The Small Engine Shop

Harley Davidson owned Serial 1 electric bicycles are now in stock and available for purchase. You can order a Serial 1 e bicycle online and have it shipped directly to you, or in the next few weeks a participating Harley Davidson dealership near you will have Serial 1 e bicycle models on the show room floor to be seen in person and taken for a test ride. Here is the Serial 1 website link used to find a participating Harley Davidson dealership near you:

Dealership Locator

Also, Serial 1 e bicycles can be delivered to your participating Harley Davidson dealership for assembly and pickup if you choose.

Click on image to view Serial 1's website:

2021 Serial 1 Rush/City Speed electric bicycle

What motorcycle do BLM rioters prefer? Knowing the answer to this quesiton would require a poll, which I don't have, but I did see a photograph used for an article showing two BLM rioters in Washington DC riding a Yamaha Vstar 650 Classic (see first photo below). The motorcycle is modified with custom paint, missing turn signals and a Kuryakin Hypercharger replacing the stock air filter cover.

The Yamaha Vstar 650 was manufactured from 1997 to 2019, but was only available in the United States from 1998 to 2015, and maybe 2016. The Vstar 650 was a cruiser style motorcycle available in several different versions. There was a Silverado model that came with studded saddle bags, studded seat, windshield and studded passenger sissy bar. The Classic model was a stripped down Silverado without those extra features, and a Custom model that looked more like a high performance cruiser. All VStar 650 models were powered by a 649cc vtwin, air cooled, SOHC engine. The power train also included a 5 speed manual transmission with shaft  final drive. The little vtwin engine produced 40 HP and 37.5 lb-ft torque. The curb weight was 500 lbs for the Custom model and between 545-600 lbs for the Silverado and Classic models. Seat height was around 28 inches for all models.

What made the Yamaha Vstar 650 so popular was it's classic cruiser styling at a low price making it a direct competitor with the Honda Shadow models. The lower price, smaller size and low weight made it a good entry level motorcycle.

I don't know how many Vstar 650 motorcycles Yamaha sold over the years, but I have a feeling it was quite a few. Imagine the number of people over the last 20 years that wanted a classic cruiser motorcycle, but couldn't afford a new Harley Davidson, so they turned to Japanese cruisers like the Yamaha Vstar 650 or Honda Shadow. So don't be surprised when you see an Antifa or BLM rioter using a Yamaha Vstar 650 to help terrorize the next neighborhood on their list.

Click on image to enlarge:

Link to Article


Yamaha VStar 650 Classic


Yamaha VStar 650 Custom


Yamaha VStar 650 Silverado

The question of whether or not a motorcycle is worth it's price can really only be answered by the buyer. What I consider a good value might be different from someone else. A better question might be, are expensive adventure touring motorcycles the only choice for on/off road riding with a mixture of long distance touring? The answer to that question is 'no.'

A fun and less expensive motorcycle for this type of riding is a used or new dual sport or smaller adventure touring motorcycle. Both types have the potential to provide just as many adventures as their larger cousin. These motorcycles can cost as little as 2 or 3 thousands dollars used, and some new models are under $5k. That's a big savings when compared to motorcycles that cost $14k or more.

The features found on dual sport and adventure touring motorcycles are often times similar. Both types of motorcycles are designed for on and off road riding. Some commonalities are longer travel suspension, tires for on/off road use and standard riding position. Where they seem to differ the most is the stock adventure touring motorcycle is designed more for street riding than dirt by having a windshield for wind protection, larger engine, larger frame and tires that are more oriented for street use. Even different model dual sport motorcycles will vary in their features and design for street or dirt use. However, any motorcycle can be modified to improve whatever type of riding you prefer. No motorcycle is forced to exist within the category given to it by the manufacturer. Meaning, it's possible to modify a dirt bike for street use and vise versa.

A stock big adventure touring motorcycle provides better on-road performance for long distance travel or commutes. A bigger motorcycle provides a larger payload and usually more space for luggage or a passenger. A more powerful engine is better for passing cars and traveling at higher speeds, and taller transmission gear ratios are better suited for highway travel. The higher weight and longer wheelbase provide better stability for high speeds making the motorcycle more stable in winds, or in situations when larger vehicles like a semi truck passes by. However, these features that provide better freeway performance come at a cost.

A motorcycle with a bigger engine provides more power and performance, and a larger frame provides increased payload, but these features also increase motorcycle weight. A higher weight can make riding at slower speeds on or off road more difficult and less fun.

Most dual sport and smaller adventure touring motorcycles weigh less than the big expensive adventure touring motorcycles. This means the bike can be ridden with less work required from the rider, and this makes riding more enjoyable and fun. It becomes very difficult for most people to keep a big adventure touring motorcycle upright when riding off road and faced with obstacles like ruts, narrow trails or big rocks. A real life example of this is a yearly event created by a BMW R1200GS motorcycle club in Colorado when the R1200GS was BMW's only adventure touring motorcycle. The club is located near mountains with good fire roads and trails for off road riding. The club got together one day and created an annual motorcycle riding event through local mountain fire roads and trails that lasted 24 to 48 hours. Anyone can signup for the event as long as you have a motorcycle that's 650cc or larger in size. The ironic thing about this story is the ride event was formed by BMW R1200GS owners, but after a few years of it's existence, most people participating in the event, including club members, were showing up on Kawasaki KLR 650's. The big BMW R1200GS adventure motorcycle, especially with luggage, were too big and heavy and hard to ride on rough dirt roads and mountain trails.

There aren't many examples of dual sport motorcycles being used for long distance touring, but there is one guy named Dr. Gregory Frazier. He rode around the world on a Kawasaki KLR 650. I actually posted a link to some of his articles several years ago, which you can find here: Touring on a 2009 Kawasaki KLR 650. How long will a KLR last?. The Kawasaki KLR650 has been manufactured since 1987 and has always been considered a dual sport motorcycle, but has recently been called an adventure motorcycle in advertising print by Kawasaki, only because the word 'adventure' has gained marketing value in today's motorcycle market.

I own a 2009 Kawasaki KLR650, which I bought new and have put close to 40,000 miles on it. I have no plans of trading it in on any big adventure touring motorcycle, and if I forced to get rid of it, I would probably trade it in for the newer version KLR 650 set to be released in 2022.

Examples of lower priced, smaller motorcycles that can easily be ridden on or off road:


The 2022 Kawasaki KLR650, which Kawasaki calls the 'Adventure' model. MSRP $7999


Kawasaki Versys X-300, MSRP $5899


The 2021 Honda CRF300L. MSRP $5249


The CSC RX3 Adventure. MSRP $4195. This is a Chinese made motorcycle. I don't think they're as reliable as Japanese or American made motorcycles and they lack good dealership support outside of the one dealer in California, but they are less expensive and some people do swear by them. The engine displacement is 250cc and the motorcycle can be ridden on the freeway. A RX3 riders group rode this motorcycle from California into Mexico and back. CSC also has a larger 450 version called the RX4 with an MSRP $4995.


2021 Suzuki Vstrom 650. MSRP $8849

In my last post I talked about the right side front brake line that ruptured on a 2001 Ford vehicle. You can read about it here:

Ruptured Brake Line

This post is about the left side front brake line on the same vehicle. You can see in the photo's that the brake like is about to pop. Caught it just in time.

Click on image to enlarge:


Click on image to enlarge:

The Kawasaki KLR650 is back for 2022 and is available in 3 versions: KLR650 base model, KLR650 Traveler and KLR650 Adventure (see photos below). News of it's release came on January 26, 2021. ABS.is optional on the base model, but standard on the other versions.  From what I can tell, the engine and transmission are the same as the second generation model KLR650 and the old Kawasaki KLR650 carburetor is gone and replaced with fuel injection. Vehicle features on the base model are:

• NEW Improved ergonomics and ride comfort
• NEW Bodywork including fuel tank
• NEW Taller two-position adjustable windshield
• NEW Larger aluminum rear carrier
• NEW Increased generator capacity
• NEW LED headlight

The Kawasaki KLR 650 Traveler version comes with a reat trunk with USB and 12v DC outlets. Vehicle features of Traveler model are:

• Top Case (optional One-key System)
• DC and USB Sockets
• Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)

The Kawasaki KLR650 Adventure model comes with hard saddle bags and these other features:

• Side Cases (optional One-key System)
• Fog Lamps
• Frame Sliders
• Tank Pad
• DC and USB Sockets
• Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)
• Special color & graphics: Cypher Camo Gray

It's nice to see Kawasaki did increase alternator output to power more accessories like heated gloves and heated vest without having to worry about the battery discharging.

Kawasaki now includes a lockable door for the tool box, and the rear rack has been redesigned (see photo). The dash has been completely redesigned with digital instrumentation. (see photo)  I wonder if accessories like the new saddle bags and rear trunk will be available for older model KLR650's?


2022 Kawasaki KLR650 Base Model. (MSRP NON-ABS: $6,699 / MSRP ABS: $6,999)


2022 Kawasaki KLR650 Traveler Model (MSRP $7,399)


2022 Kawasaki KLR650 Adventure Model (MSRP $7,999 )



The 2022 Kawasaki KLR650 dash with new digital instrumentation.


2022 Kawasaki KLR650 redesigned rear rack and tool box.


2022 Kawasaki KLR650 rear side view.


2022 Kawasaki KLR650 fairing with new fog lights and new LED head light.

2022 Kawasaki KLR650 Website