Stream Crossing

[iyaoyas98]

So I ditched Kermie for the first time today. I was following a friend on a four wheeler across a stream, and dumped in about 1' of water. Damn algae is slicker'n snail p***y. I was ok on the gravel bed of the stream, but this one section had a solid rock section and Sliiid those tires out from under me. My friend had a pretty good laugh, after pulling me out and helping get my bike up. Everyime I lifted the tires just slid, he had to stand on the opposite side on the tires. I bent a handguard. KLR is one tough SOB. Anyway, just thought I'd let everyone know the "New" cherry had been popped, time to get serious

[holycaveman]

Good thread! Of course, did you have LOW tire pressure?? This is essential in technical rock sections. Helps your wheels from sliding out.

Also don't worry about getting your feet wet. The safe way is to walk your feet along slowly with the bike to help keep your balance.

[iyaoyas98]

Nope, I rode out there (about 70 miles) and just kept going down to the trails. Probably should have prepped a little. I didn't think the trails would be that bad, I'm used to flat trails. I had to punk on one hill, just couldnt keep traction. Looked pretty funny doing the half hill boogie on a KLR. I knew it was a big bike, but didn't realize how big until I had to dance it around on a 65 degree slope. It does ride well in reverse though Anyway, I guess I'm in love. I got back on the road and took the long way home.

[holycaveman]

[Jon Boy]

Originally Posted by holycaveman

...walk your feet along slowly with the bike to help keep your balance.

If you can reach Otherwise speed is your friend!!!

[holycaveman]

[MAD MAX]

cool pics holycaveman. do you have any opinion on the carb breather mod for ocean going KLRS?
I rerouted mine to under the seat, seems like that will be alright, but I see the T-mod posted else where and wonder if its any better than just rerouting the hose.

by the way, I just dumped mine for the first time yesterday , in slushy icey stuff, broke the clutch lever off and had to walk it back to the house only got 160 miles on her too!

[holycaveman]

Well its always nice to have two lines, incase one of them gets clogged, or somehow obstructed. But you might be fine with your current setup. I run the t's on all of my bikes. The airbox is usually a pretty safe place to put a line.

[Old_Six_Fitty]

I had the good fortune to ride the LA-Barstow-Vegas enduro ride in '04 with my friend CA Stu. There were two water crossings, the first about 2 feet, and the second over 3 feet. Stu stalled in both without the T-mod. Mine chugged through like a tractor (yes, with the T-mod). Pic here is from the shallow crossing.



The crappy thing about the ride is that it takes place Friday and Saturday right after Thanksgiving.

[iyaoyas98]

Now thats what I'm talking about. Teach me the ways of the klr masters I did a search on the T-mod. I think i'm going to do it this weekend. The water gets pretty deep around here pretty quick. That stream your'e in Caveman looks awesome. Now you guys have me thinking about trout fishing from my bike. Mad max congrats on breaking her in right. I've been having a lot more fun since i wiped the new off.

[jryun]

Ya know, if you go fast enough, you can just hydroplane. Just a suggestion.

[Bigdog57]

So, HC - have you installed rod holders yet? That ain't a stream by our standards - you're chugging down a river!
Gotta be some decent fish in there . . .

[Boshar]

Originally Posted by iyaoyas98

Now thats what I'm talking about. Teach me the ways of the klr masters I did a search on the T-mod. I think i'm going to do it this weekend. The water gets pretty deep around here pretty quick. That stream your'e in Caveman looks awesome. Now you guys have me thinking about trout fishing from my bike. Mad max congrats on breaking her in right. I've been having a lot more fun since i wiped the new off.

Use a Y fitting instead. The lines won't kink that way...

[iyaoyas98]

Cool, I will use a Y instead. Won't be this weekend though. Big rain headed into my area, I'm hitting the Land Between the Lakes for some mudhole hoppin At what point do you officially have to wash a KLR? I'm thinking when the the tires won't spin anymore

[Boshar]

Originally Posted by iyaoyas98

Cool, I will use a Y instead. Won't be this weekend though. Big rain headed into my area, I'm hitting the Land Between the Lakes for some mudhole hoppin At what point do you officially have to wash a KLR? I'm thinking when the the tires won't spin anymore

Have fun in the mud! We're due for some more rain, too. Streams in the foothills are DEEP, and we have nasty red clay that just begs the KLR to lay down in it ...

As for washing, just hit a stream or two on the way home.

[holycaveman]

jryun, Nice pics!

[ZRod]

I prefer the Y also as it routes the tube better and leaves less chance for condensation or other moisture that may enter the upper tube from draining down into the carb.
Fallin in the water is pretty funny to watch for some reason.
I've seen a few flailin away under water.
Even saw one guy completely dissappear and was trapped for an instant under his bike and only his handle grip was visable.
The most treacherous crossings are when you can't see the slippery rocks in your path.
Prolly the best trick to surviving a bad river cross is to learn how to instinctively and correctly steer the bike when you hit a large slippery rock with your front wheel.
A ride can end abruptly when you hydroloc your motor from a fall in deep water.
A bad deal when your miles away from your mommy.
Always carry tools to access your spark plug when usin your KLR for trout chasin.
Rod

[Randy Bowers]

One of the first aditions to mine was a cig. lighter. In my right bag I carry a small air pump. For offroad I can drop the air in the tires and raise it back up when I'm done.
Now I have a question- can you get to the plug withought taking the tank off?

[R_W]

no. you have to take the tank off for almost everything on a KLR engine. You could replace the tank with a 1/2 gallon over-the-toptube tank and have much better engine access

Seriously, I have thought about rigging such a thing for tuning and troubleshooting work.

[harley dog]

Originally Posted by R_W

no. you have to take the tank off for almost everything on a KLR engine. You could replace the tank with a 1/2 gallon over-the-toptube tank and have much better engine access

Seriously, I have thought about rigging such a thing for tuning and troubleshooting work.

There is a one (1) liter gas tank complete with hose, shut off valve and a hook to hang it by for around $25.00. This rig is used for shop use. I saw one on E-bay just the other day and I imagin a cycle shop or two should also sell them.

harley dog