Saying good bye to an old friend (photo heavy)

[greench440]

I recognize a few of those pictures.  It was the pink top box that really pulled it togehter.  

[KLRchickie]

I will never understand why front paniers aren't more popular for touring.  

For *me*?  A great big blistering burn the only time I tried that method of carrying stuff on my KLR.  I don't know why others can get away with it, but a few hours of slower riding on a back road on a hot day left me with a massive calf burn on the radiator side

[JReazor]

Does it fly?

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Does it fly?

Actually, I was hoping to get someone to ride next to me and have their passenger iron while we rode down the street... ala Extreme Ironing!!!

[ConPilot1]

That's kind of sad actually.

Great pictures, and you truly have (had) a pretty legendary KLR in these circles and a hell of a lot of good adventures on it.

Why are you parting it out? Motor getting tired finally??

Jeebus you should at least save the plastics in case you ever get sentimental and want to pick up another old one.


Methinks Mrs. DD Dirtrider here is hankering for a little GS700 or 800 or something that's a step up.

FWIW it's that very bike of yours and a lot of the pics and stories that really got me thinking I'd like to put a pre-2008 KLR in the stable one day.  

[R Doug]

Does it fly?

OUT!    

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Why are you parting it out? Motor getting tired finally??

When the bike had hit 70K or so, I realized that if the motor ever blew up, I'd want another KLR. Therefore, when I found the Swiss bike at such a rock-bottom price, I picked it up for "that day". Then I had a lot of trouble (mostly pin-pointing the trouble) and it hadn't been on the road for a year. I finally got it on the road, and then something else went. There were a couple of tired (appropriate term) parts on the bike anyway, and I realized that this was why I bought the Swiss bike. It was finally "that day".

Jeebus you should at least save the plastics in case you ever get sentimental and want to pick up another old one.

Even better: I moved ALL of the green bits to the Swiss bike and I'll sell the red plastics. For some reason, the red paint job didn't hold up well at all. So even though I really like the look of the Swiss bike, I really didn't want to re-paint everything. Especially since I prefer the military look anyway.

FWIW it's that very bike of yours and a lot of the pics and stories that really got me thinking I'd like to put a pre-2008 KLR in the stable one day.  

Thanks! I think I inspired a lot of people with that bike and our stories. My favorite "inspriration", however, is the fact that that bike is how I met my husband  

[bubba zanetti]

Yep, your KLR inspired me. I even bought a green 01 !   I miss it quite a bit and do keep an eye out for a KLR bargain to temp me !

[X1Glider]

Shouldn't some of those pictures of carrying stuff be on http://thereifixedit.failblog.org/?

[miles]

The proverbial kitchen sink is my favorite:

[Powder Addict]

Great thread.  

Hopefully I'll have even close to the enjoyment on mine that you did on yours!

It's hard saying goodbye to a bike you really like

[sagerat]

Always a bittersweet day when you sell a KLR.  

Your verde mule earned its rest.  

[Mrs. DantesDame]

And now adding to Part II - the selling of the 2001 KLR  

KLR Kevin, as I've taken to calling him, will be flying in tomorrow from Indiana to ride my last remaining KLR "home". He's getting a helluva a deal, as anything KLR-specific will be stuffed into those massive sink-supporting panniers for the trip, including a couple of half-used tires if he wants them  

I am very happy to say that he specifically requested that the pink Barbie box come with the bike   AND that I can keep the tank bag (the first birthday present that Dan got me, and that was before we were even dating   )


Come Friday I'll be down to the 1150 and the bug for my transportation needs. Good times!

[1KPerDay]

The kitchen sink. Best pic EVAR  

[ConPilot1]

And now adding to Part II - the selling of the 2001 KLR  

Again, truly sad that you are getting rid of it. But glad to hear that it's going to a new home and it seems that your buyer recognizes some of the special stigma associated with this bike.
I'm glad that you've shared the photos you have and the memoirs of your trips, I doubt there's anybody else on the face of the planet who've carried a greater variety of unwieldy shit on the
back of one of these bikes on a regular basis.

[Nodaclu]

I'm glad to see this thread bubble back to the surface, as I missed it the first time.

Since I'm just about settled on a (1st Gen) KLR as my next bike, it's awesome to see these kinds of pics.

And I'm glad to know that whoever said "it can carry everything but the kitchen sink", was totally, completely wrong.