Let us all know if you acquire one.

I am thrilled to have the chance to try out these new machines. I just hope I can keep a bit of focus and some something interesting about the experience.

Thanks for your kind words of support. I’ll try and keep the pictures coming!

So far though I still find a lot of magical places that interest my eye…

You’re right about a new bike being perfect. Everything I get on I am enthralled with. I won’t have the chance to see the nuances — just the big stuff. I’m still working out little things with my Vespa after several years on it.

Bryce: My wife grew up in Altoona and her family is still there. I’ve been introduced to all things Altoona including the Horseshoe Curve and much local railroad lore.

Your description of the fog is spot on. It still amazes me how it comes and goes so fast. As far as the heat goes this summer has been extremely cool so far. Our window air conditioners are still in the basement. Tomorrow may be the first day this summer that the temperature reaches 90. The past few nights the temperature has been in the 50s. Nice sleeping weather!

As far as bikes go it seems as if you don’t have a lot of choices. A big Goldwing or a custom bike built from the ground up just for you!

When you ride, or have ridden, I think you appreciate the cool quiet interior of a car on a hot day.

Mr Riepe is full of ideas. Surely he has a suggestion for you.

I had not visited here for a bit so I thought you’d broken down and BOUGHT yourself a new Triumph. Turns out you’re only getting to ride whatever you want for free.

I hate you.

Ok, not hate, just envy, but not to the Seven Deadly Sins extent. But a little.

Nice write ups and photos too, as always.

Doug

Some interesting historical thoughts.
The first time I went to Pennsylvania was 1965. I was there for trains, Altoona, Horseshoe curve and similar, with an older friend. His VW beetle with the right front seat removed so I could get in and out! Anyhow well remember the morning mists and fog in the valleys. From the flatlands of Southern Ontario this was so different. Then the fog would burn off by mid-morning and then the ghastly heat (which I have never been able to tolerate, to this day)
would arrive. And then when evening arrived the fog would return.
Would make for interesting photographs on film. Used both an early Pentax for colour slides and a TLR Rollei for black and white. Still have the photos.

As to the KLR, have friends who’ve
bought them. Tey invited me to try one of theirs when they bought one. I hopped on, and two well, three things were evident. The shocks flattened, even though they were on the higest settings, my feet were flat on the ground, and the bike looked like a tiny kiddie car between my legs.

Scratch another bike off the list as way too small. They do look to be a fun machine. Often wonder how reliable they are, in the long run, that is over two t five or six years. I keep most of my motor vehicles between ten to twenty years or more, before they are sold or traded. BTW your truck pass the Pennsy State safety?

I often wonder how motorcyclists with huge protruding stomachs and obviously grossly overweight ever fit on Harley-Davidson motorcycles which to me are really physically ofthemselves, small?

Maybe Jack Reipe might have a comment. And I dwarf anything BMW manufactures as I have tried them too.

Nope, my riding days are over, and when it’s warm and humid, and air conditioned cage is very comfortable.

Like you, I struggle with height on the KLR.

Flattened BEER can for the sidestand? Should be cola on the bike. 🙂

An interesting thing about new bikes is that they’re like first dates with a new partner. At first infatuation makes everything seem perfect. Living with them on a daily basis can be a different thing. It took me over a year to come to grips with living with Elvira instead of Sophie.

I’m not sure I understand the term “hardware lines”. If you mean a utilitarian function much like a rake or shovel then yes indeed, the KLR has hardware lines. It has intentional functionality and does it well.

bobskoot: I would love to take the KLR out again. A long term loan from Kawasaki would be nice. On the other hand I would like the same thing with the Bonneville and I suspect there are other machines I will feel this way about too.

I hope this doesn’t become a problem.