01-17-2014, 01:58 PM | #1 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Southeastern Washington desert
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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.
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01-18-2014, 11:22 AM | #2 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sardis, BC, Canada
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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?
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01-18-2014, 01:29 PM | #3 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Southeastern Washington desert
Posts: 14,761
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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.
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01-27-2014, 04:31 PM | #4 |
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Idaho
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Except for the naked hippies, that sounds like a fun trip. It seems the guys in the article rode Honda XR650L and CRF250L bikes.
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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 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Southeastern Washington desert
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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?
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01-27-2014, 05:15 PM | #6 |
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Idaho
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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.
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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, 05:24 PM | #7 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Southeastern Washington desert
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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.
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01-27-2014, 08:24 PM | #8 |
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Idaho
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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.
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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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