From: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com (klr650-digest) To: klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Subject: klr650-digest V2 #130 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 130 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sun, 14 Mar 1999 21:24:37 -0600 From: "Tom Meagher" Subject: Re: (klr650) KLR650 road test questions, etc... - --0__=JBYNXosKgTJIxIzpk7YHFJVU1wbv9eUHqo8CapWcxqZ0vbdaHcQOxJYO Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii From: Tom Meagher@ICS on 03/14/99 09:24 PM Larry, Thanks for the advice. I've been talking to "Wild West Honda/Kawasaki/BMW" out here in good ol' Katy. Anything on "59 south" seems to be on "the other side of the Universe" (referring to the perpetual daylight traffic jams through downtown Houston). So you migrate north to Houston in the summer? It must be for the cool Houston summer climate, where the temperature rarely rises above 110 degrees F, and the humidity rarely exceeds 100%. (personally, I seek shelter (run away))... My V-Max was miserable in the heat. Rather like sitting astride a toaster oven. How is a KLR? I never appreciated how comfortable the old Boxer twins were in the heat. They seem to keep the heat away from your goodies pretty good. Anyway, yeah, maybe we can do some exploration rides together, I don't really know many good places to go around here yet... Tom - ---------------------- Forwarded by Tom Meagher/ICS/US on 03/14/99 09:33 PM - --------------------------- (Embedded image moved LPetty4585 @ aol.com to file: 03/14/99 01:33 PM PIC14609.PCX) To: Tom Meagher/ICS/US cc: Subject: Re: (klr650) KLR650 road test questions, etc... Tom, I work in Houston in the summers and live near South Padre Island in winter. The KLR's are better than the article leads you to believe, I have had no problems with the transmission or starting, the brakes well don't count on them. Most of us have installed Progressive Springs, a better bash plate I use a MSR, and add stainless brake lines to fix the braking problem, the bike is easy to work on and being a ex R80G/S owner it goes where the beemer won't. You are lucky as Houston Kawasaki on 59South knows alot about KLR650's, they have helped me immensly in setting my bike up and they know the products as they use them. If you need a shake down cruise, come on down. 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From: Tom Meagher@ICS on 03/14/99 09:30 PM Tom, Thanks for the comments! What part of the planet do you hail from? Hey, here's a KLR question: How long have KLR's had 6 gallon tanks? That was one of the favorite things about my old R90/6, one of the biggest drags about the V-Max, and one thing that makes me go "Right ON Kawasaki!" Tom ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 14 Mar 1999 21:42:22 -0600 From: "Robert Gaines" Subject: (klr650) KLR Seat Wanted - stock, Corbin, Russell, Sargent, .. Do you have an extra seat laying around you want to part with at a reasonable price? Interested in stock, Corbin, Russell or ??; in any condition, Any year should be OK. Let me know what you have and how much you want for it. Robert ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 14 Mar 1999 21:43:24 -0600 From: "Tom Meagher" Subject: (klr650) Re: KLR Welcome - --0__=zepfCDFrgjZMvaa0ct84P3xluN9Tvxtpd6WUoMxit4Nzj4vpg2cn89VW Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii From: Tom Meagher@ICS on 03/14/99 09:43 PM Eric, Thank you for the welcome. I've been surprised and tickled by the response to my posting, thanks to all! (This doesn't have anything to do with a bunch of folks sitting around in the cold, waiting wistfully for riding weather, does it?) Yeah, your web page rocks! As far as the worst braking motorcycle I've ever had, I'd have to nominate my '69 XLCH. I attribute at least 50% of my grey hairs to that son of a bitch, and probably my trick knee too... (no electric start, and a kick starter sadistically designed to disengage half way through every 7th kick. ouch...) ;--) Tom (Embedded image moved "Eric Jasniewicz" to file: 03/14/99 07:44 AM PIC21302.PCX) To: Tom Meagher/ICS/US cc: Subject: KLR Welcome Welcome to the group Tom, 1) Transmission - I haven't noticed any problems, haven't heard of any either. 2) Front brake sucks, plain and simple. The dirt guys think it is fine, but if you have spent any time riding on the street, the front brake is outright frightening. The hose flexes substantially, and brake fade is a problem as well. I installed a Fastline braided brake line, that helped give me a better feel for what was going on at the rotor. You really need to use both brakes full force when riding on the street, I really don't like not having an extra few percent in reserve for emergencies. This is the worst braking motorcycle I have ever ridden,ranging from sportbikes to cruisers to dirt bikes. There is a larger rotor kit available for around $385 from MAP Engineering. Gino Pokluda has one and appears happy with the product. 3) Haven't had any started problems yet. You may want to check out my web page on the KLR, I've got some different stuff and different opinions that may interest you. Eric J www.angelfire.com/ga/ericjazz - --0__=zepfCDFrgjZMvaa0ct84P3xluN9Tvxtpd6WUoMxit4Nzj4vpg2cn89VW Content-type: application/octet-stream; name="PIC21302.PCX" Content-transfer-encoding: base64 CgUBCAAAAABoACwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAABaQABAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD1E9sTzRPHE8MTwhP1E9sTzRPHE8MTwhP1E9sTzRPHE8MTwhP1E9sTzRPH E8MTwhP1E9sTzRPHE8MTwhP1E9sTzRPHE8MTwhP1E9sTzRPHE8MTwhP1E9sTzRPHE8MTwhP1E9sT zRPHE8MTwhPwEwzIBgzYE8wTxhPDE8IT7hPOBtcTzBPGE8MTE+wTwgbCBwbCEgbCEgbCEsUG1hPL E8YTwxMT6hMMwgYHwgLCAwISwgfEEsMCwwbVE8sTxRPDExPpE8MGAwcCBwMCwhLDB8ISwgISwgLD BtUTyhPFE8MTE+gTwgIHA8ICEw4DDgLDE8USwwLCEMIG1BPKE8UTwxMT5xMCAwcDAg4TDgITwgIS D8ISD8ISBRICEcICwwbUE8oTxRPCExPmEwYCBwMCDgIOwgLDExITEhPCEg8GxgLDBtMMDAfJE8QT whMT5hMGwwITBgMCDhLFEw8SE8ISBgIDwhIDEsMGB9MDxwwHxRPDExPlEwYHAhESAg8CwhMPwhMP xBMPxRIQwgIDAgMCBtMDxwPEDAfDE8IT4RMHwwzCBgLCEhMCDxLIE8MSD8MSwwIQAwIDBgfSDMkD wgPCDAfCExPbEwfGDMIDDAIHERITEhMSwxMPwxMPwxPDEgIDAgMCwwMCBgzREwfHDMYDDMITE9YT B8UMyAMGB8ICBhLDAsYTEhMSExIPwhIHAgcCAwUQAgYRBgfSE8UTB8QMwgMMwhMT0hMHxAzLA8IM BsISDxESExITAw4DxBMSExITwxICBwPCAsMDDMIGB9ITyRMHwwzCExPPEwfDDMkDxQwHwhMGBxIT AhECEwMOAg7DExITDxMPwxIDAgMCBwMCDAYRBgfSE8kTwhPCDMITE8wTB8MMxwPEDMIHxxMGxBLD Ag4DDgIGwg/IEgIDwgIDAgwCEMIGB9ITyRMHDAcMwhMTyhMHwgzGA8MMwgfMEwYHwhLCEAIOAg4C DhDDAhIPxhIFAgXDAgUCEQYH0hPHEwfCDAcPDMITE8gTB8IMxQPDDAfQEwbDEhDEAhAOEA4QwgLG EgcSBhIGBcMCBcIGB9ATB8UMEwfCDA8HDwwHwhMTxhMHwgzEA8MMB9MTBgfCEhADEMICDhAOEMIC EQIDxxIGBwbCAgUCEQYHyxMHxAwHwhMHEwzCEwcPBw8MB8MTE8UTBwzEA8IMB9YTBsQSEAMCA8UC EQIDAgPDEgcSBgfCBgUQAhDCBgfGEwfEDAfGE8INEwzCEw8HwgwHwxPCE8QTBwzDA8IMB9gTBgfE EhACEMYCEQIDAsQSBhLDBsICEALCBgfCEwfDDAfKEwfCDRMHwhPCDAfEE8ITE8MTBwzCA8IMB9oT DBIHwxLDDBEDxQIDAgPDEgYSBgfCBgIQAhAGDAfCEwzDE8MHyRMHwhPCBxMHxRPDExPDEwzCAwwH 3RMGxxICEQPDAgMCA8MSBhIGBwYMBhACEAIGDMMTDBPCB8YTwwfHEwfGE8MTwhPDEwwDDAfeEwYH xxICEQPDAgMCwhIGEgYHBgwGEAIQAsIGB8MTDMYTwwfKEwzGE8MTwhPDE8IMB98TDBLCB8USAgMR xAISB8ISBgcGDAYQBhAGEAYMB8MMB8kTwwfHEwzGE8MTwhPDEwwPwgzfEwYSB8ISB8ISAhECAwID EgcSBwYHBgwGEAYQxgzDD8IHxRPDB8kTBwzGE8MTwhPDEwzDD8QM3BPCBhIGwxIGAhECAwIHBgcG yAzJDxMHzRMHwwwHxxPDE8ITwxMHDMYPxwwH1BMGEgYSBhLLDM4PwwwTDMcTwgfEDAfJE8QTwhMT xBMHwgzLD9sM0w/GDAfDEwzDEwfEDAfLE8YTwxMTxhMHxAztD8gMBgfIE8QMB84TxxPDE8ITyhMH xwzbD8sMEAUMBcIMwgYH1RPKE8UTwxMT0RMH2wwGEAYQBhACBQwFDAUMBgwHBgfWE8sTxRPDExPu EwYMBhAGEAIGDAYMwwYH1xPLE8YTwxMT8BPKBgfYE8wTxhPDExP1E9sTzRPHE8MTwhP1E9sTzRPH E8MTwhMMAAAAgAAAAIAAgIAAAACAgACAAICAwMDAwNzApsrw//vwoKCkgICA/wAAAP8A//8AAAD/ /wD/AP//////AAAAgAAAAIAAgIAAAACAgACAAICAwMDAwNzApsrw//vwoKCkgICA/wAAAP8A//8A AAD//wD/AP//////AAAAgAAAAIAAgIAAAACAgACAAICAwMDAwNzApsrw//vwoKCkgICA/wAAAP8A //8AAAD//wD/AP//////AAAAgAAAAIAAgIAAAACAgACAAICAwMDAwNzApsrw//vwoKCkgICA/wAA AP8A//8AAAD//wD/AP//////AAAAgAAAAIAAgIAAAACAgACAAICAwMDAwNzApsrw//vwoKCkgICA /wAAAP8A//8AAAD//wD/AP//////AAAAgAAAAIAAgIAAAACAgACAAICAwMDAwNzApsrw//vwoKCk gICA/wAAAP8A//8AAAD//wD/AP//////AAAAgAAAAIAAgIAAAACAgACAAICAwMDAwNzApsrw//vw oKCkgICA/wAAAP8A//8AAAD//wD/AP//////AAAAgAAAAIAAgIAAAACAgACAAICAwMDAwNzApsrw //vwoKCkgICA/wAAAP8A//8AAAD//wD/AP//////AAAAgAAAAIAAgIAAAACAgACAAICAwMDAwNzA psrw//vwoKCkgICA/wAAAP8A//8AAAD//wD/AP//////AAAAgAAAAIAAgIAAAACAgACAAICAwMDA wNzApsrw//vwoKCkgICA/wAAAP8A//8AAAD//wD/AP//////AAAAgAAAAIAAgIAAAACAgACAAICA wMDAwNzApsrw//vwoKCkgICA/wAAAP8A//8AAAD//wD/AP//////AAAAgAAAAIAAgIAAAACAgACA AICAwMDAwNzApsrw//vwoKCkgICA/wAAAP8A//8AAAD//wD/AP//////AAAAgAAAAIAAgIAAAACA gACA//vwoKCkgICA/wAAAP8A//8AAAD//wD/AP////// - --0__=zepfCDFrgjZMvaa0ct84P3xluN9Tvxtpd6WUoMxit4Nzj4vpg2cn89VW-- ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 14 Mar 1999 21:48:13 -0600 From: "Tom Meagher" Subject: Re: (klr650) KLR650 road test questions, etc... From: Tom Meagher@ICS on 03/14/99 09:48 PM Arne, It's great to be aboard! I assume that A12, A13, etc.. refer to KLR model years or something? Is A13 the latest? I guess Kawasaki isn't superstitious,eh? Many airliners and sky-skrapers systematically avoid the use of that number. Of course, we, in our scientifically enlightened state of rationality have transcended such primitive voo doo, right? (Knock on wood)... tom ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 14 Mar 1999 22:49:07 EST From: Joes4570@aol.com Subject: (klr650) Hi, another new subscriber Hi guys. I will be hanging around your list for a while trying to gather info on the KLR. It is my intent to buy one later in the year so I am trying to learn what I can now. Currently I have a Suzuki DR350s that I bought for the express purpose of relearning how to ride off road. I think it will be a fun bike but it is a means to an end since I do not think it will make an acceptable long distance type bike. My goals in dual sport are probably two day tours in the Oregon area, hopefully a longer tour in Mexico when time allows. As for myself I am 43 and have been riding since 1969. In addition to the Suzuki I have a Honda GL1500 and a Ducati 900 SS. Currently ride about 10k a year, at least 3k of which is on one tour. Enough, I don't want to bore you with stuff about me. I will also try not to bore you with too many questions, many of which I am sure have been asked time and time again. Thanks in advance for any help you may offer. Joe S. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 14 Mar 1999 20:12:55 -0800 (PST) From: KLR650@webtv.net (Conall O'Brien) Subject: (klr650) Sorry Sorry for quoting back that entire digest to the list, I meant to send it to myself. Conall- time to get offline ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 14 Mar 1999 22:14:56 -0600 From: "Tom Meagher" Subject: Re: (klr650) KLR650 road test questions, etc... From: Tom Meagher@ICS on 03/14/99 10:14 PM Kurt A12, (Cool last name) Thank you for the thoughtful comments. Say, who is this mysterious "Obe Wan" of song and legend? You make it sound like he makes the light saber of the KLR burn bright. May the Force be with you. Tom 0/0 ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 14 Mar 1999 23:42:14 -0500 From: "Stephen Rivett" Subject: (klr650) NKLR: Windsor, Ontario I know this message really doesn't pertain to the list but I am aware of the fact that a few people on the list live in Windsor. Anyway, does anybody here live in Windsor or in a nearby surrounding town who has a room that they could rent to me from either a months time to a year? I don't know anybody in Windsor and plan on moving from Sudbury in a few weeks so any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Stephen Rivett ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 15 Mar 1999 00:11:22 EST From: Cloudhid@aol.com Subject: Re: (klr650) Oil Level Leaker On 3/14/99, ajax@xmission.com writes: snip >Mike, the only thing I can see is that you're running your oil 10 ounces >low all the time...(g)...isn't it time we hit this one again... >Kurt (feeling a little mischievous) Tsk, tsk, tsk Mr. Simpson. How can you in good conscience spread false info to you fellow klrists? Mike's oil leak may have come from accidentally adding oil above the top of the sight glass. (See owner's manual for details). The excess pressure then blows the seal out and voids any remaining warranty. (See Kawasaki Technical Bulletin of April 1, 1998 #1050-01). Redondo Ron (who's using oil to fan the flames...again) ------------------------------ End of klr650-digest V2 #130 ****************************