Rally West Virginia 2012

[Seth S]

Originally Posted by pjm204

Hoping to have the headers, headlight, cluster done this weekend. Arriving from the brown, white, purple trucks tomorrow are the following (lime green SM fender, Baja Designs 8" LaPaz headlight, Weapon R coolant reservoir, chain, wiring connectors, tubing for headers, and I'm probably forgetting some things). Spring for rear shock is currently being made at Cannon. I'm riding the bike 80 miles tomorrow so it will be rideable tomorrow but a lot of work will be done on Saturday.

Goals are, better off road than my old KLR, close to as good on road as my v-strom, under 400lbs wet, 11 inches of ground clearance.

Cool thing is the 650R has a cassette tranny so you can pull the whole thing out with 4 bolts ( I hate splitting cases)

sounds reliable and simple.....what could possibly go wrong

[pjm204]

Originally Posted by Seth S

sounds reliable and simple.....what could possibly go wrong

Cassette transmissions are nothing new, they're just heavier and more expensive so manufacturers don't put them in. I have no idea why the ninja 650 has one being that it is a fairly beginner model. However I know of people with over 40k on them so I'm not too worried about it. Also being a beginner bike, they get crashed daily so ebay is flooded with spare parts.

[crankshaft]

Originally Posted by pjm204

Hoping to have the headers, headlight, cluster done this weekend. Arriving from the brown, white, purple trucks tomorrow are the following (lime green SM fender, Baja Designs 8" LaPaz headlight, Weapon R coolant reservoir, chain, wiring connectors, tubing for headers, and I'm probably forgetting some things). Spring for rear shock is currently being made at Cannon. I'm riding the bike 80 miles tomorrow so it will be rideable tomorrow but a lot of work will be done on Saturday.

Goals are, better off road than my old KLR, close to as good on road as my v-strom, under 400lbs wet, 11 inches of ground clearance.

Cool thing is the 650R has a cassette tranny so you can pull the whole thing out with 4 bolts ( I hate splitting cases)

Sounds like a Super Enduro except for the tanny and less HP

[pjm204]

Originally Posted by crankshaft

Sounds like a Super Enduro except for the tanny and less HP

Pretty much...I personally think this tranny design is better. If I have an issue like a gear missing a tooth or a bent/worn dog, I can replace the entire tranny in an hour with one I buy from ebay for $75. It has 70hp or so which for a sub-400lb twin is plenty. It also makes good power down low. I rode the bike for 1500 miles in sport bike trim and I'm impressed with the engine. Looking forward to riding it in the dirt. I'm wondering how the single disk from the WR450 front end I have on it is going to stop it though. I need to get this shock spring too, the 9kg/mm spring on it currently almost bottoms out just sitting on the bike (I weigh 160lbs).

[Some Dude]

Originally Posted by pjm204

Pretty much...I personally think this tranny design is better. If I have an issue like a gear missing a tooth or a bent/worn dog, I can replace the entire tranny in an hour with one I buy from ebay for $75. It has 70hp or so which for a sub-400lb twin is plenty. It also makes good power down low. I rode the bike for 1500 miles in sport bike trim and I'm impressed with the engine. Looking forward to riding it in the dirt. I'm wondering how the single disk from the WR450 front end I have on it is going to stop it though. I need to get this shock spring too, the 9kg/mm spring on it currently almost bottoms out just sitting on the bike (I weigh 160lbs).

This will definitely be a weak point. Most of the bigger dual sports have at least a 290mm single disc.

[crankshaft]

Originally Posted by pjm204

Pretty much...I personally think this tranny design is better. If I have an issue like a gear missing a tooth or a bent/worn dog, I can replace the entire tranny in an hour with one I buy from ebay for $75. It has 70hp or so which for a sub-400lb twin is plenty. It also makes good power down low. I rode the bike for 1500 miles in sport bike trim and I'm impressed with the engine. Looking forward to riding it in the dirt. I'm wondering how the single disk from the WR450 front end I have on it is going to stop it though. I need to get this shock spring too, the 9kg/mm spring on it currently almost bottoms out just sitting on the bike (I weigh 160lbs).

My last super had almost 40k miles on it and shifted fine.....not worried

I've ridden a 650 dirt Ninja and I agree, the motor is really nice. I guess thats why Kawi used it in the Versus. 30 more HP is fun though.

[GingerKid]

Originally Posted by pjm204

Hoping to have the headers, headlight, cluster done this weekend. Arriving from the brown, white, purple trucks tomorrow are the following (lime green SM fender, Baja Designs 8" LaPaz headlight, Weapon R coolant reservoir, chain, wiring connectors, tubing for headers, and I'm probably forgetting some things). Spring for rear shock is currently being made at Cannon. I'm riding the bike 80 miles tomorrow so it will be rideable tomorrow but a lot of work will be done on Saturday.

Goals are, better off road than my old KLR, close to as good on road as my v-strom, under 400lbs wet, 11 inches of ground clearance.

Cool thing is the 650R has a cassette tranny so you can pull the whole thing out with 4 bolts ( I hate splitting cases)

That's going to sound nice ripping down a stage. <3 that sound, reminds me of watching micro sprints as a kid.

Wasn't there a video of a guy taking his street bike through the woods?

[crankshaft]

Originally Posted by -Bones-

That's going to sound nice ripping down a stage. <3 that sound, reminds me of watching micro sprints as a kid.

Wasn't there a video of a guy taking his street bike through the woods?

[pjm204]

Originally Posted by -Bones-

That's going to sound nice ripping down a stage. <3 that sound, reminds me of watching micro sprints as a kid.

Wasn't there a video of a guy taking his street bike through the woods?

Sarah... will you be there to help me again if I end up at the bottom of a 40 foot cliff? hahaha

I'll probably work out some better brakes for this beast, at least a larger rotor.

[hardwaregrrl]

Another good one...can't seem to embed?

http://youtu.be/mwBREmxMQdE

[M.A.G.]

As a noob, when will we have to be there for the orientation class? Friday morning? Trying to get a feel for how much time off to ask for, and calculate driving time from GA...
I'm sure it's too early to ask for a schedule of events, but thought I would ask.

[Stagehand]

I believe Friday morning is when they did it last time... Lots to do on that day. Tech, reg, class, race

Last year the last stage started pretty late.

[pjm204]

Originally Posted by Stagehand

I believe Friday morning is when they did it last time... Lots to do on that day. Tech, reg, class, race

Last year the last stage started pretty late.

Okay, guess I will ride there on Thursday night. How picky are they at the tech inspection?

[Stagehand]

About a few things, very. About most other things, not very.

Wish I hung onto my tech inspection sheet... but i remember it as:

- You with your gear. They're looking forBoots, back protection, DOT helmet.

- First AId kit (include: space blanket, arm sling) and red cross/green OK sign

- triangle

head/brakelights, horn, blinkers working.

Your paperwork (licenses, reg, insurance) gets pulled out and checked at Registration.


I think that was the extent of stuff that might keep you out. Always best to reread the supplemental regs, when they come out.

[Anders Green]

Originally Posted by Stagehand

- First AId kit (include: space blanket, arm sling) and red cross/green OK sign

Arm sling was removed in this year's rules. You're welcome for your 80 cubic inches back. :) The existing ace bandage was deemed sufficient.

Anders