Can I be your friend?

[k14]

Just got back from Invercargill a new bike in tow. Picked it up off trademe for a pretty good price, $5k with only 2700km on the clock. Bought brand new in Sept 08. No WOF and reg on hold but that will be sorted this time tomorrow.

I'm new to this offroad stuff, haven't really ever ridden anything but sports bikes so keen to get into the new genre. More interested in adv riding rather than trail, although I will try get a bit of trail riding when possible. I think I am in a pretty good part of the country for both! Already looking forward to next year's dusty butt :)

[warewolf]

Welcome to the dark side.

Let the farkling begin! :woohoo:

[Taz]

We've got enough friends..... Oh wait a minute, I see you brought alcohol! Welcome my friend!!

[Ocean1]

Just got back from Invercargill a new bike in tow.

Tow? Fuckin' Tow?

Fuxsake, suppose you towed it on the bloody road too?

[hayd3n]

come join southernrider.co.nz
theres a few offroaders, local ones too

[FJRider]

Tow? Fuckin' Tow?

Fuxsake, suppose you towed it on the bloody road too?

It's a Suzuki ... it's expected ... :innocent:

But OP ... contact Shrek ...

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/member.php/21384-_Shrek_

He's down in Roxburgh ... :yes:

[Jantar]

It's a Suzuki ... it's expected ... :innocent:

But OP ... contact Shrek ... ....
K14 and I have a short adventure ride planned for Tuesday (weather permitting as I'm on rather worn sports tyres), I'll see if Shrek wants to join us. Your welcome too Trev, Cairnmure range then Thompsons Track.

[FJRider]

K14 and I have a short adventure ride planned for Tuesday (weather permitting as I'm on rather worn sports tyres), I'll see if Shrek wants to join us. Your welcome too Trev, Cairnmure range then Thompsons Track.

I'll put the trials pattern tyres on tonight ... or not ... :innocent:

27 gates on the Thomsons track as I recall ... last time I went that way ... :yes:

[Buddha#81]

Wecolme to the real world Kirk, start lookin for a bigger tank for it now, you will need it for the dusty! Bit of a gurls bike though, bit like ya race bike it was too much for you and ya had to run it with a plug cap off!

[k14]

Wecolme to the real world Kirk, start lookin for a bigger tank for it now, you will need it for the dusty! Bit of a gurls bike though, bit like ya race bike it was too much for you and ya had to run it with a plug cap off!
Yeah I will try and get a ~14L ims or some such. First thing is to get a wof and reg sorted today. Then possibly look at the options to upgrade from the pirelli scorpion tyres which are probably not that suitable for proper offroad trailriding, will be ok for a bit of road and dirt road riding I think though.

[NordieBoy]

Yeah I will try and get a ~14L ims or some such. First thing is to get a wof and reg sorted today. Then possibly look at the options to upgrade from the pirelli scorpion tyres which are probably not that suitable for proper offroad trailriding, will be ok for a bit of road and dirt road riding I think though.

For some cheap tyres you could do a lot worse than a set of Shinko 705's from www.bits4bikes.co.nz
20% off 'till the end of the month. $97 for a rear.

[k14]

For some cheap tyres you could do a lot worse than a set of Shinko 705's from www.bits4bikes.co.nz
20% off 'till the end of the month. $97 for a rear.
They look pretty similar to the Scorpion AT's that I have on there now? On the adv forums the general consensus seems to be Dunlop D606 for rear and either a Conti TKC80 or Pirelli M21 front. Will see how much they go for this arvo. Being used to spending $500+ a set for race tyres that last 1 day I think I will probably be happy to spend $300 for a set that lasts for maybe even a year :woohoo:

[Crisis management]

The TKC is expensive for what you get out of it, the Pirelli MT21 is the right front and I would look at a Michelin T63 for the rear (haven't used the Dunlop so don't know about that).
Nordies suggestions are always worth considering......

[k14]

The TKC is expensive for what you get out of it, the Pirelli MT21 is the right front and I would look at a Michelin T63 for the rear (haven't used the Dunlop so don't know about that).
Nordies suggestions are always worth considering......
Yeah thanks. I will talk to bike shop when I get wof this arvo and see what they say. I think I will reg it for 2 months and then put it on hold over winter so the scorpions will probably be sufficient till then. I think the tracks/roads in central otago would be ok for those tyres? Being predominately hard rocky and little water/mud.

[Buddha#81]

......and change ya profile picce, you has been road racer!

[clint640]

Yeah thanks. I will talk to bike shop when I get wof this arvo and see what they say. I think I will reg it for 2 months and then put it on hold over winter so the scorpions will probably be sufficient till then. I think the tracks/roads in central otago would be ok for those tyres? Being predominately hard rocky and little water/mud.

Yep, MT21/D606 front, D606/T63/EO-9 rear is all good. If you want to do more road/gravel than dirt/mud & enjoy the twistys a bit more something a bit more roady like D605/TKC80 front & EO-7 rear may also suit. It's very rarely that all flavours & sizes of adv rubber are available in NZ at the same time so order well in advance. Welcome to the dark side.

Cheers
Clint

[k14]

Yep, MT21/D606 front, D606/T63/EO-9 rear is all good. If you want to do more road/gravel than dirt/mud & enjoy the twistys a bit more something a bit more roady like D605/TKC80 front & EO-7 rear may also suit. It's very rarely that all flavours & sizes of adv rubber are available in NZ at the same time so order well in advance. Welcome to the dark side.

Cheers
Clint
Will those tyres be sufficient for a back country trail ride too or will I need some mx type nobblies for that? I'm wondering if maybe I should have grabbed the spare set of rims the guy had with nobblies already on.

[NordieBoy]

MT21 front, E07 rear would go almost anywhere and last well on that bike.

You need to have a go on a bike with Shinko 705's though. I used them all last winter on the DR650. Seal, gravel, dirt, rocks, shale. Haven't fallen off with them on :innocent:

[Transalper]

Having two sets of rims is fantastic in allowing you to do things at both ends of the riding spectrum using tyres that suit better than using the compromise all the time.
I love my second rims.

The Compromise is however usually ok until you strike mud and of course the knobs wear quick compared to the likes of the E07 or other less knobby ones that you might choose for a road rim vs mud rim.

Tanks - 14liters is still quite small in my opnion, they have a 17 litre one for the DRZ400 which would be more useful.
I have a 19 litre one on my 650 and it's about right for most trips. Still have to plan and carry fuel with that occasionally.
I also like the look of the 28 litre one but the bigger you go the more they cost to buy.

[Crim]

maybe I should have grabbed the spare set of rims the guy had with nobblies already on.

If you have got the chance - go for it! As TA says it cuts down on your compromising, if you had the "nobblies" on you could trailer it and trail ride over the winter, have a good play off road and come next summer you'll be ready for the DB1k in 24 hours!:woohoo: I'll be nana-ing along behind you - took me three days this year and still didn't do quite all of it - but had an awesome time - you are right, it is one great event to look forward to!

[ADVGD]

Tanks - 14liters is still quite small in my opnion

+1

14 litres is just big enough to be a couple of litres short to make some of the longer trips

Welcome by the way, good choice on your new bike :niceone:

[Buddha#81]

another option is to go to the other extream and get motard wheels with 17 adventure tyres (cheep cheep ex rental stuff on trademe).

[clint640]

Will those tyres be sufficient for a back country trail ride too or will I need some mx type nobblies for that? I'm wondering if maybe I should have grabbed the spare set of rims the guy had with nobblies already on.

Full knobblys are bloody nice to have for proper trail rides & they're not too expensive. The rears will disappear real quick on the gravel or tar though so I only swap mine on for gnarly rides then take em off again. If you can get a 2nd set of rims for less than $500 it's probably a good deal.

Depends how many km's you are doing a bit, if you're only doing a few thou a year run something fairly aggressive, it'll last ok, but if you're commuting & buzzing up & down the island on a regular basis it's worth saving a set of good knobs for Sunday best & running something a bit more roady for everyday use. Gets you in practice at changing tyres too :sunny:

Cheers
Clint

[k14]

Full knobblys are bloody nice to have for proper trail rides & they're not too expensive. The rears will disappear real quick on the gravel or tar though so I only swap mine on for gnarly rides then take em off again. If you can get a 2nd set of rims for less than $500 it's probably a good deal.

Depends how many km's you are doing a bit, if you're only doing a few thou a year run something fairly aggressive, it'll last ok, but if you're commuting & buzzing up & down the island on a regular basis it's worth saving a set of good knobs for Sunday best & running something a bit more roady for everyday use. Gets you in practice at changing tyres too :sunny:

Cheers
Clint
Believe me, changing 2-3 sets of slicks on a gixxer 600 a weekend gets you plenty of practice at tyre changing, actually enough for me I think. Talking to the guy at the bike shop I think I'll give the spare rims a miss and just get a set of dot nobblies like you suggested earlier. Dunlop D606 rear and Pirelli M21 front or something like that.

I just got it wof'd and reg'd so ready for a blat. Had to crash start it after wof cause battery is a bit dodgy I think, not much use for last 18 months and it could be on it's last legs. I just found out I have a mint quarry about 1km from my house, I can ride there from the back of my section along a track down by the clutha river. I tried to ride up one hill of sand and rocks but couldn't make the last 5m and nearly dropped bike. Held it up though and managed to turn back around. One thing's for sure, these Scorpions aren't very good for loose river sand/sluicings! No problem though, I will get nobblies before I venture into that environment again. Front tucked a few times though but I'd say thats tyre too.

[Buddha#81]

Front tucked a few times though but I'd say thats tyre too.

Or your lack of skill?:innocent:

[clint640]

I tried to ride up one hill of sand and rocks but couldn't make the last 5m and nearly dropped bike. Held it up though and managed to turn back around. One thing's for sure, these Scorpions aren't very good for loose river sand/sluicings! No problem though, I will get nobblies before I venture into that environment again. Front tucked a few times though but I'd say thats tyre too.

There is definitely some great riding right out the back door at Alex ya lucky bugger. Any tyre will go heaps better in sand if you drop the pressures a bit, go to 18psi. With all the rocky terrain where you are a set of heavy duty tubes would be a good investment when you swap on new rubber.

Cheers
Clint

[warewolf]

The other advantage of a second set of rims is that you can have rimlocks and a bigger sprocket to lower the gearing. Both are useful in gnarlier terrain along with the meatier tyres, but detract from the on-road experience. Not so much use for a typical adventure tour though, as you'll need a one-size-fits-all rig.

Don't worry about dropping the bike in sand... that's what they're there for. :sunny: If you plan to do anything more technical than a well-formed unsealed road, you WILL drop the bike on occasion.

[TOTO]

no

_______________________

[Ocean1]

you WILL drop the bike on occasion...

...and on gorse.


And riverbeds, and bottomless bogs, greasy clay, loose gravel, shale, slimey mud, sandy mud, the type of mud that forms a thin traction-free layer on the south sides of bush hills and the mud in low lying bits of farms which is invariably aproximately 87% shit.




Amongst other things.

[cooneyr]

.... Already looking forward to next year's dusty butt :)

No pressure aye!

[cold comfort]

MT21 front, E07 rear would go almost anywhere and last well on that bike.

You need to have a go on a bike with Shinko 705's though. I used them all last winter on the DR650. Seal, gravel, dirt, rocks, shale. Haven't fallen off with them on :innocent:

good advice right there from the maestro. If you are looking at the DBIK there seems to be an alarming preference for light weight enduro rig with knobblies these days. Def a trend away from Adventure bikes!

[Padmei]

I have recently acquired a KLZ 400 & the first ride i found the front tucking in also, spilling me a few times. I have changed to 606 front(my fav front) & is much better.

[Taz]

I have recently acquired a KLZ 400 & the first ride i found the front tucking in also, spilling me a few times. I have changed to 606 front(my fav front) & is much better.

Ahh the rare and elusive KLZ 400. An exciting by product of the mating of a KL and a KZ. They were well known for the front tucking in even when not turning :lol:

[Padmei]

Ahh the rare and elusive KLZ 400. An exciting by product of the mating of a KL and a KZ. They were well known for the front tucking in even when not turning :lol:

You're tricky Taz. Bit of a misspell however does actually sound more accurate than a KLX.

[Ally67]

Welcome to our side :drinkup:

If you are looking at the DBIK there seems to be an alarming preference for light weight enduro rig with knobblies these days. Def a trend away from Adventure bikes!

I done the DB1K last year on the Tenere and this year on the DR350.

The Ten has more fuel range and comfort but there is no way it would have been as easy for me to take over the challenge loop on day 1. Poor tank would have more dents in it :facepalm:

The 350 was great day 2 with 27 river crossing the guys in our group with big bikes were getting very tired by the end of it but me, Jatz (dr350) and The Boy (dr250) were still having fun and looking for things to jump...:yes:

[GPS MAN]

When the going gets tough:facepalm:

I want something more dirt friendly:yes:

[k14]

good advice right there from the maestro. If you are looking at the DBIK there seems to be an alarming preference for light weight enduro rig with knobblies these days. Def a trend away from Adventure bikes!
Yeah I think I will go that way when I put it back on the road after winter. The DB isn't the main aim of the DRZ but it will certainly be a good shakedown for my plan late next year, 10000km in siberia :woohoo:

[jafar]

Yeah I think I will go that way when I put it back on the road after winter. The DB isn't the main aim of the DRZ but it will certainly be a good shakedown for my plan late next year, 10000km in siberia :woohoo:

dude, late next year siberia will be covered in that white shit known as snow:shit:
If you go mid year it might be :sunny:




:whocares:

[k14]

dude, late next year siberia will be covered in that white shit known as snow:shit:
If you go mid year it might be :sunny:




:whocares:
Yeah well July/August so probably mid year is more accurate :)

[NordieBoy]

dude, late next year siberia will be covered in that white shit known as snow:shit:

Maybe he doesn't like mud?

[Padmei]

Why Siberia as a matter of interest? I know it's popular for adv riding but what exactly attracts you to the area?

BTW The last Hurrah has a bit of it in the video-well worth watching:yes:

[k14]

Why Siberia as a matter of interest? I know it's popular for adv riding but what exactly attracts you to the area?

BTW The last Hurrah has a bit of it in the video-well worth watching:yes:
Yeah good point, every time I read a report about someone riding there, particularly Colebatch on advriders it just makes me fascinated about the country, the people and mostly the scenery. Every photo I see just makes me want to be there. That and the challenge of doing something as treacherous as the BAM :)

[Padmei]

Yeah good point, every time I read a report about someone riding there, particularly Colebatch on advriders it just makes me fascinated about the country, the people and mostly the scenery. Every photo I see just makes me want to be there. That and the challenge of doing something as treacherous as the BAM :)

Interesting what appeals to different folk :yes: The images I have of it is Charlie & Ewan going thru mud mud dangerously swollen rivers & more mud:shit: Cool long valleys tho. Ransid yak butter tea?:sick:

You read any of Metaljockeys threads? Africa calls to me...

[k14]

Interesting what appeals to different folk :yes: The images I have of it is Charlie & Ewan going thru mud mud dangerously swollen rivers & more mud:shit: Cool long valleys tho. Ransid yak butter tea?:sick:

You read any of Metaljockeys threads? Africa calls to me...
No I haven't seen any of his reports, will have a look at work tomorrow...

For me africa isn't interesting at all, would probably be the last continent that I'd look for, too much dust/sand and too hot!

[Crim]

You read any of Metaljockeys threads? Africa calls to me...

+1 - Metaljockey and his mates get into some great places

http://www.wilddog.za.net/forum/index.php?board=32.0

the roll of honour of the wild dog website - some great reads in there!

[NordieBoy]

Yeah good point, every time I read a report about someone riding there, particularly Colebatch on advriders it just makes me fascinated about the country, the people and mostly the scenery. Every photo I see just makes me want to be there. That and the challenge of doing something as treacherous as the BAM :)

Boobies !

[JATZ]

Boobies !

:drool: :yes:

[monchopper]

Just got back from Invercargill a new bike in tow. Picked it up off trademe for a pretty good price, $5k with only 2700km on the clock. Bought brand new in Sept 08. No WOF and reg on hold but that will be sorted this time tomorrow.

I'm new to this offroad stuff, haven't really ever ridden anything but sports bikes so keen to get into the new genre. More interested in adv riding rather than trail, although I will try get a bit of trail riding when possible. I think I am in a pretty good part of the country for both! Already looking forward to next year's dusty butt :)

Some of the best public roads in the country around your way. If you want to call some landowners in the general area then you've got more riding than a man could do in a decade... the scenery isn't too bad either....enjoy (and I'm jealous)

[k14]

Some of the best public roads in the country around your way. If you want to call some landowners in the general area then you've got more riding than a man could do in a decade... the scenery isn't too bad either....enjoy (and I'm jealous)
Yeah exactly one of the reasons I have given up road racing cause the travel was getting a bit too much to handle. With the DRZ I can jump on an within 5 minutes be off tarmac and ride to my hearts content. Have to be careful with land owners though, some of them are getting rather weary with letting some random on their farms after some bad experiences. One of the higher rides on my list is mavora to glenorchy around the top of lake wakatipu, will probably wait for spring though.

[jafar]

Maybe he doesn't like mud?

Mud is fun:woohoo:, snow is just shit. :argh:

[Ally67]

:drool: :yes:

:nono::mad: I see you:angry:

[Jantar]

Yeah good point, every time I read a report about someone riding there, particularly Colebatch on advriders it just makes me fascinated about the country, the people and mostly the scenery. Every photo I see just makes me want to be there. That and the challenge of doing something as treacherous as the BAM :)
+1

Siberia, paticularly the BAM and Trans Siberian, just looks like an awesome place to ride. That would be my ulimate adventure ride. Then Central Europe, Slovakia etc.

South America also looks interesting, but possibly not as accessible from here.

Africa? It can stay hidden.

[warewolf]

Dunno why all the African negativity - it appeals to me.

But then I'm more of a hot & dry rather than cold & wet kinda fellah.

[k14]

Dunno why all the African negativity - it appeals to me.

But then I'm more of a hot & dry rather than cold & wet kinda fellah.
Thinking about it a bit more I think the biggest difference between the two places are the population density. From what I gather you can't drive 2km without seeing someone in Africa, in Russia you could go without seeing anyone for a few hundred kms. I prefer the solitude and peacefulness of being alone in the wilderness, I think that is the biggest draw card.