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Brett

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Posts posted by Brett

  1. Posted

    Brett,

    A big Thank You for that lead. I had hopes there must be local talent. With my stock 990 measuring 63mm static and 95mm Rider sag, I suspect there are improvement to be had. (Using the 30% and 5%-10% general rule) How does your Big Bike handle on the road after your fork work? Can you PM a phone number or ask Eric if he is interested?

    I believe it's road manners improved some as well, but chiefly my desire was increased sure-footedness in the dirt and that is exactly what I got!

    I will let Eric know that you would like to chat with him about this ...

  2. Posted

    One would think in all of SD there would be a competent tuner

    Might I recommend Eric Shapiro. In our SSC group we call him "Mr. Suspension". I don't know if he would be interested in this side-work, but his qualifications are in order:

    Within the SSC alone we have 6 KTM 950s and he's done fork work on many of them, including our SDAR President & his own SEVERAL times. He and Tony first helped me install the Eibach constant rate springs for good improvement. Most recently he replaced my seals when setting up my forks to his latest shim stack specifications.

    As many of you know, the 950 is mostly a dirt bike to me and I'm pretty in tune to suspension characteristics. I truly didn't think such a large improvement could be made, but WOW ... what a difference! The front is now so compliant it's like night & day!

    I can now crash at higher speeds than ever! :)

  7. Posted

    My question: How do you go about this?

    It's pretty important to make sure those parts get there, so don't trust shipping them when you should hand deliver them (just to be sure). So load them onto your bike and head South. You'll have to go through Laguna Hanson on the way since it would be a shame not to. After spending the first night at Mike's Sky Ranch , continue on through San Filipe and the dirt into Gonzaga Bay. You could go further than that, but why rush things? The important thing is to remain focussed on your mission of getting those parts down there, and that requires some quiet-time for reflection.

    Staying focussed, you remind yourself of your motive for staying the next night in LA Bay: "In the morning, I'll take the 120 mile dirt route South to HWY 1 to avoid the military check-point in Guerrero Negro where the guards may confiscate these bike parts, and I can't let that happen". "I know if I avoid this delay I'm sure to get these parts to Santa Rosalia by nightfall".

    After delivering the parts (and feeling really good about your selfless deed), you head back North. You have to do the dirt route again since the guards check both directions and you didn't get your tourist card on the way down. About 60 miles into the dirt you should probably stop for the night at the palapas at San Francisquito. You will have had an arduous trip thus far, so be careful to not wear yourself out because tomorrow is going to be a long day.

    After you finish the dirt into LA Bay, you should keep going to get back to Gonzaga Bay for the night. After all, by the next night you need to get to San Filipe. You don't want this to take all week do you?

  12. Posted

    Zina & Clayton ... John Mark & Brit. Thanks for joining us last night for beer & pizza. We enjoyed having you guys and chatting about your upcoming trip. Hope it was useful to poor over the map and talk about your options.

    I like your tentative plan:

    1) Laguna Hanson to Mike's

    2) Through Peurtecitos to Gonzaga Bay

    3) Day trip to Coco's / check out the campo at Bahia Calamajue'

    4) Back through Peurtecitos to San Filipe

    5) Home through either Laguna Hanson or the cenic part of 3 north of Ensenda

    • If you go to Calamjue', please let us know if it's worth seeing and take some pictures
    • Don't let Alfonsinas put you in crummy rooms if bottom story ocean front is available
    • Some of those good rooms have 2 beds and some have 3 beds

  14. Posted

    "Outerlimits" Brett has provided me with a pretty good route with some GPS coordinates. In summary, I think we'll end up doing something like this:

    Day 1. Tecate to San Quintin

    Day 2. San Quintin to Catavina

    Day 3. Catavina to Puertecitos

    Day 4. Puertecitos to Mike's Sky Ranch or Meling Ranch

    Day 5. Back to Tecate

    Hello Zina. I don't know who you are, but obviously Tony does. I DO however totally dig your stable!

    Glad to know Brett offers the secure feeling of GPS coordinates. Take it from another Brett that I have to agree with Tony concerning the nightly stops.

    1) San Quintin evokes no "adventure" in me, but Coyote Cal's Hostile is pretty cool.

    http://www.coyotecals.com/

    Chris: We were given the total cold shoulder at the Old Mill by the proprietor. She had room but told us to go away ... couldn't figure it out? Stayed next door at Don Eddie's which was a total dump. I like riding on the beach too, but didn't take a liking to San Quintin itself. Zina, if you opt for San Quintin, better get reservations at the Old Mill.

    2) A short jaunt South from the hostile finds the dirt to Valle De Trinidad, then another short jaunt South for the dirt into Mike's.

    post-123-1195065758_thumb.jpgpost-123-1195065405_thumb.jpgpost-123-1195066040_thumb.jpgpost-123-1195066081_thumb.jpg

    3) Staying at Puetecitos would be criminal when Alfonsinas on Gonzaga Bay is some of Baja's best. For only a 5 day trip, this location is like eating desert.

    post-123-1195067925_thumb.jpgpost-123-1195066344_thumb.jpgpost-123-1195068283_thumb.jpgpost-123-1195068351_thumb.jpgpost-123-1195068380_thumb.jpg

    post-123-1195070036_thumb.jpgpost-123-1195070267_thumb.jpg

    4) Back North through Puetecitos into San Filipe.

    post-123-1195069988_thumb.jpg

    5) Tecate

  15. Posted

    My friend Eric just bought the new Fuji camera, but returned it since the images were not nearly as good as my old Kodak 6490. So he bought the new version of the Kodak and brought it on our 8 day Baja adventure. SUPER improved - same great lens - 12X - weighs half as much - took GREAT pics!

  16. Posted

    I was one of our 6 with wsmc99 and would like to add a couple of things ...

    HD tube in front at least to avoid a pinch flat. Run FULL pressure! There are hidden rocks between Puertecitos and Gonzaga and the dirt between El Arco and LA Bay that will destroy your front rim. Bring spares of both tubes. A front tube in the rear is for emergencies, but may fail during the trip.

    Bring Under Armor & Exxoficio underwear to launder and hang out each night. A 2 ounce laundry soap bottle works for several days in a bathroom sink. After four annual Baja trips I've settled on a mesh jacket with a high warmth liner from a street jacket to go from 100+ to VERY cold. Also, water shoes pack very small but work well for just about every thing.

    Might be a shame to get tourist cards if you're going no further S. than San Ignacio since it's barely into Baja Sur. You can avoid the guard station doing the dirt through El Arco / LA Bay, but keep in mind you'll have to go dirt both down AND back or you'll still be paying and spending the time.

    We ALAWAYs carry the BEMCC card and a Sat phone. When you're in a death-dealing situation you can place a call and someone will come get you and bring you back to an American hospital. It IS your "ambulance ride out there in dirtsville"

    Water purification tablets: Yes!

    Did I say extra bungies, zip ties, duct tape, safety wire, and epoxy steel putty?

    If you're up for Palapa camping as you say, try San Francisquito - no mummy bags needed. Best water on the sea of cortez!

    Concerning a route and destinations I completely agree with Tony. To hit some good spots (which are southern) and still have time to get back home, you need more time.

  18. Posted

    http://www.bmwmoa.org/features/milan07.htm

    • In the Dealer Showroom: March 2008

    • Compact, lightweight concept

    • New chassis with steel tube trellis frame and double sided swingarm

    • Powerful, tune for torque parallel twin (798cc with 85hp and 83 lb/ft of torque)

    • Dry sump lubrication

    • Dual sport specific running gear

    • Lowered seat height due to narrow design and varying seat heights

    • Switchable ABS

    • Chain drive

    • Telescopic USD 45mm fork

    • Wide range of accessories for both off road and touring use

    Specifications F 800 GS

    Engine

    Capacity cm3 798

    Bore/lift mm 82/75,6

    Power kW/HP 63/85

    at engine speed min-1 7 500

    Torque Nm 83

    at engine speed min-1 5 750

    No. of cylinders 2

    Compression/fuel :1 12.0/Super unleaded (95 RON)

    Valve/gas control dohc (double overhead camshaft)

    Valves per cylinder 4

    Diam. inlet/outlet mm 32/27,5

    Throttle valve diameter mm 46

    Mixture preparation

    Electrical system

    Generator W 400

    Battery V/Ah 14-Dec

    Headlights/rear light W

    Starter kW 0.9

    Power transmission/gears

    Clutch

    Gears

    Primary transmission 01:01.9

    Transmission, gear stages I 01:02.5

    II 01:01.8

    III 01:01.4

    IV 01:01.2

    V 01:01.0

    VI 01:01.0

    Rear wheel drive

    Transmission ratio 1:2.625 (16/42)

    Chassis

    Frame design

    Wheel suspension, front wheel Upside-down telescopic fork,

    fixed tube Ø 45 mm

    Wheel suspension, rear wheel

    Spring travel front/rear mm 230/215

    Castor mm 117

    Wheel spacing mm 1578

    Steering head angle ° 64

    Brakes front Double-disc brake Ø 300 mm

    rear Single-disc brake Ø 265 mm

    Wheels Spoked wheels with aluminium rims

    front 2.15x21

    rear 4.25x17

    Tyres front 90/90-21 54 V

    rear 150/70-R17 69 V

    Dimensions and weights

    Total length mm 2 320

    Total width with mirrors mm

    Total width without mirrors mm 870

    Seat height inches 33.5-34.6

    Dry weight lbs 392

    DIN tare, ready to drive lbs 455

    Perm. total weight lbs 975

    Tank capacity gallons 4.2

    Travel data

    Fuel consumption (MPG) At 56 mph 62 mpg

    At 74 mph 45 mpg

    MSRP $10,520

    Standard Equipment / 100% Options

    Closed loop 3 way catalytic converter with oxygen sensor

    Chain drive

    Complete stainless steel exhaust system

    Hydraulic rear spring preload adjuster

    Spoked wheels

    Electronic immobilizer

    Single wire system (Can-Bus)

    Power Socket

    Adjustable brake and clutch levers

    Available Equipment

    Comfort Package $475

    ABS $890

    Clear Turn Signal Lenses $60

    Anti Theft Alarm $235

    Center Stand $150

    Low Seat $0

    Available Colors

    Dark Magnesium Metallic

    Sunset Yellow

  20. Posted

    Remaining perfectly balanced and steering with your feet was the focus of the exercise.

    I always thought it was about going fast and keepig your weight off the front end, but JL can't be too far off base! I'll give that a try this weekend. Thanks Brett!

    There's a place for the "fast" technique, that's for sure! JL focuses on all the other times. His schools often specialize in big adventure bikes like the 950. It's almost impossible to keep the front light on those big pigs, and going fast is sometimes out of the question.

    Anyway, let me know what you think ...

  21. Posted

    From the Jimmy Lewis School:

    Stand (if you need to dab, stand back up immediately)

    Steer with your feet.

    Sand riding is all about balance, you cannot fall if you are perfectly balanced.

    He made us do drills to make it "sink in" :) because you can't always go fast in sand (especially on big bikes) since there are corners and other variables. He took us to a sand dune area with the softest and deepest sand I had ever ridden. We had to make turns while in 1st gear and barely moving.

    Another drill was making us wildly move the bars back and forth to prove they don't do anything. The point was, if the sand makes the bars move a lot it won't matter, so don't try to control it because that may through you off balance. Remaining perfectly balanced and steering with your feet was the focus of the exercise.

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