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San Diego Adventure Riders, Hello. I posted the following URL recently in my introduction thread. However, I thought it would be more appropriate to share my gallery within this Four Days & Longer Trip sub-forum. Since I do not have a trip report, I will let the videos and images tell the story. Most videos are only 10-12 seconds long and provide a much better impression of the moment than the images (such as the video of the holy men of Nepal). SD Adv. Riders forum members may enjoy the sub-galleries titled Motorcycle Misc. Wheels which includes anything with wheels and many motorcycle/landscape images. If you enjoy motorcycling, photography and exploring different cultures, I would highly recommend a comparable trip. Australia: 6 months on a Yamaha Tenere XT660Z (Large fuel tank, fuel efficient; Bought & sold locally) India & Nepal: 3 months on a Royal Enfield Himalayan (Best domestic motorcycle for India's rough roads. RE's service shops are excellent. Rented my RE for $9/day out of New Dehli) Thailand: 1 month rental on a Honda CB500. The best rental bike available for Thailand, IMHO. Northern Thailand has some of the best riding I have ever experienced. The CB500 was great, even at 6'3"-6'4". New Zealand: 2 months on a Honda Africa Twin XRV750. Bought and sold in NZ. Music festival & Elvis fans may enjoy the Australian video galleries. Scroll down to near the bottom of the sub-folder for the Parkes Elvis Festival. When I flew into New Dehli, India during mid-July, I did not know a soul. All I had was a cheap hotel in a 14th century village near the airport that still did not have city water infrastructure/utilities...after 700 years! It felt great to eventually replace my Tuk-Tuk transportation with my own wheels! I slept above braying donkeys which were housed on the first floor\barn of homes and in creepy old 1970's heart-shaped beds of old hotels (I slept on the covers in my riding gear). My favorite memory was sharing a home with a mountain family and joining them for breakfast. The carbureted RE Himalayan carried me across passes almost as high as 18,000 feet. I did okay at higher elevations also. Please browse the sub-galleries titled Locals, Tourists & Critters. Although I rode through some incredible scenic areas, the enjoyable encounters with the locals are my fondest memories of all. Finally, a Samsung Galaxy S8+ was used for most images and almost all videos. A Canon 5D Mark II was used for many of the landscape images. See ya down the road... Cheers! https://koonzeekoonzee.smugmug.com/share/dkunze GPS Tracks for India & Nepal: A good day...and memory.

What a great run! Met up with Bill at the Ocotillo Gas station staging area . And rode across the desert on dual sport trails. this was one of those adventures where you don't have time to stop and take alot of photos because of how fun it is.. But I was able to squeeze some in. Here's Bill on his Dr 650 showing me how to climb . His Suzuki climbed like a hoofed animal. No matter what line he took he was putting me to shame. I was really impressed by his climbing ability. Here's Bill doing some single track in Badlands area about 45 miles into the ride. The sky was blue and 3mph wind made for a great desert adventure we went from peak to peak with out any GPS. We just went for it. Here the view from 3/4 up Devils Slide . If you look closely you can see Bill. That's about where I had to start from to get 3rd gear to make it to the top. Sand was steep and deep just how I like it. I think in this photo we are at Shell reef . There are some ridges to climb. The Reef offers some nice views of SVRA. Here we are about 60 miles in to the exploration. We stumbled across some off roaders that were stranded down in a canyon and needed help so we stopped and got their steering fixed. They were grateful we were ripping 150 miles across the dezert with tools that day. Here we were doing math out in the Siltbeds west of Superstition trying to figure out the best average speed for dezert adventure because the sun was going down. We figured average speed would be OK at less than 60mph because that would require us to fly at close to 100 across the dezert and at that speed we would miss some cool stuff to look at. I think our average speed was closer to 20 . Somehow we ended up traveling through Canyon Sin Nombre at night, greatful to be alive and loving life. .The feeling of getting out of the desert alive is a great one . Bill sorting his tire pressures as we blaze the sand washes in the dark near #91. My headlight was pointed toward the sky so if Bill did a wheelie I would be blazing blind till he gave me his headlight back on the wash. I was using my front blinker to see where is was going but I'm pretty familiar with that wash so I just rode by brail. Finally back and safe at the Chevron Staging Area after riding through town to give my loved ones and neighbors a quick Braap to let em know I made it home safe . It was nice to see all their house and trailers decorated with Christmas lights. The 150 mile Borrego exploration adventure to Salton Sea from Ocotillo left me muddy, exhausted, hungry and thirsty (and a little stiff)..the perfect way to be on a Sunday night .

Wow I'm gonna remember that ride forever. Darren thanks again for showing me around out there, you are too kind and way too modest. I couldn't believe how effortless you made the sand look while I was fighting for my life out there. I only snapped a few pictures cause I was too busy catching my breath anytime we stopped. About 120 miles in and the sun was about to set when the desert reminded me I'm only a visitor. I will NEVER understand how you could ride so fast at night with a headlight pointed 45 degrees up into the air (and a bald front tire). He's not joking, he was literally riding by the light of his blinker. And I couldn't keep up, even with my brights on. Not even close. Thanks again for slowing down for me and giving me a little (big) tour of such a fascinating and beautiful region.

Wow, when I first thought about putting this together I figured 3-4 people may be interested but this turned out to be quite an event. I think we had 15-16 bikes at the start or something like that? A few people were just there for the ride, but we ended up with enough people to take up three or four campsites. One minor get-off on the dirt section, sounds like MacDuncan is ok....sorry to see that happen but you shall ride another day. The Warner Springs gas station food was very good, highly recommend that if you're in the area. The campground was awesome, only a few other campers there and we weren't too loud or annoying I don't believe. Thank you to Tim for bringing firewood and beverages. Thank you very much for everyone involved, y'all made this a great experience. If you were a noob camper before (including if this was your first camping trip with this bike, or this luggage system, etc) then you are now promoted to "amateur camper". You may pick up your certificate in my garage if your bring me a cold beer. Please post your pictures and writeup on this post.

Bugz Beta got a new Midwestern Mountain Engineering clutch lever for Christmas, so I though that Friday would be a good day to try it out. The weather was superb, nobody else was out there, bought chocolates at Wisteria on my way home, and the clutch lever did everything that it was advertised to do, so it was a fun, relaxed day on the trail, and my clutch hand never got tired or cramped up.

I tried to explore behind Wild animal park. Ran into private property gates. I then went up and rode Orosco Ridge. I have never ridden that trail. I will say it is a great trail to get some big bike off road training in. Ran in to several groups of DS riders. I can say that the new thermostat on the 990 did not let the bike get over 4 bars. The new gps mount worked out fantastic. Solid! No issues, no movement while I bashed the bike through the trails and was jumping the water bars. I need to adjust my rear suspension. I was bottoming out to much. I changed my seat over to a low seat and man did that help in several situations. Amazing the 1" difference can make in confidence when putting a foot down. Nice little water crossing at the beginning of Orosco Trail. A few pictures from the top.

The Intro: I've been a lurker here for over a year. I found this awesome forum through @tntmo youtube channel. I was searching for fun DS rides near Jacumba/the border and XR carb info and came across @tntmo's youtube, awesome local channel. Anyway, I found a great deal on a plated 96 XR600 last summer that had a seized carb (sitting with old gas for a decade in a garage) otherwise garaged with few original miles. I ended up getting a new carb, rebuilding the rear shock (spung for my 240 lbs at 6'5''), new KK Superpinion front sprocket, chain, new fluids, checked valves, new cables, bar, controls, wiring, NiCd battery, etc. Still need to swap out the fork springs and reinstall the desert tank (installed with rotted petcock when I bought it). To get to the point, this site along with some youtube channels has inspired me to get into dual sporting. I've been riding around east county since I got the bike but have been hesitant to take on anything off-road until the rear shock was done. The Report: The off-road maiden voyage started in Santee/Lakeside through Wildcat Canyon to Ramona and on to Black Mountain TT. Up and down Black Mountain (your photos posted here do not do that view its true justice). An amazing view I'm sure I'll be visiting regularly. I continued on to Santa Ysabel TT, past Sutherland Reservoir, 78, San V, and back on Wildcat for the ride home. 85 miles in 3hrs 20mins and a perma-smile for the rest of the day. Thanks to everyone for your regular content, ride reports, etc. I wanted to make my intro at the noob ride and camp but had plans that weekend. I know the regulars know this, but it begs repeating... This is a great community. I'm sure you guys are motivating other lurkers out there like me. I'll try not to be one anymore. Cheers, Joe

I met the group at the motocaffee in Ramona where everyone trudeld in in the expected time. Had a coffee and the afternoon cake and a lot of talking was going on. It's an easy ride and we stopped the first time at the Southerland dam Bridge. At this point we lost one rider (Dunken)and gained one ( Hawk) who run late. Next stop the old MesaGrande trading post and one at the Hideout. One more dropout here. Than we got our sausages in Warner springs and on the road / trail we went. The sky start to get darker with the minute. As soon we arrived at camp, we picked spots and setup tents. We ended up with 6 tents at one spot and some scattered around. The candrink and shats where more popular than the tent setting. Assoon the fire got started, everyone gathered around the fire pit. Meet the new guys, learning about the past and hearing about the future. It was a active discussion going on and you have to listen to 3-4 conversations at all times. We got some sprinkles during the night but not enough to get flushed away. That would be a Adventure. In the morning, I called it a night with my wake-up call. After setting up the kitchen I made breakfast for me and started the day as it should be. The ride home went without incident, except that I got past by a TW200 and a Husky, (I stopped to take a picture). Back home safe,thanks to Tom, welcome all Noob.

Seems like it had been forever since Jim and I had got to ride together. At least a year I think. So I threw out the idea of going Friday, so we both cleared out the schedules and left my house about 9:30 or so in the rain. I warned him this would be my first "legitimate" ride off road since the clavicle repair, and the penalty he'd have to pay if he took me too far into the weeds would be he'd have to lift my bike. Fair enough. I really like Pine Valley. It's got enough character to the primary trail to give you something to do beside just gaze over the handlebars at the countryside. So I was surprised when just after we crossed the cattle guard he took a hard left into the bushes. In fact I had to skid to a stop and back up to follow the hidden track through the brush. OK, game on. We rode single track up in a clockwise loop back to the road and the further south took a hairpin right, onto another singletrack. As many of you know, the rolling track has just about all the fun components packed into a cow trail for miles and miles. Loose rock, embedded rock ledges, lots of ruts . . . in fact the primary trail itself is often a peg deep rut about the width of a couple rear tires or so. Keep your toes in boys and don't get sloppy. Seemingly endless numbers of blind sandy chicane like corners. Overhead high bushes that make it impossible to see more than a few yards, often less, especially in the corners. For me, first gear is too twitchy, 2nd gear smoothes things out and keeps you rolling up, over and through stuff. Just gotta stay focused to keep it in that narrow track. That 1250 motor is absolute magic at happily pulling you up the trail at the very bottom of second and third. Very few pics on this day as there isn't a lot of places to easily get a kickstand down. But I snapped a few where you could at least know you'll be able to start without spinning. Here's a low angle log hop. Jim was smart and put his right foot on the log (that's overhanging space). I on the other hand put my right foot down on the dirt just before it. Only to find it began falling away down the little cliff. This is never a good thing seeings how it doesn't take long for the bike to lean far enough that you need to abandon ship. The solution of course is often to just GO. So I did. And just ahead, finally, I nice spot to take the lid off, drink some water and catch up on the nitty gritty of what it was like for him in Albania last month. Pretty amazing to hear the backstory of what really went on that week at the Trophy. We climbed around on some rock.. snapped a couple pics... And rode until I was completely gassed. Mid afternoon we were stopped for water and 4 riders on 2 strokes came ripping up the trail that of course we were blocking. We hadn't seen another soul out there all day. The lead rider kills his engine and says "is that Duplease?" Turns out 3 of the 4 were riding Pro globally and the fourth just got back from 4 months of riding Idaho and Canada. so we had a great time talking and cooling off a bit. Later, out at the trailhead they were all sitting around there trucks and we spent another half hour of so just talking bikes and Idaho, and good moto stuff. Super nice guys. Jim and I hit Discanso Junction for lunch and then railed back to town so I could shower up and meet Barb with some friends for the evening. But just before going into the house I looked back saw this. I don't have many pics of the day, but I do have a reminder of just how tight the trail was with miles and miles of branch ducking, brush grabbing the handlebars, and scratching up the windscreen. Better the screen, than my arms and chest all day long. Good stuff! I'm pretty rusty, but can't wait to go back.

Today is Sunday, and the weather was perfect for a ride. You know, it was light and there was oxygen outside. My friend, Dale G (who I just convinced to join the club) and I decided to do a dirt route. This is a route that EVERYONE knows, but who cares? It was a perfect day We met in the Albertsons parking lot in Ramona, since we both have trailer queens. Our bikes are "brothers from another mother"....my KTM 500 EXC-F and his Husky FE 501. Dale also has the perfect oxen to pull around his trailer queen. I am jonesin' for one of these! Anyway, to get ready for an arduous day of dirt bike riding, we decided to go to the Kountry Kitchen before we start. I was good with 2 eggs, 2 bacon, and even 2 sausage, but when I finished the french toast also, I wanted to nap, not ride....Damn! I gotta keep up with this 30 something youngster, so get over it!! We took a left on 7th and jumped on Pamo Road. Did not stop till we ascended Piney Top. Clear day, oxygen, etc....nice! Met a solo rider named Jason on top, who was also on a KTM 500. Shot the stuff for awhile and we began our descent. We decided we weren't done with dirt, so turned left onto Upper Santa Ysabel Rd and headed over to Black Canyon Road. This is one of my favorite trails as it can be easy (relatively) or dang sketchy, depending on the weather. The dropoffs always give it a certain pucker factor. Black Canyon just didn't look like fun, and as much as we like going up to Mesa Grande we turned around and reversed course right back thru Upper Santa Ysabel Rd and back down to Pamo Rd. A couple of miles later, we turned right and went up Orosco Ridge. Lots of ruts, but much fun... After running the ridge in both directions, we decided it best to go home and explain to the wives how this could really "be fun." I'm still working on a convincing line of logic, but my wife of 42 years just smiles and pats me on the head. It's all good!

@J5ive, @DSM8, and I took a little jaunt today. Dirt portion was Puerta La Cruz (Lost Valley) and Cooper Cienega from Warner Springs to Anza. We need to take more pictures. https://www.relive.cc/view/v4OG9j3Gwmq

It took awhile, but finally have it in print.

I really have been missing riding at Big Bear this summer, though I have been keeping up with all the storms, mudslides, washouts and wild fires that have been disrupting and ruining that area lately. I really miss the forest rides. So yesterday, my riding buddy Kim took me out to Pine mountain to experience some forest riding up here. It is less than an hour's drive south of Rock Springs, and it's like a tiny Alpine oasis sticking up out of an otherwise high desert landscape. The desert is already at 7000 feet in elevation, so riding on Pine mountain brings you up to over 9000 feet. From the south rim, you can see into the "Three Corners" area, where Wyoming, Colorado and Utah all meet. In fact, there is a trail that lead off the mountain, and goes right to the marker monument. We didn't ride down there, yesterday, but instead explored all the gnarly two tracks that ran through the mountain drainages. Lots of aspen trees getting their first f all colors, and the forests are made up of mainly fir trees. We found the trails not maintained to any real degree, littered with washouts, rocks and trees. We also found some abandoned cabins and a few small ponds. It was pretty nice day, although I ended up with a head cold late in the day. Oh well, we got germs up here too.

Had a great day mountain biking in the Lagunas. Temps in the low 60's, sunshine out and plenty of patches of snow (and mud) on the ground. Only saw a handful of people so basically had the mountains beauty all to myself. Haven't been on a bicycle in more than 3 months so this felt really good to get out!

Hey friends, I just thought I would share my experience to allay some fears that some of you may have. While I am a fatalist about whether I would get Covid and stated often that I was either going to get it or get a vaccine eventually. Well Sunday before last it was my turn, High fever while freezing for about 16 hours, couldn't warm up and no energy for 2 days after that, appetite was ok, no nausea, lots of muscle aches. Very similar to a flu/hangover/malaria. Lots of fun. Anyway 9 days in and I'm just about back to 90% good. By the way I'm 63 and have a history of asthma. I must admit I was spooked at first, now I'm glad I was careful but not crazy worried for months. A funny note, I tried a microbrew yesterday and it tasted like pickle juice, yum. While this post isn't really ride related I thought I could give back a little to this community by allaying some fears of fellow members, this is in no way meant to minimize anyone elses experience or make light of the illness. Just carry on, you most probably won't die from it and most likely can't avoid it, so ride on and be careful. Your friend, Uncle C.

I want to wish everyone at San Diego Adventure Riders a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!! I hope 2023 is your best year yet. Especially the one's I've been lucky enough to personally meet. I'm thankful that I've been able to meet so many great people in the short time I've been on the site. I've found everyone very welcoming and supportive. Many giving their time, whether at a Tech Days, putting together a Noob camping trip or different people taking me on rides at a pace/level that I didn't stress the whole ride, people willing to share their bike so you can try out different kinds/styles. Everyones willing to share their knowledge and experience with you. Have a good one all - Merry Christmas

Grabbed the Old Man for a quick ride today from Ramona through Sunrise Hwy, Alpine then back home through Cuyamaca before i do some last minute gift shopping. Wore my street helmet as my Bell MX-9 Adventure is crazy loud after 65mph even with earplugs so no video just a few cell phone pics. Gave the barista at the coffee joint a big tip aka X-mas present. Ride safe and enjoy the holidays

"Ya'll should've seen @J5ive out on the trail. He got on my KTM 500, took off and left me like I was yesterday. I saw him jump a whoop and got at least 2 credit cards of daylight off the rear tire!!!" OK, I told John I'd make him sound good, so now that's out of the way, I'll start the RIDE REPORT... BEAUTIOUS Sunday morning, driving to Ramona. A little nip in the air, but I don't care....I'm in my truck We decided to meet up at Dunkin in Ramona, so about 8:30, @J5ive and @ECDave showed up. Then, here comes @DSM8 on his 1290 to wish us good luck. Dave didn't want to ride with street tires but must have needed a morning ride....good for him. Soon after, @Goofy Footer comes strolling in to shoot the bull. So, while Dave is there to wish us well, Tim starts talking about all the mangled bodies he's had to airlift out of sand washes etc. as a firefighter. Hmmm, John and I started thinking an extra donut and a ride home was sound pretty good. Thanks Tim 🤣 Anyway, after our goodbyes, off we went. I headed through Ramona on Main Street and turned left on 7th......paved to less paved to dirt (Pamo Rd). Just before the dirt, John and I swapped bikes, which was the intent of this whole endeavor. He wants to try some smaller dirt bikes. So, I jumped on his Yamaha Tenere 700, and he got on my 500....a mile or so up the dirt where you turn right to go up to Black Mountain, there appeared to be some trepidation. So cooler (read: older) heads prevailed and I took the group back to Orosco Ridge. Nice riding, but not too intimidating. Seriously, we had a great time! As you can see, there was minimal blood and ZERO bandages visible. So, time for another bike swap. @ECDave has been in the rear the whole time. I told him to take the KTM and John would try his Kawasuki DRZ 400....honestly, today I just learned about the Kawasaki/Suzuki badge engineering. Cool! So, Dave jumps up front on the KTM....BAM! He's gone. I tried to keep up on the Tenere, but couldn't quite do it. John was pulling up the rear on the 400. Good riding, lots of ruts but generally everything was quite manageable. Good for bike swapping....NO ONE wants to dump someone else's bike! The day ended at what used to be Packard's for a crepe and a Coke, along with a debrief of the ride. What we learned: @ECDave found out he kinda likes the KTM 500....it's really skinny in the middle and it responds....but with the 400 and a Husky 701, why? (Great point) @J5ive found out after 50 feet on the Kawasuki, he liked it better than the 500. It wasn't as aggressive. Makes total sense and that's a good decision on his part. He wants to enjoy learning how to "off road". I totally get it. Me @moto_rph, I found out what a nice bike a Tenere 700 is. Wide bars, not too heavy, good torque for plunkin along. Also found out it's just fun to go riding with buds. Wait a minute. I knew that already!

It was my first trip with my KTM 690 and first time using the Mosko Moto setup. I had used a Giant Loop bag on my Husky before, so have done soft luggage in the past. Packing before the trip, I realized that my usual sleeping bag just wasn't compact enough. Might work now that I have repacked a few times, but I used my wife's sleeping bag that is much more compact. It was ok. I have a small pillow that I have always took along, will probably replace that with an inflatable. I carry too many tools, not sure that I can change that because I am "that guy" who helps others. My tent, may experiment with not packing it in the original bag to see if I can make it smaller. I don't want to get a smaller tent. All said, the trip was put together by me for 100% selfish reasons so I could test my setup. It was my honor to be able to share the experience with everyone who showed up.

I can't add much to what @Mr.JAJA and @tntmo have said already other than saying thanks to Tom again for what turned out to be a really nice get together. Lots of good people and lots of interesting conversation around the campfire. Thanks to all that attended.....hope to see you on the roads/trails soon

The welders cloth had been slowly failing, but did get us to camp. Adam had been communicating with his brother in law (gotta love those Sena's) through the afternoon and had him searching for a replacement can. Finding another Remus was not happening, and $1200 didn't settle well with his wallet either. But Doug did come through finding a guy in Denver with an OEM can for sale, for . . . . wait for it . . . $100. I figured I'd put Adam on my bike for class and I'd spend Saturday morning running a 3 hour loop to Denver in Dusty's truck, and have the bike whole again by noon. But alas, the gods were with us, and it turns out the seller had been wanting to take a W38 class. So I encouraged him to come up Saturday and have breakfast with all of us and hang out for a bit and watch. Well it took about 2.4 seconds for him to agree that was a capital idea even though he couldn't free up the whole weekend to actually take a class. And just like that, a proper solution would be delivered right to camp the following morning. Super nice of the guy to ride up, hang out, and practically gift us the solution. About 10 minutes with the tool roll and we were good to go. Adam is an excellent GS rider and had some moto related ambitions for later in his life. He's never had any formal training though so the greater plan was to run him through the Level 2 class. Then he and I would ride COBDR north to south, looping back to Ouray the following weekend for the Level 3 class. Class begins... ... and for next 2 days, a good time was had by all. Sundays final segment on drifting corners at speed ended at the Wyoming state line. Adam and I had planned to begin our trip from this point instead of going back to camp and overnighting there again. Rather than head to the official end (start) of the BDR we tracked west on dirt back roads across the northern edge of CO toward Steamboat. Our plan was to camp at Strawberry Springs but Covid rules were in play still and we could not get a reservation. Even though I tried for the 6 months prior to this trip. So I'd planned then to camp up on Rabbit Ears pass. But by the time we got there it had already been a long day and we opted for option 3. The Rabbit Ears motel in town and another steak dinner. It's good to have options. Steak. Whiskey. Hangin' with my son. Good times.

Friday I adjusted the handlebars down as close to the tank as I could get them without hitting at full lock, to make my reach as short as possible. Boy it sure felt good to sit on the bike after 8 weeks away. Pavement only. La Mesa - Ramona - Julian - Lake Cuyamaca - home. Not a big loop, but big enough to find out I can reach and manage the bars and bike without too much trouble. Actually most of the trouble is coming from my Physical Therapist (also known as "wife"). She strongly recommends a few more weeks of sitting by the pool, but I'm kinda over that. A little stop here to rest ... And a few minutes at Inspiration Point, which is far more inspiring at sunset then mid day. But hey, I like it there. It's so very awesome to be able to ride great bike roads and trails, so close to my door in spite of the thriving metropolis around us. Life here is so good that even when it's bad, it's good. Salute!

Hi all, I'm Angela, wife of @Hawkins, and am just starting out with motorcycle riding. I took a dirt bike course during a week of middle school summer camp a million years ago, and rode a moped around Chiang Mai, Thailand with @Hawkins in 2013. Just bought a Royal Enfield Himalayan (2022) and have had a few lessons to get me started so far. I only have my motorcycle permit, but have my drive test scheduled for August 11, so looking forward to being able to ride longer/later after that. I have a gaggle of young kids around me most of the time, but they all go off to school/preschool in a couple weeks, so I'm looking forward to getting more seat time in soon!

Based on reports of good results, I took the plunge and had George Spinelli install a pair of his new fork compression valves on my 2016 XCW. Yesterday I met my good friend, Mr. B we will call him in Anza Borrego for 64 miles of varied terrain; deep sand to hard rocks to jet smooth. The Results are in. I experienced significantly reduced noise through the bars and an increased sense of control and therefore confidence. No bottoming, no change in rebound or the balance front to rear I had before installation. Well Done Geoege

For decades now, DS bike riders have discussed which is best, or why should it matter whether a tire is DOT approved or not, as long as the tire performs well in dirt, and satisfactory on the street. I came across a discussion on Facebook about this, and it was sort of interesting. Some of the people were suggesting that if you are involved in an accident on the street, or anywhere that DOT approve tires are required (like ANza Borrego State Park, for instance), and you don't have them, any insurance claim that you make could end up being invalid. And knowing how much insurance companies would like to find loopholes and avoid paying up, I wouldn't doubt it. So if you are running non DOT tires on your DS bike, you might want to reconsider, especially since the most current generation of DOT tires has plentiful brands and models, compounds and tread patterns to chose from, and a lot of those work very well.