An example of what I miss about California

FastDoc · 01-17-2014, 01:58 PM

http://rideapart.com/2014/01/road-tr...y-hot-springs/

I did this trip on my KLR650 may years ago, also in the winter.

Likewise I hit high winds (on Highway 5), snow on the Grapevine (It was February), and clear cold nights.

I was alone, it was epic.

Weldangrind · 01-18-2014, 11:22 AM

Excellent read! You did that ride alone? How were the hot springs? Did you make carne asada fajitas as well? Did you bring groceries for the hippies?

FastDoc · 01-18-2014, 01:29 PM

I did it alone.

The hot springs were wonderful.

I avoided the hippies. Good general rule :-)

No groceries. It was all I could do to carry all of my stuff and camping equipment on the KLR. I probably left them a $20 bill though, I don't remember.

No carne asada. I likely had some Mountain Home dehydrated food from the camping store. I use a small propane stove I have had since I was about 30. Works good.

The roads were perfect for a KLR. Dirt and gravel, washouts and rough, but solid. No real sand or soft deep dust as I remember. Perfect for a big D/S. IIRC I was able to go very fast, seated for most of the time.

SpudRider · 01-27-2014, 04:31 PM

Except for the naked hippies, that sounds like a fun trip.

It seems the guys in the article rode Honda XR650L and CRF250L bikes.

FastDoc · 01-27-2014, 04:56 PM

Both of those bikes, especially the 650, are well suited. I did it on a KLR and it was very easy. Plus the bigger bike would buck the wind much better, and cover the highway with ease.

Honda has nerve selling a bike with a range of like 80 miles... How much would it cost them to fit the bike with a standard 4 gallon tank?

SpudRider · 01-27-2014, 05:15 PM

I know.

Practically everyone upgrades to a larger fuel tank.

I installed a Clarke 4.7-gallon fuel tank on my XR650L. I rode from Wendover, Utah to Spudville with this fuel tank, without refueling.

FastDoc · 01-27-2014, 05:24 PM

It would not cost them any more money.

Also, when Honda buys them by the zillion, I bet an oil cooler costs $20. So, why not have them? Ditto grease zerks.

Not picking on Honda, just an example.

SpudRider · 01-27-2014, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FastDoc

It would not cost them any more money.

Also, when Honda buys them by the zillion, I bet an oil cooler costs $20. So, why not have them? Ditto grease zerks.

Not picking on Honda, just an example.

I think you should pick on Honda. When they do all the things you mentioned, and actually eliminate grease zerks which were there previously, they are blatantly trying to maximize profits.

01-17-2014, 01:58 PM	#1
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	An example of what I miss about California http://rideapart.com/2014/01/road-tr...y-hot-springs/ I did this trip on my KLR650 may years ago, also in the winter. Likewise I hit high winds (on Highway 5), snow on the Grapevine (It was February), and clear cold nights. I was alone, it was epic. __________________ Happy to serve.
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01-18-2014, 11:22 AM	#2
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	Excellent read! You did that ride alone? How were the hot springs? Did you make carne asada fajitas as well? Did you bring groceries for the hippies? __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
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01-18-2014, 01:29 PM	#3
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	I did it alone. The hot springs were wonderful. I avoided the hippies. Good general rule :-) No groceries. It was all I could do to carry all of my stuff and camping equipment on the KLR. I probably left them a $20 bill though, I don't remember. No carne asada. I likely had some Mountain Home dehydrated food from the camping store. I use a small propane stove I have had since I was about 30. Works good. The roads were perfect for a KLR. Dirt and gravel, washouts and rough, but solid. No real sand or soft deep dust as I remember. Perfect for a big D/S. IIRC I was able to go very fast, seated for most of the time. __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

01-27-2014, 04:31 PM	#4
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	Except for the naked hippies, that sounds like a fun trip. It seems the guys in the article rode Honda XR650L and CRF250L bikes. __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894
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01-27-2014, 04:56 PM	#5
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	Both of those bikes, especially the 650, are well suited. I did it on a KLR and it was very easy. Plus the bigger bike would buck the wind much better, and cover the highway with ease. Honda has nerve selling a bike with a range of like 80 miles... How much would it cost them to fit the bike with a standard 4 gallon tank? __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

01-27-2014, 05:15 PM	#6
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	I know. Practically everyone upgrades to a larger fuel tank. I installed a Clarke 4.7-gallon fuel tank on my XR650L. I rode from Wendover, Utah to Spudville with this fuel tank, without refueling. __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894
	0

01-27-2014, 05:24 PM	#7
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	It would not cost them any more money. Also, when Honda buys them by the zillion, I bet an oil cooler costs $20. So, why not have them? Ditto grease zerks. Not picking on Honda, just an example. __________________ Happy to serve.
	0