Dunstan trail - in the wet on a big bike

[BrendanZX9R]

ok - don't laugh at me but i'm thinking of taking my 990 through the dunstan trail at queens birthday weekend to get to the brass monkey. We do the brass monkey every year and am starting to get a little bored of going down through hakataramea/black forest and danseys passes. Has anyone here got experience of doing the dunstan trail that time of year on a big bike? I've done it before in summer and really enjoyed it on the 990, but am thinking that at queens birthday weekend it could be a bit of a challenge. Am i being a moron and will i die?

Obviously any decision would be weather dependent closer to the time

I'm asking this now as i need a new front tyre and this will determine what i spoon on. Currently using TKC80 on the front and a mitas E07 on the rear, the mitas is 1/3rd worn but i have a brand new shinko 805 in the shed waiting. Thinking pirelli mt21 for the front?

[RMOTO]

Hi ya Brendan

Great route option for a 990 on the right rubber. If it is dry it'll be a breeze, if it is wet it can be slippery so good idea to choose rubber to prepare for it. Either way it is fun

The only possible problem is the conflicting open/closed dates. Exiting the Lammerlaws onto the Dunstan trail the DOC sign says it closes on the 23rd of June. Entering the Dunstan trail from Moa Creek end the sign says/said it closes on the 6th of June. RemoteMoto lists the 6th of June as a safeguard as the last thing I want to do is send a rider to a locked gate. I can confirm the sign referencing the 23rd exiting the Lammerlaws from a trip a few weeks back, the sign photographed with the 6th is from a quite a while back and it may have been changed to the 23rd to match. I am unsure. If you plan to head through this route it will pay to call DOC and ask them to confirm the dates for this year to avoid the possibility of hitting a locked gate.

Cheers

Josh

[BrendanZX9R]

Cheers Josh. The brass monkey is Saturday june 4th, so getting through before the road closes shouldn't be a problem. I'll just watch the forecast and make a decision closer to the time.
I'm thinking i'll go with the pirelli MT21 on the front and just take my time. There's no prizes for getting there first

[RMOTO]

I'm thinking i'll go with the pirelli MT21 on the front and just take my time. There's no prizes for getting there first

Nice one mate, a fresh sharp edged MT21 is a good choice to keep you upright if it is wet and slippery up there. I haven't fitted a MT21 yet but the reviews are very positive and are luring me to do so : MT21 Reviews

Have a great ride Brendan

[BrendanZX9R]

Nice one mate, a fresh sharp edged MT21 is a good choice to keep you upright if it is wet and slippery up there. I haven't fitted a MT21 yet but the reviews are very positive and are luring me to do so : MT21 Reviews

Have a great ride Brendan

Cheers Josh, appreciate the advice. I'll do a review of the tyre when i'm back.

[Skiwi]

Take something warm and dry to hole up in, and a beacon, it can close in and get real shitty real quick up there and trying to describe where to are to your rescuers can be difficult. " I'm near a bunch of tussocks next to some rocks"

But apart from that it should be fun.

But seriously, it is greasy with deepish ruts when wet, so lots of knobs, dont load yourself up top heavy and ideally take a mate with you.

[XF650]

I've done Dunstan Trail a few times at Queens Birthday, to link in with Brass Monkey. Most years it's fine but it can get a bit snotty, depending on weather & rider ability. Plus slow riders like me can get roosted by young bucks on high powered trail bikes. If there has been a decent dump & or big freeze, one option is to go through after the quads - they tend to break up it up & push tracks through. But like I said - most years it's fine.
As long as you're comfortable with mud & snow, the 990 will be fine (with the right tyres). If your front fender is close fitting type, watch it doesn't clog up with mud, especially after a thaw.
Don't forget to stop for a brew & a feed at the old Moa Creek pub (& check out what else is on the menu...)

[Padmei]

I have to say I'm enjoying my 805 on the back. hooks up on rocks very well. Always loved the E07 but if the 805 lasts it will be the economic tyre of choice for rough stuff.
Hope I don't turn this into a tyre thread. have a good ride.

[BrendanZX9R]

Take something warm and dry to hole up in, and a beacon, it can close in and get real shitty real quick up there and trying to describe where to are to your rescuers can be difficult. " I'm near a bunch of tussocks next to some rocks"

But apart from that it should be fun.

But seriously, it is greasy with deepish ruts when wet, so lots of knobs, dont load yourself up top heavy and ideally take a mate with you.

Cheers Skiwi, last time i went through we took a beacon so we'll take it again. defo putting on new knobs for this ride

[BrendanZX9R]

I've done Dunstan Trail a few times at Queens Birthday, to link in with Brass Monkey. Most years it's fine but it can get a bit snotty, depending on weather & rider ability. Plus slow riders like me can get roosted by young bucks on high powered trail bikes. If there has been a decent dump & or big freeze, one option is to go through after the quads - they tend to break up it up & push tracks through. But like I said - most years it's fine.
As long as you're comfortable with mud & snow, the 990 will be fine (with the right tyres). If your front fender is close fitting type, watch it doesn't clog up with mud, especially after a thaw.
Don't forget to stop for a brew & a feed at the old Moa Creek pub (& check out what else is on the menu...)

Thanks XF650, good to hear from someone who's got experience doing it at that time of year. I'm not overly excited about pushing the bike through banks of snow so we'll be watching the forecast very closely,however following the quads is a great idea so if its not too bad we'll give it a crack. And i'm not too worried about getting roosted by some fella on a proper dirtbike, i'll be taking my time so its probably too be expected at some stage! My front fender is a high front fender so should have no worries about it filling up with mud. Have only been past moa creek pub when it was closed so will pop in for sure.

[BrendanZX9R]

I have to say I'm enjoying my 805 on the back. hooks up on rocks very well. Always loved the E07 but if the 805 lasts it will be the economic tyre of choice for rough stuff.
Hope I don't turn this into a tyre thread. have a good ride.

Cheers Padmei - i'll spoon the 805 on before I go. I think that on the back and a pirelli mt21 should be a good pairing. The EO7 currently on the back is only 1/3 to 1/2 worn so i'll keep that for summer.