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DSM8

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Posts posted by DSM8

  2. Posted

    Fine lets book for the 18th.

    I can accommodate the event no problem
    Added to the calendar:

    Please sign up so I can have a head count if enough interest we might fire up the grill, you will be charged only the cost of what I spend on the supplied, this is not a fund raising event.
    If you have gear you want to sell feel free to bring it but it goes home with you, anything left behind goes to good will that evening.

  5. Posted

    1 hour ago, spazegun2213 said:

    I remember the first time we met and you commented about the size of the bike I was riding and the boots I was wearing 😲. You have good taste in gear :) 

    Height: 6' 2"
    Weight: 195#
    Waste: 34"
    Inseam: 36"
    Jacket Size: 44L/54 EU size (but usually long/tall)
    Boot: 12US/46EU

    I think I have enough gear that you would fit into that might enable you to make some educated decisions.
    Typically the pants I ride in are not the same as what I wear at camp, camp pants are usually some light weight nylon stuff that packs small.
    Layers are worn underneath for warmth and stuff, usually the riding jacket or rain layer is worn in the evenings as temp dictates.

    You and anyone else are welcome to see the plethora of stuff I have accumulated over the last 20 years of trying to figure out what works best and keep with with technology along the way.
    You might be surprised at some solutions I and others use.
    How about we start pegging down a date to make this gear swapmeet/try on thing happen?
    I can accommodate any Saturday rain or shine honestly.

    Weekend of March 11th or the 18th, if some people are doing the noobs rally might be good to do this before hand.
     

    @Hawkins

    @J5ive

    @shutterrev

    • Like 1

  6. Posted · Edited by DSM8

    get some crash guards on that before you training class if you can, they really pay off in the long run.
    just price one of those exposed panels if you have to replace it...

     

    • Like 1

  7. Posted · Edited by DSM8

    There is a LOT of chatter that can go on with a discussion like this, you really need to compartmentalize it into specific use case scenarios.

    Some background.
    I used to commute over 500 miles a week, 210 miles round trip to El Segundo once a week, 150 miles the other 3 days to Santa Anna.
    I rode year round in all weather.
    Multiple day trips on the large adventure bike with camping off the bike usually several days at a time
    Hundreds of day trips on both the big bike riding to destination and little bike trucked to destination.

    Every one of these rides dictated different gear based on the ride, distance, time of year, wet or dry, hot or cold, remote or freeway riding, home at end of day or not home for a week.
    No one set of gear is going to suit all conditions at all times, some advertise as such but if they keep you warm and dry in the cold and wet you are going to be very warm and such when riding in the summer for example.
    That said you almost need 3 sets of gear at the minimum for ability to swap around stuff to meet many of your riding needs.

    • Street gear - This often will have the most protection and what you use when commuting or going for a day ride in the canyons etc, typically this is not well suited for dirt use, but there is dirt biased street gear (Klime, Aerositch, Motoport to name a couple)
       
    • Adventure riding - This can be best thought of as jack of all trades, pavement, dirt, all season type gear. Typically offers the most versatility and $$$ factor, go price a BMW suit and come back to me....then there is the Starbuck's membership fee but I digress...
       
    • Day dirt riding - This is where you might be hauling the bike to a trail head or only be on secondary roads, no freeway etc. This is where people can get away with "Lesser" protection levels. You will be exerting yourself more while riding during the summer and so heat management is more an issue since we live in a desert.

    If you think of your needs in this capacity you can start to silo your choices and see where there is overlap. It was only recently I acquired a motoport jacket and used that while riding off road, huge amount of protection and fully vented. This was a giant realization for me in that I never rode with gear like this, I always either had exoarmor covered in a jersey or had a jacket with huge vents on the sleeves. But in colder weather this jacket would not work, no insulation (I am not getting into layers or liners at this point).

    This is a lot to get into but a gear exchange also only works if there are people similar to you in build so you can try the different gear. Going to some of the larger that have a large selection will give you some ideas on what is out there, try going on a windy day and see how the jackets feel when you are standing in a stiff breeze, that will give you some clue how they move air etc while on the bike.

    You might want to include your digets so people know if they might have gear that would be sized to fit you, I can borrow a jacket of Zubb we are the same size, from from ADV Bum would look like a tent on me (for example).

    I for one do not like waterproof gear, I find it uncomfortable so for me I have a complete rain system that covers what ever gear I am wearing at the time. It has proven itself many times over the years and is my goto choice when traveling etc. Nothing wrong with Gortex and its kin, this is just a personal choice.

    We have proposed a gear demo, luggage demo etc in the past but it never comes to pass, I am always willing to hose such an event as I have plenty of space under cover for people to set up and try stuff etc. 

    If it were me looking for opportunity to try before I buy then provide the following (these are my digits)


    Height: 6.0'
    Weight: 185#
    Waste: 34"
    Inseam: 34"
    Jacket Size: 44L/54 EU size

    @spazegun2213
    @shutterrev

     

  10. Posted

    Also there is a very active riding group in the LA area if you are on ADVRider in the regionals you will get a much bigger group of people that can help you with rides to be had in that neck of the woods.

    High desert is always interesting but can be windy and cold.

    Google Pioneer Town it is out that way you might find stuff going there and coming back that are suited to what you are looking for.

    And there are gravel road options that take you thru the Cojon pass to get up there etc.

  16. Posted

    Type of Bikes for N00Bs

    Ok this is a tough one to answer.
    If you want to cover large areas (most of the valley and view the off pavement sites) then a larger displacement bike is better suited to that kind of goals.

    The miles are vast going from one side of the valley to the other, and you can easily do 300 mile day if you wanted to within the valley and it will be an all day afair.

    If you are wanting to do more of the off road routes, yes they can be done on large bikes with good riders. I have done pretty much all of the valley on a 990.
    Smaller bikes give you more options on the things to see and places to go at the expense of the pavement riding.
    I often take my 525, and have done the full cross the valley loop on that bike it just is not as comfortable.

    Places better suited to the smaller bikes:
    Back way to Cerro Gordo
    Salt Tram
    Toll road to Darwin
    Going over the canyons by Ballarat
    Escape Route
    Steel Pass
    Lippencott (going up)

    Big Bike Destinations
    Hunter Mountain Loop
    Cerro Gordo - Front side
    Darwin via pavement
    China Gardens (IF GOOD RIDER)
    Ballarat
    Titus Canyon
    Ubehebe Crater
    Bad Water
    The different view points along top of the valley on both sides (Dantes View, Zabrinski point)
    Charcol Kilns
    Rhyolite
    emegrant Canyon Road
    Wild Rose Road - leads to the kilns
    Ashford Mill
    20 mule team canyon

    Outside the park west of it off 395
    Manzanar
    The hills where they shot all the old westerns (name escapes me)
    Reward Mine (Big maybe on this one)
     

     

    BEST MAP ONLINE EVER
    http://npmaps.com/wp-content/uploads/death-valley-national-park-map.pdf

    • Like 1

  17. Posted

    9 hours ago, Mr.JAJA said:

    And keep in mind to sleep in a closed trailer with fuel fumes and smell its not healthy.  It will bite you later. Install some low vents.  I have build 4-5 motor camper on VW and MB base in the 70-80. There is a lot to concider when build your owne.

    This can s why I wanted one where bike was carried outside but those are proven to be outside my budget and this way bike wont be in trailer when sleeping, only during transport ,

     I would rig up a venting system so whole time its being towed there would be a powered gent running to prevent any fuel vapor issues

     

  19. Posted

    7 hours ago, J5ive said:

    @DSM8 I'm looking getting a trailer also.  However, I was thinking Utility trailer.  I recently took a small utility trailer 5x8 on a 2 week trip.  Found things I liked and didn't like with it.  I'm going to use that trip as guide for the one I get.   I want to haul a bike (maybe 2) and be able to sleep in it (if need be).

    If you move forward with building one, I'd be interested in learning how you go about it and what you're going to put in it.

    At this rate I am looking at building out my own V nose tandem axle.
    Will get one new or near new and build it up from there.

    I am looking at the following for my build list, but it will come with a rear drop down door and at least 1 pedestrian door on the side.

    • Linear actuators to lower bed from ceiling at rear of trailer
    • Solar
    • Front V contain the following
      • Cooktop - propane
      • Heater (water and interior)
      • storage for water etc
      • Refer
      • Full height closet floor to ceiling for riding gear etc to stow out of the way
    • Tung box for
      • Propane
      • Trailer stuff
    • Leveling jacks on 4 corners
    • External Hot Shower setup
    • LED Lights inside and out
    • Insulated on all 6 sides

    What I don't want is to deal with plumbing which is why I am not looking for something that comes with a shower and toilet, always stay at camp grounds so those items are never an issue and will have provision for external hot shower if needed worse case.

    Tie downs for 2 bikes will be installed into the floor and be flush/removable when not needed so you can walk around barefoot in trailer, will use some kind of solid surface flooring like Amtico or such. It wont have a TV or stereo installed, I am not a glamper.

     

    Sumtin like this but without the beds on the side walls, those always annoyed me.

    https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/2002-Pace+American-Conquest+CQ720TA2-5024108842

  20. Posted

    The goal is something with no moving parts

    slideouts

    tent trailers

    popups

    they all expose their weaknesses when in high wind desert events which is the majority of where I camp

    thats why I want solid sided camper but something under 20’ length

    might end up building at this rate

    • Like 1
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