First Gear Kathmandu Jacket and Pant opinion review

johnny2bad

johnny2bad

Member
GVPS in Surrey and Chilliwack carry Klim, they are mostly sleds but should have access to the entire catalog.

There is also www.canadasmotorcycle.ca , they have a decent selection and free shipping over $100. You could order 2 sizes and return the one that doesn't fit. I ordered some Klim gloves recently from them that didn't fit, and it was free shipping back to them for the return.
 
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bkoz

Member
johnny2bad said:
GVPS in Surrey and Chilliwack carry Klim, they are mostly sleds but should have access to the entire catalog.

There is also www.canadasmotorcycle.ca , they have a decent selection and free shipping over $100. You could order 2 sizes and return the one that doesn't fit. I ordered some Klim gloves recently from them that didn't fit, and it was free shipping back to them for the return.
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I have also had good luck with returns to canadasmotorcyle.ca.
 
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vortexman

New member
hooter said:
OK you guys have me seriously considering some Klim gear now...

Nobody stocks this stuff locally so I'm looking at mail ordering. How does the Klim stuff fit? EG can I order the same size pants (40) and jackets (X-large) that I normally buy in a clothing store?
Does it keep you warm in cold weather, and cool in warm weather? Should I be looking at buying some extra layers of under shirts etc for cold weather?
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Which gear?? Traverse? base layer? Mid layer?
 
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offworlder

Moderator
vortexman said:
Which gear?? Traverse? base layer? Mid layer?
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For most of the year (cooler temps) I use the Traverse jacket and pants, as these are a windproof/waterproof shell. IMO the built in armour options arent sufficient for more aggressive riding. So, being simply a shell, I can add my preferred layering/armour underneath.
Add a wicking base layer, Merino wool on top (if cooler), and yer set.
 
DaveSw

DaveSw

Member
Like offworlder I wear a base wicking layer, a mid-layer (I like Merino - and Taiga Works in Vancouver often has some very nice stuff at prices that won't break the bank like the "name" brands), and then the Klim shell. I'm fairly new to this world but it's served me well for the Island winters so far.
 
tinpusher

tinpusher

New member
First Gear Kathmandu Jacket and Pant opinion review

I have the Kathmandu set and am happy with it. However I also carry a waterproof shell after being soaked to the core riding in a rain storm. Not very waterproof.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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vortexman

New member
tinpusher said:
I have the Kathmandu set and am happy with it. However I also carry a waterproof shell after being soaked to the core riding in a rain storm. Not very waterproof.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Thank you, that is the info I was looking for. I am not interested in gear in which the outer layer can be soaked and get heavy. It seems like no matter what you wear after about 4 hours you are cold and wet and if you ride Yukon or Alaska ( or Vancouver BC) this is a real challenge as there is no where to get out of the weather (rain).

So what is being used for mid layer. I have Marino base and love it.
 
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vortexman

New member
offworlder said:
For most of the year (cooler temps) I use the Traverse jacket and pants, as these are a windproof/waterproof shell. IMO the built in armour options arent sufficient for more aggressive riding. So, being simply a shell, I can add my preferred layering/armour underneath.
Add a wicking base layer, Merino wool on top (if cooler), and yer set.
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Traverse has risen to the top of my list. What about gloves and remember the conditions are 2*C and torrential rain.
 
tinpusher

tinpusher

New member
First Gear Kathmandu Jacket and Pant opinion review

I love Merino wool by Icebreaker. If you want to save $$$$ and are not in a rush Google Massdrop.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
V

vortexman

New member
offworlder said:
Realistically, you'll want/need to add heated grips, as gloves are a challenge. The only pair I've found that keep me warm in the cooler temps are (what a surprise) KLIM: http://www.klim.com/Powerxross-Glove-3438-004
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I have grip heaters and am using Marks ski gloves and they actually keep me very comfy even in extended 2* rides in the rain. As I am buying all new gear I thought I would put it out there .

As soon as I get my rim fixed we should do a ride and coffee again. I am bike shopping this week and still on the fence. I can sacrifice and compromise almost anything in a bike save reliability and I am really struggling with this one.

I may be headed back to old reliable or what Misses Vortex calls "the tractor" a KLR 650. Unless I can find a BMW or Africa Twin first.
 
O

offworlder

Moderator
vortexman said:
I am bike shopping this week and still on the fence. I can sacrifice and compromise almost anything in a bike save reliability and I am really struggling with this one. I may be headed back to old reliable or what Misses Vortex calls "the tractor" a KLR 650. Unless I can find a BMW or Africa Twin first.
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Nope - das iz verbotten (no offense to KLR owners). Dont rush into anything. PS: this month is KTM demo ride, so try before you buy !
 
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vortexman

New member
offworlder said:
Nope - das iz verbotten (no offense to KLR owners). Dont rush into anything. PS: this month is KTM demo ride, so try before you buy !
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I was told last week if I want the reliability of a KLR 650 I should buy a KLR 650. I would love a KTM but cannot comment on the product as I have been involved in repairing them. It is rare when I ride with KTM aficionados that I am not subject to stories of problems and expense, the last was last week at Clear Creek and I think the young man had to spend in excess of $8000.00 over and above the initial purchase cost of his KTM. I actually sat on the bike and started to have an episode as it was very sexy.

I am about to spend the next six months on the seat of a motorcycle mostly solo in very remote places and I have been told by KTM owners that I should look at an alternative. This is a function of practicality and as I do not have family to drive to a remote place and rescue me it is my number one criteria.

I have rode in excess of 100,000 km on Jap bikes in the last ten years and not one break down or problem and you have seen the way I ride. Having to be beholden to a dealer is another thing I am not to enthused about. So the consensus has been buy a performance type bike and make sure I do not stray to far of the beaten path, find others to ride with, or buy Japanese.

A tough decision for sure.
 
V

vortexman

New member
KTM,BMW or KLR

KTM,BMW or KLR

offworlder said:
I've certainly heard about the reliability of the KLR. However, I can speak personally as to the reliability of both my 690, and 990. Neither of them has EVER left me stranded, and I've clocked over 75,000 between them. If you want to read another first hand account of taking a 690 round the world, here's a great (216 page) resource: http://advrider.com/index.php?threads/rtw-with-noah-on-a-ktm-690.781893/
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After all my static on a public forum do you really think any dealer in his right mind would sell me one?? Highly doubtful. I had to bribe my way into the BWM store just to use the washroom let alone buy a bike.

216 pages?, you know I have the attention span of a 12 year old.
 
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vortexman

New member
offworlder said:
I've certainly heard about the reliability of the KLR. However, I can speak personally as to the reliability of both my 690, and 990. Neither of them has EVER left me stranded, and I've clocked over 75,000 between them. If you want to read another first hand account of taking a 690 round the world, here's a great (216 page) resource: http://advrider.com/index.php?threads/rtw-with-noah-on-a-ktm-690.781893/
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Is this the bike you want me to buy??? you linked me to all the problems the guy had with his modified bike

Edit May 7. 2014 from a beach on an island in Thailand
yelrotflmao.gif

Index:

Alaska Page 15
Dublin and the bike stolen Page 29
New (2008 KTM) Page 45
Belgium, France and Switzerland page 54
Morocco Page 67
Croatia Page 76
Georgia (snowboarding for 4 months) Page 81
Starting into the "stans" Page 99
Pamir Highway, Tajikistan Page 109
North Route Mongolia, Page 124
Altai Russia, Page 132
Bam Road Part 1, Russia Page 140
Japan part 1 Page 158
Vietnam part 1 Page 186Cambodia Start Page 201
Laos part 1 Page 212


Since I've been getting so many questions about the reliability of the bike, here is the on going list of problems I have had. Updated Oct. 2, 2013

1st 690 (2010 690R)... 0 to 25,000 km.
tipped over.. radiator leak 4,000 km. California
broken chain. 20,000km. Yukon
touratech shit broke. (all the time)

2nd 690 (bought with 25,000km) 2008 enduro E
35k km. Ignition coil low voltage lead came loose. Morocco
48k km. Auto decompress/cam contacting exhaust roller taking off hardening. Exhaust and Intake rockers replaced. Istanbul.
50k km. Cam, auto decompress replaced to fix previous problem (also cam chian, bearings, and guides. just because i was in there) Georgia
51k km. Ignition coil low voltage lead broke. Azerbaijan.
60k km. Regulator Rectifier failed. Tajikistan.
63k km. Ignition coil low voltage lead came loose. Kyrgyzstan.
65k km. Leaking fork seals from dried mud on fork tubes. Cleaned them under them... and it fixed them.
66k km. Ignition coil low voltage lead broke. Russia.
69k km. Cracked front rim. I hit hard. I mean HARD. Mongolia
70k km. Auto decompress weight screw came loose. This allowed the weight to pull on the auto decomp shaft and over time the clip came out of the shaft groove. The shaft slid out of the cam slightly and the bike wouldn't start because there is to much compression. I didn't have the right clips so we fabricated one. Russia
73k km. Leaking fork seal.Dried mud. Fixed by cleaning under seal. Mongolia
75k km. Bike wouldn't start in Irkutsk. (cant turn over). The clip had come off again. The auto decomp weight is now fooked because the screw had come loose and "oblonged" the hole. It has to much play and can pull on the decomp shaft making the simple clip fail. I made a Bushing/washer that tightened the slop in the weight.
79k km. Low voltage lead to coil broke again. Near Tynda on the BAM. Siberia. Russia.
83k km. New decompress weight and clip to replace the warn ones. Sakhalin Russia.
86k km. Leaking counter shaft seal. Japan
86k km. Rubber bushings in cush hub are getting sloppy so they are getting replaced. Japan.
89k km. Radiator replace. Fan rubbed holes on the back of the radiator causing leak. Japan.
91k km. Leaking clutch slave oring, leaking gear selector switch oring. Japan
92k km. Shorted stator. Not charging bike. Thailand
92k km. Motor mount/skid plate mount broke where skid plate mounts.
98k km. Broken footpeg mount where luggage rack mounts. (riding 2 up for 4,000 km prior)
101k km. Decompression weight sloppy. Replaced Decomp shaft, weight, screws and spring. Also replaced exhaust and intake rockers. (Thailand)
101k km. Lower bearing on shock wore out. Replaced whole shock with Tractive shock (testing for RallyRaid UK)
 
S

Shuswap

Member
vortexman said:
I have grip heaters and am using Marks ski gloves and they actually keep me very comfy even in extended 2* rides in the rain. As I am buying all new gear I thought I would put it out there .

As soon as I get my rim fixed we should do a ride and coffee again. I am bike shopping this week and still on the fence. I can sacrifice and compromise almost anything in a bike save reliability and I am really struggling with this one.

I may be headed back to old reliable or what Misses Vortex calls "the tractor" a KLR 650. Unless I can find a BMW or Africa Twin first.
Click to expand...

Not sure why a DRZ isn't on the discussion 'list'......it ticks quite a few boxes, simple, reliable, fun, economical.
just my 2 cents
 
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