It’s paid for!

21 Feb and it’s warm and sunny on the coast!

I went Ducati shopping with my friend this weekend that resulted in a new Hypermotard getting a deposit. Sweet bike! I was able to resist the temptation to trade in my KLR. The most interesting looking bike was a Triumph 800 XC. I’m sure it would be amazing, but I’m not buying any bike I can’t pay cash for and the XC would probably be $15K out the door.

Triumph 800 XC…

The KLR may not be the latest greatest wunder bike. On the other hand it’s paid for! =)

Free RAM SPOT Mount

Fits the SPOT 2 on any bar…

If you have a SPOT Mk2 and want this mount let me know. I’ll send it to you for free.

Just zipties on…

If I get a local Victoria, BC pick up they get first priority otherwise if I have to mail it then whomever comments first asking for it will get it.

Twists on and off…

It’s in near mint condition.

SPOT pops in and out…

Why we ride a dualsports…

Ultimate KLR

Is a picture worth a 1000 words?

I’d say yes.

I wish my mechanic looked like that.

KLR Porn ;)

Click on image to jump to Lee Gochenour’s KLR photos…

A KLR650 and a nice lady. What could be better? 😉

KLR Business

Off to a business meeting…

I ride my KLR for work whenever I can. It’s often a bit of a pain to show up at a business meeting looking professional when using the bike. Wearing heavy duty pants and boots limits my clothing options without doing a full change at my destination – which is too much hassle to consider. Carrying my computer and paperwork is less elegant on the bike than if I drove my truck and hauled it all in a leather briefcase. Plus I have to deal with my helmet and riding jacket at the meeting which is cumbersome.

So why bother when I have a truck I could use?

I spend enough time working that it only makes sense to use that time to do things I enjoy as much as possible. Getting in a few extra bike rides a week while getting paid to do things at work is a win-win situation. Not to mention it’s easier to find bike parking and cheaper to operate the KLR.

And that’s the bottomline – every KLR ride I can fit into my week is a bonus so I’m going to do it whenever I can.

ADV Pie Army!

Membership is free…

Motorcycle Parking…

That’s what I like to see…

KLR650 from a GSA…

Gas Guy’s KLR650…

Click on the photo above to jump to a great thread on ADVrider.com – detailing one biker’s move from a BMW GSA to a tricked out KLR650. Just be ready to feel like you are neglecting your bike when you see the maintenance he does to it. 😉

UPS Mission…

No expedition today…

Sadly just a rip across town to collect a parcel at the UPS Store.

Nice day for a ride…

Nice sunny November day in Canada…

I’m glad I live on Vancouver Island. I get sweet sunny days in November and December that are perfect for a KLR ride. Nothing epic, but I get to ride my bike and sometimes just rolling around town is enough to put a smile on my face. 🙂

Especially when I know that most of Canada is covered in snow… 😉

KLX250S – my dream bike [lite!]…

Kawasaki KLX250S dualsport motorcycle…

I posted a while back of my lust for a KTM690R Enduro. I still have feelings for that bike, but I doubt I’ll have the $15K+ to buy and farckle that bike anytime soon.

KLX250S side view…

So my dream bike lust has shifted to the affordable Kawasaki KLR250S. It’s got better suspension than my KLR650 and it’s 130lbs lighten in stock trim – given the farckles on my KLR it will probably be over 150lbs lighter. That makes it far more capable offroad than my KLR.

KLX250S in the wild…

Not that I can afford a KLX250 at the moment either, but it’s the difference between lusting after Angelina Jolie or the hot chick who works at the local grocery store. One is far more of a dream girl than the other. 😉

KLX250S on the move…

Clean One Owner…

Now and Then…

My 2010 KLR650 stock…

Current state of the KLR art…

KLR Top End Rebuild [Techno Remix]…

KLR the Ultimate Underdog…

2012 Plans…

Fresh "Thumper" decals ready for my KLR...

No I’m not dead. I’ve been busy with lots of other things like traveling and mountain biking lately. I’m still riding my KLR – although not for anything overly adventurous – just getting around town. I’m excited to see the weather get better which will mean more KLR rides around Vancouver Island. One of my main KLR missions will be to get to Lake Nitnaht so I can kiteboard. It’s 100kms from my house to Youbou, BC and then 50kms down a rough logging road to the lake. I’m hoping a buddy will be up there most of the summer so I can leave my gear with him and just ride the bike up there, but I’m going to setup the KLR to ride with all my kite gear so I can use it for travel to other kiting beaches.

Some bike mods I have in mind for 2012:

• Remove “Adventure” decals on tank/fairing and replace with “Thumper” decals. I don’t want people to think that I am trying to be a BMW GS wannabe!
• Install Michelin T63 knobby tires for more logging road traction.
• I’ll keep the stock tires for next winter’s paved road riding as they’ve still got life left in them.
• Sort out a headlight guard for the bike. I’m stalled on my wire guard project so I may just stick on a clear 3M protective sheet on for now so I don’t thrash the light on gravel roads.
• Break in my BMW Santiago boots. I’ve been riding in Keen hiking boots which are comfy, but not ideal for weather or crash protection. The Santiagos are so stiff they are hard to ride in so I’m not highly motivated to break them in by riding them. I guess I should just start wearing them at home around the house until they soften a bit.
• Get my SPOT GPS beacon service activated so my GF can track me on my rides and I can call for help if shit hits the fan on a remote logging road.
• Considering getting my suspension upgraded on the KLR. Part of me figures it’s good enough for what I do and I should just save the money for a better DS bike in 5yrs+. Part of me thinks it’s worth it and may stave off a new bike purchase for a few extra years!
• The final possible mod is a new exhaust. On one hand I like the quiet stock exhaust sometimes, but on the other hand it’s hard to feel like a tough biker dude on a KLR that sounds like a kid’s toy! I don’t want to sacrifice fuel economy so I’ll hang onto the stock exhaust as long as I can.

WTF?!

Just got back from Baja and found this waiting for me!!

KLX650 Rally!

KLX650 Rally Bike...

I can’t speak Spanish well enough to fully understand this video, but an inmate on ADVrider translated some of the key details and you don’t need to understand Spanish to enjoy the bike in action…=-)

• 320mm front brake hose oversized with metal metal hose rear, front brake master cylinder supermotard Beringer.
• fuel tanks with a capacity of 30 liters (16 +14)
• relocated the air filter under the seat for better acceptance and less dust entry.
• Foaming different seat.
• Custom suspensions. Ohlins ttx Kit.
• Pro taper handlebars, foam grips, handles ASV unbreakable, road book, trip, thermometer …
• Steering Damper
• Escape Akrapovic titanium collector.
• Carburetion specific.
• Rekluse clutch
• larger capacity radiator, silicone hoses, radiator covers.
• Chainguide and swingarm skid Desingworks Teflon
• LED lighting.

NY Times on the Marine KLR650…

Click on image to read on NY Times site...