Doug
06-03-2006, 11:06 PM
Hello, my name is Doug, and I am hooked on thumpers...
I had never ridden a KLR before today, although I had watched in amazement as the long legged odd looking thumpers
silently turned some of the lowest times at our BattleTrax events.
I've read the Ride Reports by JayD and SV_Rider and even checked out the other forums where the owners raved,
complained and otherwise expressed thier addiction to these strange machines.
Most recently, I gained a whole new respect for this breed as I joined them on a ride to "The Secret Road";
and watched from afar, (and more afar, and even further afar) as they ran off and hid;
piloted by the master hands of Team DSRL (Juice et. al.)
Today,
I bought one. :)
So, for my maiden voyage, I choose a secret location to which shall hereafter be referred to as "The Gator Gap".:p
For some reason, my previous adversion to gravel melted away as the KLR seemed to be trying to speak to me...
"Trust me, I do this all the time" or "Use the Force" ; or something like that;
but whatever it was saying;
I gained a new confidence.
JayD, I like the suspension the way it is; I wouldn't change a thing!
So we head south on "The Gator Gap"...
"What speed limit sign ?!?"
http://i5.tinypic.com/11kxitt.jpg
"The sun got in my eyes"...
http://i6.tinypic.com/11kxj5u.jpg
OK, I saw that one...
But the posted speed limit on "The Gator Gap" is unreasonably understated.
http://i6.tinypic.com/11kxmgw.jpg
This was a relaxed solo ride but at a "Spirited pace".
There was plently of gravel still on the asphalt, the the KLR didn't do the same "Street Tire dance" I had previously experienced.
This is just a beautiful spot on earth. Some of God's handi-work...
http://i6.tinypic.com/11kxl3k.jpg
http://i5.tinypic.com/11kxlzp.jpg
http://i6.tinypic.com/11kxm6x.jpg
All this beautiful scenery was wizzing by pretty fast; but something was missing...
Hmmm, what could it be; oh yeah;
the jetstream air blast buffeting my head about.
Seems that tall windshield fooled me into thinking I wasn't going as fast as I really was.
OK,
gotta downshift for "Guardrail Curve"
http://i6.tinypic.com/11kxmkx.jpg
No, I'm not really gonna name every curve like on "The Dragon" asdf
But hey,
Let's do that again...
http://i5.tinypic.com/11kxo1x.jpg
Each pass brought more and more dogs nipping at my heels;
so time to head home.
Traffic was a new experience too.
Watercooling relieved my mind from worry about overheating while sitting; and sitting
and s i t t i n g at traffic lights.
This thing is waaaay to quiet for a quick rap on the pipes to get anyone's attention,
and the horn?
fugetaboutit.
So I found myself playing "The conspicuous game" jockeying for lane position with maximum visibility.
I thought about Cale Browning as I passed the intersection where he was killed by an inattentive driver,
http://www.rocketmadness.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19040
and whispered a prayer for those of us left behind.
So all in all, a great ride on a great bike on a beautiful day.
I sure have alot to be thankful for...
I had never ridden a KLR before today, although I had watched in amazement as the long legged odd looking thumpers
silently turned some of the lowest times at our BattleTrax events.
I've read the Ride Reports by JayD and SV_Rider and even checked out the other forums where the owners raved,
complained and otherwise expressed thier addiction to these strange machines.
Most recently, I gained a whole new respect for this breed as I joined them on a ride to "The Secret Road";
and watched from afar, (and more afar, and even further afar) as they ran off and hid;
piloted by the master hands of Team DSRL (Juice et. al.)
Today,
I bought one. :)
So, for my maiden voyage, I choose a secret location to which shall hereafter be referred to as "The Gator Gap".:p
For some reason, my previous adversion to gravel melted away as the KLR seemed to be trying to speak to me...
"Trust me, I do this all the time" or "Use the Force" ; or something like that;
but whatever it was saying;
I gained a new confidence.
JayD, I like the suspension the way it is; I wouldn't change a thing!
So we head south on "The Gator Gap"...
"What speed limit sign ?!?"
http://i5.tinypic.com/11kxitt.jpg
"The sun got in my eyes"...
http://i6.tinypic.com/11kxj5u.jpg
OK, I saw that one...
But the posted speed limit on "The Gator Gap" is unreasonably understated.
http://i6.tinypic.com/11kxmgw.jpg
This was a relaxed solo ride but at a "Spirited pace".
There was plently of gravel still on the asphalt, the the KLR didn't do the same "Street Tire dance" I had previously experienced.
This is just a beautiful spot on earth. Some of God's handi-work...
http://i6.tinypic.com/11kxl3k.jpg
http://i5.tinypic.com/11kxlzp.jpg
http://i6.tinypic.com/11kxm6x.jpg
All this beautiful scenery was wizzing by pretty fast; but something was missing...
Hmmm, what could it be; oh yeah;
the jetstream air blast buffeting my head about.
Seems that tall windshield fooled me into thinking I wasn't going as fast as I really was.
OK,
gotta downshift for "Guardrail Curve"
http://i6.tinypic.com/11kxmkx.jpg
No, I'm not really gonna name every curve like on "The Dragon" asdf
But hey,
Let's do that again...
http://i5.tinypic.com/11kxo1x.jpg
Each pass brought more and more dogs nipping at my heels;
so time to head home.
Traffic was a new experience too.
Watercooling relieved my mind from worry about overheating while sitting; and sitting
and s i t t i n g at traffic lights.
This thing is waaaay to quiet for a quick rap on the pipes to get anyone's attention,
and the horn?
fugetaboutit.
So I found myself playing "The conspicuous game" jockeying for lane position with maximum visibility.
I thought about Cale Browning as I passed the intersection where he was killed by an inattentive driver,
http://www.rocketmadness.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19040
and whispered a prayer for those of us left behind.
So all in all, a great ride on a great bike on a beautiful day.
I sure have alot to be thankful for...