FJR has a New Friend

[Fred W]

The problem with the KTM Adventure is that the side stand is bolted directly to the engine case. :dribble: There has been numerous reports of cracked engine cases due to the stress from the side stand mount (like hitting something hard with the sidestand, etc). So I would maybe think twice before mounting this bike by it's footpeg. The good news is that I just purchased a side stand relocation bracket from an inmate on Advrider. This actually moves the sidestand entirely off the engine case. It works great and the best part is that I finally get to mount the big Katoom like a horse!.

Oh, fer chissakes. Get a step stool, shorty!!

JK... And I do know what you mean about the kickstands mounted on the engine cases.

My Monster 750 had a similar setup and it scared the crap out of me. I would never, ever sit on that bike on the sidestand.

PS - Jill, that mounting technique sounds rather risky. Should one ever fail to swing the leg over cleanly it would seem to spell a disaster in progress? Gotta be a better way that that.

 

[Joe2Lmaker]

You can guess that I haven't dared to try this with my FJR yet!

I've thought about trying it, many times.

 

[Fred W]

On a dirtbike, maybe. On a 650 lb FJR, ummm... no.

 

[Silver Penguin]

PS - Jill, that mounting technique sounds rather risky. Should one ever fail to swing the leg over cleanly it would seem to spell a disaster in progress? Gotta be a better way that that.

If the technique is done with skill and confidence, on a dirt bike, it works well. Once the rider is on the bike, the suspension is compressed enough to make the bike rideable. Until the bike is weighted down, the obscene seat heights of modern bikes make them unrideable for little people.

It took me a while to build the courage to do it. My first few attempts led to some amusing looking bail-outs. Now, it is my preferred method when riding one of Andy's dirt bikes. Do the math - a 26" inseam doesn't match a 37" seat height, no way, no how. My own bike is easier because it's a dual sport so doesn't have that huge spring in the suspension. I can wobble my way onto the 32" seat height of the CRF230L from the ground.

Of course the safer option for me would be to stick to a Honda Rebel or similar. I can ALMOST flat foot one of those but they don't do so well off-road. B)

 

[03HiYoSilver]

Way to go Jill...you got alot of moxy. Yes it does take some good ground clearance to get the best off road experience... the biggest challenge is just getting on the dog-on seat. Then the fun begins.

 

[Silver Penguin]

Way to go Jill...you got alot of moxy. Yes it does take some good ground clearance to get the best off road experience... the biggest challenge is just getting on the dog-on seat. Then the fun begins.

Why thank you for the compliment! For the little people it's a case of either suck it up and ride a bigger bike, or don't bother. Must admit that I wasn't entirely sober for my first few attempts at the rolling mount. Not that I would EVER advocate drinking and riding of course, but this was just laps of the campsite in the desert.

I've replaced my TTR-125 with the Honda dual sport. It does a lot better than the kiddie bike but Andy's WR250 is better still. But...... I'm kinda attached to having the point of one toe being within a few inches of the ground.