Disappeared

[yurkia]

I posted a message a couple months ago about my disappearance from the boards and lack of interest in my chinabike over the winter. Well here are a couple pictures of why:




My perty 2009 Kawasaki KLR650. my chinabike has been kinda neglected as of late. :oops:

[TurboT]

Nice lookin' ride.. Enjoy!

[AZ200cc]

Most of the time they are starter bikes, Nice ride man.

[knothead]

Originally Posted by AZ200cc

Most of the time they are starter bikes, Nice ride man.

Yep. Chinese bikes make excellent starter bikes. They are small, fairly light, underpowered, decent brakes and cheap. As an added bonus they are simple to work on and need just enough attention that a novice can cut their teeth on maintenance and repair.

Since I got my DR650 my poor Lifan has just been sitting. I'll take it up the road and back every couple of months... thinking seriously about passing the torch along and selling it.

[panamarandy]

nice looking ride.....................

[SpeedSouth]

Nice bike!
I think I still want one of these for myself.

[AZ200cc]

Originally Posted by knothead

Yep. Chinese bikes make excellent starter bikes. They are small, fairly light, underpowered, decent brakes and cheap. As an added bonus they are simple to work on and need just enough attention that a novice can cut their teeth on maintenance and repair.

Since I got my DR650 my poor Lifan has just been sitting. I'll take it up the road and back every couple of months... thinking seriously about passing the torch along and selling it.

Could no agree more, Or make a good bike for the guy who is not into jumping doubles and stopping and looking around once in a while

[gyjoe]

Love the newer KLR design. The older ones are excellent bikes, but I can't get over the fact that they look like a stepladder on wheels!

[yurkia]

I am kinda split. I really like 99% of the new stuff they have put on the KLR in the last two years, but I think the new front fairing looks too bulky for an offroad bike compared to the older models. After the new wears off I may go with a more stripped down streetfighter look for the front head light assembly. and a new corbin dished seat. stock seat gets a little rough after the first few miles of a long trip.

[knothead]

Originally Posted by yurkia

I am kinda split. I really like 99% of the new stuff they have put on the KLR in the last two years, but I think the new front fairing looks too bulky for an offroad bike compared to the older models. After the new wears off I may go with a more stripped down streetfighter look for the front head light assembly. and a new corbin dished seat. stock seat gets a little rough after the first few miles of a long trip.

I looked at the new KLR's.. thought hard about getting one and decided against it. I figured the first time you dropped one offroad the fairing would be toast. But then I went for a ride that included a guy on an '08.... he dropped the thing several times in some pretty rough stuff... didn't hurt it at all (but he does have the guards on it.). I'd leave the fairing on it, they are really not pretty without it and are really nice on the interstate.

Oh, and do the doo! That guy I ride with? 1500 miles and the doohickey broke. Usually it's not too bad, but his destroyed the engine. Busted the case and all. Fortunately the warranty covered his, but for $50 it's good insurance.

[yurkia]

yeah the Doo's are kinda hit n miss on the newer ones, but for the price it's good insurance. It's a wonder Kawa doesn't put in better doo's and torsion springs. I have mine stashed away for the time being ready for installation when I get a free chance to put it in.

[mrhyak]

I keep my Tank-200 at my cabin as it is my logging road/trail bike. It suits this much better then my heavier DR650 and if I drop my china bike on a trail I'll be much less grief stricken then if I drop my Suzuki.

[knothead]

Originally Posted by mrhyak

I keep my Tank-200 at my cabin as it is my logging road/trail bike. It suits this much better then my heavier DR650 and if I drop my china bike on a trail I'll be much less grief stricken then if I drop my Suzuki.

Put some good hand guards on that DR and ride it! Seriously, I've dropped mine a bunch of times and had it slide downhill on it's side more than once... hasn't hurt it. Once you get used to the weight offroad, it's not so much of an issue... and the extra power/better suspension more than makes up for it.
One thing that really helps the DR out is to drop the front sprocket from the factory 15 tooth down to a 13 tooth. I went with a 15/47 and have a 13 to swap out... top end with the 15 is around 80, but it pulls like a tractor and I can power wheelie in second gear. With the 13 it's a beast off road... boatloads of torque!

But, my DR is an older bike, it's not pretty and I'm an idiot anyway... even if it was brand new I'd still hit the trails with it... that's what it's made for afterall!