Seattle to Argentina on a KLR650

[OZYMANDIAS]

Hi Everyone-
Thanks for all of the well-wishes. I left late, and made it to Vancouver as planned, though at 12:30 at night. It was my longest motorcycle ride yet, at about 175 miles, and I experienced freezing my ass off for the first time too. I stopped and ran laps around a parking lot, and it was remarkable how much being cold affected my coordination. I spent the night at a friend's and will head for Salt Lake City shortly. Some of you expressed interest in the trip, what gear I end up using, etc. I'll do my best to keep everyone informed, and to answer questions. For the person who asked, I'm using Happy Trail panniers with kayak bags atop each. I need to figure out how I'm going to get some pictures up here, and hope to do so soon. I'm burning daylight, so it's time to boogie. Clayton

[El-Dracho]

Hi,

Have a nice trip and keep us posted! Hope to see some wonderful pics soon

Good ride and take care!

Greetings from across the pond

Bjoern

[seadirt]

I have recently purchased a GS, & am all smiles. I opted for the low seat because of my inseam,but am still not satisfied. I do like the seat height for off roading, but on long hyway trips am uncomfortable (all my garmets gather up in my crouch). Does anyone have any suggestions on aftermarket, or custom seats?? I love your site, have been following Dale & Sandys travels in SA, met them in Chile.

Steve

[OZYMANDIAS]

Hi Everyone-
I'm in Las Vegas, and before you ask, yes, the showgirls are of course all over me. What woman can resist a smelly, dirty guy of the mean-looking bike? Things have been going well so far. I have met people who have been very friendly and generous to me- one guy, Jason, gave me $50 toward the trip. I stayed at a hotel one night, and camped another two. I saw Bryce and Zion, and both were awesome. Zion was wonderful to ride through- you go right through the bottom of a canyon, with amazing rock formations rising on all sides. Also, about the first 50 miles of I-15 on the way to Vegas is cool as hell. I rode it wearing nothing but a pair of shorts, sneakers, and sunglasses, and it was then, going about 80 with the landscape stretching out around me and bugs crack-popping all over my body, that I for the first time really felt like an adventurer. I'm here at a friend's to replace my chain and sprockets, something I should have done before I left as it is the original chain with 11,000 miles on it. Then it is to check out the Hoover Dam, to Phoenix, Tucson, Tombstone, and then Viva Mexico! I'm keeping detailed notes and will put it all together when I get back. Maybe it will turn into a book. I still haven't figured out the picture thing, but hope to soon. Adios for now, amigos. Clayton
P.S. BTW, I ran out of gas once, and tipping the bike on its left side really does work. It got me about 3.2 extra miles to a gas station, which I camped behind and filled up at in the morning.

[OZYMANDIAS]

Hi Everyone-
I got to Tucson last night and stayed at a friend's house. I'm going to look for a new rear tire and some other things today, and tomorrow I'll cross over into Mexico at Nogales. If anyone has any advice about where to stay and what to see, I'll be glad to get it. I'm thinking to head south from Nogales until I hit the coast, and then to follow it the whole way. No real plan thus far- just keep moving south to Guatemala. I'm guessing it will take me a while to cross Mexico, because I don't anticipate being able to make the same kind of mileage I have in the US, but time will tell. I saw my first Joshua tree and my first Saguaro yesterday, and many other interesting desert plants. Also, it is hot as hell down here! I feel like I'm riding into a hairdryer half the time. Well, it's time for the real adventure to begin. I'll be in touch. Clayton

[GB]

You're making good progress! Riding in North America is a breeze.. and you take everything for granted... the adventure begins south of the border! Thanks for keeping us posted.

[Bummer]

Have fun.. we´re right behind....

[Flyingavanti]

Originally Posted by OZYMANDIAS

I'm guessing it will take me a while to cross Mexico, because I don't anticipate being able to make the same kind of mileage I have in the US,.....................

If you are not overloaded and can easily pass trucks and busses, Mexico is a breeze. Back in 1996 we logged 3 days, with over 1,000 miles per day. Not fun, but doable......

Be safe, and enjoy the trip!

[OZYMANDIAS]

Hey Y'all-
Okay, I was able to get some of my pictures onto a computer. Now let me see if I can get them up here.
Well so far I'm having problems because it says they are too big to upload, and also wants a URL when I do "Insert Image", and does not let me browse for them. Any advice? How do I do it? I'll keep trying, but if anyone can help in the meantime, I've got to get to Mexico in a few hours! Clayton

[OZYMANDIAS]

Hey All-
I made it to Topolobampa, Mexico, about 500 miles in. Not a ton of time to write because the internet place is closing in two minutes. I decided I´m writing a book for sure, assuming I make it, so I´ll keep everyone up on that. More soon. Clayton

[danbrew]

The intro to your webpage is mucho cool - but too complicated. Folks aren't going to be able to easily get to your moto pages.

Do us all a favor and wear gear, ok? I know I sound like a putz, but we don't wanna hear about you busting your ass 'cause you were wearing shorts & a tshirt cruising around town. You bought it, why not use it?

Good luck!

[OZYMANDIAS]

Thanks for caring Danbrew- I've been trying. Yesterday I hooked up with a motorcycle gang (it sounds cooler than "club") and they invited me to ride with them to a little town called San Ignacio. It was a beautiful place. Everyone ate a ton and they got pretty drunk and rowdy. We all stayed in the same hotel and in the morning went for breakfast. The government here is trying to promote tourism to the town because it is generally perceived as dangerous due to the proximity of drug dealers/growers in the nearby mountains, so we were provided with free catered meals. Since we were guarded by police with AK-47's, I take it that the general perception may not be far off. The custom here seems to be to move from meal to meal with little or nothing in between, so we had lunch immediately after breakfast. I then said my goodbyes and headed to Mazatlan, where I am now. It seems like a nice place so far, and I may spend the day here tomorrow to take in the cultural attractions. I'm wondering if my rear shock is adjusted optimally. As it is, I can see the number "1", surrounded by yellow, just to the right of the bolt on the shock. Is this right for me? I'm guessing I should have it adjusted as stiffly as possible, but I'm not sure what's what. I thought I had it before I left, but now I'm wondering. Also, I have a Pirelli MT 21 on the front, and it's wearing really oddly. The nubs in the middle aren't really getting worn much, but the sets of two that they alternate with are getting worn quite a bit, and not uniformly either- one corner toward the cencer, is shearing off of each of them. I don't understand it, but the tire only has about 2500 miles on it. Sorry if my webpage is a bit unusual, but I don't have anything specific to motorcycles on there anyway. It's just my personal page, and remember, I just started riding! Well it's getting near time to go out and check the nightlife, so wish me luck with the Mexican senoritas! Clayton

[RickMcD]

Originally Posted by OZYMANDIAS

I'm wondering if my rear shock is adjusted optimally. As it is, I can see the number "1", surrounded by yellow, just to the right of the bolt on the shock. Is this right for me? I'm guessing I should have it adjusted as stiffly as possible, but I'm not sure what's what. I thought I had it before I left, but now I'm wondering. Also, I have a Pirelli MT 21 on the front, and it's wearing really oddly. The nubs in the middle aren't really getting worn much, but the sets of two that they alternate with are getting worn quite a bit, and not uniformly either- one corner toward the cencer, is shearing off of each of them. I don't understand it, but the tire only has about 2500 miles on it. Clayton

Clayton, don't know whether you have heard from anyone on this or not but it sounds like you have the "preload" set on the lightest setting (probably OK for unloaded riding) but needs to be some higher for loaded down. The 12mm nut you see changes this setting. Turn it clockwise ONLY. The collar will move down to higher setings until it gets to 5 then it will "snap back" (loudly, and may startle you but is OK). Might try it on three or four to see how it works. Again if you go to far, keep turning clockwise till it snaps back to 1 then go up again. There is also a "rebound" setting on the other side of the shock at the bottom behing a rubber snap on cover. Pull the cover off (from the right side of the bike). Some number of lines indicate the setting. 1 line lowest 4 lines highest. Turn the wheel with a screwdriver (or some such) to the right or toward the front of the bike. Again only go to the right. If you go past the setting you want, keep going till a lower one comes around again. I am loaded for my trip to Alaska and I have the "preload" set on 4 and the "rebound" set on 3. Give it a try. I don't have any thoughts on the tire situation, other than the air pressure may be too low, but maybe someone else will weigh in.
Rick

[OMGWTF]

Ran into Clayton in Panguitch, Utah and here are some pics I took. Man, I was jealous and wanted to quit my job and go with him.







Clayton, I'm looking forward to seeing pics of your own in this thread.



Good luck with the senoritas.

CHEERS!... er, um I mean SALUD!

[GB]