Here is part three.... we are almost done The next stop was Pleasant bay, this is where I realized that I was almost to the campground that I wanted. So far I felt that pull in my stomach to keep going...you know "I am going to run out of time"..."what if it is dark when I get to the camp site"...."what if there is no camp spots left"....can't dilly dally too long got to keep going. I don't know why that happened, this was supposed to be an adventure. Well this is when it stopped! I had quite a bit of time left in the day. I should have spent more time looking around....take those side trips. This next leg of my trip was from Pleasant Bay to Cheticamp it started with some steep grades, hairpin turns and at the top "Straight stretches" Now if there is anybody out there that has an itchy right hand now is the time to try it out.... Weeeeeeeeeeeeeee.... But with a big warning, this is moose country...bike vs moose / moose vs bike.........moose wins Moose are hard to see, they are almost black and blend into the trees very well and like to hang out by the road... especially at dawn, night and dusk. Remember that. A few more twisties ... still no biker? where are they....then I was at the campground I wanted. Corney Brook, it is about 15km from Cheticamp. It is a small 20 site campground, It has flush toilets, No showers and you pay by self registration. Which means there is a metal box that you stick some money in. (no People). I was the only one here I had the place to myself. I picked the best spot and set up my tent, unpacked my gear and cracked open a beer!!! A few cars went by and as I was watching the waves roll in crashing on shore getting ready for my sun set, a couple of sport bikes flew by and when I say "flew by" I mean "f###'n flew by" I didn't have time to see them, I just heard them. Was this going to be my extent of that biker connection that I was looking for? Some nice people who were here before me left some fire wood behind...so I built a fire and watch my sun set. So whoever left the fire wood thank you, it made my night. I crawled into my sleeping bag and drifted off to sleep dreaming of riding my Sherpa. Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.... Only one more to go. One Tooth .
Well at sun up, I was up and packed up everything, checked the bike all over ... All is good.... back on the road. I exited the park and stopped into Cheticamp to fuel up...I think maybe $2.50 Cheticamp is quite the little town it has got everything... drug store, hardware, lots of gift shops.. etc... I made my way along the shore to Margaree Harbour and turned left towards Baddeck. Next time I do this trip (and I have decided to do this again next summer) I will follow the shore all the way to Port Hood. The road from Margaree to Baddeck is also a nice bikers road, lots of twisties and at this time of year the leaves are very pretty. Reds, orange, brown, yellow very nice. About half way down that road there is a picnic park pull off called LakeO'law. It is a nice picture spot, if you remembered your camera. So I pulled in and stretched my legs... starting to feel a little saddle sore and wondered where all the biker are. Then back on the road heading to Baddeck. Some nice twisties happening... you know leaning right into them.... Then what did I see ... could it be real? Coming towards me was two bikes. They looked KLR 650s maybe, Loaded down with gear.... Bikers!!!.... not only bikers but Travelers like me!!! I gave a big wave and smile.... They gave a big wave and a smile.... And there it was, not much of one, But I got that biker connection I was looking for!!!! I was happy the rest of the way home... My Sherpa must have been happy too because she wanted to zip around the gravel pit, down the road from my house a couple of time before she let me park her to rest. the end Conclusion: If anyone does this trip. 1. Bring a camera 2. Bring binoculars 3. Do not worry about gas... lots of stations 4. You can book sites at campgrounds so you do not have to rush. 5. Take those side trips 6. Stop at every look off 7. Forget about time... smell the roses... ... Remember this is an adventure you are on ... The Super Sherpa worked awesome...Ya it is not the biggest bike on the lot. But It will do what you want. So buy some bungie cords, tie your tent on, sleeping bag on, of course some beer and go have an adventure of your own. One Tooth
Does anyone know the stator output in watts? Can one simply put a higher wattage bulb in the headlight or will blow a fuse or melt the plastic?
I made a carrier rack for Rosie's Sherpa on the weekend, details here: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?p=9075221#post9075221 Cheers Clint
Nice rack Clintnz Gives me something to ponder over until the snow goes away up here in canada. One Tooth
Super Sherp' just wouldn't hold a charge for very long, so bought a new bikemaster brand battery from Chaparral Racing for $33. Free shipping since I was buying other things to exceed their free shipping dollar amt. Just thought I'd let y'all know for future reference .
Hey all, last year I finally bought a KLR 650 and couldn't have been happier with it for what I intended to use it for-moderate to long distance tours and putzing around in Colorado on easy single track. But, as the spring nears, I think of all the great rivers to run with raft and kayak. If I had a smaller bike like a Sherpa, I could mount it on the back of my old 4Runner and have a great shuttle rig for doing multi-day or day runs with kayaks, raft, and girlfriend. So, my question: Can a Sherpa be used for moderate distance highway riding and about how much do they weigh? Any mechanical issues with particular years?? Any other bike recommendations? The idea is to sell the highly farkled 2000 KLR 650 and bank at least half the cash and use the other half to get a smaller bike. Thanks a bunch!
Hey High Plains Drifter ... Here's one that did major miles .... "6 weeks on a 250" .... http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?p=5293532#post5293532
I too sold my 2006 KLR-650 and after a few months bought a 2001 Super Sherpa and could not be happier. I needed to get rid of the KLR because of loss of interest. This was caused by two reasons: the handlebar vibrations and the difficult off road riding due to the weight. I can take the Sherpa anywhere and have noticed almost no vibrations in the handlebars. The Sherpa will feel like it is barely even there compared to the klr. I can pick up the rear of the bike easily and move it closer to the wall in my garage when I park it. The Sherpa can do around 70 so highways are fine but I would stay clear of the interstates. There are no mechanical weaknesses that I am aware of on the Sherpa like there is on the KLR (doohickey) Another bike that you may want to consider is a Yamaha WR250R. It is going to be more expensive, but has more power and fuel injection. One thing is that it does not have the low seat height of the Sherpa.
Thanks for the input on my latest idea. I've since put a feeler ad out to sell the KLR 650 and use some of the cash to get either a Sherpa or KLR 250. I think it's more realistic for my purposes.
Hi guys, Haven't been round much at all, now I have a good reason to be here... First of all Hello to my good friends "Pilot" and "T-Rex"...... I've been hostage over at the BMW XPLOR site for a few years.... And after destroying my Boxer Cup Replica a year ago and almost killing myself, have been kindly left by my wife with a Ducati Multistrada to use for touring, thanx wife.... And now just got myself a real dirt bike in the form of the 2009 Kawasaki Super Sherpa. So I can get out and participate with my pals over in the Kansas Flint Hills @ back roads touring.........Really looking forward to sharing info on my new bike to properly farklize and also share ride info It's good to be back .. JC "blktopburner"
I'll try to get some pics up soon, its been pretty cold here lately...... But have been looking at this thread and found reference to Dr. Jekyll rejett kit, but can't seem to find a link to them or any luck Googling it...? When I got the bike it was very cold too, and even warming the bike up considerably , very cold natured..... and being used to FI bikes....I think I'm going to be in need of different jetting ?? I've read about popping the cover off the bottom of the carb trick, and by most posting here it is almost a requirement, being at only 1000ft altitude....to rejett.. Can the bretyhren help me ??
You need his jets ... drjekle is a great guy - very helpful ... his Sherpa Yahoo group is : http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/1999-2003_SUPERSHERPA/ I will PM you his email address ...
OK....... Thanx GsVs for the heads up....first...signed up on the yahoo site, studied it out really a lot of great info there... Then I sent the good Dr. an Email with a few questions, got back a wealth of start up answers: ____________________________________________________________ <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top"> hi John,,i wouldnt bother with the Big Bore kit,,,yer talking a good $2500 to have it bought and installed,,,,,plus an upgrade to the clutch springs and even a bigger rejetting to the carb,,,an airbox change,,and muffler change......then you may as well have bought a KLX250S,,or a older KLX300,,,,or the Suzuki clone DRZ400... The sherpa stock will do whatever you want and more,,,,once its broke in about 1500 miles,,top speed is 82mph.. Brand new those sherpas are really lean from the factory,,,even after 1500 miles,,you would still find yerself waiting 15-20 minutes before it is fulled warmed enough to feel safe enough to pull out in traffic without stalling because its cold-natured,,thats scarey,,and embarrasing and anoys everybody haveing to wait an wait an wait and run the choke almost 2 miles before it will run normal. The rejet i offer does not affect the warrenty just in case you are concerned,,ive talked to the big-wigs at kawa,,thier mechaincs,,,,the dealers all confirm this too,,,kawa recommends this Main Jet i have as an option,,,they dont list the Pilot Jet,,why,we dont know,,kawa hasnt got thier head on straight i guess for that,lol.... Also,,with this jet kit,,it will pass any EPA Emmissions test in case you wonder about that too,,ive tested mine,,and even tested it on a Dyno....... The jet kit is Genuine Mikuni Jets,,not knock offs,,,so thats a plus also anyhow,,,here the jet kit #130 MAIN JET #20 PILOT JET (4)4x14mm Stainless steel carb bowl capscrews Instructions $20 shipped,,check,cash or money order,,sorry i dont do paypal stuff,,,but you can wait till the jets arrive to pay for them,,its no problem........I am out of the Carb Bowl Bolts at the moment,,but they are due to be here this Monday(16th),,i can get the jet kit mailed out then.................like i said,,wait till ya get them before ya pay,,heck you can even wait untill you install them and ride before ya pay,,then tell me how ya like them,,,I know for a fact they help greatly and im willing to prove it. #1,,,no more waiting 15 -20 minutes to ride off,,you can ride in a few minutes,,warm up time is typically 2-3 minutes of choke,,then ride off. #2,,The engine will not be as hot as before,,the engine temps are lowered 40*,,that means no-red hot exhaust headpipe,,No scorched oil. No excess heat on yer legs anymore. #3,,a few extra ponies (HP) It wont hurt a thing to rejet a brand new bike,,in fact its better to do so...... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Some advise on yer new sherpa,,,,, Change the Fork Oil asap,,seriously,,,they (kawa) dont do a very good job of cleaning the internals of the forks during and after assembly,,,i would bet money,when ya dump the oil from the forks,it is dark gray and slighlty sludgey,,mine was at 500 miles,,(its spose to be clear),,its a 10w oil........and the ride is very stiff with that oil,,,kawa used the cheapest product for fork oil,,,just changeing it will greatly improve the ride,,,and when ya do change it...the best results have been from useing Mobile 1 Dexron III ATF Synthetic automatic tramssmission fluid,,,each fork holds 300 cc's,,there is a File in the sherpa group of how to change the fork oil,,pretty simple job to remove the forks........along with many other 'How-To' files that help sherpa owners.....It pays to buy a Service Manual from the dealer or ebay,,any year sherpa Service Manual will work,,only the colors have changed...expect to pay anywhere from ebay-$30 or dealer $50. You might even wanna take a look at the Rear Shock File, and check/set your Preload,,for a more comfy ride if in doubt,,as the sherpas rear shock is set stock for a 150lb rider The motor oil,,,you should run the stock oil during break-in,,then after break-in ,,switch to anything but the stock oil..the stock kawa oil is the lowest oil in viscosity on the market,,,i had to pull a lot of strings to find out who and where the KawaChem (sherpas oil) was made and its made by Citgo,,and its got a viscosity rateing lower than Citgo's own oil product,,,,Another case of kawa going cheap on a fluid product.......The stock oil is only good for break-in as it does have the stuff in it that helps seat the rings....but far as the stock oil making it until the service interval,,it will look like water and very weak,,,Use a good name brand 'motorcycle' oil after break-in.....me,,i was useing Amsoil(good stuff but high$$),,then ive used Pennzoil(motorcycle)oil(highest in viscoisty),,,now im switching to Shell Rotella T Full Synthetic(good price and high in viscosity),,,walmart has it for $20 a gallon,,,the choice is yours,,but do make sure its for motorcycles whatever you choose.. Also, in the Files section,there is a Oil Filter Listing,,no need to pay out the a** for a dealers filter,,walmart carries some of the brands on filters i have listed..so does napa,,autozone ect,,see the file. Tires,,,you will find the stock tires flat out suck off road in anything wet ,,wet gras,,wet mud,,,expect the front wheel to slide out from under you real quick...thats if you do lots of trails,,,,,Id say if you rarely ride off road, you should be ok,,as the stock tires do excellent in anything dry offroad,,,they work great on the highway,,they do well in rain on the highway,,and wear forever......If you decide to ride more offroad,,i would suggest Pirrelli MT21 both front and back,,i have tested several types,,and this has been the best for on/off road,,i can run 80mph down the highway,,and not worry one bit in the woods,,mud ect,,, One note of caution:,,whenever you have to remove the front wheel,,,,be sure to have the wheel off the ground 'only' a inch or so,,that way,when ya remove the front axle,,the wheel will not drop too far to the ground...reason being,there is a plastic 'speedo gear' that can be easily broke if you let the wheel drop to far,,,and the speedo gear has '2 ears' on it that has to line-up in a slot during assembly....its not a big deal,,just be aware of this plastic gear,,if it gets broke,,kawa sells them for $20.......and again,,in the 'files' section, tells all about it,,as i have uploaded many pages straight from the Service Manual(repair manual)on everything that pertains to the sherpas maintenence & serviceing,ect. lastly,,,if you do alot of commutes,,riding to work ect,,,very few trails,,i suggest going with a 15 tooth front sprocket from www.sprocketspecialists.com (cost about $24 shipped,,part#513-15).....it goes great with that rejet,,you will find that you wont need to shift as quickly during traffic,,and at traffic or highway speeds the sherpa wont sound like its 'wound up',,the 15t drops the Top Gear RPM's by 550rpm,,,not alot,,but enough to feel more comfortable at speed..and the 15t will still allow low speed rideing for trails and riding double with a passenger,,,and you can put the spocket on in 15 minutes,,still use the stock chain,,no links added... If you want more proof how well the 15t does,,the Sherpa (stock)is lower geared than a 2006 KLR250(stock,last year made),,,,,,,,after the 15t swap,,the sherpa is geared the same as the KLR250,,,the KLR250 bike was more suited for highway travel than the sherpa is............and also,with the 15t sprocket,,fuel mileage will increase a couple mpg's yer fuel mileage will suck untill its broke-in,, in otherwoods: stock-brand new about 65mpg stock-broke-in about 70mpg rejet-broke-in about 72mpg rejet,15t sprocket,broke-in about 78mpg There is lots of files that will help you in the group,,the 1st valve check is at 7500 miles,,and we have a few owners with high miles on thier sherpas,,one guy has over 30,000 miles and his valves are still in specs,,they are the 'bucket & shim' type,,very good. also,,see the 'links'section for stuff like racks,,High Fenders,,bags,ect,,be sure to check out the 'polls' section,,ya may find another member who lives close to you,maybe.. the seat is hard untill its broke-in too,,expect to get an 'iron but' award,lol,,other than that,,the sherpa is perfect for everyday and all kinds of rideing,,,the only thing it really needs is the rejet,,everything else is a preference thing......be sure to toss the group a pic or send it to me,,and ill post it for ya..and if theres any questions or ya need help,,just holler at the group,,either myself or somebody will answer real quick.. anyhow,,sorry to have wrote so long an email,,welcome to the group!,, If you can hold out till Monday when the Carb Bowl Capscrews come in,ill get the rejet kit off to you then,,lemme know thanks ____________________________________________ So I ordered the jet kit...........to get started </td></tr></tbody></table>