Motorcycle Rides

Dual-sport Article

This comes from the current issue of Popular Mechanics and puts a spotlight on the bike that I'm riding.

Why I love motorcycle adventure and travel

I decided to take a shot at the Rider magazine contest to win an Edelweiss bike travel tour. I had to answer this question in 200 words or less and submit it by 12/31/04. The winner will be selected next month. Why not me?

>>>>>>>>
It’s all about the journey. The open road calls to me in ways that few things can. A nomadic urge stirs me to make tracks and explore new places. What better way to experience this adventure than on a motorcycle? My KLR650 takes me along any road I choose on an endless quest to see what's over the next hill and beyond. My motorcycle is the key, car travel is too confining and bicycles don't cover enough ground.

I prefer to travel light; ready to set up camp quickly wherever the end of the day finds me. My main destination is planned but I orienteer side trips along the way to enjoy nature instead of traffic. Traveling this way does wonders to clear my head and recharge my life. The people and places I experience on the trip stay with me long after I've returned home. I'm planning my next trip now, probably "Death Valley Daze" in January unless something comes along sooner. I hope to see you out there somewhere along the way.
>>>>>>>>

Brake Squeal?

Date: Mon, 06 Dec 2004 01:49:05 -0000
From: "Conall"
Subject: Re: Front Brake Noise?

Brake squeal is a common ailment on many disc brake-equipped cars and
motorcycles, it is caused by vibration between the brake pad and
rotor.
It can be minimized by applying anti-squeal compound or a moly-based
brake grease never ordinary chassis grease) to the backs of the pads,
and/or resurfacing the rotors.
It has been a problem with my KLR every once and a while, I live with
it and don't worry about it.

Metal to metal sounds are a different scenario and indicates you need
new brake pads.

Conall
--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, Dale Steele
wrote:
> My front brake pads were shot and I had them replaced
> almost three months ago when I had a new tire put on
> at the shop. I've still got considerable squeel about
> 1500 miles later. I'm pretty sure I didn't get the
> stock kawi pads but don't know if that could make a
> difference. I'd like to lose the noise although I
> guess it could be a way to draw attention at
> intersections...
>
> Dale
> A15/Stockton

Posted by: Dale / 8:19 PM

New Gear Installed!

I took a fairly long ride today, including quite a few freeway miles, on a cold but clear Sunday. I've got all my new parts installed now and things seem to be working well. I'm also running my tall windshield to try and help with cold temperatures. Other parts installed include:
IMS footpegs
Moose skid plate
Maier handguards
UFO brush guards
Gel handgrips

I had to make a few adjustments to get things to work right including raise my gear shift, trim my throttle, adjust my guards to clear my levers and so on. I've also recently replaced my doohickie and subframe bolts. If it sounds like I'm gearing up for longer more challenging rides, that's right!

There are at least a few more upgrades on my mind (fork brace, gps mount, happy trails or other storage rack/boxes, etc) but this will do for now. I also want to add a small digital watch and a power outlet or battery piglet/attachment. The list goes on...

I'll add a few pics here soon to show what my "new" bike looks like. I certainly did well in traffic & cold weather today. I had on 5 layers and could have used better gloves and riding pants. Here's more of a close-up taken later when there was a break in a week of rain on new year's eve and I used it to run errands and beat cabin fever for a while.