- Joined
- Oct 20, 2010
- Messages
- 3,716
- Reaction score
- 3,068
- Location
- Victoria
- First Name
- Gary
- Last Name
- Turner
This ride was a celebration of my son Colton graduating high school. He has been talking about riding the Continental Divide since he was in the 7th grade when I showed him pics from someone else’s adventure. I have been gathering pieces and parts and planning in my mind for some time. The plan was to ride as much as possible until time ran out and we had to head home. My wife and daughter would parallel us in the truck, so we could meet up when convenient and load up when the time came to head home. Time has flown by and I have been crazy busy with other obligations so the week before the trip was late nights and several untested parts and zero time riding with the luggage and big tank for Colton. He was out of town all week and got home Friday evening in time to test pack the bike once before leaving on Saturday 6/22/19.
The bikes and equipment for those interested:
KTM 525 exc mine is a ’06, Colton’s ’07 both fitted with 6.6 gallon tanks. This gives about 280 to 300 mile range depending on terrain. There are two sections on the tracks that are 260+ between fuel. They are both fitted with cush hub rear wheels from older KTM LC4 adventure bikes. They also have HT Racing oil coolers installed this gives them 33% increase in oil capacity. I have a seat concepts seat and Colton has a Renazco both of which I find comfortable. Giant Loop Coyote along with a Giant Loop top bag would hold our tools, spare tubes, food, camping gear, rain gear.
Day 1 is spent in the truck driving to Las Cruses, NM
Day 2 we drove to where we launched from just off of I10. The southern most part south of I10 is just straight and flat so we chose to just head north from I10. The time was passing quickly, by the time we unloaded and geared up it was almost 1:00.
My wonderful bride who allows such crazy dreams.
We made it to Silver City topped off with gas and ate a Subway and headed off into the Gila National Forest and on into the Apache National Forest.
Colton lost the front end in this talcum powder switchback. It was low speed and he just stepped off. You can see the dirt on the fender and tank.
The bikes and equipment for those interested:
KTM 525 exc mine is a ’06, Colton’s ’07 both fitted with 6.6 gallon tanks. This gives about 280 to 300 mile range depending on terrain. There are two sections on the tracks that are 260+ between fuel. They are both fitted with cush hub rear wheels from older KTM LC4 adventure bikes. They also have HT Racing oil coolers installed this gives them 33% increase in oil capacity. I have a seat concepts seat and Colton has a Renazco both of which I find comfortable. Giant Loop Coyote along with a Giant Loop top bag would hold our tools, spare tubes, food, camping gear, rain gear.
Day 1 is spent in the truck driving to Las Cruses, NM
Day 2 we drove to where we launched from just off of I10. The southern most part south of I10 is just straight and flat so we chose to just head north from I10. The time was passing quickly, by the time we unloaded and geared up it was almost 1:00.
My wonderful bride who allows such crazy dreams.
We made it to Silver City topped off with gas and ate a Subway and headed off into the Gila National Forest and on into the Apache National Forest.
Colton lost the front end in this talcum powder switchback. It was low speed and he just stepped off. You can see the dirt on the fender and tank.