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Mantra - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "Om mani peme hum"

Moab 2010

Packed for my trip to Moab. Didn't leave 'til nearly two in the afternoon. Camped out West of Montrose.

First Camp Overnight

 

The beginning of my fateful journey to Rampart Range. This is the packing job, a warmup for my trip to Moab starting tomorrow.

While at Rampart, I was led down the garden path by some fellows on nimble little dirt bikes. I followed them into territory that was ill-suited for my large steed. The result was three offs, some broken and scratched plastics on the bike, and a lesson hard learned. I should have known better and I've felt stupid about failing such a simple test of discretion.

Two New Tires

 

I'll be spooning these on soon.

Time for a tire

Might pick one up tomorrow so I can ride this Sunday. More worrying is my front tire perhaps, which is showing a lot of cupping.

Skidplate Modification

I took off the skid plate to cut out a spot for access to the balancer adjustment. Preparing for a trip in early June to Moab. Very excited about that.

Changing oil and cleaning air filters...

This is part of the joy of bike ownership. Oil at 2k miles, air filter depends on usage. More time off-road means more frequent cleaning. Normal road usage dictates a longer interval.

I was going to remove my skid plate, but the 6mm hex heads on the bottom are proving stubborn. I'm wondering if perhaps a .25" hex wouldn't fit better. I'm taking that off in order to access the balancer adjuster. Once off, I will make a cut-out for future access.

New Sprocket (Spacely's?)

I installed the new sprocket today. It was certainly a pain in the butt, but everything done on the bike is empowering in its own way. I'll see how long it is until I have to replace the whole final drive.

Here is my little post on KLR650.net detailing my installation with pictures and self-doubt.

Worn Sprocket!

It's a rude surprise when the sprocket starts slipping inside the chain. I had no idea that the sprocket was this worn. I need to keep up on my maintenance more. Tomorrow I will buy a 14 and a 15 tooth sprocket and install the 14 to see how it feels (15 is the stock size). More adventures in motorcycle maintenance...

A Picture is Worth...

A thousand words...

A Snowy Ride

19 Months after the photo on previous post, I took this one today. I was visiting my friend Ed, who shares similar adventure inclinations, and over-stayed the weather. There were two traffic signals out just West of I25 on Belleview that held me up for an extra 10 minutes. The worst part of this sort of riding is how quickly the vision deteriorates. I have a little wiper blade on my left thumb, but it is not very effective. By the time I was nearing home the snow was starting to accumulate. I didn't have any "low traction" moments, but the potential was certainly there.

The KLR Arrives

I received this bike without ever test riding, or even sitting on any bike in the purchase process. I just had faith that this was the right type of bike for me. My friend Paul works for a company with a box truck with a lift on the back, otherwise I would have had to ride it home from the shippers. The bike seemed huge and unwieldy and I really started to doubt the whole thing. I did not have a motorcycle endorsement for my license at this point, not even the learners permit. It would take me about a month from first receiving the bike to when I had my license and could ride it.

Weapon of Choice

My weapon of choice is a 2008 Kawasaki KLR650. This is a truly iconic bike in the motorcycle world. No bike in the (world-touring class) dual-sport category is less expensive. It is like the original VW Bug in that it is cheap, easy to fix, reliable and durable. There is a ton of material on the web on this bike, so I will not wax on this topic to any great length as there is a cornucopia of info to be gleaned with very little effort.

The purchase price of my trusty steed was a mere $5,299 brand new. That included shipping from Connecticut (my home state by the way). Chaplin Kawasaki took great care of me and air-freighted my bike to me for $50 under the MSRP. That was a good buying experience.

I was attracted initially to the idea of riding by reading Ride Reports on sites like Adventure Rider. I have learned about how to accessorize and maintain the KLR on KLR650.net and KLRWorld.com. These are great forums with tons of info. I found people on these forums to be very patient and eager to help a neophyte rider like me.

I hope that my efforts here will open someone else's eyes to this great pastime.

To Dream, Perchance to Do

I want to travel. I want to meet people both far and near. I do hope that. I want to put myself at the mercy of the elements, machinery, people's better nature, the whims of fate.

I've heard people say, "The safest place for a ship is in harbor, but it is not designed to sit at anchor." That is how I feel at this point in my life.

I followed (in 2009) the travels of Sergeant Marty. In a calender year he rode from to Colorado to Prudhoe Bay Alaska (solo), then from Colorado to Tiera del Fuego with another retired Aurora cop. Beside being fun to follow him along, I loved the idea of hitting the open road. At forty seven I will probably not make a huge splash in this world, but I can make a big splash in my own life.

I have followed ride reports on Adventure Rider that took me from London to Morocco. I have followed South Africans into the wild lands surrounding their country.

The allure of the open road does not favor any particular age or personality. Who hasn't wanted to own not more than they carry? To have the flexibility to make camp and call that home for the night? To decide to tarry here, or there for as long as they feel welcome, or interested, or feel like it?

Might there be a higher purpose to travel? I don't know. Maybe that will reveal itself.

These are just some small musings. I will be back...