Thursday, June 11, 2015

Shinko 244


I don't mean to bore anyone, but I am going to use this blog to track my travel plans, maintenance, and trips.  So for the  maintenance side of the house I just installed a new Shinko 244 on the rear of the KLR at 2,486 miles.  It will be interesting to see how long it lasts.  Hopefully it will take me to Baja and back this summer!

Sunday, June 7, 2015

Time for a little trip planning!




I am not positive, but I think I am heading to Baja, Mexico this summer on my KLR.  Last year I rode my Harley to Yuma, Arizona.  I didn't cross the border because I had a pistol on me.  This year I will have to plan a little better.

My long term goal, or maybe I should still say dream, is to retire and ride south for about six months.  I would love to make it to Panama or maybe a little further.  Tammy has agreed to it, now all I need is to save up some money, make several more modifications to my KLR, learn to ride in the dirt, improve my mechanical skills, polish my Spanish skills, purchase the necessary gear, learn to use my Gopro, and how to blog.  Is should be easy!!!!  I think I can have all of that done by 2017!

Both bikes clean at the same time, that is rare!!!

Riding a Harley and a Kawasaki is like living a double life.  I just took my Kawasaki to the car wash and the guy in the next bay was washing his Honda.  It was funny because when I walked by I could see him reading my Harley shirt!  I am not sure but I think I detected a look of disgust on his face.  It is funny to look at the differences in riders.  For example I have met guys that ride KLRs that have never washed their bikes.  I have met guys that ride Harleys that have never ridden them in the rain!

I recently told a guy at work that I had ordered saddlebags for my KLR, he quickly informed me they were "panniers".  When I add something to my Harley it is usually to improve the way it looks or to customize it, so it is "my bike" most riders refer to it as "bling".  I learned that you don't put "bling" on an adventure bike, you install "farckle"  functioning sparkle.   Farckle is not to make the bike look better, it is always to make the bike function better (or so I was told). 

Two New Improvements to the KLR

MX Foot Pegs

Skid Plate from IMMIX Racing.