KR150 Palmerston North -> Bay of Plenty

[CookMySock]

My mate just bought a KR150. It's really low km's and been maintained well it seems..

It's four and a half hours ride away - what is this bike going to be like riding it back? Is it a little hard on it beating the piss out of it at 120km/hr on the road for 4.5 hours?

There is also the desert road to contend with, and the nice warm hilux surf becons, but could this be a great ride on the KR or just a pain in the arse?

Steve

[Sketchy_Racer]

I did from Wellington to Napier at night on my little Kr150. Was a bit of a hoot and you will probably find it sits at 120 better than 100.

Just dooeeet

[Lurch]

The KR150 can do 120 all day. But make sure it's got a decent set of rubber on it, chances are the weather will be shite.

Are you riding it or your friend? Might be a challenge for a new rider in less than perfect weather.

[CookMySock]

I did from Wellington to Napier at night on my little Kr150. Was a bit of a hoot and you will probably find it sits at 120 better than 100. Just dooeeetMean.


The KR150 can do 120 all day. But make sure it's got a decent set of rubber on it, chances are the weather will be shite. Are you riding it or your friend? Might be a challenge for a new rider in less than perfect weather.Awesome. Hehe I just kinda feel for for the pore wee thing trying to keep up with the 650, but somehow I just know he will be right behind me, or ahead of me if I am not watching.

Probably we will take turns on the two bikes, just for fun and variation more than anything. I'm quite looking forward to giving its neck a wee wring, hehe.

Challenge, as in having the gearbox in the right gear? I think he will discover that all too quickly on the first hill, hehe.

I'm temped to take a bit of rough sandpaper to scuff the tyres up.

Pending weather, looks like we'll do it. If desert road gives us grief we have beds in the inglewood/New Plymouth area, so we can come back that way. If it closes in badly (like it has been, growl) it'll be car and trailer.

Anyone want to come for a ride with us? Will be sitting on 120k all day (9 hour ride!) - no L/R platers. Leaving middle of this week, not sure which day yet. Will be outa here crack 'o dawn sparrows fart, can stay over here the night before if you want (caravan to sleep in.)

Steve

[grusomhat]

Have fun. I've been from Napier to Christchurch on mine with the Picton to Christchurch bit being on about 120 the whole way.

Don't expect to get very far on a tank though, if you get more than 150km then I'll be sending you a PM

[CookMySock]

Don't expect to get very far on a tank though, if you get more than 150km then I'll be sending you a PMHaha, thanks for that heads-up. How long does its' oil tank last?

Seve

[grusomhat]

Haha, thanks for that heads-up. How long does its' oil tank last?

Seve

The resovior last me about 5 fulls I think, maybe more. Never really been entirely sure :/ Oils cheap when you buy it the 4L bottles from SuperCheap.

[Metalor]

When is this potential riding taking place? I'm going from palmerston to napier next Thursday (18th) if you want someone to ride with... that's if BOP is in the same direction! Haha, I have no idea and can't be fucked looking at wises :P

[Racey Rider]

Go for it. I've ridden mine from NP to Tauranga a few times and loved it. Will sit in the power band nicely at 120.
1 Ltr of oil will last about 1000kms. The KR150a has a 10 ltr fuel tank (2ltr reserve)
My records show I was getting 19kms/Ltr on those trips, at 120 ave Km/h.
So a couple of hours riding between fills.

Racey

[scott411]

i did a bit of touring on a kr150 a few years ago, got to taupo from auckland nicely, and it sat on 120km/h easy,

[Elysium]

Seems to be an influx of people up north wanting to buy bikes from us Palmy people, what gives?

[Metalor]

People want too much for them in Auckland!

[Elysium]

I rode past plenty of bikes shops while up there, though I didn't go into any of them as it was pissing down with rain. Maybe they're too pricey like their coffees.

[grusomhat]

Go for it. I've ridden mine from NP to Tauranga a few times and loved it. Will sit in the power band nicely at 120.
1 Ltr of oil will last about 1000kms. The KR150a has a 10 ltr fuel tank (2ltr reserve)
My records show I was getting 19kms/Ltr on those trips, at 120 ave Km/h.
So a couple of hours riding between fills.

Racey

Quick question. How much work would be needed to convert a road KR to a track bike? and where abouts do you race them? Interested in doing such a thing when I upgrade to a larger bike.

[CookMySock]

When is this potential riding taking place? I'm going from palmerston to napier next Thursday (18th) if you want someone to ride withWe are waiting for him to get the bike WOFed etc. It should be ready tues wed if we are lucky. We'll go as soon as the bike is ready and the desert road is bikeable. Someone on the TV news/weather muttered something "cold snap" so we will see what that brings.

Steve

[Kwaka14]

Is it a little hard on

or just a pain in the arse?

Steve

Either way I guess... I thought the KR's were good little bikes and more than capable of 120+, they definitely don't look greatly comfortable.

[grusomhat]

Oh I should probably mention that you'll find the speedo reads less accurately than a baby. Well, mine does and I've heard others as well. For me it reads over at about 20%! That's intended speed + 20%

[Beemer]

When I had my RG150 I rode from Otaki to Turangi and back again the same day and I lived! Mind you, that was in October, not June, so the Desert Road was not a problem.

The seat wasn't that comfortable and my wrists and shoulders ached at the end, but it was still a lot of fun. I rode up to meet Andy at the end of the 1000 Miler and rode home with him after he'd had a few hours sleep.

[CookMySock]

@Beemer, hehe well I get to ride my own bike back, with a little turn on the KR for funsies. My 650 is pretty hard on the wrists anyway, so I'm used to that. Hrm wises says 4.5 hours.. each way.. Thats a lot.

We'll stop over somewhere if there is a concern, as ya do.

Steve

[caseye]

Went through the dessert road about 2 weeks ago, had rain,sleet, ice, and snow in the space of about 5 miles.Weatehr down that wasy doesn't seem to have changed much the last few weeks.
Ride safe through there DB.
Enjoy the views , if there are any.

[Racey Rider]

Leaving middle of this week...

so how did it go?

[cowboyz]

hasnt finished the trip yet...............

[spacemonkey]

Go for it. I've ridden mine from NP to Tauranga a few times and loved it. Will sit in the power band nicely at 120.
1 Ltr of oil will last about 1000kms. The KR150a has a 10 ltr fuel tank (2ltr reserve)
My records show I was getting 19kms/Ltr on those trips, at 120 ave Km/h.
So a couple of hours riding between fills.

Racey


The KR150 I sold 6 months back used to get from 140-150km on a tank? never managed to get more than 140 before having to go to reserve.

It was was happier at 120kmph than at 100. to keep it at 100 if there was any headwind ment either ringing it's guts out in a lower gear or dropping to 90 or speeding up to 110-120. I was always impressed though that a lil 150 could get me up over the ton. :D :niceone:

I tried to use it for longer trips but it was just too small for me, I was so hunched up that my back was killing me after 2 hours, mind you the tramping pack probably wasn't helping! :rolleyes:

[ldnz]

Ah the KR's. I really miss my little machine. Used to regularly ride palmerston-auckland with no drama. Definitely agree with speedo comments, mine read 20% high.

Fantastic little bikes though - after a service I banged a gps on is and got to a steady 168km/h on a straight with no wind.

Good luck with the trip!

[CookMySock]

so how did it go?The weather was crap so they trailered it back. Ice on the desert road etc.

I can report though, the little KR has good sized balls! A very surprising little machine.

Steve