Guest Posted January 24, 2005 And how to properly break in your new Adventure Tourer...............photo link. http://community.webshots.com/album/258409036OCOuuO Saturday I took a drive up to Irv's BMW shop in Orange, near Anaheim. They had a beautiful 950 Adventure for a good price, only 900 miles, first service already done, immaculate condition, Touratech Panniers and a Corbin Seat. I just couldn't resist. Sunday, met the Sunday Social Club (my regular group of riding friends) and we had 5, yes, FIVE KTM 950's in the group. After breakfast with the boys at La Posta, I headed off on my own. Took the dirt road behind La Posta diner to the powerline trail, then to Buckman Springs. I figured the best way to break in my 950 on my first ride is to take it to Corral Canyon. I had a blast on the narrow, twisty road on the way in to Corral Canyon OHV Area. Up at the 4 Corners Trailhead, I let some air out of the tires and took the trail along the road down to the lower campground. Out of the campground, I took one of the trails that heads up to the upper campground. This trail was more challenging than usual due to all the recent, heavy rains. And more challenging to me since I was just getting used to the 950. At the intersection with the perimeter road, I headed to Kiernan Cycle Trail and took that down a few miles from the 4 Corners Trailhead. This section of the trail was also more challenging since a lot more rocks were exposed and there were more ruts than usual. After crossing the paved road, I started up the other side of Kiernan Cycle Trail towards Pine Valley. The stream was flowing strong, and passed a waterfall in the distance. This trail gets pretty challenging in some spots. On one steep uphill, I wasn't quite sure of how well the 950 works. I got into a rut and it was very loose, so I stalled it. I was on a steep incline, so it took me about 10 minutes to back down the hill about 40 feet, while using the clutch with the motor turned off to prevent the bike from sliding downhill. At the bottom, I took the easy way around the uphill. Continued up the trail, stalling quite a few times, the bike is still stock and needs some jetting and all the pollution crap taken off. I also ALMOST dropped it many times, but saved it each time. Then got up to the main dirt road and headed into Pine Valley for gas and hydration. After a break, I went to Descanso and took the Boulder Creek dirt road towards 78. Cedar Creek is still closed from the fires last year, too bad, that's a great, fun trail. Then blasted down the twisties to Santa Ysabel, Old Julian Hwy. to Wildcat Canyon. I turned off onto one of my favorite trails. The ground was still so moist and dark, and greenery was everywhere. As I progressed along, the trail started to get very rutted out, it looked like a river had been flowing down it. I was going up a small incline, stalled the bike, and couldn't save it from tipping over. Oh well, it figures I drop it on the last trail of the day, the first scratches !! Continued further up the trail until it was so washed out, I didn't want to risk dropping it again trying to get around the ruts and washouts, so I turned back. Up the road a few miles, I turned off and took another section of the trail until I had to hit the pavement for the final blast back home to San Diego. An awesome day of riding, and I think the KTM and I will get along just fine. My Ducati E900 Elefant is a great bike, but the KTM power is awesome and fun, and it has better suspension. Looking forward to more Adventure Touring and dirt riding on both !! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Ziggy Posted January 25, 2005 Great write-up of a great 1st ride. Does the 950 seem a little too big/heavy for such small trails though?I have a hard enough time with the 640 Adventure. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Ziggy Posted January 25, 2005 Great write-up of a great 1st ride. Does the 950 seem a little too big/heavy for such small trails though?I have a hard enough time with the 640 Adventure. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KTMrad 507 Posted January 25, 2005 Well, it's a workout with the big bike on the tighter, tougher trails, but I'm used to riding my 900 Elefant. I like the challenge !! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites