Sam was riding the Blue Ridge Parkway, Derryk. :)

http://www.virginia.org/brp/

I have driven Skyline Drive, from Front Royal, Virginia, to Charlottesville, Va; it's a beautiful ride. I'm sure the BRP is just as nice, or nicer. :)

Spud :)

Hey Derryk! Hope you're doing well!

The only GSXR part is the 3.8lb Titanium muffler. The Powerbomb header is from FMF and is actually made for the KLR. Sorry, that probably wasn't clear. Yes, it fits perfectly. I did have to cut the inner fender to clearance it a little. If not it would melt.

Yes, we were camping. I have my tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, a little food, wet weather gear and clothes for a week in the green drybag. The small yellow drybag has emergency items, spare parts and tools.

The white bike to the left of mine is a 1999 Suzuki DR650. Chinariders member Pumpkin who works with me owns that bike. He posted here a few years back about his Lifan. He's moved on to the DR and is now looking to sell it and buy a new DL650 V-Strom next Spring.

Great trip! The weather got us in the end and we made a run for home earlier than planned. We planned for 6 days but only lasted 4. Some of our group bailed on the third day and with just 3 of us left, the group dynamic was lost. We soldiered on but made a mad '600 mile' dash for home on Thursday.

SamM

Thank you for the update, Sam! :) Your bike looks great, especially the front end. I think the fender, 950 windscreen, and Trail Tech headlight really compliment each other! :D I forget; are you using the stock fender?

Spud :)

As much as I do like the rides you guys have out West, the Smokies make up for it... :D
Beautiful ride. Nice work on that KLR.
Skyline and BRP are on the plate for next year's Dragon Run...if I can talk the wife into it... :twisted:
The Parkway runs right into the Dragon area on the "way home"... :wink:
Bill R

SpudRider,
The fender on my bike is from a 2008 Kawasaki 'Monster Energy' KX450F. You need to order the one for the Monster Energy version to get it in black.

BillR,
The BRP is great fun. The speedlimit is only 45mph but, IF you are careful you can push it pretty good. Most of the riding is very remote. You never know where a Ranger with pop up. We rode most of it on the way back at between 60 and 65mph. The best road was Rt. 250 from Waynesboro, VA back over the mountains into West Virginia. AWESOME road! Highly recommended!

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Many people don't realize that the Blue Ridge Parkway wasn't finished until 1987, I believe. This year is the 75th anniversary of the beginning of it's construction. The picture shows the Linn Cove viaduct. This was the last section of the Parkway to be finished. They needed bridge building technology to catch up before they could construct this bridge. This technology came from the Germans. Much of the autoban is built like this.

SamM

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/7894/cimg4008.jpg

Thanks for posting the beautiful photograph, and the information on your fender, Sam! :)

Spud :)

Yep, just like the northern terminus of the Natchez Trace, 40mph and wonderful curves. You can easily push it to 60-65, but Smokie Bear will show up a few times.
I really like it when the "squids" blow by me at warp speed...I just pick it up a bit and smile when I go by them while they have the "blue light special"... :wink:
Bill R

I really like the viaduct. I'd go back and forth on it a few times when riding that section of the BRP. As beautiful as it looks in that picture, you can't imagine how cool it is to be there.

I don't mind the speed limit so much, as the car/minivan or whatever in front of me.

For me its not about the speed as much as the view, the experiance, and the freedom.

Following a soccermom in a minivan causes me physical pain.

Here's a teaser spyshot of my new 2008 KLRE650 in the build process. Thought you guys might like to see it. Still much to do.

SamM

http://img840.imageshack.us/img840/6498/sklre2.jpg

It looks good, Sam! :D Please don't tease us; show us more! ;)

Spud :)

Is that a Versys engine?

Yup, it is.

The engine is from a 2008 Kawasaki KLE650 (Versys). It only has 800 miles on it and was purchased for $699. All the extras that I needed: ECU, wiring harness, throttle bodies, gauges, etc... were sourced off eBay. I have around $1500 in everything. Much less than the engine mods for the KLR engine were going to cost me.

SpudRider,
I'd love to show more but at this point in time, I can't. There may be a kit offered sometime in the future though.

The KLE engine is perfect for the KLR. The swap is called a KLRE650. It brings 65hp, EFI and a 6-speed transmission to the KLR. It overcomes all of the KLR's limitations. Here's a picture of my donor 2008 KLR. We are shooting for a weight of 300lbs. Most of you guys know all about the project. Just recapping for those that may not have seen this. The USD forks are off a 2008 Kawasaki KX450F. I'll soon be dropping another 12lbs with the purchase of a new 5.5gal IMS fuel tank. The 7.5gal tank pictured isn't going to work very well. The new ebngine is very wide and the bigger tank sits too close to the cylinder head.

Recently, I picked up another new project vehicle. A 1997 Jeep Wrangler TJ. It has the 2.5L 4 cylinder, 5-speed and no options. I plan to upgrade it and build it up as I use it for my daily driver. I've already added an Optima battery. It will get a new AEV Highline body kit soon.

Thanks!

SamM

http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/4271/cimg3694.jpg

Have you picked out your headstone comment? My recommendation is "He optimized everything." :lol:

I got my XR650L down to a weight of about 300 pounds, with an empty fuel tank. ;) Getting a KLR650 down to a weight of 300 pounds is a very impressive, and ambitious project. :) Have you had a chance to weigh the bike?

Spud :)