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10 days and over 1,900 miles in Idaho's back-country?! Oh yeah!

Tour of Idaho (T1)
http://www.motorcyclejazz.com/TID_Route_Description.htm

The Tour of Idaho is more involved and difficult than just riding the trails from one end to another. In 14 seasons there have been only 78 riders to finish the Tour (though more have ridden the route). Failure is far more common than success. The Tour is an undertaking that requires a relatively uncommon set of skills - riding a motorcycle being only one among many.

Jimmy Lewis' Tour of Idaho video
https://youtu.be/31R9peYZh-A

This sounds like a bunch of fun! Are you doing Troy???

Luc

No definite plan, but it's on the bucket list. I've wanted to get into Idaho single-track for a decade.

1,900 miles on a dirt bike for 8 to 10 days carrying camping gear is more aggressive than any motorcycle adventures I've had up to this point, and not to brag, but I think I'm up for this challenge.

If one wants to go for the official T1 qualification, max group size is 3 and you have some hoops to jump through. The only thing to gain is bragging rights if you count as a T1 finisher--an exclusive group. Otherwise, maybe just going to ride the route on your own is a better, more relaxed experience.

What makes this adventure logistically and financially difficult for me is that I don't own a suitable motorcycle for that journey. Stu will love this--the right bike for that trip is the KTM 500 (or any good 4-stroke, lightweight dualsport). You need to fit the bike with the largest gas tank you can find plus carry some extra fuel. I think you have to be able to run 230 miles or so before gas.

I don't really want to own the motorcycle that is right for this trip. My sweet spot for the last few years is my 2-stroke KTM 300 for off-road trail areas or a week of day loops in Utah and Colorado, and then my BMW F800GS for week-long, camping off the bike adventures. (Expect Stu to chime in about how the KTM 500 is perfect for 3,000 mile adventures hauling luggage. ) So if I do decide to do the T1, I'll probably buy a used 4-stroke single-cylinder machine, set it up for hauling lots of gas, then sell it after the trip.

The time commitment is pretty important as well. Couldn't you ride a bike?

Luc

gagnaou wrote: ↑17 Mar 2021 10:49 The time commitment is pretty important as well. Couldn't you ride a bike?

Luc

With travel to ID and back included, this is a 2 week commitment. That is a consideration for sure.

I can definitely ride a bike! Did you mean "rent a bike"? Possible of course, but a rental for that long is $$$, and you need to fit the bike with a big gas tank...I wouldn't want to mess with a rental like that. I'd rather buy, have time to setup, ride, sell it. More effort perhaps, but should save money.

This outfit in Boise, ID does not appear to offer a suitable machine for this adventure:
https://www.intothehorizonadventuremoto ... al-Pricing

On the subject of bike rentals, Barry in Reno, NV is awesome, and does have KTM 500's, etc.
https://nevadaadventurerentals.com/rental-options/
I rented a KTM 1090 for a week a couple years ago. I'm renting a KTM 790R next week from Barry, and will be riding and camping in NV and CA.

yep that is what I meant> Yes I hear you, about wanting to get a bike ready for such a big trip. Bike preparation will definitely be critical

The video of the trail in Idaho seems to be on a two stoke. My 500 can best it for mileage but I would need a fuel bladder for 230 miles since the tank is 4.2+ gallons. Troy, if I went on this trip with you it is possible that you would have to help me over some of the uphill obstacles. Do note that all of those obstacles I overcame when riding in the desert recently. You want a crew of 3? I'm potentially one of those.
Stu

I also would need to figure out the fuel range issue, but would be a potential canary to do this. I can't stop watching these vids. My 450's would love this, and I just lost 24lbs so my bike is lighter!

This is a much better ride:
https://ridaho.info/

Still south idaho border to Canada but more trails and less hoops. Ridaho posts the gps tracks rather than only points and a description. Also, gas range not as far.

Several of us planning a trip for this August. I'm planning on riding my beta 300 two stroke. Will be carrying giant loop gas bags.

The R'Idaho trip looks great. When you get dates let me know. The difficulties look like what I have encountered in my "enduro life".

Stu