Dirt bikes for noobs questions

[Hank Moody]

I would like to call BS on XR-Nut, "We're not very fast and never take any difficult lines though." He and his boys are fast riders and I've hardly ever seen him take an easy line.

As I stated, spring your Husky to your riding weight. Manufacturers put in stock suspension springs based on a 70 kilogram rider which is roughly 154 lbs. So for every 10 kilogram/22 pounds change +/- from 70 kilos you should adjust your springs accordingly. Remember all of the riding gear you put on and gear you strap to the bike will change the weight so be sure to take that into consideration.

[Creekside]

The original owner ways 20-30# more than I do (200#) and he changed stuff out and set it for the bike. So I will have to back that off a touch with settings. Sag...yeah saw something on that. I'll have to ask him again and remember what he says this time.

I'll get a decent set of boots, I usually spend $$$ since I usually get Sidi cause I know they fit me perfect. Have 4 different pairs of theirs. They weren't really rated as high as the price tho.

I don't mind armor, I fall down. Those $20 knee pads I bought in 2012 are worth their weight in gold over time.

That ramp looks pretty solid, its not slotted metal parts like HF's is. Barbie camo!

[Motoracer13]

Put some money in some BulletProof Designs radiator guards. They are made from a solid piece of billet aluminum and will save your radiators in a tip over or crash. They are also locally made in Lees Summit Mo!

[Savage]

I've never installed beefy rad guards on any bike and I've never had a problem, EXCEPT for my new Husqvarna. I think for them to keep shaving weight they keep shaving it everywhere. I bent one rad pretty good after a simple lay down. After watching a video I beat by rads out very close to stock and installed purdy new Bulletproof guards. They are nice. I called and ordered them directly from BPD.

[Creekside]

Put some money in some BulletProof Designs radiator guards. They are made from a solid piece of billet aluminum and will save your radiators in a tip over or crash. They are also locally made in Lees Summit Mo!

already on. they look nice! I think they really saved the bike when the plastic on that side took a hit.

[Ed M]

What no pics of the new machine? First thing I would do is disassemble, clean, inspect and depending on condition grease the steering stem bearings, linkage bearings, swing arm bearings, wheel bearings etc. Drain, flush, fill the forks to the correct level. Then start playing with sag and clickers.

With my 350XCFW I would run 13 psi when off road, 20 psi on gravel/dirt roads and 25 if commuting back and forth to work on asphalt. I always run Michelin UHD tubes, I've bent a couple rims mashing through rocks but never had a pinch flat.

I put a Rekluse on my 350 when arthritis started affecting my clutch useage, I have yet to install one on my 690, but I don't really ride rough nasty stuff with that bike.

Interesting that so many people are going lighter with their Adv bikes, while I'm going the opposite way, 200 EXC to 350XCFW to 690 Enduro.

[Creekside]

That's allot of stuff. Whenever you retire let me know, I'll drop it right off! Half of what you mentioned I probably can't do. I don't mind paying people that actually can fix things...


purchased

After getting back to the truck yesterday.

Arm pump like crazy. It was a lot of fun. Bit scary at times. I second that the best thing for the bike is gas at this point, and for the owner protection. I need better stuff and way way more seat time. The only injury I got was on asphalt screwing around later. I do like how I can pick it up a few times and not even really get bothered by it, even if its laying down hill wedged between two little trees. I don't like the hill climb wheelie part or jumps where your sliding off the back and going WOT off trail. It is just amazing how easy mud is with good tires, low pressure and a light bike. You can just fly thru mud that would have you on your butt with a adv bike. The traction and that first gear climb power is just flat amazing.

[Savage]

She's a beauty! Where did you go riding?

[troy]

We're not very fast and never take any difficult lines though.

[Creekside]

She's a beauty! Where did you go riding?

Thanks. Its handful in the woods for sure. Rode it home later.

Some local guy's land here in KC. Pretty nice area.

[troy]

Beautiful bike for sure. Looks like a ton of fun! Glad you got it out for a real test ride.

[safiri]

The only issue I had was the rear end sag due to the weight of the bike, as Safiri stated it does add a lot of force to the hitch. This caused the steering to be a little lite, but you get used to it.

I borrowed Hank's hitch hauler several years ago for my EXC. Put on my 2007 4Runner V8 4x4 (stock, except with air shocks in the back so I was able to level the ride). The lightness of my steering when going over minor bumps / dips on the highway was unpleasant / unnerving. I felt like I was on the edge of losing the ability to steer.

On XRNut's giant Dodge Diesel (or an Expedition, F250, etc. ...) the front end lightness wasn't an issue.

As you don't want to ditch the bed cap, I would stick with the small trailer you already have.

[Creekside]

The only issue I had was the rear end sag due to the weight of the bike, as Safiri stated it does add a lot of force to the hitch. This caused the steering to be a little lite, but you get used to it.

I borrowed Hank's hitch hauler several years ago for my EXC. Put on my 2007 4Runner V8 4x4 (stock, except with air shocks in the back so I was able to level the ride). The lightness of my steering when going over minor bumps / dips on the highway was unpleasant / unnerving. I felt like I was on the edge of losing the ability to steer.

On XRNut's giant Dodge Diesel (or an Expedition, F250, etc. ...) the front end lightness wasn't an issue.

As you don't want to ditch the bed cap, I would stick with the small trailer you already have.

Well that kind of stinks. Since I got a trailer I'll probably just stick with it. I got enough junk in my garage, unless its worth the space I am getting rid of things.

Its hard to image how nice last weekend was looking outside right now. Hope you all got at least some riding in. I don't think trails are going to be dry this weekend...

[Savage]

I did!

[Creekside]

No rain or ice will stop you there



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[troy]

The best way to load your bike in your truck.

https://www.instagram.com/p/dtXm7Vwg-I/

[ajayhawkfan]

The best way to load your bike in your truck.

https://www.instagram.com/p/dtXm7Vwg-I/

That is how I do it with my GSA.

[Stu]

Creekside,

I would agree with Troy on his tire pressure recommendations with two notes: 1) Off road with your 350 I would run between 11~13 lbs. front and 10~12 rear psi. This give far more traction in dirt and on rocks. Just air it back up to 22/24 for the street with a bicycle pump and 2) just put between 3 and 3.5 ounces of weights opposite the rim lock. That will be close for balance and really smooth out the ride both off road and on road. Troy just likes to wear out front tires unevenly so he can buy new and different ones. Ignore him. Everyone else does. As far as Rekluse clutches go I would add that most of the enduro racers use them. In extreme snotty conditions or when you are tired and facing rock ledges, as an example, they do work well. It also depends on the set up of the Rekluse. I have mine set up with the lightest springs so it is fully engaged just off of idle. That way when I slam into a corner with someone hot on my tail the motor does not stall and die and when I hit the throttle I am fully engaged and away. It is for me an anti-stall device and for that it is superb.

Stu

[Creekside]

Thanks Stu!

As far as trailer hitch carriers go - EdM found this one and I really like it. Its got a jack, you put the bike on it and then jack the rack up and locking pin it there. No ramps. Its about $450. Not cheap, but no ramps or loading hassles! Plug and play.

https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/87 ... le-Carrier

[Ed M]

Loaded up the bike and went to John Pershing State Park in Northern MO this weekend. The Moto-Jack worked very well.