04klr
Well-known member
All rested after my trip and while i've hands on my computator, why not post a few pics. and start a bit of a report of my March ride to baja and back. Will have access for a few days then there'll be a lag in the report for a week er so.
I feel there could be a little lead into the report as the trip is actually more of a test ride due to the fact that the bike being ridden is new to me. Before starting the 6 week process of prepping the super low mileage 2011 990, a one hour ride on a temporary permit to establish at least some sort of benchmark baseline of performance was taken. It was a fun hour. The bike runs nice but the suspension needs work.
here before any work is done.
Part way thru and a surprising number of hours were involved swapping what seemed like easy parts like upper triple clamps, bars, racks, sidestand, center stand and a heap of other things. While at it a canisterectomy/SAS removal was done as well as addressing known issues before they become one, hopefully! (last 990 broke down due to ignition wiring issue, repaired toute sweet thx to published known issues by others, thx!) The front end will get a softer spring in the converted to R height but over sprung fork and the rear end gets a stronger spring and an added 35mm of length, as if the big KTM isn't tall enough already.
Momentum overcomes the need to be able to touch the ground everytime, up to a point then bring on the tippee toes.
With all mods done and mechanical bits all checked, pictured minutes before departure.
Yea, I know, sexy right.
Looking like a beautiful day to ride to the coast.
The timing of that departure was aimed at the slim-est of windows. The temp in Kamloops on departure day was to be a high of 2 from -10 the day before and -10 forecast for the day after. With minus temps towards cache creek and an aggregate of 9 upper layers being worn I was outta the Loops before noon hoping for the most ice melting time. Aiming south down the canyon the temp slowly started to rise and by downtown Spuzzum the little "it's cold out!" snowflake on the dash stopped flashing at me. After a night in the big smoke it was off across to the land of y'all and follow along the Washington and Oregon coast lines hoping to duck as much winter as possible.
Not sure if the name is a recent change or they were just ahead of the curve re: Washington's new laws governing the evil weed, marawana, er, gone-ja, er, Dope man..
(picture taken after washing all the salt and grime offa the bike from the canyon ride to Van).
in the time it took to yank my camera out, the ferry was off, I was only aboard for seconds, awesome timing.
Along the Oregon coast. massive rock walls have been constructed for the hwy. in a joint effort between the Park Service and Bureau of Public Roads between 1939 and 41. The Coles notes version, the wall spans total over 4000 feet and from the beginning was built with large pull outs so you can easily stop have enjoy the view.
Look in any travel brochure for the Oregon coastline and it will have pics. just like this, they will be better pictures mind you, but will all show an amazing sunny day. With almost no traffic the twisty roads of this stunning coastal drive were all mine and it was warm, well sort of.
wonder what cut they get on their taxes. 8 feet wide and 42 feet tall.
Presently there is a hound at my feet that is demanding to go for a w-a-l-k, so i better wrap this for tonite.
The midday start first day on the road got me well down almost to Oregon and there wasn't a cloud in the sky all day a terrific start to the trip. The second day will end in Port Orford just short of the Ca. state line. The last flashing dash snowflake was last seen while crossing over the Columbia River at Astoria. For almost 1/3 of the span a seagull was surfing the wave of wind blasting the bridge, he was just up over my left shoulder and other than looking over at me and squacking "Duuude!" he just surfed the wave of wind. too cool .
As this is a test run of sorts and the bike hasn't been set up with me and my gear before, there are some adjustments that need to be made suspension wise as there is waay to much wallow, almost KLr like wallowing, almost! crank up the preload, slow down the rebound, slow the slow comp., try to get the handling the way I know it should be.
the next pics. in the post will be well into Ca. as tomorrow it will be pouring rain, all, day, long. The camera stayed in its pouch! One day of cold. one of sun and one of crazy rain, the rest of the trip should be great.
Last pic. of the day. At the 247 cafe near Alejandro, a hog of a different sort.
thx fer lookin.
I feel there could be a little lead into the report as the trip is actually more of a test ride due to the fact that the bike being ridden is new to me. Before starting the 6 week process of prepping the super low mileage 2011 990, a one hour ride on a temporary permit to establish at least some sort of benchmark baseline of performance was taken. It was a fun hour. The bike runs nice but the suspension needs work.
here before any work is done.
Part way thru and a surprising number of hours were involved swapping what seemed like easy parts like upper triple clamps, bars, racks, sidestand, center stand and a heap of other things. While at it a canisterectomy/SAS removal was done as well as addressing known issues before they become one, hopefully! (last 990 broke down due to ignition wiring issue, repaired toute sweet thx to published known issues by others, thx!) The front end will get a softer spring in the converted to R height but over sprung fork and the rear end gets a stronger spring and an added 35mm of length, as if the big KTM isn't tall enough already.
Momentum overcomes the need to be able to touch the ground everytime, up to a point then bring on the tippee toes.
With all mods done and mechanical bits all checked, pictured minutes before departure.
Yea, I know, sexy right.
Looking like a beautiful day to ride to the coast.
The timing of that departure was aimed at the slim-est of windows. The temp in Kamloops on departure day was to be a high of 2 from -10 the day before and -10 forecast for the day after. With minus temps towards cache creek and an aggregate of 9 upper layers being worn I was outta the Loops before noon hoping for the most ice melting time. Aiming south down the canyon the temp slowly started to rise and by downtown Spuzzum the little "it's cold out!" snowflake on the dash stopped flashing at me. After a night in the big smoke it was off across to the land of y'all and follow along the Washington and Oregon coast lines hoping to duck as much winter as possible.
Not sure if the name is a recent change or they were just ahead of the curve re: Washington's new laws governing the evil weed, marawana, er, gone-ja, er, Dope man..
(picture taken after washing all the salt and grime offa the bike from the canyon ride to Van).
in the time it took to yank my camera out, the ferry was off, I was only aboard for seconds, awesome timing.
Along the Oregon coast. massive rock walls have been constructed for the hwy. in a joint effort between the Park Service and Bureau of Public Roads between 1939 and 41. The Coles notes version, the wall spans total over 4000 feet and from the beginning was built with large pull outs so you can easily stop have enjoy the view.
Look in any travel brochure for the Oregon coastline and it will have pics. just like this, they will be better pictures mind you, but will all show an amazing sunny day. With almost no traffic the twisty roads of this stunning coastal drive were all mine and it was warm, well sort of.
wonder what cut they get on their taxes. 8 feet wide and 42 feet tall.
Presently there is a hound at my feet that is demanding to go for a w-a-l-k, so i better wrap this for tonite.
The midday start first day on the road got me well down almost to Oregon and there wasn't a cloud in the sky all day a terrific start to the trip. The second day will end in Port Orford just short of the Ca. state line. The last flashing dash snowflake was last seen while crossing over the Columbia River at Astoria. For almost 1/3 of the span a seagull was surfing the wave of wind blasting the bridge, he was just up over my left shoulder and other than looking over at me and squacking "Duuude!" he just surfed the wave of wind. too cool .
As this is a test run of sorts and the bike hasn't been set up with me and my gear before, there are some adjustments that need to be made suspension wise as there is waay to much wallow, almost KLr like wallowing, almost! crank up the preload, slow down the rebound, slow the slow comp., try to get the handling the way I know it should be.
the next pics. in the post will be well into Ca. as tomorrow it will be pouring rain, all, day, long. The camera stayed in its pouch! One day of cold. one of sun and one of crazy rain, the rest of the trip should be great.
Last pic. of the day. At the 247 cafe near Alejandro, a hog of a different sort.
thx fer lookin.
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