My KLR has a new stable mate. The SYM VTS 200

My KLR has a new stable mate. The SYM VTS 200. It is a scooter, a big one. 175 cc that can launch 2 averaged sized human to 100 km/h effortlessly. with a few tweaks here and there, some say that it can reach up to 140km/h. i was looking for my wife a bike that she can ride comfortably and she can follow me in long distance journey and adventures down the b-roads of Malaysia. We were thinking of getting an Aprilia Mana 850..... but that would be too much for a beginners bike. We opted for a scooter instead as we had one and it was fun to ride it. I had a Modenas Elegan and buy was it hard to kill it. Due to the lack of maintenance that I myself has deliberately forgot and the long hauls of going to and fro to work with an estimation of 50 KM per dah . i managed to wreck it by going oil dry for amonth before the piston jammed up, later to find out that you need to use an original piston with ceramic coating and not one of those aftermarket ones which lasted only 6 months before it jammed up again . so thats 2 piston heads and 2 overhauls. Scooter as it is named, is a very functional bike . more of a Start and Go bike , especially great when running errands as it has storage space under the seat which comfortable fits a helmet, rain coat and some extra space for takeaways. As it is, it can fit in a 10 kg sack of rice. So we got the VTS 200 assembled by M-force bikes in Kedah. The maker of the bike is SYM, a Korean Based company that ships their product all over the word. Their Sister company, KYMCO is also in the scooter business and is well known all over the world. The Bike was smashing as i picked it up. Came home and my wife rode it a few times just to get familiarize with it. She was quite good at it, if only there was no traffic at all on the road. I do not blame her, the traffic here is scary. Cars whizzes pass you in break neck speed. As if motorbikes do not exist in their vision. So the limit of bike riding for her will only be around a 5KM radius from our home. We joined a bikers group called the SYM Owner Club and we had our first Free ride. So i was the pilot, riding 2 up with my wife. Started from Empangan Batu and ending up in Kuala Selangor taking the long way around. Route details, E.Batu> Kuala Kubu Bharu> Tanjung Malim> Sg Besar> Down to Kuala Selangor. The Ride was Epic as we were closed of by a fast rising flood, cutting us off in the frond and the back of us. This was in Sg Besar where the river water had swelled up due to the rain up river. So there was no turning back as the road behind us was no longer there, there was only water and it was rising fast. At a rate of 1 inch per minute, our group decides to carry on . We reached a standstill traffic where the cars and the lorries had no where else to go, The water has reached more than 1 feet of water and the wattery path was almost 200 m . It could be deeper in the middle, but we would not know. Our brave Marshall, Iezzad was a gung Ho person and passed to safety. Others was reluctant to go. Time was not on our side as the water from the back was coming in fat and our frond road slowly sinks. A car decides to trudge on . Without any thinking and some wise but panic words from my wife ( She has a good point, to ride closely behind the car as the car splits the water). I quickly shouted to the others that im going through while my wife behind explained to them why we need to do this. Off we go with 7 other bikes behind us trailing our lead. Thanks to the cars wake, the water level was just below our exhaust and intake system, Lets just hope the car in from up us does not stall. Alas, we made it and the excitement from the other members was so over whelming that we took a 5 min stop just to admire the adventure that we had passed as we looked behind us a grand river with its blackish water and a lorry that is now stuck as the water had reached almost a meter deep since we passed. Now that's a quick thinking. Damn, I had the scooter for a week and i had a damn good experience and adventure with it. I had my KLR for a year now and still no adventure. Well. KLR time will come. Overall, I think my scooter and the KLR is now in the same rank and has earned its place next to it.

as i recall,there was so many things that has happened since. my wife was recovering from stroke and it made me think of all the time she would say that she wants to travel around the world. Seeing the state that she is in.. i vowed that we will travel one day around the world. this will be my epic ride. this will be our epic moment. me,my wife and thumper.

Hi there....

Lots of things happened while i was absent from the blogging world.

I will recap this for now and will elaborate more in the chain of events since March 2011. It is November now and i should upload my stories before the year ends.

So lets start off after my river crossing experience shall we?

Me and my wife decided to ride a gung ho run from Ampang to Malacca. This was not planned out until the very last minute that my wife decided that being home is boring and mundane. So we suited up,  and packed 1 bag with clothes, and off we go towards south using the back roads with sweeping corners and a sense of adventure.

We rode from Ampang towards Hulu Langat , thinking that we would take the more secluded road, i was a bit sceptic to go there as it is getting dark and the raid clouds were looming above us. We took a detour to take the new LEKAS highway down to Seremban. From where we were, we had to pass the Semenyih Dam and the view was superb as the sun slowly creeps away, leaving the lake with glistening hue of amber.

After that, it was all dark and the sky was starting to open up. We had our jackets and rode down till we reached Semenyih town and joined the LEKAS highway. from there we traveled down to Seremban town and stopped for a while, taking shelter from the rain. Wet and cold we took our time to gain strength and off we go again towards the historical town of Malacca. My wife is already starting to complain that her back is killing her, the seats arent the most comfy seats and the vibration from the thumper is almost numbing.

NOTE to self : Next farkle will be a nice aftermarket seats like Corbin or Seargent  seats as they make ones that fits the KLR 650. I think there are more products out there but i see them mentioning more of the two brands in the forum often.

Reaching Malacca, we stopped for dinner at 10:30 pm in the famous asam pedas joint just behind Jonker Street.
We didnt really eat much as as the food came, my wife had a call from her dad and her brother. i dont know what happened but i can see that she was cyring after that and she was very very stress, must be work of family matters. So we ended up to what wa supposed to be a good stress free weekend turns out to be a real bummer. We walked the almost the whole length of the Malacca river just talking and discussing. We were supposed to stay 1 night there but she decided that we should go home as she felt uneasy and suffering from a potential migraine. So we did the R&R ride back where we stopped at each Rest Stop to have a 15 minute break before going to the next rest stop.  We left Melacca at 2am and reached Ampang at 6am. It took some of the stress away just me and her and the open road. Reminds me the days where i can go anywhere with her. Pity the seats arent so comfy (refer to NOTE to self above).

THAT was the end of the ride.

KLR 650 Specs

Whether your path takes you through urban chaos, mountain serenity or desert enchantment, the Kawasaki KLR™650 motorcycle is the platform world travelers have chosen for over 21 years. With its legendary reliability, long distance fuel efficiency, usable performance and startlingly low price tag, the Kawasaki KLR650 is simply a smart choice for today’s rider.

The rugged and proven 651cc motor is the foundation of the KLR650’s globetrotting prowess. An all-around performer, the single-cylinder four-stroke engine provides quick throttle response and healthy low-end grunt – ideal for tight trails or dealing with traffic snarls. Equally impressive, the KLR’s composure at highway speeds makes long distance travel a pleasure.

Matching the engine’s abilities every step of the way is the KLR650’s suspension. The 41mm fork with 7.9 inches of suspension travel up front and UNI-TRAK® linkage system with 7.3 inches of wheel travel in the rear combine to make the KLR650 a fun, functional commuter during the week and an adept back road blaster on weekends.

Braking duties are handled by a dual-piston caliper gripping a 280mm petal-style disc at the front and a 240mm petal-style disc squeezed by a single-piston caliper at the rear. This suspension and brake package boosts the KLR650’s on-road performance, without diminishing its versatile off-road capabilities.

Helping make the KLR650 a worthy touring companion is an expansive, saddlebag-friendly, rear luggage rack that can be fitted with a tail trunk. A large 6.1-gallon fuel tank and exemplary fuel economy mean the KLR650 can cover an amazing amount of ground between fill-ups.

That fuel range can translate into a long day in the saddle, so good wind protection is a must. This important job is handled by the frame-mounted bodywork, which includes a tall windscreen and large shrouds. Rider comfort is enhanced further by the seat design and plush urethane foam. A high-capacity 36W alternator pumps out enough juice for a high-output headlight and has the extra capacity to power the add-on electronic gadgets no touring rider can live without.

FEATURES

Long Distance Minded 651cc Four-stroke Single

• Cam timing and tuning combination aid in producing a broad user-friendly powerband
• Smooth bends on the one-piece exhaust pipe permit exhaust efficiency at all rpm
• Light, silent cam chain contributes to a quieter engine
• Double engine balancer helps engine run smoothly from idle to redline for less fatigue on long rides
• New piston ring design helps prevent oil consumption
• Oillevel window permits easy and accurate inspection

Four-valve Cylinder Head

• Compact combustion chamber allows increased compression ratio with less detonation yet provides maximum valve area for optimum flow
• Boosts low-end torque and its easy breathing means power at all rpm
• Secondary air (ASV) system helps reduce harmful exhaust emissions

Liquid Cooling

• Thin and lightweight Denso radiator fitted with a lightweight and thin cooling fan for maximum cooling efficiency, even when speeds are low
• Maintains consistent engine temperatures for long engine life and sustained power during hard use
• Allows tighter engine clearances for quieter running
• Includes a temperature gauge

Fully Transistorized Ignition

• Fully transistorized ignition unit precisely controls timing no matter how fast the rpm changes
• Long, trouble-free lifespan

Electric Starter

• Easy and convenient starting

Handlebar-mounted Choke

• Convenient location makes starting and warm-up easier

Five-speed Transmission

• The engine’s broad torque curve means only five speeds needed for off-road sprinting and relaxed highway cruising
• O-ring drive chain for reduced maintenance and long chain service life

Capable Suspension

• Beefy 41mm front fork with 7.9 inches of travel is rigid and plush enough to tackle on- and off-road terrain and provide all day comfort to the rider
• High-mounted front fender for any adventure-touring situation
• Rear UNI-TRAK® suspension features a five-way preload shock absorber with four-way rebound damping and 7.3 inches of rear suspension travel
• Progressive rate provides a smooth, controlled ride
• D-section swingarm contributes to the bike’s excellent traction

Strong Wheels

• 4mm spokes provide wheel stiffness, further enhancing handling performance and improving steering response

Chassis

• Semi-double cradle frame made of high-tech, round-section, high-tensile steel

• Detachable rear subframe provides access to the rear shock, airbox and carburetor for easy maintenance
• Large rear cargo rack included

Engine Guard

• Protects engine from rocks and trail debris when the going gets tough

Front and Rear Disc Brakes

• Lightweight 280mm front and 240mm rear petal discs offer excellent braking

Lighting

• Dual-bulb headlamp offers great night illumination
• Rear taillight, parking light and the high-mounted turn signals improve the KLR650’s visibility at night or in poor visibility conditions

Large 6.1-gallon Fuel Tank

• Generous capacity permits serious adventure touring

Additional Comfort and Touring Features

• Bodywork includes a large fairing contributes to increased wind protection

• Alternator output is 17A, with a total capacity of 36W to provide ample power for the headlight as well as add-on grip heaters and other accessories
• Easy-to-read instrument panel is mounted to the frame – contributing to lighter steering – and includes a large-face speedometer, tachometer, odometer, trip meter and water temperature gauge

• Urethane seat foam offers all-day comfort for long-distance riding

• Optional extended warranty

SPECIFICATIONS

• Engine : Four-stroke, DOHC, four-valve single
• Displacement : 651cc

• Bore x stroke : 100.0 x 83.0mm

• Compression ratio : 9.8:1

• Cooling : Liquid
• Carburetion : Keihin CVK40
• Ignition : Fully transistorized
• Transmission : Five-speed
• Final drive :Chain

• Frame : Semi-double cradle, high-tensile steel

• Rake / trail : 28 degrees / 4.4 in.
• Front suspension / wheel travel : 41mm telescopic fork / 7.9 in.
• Rear suspension / wheel travel : UNI-TRAK® single-shock system with 5-way preload and stepless rebound damping / 7.3 in.
• Front tire : 90/90×21

• Rear tire : 130/80×17
• Front brake / rear brake : Single 280mm petal-type disc, two-piston caliper / single 240mm disc, single-piston caliper
• Overall length : 90.4 in.

• Overall width : 37.8 in.

• Overall height : 53.1 in.

• Ground clearance : 8.3 in.

• Seat height : 35.0 in.
• Curb weight : 432 lbs.
• Fuel capacity : 6.1 gal.

• Wheelbase : 58.3 in.

• Color choices : Ebony, Sunbeam Red, Oriental Blue

River Crossing by School of Hard Knocks

Lets recap the last post, so i have nearly mastered the art of river crossing only to be certified true and tested when i least expect (ego) that things might go wrong. The last 9 crossings were very good, one of the crossing did not go well.

As confidently as i might say, the KLR can swim. I knocked one of the boulders underwater and my front tyres slipped to the right , only to get me off balance and was holding up the bikes weight with my right foot. the sand gave way to my footing and i had no choice but to down the bike in the middle of the river, which is about 2 feet of water. Slowly letting the bike slump to its side and cutting off the engine with the kill switch. Note that the Exhaust, air filter and the T-Mod bypass was all on my right side of the bike.I don't want the engine to be gulping water so turning off the engine would be the best way to do it.

i watched the bike for a quick second before picking it up, letting all the water drip down before starting up the bike... voila!!... the engine started with water spurting out from the exhaust for a few second and it was purring like a kitten and rode it across up to the other side of the river.
I let it run for a whole 5 minutes, praying that the engine will not stall. It didn't.

I don't know if i want to be proud or panic or stupid, but the fact that i just galoshed my bike in the river seems pretty normal. The bike can take it and i have seen many KLR cross deeper rivers than this. Apparently, the engine can be submerged and run under water for about 5 seconds before gulping water as the air box has a chamber big enough for this. I wouldn't want to experiment that on my bike.

Basic maintenance on the bike is needed.= after a river crossing.
Few pointer i got if there was such a case where you have to cross a river.
1. remember the lube spray?.. you will be needing to spray on the chains, bolts , nuts, carburetor, electrical stuff, sensors.
2. after letting the bike sit upright to drain all the water out, check the hoses that runs throughout the engine especially the T-Mod hoses.
3. Make sure that you open up the airbox and let the air filter dry fully. Keep on spraying parts where you can see water droplets on the engine.
4. Check spark plug well for water. Do not open up the spark plug as water will seep in to the engine block. Let it dry fully. Use a dry cloth to dry it up.
5. start back the engine and let the engines tempreture boil of the water. Caution, steam may develop and its hot.
6. Remove the 4 bolts located underneath the exhaust, and start engine, debris and water will flow out it he 4 holes. Careful as exhaust temp is very hot. You will need effort to remove those bolts, make sure the bike is warmed up first.
7. Get your local mechanic's number handy.
8. An unorthodox method is to turn the bike upside down and let it stay there for a few hours to drain. This has been done by one of the KLR world forumer.
9. Dont belive everything you hear or read in the internet. Some are good and some are just downright nasty. Saying this, i will have a disclaimer claiming that i will not be responsible if anything goes wrong to your bike or to yourself as it is just my suggestions based on experience and experience alone.

River Crossing 101

For the month of February 2011, i have been enjoying my ride with the KLR 650 going places every weekend.

One of the trip involves 2 river crossing and a dirt trail to a beautiful and friendly campsite in Ulu Tamu, Batang Kali. We, me and my wife, decided to organize a 1 day camping trip for our friends and close ones. So the whole gang, compromising of 17 people, two 4x4 cars, two MPVs, one Kelisa and One KLR 650.

I had to ride there earlier to book the campsite as we were afraid that our favorite spot was taken as it was a long weekend. I took the Batu caves>UluYam> Kg. Sg.Sendat > Ulu Tamu road. The ride there was fun and twisty, but you don't want to ride fast as the scenery was beautiful as the road is beside a lake, before hitting an uphill road to Ulu Yam. There were plenty of cars hauling their families for a river picnic as we pass Ulu Tamu/Sg.Tua river.

Stopped at the nearest town before turning right to Ulu Tamu and the first thought of a river crossing sends shivers down my spine. I have seen countless river crossing videos in Youtube and it seems like a fairly simple cross.
But before we go there, lets look at some mods or stuff that you need to prepare before a river crossing.

1. Proper attire - I had my full face, my Speed&Strength jacket, My Boots( illegal to wear slippers while riding) and my Blue surf shorts.

2. Lube - well lubed chain, and other hinges especially the under carriage. Carry a small Lube spray and lube the parts after a river crossing. Water can inhibit rust.

3. T-mod on carb - KLR 650 comes with Keihin CV Carb and one of the safety feature is the breather hose. If the hose is blocked by water or mud, the carburetor will commence a shutdown and the engine will shut down, bad bad... you might be stranded in the middle of the river while crossing. This also happens when you ride in heavy rain. the breather will run from your carburetor, all the way down to the foot pegs.The intent of this mod is to provide an alternative vent path for the carburetor in the likely/unlikely event of a water crossing or operation in heavy rain.

See - http://klrworld.com/forums/index.php/topic,195.0.html


Now back on the river crossing. I was first to arrive there and i was the only one there. Nobody here except me and my bike and the river is just up ahead. Here we go!

i released some air from the tyres to get better traction. check.
i changed my boots to slippers. Check.
Looked around to see if anyone is watching. ( don't want to look stupid as i mumble by myself that everything will be ok). Check.

Off the engine for 15 to 30 minutes to let the engine cool down. Don't want anything to crack.

First gear and i was already approaching the slippery downhill path before plunging down the river. Tyre feels like it has good grip. Trick is not to let go of the throttle and give some momentum to the bike as once it hits the water, you can feel the drag pulling you slowly.
The water wasn't deep when i first surveyed, just right up to the knees standing up, deepest. And that's when you think that the river bed was like tarmac. Well, i ended up in the deeper end which the water has swallowed my whole 21 inch front tyre. Panic? Hell YEAH. but i kept the momentum going and eventually reached across.

OK, 1 river crossing done. now on to the next.

After a quick pat on the back and a little prep talk with my bike. Check the engine, tyre, carb, exhaust. All ok, up and running.

Going to the next river crossing, we would have to go on hard packed road with some fist sized rocks. Thank god i have traction.

The next river crossing is quite simple as the river bed was sandy and the water was crystal clear. not to mention as cold as ice. No problem with that. It went A Okay.

Booked the campsite, cleared the undergrowth and some rubbish that the previous campers left. and proceed to jump in the icy cold water.

So while waiting for the other guys to show up, i have roughly and have done roughly 10 river crossing in the span of an hour and a half. With the last one having me dropped the bike in the middle of the crossing when the front tyres hit a bigass rock and slipped to the right. throwing me off balance and plunging in the river, me and my bike......... But thats another story.

Le Tour De KLR650 Part Deux

Checked in at the Royale Bintang Hotel resort and Spa in Seremban. Today is my Wife's birthday and i thought if surprising her here.

From Shah Alam yesterday i followed Le Tour De Langkawi Route 7 , from Banting till Tampin. This route follows the coastal roads till Port Dickson and then to Tamppin . Transfer to hotel at Seremban. It was a nice ride from Shah Alam to Banting, and the coastal roads in Morib was fantastic. As soon as i reach Port Dickson, things are starting to get gloomy and wet. It rained heavily right up to Tampin.

From Tampin i headed to Seremban town. Quickly brought flowers and waited for her to arrive at the Hotel.

I wanted to leave to KL that night but the rain wouldn't stop till the next morning. So decided to leave on Sunday Morning and taking the old Kuala Kelawang,Titi , Bukit hantu and Hulu Langat/Ampang.

The place was colder that Genting and i was drenched from neck to toe. i think there is some point where the still air itself was at 14 Deg C. What more riding on a bike that goes an average of 80 KMpH. I did a few pit stops to enjoy the scenery and to freshen up. One of the place is Hutan Lipur Jeram Toi. Had lunch there. Burger and Teh Tarik and had a long chat with the Abang that owns one of the stalls there. Interesting guy as he was once a bomb expert in the Army. Retired but with alot of stories to tell.

I then head towards Titi and found my way to up the mountain pass where i stopped to take a fresh shower in a nearby waterfall, Soaking wet by the rain i just jumped full gear in the waterfall. Surprisingly, the water was not freezing cold but more like lukewarm.

From there i went home and dried myself. a shower and the best nap i had ever had.

So, there will be another adventure just around the corner but hopefully this time i will not be alone.

Le Tour de KLR

Trip from Genting following the back road to Ulu Yam . Downhill twisties with a lot of forgiving bends. .....a nice ride if you are not pushing the bike. Slippery when wet and heaven when dry.

I need to have an on-board cam next time. Maybe this will be the next prjoect. I slipped my mobile on my thigh bag while its recording. hahahaha... just a test to see how good it will look.

So far i have been doing short trips down a forgotten trail and just getting the use of the speed and handling of this bike. All i can say is the riding position makes you just want to take a longer detour and go further. Tires is almost wearing our and i just clocked it a t 2000 KM. Thinking of getting rod tyres since i seldom go out on trails or off road. But then, would love to have both option available. Soon we will see. was thinking of Metzeler Sahara Enduro 3

of the Pirelli Scorpion M/T. but budget will tell.

Ok So now i'm off to follow the Le Tour de Langkawi route. Going to Shah Alam and tomorrow will be Nilai to Jasin adn the back to Melaka for a short stop before heading back to KL before the weekend ends. Im trying to do all this on one full tank which is RM 35 ringgit. So this will be the challenge for now. Wish me luck. Adios and enjoy your weekends.

Going on a mini mini convoy

Tomorrow i will be riding with my buddy to Sungai Buloh. just a short ride about 30km . Will post the pictures later... good night.

Up up and away...... Genting escapade

Today is the first day of the year 2011. I’m going out for a ride with my wife, an impromptu decision to go up Genting Highlands and enjoy the cold air. Imagine sipping a hot coffee after a long ride up, carving through the switchbacks of Genting. That was the plan and what a plan it is to start the year.

And so we were off without much except for our Mountain Hardware Rain Jackets, Helmets and a small backpack. I was considering getting the panniers and top box, but i just got the bike for 1 day and the whole Malaysia was on holiday, so no shops were opened. I will get some quotes on different type on panniers in a week or so.

From home we set course towards the Karak Highway, stoping for lunch at McD in Ampang Petronas to refuel both the riders and the Bike. It is said that a full tank will get me 400KM and more if i were to use the reserve tank. Quite a substantial score as the capacity of the tank is 16.1 Litres. I opted for Ron97 fuel just to test the difference. Note that i was using Ron 95 yesterday; it should not be a problem as I’m using a carburettor. Checked the water level for the radiator and making sure the chain is well lubricated, we set off to our first trip to Genting.

From the Gombak toll, the air was already cold and we enjoyed the ride right up to Genting Sempah. From there we head up to Genting. Familiarizing with the bikes characteristics, the torque that the bike produces is high; changing gear is a minimum as the power band is available throughout any RPM. Carving up the road ahead and powering through every corner was superb. I was not pushing the bike fully as i had my precious cargo sitting at the back. Come to the Gohtong Jaya, my wife decides to take the cable car up and giving me the opportunity to fully feel the bike's setup. So off we go to the Cable car station and dropped her off, promising to see her when she reaches Genting. Took a small pit stop to refresh in one of the mamak stalls there, i head up Genting with the notion to try to push the bike to see what it’s capable of.

Turn after turn i tried to read the threshold of the bike. and it was running through my head what is needed for the bike. The first thing, and very importantly, is a riding glove. keeping your hands warm is a must. Although the bike comes with a massive wind deflector on the handle bars, but it is not enough to keep the riders hand from the elements.Before i could think of anything, i was already up, slowing down as the junction approaches, prompting to turn right towards Genting Resort where hot coffee awaits in Coffee Bean & Tea. ( They give 10% off for Bikers).

When i got there, there were already a few big bikes parked there. Two Kawasaki ER-6N and a Kawasaki Z 750. and so i slotted in between them and went straight to the drink counter ordering my coffee. While waiting in line, there were 4 big bikes that pulled up; a KAwasaki Versys, ER-6N, Suzuki SRAD and a BMW GS 1300. It didnt bother me much until they they came up to my bike and started discussing about. I took a picture :P. It seems to be that they were seasoned bikers with riding gears from top to toe. As for me on the other hand, a plain jeans, with hiking boots and a black t-shirt.

Looking at them i realize that when safety is concerned, big bikers will have more tricked out riding gears for safety. I soon will have to start gearing up if i want to have long trips in future. But that will be another story. We spent about 5 hours before going back home. It was raining and cold, we slowly decend to Gohtong Jaya where it was just starting to rain. Full throttle, we ran away from the rain and ended up back in Gombak. From there, we headed home for a nice hot shower and a warm bed.

Well tomorrow is another day, who knows what adventure awaits......