Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Back on 2 wheels after 4 months!

As some might know, I had some ankle surgery in late August and took some time off work to recuperate.

Being away from work wasn't so bad...being away from my bikes was!

While incapacitated, I added another bike to the herd, a Gen 1 KLR 650; I'm a sucker for those bikes...

Anyhow, when the cast came off in December, I vowed to get back on 2 wheels as soon as I could. I began walking with a limp but no crutches. In early January I felt well enough to hobble over to my bike and said, "Well, I may as well try."

A friend wanted to join me for a "mostly" pavement ride, so off we went.

Here's a write-up of that half-day ride: http://dualsport-sd.com/forums/index.php?/topic/22692-double-d-and-the-slut-ride-of-recuperation-this-time-its-personal/

I should warn you that it's rated PG-17...

So, after 4 months of not riding, I was able to ride all the bikes in one weekend: The KTM 990 ADV, the big girl (my Triumph Rocket III) and my KLR.

As any of you who've been off your bikes for any amount of time will understand, it was a good feeling being being bars again!

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Review of IMS ADV II footpegs for KLR650



First off, I'll start by saying that I'm a fan of IMS products. I've owned several sets of their footpegs on various motorcycles and I have one of their 6.6 gallon tanks on my Gen 1 KLR.

In 2014, I rode 10,000 miles from San Diego to Inuvik in Northwest Territories of Canada and back on my KTM 990 Adventure. While outfitting my bike for optimal comfort for that ride, I installed the IMS ADV I footpegs (see review here http://ineverfinishanyth.blogspot.com/2014/08/ims-adv-footpeg-review.html). I found them to be perfect pegs for that ride: solid, well-made and very comfortable.

So when I heard that IMS developed a newer version of the footpegs for the venerable Kawasaki KLR 650, I had to give them a try. (I should note that I removed a set of very good --though smaller--IMS pegs to install the new ones.)

Right out of he box I could tell that these pegs were nicely crafted and just as pretty as the original ADV I pegs...with some slight modifications. They are beefier and larger--longer and wider--than any other footpegs on the market. The addition of a "foot" allows for more room for a rider's boots.

Installation was easy...just a matter of swapping out the old pegs by removing the post and spring. The entire process took less than 5 minutes.

The riding experience is solid and comfortable, allowing secure footing whether resting or standing. The larger platform on these footpegs would be perfect for riders with bigger feet and for those who want a more comfortable place to rest their boots on longer rides.

These pegs can be found in the $170-210 price range online and at most local motorcycle shops that carry quality gear. They're produced by a US company and backed by a lifetime warranty.

IMS Products, Riverside, CA
https://www.imsproducts.com/

See photos of my KLR's current footpegs--and the ADV I pegs on my KTM--as compared to the new ADV II pegs.