Former lurker, current owner....as of today :)

[oKLRider]

So I've been lurking, reading, researching for a month or so; trying to learn as much as possible. Great site, btw. ::003::
My previous, and plan on keeping it, ADV bike is a GenI KLR. Love the bike, but started jonesing for a bigger adventure tourer.

I've been keeping the classifieds and CraigsList ads hot, and today it paid off. Picked up a slick one owner from the local (50mi) dealer. 4500mi, and basically stock except for a Yammy skid plate. Picked it up for $11k, otd. That's the best price I've found (sans the one Maybert had in NorCal that I missed out on! :-[ ). Left me some room for farkles! ::024:: Altrider skid plate & engine guards, along with some panniers (still researching those, but have Caribous on my KLR and have been super pleased), and a high mount front fender are among the short list.

Enough about the bike, you guys probably know the details. I'm representing for southcentral Oklahoma. 5'10". 185#. 34" inseam. Passion for riding. ::001:: ::008::

 

[tomatocity]

Congratulations! ::004::

 

[creggur]

::004::

 

[colorider]

Welcome aboard and congrats on the new (to you) Tenere! I was just in Ada this last Spring. Nice place.

::004::

Rod

 

[snuffcityrider]

::004:: and congrats from Texas. I'm only a couple of hours away from ya, any good dirt roads up that way?

 

[PNWSuperbeast]

::004:: from the Pacific Northwest. Enjoy your new ride.

 

[barkingllizard]

a simple hello, oKLRider.....

 

[20valves]

yet another Okie... ::26::

 

[oKLRider]

Thanks for the welcome.

Did my first 'long' ride on it yesterday, ~365mi round trip. Learned a lot about the bike that I like (man, this thing handles like a sport bike!), and only a few things I don't. Stock seat = not for me! I say stock, but it may be modified. It looks just like a stocker, but is lower than even the lowest setting. Not sure where the PO got it, factory option? Second, wtf is up with not being able to shift TCS and Drive mode options on the fly?! : Small thing, I know, but it was a bit disappointing. Third, by the end of the day my right hand was hating life from the vibes. Weird it was just the throttle side though.

Lots of learning is to be had, and I hope to remedy those small issues. Like the bike so far though. It's kind of like the FZ1 and KLR got together and had an illegitimate child....which is what I was looking for! ::024::

 

[fredz43]

Although you must stop to change TCS modes, you can change drive modes on the fly. Just hit the switch and close the throttle momentarily and it will change from T to S and back anytime you want.

 

[oKLRider]

Although you must stop to change TCS modes, you can change drive modes on the fly. Just hit the switch and close the throttle momentarily and it will change from T to S and back anytime you want.

I tried that, but guess I got the sequence wrong. Then I looked in the book, and it says something like "...whatever you do, DO NOT TRY TO CHANGE FROM S to T WHILE MOVING!!!..." ??? That was after I had played with my button, and it didn't explode, so I guess all is good! ::26::

 

[creggur]

Thanks for the welcome.

Did my first 'long' ride on it yesterday, ~365mi round trip. Learned a lot about the bike that I like (man, this thing handles like a sport bike!)

That was my first impression as well, after I spent a few miles on her. I was amazed that the bike handled (or maybe I handled the bike) better than the VFR that I traded on the Tenere. Even before I'd tweaked the suspension at all, I knew things were better than I'd expected in that department.

Stock seat = not for me! I say stock, but it may be modified. It looks just like a stocker, but is lower than even the lowest setting. Not sure where the PO got it, factory option?

I believe there is an accessory low seat and maybe that's what the PO had installed. He may have also installed shorter bumpers on the rear of the seat to level it, and that has a slight affect of lowering IMHO. Either way, with the Sargent seat set to be released in a week or so, you can probably pick up a deal on someone dumping their regular stock seat.

Second, wtf is up with not being able to shift TCS and Drive mode options on the fly?! : Small thing, I know, but it was a bit disappointing.

You can shift drive modes anytime, just close the throttle and switch away. TCS is a different story - it is what it is...

Third, by the end of the day my right hand was hating life from the vibes. Weird it was just the throttle side though.

Grip Puppies - $10.00 solution to that problem - been using them for years on different bikes and have yet to be disappointed. Also, the engine tends to get smoother, and more responsive as the miles tick up. I noticed mine really smoothing out around 5,000 miles, and reports are it continues to improve up to the 8-9k range.

Lots of learning is to be had, and I hope to remedy those small issues. Like the bike so far though. It's kind of like the FZ1 and KLR got together and had an illegitimate child....which is what I was looking for! ::024::

The FZ1/KLR mix is a pretty accurate call IMHO. Only with better suspension, ergonomics, character, technology, and on and on and on... ;D

Welcome again, and hell, half the fun is getting the bike sorted out to fit YOU - LET THE FARKLING BEGIN! ::014::

 

[SpeedStar]

Congrats and welcome.

 

[merchant]

Welcome on, oKLRider. There are lots of options out there for seats. One of my favorites is AirHawk. It will raise your seating position while providing extra cushiness. Less expensive than a custom seat such as Russell or BM.

http://www.airhawkseatcushions.net/c-7-airhawk-motorcycle-cushions.aspx?&pagesize=999999&gclid=CKiLn4TisrICFaNeTAodeAIA2g

 

[oKLRider]

[quote author=creggur]
I believe there is an accessory low seat and maybe that's what the PO had installed. He may have also installed shorter bumpers on the rear of the seat to level it, and that has a slight affect of lowering IMHO. [/quote]

Turns out he did have the accessory low seat installed. I've already contacted the dealer, and they're going to try and get the stocker for me. Apparently the guy has been buying new, riding it a year, and then trading it in for the next one for the last 10-15yrs. So you could say they have a good relationship.

[quote author=creggur]
You can shift drive modes anytime, just close the throttle and switch away. TCS is a different story - it is what it is...[/quote]

Guess I wasn't holding my mouth right the first time, because now it works like a champ. I probably still had the throttle open a bit.

[quote author=creggur]
Grip Puppies - $10.00 solution to that problem - been using them for years on different bikes and have yet to be disappointed. [/quote]

Have them on my KLR as well, and now they're on the way for the s10! Decided to try one of the GoCruise bits, too.

[quote author=creggur]
Welcome again, and hell, half the fun is getting the bike sorted out to fit YOU - LET THE FARKLING BEGIN! ::014:: [/quote]

Indeed, but my first big farkle will have to be the tag! ::010::

 

[oKLRider]

Welcome on, oKLRider. There are lots of options out there for seats. One of my favorites is AirHawk. It will raise your seating position while providing extra cushiness. Less expensive than a custom seat such as Russell or BM.

http://www.airhawkseatcushions.net/c-7-airhawk-motorcycle-cushions.aspx?&pagesize=999999&gclid=CKiLn4TisrICFaNeTAodeAIA2g

Thanks for the welcome, and the link! I've actually got one of the 'medium cruiser' models, and plan on trying it on the ten.