2006 Az DS ride - what bike?

[Hoop]

If you're going on Casey's 2006 Arizone DS ride, what bike will you bring?

[STCPO]

If you're going on Casey's 2006 Arizone DS ride, what bike will you bring?

KLR650. Is it time to leave yet?

Pete

[Tourmeister]

I would prefer to be on a 650 somethingorother... However, it is looking like it will be on the GS, which means I will have to get some new crash bars... er engine guards :lol:

[gotdurt]

Interesting, curious to who's planning on taking the 2 (so far) 400/450's? You are welcome to it (I'll have to draw the line at any 250's though ;-) ), but I'd be a little concerned about their ability to handle the extra load of camping gear etc, not just due to power, but also to the subframe's ability to handle the weight, plus there's that little comfort issue ;-) . I don't know that it would be worth the advantage for 10% of the route. So, if you have a choice, I'd lean toward the big bike, unless you don't want to take a chance with possible light to medium damage risk. Brush-up on your sand riding though ;-) . There's really only one trail that I won't come right out and 'recommend' for the big bikes, but that's only about 30 miles out of 1100+/-. However, this is the same trail that will pose an abusive challenge to the light frame of a legalized 400 under a heavy load. Your call, just be sure to brace the heck out of it if you do...

650's will be ideal for the whole trip if you plan to take the couple 'more difficult' routes, but the big bikes will be able to get through (may need some help in some places), and they'll be right at home, if not the best, on 90% of the route, and 100% if you take the easier (but still nice) side routes. They'll also handle the extra weight of the gear best.

[WoodButcher]

Me on the DRZ for one. That is if the vacation plan works my way and the wife can be convinced. I may be camping light though...but the S can handle some weight on the rear sub frame.

Besides, its Arizona. It'll be nice weather and the scorpions might not get me without a tent. And a snake really isn't that likely to crawl in with me.

[gotdurt]

Me on the DRZ for one. That is if the vacation plan works my way and the wife can be convinced. I may be camping light though...but the S can handle some weight on the rear sub frame.
Yea, I wouldn't worry too much about the 'S' (as long as you find it comfy), it's the converted bikes that would concern me. Of course, the subframe on my XRL broke under weight twice, but our circumstances won't be that extreme.

Besides, its Arizona. It'll be nice weather and the scorpions might not get me without a tent. And a snake really isn't that likely to crawl in with me.
:lol: If we get one of those spontaneous mountain rain showers, your not sleeping in my tent! Oh, and don't forget the various freaky desert spiders;-).

[Hoop]

I'm the other DRZ, but it is a converted dirt bike, not an S. I would have to carry all my belongings in a backpack. Would not bring a tent, just a sleeping bag and a couple of big garbage bags in case of rain. If it really rained hard, I would be back on the bike headed for a cave, an underpass, or a hotel.

I have seen people put hard luggage on a DRZ, but it looks pretty stupid. I hate to piss anyone off, but I had the stray thought that most of the group might be on GS's, in which case I might pass on this trip rather than have to help a dozen guys pick up their GS twice a day. :-D

[Squeaky]

...I might pass on this trip rather than have to help a dozen guys pick up their GS twice a day. :-D

hehe, even if there's only one - someone will be picking it up!

[Tourmeister]

No comment...

I only dropped mine twice in Colorado in six days of riding ;-) Well... okay.. flipped it twice :oops:

[gotdurt]

I'm the other DRZ, but it is a converted dirt bike, not an S. I would have to carry all my belongings in a backpack. Would not bring a tent, just a sleeping bag and a couple of big garbage bags in case of rain. If it really rained hard, I would be back on the bike headed for a cave, an underpass, or a hotel.

I have seen people put hard luggage on a DRZ, but it looks pretty stupid. I hate to piss anyone off, but I had the stray thought that most of the group might be on GS's, in which case I might pass on this trip rather than have to help a dozen guys pick up their GS twice a day. :-D

Hoop, I don't want to discourage, I'd like to see you go. You are more than welcome to ride the DR, especially since you are packing light; that's the key. My point is for those that have a more travel worthy option (like your 'Strom), you might consider it. I really dont' think we'll be picking up bike very often, except for one trail in particular, but there's a nice (and very easy) bypass for it. I might even cut that trail out of the route anyway, because I've heard that the unusual amount of rain in the past year or so eroded it really bad, even washing out part of the trail, making it impassable (according to some, others say it's just 'a little more difficult'). At any rate, I WILL NOT suggest that the big bikes go on it now, unless you REALLY know how to handle it. I found some pictures of it online, I'll post them eventually. I'm having a hard time imagining it being to difficult, as 2 1/2 years ago I drove my 4X4 the entire length in 2WD (north to south; downhill, the same direction we'll be going). Maybe we'll just wait and see how things are going when we get there.

[XR650Rocketman]

I'm the other DRZ, but it is a converted dirt bike, not an S. I would have to carry all my belongings in a backpack. Would not bring a tent, just a sleeping bag and a couple of big garbage bags in case of rain. If it really rained hard, I would be back on the bike headed for a cave, an underpass, or a hotel.

I have seen people put hard luggage on a DRZ, but it looks pretty stupid. I hate to piss anyone off, but I had the stray thought that most of the group might be on GS's, in which case I might pass on this trip rather than have to help a dozen guys pick up their GS twice a day. :-D

That's an interesting "Stray thought" there Hoop....GSs are not hard to pick up with enough guys helping....I used to need help picking up my XR650R but I fixed that problem....I doubt we'll encounter too much rain in AZ that time of year....

[gotdurt]

Here's a web page with some pics from the trail in question. Note the rocky obstacle toward the end; this is my only real concern for the big bikes (other than the potential wash-out), it WILL result in scratched skidplates for the big boys... luckily though, the direction we'll be going, gravity will work in our favor. It's about 1/4 of the way into the trail. If, and that's a big if, I can get a friend of mine to meet us at the trail head with his 4x4, we may be able to unload for the trail. Then it will be fun :twisted: . This depends on his work schedule, probably won't know until a day or 2 before.
http://www.azfsjc.com/crown_king_apr_2004.html

As for rain, not likely, but once you get into the mountains, things get pretty unpredictable. Storms and pop up fast without warning, but luckily they usually don't last long.

[Tourmeister]

:tab If the whole trail were like that, then there would be problems. However, if it just the occasional obstacle, then I don't think it is as big a deal. We stop, do one bike at a time to make sure everyone is across and to take lots of pics. Then we keep going.

:tab Unless my GS is layign downhill on a slope, I can usually pick it up without too much trouble. Even then, if I have room to spin it so the slope is working to my advantage, I can get it picked up. The issue is how long it will take... ;-)

[gotdurt]

That particular section was the worst back when I frequented it. The problem is that it's a little off-camber, nearly always wet and slick, and steep. The whole trail isn't difficult, just somewhat technical (compared to what most Texans are used to). Picking a good line is the key. There are some very exposed areas, pretty steep, rocky sections, and lots of ruts-n-rocks. There is 30+ miles of this. Spectacular scenery though.

I have some more pics (mostly 'borrowed') of that trail, for those curious, just PM me with your email address, and I send them

There are some videos on my video page from the first time I took the Trooper out (first weekend I had it, and note the fixator on the wrist...). Look at 'Rock Climb', 'Crown King Trail', and 'A bad line...'. Pretty typical of the trail, at that time anyway, about 4 yrs ago.
http://clfry.com/video.html

Also, on the other thread, there is a video on Google video. The first clip with the Trooper is from the the same day, and the following saloon shots is from Crown King. You can also go to video.google.com and search for "az short".

[Hoop]

You want to take a V-Strom on that??? Definitely looks like DRZ country.

[whoa]

Unless my GS is layign downhill on a slope, I can usually pick it up without too much trouble.

Man, you talk like that is a weekend occurance. This is the main reason I stopped trying to take the Tiger off more than jeep trails. Its not been down yet, and I'd hate to see it slide down a ditch.

I'm not planning on going, but if I did, its why I'd want a smaller bike. More like Rusty's.

[Tourmeister]

:tab Haha... not hardly. In over 40K miles, it has been on the ground maybe 10-12 times, a bunch of that was in really slick mud on the same day. I have done a LOT of DS riding on it. Ironically, it was on the easy stuff that I dropped it in Colorado... guess I got complacent. All the really hard and technical stuff I got through without much trouble at all. Amazingly, until the flips, there were virtually no scratches, dents, or anything. A good washing had it looking brand new. This is one of the things I really like about the GS. It takes a beating really well ;-)

:tab Still, there is no getting around the weight. A 650 would be ideal for this ride. A KLR, XR, DR, whatever... That would be my preference.

[whoa]

A 650 would be ideal for this ride. A KLR, XR, DR, whatever... That would be my preference.

F650 Dakar, oh yeah.

[Tourmeister]

That is what Dower will be riding :dude: He rode it in Colorado and had a blast on it! No probs except for when the starter relay stuck while we were on top of a mountain late in the day...

http://twtex.com/linkfiles/071505-TWTColoradoRally/DSC04077.JPG

It cranked for a good ten minutes or more nonstop before we could get the batter disconnected! Once we got the relay unstuck, the bike fired right up like nothing had ever happened. So he could get on with the business of riding...

http://twtex.com/linkfiles/071505-TWTColoradoRally/DSC04082.JPG

[gotdurt]

You want to take a V-Strom on that??? Definitely looks like DRZ country.

That particular 30+ mile trail? Yes, DRZ country, but again, there is a nice bypass, and a chance (although slight) that we won't even do it. The other 1070 miles, GS country (Well, for the most part ;-) ). Remember, more than 1/2 of the unpaved route will be very open maintained dirt roads, about 1/3 easy unmaintained roads/trails, and 3/16 mildly to moderately challenging jeep roads (most of which have nice bypasses).

I wouldn't gamble a week of comfort and convenience for the off-chance that you might have to pick a bike up a couple of times. The only real downside to the VStrom is the vulnerable plastics.

The Dakar will be great for this trip.

[Tx Rider]

I'd prefer it better if 1/2 the ride was like that trail. :)

[gotdurt]

I'd prefer it better if 1/2 the ride was like that trail. :)
Me too (more like 100%, and I'd rather it be somewhere I haven't been), but then I'd end up with only 1 or 2 people going... I may make some route adjustments 'on the fly' depending on the size and nature of the attending group ;-) .

[Tourmeister]

If I take the GS I am not carrying everyone else's stuff :-P

[Hoop]

I'd prefer it better if 1/2 the ride was like that trail. :)

I second the motion. I know you have to connect the good stuff, but the more variation the better. Variety, you know...