996Pilot

Looks like a ton of fun (except for the deep sand - I'm not (yet) good in the sand). I really like Yaqui Wells camping and my Outfitter cabover camper loves dry camping. Just curious, was Tamarisk Grove open or still closed?

Ummm --- Am I missing something ???? What's wrong with Chaparral Motorsports in San Bernardino? Did they piss everyone off or ???? I realize they're not completely local but they are SoCal local (an hour drive north of Oceanside) and selection is second to none. Price is better than any I've found either internet or at their 300,000 square foot store off I-15. Yeah - 300,000 square feet of motorcycles and gear then another 50,000 square feet of tires attached. If you ever wanted to see that tire "up close and personal" before you laid out the cash (the cheapest I've found online or otherwise) this is the place to go look. As far as customer service - I've never experienced better. Extremely helpful, lots of sales associates that are clued into what they're selling. I've taken the drive up there just to roam around (for hours) and see ALL of the gear that's out on the market from clothes to the latest electronics, parts, helmets, boots, bags, doodads, etc. Not to mention KLR's, KTM's, and lots other bikes to googah over. I try like hell to patronize local and buy my fair share at NCY (nice folks, good selection) and Escondido Cycle Center (also nice, less selection) but just can't beat Chaparral. It's nothing to do the drive when you see the selection. Just my opinion - but I'm new to this here in SD

:o :o WoW

Secured campsite 27 Wednesday nite thru Saturday nite. 40' site with bench/table two sites away from head. My camper takes 24' don't know about a trailer yet. So far I'm going alone but I put the reservation in for maximum 8 people and 2 vehicles. Dan

I made a donation on November 13th (just after the virus) and it was deducted from my PayPal account but I do not know if you received it or not (no acknowledgement). Should I donate again for 2013 or ????? Dan

Ooohhh --- very high on my list of places to visit/ride. My last ride through DV was on a road bike on my way from NorCal to Flagstaff via NO Interstates. Didn't really spend any time there, just passed through and way back in '98. I'm thinking of going ALL IN on this ride and loading up the camper and trailering the bike up and back (too much slabbing - 322 miles each way from O'side). If so, I'm game for anyone joining in (especially if you have a trailer - as I don't). I have an Outfitter Apex 8 cabover camper mounted on a Dodge RAM 2500 MegaCab 4x4 Cummins Turbo Diesel that can tow a house and very comfortably seat 4. The camper (figuring using it as a "home base")has stove, refrigerator, sink, shower, etc and holds 40 gal of fresh water and recharges batteries from solar panel. Getting a campsite next to the facilities will keep the holding tanks to a minimum. Additional camping gear (tents, bags, etc.) can be loaded in the camper or bike trailer. I'd like to do all of the days mentioned in the non-organized ride but maybe go up Wednesday or Thursday 30/31 and come back Sunday evening 3rd but I'm flexible. There are good campsites available 30-40 feet length (the truck/camper needs 23 feet plus trailer) that are relatively inexpensive (about $18 per night). I'm thinking these are going to get snapped up pretty fast so if you want to join me on this, let me know pretty quick so I can grab one. Otherwise I'm going to make my decision on up/back dates and reserve it. Dan - 996Pilot F650GS (the dayglo green guy on the last Noob ride out of Ramona)

Welcome - I'm new too and ride a 2006 F650GS. Weekend rides work for me anytime. I'd really like to try the DeLuz-Tenaja TT-?? ride sometime.

+1 IN

Thanks to Goofy Footer and all of the others who put this ride together and kept it together. At times, it looked like they were herding cats and a rather thankless job. We all got to have tons of fun, the leaders/sweepers got a boat load of work. A HUGE THANKS, fun-fun-fun. What's missing in this picture??? Bonus points! OUCH!!!! Sorry, I didn't get any pictures on the trail. Sensory overload! Next time I will. 996Pilot Dan

With electrical problems such as this, it makes sense to always start with the Grounding circuit. Go back to the battery and assure yourself that your positive and ground wire connections are clean and very secure. Trace them to make sure there is no worn insulation on the positive side and that the ground wire is fully intact from battery to its final destination. If you have a Volt/Ohm meter (you can pick one up cheap at Harbor Freight or an auto parts store) put it on Ohms reading and touch the two test lead ends together - the meter should read zero (or close to it). Now you can put one lead on the negative side of the battery and touch the other lead to various point on the bike that have bare (uninsulated) metal (Engine casing, frame, etc.). The meter going to zero (or very near zero) will tell you that there is a good connection between the areas you are testing. I'd start with the obvious then drill down from there.

OK -- I'll be at the 15/76 Park & Ride around 7:30/7:40 tomorrow. I'm on the Ice Blue BMW F650GS. Dan

What time at intersection??

Don't forget to set your clocks BACK one hour on Saturday night (Sunday AM)otherwise you may be waiting at the coffee shop for an hour extra. Jus sayin!

Xlnt --- count the old geezer in on the very streety looking F650GS. I'm looking forward to it.

Is it possible to join this ride without having a GPS? I'm unfamiliar with the terrain/trails but would like to go just to putt-putt around and learn a bit of the area. Is there a hard copy map or do I need GPS to follow at a geezer pace?

My wife told me I couldn't buy my airplane/motorcycle/sports car but I bought them all anyway. I'm single now and all except the airplane (lost my medical) I've still got the other toys. Sometimes I miss my (ex)wife but when I do, I just go for a ride and it makes everything alright again.

Really old film is in a large case and sold by the megabyte. New film is in a much smaller package and sold by the gigabyte

Welcome Dave. I did the same purchasing my F650GS - primarily for exploring while camping and for sure this season in Anza Borrego SP. Look forward to meeting/seeing you. Dan

How about a Cessna Grand Caravan? Simple to fly and cheap to operate (single engine). Or for 4x4 (persons x bikes) how about a Comp Air 8 Personally, I've flown two people and one bike (handlebars loose and rotated flat) in a Cessna 206 - from California to Arizona.

So as I posted under the "New Member" forum, I purchased this 2006 BMW F650GS (single - non-Dakar) last month and for the most part, I like the bike. Nobody warned me though that the seat was designed for use at a place like GITMO. Screw the controversial water-boarding practices, just have one of those suspected terrorists sit on one of these BMW designed seats for 20-60 minutes and they'll be begging for mercy in any language. After an hour in this saddle, I'm positive they'll never be able to pro-create again (if their willy doesn't just outright fall off). I'm not talking uncomfortable, I'm sayin this seat gives all new meaning to the term "numb-nuts". But I digress..... My real point here is, "has anyone else had the - um - pleasure of trying one of these seats and, if so, what's the best solution (other than just toss the seat and sit on the fuel canister and battery -- which may be a much more comfortable alternative on long rides? Is there a great, aftermarket seat that won't set me back the price of the bike? I've already ripped off the upholstery and tried to modify the padding to no avail. Perhaps someone sells gel filled, adult diapers emblazoned with the BMW logo (just so they can tell that the wearer obviously owns a stock F650GS). Maybe just a shot of novacaine in the crotch before any ride lasting 30 minutes or longer? Before anyone gives me a load of flak let me just ask if they've tried this little sadistic wonder themselves first before accusing me of being soft? Also, I've got plenty of ultra-long rides under my belt with my longest, single-day in the saddle (not the aforementioned one) being 15 hours from Battle Mountain, Nevada to Casper, Wyoming. I've experienced many a long day in the saddle but never under these conditions. HELP! Dan

After a little over a hundred miles Saturday on the bike, I cried uncle. Ordered a Seat Concepts cover today in an attempt to relieve my PITA. I'll document the process here of order/delivery, installation and (of course) first hand experience of using the product. Thanks everyone for the Seat Concepts recommendation and thanks to Strega for the Promo Code. Stay Tuned Dan

Another North County (Oceanside)resident new to this forum and (for that matter) new to the latest dual sport equipment. Current bike (cush-mobile) is a 2006 BMW F650GS (single) that seems more like a street bike to me than a dualsport. I have only been riding street (exclusively) since my last dualsport (1986 Honda XL600 purchased new in '86) sold in 88 so I'm REALLY rusty in the dirt. Seems this GS needs a proper set of dirt tires as well - we'll fix that this weekend. Purchased this mainly to do fire roads, forest trails, logging roads, backroads (dirt) and some mild offroad desert stuff. Like I said - I'm rusty and hell I'm old. First started riding dirt bikes 45 years ago on a Suzuki 90 gradually working up to a Husky 400. During that time started riding street as well. Never gave up street riding but waffled back and forth with mild dirt riding here and there. I'm up for an easy ride out of the North County whenever. Not really looking to bust my tail nor am I out to prove any of my riding skills (or lack of skills). Just looking to get off the beaten path and get outside and get some nice photos in the process. 996Pilot