Any tips for riding in sand?

[flyingcr250]

going up to the sandpit this weekend and its my first time in the sand, is it realy that different than dirt or clay? any tips??

[Sensei]

If you have an old chain put it on as the sand gets into them really badly . Clean bike well straight after ya ride as well & WD40/CRC /RP7 it to stop rusting later on . Mostly the slower you go the harder it is to steer etc .

[Hemex]

going up to the sandpit this weekend and its my first time in the sand, is it realy that different than dirt or clay? any tips??

DONT LUBE YOUR CHAIN....the sand will stick and act like 100 grit sand paper..:laugh: While riding the faster the better and keep the revs up bro... weight of the front tyre...watch out for the trees... its goood fun mate...

[honda_power]

been on a beach once before, just keep the bike screaming. steering feels a little out of it, but youll learn pretty quick and forget about it

[tonyg26]

sit back, and if ur on a 2 stroke dont stay in powerband for ages same as riding on road, as it will lean out and cost u heaps :headbang:

[flyingcr250]

do you need to run lower tyre pressures??

[cave weta]

DONT LUBE YOUR CHAIN....the sand will stick and act like 100 grit sand paper..:laugh: While riding the faster the better and keep the revs up bro... weight of the front tyre...watch out for the trees... its goood fun mate...

What he Said X2 - sit back-gass it and let the front go where it wants to!:ride:

and waatch those trees.:Pokey:

if you make it up the rollercoaster- your'e a better man than me!:Oops:

[honda_power]

What he Said X2 - sit back-gass it and let the front go where it wants to!:ride:

and waatch those trees.:Pokey:

if you make it up the rollercoaster- your'e a better man than me!:Oops:

is that a hard out track or something?

[barty5]

What he Said X2 - sit back-gass it and let the front go where it wants to!:ride:

and waatch those trees.:Pokey:

if you make it up the rollercoaster- your'e a better man than me!:Oops:

wheres the rollercoaster havnt seen that track ???

[Rupe]

going up to the sandpit this weekend and its my first time in the sand, is it realy that different than dirt or clay? any tips??

The red and blue tracks are not hugley different, it's more the open stuff that gets soft. Just lean back and gas it.

Make sure you do the red and the blue ones

And most important one for sand is stand up.

[cave weta]

Its a red. The reds dont get ridden so much so they are less rutted.
But they have more random roots.
(wish I had that problem more !)

EDIT: rollercoaster is up in the top RH corner off the inland road to the right- it passes farmland pasture

[jt119]

youll like it eazy to get lost in ther but heaps of fun were going sunday morning

[tnarg]

Its a red. The reds dont get ridden so much so they are less rutted.
But they have more random roots.
(wish I had that problem more !)

EDIT: rollercoaster is up in the top RH corner off the inland road to the right- it passes farmland pasture

Do you mean the Big dipper? Thought the rollercoaster was down by the bottom by coast Road. Could be wrong though.

Tips. Wieght off the front on the sand and keep your speed up and STAND up.
I normally only do blue and reds and there reasonably free of sand and just like any good forestry ride.

[Ktmboy]

going up to the sandpit this weekend and its my first time in the sand, is it realy that different than dirt or clay? any tips??
Not really. You'll adjust. Its not one big sand dune, well was until the trees came along.

This sand is not beach sand in respect to its salt content. Hasn't seen the sea for a couple of thousand years so its not going to rust your bike anymore than a trail ride on farm land close to the coast.

I always lube our chains before we ride and get 70 hours out of a set, wether it be o ring or not, and 75% of our riding is at The Sandpit.

[Pierce]

Defo keep your speed up and keep the front light. Lots of whooped out parts to the trakcs too so like I said keep your speed up and front light and you'l skip over them. You'l find in the sand it the bike will want to go all over the place (expecially when it's deep soft sand) but just lock the bike in with your knees and let the bike go where it wants to go. Trying to turn will make it worse

[Ktmboy]

Defo keep your speed up and keep the front light. Lots of whooped out parts to the trakcs too so like I said keep your speed up and front light and you'l skip over them. You'l find in the sand it the bike will want to go all over the place (expecially when it's deep soft sand) but just lock the bike in with your knees and let the bike go where it wants to go. Trying to turn will make it worse

Pierce has it sorted. Keep the front end light and power through corners. Bum on the rear guard on fast bumpy sections. Power on!! Yeah ha.

Jeez, theres nothing like full tit with the front wheel in the air on a big long straight.....just waiting for bambi to jump out in front of you.:2guns:

Yes, the local inhabitants love giving you a freakin big adrenalin rush:Punk:

[flyingcr250]

ooooooo i feel a few offs happening this weekend lol :weep:

[SpikedPunch]

Steer with your rear and when when the bike starts getting squirrely, don't look down!

[Danger]

Increase fork compression.
Bleed the fork bleeders the day before then forget them. A little pressure build up will help.
This time of year you might benefit from lowering the forks a few mm in the clamps, depends on compression settings, oil level and overall balance.
Increase shock rebound 4 clicks, this also stiffens the low speed compression.
Ride central, let the power keep the front light, don't hang off the back like a gumby (unless your forks are too soft).
If on the whoops your bike kicks to the side, increase shock low speed compression. If it kicks straight up increase shock rebound. Keep the power on over any whoops to keep the front up, again stay central, don't crouch, keep the legs straight without locking the knees so you don't get kicked over the bars and let the bike do the work under you. Alternatively sit forward or central, not back, use the power to keep the front light, move back if you need the traction (like up the big dipper).
Tune the shocks HS compression damping for cornering, less for slower turning, more for quicker turning. Set your sag for about 105mm rider sag.
Do not lube the chain with anything but WD40 and lube it the day before then forget it. Sand will not stick and will not wear the chain, mud will do much worse.
Spray WD40 under your seat and inside the side covers of you air box to catch a large proportion of the sand. Do this the day before so the fumes can evaporate. Use filter skins.
Have fun, many don't like sand if they have not ridden it before but master sand and you become a much better rider overall.

[REDRIDER]

ooooooo i feel a few offs happening this weekend lol :weep:

Dude if I can ride the sand anyone can, grip the bike and give it heaps.. no drama

[takitimu]

d. Do this the day before so the fumes can evaporate. Use filter skins.
Have fun, many don't like sand if they have not ridden it before but master sand and you become a much better rider overall.

When's your book(let) coming out on suspension tips Danger, sign me up for a copy.

[camchain]

+1 on KTMboy's power on in the corners, deeper the sand the more important this is. You really need to get your braking done while upright (unless setting up for corner by locking up rear and backing it in. Works good in the right situation).

Coasting or Nanna riding through a sandy corner will cause too much weight up front and front wheel will turn into a plow. Better to be a touch slow on corner entry, especially if you don't know the trails. You can easily make up time with good corner and exit speed.
I find it best to start rolling on power even before you initiate the turn, gets the bike back in proper front/rear balance. With plenty of power on in the turn, you have some line alteration options using a bit of throttle control.
If you're sitting down in the corner, lift arse off seat if you spot a big accelleration bump on corner exit. You can do this even if inside leg still out and off the peg.

Good throttle control important in the whoops. Last thing you want is getting your timing wrong and dropping front into bottom of a deep one.
Especially in the twisty stuff, the more you can keep your feet up on the pegs the better. Legs are heavy lumps of meat, even more so with heavy boots on. Once they start paddling and swinging around, your balance goes out the window.

That said, I'm no expert just my tuppence.

Tire pressures? I tend to run 12.5 psi. Low pressures not really needed for Sandpit, not super hilly and not much extra tire deformation happening with deep sand/lower pressures anyway. Need to allow for tube pinch on hard tree roots. If you end up on the Big Dipper, try hitting it 4th gear. Heaps of throttle, changing down on the way up. Keep your eye on your intended line - not the fence.

As a Sandpit first timer, keep a sharp eye out for the odd tree root sticking out on sections that seem very root free. Very easy to let the guard down and get caught out on these.
Sand takes a bit of getting used to, but after an hour or so you'll start to get the hang of it. Heaps of fun and very good for the skills.

[kezzafish]

very well described camchain. points to add would be... sand sucks energy and horsepower, obviousely the softer the worse. Start running round the block now

[one-speed]

I came accross a situation not so long ago in which i had to cross a section of about 100 meters of thick soft sand on me CBR1100
The only way was to give it heaps LOL

[marty]

Don't get any in your vagina

[theblacksmith]

Speed is what you need at the Sandpit. It is a little different to dirt and clay - its more similar to riding in snow.Under a certain speed it feels like your front tyre is flat- increase your speed and it feels like your planing on the sand rather than sinking into it.The Big Dipper is cool - use as much hp as you can -you will need it. If its gonna piss down on the weekend I might come up with ya.Its a wicked place to ride - you ll love it.Bloody good workout on the body as well.

[theblacksmith]

Don't get any in your vagina

Fark -have you got one of those flyingcr250?? lol

[Rupe]

Don't get any in your vagina

That would be the most important one,

[flyingcr250]

Speed is what you need at the Sandpit. It is a little different to dirt and clay - its more similar to riding in snow.Under a certain speed it feels like your front tyre is flat- increase your speed and it feels like your planing on the sand rather than sinking into it.The Big Dipper is cool - use as much hp as you can -you will need it. If its gonna piss down on the weekend I might come up with ya.Its a wicked place to ride - you ll love it.Bloody good workout on the body as well.

workout? exercise? what have i got myself into? lol,
looking forward to saturday should be good. just have to find the place lol, should be ok. :niceone:

[flyingcr250]

Fark -have you got one of those flyingcr250?? lol

na mine left about 2 months ago :devil2::clap:

[DELLORTO]

i find sand prety easy.....if you go to the sandpit go on there motorcross track......man im addicted:wacko:

[flyingcr250]

i find sand prety easy.....if you go to the sandpit go on there motorcross track......man im addicted:wacko:

yea ill definitely have a look, good jumps there? not too big i hope.

[barty5]

yea ill definitely have a look, good jumps there? not too big i hope.

no more like flowing humps lol must just stick to the trails

[2_SL0]

Im thinking of heading up on Sunday.

[vazza]

Will be there on Saturday, ridden there for yeaaaars and still finding new tracks haha.

Best advice I can give you is the faster you go, the easier it is to control your bike

[Oper8r]

like my papi said, go over it rather than thru it (the sand)
I grew up riding on sand, it can be a drag if you get stuck, especially on a hot day! Am going up to Pouto this weekend, heaps of sand there! Real, deep sand, swallow you whole...

[4stroke]

like my papi said, go over it rather than thru it (the sand)
I grew up riding on sand, it can be a drag if you get stuck, especially on a hot day! Am going up to Pouto this weekend, heaps of sand there! Real, deep sand, swallow you whole...

theres a trail ride sunday aye, just up the hill on the right before you get to dargs from auckland, itll be mint if it keeps raining.

[Oper8r]

yeh, Arapohue, that is the main reason i am coming up, but we thought we could slip in a ride on Sat avo down to Pouto...

[Ktmboy]

theres a trail ride sunday aye, just up the hill on the right before you get to dargs from auckland, itll be mint if it keeps raining.

Yep, its raining still.
Jeez you are fitting in well at the dargs. LOL.

I need to talk to you. PM me with your phone number or let me know when you are coming down again.

[REDRIDER]

workout? exercise? what have i got myself into? lol,
looking forward to saturday should be good. just have to find the place lol, should be ok. :niceone:

mate if your comin up sat morning, we can meet ya at the end of the North Western "latte for breakfast" your in auckland now doctor ropata. 8.30 though opens at nine, had to cue last weekend..

[theblacksmith]

na mine left about 2 months ago :devil2::clap:
Crack up man!!

[LBD]

Been said many times, Keep yer weight as far back as possible and give it stick.

Throw an oldish chain on if you have one.

And if you are on the beach at low tide, and the sky is reflecting of a nice film of water...beware, that film of water can hide substantial pot holes...I speak from painful experience.

[4stroke]

Yep, its raining still.
Jeez you are fitting in well at the dargs. LOL.

I need to talk to you. PM me with your phone number or let me know when you are coming down again.

shit really?

[4stroke]

yeh, Arapohue, that is the main reason i am coming up, but we thought we could slip in a ride on Sat avo down to Pouto...

yeah ill be there sunday, green rodeo with the husky on the back, you boys stayn up here?

[crfchick]

What can you do to get the sand out of your chain? Its such a bitch! Definately dont lube your chain before you ride (learnt that the hardway...)

[LittleJohn]

What can you do to get the sand out of your chain? Its such a bitch! Definately dont lube your chain before you ride (learnt that the hardway...)

All you can do is take it off and give it a good soak and clean. I use kerosene, works great.


Me and oldskool are heading out to the sandpit tomorrow arvo for a quick blast. My boy needs some practise before he races at king of the north on Sunday.

[CHOPPA]

Hold it tapped and stand up!

[REDRIDER]

ill be heading up early, gold rodeo NZ mulisha graphics come say HowD.

[flyingcr250]

cheers for all the advice, see if i can put it to practice tomorrow.:clap::cool:

[Oper8r]

yeah ill be there sunday, green rodeo with the husky on the back, you boys stayn up here?

yep, staying out at Bayleys beach. White holden captiva with 'pumpt' all over it, 2 x KTM's. come and say G'day if you see us. cheers

[flyingcr250]

went to the sand pit for the first time today, what an awesome place. had a good time with REDRIDER, JT119, LITTLEJOHN, OLDSCHOOL, and a couple of redriders mates, forgot their names ha ha ha. defiantly worth the trip.:wari:

[vazza]

yep, staying out at Bayleys beach. White holden captiva with 'pumpt' all over it, 2 x KTM's. come and say G'day if you see us. cheers

You wouldnt happen to know Andrew Healy would you?

[honda_power]

went to the sand pit for the first time today, what an awesome place. had a good time with REDRIDER, JT119, LITTLEJOHN, OLDSCHOOL, and a couple of redriders mates, forgot their names ha ha ha. defiantly worth the trip.:wari:

many log crossings and that kinda shit? The fucker with the CR couldnt make it down this w.e so had yet another bike free weekend. bullshit. Def gonna be one of the first places I head when the new rides sorted though.

[DELLORTO]

many log crossings and that kinda shit? The fucker with the CR couldnt make it down this w.e so had yet another bike free weekend. bullshit. Def gonna be one of the first places I head when the new rides sorted though.

na no log crossings....:2thumbsup

[flyingcr250]

many log crossings and that kinda shit? The fucker with the CR couldnt make it down this w.e so had yet another bike free weekend. bullshit. Def gonna be one of the first places I head when the new rides sorted though.

theres a trials area there looked like a knarly place. went to kimmys today, in my opinion today was the best that tracks been since the start of summer, it was wicked tacky,:niceone:

[jt119]

gutter.didnt.get.to.go.now

[noobi]

many log crossings and that kinda shit?

depends, not on the yellow and green ones, but on the harder red and blue ones there are a few, but mostly roots etc. the woodchopper has a a log crossing right at the start of it, thats a mean track

[LittleJohn]

many log crossings and that kinda shit?

There are also a few logs and trees that you have to go over or around that a fallen down, they are the best ones, surprise.......crash

[Rupe]

many log crossings and that kinda shit?

Yep heaps, just have to explore the red trails.

[Rupe]

na no log crossings....:2thumbsup

Where do you ride the car park? have a look round the red trails

[SpikedPunch]

There are also a few logs and trees that you have to go over or around that a fallen down, they are the best ones, surprise.......crash

I miss that big fallen over tree that was there for a couple of weeks along that long flattish bit. A log crossing you had to go under not over :D

[jt119]

Where do you ride the car park? have a look round the red trailsfirst

trail i did up ther with you and ya mate ther was a tree fallen across the track had to cut though some cutty grass thought it was alot of fun

[Oper8r]

You wouldnt happen to know Andrew Healy would you?

yep, i sure do