Topic: The Motorcycling Thread

[Sir Osis of Liver]

My KX250 FI will bump start, but dirtbike  .

Hurting today, locked on front brake on hard pack last night and slammed down on hip/shoulder.  Writhed around on the ground for a while but only sore body and bruises today.  Gave junior a bit of worry though when Dad went down  .

It's all the rage this season! 

Glad you're ok. 

[bridgecity]

My KX250 FI will bump start, but dirtbike  .

Hurting today, locked on front brake on hard pack last night and slammed down on hip/shoulder.  Writhed around on the ground for a while but only sore body and bruises today.  Gave junior a bit of worry though when Dad went down  .

It's all the rage this season! 

Glad you're ok. 

Thanks Sir O, very minor compared to your performance 

[bridgecity]

My KX250 FI will bump start, but dirtbike  .

Hurting today, locked on front brake on hard pack last night and slammed down on hip/shoulder.  Writhed around on the ground for a while but only sore body and bruises today.  Gave junior a bit of worry though when Dad went down  .

Ouch.  You are just showing him how resilient you are. 

Yes, of course  .  The Kawi which I just bought this spring has been laid down more times than my previous Suzuki, which I rode for three seasons.

Tires? Suspension set up different? Keep this up and you need a steering stabilizer.

Ya, i dunno KTM. Tires are good. Haven’t played with the suspension yet. Bike is larger than the Suzuki, I may just be pushing it too hard before getting used to it.

[blur911]

Did she try to bump start it?

Some bikes just won't bump start.  Most any fuel injected, but some carbed as well, my DRZ400 for example, if the battery is dead, pushing will not do it.

Hmm weird mt DRZE would bump start. Why wouldn't it do it?

It wouldn't bump start if the battery was dead, if the battery was charged up enough then it could bump start.  Must be an ignition thing.

[dkaz]

I bump started my old scooter once before, and had to bump start my Mazda 3 late last year because of a weak battery. My CB300F battery is super strong and I’ve never run it down yet, knock on wood.

[rrocket]

My KX250 FI will bump start, but dirtbike  .

Hurting today, locked on front brake on hard pack last night and slammed down on hip/shoulder.  Writhed around on the ground for a while but only sore body and bruises today.  Gave junior a bit of worry though when Dad went down  .

This is why you don't scrimp on safety gear..particularly off road.

[rrocket]

Haven’t played with the suspension yet. Bike is larger than the Suzuki, I may just be pushing it too hard before getting used to it.

You need to set the sag, at the very least, NOW. Be sure to set the sag fully geared up. This is far more important on an off road bike.

Who knows how the previous owner has it set up.

This is the very first thing I do when I get a used bike. Put it all back to stock settings, adjust the sag and go from there.

[rrocket]

Got out for a night ride. I much say, the lighting is REALLY good...particularly the brights.

[bridgecity]

My KX250 FI will bump start, but dirtbike  .

Hurting today, locked on front brake on hard pack last night and slammed down on hip/shoulder.  Writhed around on the ground for a while but only sore body and bruises today.  Gave junior a bit of worry though when Dad went down  .

This is why you don't scrimp on safety gear..particularly off road.

I agree with the first part of your statement, but not the second. I view on road riding as much more dangerous. The surface to fall on while on road will almost always be unforgiving. Not so much off road. Additionally, little traffic off road. My opinion anyway.

[rrocket]

My KX250 FI will bump start, but dirtbike  .

Hurting today, locked on front brake on hard pack last night and slammed down on hip/shoulder.  Writhed around on the ground for a while but only sore body and bruises today.  Gave junior a bit of worry though when Dad went down  .

This is why you don't scrimp on safety gear..particularly off road.

I agree with the first part of your statement, but not the second. I view on road riding as much more dangerous. The surface to fall on while on road will almost always be unforgiving. Not so much off road. Additionally, little traffic off road. My opinion anyway.

Off road you fall much more frequently...it's almost a normal part of riding.

[bridgecity]

My KX250 FI will bump start, but dirtbike  .

Hurting today, locked on front brake on hard pack last night and slammed down on hip/shoulder.  Writhed around on the ground for a while but only sore body and bruises today.  Gave junior a bit of worry though when Dad went down  .

This is why you don't scrimp on safety gear..particularly off road.

I agree with the first part of your statement, but not the second. I view on road riding as much more dangerous. The surface to fall on while on road will almost always be unforgiving. Not so much off road. Additionally, little traffic off road. My opinion anyway.

Off road you fall much more frequently...it's almost a normal part of riding.

Why you bustin balls about setting sag then? 

[rrocket]

I'm not busting balls..just advice from a lifetime or racing/riding off road.

You'd be surprised how bad some bikes suspension was out to lunch when bought used.

[bridgecity]

I’m kidding man. Why so serious 

[rrocket]

I’m kidding man. Why so serious  [emoji14]

I know you were joking. LOL

[dkaz]

I’d think crashing into trees whether one is riding on or off road will hurt more than sliding out on dirt or pavement.

[rrocket]

I’d think crashing into trees whether one is riding on or off road will hurt more than sliding out on dirt or pavement.

Well it's funny you mention that...

Off road, riding single track particularly, I'd get "speared" by branches. It also necessitated hand guards to keep these same branches from potentially hitting the front brake level.

Also, objects of concern when falling were rocks (any size! ), tree roots, etc

Even compared to road RACING, I've fallen many, many more times off road. Granted, these are difficult conditions...but still.

[ktm525]

For sure. That is why a woods bike needs a good set of bark busters, rad guards, front safetly wired brake and shifter levers, steering stabilzer...

I laugh at most of the promotional dirtbike/enduro bike review on youtube. You have a guy that is well on the wrong side of 200 on a stock bike. When Mr fat ass sits on the bike you can see the sag is much more than the 110-120mm usually specified. Then they go on to criticize the suspension and handling. How about setting the suspension first Einstein?

For example I am about 210 with gear  (add on another 10lbs for camelback and tools. As much as 220lbs.) on my new bike I had to go up two spring rates for the rear and two spring rates for the forks. This keeps the bike suspension riding where it is supposed to and not half sagged out. The forks feel nice and plush, I can't imagine what stock would have been.

[mlin32]

I'd been debating about taking a road trip with my R3 the last week or so, and intently staring at the weather forecast.

Would have been a ride from my place down to the Vosges (88), and then spending a few nights there to take advantage of the holiday. I've been there before by car and the roads and scenery are extremely pretty. About 800-900km altogether over 4 days.

But while the weather forecast has improved Sat-Sun, Thurs-Fri still look dicey. Also, I don't think I can do the whole trip with just my rucksack; none of my relocation items have arrived yet (!!!) and therefore my tailbag is missing, as are my riding boots. So reluctantly I think I'll do the trip by car and save the motorcycle road trip for another weekend.  Bummer, I was kinda looking forward to doing some touring there.

[ktm525]

I'd been debating about taking a road trip with my R3 the last week or so, and intently staring at the weather forecast.

Would have been a ride from my place down to the Vosges (88), and then spending a few nights there to take advantage of the holiday. I've been there before by car and the roads and scenery are extremely pretty. About 800-900km altogether over 4 days.

But while the weather forecast has improved Sat-Sun, Thurs-Fri still look dicey. Also, I don't think I can do the whole trip with just my rucksack; none of my relocation items have arrived yet (!!!) and therefore my tailbag is missing, as are my riding boots. So reluctantly I think I'll do the trip by car and save the motorcycle road trip for another weekend.  Bummer, I was kinda looking forward to doing some touring there.

Just go for it. In the end you really only need a toothbrush and a credit card.

[mlin32]

I'd been debating about taking a road trip with my R3 the last week or so, and intently staring at the weather forecast.

Would have been a ride from my place down to the Vosges (88), and then spending a few nights there to take advantage of the holiday. I've been there before by car and the roads and scenery are extremely pretty. About 800-900km altogether over 4 days.

But while the weather forecast has improved Sat-Sun, Thurs-Fri still look dicey. Also, I don't think I can do the whole trip with just my rucksack; none of my relocation items have arrived yet (!!!) and therefore my tailbag is missing, as are my riding boots. So reluctantly I think I'll do the trip by car and save the motorcycle road trip for another weekend.  Bummer, I was kinda looking forward to doing some touring there.

Just go for it. In the end you really only need a toothbrush and a credit card.

I was glad I didn't. The mountain roads were wet after some showers on Thursday, and it poured buckets on Friday afternoon. Saturday there were a zillion (mostly German) motorcyclists on the Route des Crêtes but I was happier on my road bike and didn't totally envy them. Actually got annoyed at some of them for brushing so close to me with a wide open opposing lane.

If the stars align I plan to do a track day at Anneau du Rhin at month end, in which case I will rent a van to shuttle the bike down. The two days after that, I could just ride the R3 since I'd be already there, and not have to deal with the 270km boring stretch of highway. I still prefer track riding over road riding, really.