Dan Diego

So true Dan.....I started fighting 'em off with a sword years ago....down to a toothpick now....but I'm still swingin' That is so dang true. It worries me that some friends and family members still scribble down all of their personnal information at local malls and drop it FREELY into the "car raffle" boxes. Yikes! I use anonymous websurfing and aliases whenever possible. Trust me, Dan Diego is my REAL name! But please know that microsoft, google and facebook are actively seeking to steal, use and sell to others OUR info on a daily basis. Keep fighting it...

Good point. But I assure you that after yahoo, facebook and google have mined your info for years, there's not a lot left for valvoline to take from you...

Welcome aborad, Roger. Glad to see you're easin' into bigger bike dual sporting instead of diving head-first back into the dirt. Literally. We look forward to seeing you ut there!

Very nice video. Good music and commentary, too. Looked like a lot of fun. Can you PhotoShop out the double yellows next time? Thanks for posting!

This is great stuff! Whale foreskinned-lined Gore-Tex adventure suit. Classic. Nothing like any of the posers--sorry---"riders" that I know. At least not at the SD Starbucks ADVRider Club I belong to... I need to know where I can purchase a whale foreskin-lined adventure riding suit for my wide-ass BMW motorbike so I can show those poser KTM riders how it is done. As well, I would like a group-buy on pre-scuffed aluminum side bags so I won't actually have to "fall down" first to resemble a real Adventure Rider. Vendors, who will step up?

Looks like this is more or less what happened to ewen McGregor on LWR. Remember: We are invisible and everyone is out to get us. Think and ride like that and we'll only stand a 93% chance of getting nailed.

They really will accept the cheap-o CO2 cartridges? That would be great, as the 2nd Wind ones are 6 times as costly. Also, is one model better than the other? I see the longer-looking carbon version and the shorter silver set-ups. Thanks for the info.

Aw, man. I see the big bike Gold Point camp/ride was canceled. Any word of a reschedule? Since I'd already blocked off that time, I may do a solo outing to Superstition are. Just to see how the gear holds up. I guess I need to work on some 50/50 tires, too as I buried the back tire to the Jesse Bags yesterday. Anyone ever tried to cross the I-8 median (where it says not to) at the bottom of the hill coming into Ocotillo (by the 98)? Let's just say it wasn't just loose sand...it was a huge ant hill. And these ants appeared to prefer KTMs as they really went after my big ol' GS as I tried to pull it out. Ah, good times.

It appears that you can run wire or cord from inside the bag, out through the 4 holes and around the rack fairly easily. Zip ties would be quick; wire would be stronger. Looks like an easy fix from the photos...

Under $200 a set delivered from Dennis Kirk.

Any word on the next meeting? I missed the last one due to a minor mishap. (Scars are healing, the bike is out of the shop.)

Rawhide, Hee-yaa! (The Blues Brothers version.)

Not gonna happen on the GS my friend, atleast not with a DS tire. I hate doing IBA rides, but I have a good friend who loves the drone-fest, so I throw an Michellin ME880 for those and can get 10k+ out of those...just don't try any offroad with them. OK, I'll ride the Anakees up to Whitehorse or Fairbanks then swap them out for the Heides.

Nice photos. How did you keep those boots so white?

Not my schtick on almost every level...

I bought a couple of the Kolpin Fuel/Water Packs to mount on my Jesse bags. I've attached some (stock) photos. Will review more thoroughly when I mount them.

Ah, this would have been a nice intro ride to Mike's Sky Rancho. I've been wanting to visit the place for years. I'm doing the LowCal 250 Rally put on by BMW of SD on 4/23 or I would join along. Next time! Also, and you didn't hear it from me: DHS/CBP isn't truly enforcing the passport requirement yet. If you return to the US without a passport, you'll get a reminder from the friendly CBP employee, as well as a yellow pamphlet with useful info about obtaining a passport. There's no fine and I assure you, the US gov't won't deny entry to a US citizen. Just fyi...

No one has mentioned the Heidenau K60? I had a spirited discussion with a fellow GS rider yesterday and he stated his passioned reasoning for moving from the TKC and Dunlop 606 to the Heide. I then read the 16-page thread on ADVRider; varied opinions since 2009; mostly positive. I'm looking for a good 75% street and 25% dirt (sad, I know) for a big pig (me and the bike). I also want some serious mileage (7500+) as I do the IronButt rides and hate changing tires mid-ride. And the peanut gallery opines...

I have two of the AFX FX-37DS helmets (pearl white and silver/gray). They fit my head really well and seem to be exactly what a dual sport hlmet should be. So far. Appear to be well made and durable. The white with smoked lens resembles a Storm Trooper. Tested them at about 85 MPH with no wind resistance...feels like I'm not even wearing a helmet. Excellent peripheral vision and line of sight. No view blockage like some street helmets. These run a bit small. I bought the XL where I usually wear a large. Very comfortable. Inside stays cool but not too breezy. This is not a loud helmet; definitely on the quieter side. Riding directly into the sun, I had to tilt my head down to fully utilize the visor. I have the darker (smoke) and clear lenses. Both are fine with none of the visual distortion I'd read about. Changing out lenses isn't too difficult, but requires a screwdriver and about 3 minutes. Paid about $65 delivered via Bike Bandit and $65 (lightly used) via Craigslist. I just wanted an extra one to paint yellow to match my big yellow pig. Tried the Shoei; nice helmet but just too expensive ($400+ new, $275 used). Was a little too tight fitting, feels like it constricts my head and cheeks. All in all, I'd rate the AFX helmet 8.5 out of 10.

Looks like a lot of fun. Thanks for posting some of the best photos of the ride to Mike's yet.

Yep, I also look for price (mainly) when insurance shopping. GEICO is usually the one I go with. Been with them on and off since 1987 but have left when their rates increased. Right now I have full coverage on my road bike and only $80 a year extra to add my 110GS (liability). They've been reasonable with me for claims over he years. Still, in this economy, I will go with another insurer for price or service at the drop of a hat. So much for brand loyalty.

And this site (www.gpsunderground.com) has all sorts of free maps.

Maybe there are some PAs on this site who could assist us. You know, "grease the skids" as it were. What particular roads?

Excellent reminder. Thanks!

I have a 1978 RM400. I'm afraid that the stickers are what's holding it together!