Howdy from SoCal

[Reddirt23]

Howdy from So Cal,
I got a new KLR a few weeks back and just found this forum. Been reading a lot. Been breaking the bike in around town rides where I can get a good mix of engine speeds. But the hilly streets around some of the neighborhoods provided a good way to do throttle roll ons and engine breaking method early on. Changed oil at 20, and 200 miles. Now have almost 400. With a lot of hills and stop signs I still got 48 mpg on my first tank refill I could record and check. Pretty good seems to me.
I actually did not like the bike very much at first but it seems to be growing on me.
So far I have had to make some minor changes:
I lowered the bike as it was torquing my hips and back too much every time I stopped or got on. It is much more enjoyable now.
I added a fork brace and progressive springs (may require some tweaking and testing and probably cut down the front fender, just took the brush gaurds off)
I got the HT PD Nerf bar kit with skid plate etc. (None of this stuff fit very well; I'm still pissed and should sent it all back, but I'll get over it)
I also immediately sought out better grips and have Progrip 714's. Very nice.
Also changed front drive to 16t and like that as better road gearing.
Intentions are to take the KLR on a few trips as I could not get my big cruiser to some of the really cool places I like to go, especially to camp. This is not a dirt bike to me (too big and I'm too small) but something I can take miles down dirt roads without destroying it, in other words I do not intend to ride single track or technical stuff, so not too worried about ground clearance so long as I have more than the cruiser, which I actually got into a couple places I probably should not have tried (fully loaded about 750 lbs).
Still need a few things:
Side racks (intend to mount ammo boxes for first trip if I can afford side racks for them and have been looking at Packrat or Motech not sure yet especially after the HT adventure)
Tire tools and tubes etc.
Wish list:
Modified thermostat
Throttle assist (probably just get a small cramp buster for the highway)
Already have all camp gear, regular tools, spare fuel and water bottles and so forth. Pretty well set that way.
So hello everyone and that's where I am at with my KLR so far,
Reddirt23

[ceebaileys]

Welcome fellow Californian from Montebello enjoy and ride safe