Dual sport bikes

Ascona73 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> john vanlandingham Wrote:
> > Bear in mind that over a 30 year period in
> amateur
> > moto-cross that the class with the highest
> > percentage of guys REALLY USING THE MOTOR
> FULLY
> > was 125cc class, the class with the next
> highest %
> > was 250, and the worldwide consistently
> predicable
> >
> > highest percentage of guys going buuuuh-wa-
> bding
> > ding ding ding---ba ba bawahhhhh, ding ding
> ding
> > ding ding ba wah ding ding ding.... little
> > squirts, then throttle off and coast towards
> > corners--was "Open" class.
>
>
> I say this with the highest respect John, it's
> posts like these that make me really love this
> forum. I almost pissed myself reading it.
> SS.com is missing out...
>
> Bob

Well thank you, Bob.
It's funny but 30 years after my first performance car rubuild i still don't think of myself as a car guy.
EVERYTHING I say or suggest is derived from my bike background.
My emphasis on some OK engine performance BUT FUR SURE getting the gearing and final drive right, my emphasis on VERY STRONG shells, veru stong CONTROLLABLE brakes, and GOOD suspesion all comes from having all that stuff as a "given" and seeing way back when what a difference having "REAL DAMN GOOD" stuff made in the FUN quotient.

And if stuff is way more FUN, then we stick with the crap longer and if we stick with stuff longer, then we get better, and when we get better, we are more satisfied, and stick with the sport longer.

But the stuff has to be REAL FUN.
And if you're a long term bike guy, that means it's a car that is significantly different from a street optimised cars in many areas.

In short, if you've been spoiled by good dirt bikes, a car has to be pretty good to give ya a similar dollar to laugh ratio.
(Hence the cars and builds I push)
>
>
>
> Opel is a 4-letter word...

---

John Vanlandingham
Sleezattle, WA, USA

Vive le Prole-le-ralliat

www.rallyrace.net/jvab
CALL +1 206 431-9696
Remember! Pacific Standard Time
is 3 hours behind Eastern Standard Time.

Thank you for the advice. All great stuff.

Eli

Gord,

I posted in the dual sport thread because it was fitting for the road trip I was doing across Canada on my xcountry. I completely agree with you that it is not for single track use, and more suitable for fire road, and forestry roads (the roads we rally on).

In the forums in BC, people with DRZ 400 were mentioning that they were topping out at 120 km/h... perhaps they heavy dudes ? The one I test rode didn't have a lot left when I got to 115 and I'm 205 - 215 lbs. depending on which time of year. (post Christmas 215, and pre summer 205) : )

It's of course important to select a bike that's suatable for the style of riding that you're going to do. I wanted a bike that was fun on the street, good in congested traffic, decent on the highway, and could still get my ass to remote rustic hot springs in the mountains in BC. There are alot of forest service roads in the mountains, and branching off of them are smaller roads that go to alpine lakes, mountain vista's etc. That's the type of off road I wanted to do.

After 4900 KM in less than 2 weeks I've gotton to know the bike well. I like the adjustable mono shock that has an easy to adjust knob for hardness and the 13mm nut for adjusting the damper. The front forks are not tunable and that's a bit of a boner, if you ask me.

The fuel tank is only 9.5L and since it's at the center of the bike (similar to the Harley VROD) it's not possible to simply bolt on a 4 gallon Clark's tank as is the case on the DRZ.

The stretch on the Trans Canada highway from Sault St. Marie to Thunder Bay was a blast on the bike, where it handled turns well at 150 KM/H +.

I live in area of Cranberry fields with lots of dikes right out the backyard... so the first 3KM or the last 3KM are on the gravel dikes which is pretty cool for living in the city.

Averall I'm very happy with the bike, and it's a joy to ride.

In increasing the performance... there's not too much available. The factory highly restrictive "can" which exceeds Euro3 emission standards is heavy, and makes an unflattering sound.

Akrapovic makes a slip on for the bike that does not affect the factory 3 year / unlimited KM warranty (fucking great warranty !) but it MSRP's for $2200 CAD ! That's just for the fucking slip on and no manifold / header tube. I've been quoted as low as $1600 in Canada and $1200 from Ventura BMW in California for the slip on... But still, waaaay too much for a couple of HP and a knarly sound.

I used to ride an IT 175 in the early 80's, since then I've ridden a CR 125, and the BMW is definately the least suitable off road hardcore fun, but is by far the most versatile and I believe that makes it a decent dual sport.

Morten makes a good point. Each dual sport bike represents a different compromise between single track and freeway use. So kick back have a beer and think about how you plan to ride and there is probably something that works best for you.

Here in the east the fast guys seem to be running the Aprilia SXV and the Husky te510sm. Lot's of guys on hardware from drz400 to BMW HP2 that can win a stage at any given time. It's rally its about the riders skill and committment more than the equipment.

---

Matt Smith

Racing in glorious black and red

My daily life is a Saab story (sold!)

I just spent 3-5hrs of my time up in Alaska riding a 225 yamaha (blue right?) trail bike. also spent 3hrs putting through mountain bike shops looking at dual suspension bikes.

as a first ( second ) timer on the motor bike, yeah they're fun.
I wouldnt need to go any faster.

mountain bikes are healthier.

but here's the thing. when I can ride a bicycle 8min to work, and would half an hour in a car or by bike to get to any trails, I'll choose to spend 3thousand on the rally car/event.

who's morten3? fill the news/rules

---

"I put the hurt on dirt" - adam crane
http://CraneRallyCrew.com
corolla gt-s "Patches"
Op: S.S.