Setting up for adventure riding

**warewolf** · 6th December 2007, 21:19

Originally Posted by GaZBur

Sorry - I gave the wrong impression. The guards I am talking about are the standard ones not real Bark Busters (TM) - just plastic without the metal bar that attaches in two places on the bar, those are illegal for motards if I read the rules correctly anyway..

Ah, I see. I dunno about the use of the term 'standard', they are known as 'flag type'. Motocrossers can only use those ones (mainly for roost protection) and enclosed ones are banned, probably as in motard, to stop the argy-bargy that might result from having enclosed hands. They are permitted in enduro and cross-country as the course is not so well groomed and you could be a long way from help (or not allowed any help).

Originally Posted by GaZBur

I still argue against taking spare levers or weakening the existing levers as if you just loosen off the holding bolt a fraction the lever will turn on the handlebar instead of breaking. I have never broken a lever on the DR and its seen a lot of lever meets ground action, both clutch and brake.

Off-road or on the track? I'll argue the other way

'cos even with loose perches (and guards fitted) the DR-Z250 broke plenty of levers in the forest (and the DR200 broke a couple, and the Domi...). I've watched a low-speed tumble where the lever broke because the load was at an angle that wasn't conducive to rotating the perch... and that was what I suspected was the typical loading angle for the many I didn't see in slo-mo. btw not sure if the enclosed BarkBusters are banned from motard (in all markets), as they sell replacable end-scrapers specifically for motard!?

I've had modified levers snap the ball-end off, but never had them fail inboard of the weak spot and never been left in the lurch. Filing the levers costs almost nothing and saves weight! Everyone should do it.

**GaZBur** · 7th December 2007, 07:23

Originally Posted by warewolf

...Off-road or on the track? I'll argue the other way

'cos even with loose perches (and guards fitted) the DR-Z250 broke plenty of levers in the forest (and the DR200 broke a couple, and the Domi...). I've watched a low-speed tumble where the lever broke because the load was at an angle that wasn't conducive to rotating the perch... and that was what I suspected was the typical loading angle for the many I didn't see in slo-mo....I've had modified levers snap the ball-end off, but never had them fail inboard of the weak spot and never been left in the lurch. Filing the levers costs almost nothing and saves weight! Everyone should do it.

Hmmmm!!! Now I think about it all my offs have been at speed and I see how lower speed falls will create a force directed more along the angle of the bar than against it so breaks are more likely. You make a convincing arguement and I conceed the point - now wheres the damn file gone!!!

**warewolf** · 7th December 2007, 16:39

Originally Posted by Wolf

I'm planning on getting 3 "ring-spanner/tyre iron" combinations (2x22mm and 1x19mm) to cut down on weight/bulk (rather than carrying three large spanners and a set of tyre irons).

See my thoughts on combo tools in the Changing Tyres thread.

**young1** · 25th March 2008, 20:19

Originally Posted by warewolf

Ah, I see. I dunno about the use of the term 'standard', they are known as 'flag type'. Motocrossers can only use those ones (mainly for roost protection) and enclosed ones are banned, probably as in motard, to stop the argy-bargy that might result from having enclosed hands. They are permitted in enduro and cross-country as the course is not so well groomed and you could be a long way from help (or not allowed any help).

I thought the enclosed ones were banned in mx because of the number of guys breaking wrists (open ones are a bit more forgiving than enclosed ones)?

**partireper.it** · 12th April 2008, 12:48

Originally Posted by Zukin

Hi again

Now as you all know I am a novice when it comes to this, so again I ask for wisdom and advice!
I have made a list of things I need (or want) in some sort order, am I on the right track?

Please feel free to add or move things in your replies (it is for 2 bikes & riders), and imagine it is for 20 days on the road, stopping in town to refuel restock food etc.
If you see something that should be moved, or deleted or added please let me know in this thread by replying.

Then there is always incidentals like camera, drivers licence, personal toiletries etc

Cheers and thanks for your help

is this setting up for new zealand or other countries?

**Paladin** · 7th November 2008, 09:38

Hi guys,

As a newbie to the world of adv riding, just wanted to say that this is a really helpful thread - cheers!

Dave

**Wolf** · 7th November 2008, 19:15

After working on the XT a few weekends back, I'm adding a 16mm metric fine bolt to my tool kit - it'd make it easier to remove the magnetic rotor from the end of the shaft than what we wound up doing (just wind it in and let it push the rotor off).

**Lonebull** · 31st January 2009, 22:00

Originally Posted by Paladin

Hi guys,

As a newbie to the world of adv riding, just wanted to say that this is a really helpful thread - cheers!

Dave

I Agree this thread has been very informative. I'm just starting out on this Adventure riding caper. Have a new KTM on the way and can't wait.

I have done lots of long distance road touring and what I have learned is that you won't use half of what you think you should take. I have spent years hunting too and I can survive on bugger all for quite a while. I have a dehydrater. I dehydrate a good stew and seal it in a bag. Its light and lasts ages without freezing. Heaps cheaper than those freeze dried things and much tastier.
A roll of Duct tape is great and as mentioned by someone earlier some soft wire for tying stuff up. With regard to the GPS, can it. Learn how to read a map and use a compass. Don't rely on something that can break down if you don't have to (bike excluded of course). Coleman make a really good single burner cooker that will run on virtually anything. gas canister burners are great but I prefer the coleman. It has a bullit proof design and no bloddy o-rings to crap out and it will run on, white spirits, kero or petrol (yes petrol)

Would like to hear a little more on Bike set up and prep from those in the know...

**clint640** · 2nd February 2009, 14:22

Originally Posted by Lonebull

Would like to hear a little more on Bike set up and prep from those in the know...

I don't really qualify as 'in the know' but I won't let that stop me:

Have a readup on setting up your suspension for offroad, your new KTM will be fully adjustable so if you're lucky a few clicks here & there will get it working pretty good, check the sag with it loaded right up too.

Have a look over on Advrider.com for more bike specific stuff, heaps of good info from all over the world there - the Orange Crush section if your new beast is a twin, Thumpers for the singles.

When you start getting really adventurous, a GPS can be bloody handy. I can use a map & compass pretty well, & will take them also for serious exploring, but when you're trying to work out which one of the 6 nondescript tracks you've seen heading off into the scrub off the last 500m of some backroad is the one that takes you through 50km of great riding with a pub at the end, as opposed to the other 5 that are just dead ends, the GPS is the shizz.

Cheers
Clint

**alfonz** · 3rd May 2009, 13:47

hi you have lots of gear . only thing is i would lose the bike lock and kidney belt . because you can lock your bike wiht your keys and the kidney belt ur riding 2 up ? i think so you wont be needing it all the other stuff is good i would add a tube of needit metal putty as it is very usefull for repairs and a bike pump

**Wolf** · 4th May 2009, 10:01

Originally Posted by alfonz

hi you have lots of gear . only thing is i would lose the bike lock and kidney belt . because you can lock your bike wiht your keys and the kidney belt ur riding 2 up ? i think so you wont be needing it all the other stuff is good i would add a tube of needit metal putty as it is very usefull for repairs and a bike pump

Sadly, the thread-starter to whom you are replying is no longer with us and the question of what gear he's using to explore the Undiscovered Country is a matter for philosophical debate.

RIP Scott.