Dual sport ride May 20 Fresno

[dsrider]

Check out the site

http://dsrider.com

[2on2off]

How does Lane like his new XChallange? I'm thinking about buying one because it has fuel injection.

What fuel range is he getting?

[dsrider]

He loves it, great bike, I was able to ride it for a very short hill climb, it felt very nimble and solid. Layne will become an excellent rider on that bike in a very short time He got 45mpg on his first tank

[2on2off]

How was the seat comfort on the XChallange? This has become one of my more important issues with Dual Sporting!!!

After 140 miles off-road and 10 hours in the saddle (I actually do these kinds of rides), the seat comfort can become one of the more important aspects of the bikes performance. That is why I am considering the XChallenge, KLR650 and XR650L. The KLR and XRL all have much wider seats than my WR450 Yamaha.

I just got off the phone with a guy who has a DRZ400S and he reports that after 120 miles on that bike, his butt is on fire. That is what I'm trying to avoid with my next bike as I plan on doing 200-300 mile rides off-road.

That is one of the best things about the BMW R1200GS. The seat on that bike is just as wide as the seat on my BMW R1150RT. But, at the same time, the GS is quite a handful to pick up if you drop it in the rocks.

If your group is interested, I have a great route I would be happy to lead you on in Death Valley. The Manly Pass, Goler Wash road from Trona to Furnace Creek. If we hurry, we can do this ride before they start frying eggs on the sidewalk at Furnace Creek.

I would be very interested to see how the variety of bikes in your group would do on this route, especially the R1200GS and GSA's. I know that some KTM 950's have done this route with no problem but VStroms with stock tires hate this route. Full knobbies would be a must for this route.

There is one section of this route on the eastern side of the pass that is suppose to be a challenge. The KLR's, my WR450, the Husky's and the KTM 950 shouldn't have a problem but the 1200GS's might need some spotters but then again it might just come down to the rider ability and not the machine.

Let me know if you are interested.

I have also done some exploring from Pine Flat Lake to Huntington Lake, Bass Lake area and Sequoia Lake to Big Meadows.

I'd be happy to lead a ride to some of these areas when the snow melts a little more and they open the gates but I would haul my WR450 to where the trail starts instead of riding from Fresno.

I'm hoping to sell my WR's and get one of the 650's soon so I can ride from my house.

Another fun ride, once they open the gates, is to ride from Lake Isabella to Jawbone and back. Just don't take any of the single track trails that lead into Bear Trap Canyon. I learned that lesson the hard way.

[ekaphoto]

Originally Posted by 2on2off

How was the seat comfort on the XChallange? This has become one of my more important issues with Dual Sporting!!!

After 140 miles off-road and 10 hours in the saddle (I actually do these kinds of rides), the seat comfort can become one of the more important aspects of the bikes performance. That is why I am considering the XChallenge, KLR650 and XR650L. The KLR and XRL all have much wider seats than my WR450 Yamaha.

I just got off the phone with a guy who has a DRZ400S and he reports that after 120 miles on that bike, his butt is on fire. That is what I'm trying to avoid with my next bike as I plan on doing 200-300 mile rides off-road.

.

I have an 03 DR-Z I bought new and yes the seat sucks, however I just bought a corbin seat and it is wider and seems more comfortable, but then again I have not taken it on any long rides and it has only been about 2 weeks since I got it.

[dsrider]

we will go to death valley and try to follow your wr if you will ride it there with us

[2on2off]

I sold one of my WR's last Saturday and have had a hard time deciding what to replace it with. My criteria was:

1. No bigger than a 650cc bike
2. I have to be able to pick it up by myself if I dump it upside down on a hill
3. The bike has to be able to sustain multiple drops without serious damage
4. 160 mile fuel range with aftermarket fuel tank
5. Proven reliability with good dealer network and parts availability
6. Wide seat with good availability of after market seats
7. Good fuel economy
8. Available to test drive
9. Under $8,000 out the door
10. Performs well on and off road

Only one bike met all my criteria according to my subjective judging.

Bikes I considered were: KTM 640 Adventure, 2008 KLR650, BMW XChallenge and Honda XR650L.

I wanted to test ride a KTM640 Adventure but no dealers have had one all year and they didn't know when they would get one and I was concerned about damage to the fairing in a fall, lack of dealer network and parts availability.

I test drove the 2008 KLR650 and was impressed with the on-road ability. Kawasaki specs show the '08 is now a 386 lb. bike which is on the heavy side for serious off-road riding and picking it up in a fall. My biggest concern was the side fairings they added for '08 which would not survive any tip over much less a serious fall at speed. If you never fall or have to pick it up while upside down on a hill, it is a good bike.

I also rode the XChallenge and it was very nice on-road and seemed like it would be OK off-road. Because of no big fuel tank yet for this bike and the cost eliminated it for the group.

That only leaves the tried and true, and old technology, Honda XR650L. Yes it's true, I bought one last Saturday. On Sunday I rode it to Grants Grove and Hume lake because I wanted to see how it ran, without any carb modifications, at different altitudes. In stock trim, it ran as well at 250 ft. elevation as it did at 7,500 ft. elevation.

I'm currently in the process of getting a 4 gal fuel tank and putting on a rack and skid plate and hand guards so it can survive any falls. I had a 2004
XR650L and know it does well enough on-road and is very good off-road and it is easy to modify suspension if needed.

I got 51 MPG going to Hume Lake and 57 MPG coming home for a combined 54 MPG. I rode a steady 65 MPH on the flats which were about 50% of the ride.

I plan to sell my other WR450 as well and may get an XChallenge if and when they come out with a radiator guard and larger fuel tank. But in the mean time, you can add an XR650L to this group.

I know a pretty good route from Snow Line Lodge to Cherry Gap to Hume lake to Quail Flat to Hartland and then back to Snow Line Lodge if you need a group leader for any upcoming rides.

[Don Hopkirk]

Originally Posted by 2on2off

How was the seat comfort on the XChallange? This has become one of my more important issues with Dual Sporting!!!

After 140 miles off-road and 10 hours in the saddle (I actually do these kinds of rides), the seat comfort can become one of the more important aspects of the bikes performance. That is why I am considering the XChallenge, KLR650 and XR650L. The KLR and XRL all have much wider seats than my WR450 Yamaha.

I just got off the phone with a guy who has a DRZ400S and he reports that after 120 miles on that bike, his butt is on fire. That is what I'm trying to avoid with my next bike as I plan on doing 200-300 mile rides off-road.

That is one of the best things about the BMW R1200GS. The seat on that bike is just as wide as the seat on my BMW R1150RT. But, at the same time, the GS is quite a handful to pick up if you drop it in the rocks.

If your group is interested, I have a great route I would be happy to lead you on in Death Valley. The Manly Pass, Goler Wash road from Trona to Furnace Creek. If we hurry, we can do this ride before they start frying eggs on the sidewalk at Furnace Creek.

I would be very interested to see how the variety of bikes in your group would do on this route, especially the R1200GS and GSA's. I know that some KTM 950's have done this route with no problem but VStroms with stock tires hate this route. Full knobbies would be a must for this route.

There is one section of this route on the eastern side of the pass that is suppose to be a challenge. The KLR's, my WR450, the Husky's and the KTM 950 shouldn't have a problem but the 1200GS's might need some spotters but then again it might just come down to the rider ability and not the machine.

Let me know if you are interested.

I have also done some exploring from Pine Flat Lake to Huntington Lake, Bass Lake area and Sequoia Lake to Big Meadows.

I'd be happy to lead a ride to some of these areas when the snow melts a little more and they open the gates but I would haul my WR450 to where the trail starts instead of riding from Fresno.

I'm hoping to sell my WR's and get one of the 650's soon so I can ride from my house.

Another fun ride, once they open the gates, is to ride from Lake Isabella to Jawbone and back. Just don't take any of the single track trails that lead into Bear Trap Canyon. I learned that lesson the hard way.

Hi Jim, I also can't stand the stock seat on my KLX400. I have what I believe is a DR seat. I don't have much problem with 300 mile rides, but anything over 400 is miserable. I think Gail (calikatoom) has an LC4 640 KTM for sale. You might want to contact him if your interested.

Don Hopkirk

[calikatoom]

I do indeed have a KTM for sale. Buyt it looks like you have found yourself a bike already!

Jim - when it comes to seat comfort, there is nothing like an aftermarket or even custom seat. Most manufacturers either
a. use the seat as a cost saving area by not investing anything to it
or
b. create a seat that is supposed to be good for everyone, but in reality is not right for anyone!

For your type of lond saddle days, you might want to consider a seat by Bill Mayer Saddles in Ojai, or Corbin in Hollister. Guts racing makes some nice dirt bike foam and seat cover kits too.

-Gail

[2on2off]

Give me more information on your KTM 640. Yr and any mods you have done. The only potential problems with this bike is that there are hardly any of them around. It may be one of KTM's more reliable bikes. I may be getting another 650 if I sell my remaining Dual Sported WR450F. Send me a PM on what you are asking or let me know if you have it on Craigs List or Cycle Trader.