've heard from countless parts guys at motorcycle dealers. Hey, I don't want to stir any hornets nests, and don't want to debate, I just want the straight dope. Thanks, Jeff ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 14 Mar 1999 09:17:48 +0200 From: Ofer Ben Michael Subject: (klr650) Helmet Brake Light Hello boys and girls,,, I am holding in my hand now the helmet brake light kit, I did not have the chance to install it yet bat I will do so ASAP. The kit looks better then in the web site, the helmet unit is very light and only requires installing to AAA 1.5V batteries, the transmitter unit is smaller and lighter then a match box, it also looks like it is going to be easy to install with only to wires hooking on the KLR brake light wires that are going to the back of the bike. It comes with too mounting stickers and most important.... Yes it is MADE IN ISRAEL so if any of you have any questions send me Email and I will do my best to get the answer. "my KLR looks different then yours" Ofer. ============================== Ofer Ben-Michael WiLL and Switching MCSC Motorola CIG - Israel Email:ofer@tlv.cig.mot.com Mobile:+972-50-422527 Phone:+972-3-5659683 Fax:+972-3-5659612 ============================== ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 14 Mar 1999 03:18:55 -0800 From: "Jeff & Lisa Walker" Subject: Re: (klr650) Avon AM24 Front Tire >Any info. on different front tire brands, are welcome... >Any thoughts about mixing f/r tires with different brands/tread pattern >for safety.. > I'm currently running on IRC GP-1's front and rear. I personally like them...I feel that they are a good compromise for street and dirt, and they are cheap enough that you can afford to replace them often, not that I've noticed any excessive wear. But, since my riding has changed since my move, and there is a whole lot of desert for me to explore out here and my daily commute has shortened from over 100 miles to just over 30 miles (round trip), I think that my next set of tires will be a DOT enduro tire, something hard for slow wear on the street, and good traction in the sand and rocks. My old Honda XL 500S had the GP-1's, but I think that the rubber compound has changed a lot since then. When those tires wore I just replaced them with honest knobbies, and gutted it out on the street. My XL600R had some high speed directional DS tires on it (Metzler?Dunlop?--don't remember.) I remember that they were great on the street, and decent in the dirt, but wore way too fast and were much too expensive from the dealer, so I put DOT knobbies on that bike. As you can see, I prefer dirt orientated tires. I can live with knobbies on the street and highway and in the rain, but going off road with sucky tires really bites. Anyway, I seem to recall J.C. Whitney had a huge stock of GP-1's for cheap. Jeff ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 14 Mar 1999 06:28:46 -0700 From: "Fred Hink" Subject: Re: (klr650) Avon AM24 Front Tire - -----Original Message----- From: Kurt Simpson To: brbo@uniserve.com ; KLR List Date: Saturday, March 13, 1999 4:58 PM Subject: Re: (klr650) Avon AM24 Front Tire ...the MT21 is a much much more aggressive tread pattern and is going to wear >out considerably faster on the road. I have a pair that I would use if I wasn't going to put on >any serious long highway miles...Fred uses them and likes them but a long trip for Fred is >anywhere North of Green River (local joke just kidding my friend)... Ya! Pavement is for sissies. (also just kidding) The Pirelli MT21 is a great all around tire. It lasts a long time and performs reasonably well on all surfaces for a DOT knobby. I use a Dunlop K139 very aggressive DOT knob on the front. I have yet to wear one out. I had one on my XR600 till I broke the knobs on the sides then I put it on my XR650L to wear out the center and it is still going strong. Probably will replace it with another K139 and the rear with another MT21 in time for the rally though. There is no problem in using bias and radial tires together. Several tire companies make both in the same model tire. Usually they will make a radial rear and a bias front. Anyone want to do Schaffer Trail with me today? Fred (Which would you rather smell? Diesel smoke and car fumes or fresh roost??) ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 14 Mar 1999 08:22:41 -0800 From: "Rob Gendreau" Subject: Re: (klr650) Soft luggage security The problem with using chicken wire or somesuch is that you (well not you, but a crook) can easily cut it. This pac-safe wire is said to be slash-proof. I haven't seen anything easily available that could be easily fabricated at a cost cheap enough. Somebody once had a suggestion for a type of wire mesh, but I forgot who. > Just a quick thought. (Not too much thought really) Its late. > What about chicken wire or a similar product dipped in that plasti-dip stuff > for tool handles. > Trim with rubber hose or plastic tubing. Put a Wal-Mart padlock on it. > Make sense or am I just sleep deprived. - -- Rob Gendreau Oakland, California gendreau@ccnet.com ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 14 Mar 1999 12:21:25 EST From: LPetty4585@aol.com Subject: (klr650) Oil Leak @ Balancer Plug Sorry for the location, but my wife hide my service manuals, know that I found them again it is indeed the balancer plug where my leak is, is their a seal that would cause the leak and has anybody changed that seal before, easy job or all nighter, any help would be greatly appreciated. Also a dealer friend gave me a Pirelli MT50 (new) that was back in the wharehouse, anybody have any info on how good of a tire it is. Using a MT21 know and it's ok except for sand and loose offraod work. Thanks, (Living at South Padre Island at Spring Break is a terrible job) ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 13 Mar 1999 21:42:36 -0800 From: "Darrel & Deanna" Subject: (klr650) PS Springs Listers, just installed the PS springs in my A12. The directions that came with the set didn't give a volume figure for fork oil, just a maximum oil level below top of the fork with springs not installed (5.5"). The OEM manual gives a volume of 12.3 oz so I put 13 oz in each side (Belray 15w). Turns out it was just about right. About 1/4" above the PS recommended oil level. The point is that if you want to comply exactly with PS recommedation start with the manual's volume and pour small increments of additional oil. Or just put in 13 oz. I wanted to keep the stock spacers intact so I went with Performance Spring advice of 3/4" PVC pipe cut to 4.5" long. I'll give a riding impressions soon. Darrel L.A. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 14 Mar 99 10:19:53 PST From: "alyef@iname.com" Subject: Re: (klr650) Questions, Questions, Questions - NKLR - ---------- > With other types of friction, like with fluids, it does > increase with increasing velocity, like with wind drag. > > Jeff Jeff, I think that this would be called damping. Damping is proportional to vel= ocity. Alex ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 14 Mar 1999 10:57:02 -0800 From: Wayne Favre Subject: (klr650) Stealth Edging If anyone has some stealth edging they are not happy with and would like to sell I'd like to buy 3-4 feet from someone. Just email me off list. Tailwinds and Good Coffee, Wayne Favre Bothell, WA 86 Voyager XII 88 NX650 ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 14 Mar 1999 13:13:53 -0600 From: "Tom Meagher" Subject: (klr650) KLR650 road test questions, etc... From: Tom Meagher@ICS on 03/14/99 01:13 PM Howdy Y'all! (note the somewhat affected southern accent, I'm really a yankee stuck here in the great Republic of Texas). My compliments on the wonderful group you have here. I just discovered it last night, and I've been browsing the archives with great interest. Allow me to introduce myself: My name is Tom Meagher (Irish last name is supposed to be pronounce "mar"). I'm a 44 year old happily married electrical engineer currently living in Houston TX. I'm 6'2", 200 lbs (all "muscle", of course). I've loved motorcycles ever since I can first remember, and I've been riding "dirt/street/touring" since I was 15. Some Dual-Sport bikes I've previously owned: '76 BMW R90/6: while you would'nt ordinarily consider this a "dual sport" machine, I used to take it (and get it thoroughly stuck) in the most unlikely places. (contrary to the legend, I never could get more than 40K mi on an overhaul, guess I'm hard on the equipment...) '91 BMW R100GS: Despite many good points, ultimately was a disapointment, but that's a different subject. '83 Honda XL500S: Great old thumper, but not much good for long distance. '86 Honda XR350: My idea of a great desert bike, had a lot of fun on this little sharp-shooter, what a jumper and hill climber! Right now I've got a '94 V-Max, which I'm in the process of selling, so I can get a new '99 KLR650. I want to ride it up to Alaska this summer (thats my plan, anyhoo, even though my wife doesn't want to go). I originally bought my 'GS with that in mind, but never quite got it together. Anyway, I've wanted to do this ride just forever, and "time's a wastin'"... Finally, to get to the point of my posting (sorry to be so verbose...) since I've targeted a KLR650 as the object of my fixation, I want to know what I can expect. I think it's a foregone conclusion that I'm gonna end up with one regardless, because, as an engineer, (and former BMW owner) I know all too well that nothing's perfect, and you have to expect to work-around a few problems, no matter what you ride. I read with great interest the road test at http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mckaw/99klr650.html (apologies if this has already been covered by the group). I have some questions about some of the "gripes" that were discussed in this article. While the overall impression of the bike was favorable, the authors raised points about the following: 1.) Transmission: They say "...Kawasaki has outdone themselves in the transmission department and managed to engineer a gearbox with a few extra neutrals included. To keep things interesting, they pop up unpredictably, mainly when downshifting..." Is this a commonly known issue, or idiosyncratic to the particular bike they tested? 2.) Front Brake: They say it "...will lead to an understanding of why they build those runaway truck ramps on long steep inclines..." Oh my! Is this what prompted the "physics of braking" thread (I skimmed just a little). 3.) Starter: They say "...It can be a black art, this awakening of the Swamp Thing..." What the hey? Electrical problems? If real, are there known fixes for these issues? Additionally, I already have a shopping list of stuff that I know I'm going to need, and I would like to hear some recommendations: 1.) Windshield: "Clearview +10" Is this the best? 2.) Driveline Highway pegs. Gots ta stretch out now and then, mon. 3.) Seat: The current Corbin offering doesn't look very good (it seems to be a "big valley") is this why I see several for sale used? Didn't Gino mention a new model he was working with Corbin on? With a wide flat shape that let's you move around? Has there been any progress on that? The Russell Day-Long would be nice, but doesn't it interfere with the all important "standing on the pegs" riding mode? 4.) Bash plate. Is the Moose plate really necessary, or is the stock one good enough for a while? 5.) Luggage. Soft luggage sounds good, does the Kawasaki stuff need saddle bag mounts to keep it from interfering with the rear wheel? The recent thread regarding the "Pac-Safe" product highlights the main problem. I wonder I we could interest them in producing a big net that would cover a whole bike from saddle bags to tank bag? (I don't think the rubber coated chicken wire, while clever, is quite in the same league..) 6.) Center stand. Really necessary? How bout a Scottoiler and a can of flat-fix instead? Thanks for bearing with me. Any information greatly appreciated. Tom ------------------------------ End of klr650-digest V2 #127 ****************************