New Member

[KrisMoto]

Hi Everyone,

Been riding off and on since I was a kid. Always kept my dirt and street separate until now. All the fires, floods and disease got me feeling a little mad max and I just bought a 2022 500 exc and sold an FJ-09.

Big racing fan, been to Baja 1000 as a spectator in 2016.

I live in Van but I have property at the North end of the WABDR in Oroville WA and I always see kitted bikes passing through. Gonna do that one this year. Maybe some Oregon and or Idaho. Definitely some BC trips.

Anyway I will be lurking mostly and might chime in here and there. Thanks to the people that manage the forum...

 

[VstromSteve]

Hey Krismoto

I’m also new to the forum and the dual sport world. Had Dirtbikes for years and I still do but looking at doing some bigger rides now. I wanna go thru the states this summer and in BC when time and weather permit. If you are ever looking for a riding buddy let me know. I live out in Whiterock and will be trying to get out lots.

Cheers
Steve

 

[LordEndo]

Welcome!

 

[Bash]

Hey everyone, new member to this forum. I'm in the West Kootenay, I ride a KTM 690 Enduro R, I commute on the bike through the summer and try to do a few multi day trips. planning t a 2 week trip this summer from Rossland to the coast, around Vancouver island, then up to Bella Coola and down through the Chilcotins. Any route recommendations are appreciated, I've been looking at the TCAT, we want to do as much dirt as possible and are always up for some moderately technical challenging trails.

 

[DR_Ben]

Hi All.
New to the forum and, like Kris, previously kept my dirt/street separate. Sold my CBR 600 for a 2005 DR650 and love it. My gasgas trials bike has been sitting for weeks. I am almost 40 and about an "intermediate" rider.
I am in Victoria, so mostly riding the South Island.
Hit me up if you guys are getting on a ferry.

 

[Rustic]

Hey everyone, new member to this forum. I'm in the West Kootenay, I ride a KTM 690 Enduro R, I commute on the bike through the summer and try to do a few multi day trips. planning t a 2 week trip this summer from Rossland to the coast, around Vancouver island, then up to Bella Coola and down through the Chilcotins. Any route recommendations are appreciated, I've been looking at the TCAT, we want to do as much dirt as possible and are always up for some moderately technical challenging trails.

Welcome Bash,

Bash sounds like my riding style. Check the ride reports section for more info, also we are on facebook and you will get many more responses there eventhough we prefer the forum. SOunds like a great trip.

 

[Rustic]

Hi All.
New to the forum and, like Kris, previously kept my dirt/street separate. Sold my CBR 600 for a 2005 DR650 and love it. My gasgas trials bike has been sitting for weeks. I am almost 40 and about an "intermediate" rider.
I am in Victoria, so mostly riding the South Island.
Hit me up if you guys are getting on a ferry.

DR_Ben,

I have a few DR650's in my stable from 1992 to 2018 and the platform is my go to swiss army do all bike but this last year I got a beta390rrs street legal dualsport and love it, then I also bought an older R1150gs for two up with the wife, just might have to sell the DRs or one or two of them. LOL.
Welcome to the group, need any advice on the DR hit me up.

 

[DR_Ben]

DR_Ben,

I have a few DR650's in my stable from 1992 to 2018 and the platform is my go to swiss army do all bike but this last year I got a beta390rrs street legal dualsport and love it, then I also bought an older R1150gs for two up with the wife, just might have to sell the DRs or one or two of them. LOL.
Welcome to the group, need any advice on the DR hit me up.

Thanks Rustic,
I was torn between the DRZ and the DR, but glad I chose the bush-pig. The 1992 DR650 is very different from the 1996 and up ones, yes? more power, less comfort?
An old R1150gs seems like an amazing bike for the dollar. All those BMW guys want the latest and greatest, and they probably maintain their bikes well and can afford to sell the old-bike for less.
How are your DR's modded up?

My bikes previous-owner did the BST carb mods, and I replaced that too-loud Supertrapp with a GSXR 40F0 exhaust, that I am really happy with. It seems to run fairly well as is, but the low RPM shake of the BST has me researching replacement carbs (FCR-MX vs TM40). What do you think?
- Have you tried any non-stock carb on your DRs?
- What gearing do you like?
- Rear shock worth replacing?

I replaced my rear-tire a couple days ago. I used the tire-irons and bead-buddy thing that I carry around to simulate having to fix a tire on the trail. Damn, that was not easy... took way too long and I struggled to seat the bead (even with an air compressor). I don't think I want to do this on the trail. Thoughts? I am thinking I should just carry big zip-ties (to hold tire onto rim) and limp the bike out of the trail when I pop a tire, then call a cab and carry the whole wheel to a shop. edit: I have since realized the the heidenau K60 rear tire is one of the more difficult to mount.

I could probably keep going with more questions.

 

[KrisMoto]

Every tire/rim combo is a bit different and some are harder than others. Also if the tire on that bike is older they can get a bit stiff.

Watch a bunch of youtube videos and develop some technics.

Every time you bring it to the shop is one last chance to practice. Malle Moto trail fixing is part of the experience.

I learned patience as a teen logging and wrenching on equipment in the bush. You either had heat and mosquitos or -30 deg to work in. I had to relay a message once to my dad over the radio after hrs trying to get a driveline apart. Long story short, the message came back "use a bigger hammer". It was about -30, I had a fire on the side of the road to warm my hands and defrost the tears from my face... I got it eventually. Now every time I feel beat, I hear my dad's voice "use a bigger hammer" and I carry on.

I carry 3 irons 2 shorties and one longer one (bigger hammer).

 

[DR_Ben]

Every tire/rim combo is a bit different and some are harder than others. Also if the tire on that bike is older they can get a bit stiff.

I learned patience as a teen logging and wrenching on equipment in the bush. You either had heat and mosquitos or -30 deg to work in. I had to relay a message once to my dad over the radio after hrs trying to get a driveline apart. Long story short, the message came back "use a bigger hammer". It was about -30, I had a fire on the side of the road to warm my hands and defrost the tears from my face... I got it eventually. Now every time I feel beat, I hear my dad's voice "use a bigger hammer" and I carry on.

I carry 3 irons 2 shorties and one longer one (bigger hammer).

Hi KrisMoto,

Thanks for the reply.

Yes, I need more tire-change practice. I am also tellign myself it will be easier, especially as a noob to tire-levers, with a different tire as the k60 is apparently hard to change.

Do you have experience with zap-strapping the tire to the rim to limp a bike out a few miles (or a dozen)? I wouldn't attempt this for longer stretches.

Another (probably stupid) idea: I could set up my rims as if to go "tubeless" (seal spoke holes, gasket thing around inflation point) but run a tube like normal. then when you get a flat, just inflate the tire (might need to carry tubeless-tire repair kit). Even if the rim isn't perfectly air-tight, as long as it holds air for 10-20min at a time, I would just re-inflate a few times as I limp the bike to the nearest road.

 

[KrisMoto]

I think your over thinking it. You shouldn't be getting that many flats. I run HD tubes and keep a reasonable pressure and have vary few flats. If you change your own tires when they wear out you get a good idea of what you will need to get it done on the trail.

For basic maintenance and repairs I try to use the tool kit that I pack on the bike. This way you know what you have will work or if you need to add something to your kit.

If you run bead locks you don't need the zip ties.

 

[KrisMoto]

Well, I had to put my money where my mouth is this weekend!

 

[BRYAN690R]

Isn't it uncanny how it's possible to pick up a nail in the middle of nowhere?
Murphy's Law in action

 

[DR_Ben]

Update: I replaced my front tire (shinko 244) and changing it was amazingly easy compared to the Heidenau K60 rear I did before.

I am not looking forward to dealing with the K60 again, especially as I just noticed some chunking and cracking of the knobs on it, after only 1500kms.