Wee-Strom - Headed down the Road

[bigjohnsd]

I bought my Wee-Strom with the idea that I would carry it along when traveling with my wife and travel trailer. My plan was to carry it on a rack on the back of my travel trailer.

Well, I have proven that the laws of physics are immutable.

The Wee was just too damn heavy and took enough tongue weight off of the trailer that it became an evil thing when going faster than 50 mph, Good thing I had on dark jeans and have leather seats, the sway control in my F-150 works really well once it activates, which was not soon enough in my mind.

So the Wee went to my old store on consignment yesterday.

But, a nearly new 14 Honda CRF 250L will home with me on Tuesday.

The CRF250 weighs about half of what the Wee did and fits in the back of the F-150 with the tailgate up.

I tried it on the trailers rear bike carrier too, but there was still too much sway for comfort.

The CRF needs a few farkles but will be a fun little dual-sport bike.

 

[dcarver]

I get it, John. Good decisions.. The Wee is a heavy beast, relatively speaking for that attachment point.

 

[Cav47]

Glad the experiment did not end in anything but a ruined pair of jeans.

 

[Redfish Hunter]

You are going about this all wrong. If the V-Strom is too heavy for your current set up do not blame the bike. Blame your set up. Make changes. I can help point you in the right direction here.

Ford makes another truck they call an F250. It is a bit heavier than the F150 and is available with a diesel. A nice one can be yours for about $65K. Then you trade in that bumper pull travel trailer for a nice 5th wheel toy hauler in the 35 to 40 foot range. This gives you room to carry all sorts of things you did not know you needed and a nice example can be had for around $50K, more if you want bigger and nicer.

This way you can keep your Suzuki and have room for the Honda and have room for the FJR and you will get a nice diesel 4WD. Simple.

 

[Bugnatr]

The first time you tip the Honda over you will be even happier with your purchase, picking up the Wee would have been painful.

OR

a mere 100k and you can go with the Redfish plan

 

[SwollenRaccoon]

A CRF250 is on my wish list. Let us know what you think of it. Oh, and about that F250 and toy hauler.......cool idea. It's always easy to be cavalier and creative with someone else's money..............

 

[Bungie]

I've got 250L. I use it mostly for running and back and forth to work, the odd time I do a little nose following down some gravel roads. But its never been used as a submarine.

https://vimeo.com/74167186

 

[bigjohnsd]

Not so fast Moose Breath'

Changed my mind again.

Got a great deal on a 09 Kawasaki KLR650 which is actually shorter and fits in the truck better than the CRF250L

So........Color me KLR

 

[Redfish Hunter]

I still say you are doing it wrong. If your camper does not block your view of your back yard, if the monthly note does not make you want to vomit, if the other folks in the campground are not laughing at how stupid you look, you do not have enough camper.

I will try to lead by example. This 36 foot 7 inch beast is a toy hauler from the rear door back. It is wonderful and terrible at the same time. And truly I have been wishing for either the KLR 650 or the smaller Honda CRF250L to go in that toy hauler.



I strongly advise you to upgrade both the truck and the camper until you feel Very Stupid, Very Broke, or both.

 

[Cav47]

Misery loves company!

 

[Redfish Hunter]

Misery loves company!

No she doesn't.

 

[900gc]

Not so fast Moose Breath'
Changed my mind again.

Got a great deal on a 09 Kawasaki KLR650 which is actually shorter and fits in the truck better than the CRF250L

So........Color me KLR

A KLR650 is only about 50 lbs. less than the Wee Strom so you are not gaining much in weight saving. The DR650 on the other hand is about 360 wet which is about 100 lbs lighter. Then there's the DR-Z400 which is about 320 lbs. like the CRF250L. The wheelbase on the KLR650 is 2" longer than the CRF, not shorter. Sure it's the KLR650 you are talking about?

 

[hppants]

Perhaps the shorter wheelbase allowing the KLR to fit in the bed of the pickup truck with the tailgate up was its selling point?

I think a lot about getting a dual sport, but it passes and I move on. I'm just not too passionate about it now. I feel that if I do ever pull that trigger, I will be willing to give up road manners for lightness. I know someone that converted a KLX250 into a dual sport. Small panniers and a camping duff. I think he said the bike weighs under 400 pounds with a full oversized tank of gas AND his luggage.

 

[bigjohnsd]

Not so fast Moose Breath'
Changed my mind again.

Got a great deal on a 09 Kawasaki KLR650 which is actually shorter and fits in the truck better than the CRF250L

So........Color me KLR

A KLR650 is only about 50 lbs. less than the Wee Strom so you are not gaining much in weight saving. The DR650 on the other hand is about 360 wet which is about 100 lbs lighter. Then there's the DR-Z400 which is about 320 lbs. like the CRF250L. The wheelbase on the KLR650 is 2" longer than the CRF, not shorter. Sure it's the KLR650 you are talking about?

Don't know about all that technical crap, do know that the KLR is shorter overall than the Honda and easily fits in the truck bed while the honda was a tight squeeze.

Anyhow, the deal is done and the bike is in hand

 

[Redfish Hunter]

Honda CRF250L Wheelbase: 56.9 inches

Kawasaki KLR 650 Wheelbase: 58.3 inches

My math isn't agreeing with yours. Either way, as long as YOU are happy, that is all that matters. I still say the big toy hauler and the big truck is the way to go. Go Big or Go Home.

Again, I am a bit jealous. I would happily take the V-strom, the KLR or the CRF as a passenger in my toy hauler. At least I would have a nice ramp to get the thing in and out.

 

[bigjohnsd]

Honda CRF250L Wheelbase: 56.9 inchesKawasaki KLR 650 Wheelbase: 58.3 inches

My math isn't agreeing with yours. Either way, as long as YOU are happy, that is all that matters. I still say the big toy hauler and the big truck is the way to go. Go Big or Go Home.

Again, I am a bit jealous. I would happily take the V-strom, the KLR or the CRF as a passenger in my toy hauler. At least I would have a nice ramp to get the thing in and out.

All I can tell you is that when both bikes are backed up against a wall the front wheel of the Honda is further from the wall than the front wheel of the KLR.

I was surprised.

 

[Redfish Hunter]

Never fear, Redfish has an answer!

The Honda was previously ridden by a trained bear in a circus. It was a large bear and it rode very aggressively. The frame bent over time as a result of the bear's weight and hard landings from long jumps.

But wait! There's more! Your new KLR has been wrecked. It was involved in a head on collision with a Kenworth. The Kenworth was totaled but the mighty Kawasaki only had slight damage to the steering head. The rake and trail figures are now somewhat steeper than stock. This will help maneuverability on tighter trails but will lead to a loss of stability at speeds over 150mph.

If you need help picking out a new toy hauler, I am here for you!

 

[Fred W]

Are you sure it wasn't a KLX? That is much more like a CRF.

A KLR wouldn't be a very good choice for what you want to do, IMO. The KLR is just a single cylinder equivalent of a WeeStrom. Still heavy, even taller than the Wee, and a handful to pickup after the inevitable trail nap. KLRs and Wees are made to ride to the unpaved adventure. The smaller lighter bikes are easier to trailer there and then have your fun.

Also, trailers are much easier than going in the back of a pickup.

 

[08FJR4ME]

Are you sure it wasn't a KLX? That is much more like a CRF.
A KLR wouldn't be a very good choice for what you want to do, IMO. The KLR is just a single cylinder equivalent of a WeeStrom. Still heavy, even taller than the Wee, and a handful to pickup after the inevitable trail nap. KLRs and Wees are made to ride to the unpaved adventure. The smaller lighter bikes are easier to trailer there and then have your fun.

Also, trailers are much easier than going in the back of a pickup.

Not if your setup for it.

Dave