MacDuncan

Way to tear it up you guys! You clearly met the qualifications of being adventurer riders! Great info and story, thanks for writing it up! I had planned to ride the CABDR solo starting when you did, but went to Mammoth to play in the snow instead. The weather you experienced, rain and hail and lightning on a moto, didn't sound like it would be fun, the freezing cold high winds blowing north to south through Owens Valley, closed roads in Death Valley, and the snow in the hills all around Bishop, seemed to push me towards skis instead of my 2 wheeler. Even when riding the Chair lifts in Mammoth, I kept looking east and wondered if anyone was really riding through that snow on the BDR. Doesn't look like you got that far north.... But heck, none of those challenges seemed to deter you both - impressive - Well Done!

One ahead of you this year, HBD, and thanks again for so many tracks you have shared to experience so many spectacular places. Cheers

CID, some CABDR reports are rolling in. I think a couple SDAR riders have done it now. I may ride it during the week of March 11. Are you gonna go for it, or wait for the Yamaha? smiles. Not sure yet if my regular riding buds can match the departure date, so I may go solo, I have done the COBDR solo twice now, so all good. Maybe, I will have a support vehicle around later in the week (and to transport bike/rider home down 395 after) but nice to know if crossing paths somewhere in the wilderness might happen with any SDAR riders riding the same week. I know that sometimes it is best to have smaller groups that stay together, like a couple groups of 5 instead of a group of 10, or even pairs or triples, etc... less waiting around that way, and easier communication, and less dust , but nice if the camping destination at the end of the day is a similar spot to share, sitting around the fire ring. I still need to figure out if all the deviations are worth it?? The little out-n-back above Blythe, Primm, the 2-3 loop choices near Death Valley (which ones are most rewarding... as I don't think riders try to do them both). And, if there still is the budget crisis that may alter Death Valley Park entry, and snow levels? ... but hoping by March 10, snow is a non issue. I will put a big tank on bike to avoid rotopaks . Just checking in, Cheers

Amgems, that video is super! Well done! Dang, I am bummed about missing those tracks on that day as that terrain looked super to explore, moist sand, along with crossing paths with desert military tactical school, and finding monuments.... and routes that might have me thinking twice about trying Great stuff gang!

Mr. Amgems, Thank you so very much for the great ride! Your preparation and organization did not go unnoticed, and was truly appreciated by all. The fact that you had prepared specific main routes, and side options for additional extra nice riding routes, and pointed out geological info, and shared historical happenings, and supplied bail out options, ..... and that you had printed maps for every member of the ride who wasn't riding with GPS, was impressive. It is not an easy task to guide 9 riders across almost 4 hundred miles of mostly rough terrain and sustain a good consistent pace. It was so nice that every rider was well prepared to keep moving with almost no thoughts of lounging. Of course, there can be delays due to unforeseen issues that arise, but in every one of those instances, a quick recovery with all hands on deck to get going was the theme, and then zip zam zoom again. From what I saw, I think there were 4 naps in total. 2 of them a zero mph, and the other 2 in tight sand at under 5 mph. One of those caused a luggage failure, and that bag was found a time or 2 on route. The route had some bumps and chatter, so some luggage got bounced enough to pop free, slide too far to one side, have a strap break, or have a bolt jiggle out or break, but they were all fixed sufficiently with the help of group members to keep the journey moving at pace, and nobody had to bail. At times, we had to slightly back track to find some dropped items, but it was re-packaged and on we went. Some of us plan to "UP" our luggage configurations for the next ride However, a few luggage issues on the ride did not detrimentally effect the success of the trip. Heck, without that, there would have been no challenges at all, everything would have been absolutely perfect, and that would have been too easy for a strong group like us - smiles. NOTE: No flats, and no major mechanicals, and no bifs, and of course, no rider boo boos - are always welcome on a long adventure ride! There was some variance in the ride experience due to dust, and it was a bit dusty at times if you were not the leader or second rider (or a third rider snuggled up tight to the other 2 to avoid the dust bomb). But beyond that, some distance needed to take place between riders to have good visibility (for safety) and a more pleasant ride. Luckily, especially across Bradshaw for 60-70 miles (at 40-60 mph), there was a nice cross wind that allowed each rider to ride just beyond the dust line and tossed rocks of the rider in front of them, at a fairly close distance. That was super cool, and when in the sweep position, there were spectacular views that could be had when all 8 riders ahead were in view, with a sideways dust trail from each, jamming across the desert lands. Also, there were times that standing side by side with a buddy worked well. Dang nice feeling, all of that, and for me, a shout of "Yahoo!!!" echoed through my helmet often (and it was always accompanied with a great Big Smile, Certainly, one of the reasons I ride!). Of course, with 9 riders spread across the land, our train was around a half mile long, or longer at times. But still....Very Nice! The only time it became London Fog, meaning, you really had to just sit and wait for it to clear, was along the Arizona side of the river. But once it cleared, that river was mighty pretty. During those times, the Ham radios were stretched to their limit. Regardless, the radios were great. For safety, the lead and the sweep used radios to keep the group aligned and together. It was also nice that some non-licensed riders used radios to listen to warnings as well. "Jeep on the right", or "Broken Trailer in the road" or "left in a half mile", or "luggage looks funky" . Our route was quite simple, essentially, OW Ranger station, west and then east through O Wells, through TruckHaven, up to Mecca, around the Salton Sea, Lunch at Glamis North, check out an oasis, east across Bradshaw to our wonderful Motel 6. Sunday Morning, east on 10 to Arizona, down the river to Palo Verde, through some great mining roads back to Bradshaw, with a northward route to find gas and lunch at Chiriaco Summit, and then down Box Canyon, with a jump onto the OW poleline to get back to Ranger station. It was quite impressive how much Box Canyon had changed (been cleaned up and the asphalt road is being re-discovered) since the KUG mystery overnight ride over a month ago. Almost a bummer because it has become too easy for knobby riders, but still a pretty loop through the ravine. Here are the adventurers: A quick regroup near the Canal and Glamis North: Bradshaw heads east (to the right) on the alluvial fan in the background. It was beat up from the canal to the turn off, a couple miles each side of the the trestle, but once on Bradshaw proper, the washboard went away and it was great cross country flying. In the oasis, some riders, even off their bikes, were adventurous, jumping over rivers When our leader and organizer said "follow me", we did. Motel six motorcycle super store: Yep, all the bikes were cabled and secure.... but we really didn't need that as we had the RED light - a digital, bluetooth, motion camera, cell phone, satellite configured, "dusk to dawn" alarm, and remote notification system, in place for any bozo who looked too closely: Dennys and Chevron, filling our bellies and our bikes: Thank you Amgems, Great stuff! Really appreciated! PS - I do have one small concern...... That continental breakfast at Motel 6 could use some help

Well done y'all. I had planned to go, but the orange bike needed some care, and thought about using the street bike for about 7-8 seconds.......but nope. but I did fly down to Ocotillo wells on the vstrom , quite windy and nippy in the hills, but glorious in the desert!! Likely nice at the Cabin too. Is Anza to the cabin not far in distance as Borrego Springs to the Cabin? That bike pic at the cabin sure is purty!

Ten day forecast looks good. Leaning that direction. Thanks Amgems.

Great info. Thanks to you all. I will pick up a CR 2430 soon and see what that does. That sure would be a nice easy fix if it works. Otherwise, I will soon begin replacing pieces and parts. It was pulsating when the bike was not running. I know some flashlights pulsate to indicate a low battery, so there is some logic there, but I didn't make the association to that being a possibility on an orange motorcycle! Heck, I had no idea that there was a mini battery in the cluster and I have been down in there a few times checking connectors. Good detective work from afar I appreciate the brainstorming and diagnoses.

Well weirdrider, although I laughed out loud when I first read your post, and was about to throw a snappy reply back to ya, but it makes about as much sense as what I have found at KTMtalk and other sites. There seems to be some gremlins surrounding this issue. I may continue to prod and poke all connectors, heck - maybe check the GROUND too! But really, not just off or on or not working, or buttons don't function... but pulsating brightness??? Must be cold and cluster battery weak

Worked on the bike a bit today and noticed that the instrument cluster brightness was pulsating when I checked hours and miles (at about .5 second increments). I always found it odd that the odometer info can be read independently of the bike key being turned on or not. Regardless, I have had a bit of hard starting lately, but plan to check valves and mixture, etc. Has a new battery. Almost all stock set-up. Any thoughts on possible reasons for pulsating brightness of odometer display while bike is off and key is not turned on?

That is a good read CID, Thanks. Pretty cool magazine too. It really adds some clarity to why some folks like the big bikes, and some folks like the smaller ones, even though packing the smaller ones for overnights can be more challenging because the Blender and crock pot often have to be left behind . And nice to hear that even some experienced "Big Bike" riders prefer the small bikes on the BDR's on occasion. It wouldn't surprise me if SDAR gets a few questions in the very near future about the riding conditions on Section 1 sent to them from out of state riders coming here to begin the CABDR South. I have ridden it a few times already, but not on a big bike. I wonder if some SDAR Big Bike riders have a report for that soft section from the river to Indian Pass summit yet, from a big bike perspective? I think a couple of you were going out to ride that road before it was officially a BDR. Maybe, no big for the experienced big bike rider.

Hey Danger Dave, there are quite a few members with wee-stroms or V-stroms, I have one, and from my understanding, most of us have installed most parts as needed as owners, just like you do. Maybe share where you live more specifically so folks in that area can guide you to a shop, or to look at their stroms (also look at the stromtroopers web site for info too). I am sure a few members would offer that support. However, before you get too deep into it, note that there are 2 main camps of thought with the V-strom community when discussing adventures, and you will have to ride various terrain to decide which camp you want to mainly participate in before you spend a lot of money on that bike for rough riding. One group of owners will take it anywhere and try anything. Others consider it to be their road bike for interstate travel, commuting, camping from it, zipping through the local mountains, or to ride mostly smooth dirt roads as the most rough terrain to get to a remote campsite. As was shared, most folks install a skid plate asap as a first step regardless of the intended use. Your next steps should be to cruise down to Borrego and roam on some jeep roads (I will attach a map), or ride the perimeter road at Corral Canyon, or ride out to Picacho (preferably with a friend) to see which type of v-strom rider you might prefer to be in the future. Then, you can buy more parts for it, or buy a smaller off-road orientated bike to be used for gnarly rocks and deep sand. The first reply was by Weirdrider, who is likely one of the more knowledgeable v-strom riders on the site. He might offer more in-depth narrative and opinion, as he would take his v-strom to places I would never take mine. Hope that offers some insight. Good luck, Cheers. Local jeep road map for Borrego: abdsp_Park_Map201704.pdf And, Car camping style from the v-strom in Joshua Tree (and Oracle thought I carried a bunch of stuff on my 525 when camping - my vstrom carries a bunch more! - haha)

SoCalMule wrote: Had a great day yesterday CID! Thank you for a very fun exploration adventure! 😊 CID, Bagstr, PB and Amgems, as SoCalMule shared, thanks for a great day of riding. A fantastic route with all sorts of stuff to keep aware of as we roamed the desert. I really enjoyed navigating all the peaks on Superstition along a route that seemed to barely exist, rocky climbs next to sandy climbs.... and zipping through the wide open desert without anyone there (except the phantom SDAR member who we could only hear through the radio -haha ). Although, my legs were a bit tired hiking Cowles today due to those whoops -ouch. Hope the rest of you have avoided any day-after soreness. Here is the Flying Amgems: Here is the cast of Rat-Patrol before SDAR: Here they are after: There always seems to be one bike that stands alone And an owner trying to find the way in - smiles! Luckily, I had a signal mirror to guide him! Well done to all of you! Thanks.

In, thanks CID, I still haven't got a moto ride in yet this holiday break, so looking forward to it. Amgems, you can borrow a rotopax gallon if you want to, I have 2. Your post here about carrying gas prompted me to post a pic on the fuel thread post for fun. Although I might carry one also as a back up. I'll throw them in the truck as an option, either way ok.

Just like Socal mule, I often carry 2 fuel bottles in a wolfman saddle, but sometimes there is a need for more. There seems to be some long sections on the CABDR that could warrant a bigger tank. I might have to finally put on a 6.6 gallon monster tank. Or, strap on some rotopax, as seen in this pic of some yoyo going through Goler Canyon, as everything is big in Death Valley - haha