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New Members - Please Introduce Yourself

2M views 2K replies 821 participants last post by  KLR SixFifty 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
:)
Pretty please???
It's great to have you introduce yourself, but we also would like to know where you're from, too!!

If you're shy, you don't even need to post your town, but at least what part of the country you're from.. That way people in your area can get to know you, or even better, meet you!!!


<--- Please fill in the 'Location' on your personal profile page. User CP/Edit Your Details

This information makes it much easier for other members to answer/comment on your posts.
 
#5 ·
Hi! I'm from Central Texas. 30 miles south of Waco. Just registered last week on the Forum. But I must confess I've been visiting for a long time. I'm 57 and been riding since I was 14. I have owned mini-bike's,Honda's,Suzuki's & BMW's. I had been riding a BMW R100RT for 15 years untill 2004. I traded for a new R1150RT that year.

I have admired the Kawasaki KLR 650 for quite some time. I have been looking for a good used one for several years. In August 2006 I found a near new KLR. A California model. It had 1700 miles and was completely stock. I now have 3800 miles on it. The only changes I've made to the bike are replace the battery and install a tall wind sheild. I am 6'2" and 235lbs. It's been a good bike. I use it 80% of the time for town use. Errands and such. Also evening rides in the country. But I like the BMW when getting on the Highway for any kind of distance ride. This Forum is really great. I enjoy all the enformation and the rider reports and their adventures.

2004 BMW R1150RT
2002 Kawasaki KLR 650
 
#6 ·
I had been riding a BMW R100RT for 15 years untill 2004.
As a long time BMW rider, although not currently, WELCOME!!! Might I ask, what year Airhead RT did you have? I had a 82' for several years, along with a 92' R100RS, and a 86' R65 all sitting in the garage at the same time.
I actually discovered that I enjoyed riding the R65 and it got most of the riding time. It was just a plain model with BMW hardbags. I enjoyed the bike, but wanted something smoother as the R65 had a nasty buzz at 70mph in 5th gear.
I ended up selling all three BMW's in an effort to find a plain, monoshock R80. I didn't have any luck finding one (this was 8-9 years ago) and needed a bike for the Midland, MI BMW MOA rally. I ended up buying something I knew I'd hate, but I needed a bike for the rally, so I bought a 87 K75S... Just as I figured, I hated it. I'd owned a 86 K75C and hated it before.. :mad0235:

Anyway, I found a 2000 R1100R and rode that for years, just finally selling it to a co-worker 2 years ago.

I'm again hunting for a plain Airhead to go do my weekend playing. :16a:

Again, Welcome to the site!!
 
#7 ·
Stevero

I got a '07 KLR 16 months ago and am really diggin' it. I am 59 and had
Harleys years ago, but the KLR is more enjoyable. I use it mostly for
commuting to work about 20 miles away(March to Oct), but really want
to do some longer rides especially before and after tourist season: April/
May/Sept/Oct. Would like to do Eastern Oregon and Southern Utah, but
have to work it around my job. Live just outside Billings, Montana.
And oh yeah " Work is the curse of the Leisure Class!!! "
 
#8 ·
i live in vienna, il. 68 yrs young, semi retired, and an avid adv rider with 28000 miles aboard klrs. motorcycles have been my passion for 55 yrs, my first was a 125 harley at 13 yrs and i have'nt been with out one since. during the 60's and 70's i competed in moto cross, enduro, hare scrambles, trials and grand prix. after that i did the sport bike thing. 3 yrs ago i bought an 01 klr and been hooked on adv riding since. my current klr is an 08 model. in addition to local back roads i get away to distance states as often as i can. klrken
 
#9 ·
Snick

Hi! I'm from Soldotna, Alaska (3 hrs s of Anchorage). My daughter and I just bought a pair of KLR 650's. Hers is an 06 w/1800 miles and mine is an 05 w/2800 miles. Both are very clean & have never been off pavement. I've been riding for about 40 years, my daughter's just starting. We have plenty of trails and logging roads in our area for her to learn on so this spring we will start putting the miles on. We also plan on riding the Haul Road and the Taylor to Dawson. I'm just finishing up building racks and paniers. I used aluminum 1/4" plate for a large cargo rack and panier mounts. The paniers are built from marine plywood and epoxy glass (leftover from a boat). I just finished. I will post pics if any interest. GREAT FORUM, great info! Thanks for your time, Snick
 
#10 ·
New 08 KLR

So today I bought my first KLR. My father in law has a few of these bad boys and he finally talked me into it. I am 25 and I was riding a 2006 Honda CBR 600RR. I already love the KLR a lot more than the honda. I look forward to all of the adventures I can have here in Colorado on this thing. Not to mention all of the stuff I can get for it.
 
#12 ·
First time motorcycle owner here and I decided on the KLR. It's a 2007 black and silver with an taller windshield, light bar, highway footpegs, supertrapp exhaust and hardcase trunk. All upgrades were done by the previous owner. Planning to replace the doohickey, have ordered a corbin dished seat and 1.5" lowering suspension links.

At 5'8" 165 lbs, the bike is a bit too tall for me. The rear shock is set to 1 (lowest resistance right?) and only the tips of my toes will reach the ground when I'm on the saddle. This makes it pretty hard to back up or even keep balance. Anyone else have this problem and found different solution?

I'm in the heart of Raleigh, NC and will learn to ride here. I've never owned a motorcycle or dirt bike when younger but do ride my bicycle everwhere I can: class, store, etc. Does anyone have any advice learning to ride? I thinking about an unused university parking lot up the road. I'll probably use milk jug cones and basically follow what's in the manual. In the summer, the local community college offers a riding class which will replace the driving portion of the NC motorcycle driving test. I don't want to wait that long, so I figure practicing in the parking lot will suffice.

Once road ready, I'll use the bike to get around town for errands and would like to ride it to parents house in PA in late summer. How are these things on long trips? Anyhow, good to meet everyone. A link to my KLR is below.

 
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#13 ·
Very nice looking machine, and as far as touring any distance, the biggest issue for most people is the seat. I personally won't give Corbin the time of day if they paid me for it, but that's another issue..

As far as training, do what you can to ride, but PLEASE take the MSF Beginning Rider Course as soon as you possibly can.

Part of it is for you to learn the correct way to ride, but the biggest issue is EVERYBODY ELSE!! You need to learn both the skills to ride, but also to survive with all the other vehicles on the road. I'd much rather read your summer riding reports than find out that you were injured, or even worse because someone didn't see you and you didn't know what to do in the situation.. Again, Please take the course!!

And, when you're done with that, take the Experienced Rider Course next summer. And a few years from now, do it again.. :)

Welcome, and enjoy that motorcycle!!
 
#14 ·
Welcome to the forum!

My best advice is to take the MSF riding course. I am sure they have one near you. Then practice, practice, practice! I personally ride like I am invisible to everyone else, "knock on wood" I have survived so far... But still it is not a question of "if"... but "when".

You have a great group of riders in your hood over there, I am sure you will hook up with them!

Take care, and ride safe!

MB4
 
#16 ·
Welcome to the forum Burlygirl!

There are other women at this site who ride. (check out the ladies lounge)

Please feel free to ask questions, and post up some pictures!

Take care, and ride safe!

MB4
 
#18 ·
Hi bought 2006 KLR a few weeks ago and it is my newest project. It seemed as thought the first 5 or 6 times I rode it we had 30 to 35 mile per hour winds. After getting a non windy day to ride I like it alot great on back roads.
Location Southeastern Pa. near Morgantown.
Other bikes
2002 BMW R1150RT
1984 Yamaha RZ 350
 
#23 ·
here's johhnie v, i'm living in southeast pa. just north of phila. glad to be on board. will pick up my 08 klr 650 later this week and am looking forward to being back in the saddle after many as a cage driven animal. planning to take lots of local to mid range on/off road adventures with my new bike and am glad to have such a large family of friends to share and learn from. first ? is what people think of extended warranties and the wisdom of tire/rim insurance? the extended is $370.00 for 2 years( 3 total with 1st year given free) and i think the tire one is close to $270.00 for three years. terms are pretty inclusive for both and transferable. i think they are standard kawa. offerings. that's pretty much for now, i don't have to commit until i actually pick up the bike. looking forward to any opinions. thanks, johnnie
 
#24 ·
Hello from Indiana, I am the proud owner of a Green machine. I have had harleys and others but quit riding years ago. All but 1 of my friends still ride hogs, and I have access to them when ever, fat boys , street glide {I like}etc.I bought my KLR due to gas prices hitting $3.00. for the ride to work and my boys are in the scouts. The high gas prices sealed the deal ,at 3$ it pays for itself and puts 60.00 a month in your pocket .which is quickly spent by the wife! She loves to ride but not on the klr.I am trying to aquire a Victory King pin for us. My mods include just a night vision box with back pad on the rack that I am able to install a fishing rod tube on one side and a gun rack on the other..Have dog will hunt!All my riding buds love to ride ther HD's with me ! I am going to install pipe and other mods this spring. Looking for a pipe that is not to LOUD! Any suggestions wba. I love this thing 5500miles on a stock seat this yr. NO in doesn't just sit in garage an look pretty! LET'S RIDE!
 
#27 ·
Talk about the new guy, giving up the racing lifestyle and wanting to get on something else. Raced speedway bikes for years, now giving that up for a more "relaxed ride". Havent gotten a KLR but in the market for one. Here on the coast of washington, just like everywhere else, o.k., almost everywhere, this sort of riding will fit just fine. Not to computer savy so hang with me.
 
#28 ·
Hello there. Los Angeles native since 1969, moved to Cincinnati in. 95 but moving back to Calif. I need my year round riding weather and legal lane splitting. First bike was an XL100. Never took the MSF course. I learned from the school of hard knocks. First ride in the rain (1985) and too much front brake made me do a superman impression/break dance on the pavement. I learned not to do that again. Haha. Been riding sport bikes in canyons since 86 with oodles of free tickets from the MAN. Track days would have been cheaper. Got my KLR650 in 95 and mostly been working hard and long hours with little riding time. Just turned 40 last month. US Army vet 86-88 Germany. I've ridden in Spain, Germany and Beijing
 
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