Rake and Trail Numbers Do Matter
I get kidded a lot because of my obsession with rake and trail settings on modern motorcycles:
Big Bear Leatherslap – The Peak Years
Photo: LtCol (then Capt) William McMillan, Elden, Ray Chapman circa 1966 Jeff Cooper’s Big Bear Leatherslap
What? Another Chain Master
Back in the last century I purchased my first KLR650 in the spring of 1990 with the intention of developing
The Picture … The Men … The Story
There were five pistoleros who are credited with developing the modern technique of the combat pistol.
The DR650SE: Reliability Is Its Middle Name
We recently heard from Emily and Jay Wilgus, who are continuing on their ride from Ann Arbor, Michigan
Terms Do Matter
I’ve coined two phrases relating to motorcycles, neither of which I expected to catch on. The first
The KISS Principle – You’d Better Believe It!!
The person who came up with the slogan “Keep it simple, stupid” knew what he was talking about.
DR650SE: Failures and Fixes
I’ve logged nearly a quarter of a million miles on DR’s since 1990, but it wasn’t until 2002 that
Light Is Right, Even If You’re Not a Kiwi
When Kawasaki added another 25 or so pounds to the front of the already heavy KLR 650 in 2008, it ostensibly
KLR650 Rear Shock
Glossary MSM – Multisurface Motorcycles/Motorcyclist MMP – Multisurface Motorcycle Products
Stock Air Filters Suck!
Come to think of it, all air filters suck air. The problem is that some of them suck more than air. Not
Mexiphobia
My two favorite hangouts happen to be south of the international border, which is located 20 miles from
Chassis Wear
When we think about a motorcycle frame we normally are thinking of an item to which engine, swing arm
Oldie but a Goodie – Dual Sport News December 1999
Reaching back 15 years, this article first appeared in the now-defunct Dual Sport News. I thought it
It’s a Small World
It Is Indeed a Small World. The other day I took off on one of my short mountain loops of about 50 miles.
Speedo Cable Service
Japanese speedos are very reliable as long as you don’t abuse them or store them upside down. However,
Modern Baja: Different But Still Lots of Fun
When the best all around dirt rider I ever knew, Alan Dietor, and I began riding in Baja Norte in 1974,
Oil and Oil Filter Replacement
Way back in ancient times before synthetics and motorcycle specific oils, some folks used to change the
Motorcycle Oil Consumption
Back in 2008 Top Gun Motorcycles purchased a new Kawasaki KLR650-E model which turned out to be a lemon.
Top Gun’s New Custom Spring For The DR650SE
Glossary MSM – Multisurface Motorcycles/Motorcyclist MMP – Multisurface Motorcycle Products
Wheels and Wings
Image credit United States Marine Corps (This article reprinted from 2006) I loved flying jets. I enjoyed
KLR Rear Suspension and Chain Control
As I sit here in my favorite Subway restaurant (#40249) at the corner of Avocado Ave. and Hwy 94, my
More on Final Gearing
Every two or three weeks I ride down to Ensenada and stay overnite at Hostel Sauzal at 344 “L” Street
Stay “SPOT” On, All the Time
I’ve pretty much avoided the electronic age I have only two modern instruments of communication; a
Product Highlight – Top Gun KLR650 Chainmaster
KLR-650 Chain Master Upper Chain Run Control Device* (*Engineered using a stock KLR-650 with properly
Roll-On With Rod
I called Rod Morris and he suggested we meet at Bell Valley east of Potrero on Hwy 94 for a roll-on test
Air Filtration
Some guy on one of the Internet sites wrote recently that I had been riding off road bikes since before
KLR650 Chain Adjustment Revisited
Back in the last century (1990) when I purchased my first KLR650 (1989 A-3), one of the first things
Riding Twisty Roads
The most memorable encounters are mostly with lighter bikes usually singles in the 350 to 400 pound range.
Two–Stroking Around the World
Long after I thought two-stroke motorcycles were extinct I ran into Paul Suchy at Santispak 10 miles
