D/FW dirt bikers?

[Squidward]

I was wondering if there were any local Dallas/Fort Worth area moto-xers and trail riders on here. It would be nice to get some groups together for practice days at the local tracks and maybe do some group trail riding.

[Tourmeister]

There is a Texas Yahoo DS group and a lot of them seem to be in the great DFW area.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TexasDS/

Adios,

[Tx Rider]

Well I'm here but my bike isn't. I've been too busy/lazy to work on it for the last year. :)

There are some good trails around but 1/2 of them I've found seem to be illegal, and the legal ones are crowded, the best option is a trip up to red river ranch IMO.

[Sleepy Weasel]

I've been out to Gilmer for the last few years off & on with my Jeep. I've never seen the motorcycle exclusive trails at Barnwell Mountain Recreation Area, but I know they occasionally have closed down the mountain for dirtbike races, in some cases they're reported to be pretty big name events, so I assume there's some good riding there.

http://texasmotorizedtrails.com/ohvareas/barnwell/index.html

[Squidward]

I'm actually pretty familiar with most of the available riding areas. I was more or less looking for other folks here to ride with.

[TheCanuck]

I'm actually pretty familiar with most of the available riding areas. I was more or less looking for other folks here to ride with.

I still have to do the chain/sprockets and forks, but I love to ride N. f Meunster at the Red River Motorcycle park.

cheers,
Tom

[Squidward]

I'm actually pretty familiar with most of the available riding areas. I was more or less looking for other folks here to ride with.

I still have to do the chain/sprockets and forks, but I love to ride N. f Meunster at the Red River Motorcycle park.

cheers,
Tom

Muenster is great. I'm hoping to get a weekend long deal setup this summer.....get there saturday morning, camp out saturday night and ride some more sunday morning before heading home.

[ChubbyDodds]

I used to ride at the Red River Trails outside Muenster when I was a kid. This sure sounds like the same place. I would love to ride there again. Of course, I'm a lot fatter and a lot older than I was and I'm riding a KLR instead of an MX bike, but it sure would be a good time!

Mark

[Hood Ornament]

Squidward, a group of about 10 or so of us TSBA'rs have been doing trail riding. All different skill levels from a TX MX champ to total wimps. :lol: We did Muenster the last couple weekends. You're more then welcome to join us. We'll probably be heading out either this weekend or next. I'll post up and let you know when and where.

[Hood Ornament]

I'm actually pretty familiar with most of the available riding areas. I was more or less looking for other folks here to ride with.

I still have to do the chain/sprockets and forks, but I love to ride N. f Meunster at the Red River Motorcycle park.

cheers,
Tom

What do you need done with the forks?

[Tourmeister]

Albie,

What do you ride when you head up there?

Adios,

[Adan]

Squidward, a group of about 10 or so of us TSBA'rs have been doing trail riding. All different skill levels from a TX MX champ to total wimps. :lol: We did Muenster the last couple weekends. You're more then welcome to join us. We'll probably be heading out either this weekend or next. I'll post up and let you know when and where.

If you don't mind I'd like to tag along for some fun in the dirt (mud) ;-)

[Hood Ornament]

Albie,

What do you ride when you head up there?

Adios,

KX 250.

[Hood Ornament]

Squidward, a group of about 10 or so of us TSBA'rs have been doing trail riding. All different skill levels from a TX MX champ to total wimps. :lol: We did Muenster the last couple weekends. You're more then welcome to join us. We'll probably be heading out either this weekend or next. I'll post up and let you know when and where.

If you don't mind I'd like to tag along for some fun in the dirt (mud) ;-)

Some of the gang are going on Saturday, but I'm stuck working. Been so busy I haven't even had time to put my bike back together after a close encounter with some trees a couple weeks ago. :-(

[TheCanuck]

I still have to do the chain/sprockets and forks, but I love to ride N. f Meunster at the Red River Motorcycle park.

cheers,
Tom

What do you need done with the forks?

Fork seals and new oil. Last time I had her out oil started to pump out the seals :headbang:

Don't know if air pressure build up in there, tie down job done by my friend on his trailer, he really cranked the front end down, or of course it was their time to go. Sadly the only work I've done on forks before is looking at the springs of my wifes TBS, and that was pretty easy.

cheers,
Tom

[Squidward]

I still have to do the chain/sprockets and forks, but I love to ride N. f Meunster at the Red River Motorcycle park.

cheers,
Tom

What do you need done with the forks?

Fork seals and new oil. Last time I had her out oil started to pump out the seals :headbang:

Don't know if air pressure build up in there, tie down job done by my friend on his trailer, he really cranked the front end down, or of course it was their time to go. Sadly the only work I've done on forks before is looking at the springs of my wifes TBS, and that was pretty easy.

cheers,
Tom

Cut a length of 2x4 to fit between the top of the tire and the bottom of the triple tree to prevent excessive compression of the front when you tie it down. Or you could buy a pre-made plastic one like I've got from most dirtbike friendly bike shops. It only allows you to compress the front forks a couple of inches. Another way to keep seals happy and air bled is too open the bleed screws after each riding session.

[Hood Ornament]

I still have to do the chain/sprockets and forks, but I love to ride N. f Meunster at the Red River Motorcycle park.

cheers,
Tom

What do you need done with the forks?

Fork seals and new oil. Last time I had her out oil started to pump out the seals :headbang:

Don't know if air pressure build up in there, tie down job done by my friend on his trailer, he really cranked the front end down, or of course it was their time to go. Sadly the only work I've done on forks before is looking at the springs of my wifes TBS, and that was pretty easy.

cheers,
Tom

You've got 46 MM USD KYB forks right? If so, I got all the tools needed to replace the seals. I can help you out if you want. Just did mine a couple weeks ago.

[TheCanuck]

You've got 46 MM USD KYB forks right? If so, I got all the tools needed to replace the seals. I can help you out if you want. Just did mine a couple weeks ago.

Not sure, IRIC they are basically the same ones from the YZ125/250/426 of the same year. I will check whe I get home tonight.

Any help would be greatly appreciated! TIA!

cheers,
Tom

[backspinnn]

If anyone in the Mckinney/Allen/Plano, North DFW-ish area wants to get together one weekend for a pretty good DS ride, I know a trail that goes from Farmersville to Paris, but I would probably turn around at Pecan Gap. Bikes must be street legal on some sections....

I have some more tame dirt road routes in northern Collin and western Hunt county for the less adventuresome.

Let me know if you are interested,

Chris N
Lowry Crossing, TX
2003 KLR650

[Adan]

If anyone in the Mckinney/Allen/Plano, North DFW-ish area wants to get together one weekend for a pretty good DS ride, I know a trail that goes from Farmersville to Paris, but I would probably turn around at Pecan Gap. Bikes must be street legal on some sections....

I have some more tame dirt road routes in northern Collin and western Hunt county for the less adventuresome.

Let me know if you are interested,

Chris N
Lowry Crossing, TX
2003 KLR650

Hey Chris, I'm game :dude:

Looks like two DS riders, Mark from Frisco and myself, will be going for a street ride to Paris (http://www.twtex.com/viewtopic.php?t=3294) this Sunday, if you can make it out there maybe we can plan TWTex-DFW's first DS ride :twisted: or even explore some of these trails on the way back.

Do you know if this Farmersville - Paris trail gets very muddy? There is a good chance of rain today

Have you heard about the DS trail ride on Sun Feb. 27 in crooked creek (near West, the town, TX)?

The BMW/Suzuky/Yamaha shop in Hurst is organizing it, I'm still getting more details. The plan is to be there by 10AM. $10 to get in, the organizer is picking up the $100 reservation fee.

I was thinking about finding some back roads to get there, instead of slabing it with the group meeting in Hurst.

[Adan]

Good old JoeFast/Cool Pannel came through for us on the park info, turns out it is a location near Wacko, here is a map and a couple of websites.

http://www.txmud.com/trails/ct/images/crookedcreekmap.jpg

http://www.txmud.com/trails/ct/crookedcreek.html

http://www.crookedcreekcyclepark.com/

[Wasabi]

Hey Chris and Adan

I would like to join the DS rides. If its is not raining Sunday morning I will make it to the McKinney – Paris ride with old paul and get some more info on the DS plans. I will be coming from Arlington and will need to leave by 8:30 to get there by 10:00. If it’s raining at 8:30 in Arlington I will just pass on the ride and monitor the TWTEX and get together later.

Looking forward to Getting Dirty :chug:

Bill

[Adan]

I will be coming from Arlington
Bill

Looking forward to meeting you, watch out for Richardson/Plano speed traps on HYW 75 if you come up that way, they like Sunday morning speeders ;-)

[backspinnn]

The Farmersville-Paris trail will be too muddy to ride if it rains today, but in a week or two it will be ok.

I just put some Kenda K270 50/50 tires on my bike last night, so I am looking forward to trying the new knobs off road. I had Avon Gripsters on the KLR and I dropped it a few times in the mud with those.

The Crooked Creek thing sounds pretty good, but my bike might be too loud, it came with a Jardine aftermarket exhaust.

I heard the Red River Park was great, but I have never been there. The only park I have been to is Boondoxxx, because it is closest to my house. It is pretty small though, but I had a good time on the cross country portions.

Cheers,

Chris N

[Adan]

Those Kenda's look pretty nice, I have TrailWings on right now.

Will likely go to Metz Trourance when these wear out. The tourance is probably not going to be as good off-road, so I'd like to get several DS rides in very soon :twisted:

Do you think you might make it out for the group ride tomorrow?

Bring a cloth to wipe-off our drool off the shadow if you ride IT though ;-)

[backspinnn]

If the weather cooperates tommorow, I might go to that Red River park. Anyone else interested in a real DS adventure....

Chris N

[Tx Rider]

I'll be ready for some DS in a few weeks, as soon as I get a little time to re-aclimate to my dirt bike, rode it today for the first time in a loong time and I need some dirt rehab before I tackle red river.

[backspinnn]

Mark and I rode the Chapparal Trail today instead of going to Red River. It was a muddy nightmare the first ten miles, but we made it through without dropping our bikes surprisingly. I must say the Kenda K270s were way better than the Avon Gripsters I had on a few weeks ago. I am glad there were not any expensive bikes on this ride, they probably would not have made it through the tough sections... :lol:

We ended up riding from Merit to Pecan Gap off-road, but slabbed the section from Celeste to Wolfe City due to the high bridges and wet conditions. We got rained on, but it was a blast and the most challenging muddy riding for me yet.

Chris N

[ChubbyDodds]

The Chapparal Trail was an absolute blast. I haven't had that much fun riding in a long time. The mud/water was deep and slippery. I just knew I was going in head first but managed to stay on two wheels the entire time.

My new bike is officially used now since not one spot isn't covered in mud, weeds or parts of what look like little trees I may or may not have squirrelled into a time or two.

Chris, great job of leading the way. I may have told Adan to ask you about one of the quickest left turns I have ever seen. Lucky for you the steam obscurred most of what I could see!! :mrgreen:

[Tx Rider]

What is this chaparrall trail? I haven't heard of that one.

[Squidward]

You guys did one **** of a job *******izing my thread.

The intent was to find some real dirt riders....not some DS trail riding. But thanks for changing the subject.

[Tourmeister]

I was wondering if there were any local Dallas/Fort Worth area moto-xers and trail riders on here. It would be nice to get some groups together for practice days at the local tracks and maybe do some group trail riding.

You asked about MX AND Trail riders ;-) It just seems like the bulk of the responses are trail/ds oriented.

[Squidward]

I was wondering if there were any local Dallas/Fort Worth area moto-xers and trail riders on here. It would be nice to get some groups together for practice days at the local tracks and maybe do some group trail riding.

You asked about MX AND Trail riders ;-) It just seems like the bulk of the responses are trail/ds oriented.

Not the same kind of trails I had in mind. If you are running DOT tires on a heavy DS you will not make it through the trails I was thinking of. ;-)

[Tourmeister]

I would think ANY kind of tire on a heavy DS would still suck on the trails you are thinking of ;-) But what about bikes like the KLR650's XR650's, DR650's? Still too big? Or are you thinking more in terms of 400's and 250's?

There are many miles of trails here in the Sam Houston National Forests around Lake Conroe. Lots of roots, mud and sand. I would never attempt them on the beemer :shock:

Adios,

[Squidward]

I would think ANY kind of tire on a heavy DS would still suck on the trails you are thinking of ;-) But what about bikes like the KLR650's XR650's, DR650's? Still too big? Or are you thinking more in terms of 400's and 250's?

There are many miles of trails here in the Sam Houston National Forests around Lake Conroe. Lots of roots, mud and sand. I would never attempt them on the beemer :shock:

Adios,

XR650's and DRZ650's are as big as I would go.....the tightness of some of these technical trails and some of the steep climbs that have no run-in right off of turns would definitely be a challenge on those bikes as would some of the really loose sandy switchbacks. For the most part, the trails i am thinking of would really be better suited to a dedicated offroad machine running between 12-16 lbs of air in the tires. I'd love to add a good DS to my stable to go join some of you fellows on those trails that have been mentioned, but for now I am stuck getting dirty on a rather modified 250 2-stroke MX machine. Suspension is a little stiff on the cross-country and hare scramble runs, but it's light enough and powerful enough to skip through the nasty.

[Tx Rider]

I was wondering if there were any local Dallas/Fort Worth area moto-xers and trail riders on here. It would be nice to get some groups together for practice days at the local tracks and maybe do some group trail riding.

You asked about MX AND Trail riders ;-) It just seems like the bulk of the responses are trail/ds oriented.

Not the same kind of trails I had in mind. If you are running DOT tires on a heavy DS you will not make it through the trails I was thinking of. ;-)

But they are the type I have in mind, the KTM 620 isn't small but I haven't met a trail it can't do yet.

I don't do MX on it, I don't like big jumps.

[Squidward]

I was wondering if there were any local Dallas/Fort Worth area moto-xers and trail riders on here. It would be nice to get some groups together for practice days at the local tracks and maybe do some group trail riding.

You asked about MX AND Trail riders ;-) It just seems like the bulk of the responses are trail/ds oriented.

Not the same kind of trails I had in mind. If you are running DOT tires on a heavy DS you will not make it through the trails I was thinking of. ;-)

But they are the type I have in mind, the KTM 620 isn't small but I haven't met a trail it can't do yet.

I don't do MX on it, I don't like big jumps.

The 620's not exactly big either. Not to mention the suspension is better suited for off road than most bikes in its category.

Disclaimer: I just realized that no one on here knows me and as a result is probably not familiar with my sarcastic sense of humor.

[Hood Ornament]

I think the trails that Sqiudward is talking about is something more like this:
http://img170.exs.cx/img170/2748/pictures35050133fy.jpg

http://img239.exs.cx/img239/4696/pictures35050158xc.jpg

http://img170.exs.cx/img170/8124/pictures35050124pn.jpg

http://img69.exs.cx/img69/3435/pictures35050080ml.jpg

The biggest bike in the group I ride with are the WR 450's which weigh a heck of a lot less, and have a heck of a lot more power then a DR 650 or KLR. To be honest, I wouldn't be caught dead out there on any of the DS bikes. I'm also on a 2 stroke MX bike and I have had times where I almost gave up trying to get up some of those hills out there. I'd be hard pressed just to ride my GS to the staging area we usually hang out at. :lol:

Anyway Squid, We'll probably be back there on Saturday if you want to hook up with us. I'll post up later in the week. Looks like it's gonna be great weather for it. Hopefully have my top end done by Friday so I can make it.

[Sleepy Weasel]

Where is that? Some parts of it look like Barnwell.

[Hood Ornament]

Red River ATV park, about 15 miles north of Muenster.

[Tx Rider]

That's the difference, thumpers have that tractor torque to pull up those hills, you don't have to fan the clutch and keep the revs up so much to stay moving and in the power band like a 2 smoke.

Put it in 1st gear and make like a trials bike. Thumpers are made for that kinda riding.