| Author |
Message |
    
Arry
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 05, 2014 - 02:11 am: | 
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What a bummer. Thanks for the post, it will remind me to be more cautious. Hoping you a speedy recovery, and back in the saddle again. |
Buewulf
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 05, 2014 - 10:35 am: |
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Bummer. At least your foot isn't messed up. The important thing is that the bike is OK. |
Etennuly
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 05, 2014 - 11:40 am: |
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That's a bear when you gotta use that broken part for that one momentous move to get the bike up. I also understand fully the balancing/dancing/tiptoeing/fear of it falling down when you set the side stand. BTDT many years ago.
Ya got grit!
One question.....from the second you knew it was going down......did it seem like the whole thing was in super slow motion? |
Terrible1one3
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 11, 2014 - 02:40 pm: |
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I don't mean to slam anyone, but what is the thought behind taking a street bike (especially a $15k+ one) off the asphalt?
Motorcycling is inherently dangerous even with the right tool for the job. Why increase that danger ten-fold by using the wrong bike for what you are riding?
I got the Uly with aspirations of 'dual sporting' it but it took me all of 10 seconds on a two track to realize it just isn't close to practical.
If you really want to have fun off road you may want to look into a real dual sport. KTM makes a bunch, the Japanese brands make a few and there are some other's out there also. |
Buewulf
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 11, 2014 - 05:35 pm: |
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"what is the thought behind taking a street bike (especially a $15k+ one) off the asphalt? "
I personally love wrestling these big bikes off-road. It can be very rewarding so long as you respect the bike's limits. I've been hurt more often and more severely on the "right tools" because they allow for a greater performance envelope and therefore a greater penalty for failure.
A 2500-mile trip that includes some relatively unambitious mountain passes or some easy two track can be a blast on a big adventure bike. Only the two-track and mountain pass will be fun on something purpose-built: the other 2200 miles would suck.
I don't like getting a bike to a destination with a trailer, so big adventure bikes have their place with me. |
Terrible1one3
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 11, 2014 - 05:58 pm: |
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When my wife and I took our 3k mile trip through the North East and Canada we tried to cut across Maine.
Tried taking what was a 'logging' road about 20 miles. The road was washed out in a lot of places and very dangerous, on the Uly, let alone two-up. We made it 20 miles in before it was just closed and we had to back track.
I was very nervous. At first I had your mindset, "this will be a nice change of pace for the trip." Afterwards I was thanking God we didn't have any issues.
Gas, injury, break-down, stuck, no cell phone reception, miles from civilization... what seemed like a good idea turned out to be something that could have not only been very bad, but could have ruined the trip. I vowed after that experience not to leave the pavement that far from home.
I guess we live and learn but the risk isn't worth the reward. If I want to ride dirt, I get the dual sport or the dirt bike out.
________
All that said, my dream is to take a dual sport bike from Alaska to Buenos Aires Argentina or Santiago Chile. No way I would ride a heavy bike on a trip like that. Kudo's to Charley Boorman and Ewen McGregor for riding those beasts where they did.
(Message edited by terrible1one3 on February 11, 2014) |
Buewulf
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 11, 2014 - 06:19 pm: |
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"Gas, injury, break-down, stuck, no cell phone reception, miles from civilization..."
I think the possibility of those things is part of the appeal sickly enough. To each his own, I guess. However, I wouldn't want to risk making an impact crater with my wife's body either, so I can understand how that would have been no fun for you. I would never do something like that 2-up.
You'd be surprised what the simple addition of a knobby tire can do for a bike. Be sure to mount some TKC80's before you start that trip to Buenos Aires.  |
Kag
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 11, 2014 - 09:46 pm: |
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Yep TKC80's on the menu when I wear this set of tires out |
Terrible1one3
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 12, 2014 - 11:18 am: |
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Buewulf, no way would I take that trip on the Uly..
Would be on a KLX or something like that. |
Buewulf
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 12, 2014 - 08:23 pm: |
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"Would be on a KLX or something like that."
After the first 1000 miles, I'd bet you would be more willing to carry that KLX the rest of the way rather than ride it.
I've never taken any adventures as long or ambitious as Ewen and Charlie. But I have taken some pretty ragged rides in Africa and this country on a few different bikes, one being a 250. I can sum up my advice to anyone planning to take a multi-day, dual-sport adventure with one word (number actually) - 650+. It doesn't need to be a beast; but you'll want something that takes a good seat, and the extra cc's will be appreciated on 98% of the trip.
If you are set on a 250 DS, you can start conditioning for your trip by placing a 2x4 between two saw horses, lighting it on fire, and straddling it all day long. On the 2" side. Sleep, repeat. Cursing helps. |
Terrible1one3
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 12, 2014 - 08:47 pm: |
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Buewulf, haha. The last part had me laughing.
I don't doubt there is much wisdom in your words. |
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