shutterrev 469 Posted May 31, 2022 Well for starters this morning I made the last minute decision to change my rear tire out, I got the idea to look in to TUSK tires thanks to @tntmo after seeing the price point. Yes, typically one gets what they pay for, but there is enough descent reviews on the interwebs, and I mean... $69 shipped for a new rear - ok I'll try it out. First things first, the TUSK D-Sport tires are harder than a two dollar steak. I can get tires on and off the dirt star wheels pretty quick, even without the rabbaconda - but these are just one of those types of tires that are pretty stiff, so things like seating the bead-wall on either side of the rimlock took a few extra minutes to muscle through. Not bad, nothing crazy, just not as easy as some others I've tried along the way. Got a good mix of twisty roads for the getting there, and back from the trails today, some twice... My previous rear tire had a fairly flattened out profile, so today was scrubbing this one in and feeling that round new tire profile again Seems to hook up like a descent dot legal dualsport knobby, wasn't sketchy on the road either. Tusk D-Sport 140/80/18 Anyway... New tire mounted, @Hawkins and I decided to meet in Ramona, then head out to Black Mountain. We took the left past Ramona on Magnolia Ave until it dirts, and took Black canyon on down to the white gate for Forest Route 12S07. We rode forest route to that first dirt vista above pamo road, and then headed up to the top of black Mountain. Great day for it, not too hot, not cold, not a lot of 4 wheeled traffic, just a couple other bikes. The Top Once back down to the lower vista point, we ran Forest route in reverse, to Black Canyon. Black Canyon to Mesa Grande, and decided to swing through the Hideout maybe to get a bite - the hideout was packed to the gills.... ...so we went with the original plan, rolled tacos and horchata at Jilbertos - love the rolled tacos there - (15265 CA-76, Pauma Valley, CA 92061). Other sweet thing about Jilbertos is it's right near the bottom of Nate Harrison (where it meets the 76). So we headed up Nate Harrison, which was great - basically no traffic, beautiful day. @Hawkins Just moved here from Seattle, and bought the Africa Twin DCT, and his first dirt on a motorcycle in 20+ years was the Mountain Dash, so he wanted to hit it again after having a few more trails under his belt and I think is really loving the bike, and the tires. Nate came and went pretty quickly, but always a lovely little scoot. Then we kicked tires with some of the regulars up at the Mother's Parking lot for a bit before heading our respective ways. Today was a good ride, and there was a lot of big groups out having memorial day rides. I don't love getting stuck behind them, but i do love passing them the other direction and seeing all the bikes and waving Different genre, but we are all riders and I'm just always happy to see folks out on two wheels. On the way home I put on some music, got in to the zone, and thought about friends who didn't make it back, as well as friends who did... but who's loads were too heavy. Celebrate them, shed some tears, smash some hot dogs, or go leave some rubber on the road. How ever you do today, Memorial Day, is up to you. I hope it was a good day. - Nick 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
