anyone go for a ride today? Pics?

[Burque73]

Thanks Jedz. Man, you should see how many wild horses there are over here. They spook easily and split before I get close. I have a gopro, maybe someday I'll mount it and actually use it.

 

[Steve]

What response you get when you ride to someplace and meet people you know somewhat that don't ride....?

Let me guess, from my experience:
- comments about Evel Kenevil
- hold up both arms and mimic operating the throttle with both hands
- comments about it being too cold (if less than, say, 60 degF)

No, it's more like ... "oh, you have one of them? I used to have ..."

Anybody I know even "somewhat" knows that I ride. Some might ask about riding in the cold, I just show them wire on the jacket that I plug into the bike and they laugh.

I think it just proves to them that I AM as crazy as they thought I was.

.

 

[Burque73]

Rode another 190 miles on the KLR today. Boy I need a GPS! I missed a turn and went up a pretty narrow road to the top of the Manzano Mountains. Really a nice ride but scared the poo out of me when Ford Ranger needed to pass coming the other way. The drop off on my right and him on the left on a road thats maybe 10 feet wide and rutted pretty badly. I just stopped since there was no wide spot within reach and I wasn't about to scoot all the way to the edge. He made it by and warned me there were two more trucks coming so I pulled off at the next wide spot. This area is still scarred from a fire a few years ago.



Here's looking East toward Texas.



And West toward Arizona.



I made it 190 miles without switching to reserve today. Must have been crap in the carb yesterday and I thought it was running low. This is a fun bike to ride. Light, powerful, stylish... well two out of three aint bad!

 

[Boriqua]

wow Roger that looks like a sweet spot to go riding too. Did you go solo? I have been looking at a ton of the BMW 650GS on sale locally but don't know if such a small engine can handle me and the wife on hardpack gravel or at highway. We have miles and miles of roads an adventure bike would be well suited for.

 

[Burque73]

wow Roger that looks like a sweet spot to go riding too. Did you go solo? I have been looking at a ton of the BMW 650GS on sale locally but don't know if such a small engine can handle me and the wife on hardpack gravel or at highway. We have miles and miles of roads an adventure bike would be well suited for.

Good morning.
Yes, I was alone for this one. My Vstrom buddy had tire issues, and another friend couldn't make it. Actually it's sometimes more fun alone. Can stop and go whenever I want without trying to get other's attention to do so. The DL1000 would have been super scary on that windy narrow road, in my opinion. Glad I had the KLR!

I rode a 95 BMW Funduro 650 before getting this KLR. It was pretty comparablein power I'd say. Hard to stand up for rough terrain because of the shape of the tank. Not sure about the GS's though. The owner said he and his wife rode to Las Vegas and back on the Funduro. He said it held them and gear fine but top speeds were pretty low weighed down like that.

 

[dorkburger]

Roger, you sure are hitting some wonderful new scenery on the KLR. Thanks for the pictures.

 

[limeex2]

Thats some sweet riding! A buddy just picked up a KLR and loves it.

 

[Eli69]

got to take my annual ride to niagara falls. didn't think i'd make it this year because the snow came a bit early.

below, the niagara river, just upstream of the canadian falls.

 

[Jedz123]

got to take my annual ride to niagara falls. didn't think i'd make it this year because the snow came a bit early.

below, the niagara river, just upstream of the canadian falls.

NICE!
I rode in today. 41' at the house! Felt warm... Ugh Winter sucks.

 

[Jedz123]

Thanks Jedz. Man, you should see how many wild horses there are over here. They spook easily and split before I get close. I have a gopro, maybe someday I'll mount it and actually use it.

Do you Chase them with the KLR!?!?!

 

[steve murdoch]

got to take my annual ride to niagara falls. didn't think i'd make it this year because the snow came a bit early.

below, the niagara river, just upstream of the canadian falls.

View attachment 53365

Great minds think alike, i was along the Niagara Parkway from Queenston to the Falls.
A rare treat to be riding at this time of the year.

 

[Burque73]

Do you Chase them with the KLR!?!?!

Haha, I thought seriously about it, but didn't. One, I was on the Rez and didn't want any trouble. Two, fuel system being weird and sun setting, being far off the road at dark....remember the wearwolf in London movie! Just kidding, but no, as much as I wanted to.

Actually I have great admiration for those horses out there. So powerful and free, just easily going anywhere. Wanted real badly to ride with them kinda like a glider flying with the birds.

 

[lurch12_2000]

I didn't need a KLR for these dirt roads today, but with the recent freeze/thaw effect, it does get greasy in spots.

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[Redman]

Sunday NO, Monday YES

Sunday NO, Monday YES

Sunday afternoon was 40degF, thought I should go for ride. I asked myself, When will I get another chance? Is late November and is 40 degF. THEn I looked at 10 day weather forecast, and saw the Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and THursday could be in mid-upper 40s.
Hay, Hey, When might I get another chance?
THe answer is:
Monday & Tuesday & Wednesday & THursday & Friday, .... YAH, during the DAY Monday & Tuesday & Wednesday & THursday & Friday! ! DURING THE DAY ! Am available for whatever DURING the day, all day.
Hey, Hey
(now that I have broken that nasty habit of going to work every day)

Did get out for a ride Monday afternoon.
GOt a late start.
The GK didnt start.
Had been 2 weeks or more since last ran, so put petcock on PRIme.
Put on charger, and waited a while.
Still didnt start.
Check for spark with an ignitiuon tester, seemed okay.
Put back on charger, waitied a while. Pondering what else to check.
Started to take off the fairing lower panel so could pull a plug.
THen noticed I had the petcock on REServe, not PRIme,,,,, DOAHHHhhh
Put on PRIme, waited a minute.
Started right up.
Scheeeessssccchhhh.

Was out for a bout an hour and was starting to get dark and cold.

42 by time got home.

Had stuff going on the next couple days. Is on the schedule for tomorrow (after I check the alignment of the right aux light).

 

[earlfor]

Went for a ride Tuesday morning and went for another Wednesday morning. So I thought to myself, "I'll do something different today" and waited until afternoon to go for a ride. LOL

 

[Guest]

It's supposed to be clear and in the upper 40's this Saturday AND Sunday! Really unusual for this time of year in MI, but I'll sure take it! So I think I'll get the ole 850 out of mothballs, reinstall the battery, and see what happens. It hasn't run for about six weeks now, but I don't expect any problems.

Redman..... I'm still a workin' stiff, but don't have that long to go until I can just get on the scooter and ride whenever I feel like it - like you. I envy you!

 

[Burque73]

Well I was in the garage tightening the chain on the KLR and my son walks in to talk. Hmmm, he only does this when he broke something or needs money typically. He starts telling me about his day at school (3rd year college student) and asks what I'm doing. Once I get the axle torqued down the inevitable question finally came out. Dad, um, can I try to ride that bike?

Well, come sit on it and lets see how you do, I said. Now, he's an inch taller than me and has 15-20 pounds on me so I know good and well he's big enough. Feels pretty good huh? I asked.

Oh man, I can ride it please, I'm sure I can handle it! He says...

Alright, I back it out and down the driveway to the street, then give him the basic rundown on the controls. I'm trying to remember the first day of the MSF course which was designed for folks who have never even sat on a motorcycle before. Ugh, too long ago so crash course (not literally) it is.

After a while of stationary instruction, I had him start it and feel where the clutch starts to grab, explaining that it's the same principle as his 5 speed Toyota Corolla just different locations for... well you get the idea.

He's ready, engine running, sidestand up, ease out the lever...little throttle and stall. Start up and try again...stall! This went on for a while then he hit it just right making it to the end of the street. I ran into the garage and got the 850 and pulled up next to him, coaching him a bit until he got it again.

Around the block we went in first, then second gear. Then around and around again, another street, then another now he's doing better and just glowing with excitement!!

He rounds our corner and pulled up into the garage and parks it. Why'd you stop, I asked? He's like, really? Yeah, really lets go, don't you want to keep riding? Ugh, he's got another thing at school and needed to head out soon.

Ok, I want to play and HE doesn't have time! I had to at least get the bike back out to the street for a picture.

Here's my boy on his first day on a motorcycle (more than 50cc anyway).

 

[Guest]

DNR, what's with the tiny typing?

 

[Burque73]

DNR, what's with the tiny typing?

Oops, fixed it!

 

[Guest]

Roger....... really nice story telling there. Thanks for sharing! Your lament about you wanting to play, but HE doesn't have time - reminds me of the old Harry Chapin song "Cat's in the Cradle".