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97xr400r

Clearing out the cobwebs, a jaunt to Joshua Tree

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Hey guys, I haven't been too active this past year or so but I've been getting the moto dirt tour itch real bad. Finally got a chance the scratch at it and ahhh man, I forgot just how much I enjoy this stuff.  I also got to put some mileage on my long and slow-to-progress project that is my XR650R, It did great and gave me some confidence and motivation to get it really dialed in for some big mileage offroad touring. That bike is a blast in all but the tightest stuff. My biggest complaint is it gets hot when the going get SLOW (you know, like getting lost in sand washes that turn to dry waterfalls) and the lack of wind protection. But I have plans to resolve both issues...

Anyways I thought some of you might like to put this loop on your calendar sometime. It makes for a nice weekend overnighter. None of the terrain is technical, however, lots of sand, so if you're not comfortable dancing around on the pow pow  I would skip it. 

Day one- The map is just about the exact route I took. It was a rerun of Kato and I's day one out to the first annual Crawdaddy Bullhead invitational. (Thanks again Chris and Kato, that was a hellofa ride!!!!)

 https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Linda+Vista,+San+Diego,+CA/Twentynine+Palms,+CA+92277/@34.0217715,-116.0956212,31427m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m64!4m63!1m55!1m1!1s0x80deaaad499687a9:0xa55ea30ee15a4786!2m2!1d-117.1676501!2d32.791569!3m4!1m2!1d-116.9246473!2d33.0085931!3s0x80dbe590103dc871:0x1584ccfe61ebdaba!3m4!1m2!1d-116.8310682!2d33.127502!3s0x80dbea262a999951:0x12177dcbff23e0f4!3m4!1m2!1d-116.7866548!2d33.17562!3s0x80dbc1d2f612f003:0x3cd8f2f067495a9b!3m4!1m2!1d-116.674645!2d33.2489368!3s0x80dbb89f75298159:0x157c61a03610a4f1!3m4!1m2!1d-116.6536534!2d33.2886099!3s0x80dbb8543f719fd1:0x915ea031d684108e!3m4!1m2!1d-116.6468826!2d33.3031827!3s0x80dbb9a464c729d9:0x47283e04ad959b42!3m4!1m2!1d-116.6810122!2d33.443635!3s0x80dba493757b822b:0xb48b23d2770bd6f1!3m4!1m2!1d-116.626385!2d33.5496976!3s0x80dba7cb775ef78b:0x2502945673ecead6!3m4!1m2!1d-116.3120229!2d33.8313259!3s0x80dae4adcbad8fbd:0xa2fc5e372d20d930!3m4!1m2!1d-116.1766535!2d33.8087514!3s0x80daf1034c474ca7:0x4ef9061daf027d9!1m5!1m1!1s0x80dac726c25e7ecf:0xec37eb42c963a3fc!2m2!1d-116.0541689!2d34.1355582!3e0

I had planned on meeting with my better half and her friend at a campsite in Joshua Tree but the place was a packed zoo so we all settled on hoteling it.  I was disappointed with not getting that nighttime desert camping experience but once I had some thai food, cold beer, and a shower I wasn't complaining

20161105_163620_Richtone(HDR).jpg Just outside Berdoo canyon

 

Day Two- This was all just on the fly navigation, seems to never fail at being some of the best parts of a trip. I couldn't get google maps to cooperate so this map doesnt show my "detours" , Be sure to look for mecca canyon trail and or Little box canyon trail on the south side of box canyon road (there is a big sign). This trail is closed seasonally in the hottest months for big horn, this trail is a gem. 

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Twentynine+Palms,+CA+92277/Linda+Vista,+San+Diego,+CA/@33.5252363,-116.068697,10546m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m69!4m68!1m60!1m1!1s0x80dac726c25e7ecf:0xec37eb42c963a3fc!2m2!1d-116.0541689!2d34.1355582!3m4!1m2!1d-115.8948029!2d34.0809425!3s0x80dabd63274ad441:0xb24fd31072f1c79e!3m4!1m2!1d-115.783334!2d34.103308!3s0x80da989907d9b2e1:0xc90e29d8408bf735!3m4!1m2!1d-115.7309494!2d34.0597765!3s0x80da9e95b3cf6b73:0xcf37b8f869fa7ffb!3m4!1m2!1d-115.8413741!2d34.1221158!3s0x80daa2c83ac1a44b:0xa75f80f5ee2f9513!3m4!1m2!1d-115.7214291!2d34.0087165!3s0x80da9c5a7094a639:0xb6d728849f9d2591!3m4!1m2!1d-115.9107779!2d33.6215028!3s0x80da65011d01bb4d:0x266f174c10accdcc!3m4!1m2!1d-115.9220112!2d33.5435289!3s0x80da6f25aade6a95:0x43cd16f6345e0c11!3m4!1m2!1d-115.9215153!2d33.5427362!3s0x80da6f25aade6a95:0x43cd16f6345e0c11!3m4!1m2!1d-115.9189397!2d33.5375152!3s0x80da6f25aade6a95:0x43cd16f6345e0c11!3m4!1m2!1d-116.0810321!2d33.518075!3s0x80da42e4f1762555:0x3561c427c1468b63!3m4!1m2!1d-116.0198937!2d33.3609672!3s0x80da156d75fba455:0x5964a3a297b4085!1m5!1m1!1s0x80deaaad499687a9:0xa55ea30ee15a4786!2m2!1d-117.1676501!2d32.791569!3e0

I will admit to getting REALLY lost into a forgotten corner of JT but is was a great morning with lots of freshly washed sand that was that perfect consistency for "skiing around" for miles SOOOO fun! I was trying to find an old Dale road connector route I had seen on a map but after 4 longish dead ends decided I needed to get heading home. So back to the highway to get my bearings and find Old Dale road... TIP: don't look for the street sign, someone decided they needed it more than everyone else, hah, but I had a suspicion. Fortunately there was a useful map sign just down the road, snap a photo and I'm off! Made my way down to I10, went straight over and hit box canyon road. I then stumbled upon that gem I mentioned above and pretty much rode right up to the shore of the Salton Sea for a gorgeous sunset. I was a long way from home and wanted to get there before my bedtime so I flexed the 650R horsepower and tall gearbox and slabbed home until I thought my neck was going to snap (someone get me a fregin windscreen!)

20161106_131719.jpggettin lost, having a blast!

20161106_131743.jpgRemembering the cardinal rule "don't go down what you can't get up"

20161106_142023_Richtone(HDR).jpg

20161106_143825_Richtone(HDR).jpg Northern portion of old dale road, aka sand highway

20161106_155052_Richtone(HDR).jpg The trail off of box canyon road was full of surprises. Salton sea in view.

20161106_160303.jpg essentially followed this wash to North Shore!

20161106_161054_Richtone(HDR).jpg

20161106_162716_Richtone(HDR).jpg Snapped some sweet pix while talking with a guy that was meeting his buddy who is riding from alaska to Chile! So Rad!

20161106_162734_Richtone(HDR).jpg

20161105_140138.jpg Cheers! Let's ride!:thumbsup_anim:

 

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Very cool. I love my piggly. Just wish the airfilter didn't let dirt bypass so much. Interesting, ive never had an issue overheating that poor bike, and believe me I have punished it thoroughly. What are your over heating conditions?

 

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Very cool!  Thanks for posting and motivating!  Always looking for another good dez trip for my Pig.

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11 hours ago, Reximus said:

Very cool. I love my piggly. Just wish the airfilter didn't let dirt bypass so much.

 

Might be stating the obvious:  Never use K&N air filters.  Use generous amounts of Bel-Ray Waterproof Grease around the edge of a good foam filter before you install.

With that approach I never have dirt in my airbox.

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I have tried twin air, and uni, all oiled well. I think my box could be deformed a bit.

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Hey slacker, bout time you you got back to it. That a nice route, and an even nicer ride. I'm back in town living in El Cajon. Give me a ring if venture back onto the bike again. 

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Reximus- It gets hot when I'm farting around in first gear in the sand stop and go on a hot day. I hate having to worry about it so I plan on installing a fan when I redo the electrical.

 

Thanks for the Air filter tips, I have noticed it's really easy to screw up the filter placement while installing the side cover.

 

Slaugo back in the house!!?

 

It would be cool to get a good group together and ride to the river this season...

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Does it just spit into the overflow tank? I redid my electrical system with a ricky stator. I only use one of the two massive stator circuits. PM if you are interested in the details. Always good to see another BRP out there. 

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Nice to see this report...

Last time I saw you, you were almost getting washed away sleeping on the beach at Bullhead City...

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On 11/11/2016 at 7:51 PM, Reximus said:

Does it just spit into the overflow tank? I redid my electrical system with a ricky stator. I only use one of the two massive stator circuits. PM if you are interested in the details. Always good to see another BRP out there. 

Yeah Its boiling into the overflow tank. Just got the fan https://www.amazon.com/Spal-30103018-Paddle-Blade-Puller/dp/B009OBP55G  Slowly collecting new wiring components... can't wait for it to be done

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