RobATK94

Me and a buddy are looking at meeting up around the Phoenix-ish area in a couple months. It's in between the two of us. Are there any good riding areas too good to pass up out there? He doesn't have a plate, so OHV only. Looking for some good single track. Anyone have suggestions? GPS tracks? I'm open to other areas, not stuck on Phoenix. Probably 2 days of riding. Thanks

Ive done the same. Fraction of the price of the fue rated bladders. I think if you google it, there was another forum where a few guys did some long term testing and it holds up really well. I think those guys left fuel in the bladder for a month, hung it upside down, and reported no leaks or damage. That was enough for me to give it a go. They come in a few different sizes and mine have taken a beating.

THIS! Make your own routes. Ive been very happy with the map accuracy of California trail maps. Ive done a few trips and made a point to get into the middle of nowhere using these maps and everything was exactly where it should have been. trails and roads that almost dont physically exist any longer because of rain, overgrowth, and zero maintenance and use are easily found on the mapping software. Every time I had to cut off or bypass something, easily found other ways around because of all the detail and time spent on these maps. This is a picture of a road we ran last year. really the "road" got less and less visible, and more over grown until it turned into nothing. It got to the point that we were just riding the line on the GPS. we followed the line and 10-15 miles later we picked up the other end of the road. No idea if this route exists on any other maps or not, but I would have never come across it otherwise. Ive rode now from Temecula to mono lake and back almost all in the dirt based off of routes created 100% from California trial maps. never had an issue. If the guy who created it reads this, you are the man!!! Keep it coming.

great write up. Hope it sells well and pushes the other manufacturers into updating older dual sports or coming out with new models that fit the CRFL, DRZ, WRR, LC4, niche.

Got one on the 200xcw and it works great on all kinds of trail conditions. Haven’t been to the desert yet. Seems like it would work just fine until it gets torn to shreds. I think the stiffer sidewalks and harder rubber compounds really standout in these conditions. I’m guessing the performance will be great but the tire will get beat up much sooner then it wears out in fast nasty desert terrain.

I Inherited a 2015 V-Strom 650 XT. Guess this makes me part of the big bike crew now, even though I hate coffee and Starbucks. All the gear I carry is based around small bikes, which is perfect for day trips on my 200xcw, but I started thinking about what I may need for the vstrom. I'm guessing my mountain bike hand pump doesn't stand a chance to seat a bead on the vstrom if it went flat and rolled. Are you big bike guys carrying 12v pumps? Or a bunch of the CO2 cartridges? With plugs being the only option for tire fixes, is there any other reason to pack tire tools or tools to remove the wheels? The small 12v starter packs seem to be mandatory. What else do you carry that's really only specific for big bikes? Went out to Fonts Point this morning and started thinking about all this.

Picked up an 06 KTM 200xc-w from another member. The last 2 owners have been SDAR members and did an incredible job building this thing up for single track. This thing is a trail weapon! The 200 exceeded all my expectations and is a blast to rip around the trail. Shot some video of the first ride. Hit hixon to just get a feel for it and see what it's all about. Got to do some very minor adjustments and I felt really confident on taking it to some of the hard stuff out this way and up north. I totally get the whole less is more concept with this bike.

The XR650R is gone now, and going from that to this little 200 it feels like everything is out of control. I forgot what its like to have a light bike where small body changes make big effects on the bike. Having a bike that can stop on a dime is pretty nice. Im squeezing the brake like im still on a 300+ lbs bike and stopping 100ft short from where I need to be. its great. Finally getting back to some of these trails where the XRR was just a handful in sandy side hills and steep declines.

couples shots.....and that's where I went wrong.

I'm terrible at long steepish down hills. Of course the video doesn't translate and kind of decline in the trail. Something to practice on I guess. I've been up this many times and have mostly avoided going down. Every other time was on a 300+ lbs bike, so this was a weird feeling. This time I had a camera. Guess I should get off may a$$ a little more and not try to barrel down it. After watching this, the first thing I thought was slow is smooth, smooth is fast.

Haha. That's fine with me. I thought the same thing though. It's pretty over grown in some spots. Also washed out pretty good in a few spots. I know it doesn't attract a lot of riders because of the small amount of ohv only trails. Would be nice if they expanded one day.....but doubt that will ever happen in my lifetime.

Well I'm sold. In the military I had all kinds of load bearing vests and hated them all. Swore them off. Rode with a back pack and fanny pack for a long time for all my long rides. Then I started getting tired of all the straps I had to cinch down and constantly playing with to keep tight once then got sweaty or just banging around. Gave the klim vest a shot because reviews said it breathes better then the others. Unloaded everything into it with room to spare...and hopefully not use just for the sake of packing more crap. I beat on it for 160 miles and it stayed nice and tight to my chest with just a jersey and fits nice over a jacket too. Not once did I feel like anything was flopping around or bouncing around like you get with a loose fanny back. So I guess I'm back on the vest bandwagon. Tossing this out there in case anyone else was on the fence. The last time I wore a vest, which I hated!!! Zipped up, buckled up, adjusted every which way, still crap. Now, much better design and fit.

I feel that! The last season I attempted to follow was brutal. Those miles of whoops were torture on my knees! Putting some serious thought into the 2019 d37 sprint enduro season for a change of pace.

Me and a buddy were just talking about this type of stuff. Bottle necks and insanity. We were watching this video from the big bear run a few weeks ago. Looks like Mayhem. It was interesting to watch, lots of full throttle tire spinning, rev limiters bouncing, sitting down, front tires butted up against small steps and rear tires smoking and dancing around. Maybe this was late in the day and everyone was beat, Im not sure. small scale erzberg action. Ive never done this event, maybe one day, but seems like you better know what your getting into and be confident in the rocks...or you're sucking dust for 200 miles. A couple minutes in you see a sweet little KDX with a dude in overalls just putt across the bottom of the screen and is gone in 5 seconds. Another "its the rider, not the bike" example.

thanks for the info. Im not over 6 foot, but have the same concern Bp has...will it fit me. Gotta try and hunt one down just to sit on it. On paper is seems perfect for trail riding and all you are giving up is the top end speed and suspension that can handle all that goes along with that speed. Stay below 40mph and it has everything you can ask for. And I guess if I later get the need for speed, fork swaps seem pretty common. This also seems to hold true with the KDXs I was initially looking at.

Anyone have experience with the X-Trainer? Been looking for a strictly single track/technical trail bike and got kind of hung up on the KDXs, for the torque. then I was wondering what modern bike comes closest to the smooth power delivery and torque and came across some write ups of the X-trainer comparing it to the KDX. Now I'm interested. Wondering if anyone local has some experience, how they like it, or any disappointment. With it being a smaller frame, I'd really like to sit one one and see how different it feels. I'm on 5'9" so I can't image it will feel small, but I'm sure it's a different feel. I could live without the top end speed of the 300rr, as long as I still get the 300 torque.

Agree with the Gaerne SG12 recommendation. I have a wide foot and think I know exactly what your talking about with the Tech 8s. I threw a pair of Gaernes on and it was perfect!! other then then price tag. Another one to try is the tech 7. they don't fit anything like the tech 8s and have more room in the toe box area. I went with tech 7s because of price point. I don't think they are holding up all that well and my next boot will be the SG12.

I might be going to Yuba City for work for a few weeks. I also might have the option to drive, in which case I will haul the bike. Any good riding areas out there? Im not too far from Tahoe, but not sure what its like at that elevation this time of year. Im sure there are places to ride, I just don't know where. Anyone know the MUST hit spots?

I've been in/near San Diego for 12 years now and the farthest south I've ever been is Ensenada....on a cruise. Which is weird because I grew up on the east coast watching every Baja race i could on TV dreaming of riding out there. Are there or have there been any Baja newb rides out there? Anyone willing to take a Mexico rookie? There is too much I don't know about the whole thing, from boarder crossings and all the routes and sites, that it's not something I want to just try on my own. It's not the riding, it's just the logistics of the whole thing. Maybe I'm just not in the loop and it's all much easier then some people make it out to be, but I'd like to hear that from the experienced riders. Id like to start exploring out there some time this upcoming or next year.

another Fatty fan here. I slapped one on my XR650R and it almost felt like a different bike! it stuck in the corners and turned great. My confidence to ride it hard went way up! Hey BP, when did you pick up the 200XCW? how do you like it? Sold my 250sx 2 stroke a few months ago and hope to replace it with a dedicated single track bike in the next few months. Is that an 06/07? Ive heard that mousse dont like long fast runs on the pavement, what do you guys think the speed threshold is? Ive been trucking my bike a lot lately to the dirt, but every once in awhile I have to get on the street. Last big trip we had to cut off on leg of dirt to get home before it got really late and really cold. Was doing 50-55ish for about 40-50 miles. Or are we talking 100+ miles, dead of summer, doing 80 mph?

bringing this one back from the dead. Goofy Footer, I missed the last ride you invited me to. Are you still doing somewhat regular trips down south? Anyone interested in trying to do a weekend trip in the next month or so? Since I posted this, I have been down to cabo...on a plane. still never anywhere in baja on a bike.

ive worn a ton of different types of vests and chest rigs while in the military. Hard part a lot of people cant grasp is leaving unused space....unused. saddle bags, backpacks, pockets, jackets, some people think if its open space there needs to be something in it. One plus with the vest that have velcro inside is you can buy a large sheet of the hook and loop material and kind of resize the pockets down with it or divide it.

another vote for the Klim. It does flow air pretty well. the whole thing is mesh and and the pocket areas are the only areas that dont directly flow onto you. gotta use some common sense when loading them. Just because you have the space doesnt mean you need to fill it with something. I went from a small backpack and fanny pack to just the vest. everything sits MUCH better and tigher to my body. Fits well over my jacket too. Back pack and fanny pack always had issues when trying to wear over a jacket.

so I have this awesome new toy hauler and im thinking of all the killer places to take it and ride. Who takes trailers out to bobcat meadows or corral canyon campground? I know going up to 4 corners that last mile or so is tight one lane and there is a section that is beat up from dragging hitches, anyone have troubles with towing a small trailer out there? Ive got a 19' toy hauler, really about 25' total and would love to take it out there for a weekend here and there. im a toy hauler rookie here. The forest service site says sites are accomodating up to 27' trailers. I think the hard part is actually getting there.

Another for CA flash. He has these RFS motors down to a science and can build you a reliable stock motor or some kind of fire breathing monster between the SX/XC/EXC variations with any transmission. He did some head work for me and was reasonably priced, quick turn around, and a wealth of knowledge. If you want all the small details worked out while your in there, he is the guy to talk to. He was very helpful with my constant bothering a few years ago on my 07 450xc I think Hopkins is up north in Washington or Oregon, but I know just as many happy guys that worked with him too.