Oracle

I can see all the pics. Nice write up. Section 3 of the CABDR is nice. I'm sure you'll get a chance to hit it one of these days.

I see your point. There are other advantages too. Higher pressure rating (less likely to fail on the trail), fewer connection points (failure points), no thermostate to fail, they last longer than stock rubber hoses, and they look good. I'd venture to say just about every pro sx/mx/enduro team replaces the stock radiator hose and thermostat with a highflow silicone hose kit.

Yes, remove it. The cooling system performs better without if for our riding condition.

First flat ever? And here I've been thinking you've been riding since Hodakas were invented...

So you beat your own record...good going.

4.5 years ago...unbelievable. I'm pretty sure I won the last teather ball game. I can't commit yet, but will try my best to make this one.

Will there be beer and shinanigans?

Pull the carb and open her up, remove the jets, and inspect them all. It could be something as easy as a clogged jet. Compare your jet sized and needle position to factory specs. Post back with the details and we'll go from there.

So I got to the bottom of La Posta first. I found a nice spot to chill in the shade a wait for the group. Eventually the majority of the group showed up. When Kenny arrived he said that someone had lost a gas cap. At that point, we assumed Darren and "someone" had turned around and gone back to find it. After waiting for about 30 minutes, along with the group, I realized i was running out of time and needed to get moving since I needed to be home by a certain time. My main side kick, Mikey777, and I decided to break out and slab west on the 8 so we would have time to grab some lunch. From there we hit some more paved twisties trying to make the most of the new Shinko 705's I installed on Fury the night before. They didn't disappoint. Before I met up with the group, I had already knocked out 80 miles of twisties. Ended up with 150 miles for the day. Had a great time.

Might cruise up on the 950. Would meet at the gas station if I can motivate.

Sounds pretty much like the rest of us...

Hard side bags do have their advantages too...

Lucky dog. Enjoy.

Nicely done. I see on FB you got home safely EARLY this morning. Laying down the miles...I'm jealous.

That is odd. Possibly started as a manufacturing defect in the cylinder or piston that took 300 hours to culminated in a failure.

Negative. We rode east out of Fish Creek, then cut north across the open desert toward Ocotillo Wells. Stop to see a friend who was camping out there, then headed west into Borrego Springs for lunch. Then Grapevine back to 78 and s2 to the staging area. We need to hook up soon and ride.

Nice. I was out that way yesterday with a couple guys doing the Pinyon loop. It was amazing.

Dez season is here (at least for now)....Just did a 100 mile loop today. Watch the upcoming rides sections for future rides....braaap

Gangster ----.

Both of your bikes have the option to add a kick starter. I don't even think it's that expensive, although that is a relative statement. There is no reason you shouldn't be able to bump start your 500. I'm not sure why you think it's difficult? As long as you have some voltage, to start the fuel pump, you should be able to. And since the bike did turn over, it seems like bumping it was an option. Just about any bike can be bump started...I bump started a BMW R1200RT last weekend with the help of a friend. As far as the main question about the Lithium battery, I have mixed opinions about them. The best thing about them is the weight savings. If you don't really care about that, I would suggest you seriously consider going back to lead acid. I'm considering it myself. Mainly, because lead acid batteries work better in the mountains and lower temps, although they have their limitation too.

BTW, guys, don't wait for me...I've got my own thing going. Was just mentioning that I'd be out there and we might run into each other.