| Author | Message | ||
     Mattmcc00 |
Hi all, I am taking my Level 2 Offroad certification on Sunday, Private lesson with Charles Greff! Awesome! This is from the BMW school, although I will be on my Uly. You might remember when I took my level 1 2 years ago. Getting a fresh set of TKC80 but on Friday. I'll let you know how it goes. MMcC | ||
| Free_bird |
Good luck & have fun. | ||
| Chorizo |
Good luck Matt. Brave man on a Uly. Report back on the TC's. | ||
| Chorizo |
Uh I mean TKC's | ||
| Mattmcc00 |
GOt my TKCs on friday, boy are they slippery! had my tail waging all the way home. Decided to take out for some practice on Sat before my level 2.     Unfortunately I just got an SMS from Charles, he hurt his back and cannot give me a class today  | ||
| Mattmcc00 |
Got a call on Monday (state holiday) From Charles saying that his back was better and could give me my level 2! Awesome! Nothing like private lessons! wow! did some CRAZY hill climbs and descents, controlled power-silde turns, off camber hill ascent and traverse, and tons of other stuff. Some of the climbs and descents I thought were way too steep and too full of rocks to do on a motorcycle, let alone on these big bikes (Instructor was using a BMW HP2); but we did it. Its amazing what you can do with proper technique and skill. When we started out Charles said that first he wanted to see if I could do the level 1 skills properly before going to level 2. SO he had me do a few of the exercises that i had done 2 years ago in my level 1 when he stopped me! I was worried I thought I was doing alright. He said that he had never seen anyone ever ride a Buell offroad as well as I did  , He said follow me we're going to a more difficult site. Didn't have anytime to take any pictures, but i'll try to go back to the site and take some clips and photos. Cheers all! | ||
| Road_kill |
Awesome Mathieu. Sounds like fun. I have set up my '08 Uly to be a bit more off-road oriented; XB9 gearing, TKC80's, and my brand new Drummer SS with skidplate (your previous post inspired me to call Kevin - love it). Locally, there are only sandy backroads. However, this fall I plan to explore north Georgia for some tame jeep trails. Eventually, I'd like to take the bike up to Alaska and explore some roads I stayed away from on previous trips. I need some off-road lessons. Just not as good off-road on the (heavy) Uly as I was on my old dirt bikes - or trials bikes. Lessons sound like a good plan. | ||
| Mattmcc00 |
I found the best off road mods were: - The TKC80 tires, - new grippy pegs, - adustment to clutch and front brake to allow usage standing up, - Skidplate. I have loads more mods but those were the most important I think. Tell me more about the XB9 gearing? how does it differ? how does it help? My biggest issue is the clutch. Its too hard and wears out my forearm. Its hard to be able to do more than about an hour or low speed technical stuff without getting numb. | ||
| Uly_man |
"My biggest issue is the clutch. Its too hard and wears out my forearm. Its hard to be able to do more than about an hour or low speed technical stuff without getting numb". I would guess it would be. Why? Because this is not a dedicated "off road" bike. Its a street bike and the fact it can "off road" at all is something special given what it is. Oh and you will burn out the clutch in the end. | ||
| Road_kill |
the XB9 lowers the gear ratios ~11% via smaller front primary sprocket (and shorter primary chain). I love it as I do not have to slip the clutch nearly as often as I used to. Even so,the OEM clutch pull gets a bit old in the slow, off-road mode. Sooo, I purchased a hydraulic clutch conversion from American Sportbike. http://www.americansportbike.com/shoponline/ccp0-p rodshow/A9154.html I have yet to put it on as I waiting to get some Barkbusters - the new clutch perch won't allow use of the OEM hand protectors AND the Barkbusters are more functional and look cool. Also, I put on 2" ROX risers and 2" lowered footpegs some time ago. http://www.preeng.com/xcart/Billet-Ulysses-Footpeg s-2-Drop.html These mods REALLY help while riding standing up. Very comfortable and stable off road. Also allows me to stretch my legs on long trips while riding pavement. After 45k miles I continue to tweak this already great machine - and keep on smiling | ||
| Arcticktm |
I did the XB9 gearing after burning out my clutch about 5 years ago. Excellent move, unless you do expressway cruising most all the time. It will help with your clutch pull issue some, because you won't need to clutch quite as often with the lower gearing. | ||
| Mattmcc00 |
Here are 2 vids of me playing around in the gravel. My Forearm was getting really sore during the second vid. Hydraulic clutch conversion, interesting.... I'll have to look into this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_z9tVjG_EBo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haeFoZrooOA | ||
| Mattmcc00 |
Roadkill. I already have those same peg on my Uly. I love them too. In fact, I like them so much I also bought their brake, and shifter as well. | ||
| Tootal |
I'm surprised you're riding off road without the XB9 gearing. Makes a huge difference. I made it from Ouray to Lake City Colorado going up Engineer Pass but had to slip the clutch like a two stroke to make some of the hairpins! When I got home I put in the XB9. The next trip to Colorado was soooo much easier off the pavement. I highly recommend it.  | ||
| Mattmcc00 |
I heard that it tightens up the gears ratio though. Thats a bad thing offroad. The way I see it I'd like to have power available throughout the RPM spectrum rather than concentrated around 1 area. Thus a wide ratio should be preferable over a tighter ratio. correct? | ||
| Chorizo |
The XB9 gear will allow you to ride slower without the need for feathering the clutch so much. I changed mine and prefer it for the type of riding I do. For one the last 2 miles to my house is a private winding dirt/paved road with a 15 MPH limit. I respectfully go a little over. With the XB12 gear I was always needing to shift between 1st and 2nd and work the clutch. The XB9 allows you to leave it in 2nd and chug along. On most roads its almost like and automatic. Put it in 4th and go 20 to 60MH. The bike rips much better in spirited twisty roads and will still go over 100 easy. It also reminds me when Im going too fast. At 80 on the freeway I think oh, better slow down dont need tickets. Before it was easy to drone on well past 90. The XB9 has got better engine breaking and accelerating as the bike rides closer to the top of the power curve. Its just more usable power. In stock form I didnt use 5th much anyway. The trade off is about 2MPG for my style of riding. I still have the 12 gear but I doubt I go back. | ||
| Jamba |
Great vids, Matt  I like riding Uly offroad too! My thoughts for better offroad handling: -risers, stock bar is good, but too low position -pegs more to front, riding position really much better. You don't have to bend your upper body towards front. I did't find anywhere, so i made my own. I had to shorten gear selector too. This helps a lot to sore hands.. -19" front wheel, makes offroad much more enjoyable | ||
| Mattmcc00 |
Jamba, how did you get a 19" wheel to work? MMcC | ||
| Chorizo |
Ya Jamba dont hold back. This could be interesting . | ||
| Jamba |
It's not my idea, just copied it from here: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/disc us.cgi?pg=prev&topic=142838&page=409771 | ||
| Jamba |
I have only few pics when building; klick thumbnails      |
