Adventure twins

[10bikekid]

Thread to post your adventure twin experiences :eek:

All twins welcome,

They are funny old beasts really, Exceptional road bikes, can be a real hoot on the gravel, and extremely challenging on soft stuff (sand particularly)
What are your experiences
<a href="http://s603.photobucket.com/user/800rider/media/Pictures003_zps5a999594.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt119/800rider/Pictures003_zps5a999594.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo Pictures003_zps5a999594.jpg"/></a>

[george formby]

My experiences are limited due to lack of crash bars & exceedingly expensive & hard to get fairing panels. That's my excuse anyway.

[BrendanZX9R]

agreed! great fun in the gravel which is where I do most of my riding. There haven't been many times where I would have preferred to be on a smaller bike but if I rode more sand and mud then I might be tempted with a 690 or similar.
The sad reality for most of us is that we can only have one bike, so we have to have the bike that puts the most ticks in the most boxes. For me and the type of riding I do that means that the 990 adv is the right fit.

[Motu]

I got the XLV750 for gravel only, but did end up off road a few times, and it was certainly the wrong bike for me in those conditions. My current twin is set up for gravel only, a low centre of gravity is best on gravel, and most ADV twins have it too high.

[umopom]

If it has to be a twin then...............................

299256299257

[Woodman]

Oh cool another GS thread

[10bikekid]

My experiences are limited due to lack of crash bars & exceedingly expensive & hard to get fairing panels. That's my excuse anyway.

We will need pictures as proof (actually we just need pictures)

[10bikekid]

agreed! great fun in the gravel which is where I do most of my riding. There haven't been many times where I would have preferred to be on a smaller bike but if I rode more sand and mud then I might be tempted with a 690 or similar.
The sad reality for most of us is that we can only have one bike, so we have to have the bike that puts the most ticks in the most boxes. For me and the type of riding I do that means that the 990 adv is the right fit.

I will confess to having 3 (+ several without lights) so have a bit of idea of where they all fit :scratch:

Variations 100+ HP - 10hp
210kg - 60kg
950 - 80cc
4 & 2 Stroke
Twin is by far the most fun on the metal and of course the most mental (2 strokes are close though), plus by far the best on a smooth beach :crazy:
<a href="http://s603.photobucket.com/user/800rider/media/d47e8e09-baee-4c41-8639-63fb584ad0ca_zps753628ea.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt119/800rider/d47e8e09-baee-4c41-8639-63fb584ad0ca_zps753628ea.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo d47e8e09-baee-4c41-8639-63fb584ad0ca_zps753628ea.jpg"/></a>

Please don't ask me to have just one though :cry:

For a nano second or two I have thought of cashing in on the capital of the KTM but the idea just dont fly :sick:
Just to good at travelling and then having a bit of fun in between

[Gremlin]

Adventures? Oh hell yes, I've had a few on my awesome Jessica (and no, my mates that want to call the GSA Helga are never going to succeed).

In 3.5 years and 89k ish it's even been over to the USA. Dropped in the region of the 127 Hours movie, struggled like hell to get it up solo and finally arrived at the accommodation at 2145, to find the rest of the group really worried, but no idea where to begin looking ;)

Soft sand is almost guaranteed to result in a lie down, except one time my pant leg somehow lifted up, leg burnt on something very hot, 2nd degree burn I finally decided should be looked at 3 days later, and almost put me in hospital from infection, instead I got 2 weeks off my feet and 2 years out of the sun to allow skin to grow back.

Multiple adventure rides with multiple get offs in rivers, hills etc. I figure that if I'm not falling off at least once during them then it ain't challenging enough!

On the other hand, when you're standing on the pegs, giving it some gas climbing gravel, got it kicked slightly sideways spinning up the rear slightly... yep, not much else beats that feeling... :2thumbsup

[george formby]

agreed! great fun in the gravel which is where I do most of my riding. There haven't been many times where I would have preferred to be on a smaller bike but if I rode more sand and mud then I might be tempted with a 690 or similar.
The sad reality for most of us is that we can only have one bike, so we have to have the bike that puts the most ticks in the most boxes. For me and the type of riding I do that means that the 990 adv is the right fit.

This sums it for me.

I guess there is still some XTZ dna in the TDM cos it just gets on with things. No bad habits. It gets basic maintenance & no doubt used beyond it's design parameters. The km's keep mounting up & so far I have a bulb on the speedo to replace, some 60 odd thousand k's. On both tar & gravel it feels lazy, planted & comfortable but covers the ground deceptively quickly. Just got to make sure if I'm sliding into or out of a gravel corner that I leave plenty of room for error. Once the weight comes into play with not enough traction or room to compensate it's k'in scary trying to get it back on track. Pointless sticking a foot out, it will just get broken so I have to stand, well forward, & get my weight way out of the turn. Teeth & sphincter clenched.

The bike will scrape it's foot pegs on tar seal if I fuck up, tours two up with luggage effortlessly & does about 300km on a tank if I chance it. Love the sound, too.

No idea what I would replace it with and it's worth sweet FA.

[Oscar]

This sums it for me.

I guess there is still some XTZ dna in the TDM cos it just gets on with things. No bad habits. It gets basic maintenance & no doubt used beyond it's design parameters. The km's keep mounting up & so far I have a bulb on the speedo to replace, some 60 odd thousand k's. On both tar & gravel it feels lazy, planted & comfortable but covers the ground deceptively quickly. Just got to make sure if I'm sliding into or out of a gravel corner that I leave plenty of room for error. Once the weight comes into play with not enough traction or room to compensate it's k'in scary trying to get it back on track. Pointless sticking a foot out, it will just get broken so I have to stand, well forward, & get my weight way out of the turn. Teeth & sphincter clenched.

The bike will scrape it's foot pegs on tar seal if I fuck up, tours two up with luggage effortlessly & does about 300km on a tank if I chance it. Love the sound, too.

No idea what I would replace it with and it's worth sweet FA.

TDM's go anywhere!

http://oscar.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Classic-Trials-Day-Aug-3-2003/i-GW3Gcmp/1/M/TDM-M.jpg

http://oscar.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/My-F650GSD/i-GtVShH2/0/M/Ruapuke%20Beach%206-M.jpg

[george formby]

TDM's go anywhere!


Crikey! Another one and a MkI at that. Nice. Heartening to see those muddy road tires and a TDM in the wild.
Your post brings the total I know of to 5. Starting to feel a bit main stream.:laugh:

How did it handle soft sand getting onto the beach? 90 mile has been calling for years but I'm to chicken thus far.

[10bikekid]

Adventures? Oh hell yes, I've had a few on my awesome Jessica (and no, my mates that want to call the GSA Helga are never going to succeed).

In 3.5 years and 89k ish it's even been over to the USA. Dropped in the region of the 127 Hours movie, struggled like hell to get it up solo and finally arrived at the accommodation at 2145, to find the rest of the group really worried, but no idea where to begin looking ;)

Soft sand is almost guaranteed to result in a lie down, except one time my pant leg somehow lifted up, leg burnt on something very hot, 2nd degree burn I finally decided should be looked at 3 days later, and almost put me in hospital from infection, instead I got 2 weeks off my feet and 2 years out of the sun to allow skin to grow back.

Multiple adventure rides with multiple get offs in rivers, hills etc. I figure that if I'm not falling off at least once during them then it ain't challenging enough!

On the other hand, when you're standing on the pegs, giving it some gas climbing gravel, got it kicked slightly sideways spinning up the rear slightly... yep, not much else beats that feeling... :2thumbsup

Sounds like fun, were have you documented your American ride :corn:

[10bikekid]

Crikey! Another one and a MkI at that. Nice. Heartening to see those muddy road tires and a TDM in the wild.
Your post brings the total I know of to 5. Starting to feel a bit main stream.:laugh:

How did it handle soft sand getting onto the beach? 90 mile has been calling for years but I'm to chicken thus far.

You got to try it, better in the winter when the sand on the beach entrances arnt so powdery, through otherwise this can easily happen
I made the mistake of also thinking speed would help get out of the car tracks :crazy:
<a href="http://s603.photobucket.com/user/800rider/media/17f32f69-4411-4e43-aa5e-485abebb02cc_zps911594ea.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt119/800rider/17f32f69-4411-4e43-aa5e-485abebb02cc_zps911594ea.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 17f32f69-4411-4e43-aa5e-485abebb02cc_zps911594ea.jpg"/></a>
Its all worth it once get out on the Beach though and I reckon the TDM would spin its wheels till at least 100kph (not something you get to do everyday)
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[nzspokes]

Do twins struggle off road?

[10bikekid]

This sums it for me.

I guess there is still some XTZ dna in the TDM cos it just gets on with things. No bad habits. It gets basic maintenance & no doubt used beyond it's design parameters. The km's keep mounting up & so far I have a bulb on the speedo to replace, some 60 odd thousand k's. On both tar & gravel it feels lazy, planted & comfortable but covers the ground deceptively quickly. Just got to make sure if I'm sliding into or out of a gravel corner that I leave plenty of room for error. Once the weight comes into play with not enough traction or room to compensate it's k'in scary trying to get it back on track. Pointless sticking a foot out, it will just get broken so I have to stand, well forward, & get my weight way out of the turn. Teeth & sphincter clenched.

The bike will scrape it's foot pegs on tar seal if I fuck up, tours two up with luggage effortlessly & does about 300km on a tank if I chance it. Love the sound, too.

No idea what I would replace it with and it's worth sweet FA.


TDM's go anywhere!

http://oscar.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Classic-Trials-Day-Aug-3-2003/i-GW3Gcmp/1/M/TDM-M.jpg

http://oscar.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/My-F650GSD/i-GtVShH2/0/M/Ruapuke%20Beach%206-M.jpg

Nice, was quite keen on one of these a ways back, reckon they'd make a top all terrain tourer, never happened as you just cant buy everything, but you can live vicariously through others though

I think the foot out is as much for balance as stopping you from crashing and if Rossi and Marquez do it it cant be all bad

[Shadowjack]

I'm with GF on the matter of TDM's, being a 20%-er (in terms of ownership).
In nearly six years and 85k kms, I have replaced a starter solenoid, a brake light, and a speedo light (apart from maintenance stuff). It's been lightly modified to make it comfortable for a BFB. It's kms may go up significantly as I contemplate a move to the country and a commute - do I keep it and see how long it lasts? Probably. Toured into the dusty/muddy Canterbury interior, and all over the NI.
It's shod with BT023's at the moment, but I will probably go back to something gravel-friendly.
I like it.

[10bikekid]

Do twins struggle off road?

Depends a lot on the tires, if your willing to make your around the world ADV bike into a tractor there probable not to bad but they start to run wide on the road and slide the rear a bit, also the 160kph tire speed rating can be a bit of a drag (something most singles don't have to worry about)

PS, and they wheelspin a lot more, fun on the gravel, not so when crossing a grass strip between the wheel tracks in the middle of winter on a forest road:sweatdrop

[george formby]

I'm with GF on the matter of TDM's, being a 20%-er (in terms of ownership).
In nearly six years and 85k kms, I have replaced a starter solenoid, a brake light, and a speedo light (apart from maintenance stuff). It's been lightly modified to make it comfortable for a BFB. It's kms may go up significantly as I contemplate a move to the country and a commute - do I keep it and see how long it lasts? Probably. Toured into the dusty/muddy Canterbury interior, and all over the NI.
It's shod with BT023's at the moment, but I will probably go back to something gravel-friendly.
I like it.

Ey up. 1 of 5. Next time your up here or when we get down there you can talk me through the speedo bulb change. I reckon you need fingers like ET to get the front apart. And x ray specs.
How you liking the 023's? I loved the 021's. Done about 30 km's on T30s but that was through the inundation.

The question about keeping it or not is what can tick more or as many boxes? If you do sell it, can I have your exhausts please? Lubbly.:love:
I reckon it will double the k's on the clock before it becomes a liability. Especially if you keep attending fettle days to watch blokes fix there modern bikes.:laugh:

I pushed the boat out the other day & checked my air filter. It's white. After years of gravel shenanigans, whats up with that then? I recommend doing this with an empty tank.

All the best D. Once the ice melts go get some Troots.

[george formby]

Depends a lot on the tires, if your willing to make your around the world ADV bike into a tractor there probable not to bad but they start to run wide on the road and slide the rear a bit, also the 160kph tire speed rating can be a bit of a drag (something most singles don't have to worry about)

PS, and they wheelspin a lot more, fun on the gravel, not so when crossing a grass strip between the wheel tracks in the middle of winter on a forest road:sweatdrop

They focus the mind & senses beautifully. The twistie thing on the right of the handle bars separates fun & fear by just a few degrees.

[george formby]

Oh! I just seen your beach post 10BK. The pressure & fear mounts.

I love bikes.:headbang:

[Gremlin]

Sounds like fun, were have you documented your American ride :corn:
Day 1: http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/2150-USA-D1-NZ-to-USA-%2816-07-2011%29

At the bottom of each blog above the comments you can navigate to the next page, otherwise, look under my blogs, Page 11 and forwards has those blogs.

D33 was where I had the mother of adventures.

[10bikekid]

Oh! I just seen your beach post 10BK. The pressure & fear mounts.

I love bikes.:headbang:

Decided to give it a go this morning, its a cool 2deg outside :cold:and if the old girl starts will have the picture proof later on (bit intrepid about the beach entry and the foggy visor though <_<)

Anti fog on visor, check, heated grips on, check, far enough down drive to not wake family, check, choke on, check, push starter :blank:

[10bikekid]

Day 1: http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/2150-USA-D1-NZ-to-USA-%2816-07-2011%29

At the bottom of each blog above the comments you can navigate to the next page, otherwise, look under my blogs, Page 11 and forwards has those blogs.

D33 was where I had the mother of adventures.

Thanks Grem, will look at this once recovered from ride :niceone:

[Shadowjack]

Ey up. 1 of 5. Next time your up here or when we get down there you can talk me through the speedo bulb change. I reckon you need fingers like ET to get the front apart. And x ray specs.
How you liking the 023's? I loved the 021's. Done about 30 km's on T30s but that was through the inundation.
Speedometer bulb - I couldn't remember off-hand how I did this, so went and perused the Haynes BOL. Yeah, it was one of those repressed memory thingies, as it involved more-or-less dismantling the front-end fairings (side-panels, windscreen, inner panel), and removal of the instrument cluster from the frame (disconnecting the speedo cable and instrument wiring harness connector) to get at the back of the cluster. Took about 30 seconds to replace the bulb.
The BT023's have been a revelation compared to the Anakee/Sirac combination I have run in the past. No effort at all to fire through the corners. Good in the rain. Like them, but a bit dodgy on gravel, hence the projected return to Anakees, or similar.
As for the trooties, well, if the plans I have come to fruition, the nearest trooties should be about a minutes walk from the front gate...

[george formby]

Speedometer bulb - I couldn't remember off-hand how I did this, so went and perused the Haynes BOL. Yeah, it was one of those repressed memory thingies, as it involved more-or-less dismantling the front-end fairings (side-panels, windscreen, inner panel), and removal of the instrument cluster from the frame (disconnecting the speedo cable and instrument wiring harness connector) to get at the back of the cluster. Took about 30 seconds to replace the bulb.
The BT023's have been a revelation compared to the Anakee/Sirac combination I have run in the past. No effort at all to fire through the corners. Good in the rain. Like them, but a bit dodgy on gravel, hence the projected return to Anakees, or similar.
As for the trooties, well, if the plans I have come to fruition, the nearest trooties should be about a minutes walk from the front gate...

Nice. Rods ready by the front door for the morning rise.

The switch from dual purpose to T30's made the bike feel as if it knew what I was going to do next before I did on the ride home.

[10bikekid]

Ride report (part 1)

Its Saturday and still dark, best gear up to the hilt as its 2deg on the coastal hill of home (sure to be colder on the flats)
Wheel KT down the drive to be svelte and try to jump start her just in case battery is reluctant, bike skids and burbles into life then stops,

O well kick her in the guts on the starter then, bam no problems, and wait for the temp gauge to register and allow the heated grips to warm up,
I pre warmed all my gear by wearing it for 10minutes before hopping on the bike which helped a bit but the tips of my fingers were still cold as cloves hadn't warmed up enough.

Off we go, Just as well the anti fog was working a treat as it was far to cold to have the visor up, stop at a low lying field to sample the frost, some nice sun-rises vista's on the way and a bit of fog, took it pretty easy in-case the roads had ice and finally arriving at the first stop to check that the beach is rideable

[10bikekid]

<a href="http://s603.photobucket.com/user/800rider/media/Pictures182_zps06c0bf32.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt119/800rider/Pictures182_zps06c0bf32.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo Pictures182_zps06c0bf32.jpg"/></a>

[clint640]

In early 1994 I bought this beauty off my cuz Damian - that's him in the pic.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v653/clhandcock/TDRr_zps16ebcd0c.jpeg

1988 Yamaha TDR250 twin cyl 2stroke! Got the leather jacket in the deal too :niceone: I actually hardly rode it on gravel, always had road tyres on it. It was stupid fun on tarmac though, had it out on the old Baypark circuit for my first go at road racing & a couple of mid pack finishes in C-grade :third: Sold it for more than I'd bought it for 2 weeks before the notoriously fragile TZR based motor lunched itself - probably won't be that lucky ever again. I still have the leather jacket :headbang:

Cheers
Clint

[george formby]

A TDR is prolly the bike I would like to own. Less and less likely as time goes by unfortunately. If I won lotto I would be off to France to find a minter. Seen a few with RD350 motors in them.

[10bikekid]

In early 1994 I bought this beauty off my cuz Damian - that's him in the pic.


1988 Yamaha TDR250 twin cyl 2stroke! Got the leather jacket in the deal too :niceone: I actually hardly rode it on gravel, always had road tyres on it. It was stupid fun on tarmac though, had it out on the old Baypark circuit for my first go at road racing & a couple of mid pack finishes in C-grade :third: Sold it for more than I'd bought it for 2 weeks before the notoriously fragile TZR based motor lunched itself - probably won't be that lucky ever again. I still have the leather jacket :headbang:

Cheers
Clint


A TDR is prolly the bike I would like to own. Less and less likely as time goes by unfortunately. If I won lotto I would be off to France to find a minter. Seen a few with RD350 motors in them.

Another bike for the Bucket List, have seen them for sale but never been in a position to buy

Perhaps since we have thus far been deprived how bout a Road test impression for us to :drool: over Clint :mellow:

[george formby]

Another bike for the Bucket List, have seen them for sale but never been in a position to buy

Perhaps since we have thus far been deprived how bout a Road test impression for us to :drool: over Clint :mellow:

Good call.:2thumbsup
Back in the day I had a (slow) 750 Kwaka & every morning I would end up having a dice with a bloke on a (quick) TDR. Would get past him on a bit of dual carriageway then he would get past me coming off the roundabouts. Etc, etc. He would always end up buggering off when we got to some twistyish single lane. Wanted one ever since.
When they came out there was a one make motard race at the Guidon D'Or (Golden Handlebars IIR) on TDR's, mayhem & marvellous. I watched it on UK TV at the time but have never found it on the interwebs.

[scracha]

The bike will scrape it's foot pegs on tar seal if I fuck up, tours two up with luggage effortlessly & does about 300km on a tank if I chance it. Love the sound, too.

No idea what I would replace it with and it's worth sweet FA.

Yep...I dunno what I'd replace mine with. Maybe a KTM but they're farkin expensive. Having had the 850 the 900 is a much better bike....it's a LOT lighter (and the weight is much lower down), is better on the gas (nearly 400km), it's more reliable (at 80,000K just done cam-chain tensioner that pre 2004 models suffered from......mine must have missed the factory recall...bar that have only had a blown headlamp bulb) and has about 10% more grunt.

TDR's...yeah....would love one. Trackday at Cadwell park about 15 years ago and in the wet there was a lad on one simply raping guys on their shiny newish R1's.

[george formby]

I had the use of a TDM 900 for 6 months but it did not gel the same way as the 8fiddy for some reason. Possibly the OEM Dunlops.

Put me T30's (and the bike) to the test today. Rode a fair bit of gravel, slick clay, slimy, twisty, damp tarmac, a couple of lumpy bits which required a touch of body language and other stuff. Like dry tarmac. Had the pleasure of following a couple of wee, light footed trailies and more or less managed to keep up.
No issues or trouser stains whatsoever. The bike just keeps thundering along, oblivious, and the tires were only really challenged in the slick clay.
Bloody marvelous really. Even managed to find a bottle jack at the side of the road & score a kilo of elephant garlic. If I had a trowel in me tool kit I would have had a road side blueberry bush, too.