Krustys Dual Sport Adventure

[twr1776]

Myself, Krusty, Wazz, and Gimpy did a small Michigan trip Friday & Saturday. Here are the few pictures of our "adventure". The XR & DR did very well and the KLR's while lots of fun on gravel and double track roads did not appreciate the deep sand we ran into. We stayed on the south side of Grand Rapids and went to the Gun Lake/Yankee Springs area and Allegan State Park area.

Joes XR600

Gregs DR350

Brians "Turd II"

My "Clown Bike"

We found lots of gravel roads to check out, the "Public Hunting" area roads were pretty tough and we also tried a "Seasonal Road" which was extremely tough. The XR & DR did well but the KLR's were a bit overmatched by the 4" - 6" deep sand we ran into on the seasonal roads.

Public Hunting area road taking a break

This was the limit of the KLR's comfort zone, at least for me. You still ended up plowing the front end and getting pitched pretty good by the sand. A couple of oh sh@t moments but.......... We learned pretty quickly to let the "real" dirt bikes go in first.

Seasonal Road (Brian & I did not try this part of it) we had made it though a couple deep sandy areas before this one but I ran out of courage at this point.

No bargain going back up this way but it looked better than going forward at this point.

On the way back we stopped at the dam at the Allegan State Game Area

 

[1074cm3]

Looks like fun.Any time spent riding is always better than workin' - Thanks for the pics

 

[doug g]

what tank is on that DR? I am looking for one for mine.

 

[Joe Nardy]

This was the maiden voyage for the XR600R and I must say I couldn't be happier. It started on the first kick 90% of the time and usually no more than 3 kicks. It was a bit finicky in the morning as I haven't nailed down a solid cold start procedure yet. It was perfectly comfortable running 70-75 mph on the highway and docile enough to putt around towns at 25 mph. Off road, it was awesome. It is a torque monster and is a blast to roost around on. The best part is the handling. I guessed on a suspension setup but must have gotten pretty close as it never bottomed out or jarred too much. I was most impressed with the stability and tracking. The thing just hooks up, turns great, tracks straight, and is one of the easiest to ride off-road bikes I have ridden, although I really don't have that much experience.

I can't wait for our next dual-sport adventure!

Joe

 

[7981GS]

Those roads look like Nevada with trees!
The trick to deep sand is to ride on top of it. GO FAST! (35-45 mph)
Go slow and you plow in and fall over.
Joe, the trick to the XR cold starting is to bring it to comp. then open the comp release and get it just past, then kick one kick with choke on.
Same with the next kick with choke off and just follow through.
The third kick, you try to start it.
Warm start is no choke and one kick.
When kicking, always take it just past TDC by using the comp release.

Eric

 

[ptexotik]

what tank is on that DR? I am looking for one for mine.

Acerbis (with 2 x petcock)

 

[Redman]

Myself, Krusty, Wazz, and Gimpy did a small Michigan trip Friday & Saturday. Here are the few pictures of our "adventure". ....
.....
.....
We found lots of gravel roads to check out, the "Public Hunting" area roads were pretty tough and we also tried a "Seasonal Road" which was extremely tough.
......

Tim,

Thanks for posting.
WHen you mentioned "Gun Lake' I thought that sounded familiar.

Maybe you guys can make that trip again in June (I think). THat is close to the Gilmore Museam that has an annaul vintage bike show.

I liked your somewhat similar posting of your Smokey adventure.
I looked that this posting wanting to see if was a picture of you 3 galloots in the cab of one truck. But apparently you rode this time (and was 4 of yahs)

SO, .... if I understand what you guys are saying, and apply it to what I have been thinking .....
Over the years I have been searching for interesting roads to ride around here, found a limited amount. What you are saying is that my searching has been limited by looking for paved roads. My bike is limiting my search.


But .... there was this time last year that my son and I were on a all day ride to up by Manistee, and he wanted to show me "his" camping spot up in the national forrest.

2nd Picture is right next to road. Further in was much more sandy.
There was some times that I was not going where I wanted to, but just trying to keep it moving and somewhat upright. Low gear, high revs, weight on pegs. I wasnt concerned about spinning tire (with shaft drive) and did fairly well. SOn was concerned about spinning, and later he had to say he was impressed that the full dresser did better than his little sport bike. I had opportunity to brag about experience and skill.

Dave



.

 

[shirazdrum]

The trick to deep sand is to ride on top of it. GO FAST! (35-45 mph)
Go slow and you plow in and fall over.
Eric

Listen to Eric. I'm gonna amend his recipe, and add dirt and gravel to it too. The faster you go the easier it gets. But the damn sand has it's limits. When it gets too deep, all bets are off. Like this:

Redman, Do you have a picture of your GS from the back? I thought mine was wide but yours looks like a Goldwing in comparison.

 

[salty_monk]

I like my KLR for go anywhere aspect.

The biggest factor is tyres in my (limited) experience so far. The bike is more capable offroad than the 80/20 tyres for sure.

 

[DMPLATT]

Looks like a blast. Tim, thanks for the pics. So you guys ALL have dual sport bikes now? Addicting, isn't it?

Curious as to why the KLRs didn't do well in the sand. Is it just the weight issue or perhaps the tire set up?

 

[tkent02]

KLR 650, heavy as a GS, way too tall, with little power.
The DR 350s kick ass, especially the ones with bigger engines

 

[twr1776]

#10 Yesterday, 10:34 AM DMPLATT Looks like a blast. Tim, thanks for the pics. So you guys ALL have dual sport bikes now? Addicting, isn't it?

Why yes, yes it is. Nice thing is with heated grips and mostly plastic/aluminum I have been able to get out most weekends all winter for at least a few miles.

Curious as to why the KLRs didn't do well in the sand. Is it just the weight issue or perhaps the tire set up?

Yes on the weight, the 650's are around # 400 lbs which is pretty heavy for a dirt bike, and yes on tires. Brian was running Shinko 700 tires which are pretty much full knobbies and I had 705's which are 80 street /20 dirt tires. Both seemed about the same traction wise although I did not lower the tire pressure for the sand and I don't think Brian did either which is recommended and we probably should have done. The KLR650 is definately taller than "true" dirt bike would be. As Dan mentioned I also don't have much "trail experience". Hauling a@@ though trees while getting pitched side to side by the sand ruts is definately above my skill level. The KLR's are still a blast to ride and other than deep sand or mud will pretty much go anywhere you want them to go.