took the KLR to Gorman...

[RhinoWERX]

Man, what a day.

A friend of mine (rides a KTM 450 EXC) has been nudging me to go riding with him up in Gorman, CA. For those not from the west side, Gorman/Hungry Valley is located in the Tejon Pass north of Los Angeles along the Interstate 5 corridor, Hungry Valley offers 19,000 acres and over 130 miles of scenic trails for motorcycle, All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV), dune buggys, and 4x4 recreation. More info on Gorman/Hungry Valley [here ]

I was a bit nervous about taking the KLR up there. I'd never been to Gorman before, I didn't feel like I had the off road experience needed (been riding street for close to 20 years), and the KLR is my daily commuter - what if I break it

So we headed up there yesterday (Sunday) morning. It was brisk, but clear as we drove in to one of the many camp grounds, I could tell people were checking out the KLR on the back of the truck, probably in disbelief that someone would actually ride such a 'pig' (said with affection) up here.
.
The wife tried to make me feel better by saying, "but it looks like all the other bikes" "No it doesn't" I replied. Nonetheless, I was here now, and committed.

So we unloaded, geared up, and after some valuable instruction we headed off.


I thought we were going off to ride a flat fire trail, perhaps with a few rocks here and there - not! The first trail we took was (at least) wide, with lots of whoop-whoops (terminology?), washout ruts and some pretty steep hills.

After a debrief, and a chance to ask many questions we headed out again, only this time we rode to a large training area. It was here that I was able to experiment with some new learned tricks, and I got a chance to ride my friends KTM - holy shite!, those KTM boys really know how to build a bike

I got the KTM airborne several times, and full on sideways in the turns - man what a bike.

The ride on the KTM really helped me understand the differences between the two bikes. One of the big problems on the KLR (besides weight) was bottoming out too easily - meant I needed to keep the speed down.

We then headed off to another, more advanced, longer, and narrower trail. It included some very steep hills, narrow sections with steep drop offs, muddy sections, and rocky sections - a bit of everything really. It was a good trail in that it was challenging, and gave me an opportunity to combine the skills I had learned while maintaining an understanding and appreciating of the KLRs limitations.

After the ride/day, I was somewhat beat up. My arms and legs hurt - mind you, I also lacked the appropriate gear (boots, kidney belt, ...), which didn't help any - and my face hurt, from smiling so much .

I managed to keep the bike upright the whole time, and I felt like I learned alot (thanks Kevin) and adapted really quickly.

Unfortunately, I never took the camera with me on the trails so I missed out on the chance to take pictures of where we rode. But if you're interested, I did post some other pictures that Cindy took, on my site - click here to check 'em out



PS - I want me a KTM

[LaserB]

Cool pics. I love trail riding even on my KLR. Was one of the tips you received to fill up your tank entirely?

[02KLR650]

LOL, I've been riding for about 30 years, started out in the dirt at about 12, did do some street bikes, own an 02 KLR650 now, but have dirt bikes which is where I primarily ride. I roll a 01 Yamaha WR426 in the dirt. Oh, just a word of wisdom, start looking for a dirt bike for yourself. It can be addicting! And it looks like you may have been "bitten" by the bug!

[RhinoWERX]

Bitten, I have - looking, I am

On the short list;
DRZ400
KLX300
XR400

[02KLR650]

Originally posted by RhinoWERX
Bitten, I have - looking, I am

On the short list;
DRZ400
KLX300
XR400

DRZ400, good choice, KLX300 is a bit anemic, the KDX220 IMHO is a better choice, XR400, another good choice. From the looks, you want headlamps (Enduro) and not a whole gob of power. Might want to check out a WR250F also. And of course, as you already know, about any KTM!

[DonRolandoFurio]

Now that you have seen how it feels to ride a real dirtbike in the dirt, I have to say that you narrowed your choice down quite well.
Out of personal experience I can give you some advice about the three bikes you are talking about, plus the KDX220 and the WR250F 02KLR650 is talking about.
I have owned (actually still own, just don't know where it is) a DRZ400E, which is a very good handling bike. Stable, yet not clumsy, it features an outstanding engine. Dubbed the big, comfy couch, it'll carry you on a fast pace over open trails the whole day long without beating you up. Just remember that you have 262lbs dry between your legs, when you land that big double the engine is easily able to pull you over. The DRZ400 is slightly lighter and revs up a little bit easier, but IMO the electric start is worth the 13lbs penalty the "E" has to pay. Stay away from the DRZ400S (street version): same look, different bike!
I now own a KLX300, my co-worker owns a KDX220, and we frequently swap bikes. The KLX is a very nimble bike: like the KDX it is meant for enduros and woods riding. Both are somewhat nervous at high speeds, without actually getting loose. The KDX seems to have stronger forksprings, and ride height is a little bit higher (mainly due to the fact that the springs don't compress as much when you put weight on it). Both pull strong from low rpm on. While the KDX can't entirely hide its two-stroke engine due to faster reving and more power at high rpm, the KLX is almost linear in power development, mainly thanks to the CV carburator and a small exhaust pipe; this makes the KLX feel slower than it really is. Actual performance is the same: my co-worker weighs 25lbs less (on top of the bike's 20lbs), yet neither one of us can gain ground on the other one. Expect to change the front springs and maybe the exhaust on the KLR. Based on that and the KDX' lower price the KDX is actually the better buy (if you don't mind a two-stroke).
Two of my friends own a XR400, and a WR250F, respectively.
The XR400 is '80s design. Not too heavy thanks to air cooling, not too strong, not too good brakes, nothing special in the suspension department. Just decent torque, strong aftermarket support and reliability of an anvil. The KLX300/ KDX220 will be only a foot behind in acceleration, just to pass at the next bump or corner in the road. The DRZ400 has the XR400 as an appetizer.
The WR250F is a fairly new design (like the DRZ400) and as such is a fairly powerful engine. However, in its transition from YZ to WR it lost a serious amount of horsepower, especially at higher rpm, and its good front springs. Pre '04 models can be really hard (and I mean REALLY hard) to start. With some serious money the WR can be made into a bike that runs stronger than the KLX300, but By then you may as well buy the WR450F.

If you are interested, I can give you a lot more details.

PS: I have never ridden a KTM model I didn't like. They are expensive, but in the long run they don't cost much more as they have on them what you probably eventually buy for the other bikes, anyways. Heck, just buy the 525E/XC (my dream) and forget about anything else! And send me your address, so I can come every weekend to ride it...

[cdab]

Nice thread, we need a lot more of these around here. By the way, I think you meant whoop-dee-doos, not whoop whoops.

[MD_KLR]

Nuff said.

Aw Ra Best
Mark

[RhinoWERX]

Okay, it’s only been a couple of days, but believe me, the idea of trail riding has been the only thing on my mind lately.

While we were out a Gorman, my 5’4” tall wife, who totally got in to the buzz of it all, worked up the courage to want to take my KLR for a spin Let me just say, that for her to want to ride a bike that’s considered too tall for her, and in the dirt, well, if you knew her, you wouldn’t believe it could happen. She did ride, gently, but for some time. It did wonders for her confidence. To me this is heaven. The idea of sharing this activity with her beyond just being a supportive spectator, taking all the photos, is great.

Now this situation offers up a dilemma. What this means is that we need to buy two bikes, not just one, for me. Unfortunately, that’s not really something we can afford – right now . There is also the issue of space, or lack of. I thought about getting something we could both ride, but think about it, who really wants to sit around waiting their turn?

I mulled over a few other ideas; used bikes, selling currently owned bikes, but nothing seems to pan out.

So then I thought some more about the KLR, my experience in Gorman, and how the bike performed. Seriously, the bike handled everything I dished out. Granted it’s heavier and slower, and comparing it to the KTM probably isn’t really fair, but the bike did quite well. One of the only real issues that affected the ride was bottoming out the rear (on the whoop-dee-doos )

With that in mind, I got this idea:
How about if I spend a few bills on the KLR, you know, race-tech valves, good quality aftermarket rear shock, switch to a 14T counter sprocket, some better tyres, move the license plate up, and only fill the tank half-way . That would take care of my (humble) off road ride. Then I thought we pick up a 03 Super Sherpa for Cindy.

Financially it’s doable.

I see this as my best-of-both-worlds-compromise plan .

So, waddya think?

Sorry for thinking out loud here…

PS. Thanks for all the great advice – this place is a great classroom

[ValkMan]

Rode my dirt bikes all over that place. I remember 1 year me and a friend of mine drove up to Hungry Valley on New Years Eve. Romped around in his 4x4 a few hours, filled it up with snow and dumped on a friends lawn for his kids.

[Judjonzz]

Yeah, it's great when she wants to ride, but then you find her a bike, and pretty soon she finds out her street bike is too heavy to ride off-road, and so you have to find her a dirt bike too.

Anybody got a cheap XR200 for sale?

[LaserB]

Rhino, I wouldn't worry about that stuff at all except perhaps a sprocket and some knobby tires. I hope you didn't have 7 gallons in that tank . I try to have around 1-2 gallons in my tank.
I'm hoping you took the KLR on green trails only in which case it does fine. I followed my friend with my bike my first time offroading down 2 steep blue trails. I have no previous offroad experience except BMX and mountain biking but I was amazed at what the KLR could do. Even on muddy trails this weekend I did alright. I'm not planning on putting too much more money into my bike.
Bottoming out the rear, what did you have the preload set at? I never bottomed out on whoopdedoo's but I only weigh about 160lbs. Also, lower tire pressure makes a huge difference.

[RhinoWERX]

LaserB,
I don't know what a 'green trail' is????

As for bottoming out, well, we got airborne more than once, compound that with my body weight of 220lbs and it probably starts to make sense.

I'm not sure what the shock is set at either - it looks to be in pretty poor shape - the little indicator sticker is missing, but I think it's cranked up there. I had planned on replacing the shock anyways with a Progressive 420 - HT seems to have the best price.

And yes, I did also have the tank nearly full at the time - talk about a newbie. Still, like I said, all went well, although in retrospect I think at times the KLR and I wrestled more than we needed to

Looking forward to going out again - anyone care to join me?

[02KLR650]

Originally posted by RhinoWERX


With that in mind, I got this idea:
How about if I spend a few bills on the KLR, you know, race-tech valves, good quality aftermarket rear shock, switch to a 14T counter sprocket, some better tyres, move the license plate up, and only fill the tank half-way . That would take care of my (humble) off road ride.

That would be perfect for the little misses to ride, then roll your KTM, KDX or whatever you decide to get. This would get you your "PO" (permission order, not purchase order) to cherry out your KLR, while appearing to be dolling it all up for mama, then you roll you a new/used dirt bike for yourself, it appears you have taken care of her and you! Everybody wins!

Its nice that your spouse supports this stuff, dirt riding does seem to have lots more comraderie and more of a family thing, ie weekend of camping/riding with freinds, their wives and their kids. I have a group of dirt bike riding buddies, it started out small, it has swelled to about 30 now. You meet one guy, then you meet his freinds, then they have freinds and so on...

[RhinoWERX]

Rick,
I like the way you think....

[LaserB]

Originally posted by RhinoWERX
LaserB,
I don't know what a 'green trail' is????

Oh, at the 2 OHV area's I've been to, they have the trails marked like ski slopes. Green are easiest, blue are more difficult, and black are most difficults. The greens provide more than enough challenge for me and my bike. Radiator guards and bark busters have been my best investments for offroading.
Adjusting the preload on the shock makes a big difference. Before I knew how to adjust it, it was at 1 and with me and my buddy (220+ lbs) on the back it was scary. At 5 preload it's much better. When you got air how bad did it nose dive with that tank near full?