DigDug 0 Posted July 4, 2008 I was itching to get out and ride... Nothing extreme, just some exploring on the 950. So when walker1 posted, I knew I had to go... We kept a good pace while riding, but took lots of breaks to shoot the BS, cool off in the shade, and re-hydrate. I didn't take too many pictures, but we had a great time nonetheless. We met up in Ramona, at Packard's Coffee Shop - walker1, papaalex, N2TM and me. Gassed up, geared up, and headed out. Up Black Canyon over the bridge: At the end of Black Canyon, we dropped down to the Hideout on Mesa Grande Rd: Around Lake Henshaw, up to Warner Springs for some gas for the guys with little tanks. Then up Lost Valley, Chihuahua Valley Road, up to Anza for another gas stop. Good riding, good pace... That's when the heat started to set in... From Anza, we zipped over to Santa Rosa Mountain/ Toro Peak. The bikes at the bottom of the grade: And at the top of the mountain: It was still warm, but noticibly cooler up there. Kind of nice. I guess it's mountains time for the rest of the summer. We messed around up there, checking out the views: I always love the views from up there. It was a little hazy today (probably due to the heat), but you could still see Borrego Springs to the south, the Salton Sea to the east, Palm Springs to the north, the south face of Big Bear mountain to the northwest, and Palomar Mountain to the southwest. Good stuff, well worth the effort. From there, it was getting late for papaalex so he split to ride the slab back home. The other three of us stopped at the local cafe for lunch: It was nice to get some air-conditioning on us as we relaxed and had a bite to eat. On the way out, we had a nice conversation with an 80 year old lady who had to run out to her car and bring in a picture of herself from when she was 16 years old - riding an Indian Motorcycle... She had some great stories to tell. We reluctantly suited up, and headed back out into the heat. We decided to skip Chihuahua Valley Road and Lost Valley in favor of some higher speeds on the pavement. As we hit the intersection of 371 and 79, we decided that instead of turning left and heading for Warner Springs, we'd take the high route - High Point Truck trail up to Palomar Divide road. Once again, we worked the bikes up the hillside, into the slightly cooler air. More great views: The three of us at the old building near the southern end: From there, back down to 79 and into Warner Springs for gas (for the little tank guy), re-water, and some ice cream (thanks walker1). We re-traced the morning route back into Ramona, where we split up and headed for home. Thanks guys for an enjoyable day out on the roads and trails. 235 miles for me on the day, including the ride up to Ramona and back. It felt good to push the 950 a little harder in the dirt than I had in the past - thanks for waiting for me and the Great Pumpkin... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KTMrad 517 Posted July 4, 2008 Dug, good to see you getting the 950 dirtier now ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
walker1 1 Posted July 4, 2008 What a great comeback ride! 263 miles! Yes! Doug "Your The Man" The way you handled that Big Twin up thoes trails was most impressive! Great lead. Tod thanks for the tip on air pressure, I would have been sliding around all day with those tires and that much air in the front. Alex nice riding with you finally maybe next time I can try out your 450. My pics were'nt so good except the one of Alice, what a sweetheart! Wah Hoo! I'm ready to go again! We'll except for the Monkey Butt! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DigDug 0 Posted July 4, 2008 Dug, good to see you getting the 950 dirtier now ! Lots of miles on it today... That thing rides, well, like a big dirt-bike... Loads of power and a total blast. I do need to get some knobbies on it though, those stock tires are like slicks (fun spinning the tire in any gear though). I need to do some suspension tuning/work.. I bottom the front forks out way too easily. I also need to sort out the jetting - as I climbed in elevation, the thing ran wayyyy too rich, I had to keep adjusting the idle speed. I've got a UNI foam pre-filter that I'm going to put on once I decide to tear into it to do the jetting and carb-sync. The only time you really notice the weight of the bike is when you're trying to maneuver it to turn it around. It sure does make the pavement miles go by nicely though Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dirt dame 561 Posted July 4, 2008 Sounds like you guys had a good ol' time. Also sounds alot like the ride Jeff and I went on, except without a couple of the mountains you guys visited. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DigDug 0 Posted July 4, 2008 Damn that KTM is big Nahhh.. It only looks big parked next to the smaller bikes. The fairing and big, side-mounted gas tanks are an optical illusion that makes it appear bigger... At least that's what I keep telling myself!! (until I have to maneuver it and turn it around on a tight trail anyways) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dirt dame 561 Posted July 4, 2008 That's when the heat started to set in... From Anza, we zipped over to Santa Rosa Mountain/ Toro Peak. It was still warm, but noticibly cooler up there. Kind of nice. I guess it's mountains time for the rest of the summer. It was nice to get some air-conditioning on us as we relaxed and had a bite to eat. We reluctantly suited up, and headed back out into the heat. Is it getting hotter with every summer that goes by or are we just getting older? Or maybe both.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ORANGEBLOOD 0 Posted July 5, 2008 Doug, I’ve been adding to my collection of bikes, and this KTM slipped into the picture. I ‘d like to make a ride with you on the Adventures. The ride you just did look like fun, I’ve done very little offroad with the 950. Later, ORANGEBLOOD Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bikeslut 1 Posted July 5, 2008 Doug, I’ve been adding to my collection of bikes, and this KTM slipped into the picture. I ‘d like to make a ride with you on the Adventures. The ride you just did look like fun, I’ve done very little offroad with the 950. Later, ORANGEBLOOD I hereby relenquish the title "bikeslut"... DAMN Blood! and aren't you the guy that keeps all his bikes off-site? Do not let me know the secret location Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DigDug 0 Posted July 5, 2008 Doug, I’ve been adding to my collection of bikes, and this KTM slipped into the picture. I ‘d like to make a ride with you on the Adventures. The ride you just did look like fun, I’ve done very little offroad with the 950. Later, ORANGEBLOOD It looks to me like you need a bigger garage!!!! The ride was perfect for a big-dirt-bike-newb like me. Not too technical, but just enough to keep you interested. The road miles are nothing on this bike and it handles pretty well in the dirt and rocks for a 520 lb machine. I've seen you ride, and a big guy like you is a perfect match for the 950, especially the 'S' model. I'll definitely be doing more here in the near future, keep your eyes on the board for posts, or throw one up there and I'll see if I can join you... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ORANGEBLOOD 0 Posted July 5, 2008 Doug, I’ve been adding to my collection of bikes, and this KTM slipped into the picture. I ‘d like to make a ride with you on the Adventures. The ride you just did look like fun, I’ve done very little offroad with the 950. Later, ORANGEBLOOD I hereby relenquish the title "bikeslut"... DAMN Blood! and aren't you the guy that keeps all his bikes off-site? Do not let me know the secret location Remember I only do that because, my wife only knows about 3 of the bikes (the ones I've had to work on) the others don't exist yet so I don't have marital problems over my toys. Remember I have a 30-year hiatus that I have to catch up from. All those years with no bikes! Slut the location is simple MAS Miramar, check in at the gate, give them the daily password, they'll escort you to the storage area. What better than protected by the Marines. But wrong password and they take you to the brig. ORANGEBLOOD ORANGEBLOOD Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
