Bringing Kermit Home

[akbeemer]

Recently, I picked up my KLR PakMul in Poulsbo, WA. And what is a PakMul you may wonder. It is a product of LBS-USA, a sidecar builder known for producing high quality sidecars built with components made in the Netherlands and with Ural all steel sidecars. The founder and proprietor, Mike Paull, is known for his attention to detail and excellent customer service before, during and after construction. Mike’s prior projects haven been exclusively based on BMWs, but the PakMul is based on a 2023 Kawasaki KLR. It uses a Ural sidecar frame (Mike also does business as Raceway Ural North and is an authorized Ural Service Center) along with a subframe, cargo platform and attachment rigging fabricated by Chuck Loften owner operator of Custom Adventure Hacks in Eugene, OR. Mine was the first PakMul built for retail, the prior two having been prototypes.

I flew into SeaTac early on a Wednesday morning where Mike picked me up and took me to his shop. Mike had my PakMul (henceforth to be referred to as Kermit) set up for a test ride by adding some weight to the cargo platform.

I spent most of the day setting up the rig with some kit I had shipped to Poulsbo earlier. Items added included a GPS (pre-wired by LBS-USA), Aerostich tank panniers, a seat pad, tank bag and a windshield extension/deflector.

I rode the rig to pickup some oil and chain lube and then rode to my lodging. Before I left Mike gifted me with the Pelican Cargo Case that had been on his shop PakMul.

On Thursday Mike and I met for breakfast after which I changed the oil in Kermit. The bike had 0.4 miles on it when I delivered it to Poulsbo in March and 40 miles on it when I picked it up. We then took a 140 mile ride down to the Hood Canal area and then to Port Townsend for lunch. Mike rode his Ural Gear Up. That evening we met for dinner along with the gracious Mrs Paull.

My plan was to ride home to Silver City, Montana over three days. I wanted to ride winding back roads on which I could take my time and get to know Kermit. My ride the day before was enough to let me know that Kermit and I were at the beginning of a beautiful friendship. My plan underwent revision when I saw that the ride would be made in temperatures around 100 f. So, on Friday morning I was on the 0530 hrs. ferry from Kingston to Edmunds, a Seattle suburb. The ride began in cool temperatures and stayed comfortable as I cruised along HWY 2. Rode over Steven’s Pass where the temperature was pleasant. Kermit was performing brilliantly on the winding road with a 55 MPH speed limit.

I decided I would do the 630 mile ride in two days and wanted to get to the Spokane area on day one. After crossing the Columbia River and the terrain became less mountainous and drier the temperature rose rapidly to uncomfortable levels.

I overnighted in Liberty Lake, WA a few miles from ID. 336 miles, averaging 32-34 MPG. Kermit continued to perform beyond my expectations. I signed up for a PakMul to replace my 2018 Ural Gear Up. I find Kermit to be much more comfortable to ride. It handles very well and is less tiring to ride than the Ural. On the Ural I would have been worried to cruise for hours at 55-60 MPH in temperatures in the mid to high 90s, but the KLR’s water cooled engine seemed up to the challenge.

The second day I left at 0600 to take advantage of the cooler temperatures and stayed on I-90 to Missoula (180 miles). There I met with an old friend and Spousal Unit rode over from our place to complete the ride with me. She was on her LBS-USA, R1200GS rig that she had picked up in March.

We took HWY 200 that runs thru Lincoln, MT to HWY 279 that runs over Flesher Pass to our place. Along the way we stopped in Ovando and had lunch at the Stray Bullet Cafe. A year ago a woman bicyclist was camping on the lawn adjacent to where we parked. She was attacked and killed by a bear while she slept in her tent.

Lunch was good, the ice tea was better.

Got Kermit to his new home after another 306 miles. Considering I had never even sat on a KLR before picking up Kermit, I think we got along well.

I’ve added a few things since getting Kermit home. A tachometer, Harbor Freight top box and a RotoPax mount I built for another rig are chief among the additions.

We live near many off road riding areas and I look forward taking Kermit on some excursions.

These are some of the changes made by LBS-USA during the build of Kermit:

• Touratech progressive springs
• Hyper Pro Rear Shock Spring
• Shock Factory shock on sidecar wheel
• Tusk
  • Folding shift lever
  • Hand guards
  • Handlebar
• JFG folding adventure foot pegs
• Double Take Adventure Mirrors
• Oxford heated grips
• Rigid 6” light bar
• Pelican Cargo Case (used)
• Eagle fork brace
• Blue Sea Systems Mini OLED DC Voltmeter

Additions I made:

• Tusk small Tank Bag
• Harbor Freight Tail Box
• Seat Pad
• Aerostich Tank Panniers
• Tachometer
• Mount for 2 one gallon Rotopax containers
• SAE plug

 

[HSVPhil]

Nice setup you've invested in, AKBeemer, for the backroad explorations anticipated in your grand Area-Code! I'm guessing U got just what you envisioned, so let the ADVentures unfold. Thanx for sharing your new acquisition with the community.
Enjoy Kermit in the months & years to come!
Sláinte! HSV-Phil & HSV-Karen

Are U planning to ride it to Lebanon, TN next June? We just enjoyed dinner with the Rally co-chairs here in Rocket City at our regular Friday night rendezvous. They're checking the route for September's MOAL "All Around Alabama" adventure where we'll wander along county roads or whatever "paved" road will allow us to ride the perimeter of the state without crossing a state boundary (to include the ferry ride across Mobile Bay from Fort Morgan to Dauphin Island). Predicting 1,250 miles (MT is way bigger). We might take some pix to share of some of the quaint towns and accommodations we encounter.

 

[oldcamper]

Looks good!

What’s the purpose of the large vertical bar over the hack?

 

[omega man]

Another first class adventure from AKBEEMER!
Thanks Kevin.
OM

 

[akbeemer]

Looks good!

What’s the purpose of the large vertical bar over the hack?

Well, that is a very good question that doesn't have a clear answer. It has been referred to as a roll bar, light bar and passenger assist bar, but none of those descriptions hold much water. It has become somewhat of a trademark for LBS-USA. It does make a convienent place to attach a harness for when our dogs ride with us, but Annie has discovered its true purpose .......... the coat rack.

 

[GTRider]

Nice rig! It looks very well suited for exploring the back country and I’m sure you’ll have many miles of fun with it.

Best,
DeVern

 

[riderr1150gsadv]

That is a great looking rig! Congratulations and many happy miles!

 

[akbeemer]

Got the PakMul out for a ride on some of our local mountain tracks. Spousal Unit was along on her Ural Gear Up.


This was taken on the high ground above Marysville, MT. Marysville was a booming mining town in early 1900s, but all that ended when the gold and silver ran out. This shows the smoke filled Silver Creek Valley where our home is.

This was taken along the Dump Road. Why it is called that, I do not know.

 

[HSVPhil]

You've obviously got a well thought-out plan AKB, but why do U get the Light-Weight PakMul and your Bride gets the Biggly Ural Beast? I'm guessing she'll be needing something more 'manageable' for your random outings in the country...
If She Ain't Happy, then ain't nobody's happy in Big Sky Country.
Keep the rubber side down - unless you intend to fly das sidecar around the bend...
Ciao, HSV-Phil & HSV-Karen