Next Sunday, April 6th, Dual-Sport/Adv bike ride

[TTD]

Anyone off any of the next 4 days? Looking like good weather... would like to explore some of the stuff we didn't get to today.

[TTD]

Today's map... according to Bill's GPS

[theothersean]

A few more random shots

[old timer]

Next time warn us that Bruce is in the pictures so we can put on sunglasses...

BTW , standing on the pegs wouldn't have helped an RC51 on those trails...but thanks anyways...

[theothersean]

one of the first things I did when I got home was to put the chain press tool in the tank bag of the dual sport. Now I just need to remember to get a new link when I go to the dealer to pick up my skid plate.

BTW hammer down, I'm not sure how old that chain is, but the rear sprocket looked pretty worn, more like a saw blade rather than a sprocket, my guess is that the front sprocket is probably the same way. Although I could have just been seeing things .

[mycirus]

Here is some of my pics. Who has the one of me going through the puddle???

Bruce

[Ken C]

Good time. It was my first ride of the season and I couldn't have had more fun, except if I had made it ALL the way to the top of the hill climb.
I've got some good shots of Bruce and Leah going through the big puddle. I'll post 'em tonight.

[TTD]

Everyone clean their bikes?

Just got ready to clean mine and notice my front axle nut missing!!!

Fortunately, the pinch bolts kept everything together, but that's a biggie.

Another reason to keep your bikes clean.

[theothersean]

Everyone clean their bikes?

Just got ready to clean mine and notice my front axle nut missing!!!

Fortunately, the pinch bolts kept everything together, but that's a biggie.

Another reason to keep your bikes clean.

Note to self, pack a spare axle nut in the tank bag.

[The Crashing Tomato]

That looks like sooooo much fun! I need to trade one of the MX's for a D/S somethingorother any sugestions for a 6' 250lb guy that knows how to ride just about anything comfortably ..... except a unicycle ...... those things are hard to balance

[TheIglu]

KLR650

[Ken C]

Here are some pics.

[ChR1s]

That looks like sooooo much fun! I need to trade one of the MX's for a D/S somethingorother any sugestions for a 6' 250lb guy that knows how to ride just about anything comfortably ..... except a unicycle ...... those things are hard to balance

690 Enduro

TE610

[theothersean]

That looks like sooooo much fun! I need to trade one of the MX's for a D/S somethingorother any sugestions for a 6' 250lb guy that knows how to ride just about anything comfortably ..... except a unicycle ...... those things are hard to balance

Buy a drz400s the street legal version, put the drz400E sprockets on it, a skid plate, bar guards etc.
they can be found with low miles in good condition all over the interweb for roughly $3000 + or - depending on miles and condition.

They are bullet proof, tons of after market available for them .

If you can come to terms with the fact that dual sporting isn;t MX and the horsepower is down.

[TTD]

any sugestions for a 6' 250lb guy that knows how to ride just about anything comfortably

You have to decide on what mix you'll actually be doing... as well as what the terrain is like once you do get off the pavement.

The KLR650 is probably one of the better choices for more road and easy stuff like you see in the photos.

It has a wide seat for comfort and good wind protection... so street riding up to 70mph is just fine.

If you don't plan to do a lot of road, then some of the other ones might suit you better as they will be better off road.

Personally, I have a "real" off road bike, so the KLR fits the bill for me. It is my daily driver and lets me do the stuff you see above. If I really want to go off road, I take the WR450.

[R7]

That looks like sooooo much fun! I need to trade one of the MX's for a D/S somethingorother any sugestions for a 6' 250lb guy that knows how to ride just about anything comfortably ..... except a unicycle ...... those things are hard to balance

Coming off an MX bike, I'm sure you're looking for power and the least weight..
A KTM 530 EXC-R is the best of both worlds IMO. It's one of the few that's an actual enduro/woods bike that was converted to street vs a street legal bike converted to woods. It comes fully street legal from the factory weighing in at just over 260lbs, and a stump pulling 60+hp It's a great woods/trail bike and it's smooth and quick on the streets (for a dirtbike)

[hammadown]

Everyone clean their bikes?

Just got ready to clean mine and notice my front axle nut missing!!!

Fortunately, the pinch bolts kept everything together, but that's a biggie.

Another reason to keep your bikes clean.

Given that, Im happy to take the crown of that guy with the broken chain over you taking it with an axel coming out!

[mycirus]

Here are some pics.

I think I see at which point the water entered my boots......


It was right about here where my front tire disappeared.


Bruce

[Rossy83]

Looks like it was a great time

[ChR1s]

Coming off an MX bike, I'm sure you're looking for power and the least weight..
A KTM 530 EXC-R is the best of both worlds IMO. It's one of the few that's an actual enduro/woods bike that was converted to street vs a street legal bike converted to woods. It comes fully street legal from the factory weighing in at just over 260lbs, and a stump pulling 60+hp It's a great woods/trail bike and it's smooth and quick on the streets (for a dirtbike)

Pally, there is no way that 510cc motor is pumping out 60+ horse at the wheel. But if you want a dirtbike that is rideable on the street, that'd be the one. That KTM's got a wide-ratio gearbox. My Husky TE450 is annoying to ride on the road, since the gear spacing is so tight.

The DRZ400S is a good do-it-all bike, but it's over 300 lb gassed up and doesn't have "fun" power, just adequate. It gets along okay just about everywhere though. The KLR650 rules dirt roads and is comfy for lengthy stints on pavement, but the girth of it is very intrusive for agressive off-road riding (standing). It's also softly sprung and has limited ground clearance. The 690E or TE610 would be more like a DRZ on steroids. That KTM 690 is very pricy for a single, but that's not going to stop me from at least checking one out.

[ChR1s]

For Tony:



You're welcome.

[Paul_E_D]

Hmmm... That does look like fun. I might have to look into one of those new Yammie 250s.

[TTD]

Yeah, I have and use torque wrenches...thank you.

Seriously, my best guess is that I don't have the full shop manual, so didn't know the correct torque.

I'm wondering if I just kind of "snugged it up" when I put the wheel on, and told myself I'll check the web for the right torque value... then completely forgot?

Oh well... Good thing those Japanese builders put in some redundancy.

[TheIglu]

I put red tape on any nuts that I don't completely torque while reassembling my clunkers.

KLR is fun in the woods! Little big, but what do I know, I'm half your size. I find it to be a good time to challenge me on non-extreme terrain with such a big bike.

I'm bringing enough food for everyone next time though

[TTD]

So... just got back from exploring the area that we didn't get to on Sunday.

In the past, I've stayed only on the fireroads with the KLR. Today, I met up with a new guy on a DR650 so I was feeling a little braver than when I'm alone, so I branched off on to the single track.

The KLR handled everything like a champ! A little bulky, but went where I pointed her.

However, I did test the DR650 and that definitely felt better for trail riding. I would seriously consider one of those for something with a more dirt orientation... yet still big enough to cruise at 60 to 70mph on the street with no problem.

The KLR definitely offered more wind protection and a more comfy seat, but the DR had everything else.

All I can say is that it's a great time for dual sporting... tons of choices to fit everyone.