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01-15-2011, 03:25 PM | #1 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Southeastern Washington desert
Posts: 14,761
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Q and the KiLleR
Roger wanted to go for a dual sport ride on his new KLR and I was only happy enough to be a guide.
Pretty nice weather today, mid 50's mostly cloudy and windy but good enough to enjoy motorcycling with a good friend. :P Since Roger is a beginner, and his bike is immense (he also has a Q), we took it easy. We did a 45 mile loop, about 80% off pavement. Most of the off pavement was dirt (mud too) and gravel roads, with some double and single track. :P I had the pleasure of riding the KLR some and my gosh what a good bike! Something that big has no business being that good off pavement but even on the semi slimy single track it rode great! :!: If it were my bike I'd drop a tooth, or two, off the countershaft for offroading but other than that it's good to go, even with stock Dunlop D/S tires. On the road it's comfy, and VERY torquey. A pleasure. Q did well, as usual. Always a pleasure to ride the little overachiever. 8) I hope you guys had a chance to ride too as well. Bill The pics were just in my driveway after the ride and a good powerwashing.
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01-15-2011, 07:58 PM | #2 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sardis, BC, Canada
Posts: 25,977
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<--- is envious.
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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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01-16-2011, 09:47 AM | #3 |
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Alberta, Canada
Posts: 3,274
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Sweet! Nice D/S lineup
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01-16-2011, 08:15 PM | #4 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Southeastern Washington desert
Posts: 14,761
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We're having some nice weather. Sunny and mid 60's today, but very windy. Ron and I rode street. He rode his Ultra, I took the Wing. We had a nice 100 miles, and a beer. Life is good. I'm going to his house for dinner and will be taking Q. I hope we don't get blown off the road, but it's only 3 miles of backroads so I can take it easy. 8O
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01-17-2011, 10:51 AM | #5 |
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Blue Springs, Missouri. United States
Posts: 505
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I really like the KLR's both old and new. I've watched a few videos of the new one's and they look like the ultimate long range dual sport. I especially like the blue KLR's.
BTW, like your vette in the background. Post some pics of that someday when you get a chance. |
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01-17-2011, 01:53 PM | #6 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Southeastern Washington desert
Posts: 14,761
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I had 2 of the last generation KLR's and I find the new one quite superior. The suspension is much better on the road, a little better off road and the engine. while no more powerful in feel, is smoother and more tractable. The brakes are much better, but it could really use a 6 speed with a lower first gear and better gear spacing to be a better trail/technical bike.
JMHO.
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01-17-2011, 03:15 PM | #7 |
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Blue Springs, Missouri. United States
Posts: 505
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My DR650 has too tall of a first gear as well. That combined with it's pork really hampers it's tight trail work. I find that I'm always having to feather the clutch.
Something I've always wished for. I wish they made a bike with a low range. Something where you just pull out the shift lever and your in low range. Something so ridiculously geared down that maybe the first two gears would only be good for walking along or pulling stumps because it would go to slow to ride.....then 3-4-5-6 gears would be fast enough to ride, but maybe top out at 20mph max. Anyway that's just what I wish for. |
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01-17-2011, 03:35 PM | #8 |
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Altamont, Kansas
Posts: 15,103
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Well, they used to make those. My Dad had a 100cc kawasaki with a hi/lo range. 10 speed.
Honda and Suzuki did too. Honda on the original CT90 had two rear sprockets. One large and one small. Then in the tool box was an extra length of chain the you attached to gear down for off road use.
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01-17-2011, 03:43 PM | #9 | |
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Blue Springs, Missouri. United States
Posts: 505
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Quote:
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01-17-2011, 03:45 PM | #10 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Southeastern Washington desert
Posts: 14,761
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Back when I had my 1996 XR250L I'd carry a larger and smaller front sprockets (2 tooth difference). I'd ride the bike to the trails with the large one, and switch when I got there and back again for the ride home. There was adequate rear wheel adjustment.
I assume your big DR is also a 5 speed?
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01-17-2011, 05:06 PM | #11 | |
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Blue Springs, Missouri. United States
Posts: 505
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Quote:
Like you mentioned about the KLR, I wish it was a 6 speed with a lower 1rst. My old DR350 was a 6 speed and it was geared down pretty good, yet still could cruise 65mph. The only bad thing about the DR350 was that it stood 37" at the seat and I'm only 5'9", where as the DR650 is something like 34" so despite the added weight and tall first gear, it feels better to me........but it's still a pig. |
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01-17-2011, 05:54 PM | #12 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Southeastern Washington desert
Posts: 14,761
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Its a well engineered and capable pig though. I told Roger as much as I liked trail riding his bike I would not want to have to pick it up! 8O
I started calling it the BAB. Big Arse Bike. :P After switching back to Q, Q felt like a mountain bicycle.
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01-17-2011, 07:02 PM | #13 | ||
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Altamont, Kansas
Posts: 15,103
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Quote:
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01-17-2011, 07:05 PM | #14 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Southeastern Washington desert
Posts: 14,761
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LMAO!
I'm only 46! I still have 4 good years left by my calculations! :roll:
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01-17-2011, 08:44 PM | #15 |
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Altamont, Kansas
Posts: 15,103
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Only 4. Is that when we officially hit old or is it classic.
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You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone. |
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