Are you sensible if you walk your bike across streams?

**Waihou Thumper** · 10th February 2011, 16:19

Or should you at all costs just go for it after
a. Testing the depth. Let your mate go first...
b. unload and walk all your belongings over to the other side.
c. Roll up your trousers and take off your boots? (You gotta be kidding on that one, surely!) This is adventure riding...sheesh...

What say everyone? The risk to the bike not going again for some time after can be a bit of a PITA! to say the least. I can see merits in it if you are on your own. I walked the bike quite successfully across a deep strem not too long ago, engine running and in first gear....

With snotty big rocks and deep holes, the problem then becomes, how to dismount and get it across.
Maybe the fun is trying it and making it over to the other side upright and in a semi- dignified manner for You Tube...

**Spearfish** · 10th February 2011, 16:23

Originally Posted by NZKTM

Or should you at all costs just go for it after
a. Testing the depth. Let your mate go first...
b. unload and walk all your belongings over to the other side.
c. Roll up your trousers and take off your boots? (You gotta be kidding on that one, surely!) This is adventure riding...sheesh...

What say everyone? The risk to the bike not going again for some time after can be a bit of a PITA! to say the least. I can see merits in it if you are on your own. I walked the bike quite successfully across a deep strem not too long ago, engine running and in first gear....

With snotty big rocks and deep holes, the problem then becomes, how to dismount and get it across.
Maybe the fun is trying it and making it over to the other side upright and in a semi- dignified manner for You Tube...

I've been shy of riding over mostly because I'm using a pod filter (crap idea) that's essentially lowered the intake level..or more truthfull I'm good at finding boulders and falling off.

**Eddieb** · 10th February 2011, 16:38

Originally Posted by NZKTM

Or should you at all costs just go for it after
a. Testing the depth. Let your mate go first...
b. unload and walk all your belongings over to the other side.
c. Roll up your trousers and take off your boots? (You gotta be kidding on that one, surely!) This is adventure riding...sheesh...

It means you're a big girly blouse and you need to sell your KTM and buy a KLR

But in all seriousness, each crossing needs to be considered on it's own merits and risks and if the situation warrants it then by all means walk it across.

I even bloused out of a crossing altogether on my trip down south. The stream at the top of the Rainbow road had washed the ford out and replaced it with big chunky boulders as was running much higher and faster than I was comfortable with attempting on my own with the 950. I decided discretion was the better part of valor that day.

A week later I came back from the opposite end and knocked the bastard off.

**Motu** · 10th February 2011, 16:39

As a trials rider I walk all stream crossings,study the ground - then take the bike across.

**george formby** · 10th February 2011, 16:46

Originally Posted by Motu

As a trials rider I walk all stream crossings,study the ground - then take the bike across.

+1 Look before you leap.

**NordieBoy** · 10th February 2011, 18:09

I'd walk the bike across no probs.

I'm the one with the camera.

Your job is to ride across without fear and look spectacular.

**Monstaman** · 10th February 2011, 18:14

To quote Jeremy Clarkson "It doesn't matter what you do as long as you look cool while you are doing it"

Failing that at least put on a good show for Nordies camera

**Crim** · 10th February 2011, 18:14

Originally Posted by Motu

As a trials rider I walk all stream crossings,study the ground - then take the bike across.

As a shite rider I charge in

and then wait to get rescued

............... Thanks Ryan, TA, Josh, Rog, Mark, Padmei, Eddie, Steve and the many others that have come to my rescue (haven't drowned it yet so don't go on river crossings with me cos I am due!)

**rwh** · 10th February 2011, 18:29

I haven't done any adv riding, but I've done a bit of tramping ...

Originally Posted by NZKTM

c. Roll up your trousers and take off your boots? (You gotta be kidding on that one, surely!) This is adventure riding...sheesh...

No way. Asking for a twisted ankle, or having it bashed by a rolling boulder.

Unless the stream's crossing a sandy beach, perhaps.

Richard

**Gravel Man** · 10th February 2011, 18:31

If In doubt I would walk my bike through, as trying to dewater a 990 would be more of A P.I.T.A. than wet boots would ever be.
Cheers G M

**Phreaky Phil** · 10th February 2011, 18:35

As what the others have said, it depends on the river, for example, below is a photo taken on a Sidetrack Mag ride in 98. The river was in flood, waist deep in the center and flowing fast. Our lead rider walked in a bit and decided it was do-able. The option was 50km backtrack and riding in the dark. As it was we rode the last bit in the dark. So with dead engines and 4or5 per bike we pushed them across. We had 11 bikes so it meant several trips. It was scary. At on point, on the way back across (linked arms) was on the top. I stumbled on a rock and with the weight of the water I going down. I'll never forget Tony Kirby (SideTrack owner, Recently deceased) shouting, "DONT LET HIM GO"