Central California Pashnit Adventure Riders Sign In

[2on2off]

Just curious how many Pashnit Adventure Riders there are in Central California.

After riding almost exclusively off-road for the past 16 years, with the occasional on-road ride, I have switched to "Adventure Riding", also known as "Dual Sport" riding, for the past year and have been having the time of my life.

I consider my "Dual Sport" bike to be my Honda XR650L as it will take me just about anywhere off road on tight single track trails. I usually haul it to where I want to ride and use the street legal aspect of the bike mainly to get on pavement when I need to connect to another trail. Over 200 miles a day on pavement usually wears me out but it is a kick to ride off-road.

I consider my BMW R1200GS Adventure to be my "Adventure" bike as I will ride it from my driveway and take it on 1,000 mile plus rides and don't think twice about riding it over 400 miles in a day and it does not wear me out even after 10 hours of riding. I have never owned a bike like this before. On my "Adventure" rides, I spend most of the time on pavement but don't hesitate to ride it on dirt roads I discover along the way or have planned to ride. It is great to not have to turn around when the pavement ends.

After owning the XR650L for one year, I have put 2,500 miles on it. After owning my BMW R1200GSA for 6 months I have already ridden it 6,000 miles. Even though I love to ride both bikes, it is clear to me I am much more of an "Adventure" rider than a "Dual Sport" rider based on how much I have ridden each bike and how I am defining and catagorizing them.

I would like to hear from you "Adventure" Pashnites out there. Post a picture of your bike and what kinds of rides you prefer. If you would like to join in a group ride in our area or somewhere else, let me know.

Here are some pictures of my bike and my riding buddy Ray's R1200GS on a recent ride we took to Death Valley. I have been learning which rides are best for Adventure bikes and which rides are for Dual Sport bikes and they are different.

[kluts]

Jim, I can't agree with you more about the rideability of the GS series bikes. I come from the opposite end of the spectrum, always a road rider until I got the GS and now I dabble more and more on dirt roads. I haven't done much single track riding, in fact none since the 70's.

I'm in North Central California but I can see myself puttering about in your backyard pretty soon. Loki, Gail, Jim, how bout a camping soiree somewhere near Beasore or Jackass Mdws in July???

(edit) Oh, yeah, the backside of the Sierras beckons too. Out of Bridgeport and Mammoth there's a lot to see and ride.

[Loki]

Originally Posted by kluts

Jim, I can't agree with you more about the rideability of the GS series bikes. I come from the opposite end of the spectrum, always a road rider until I got the GS and now I dabble more and more on dirt roads. I haven't done much single track riding, in fact none since the 70's.

I'm in North Central California but I can see myself puttering about in your backyard pretty soon. Loki, Gail, Jim, how bout a camping soiree somewhere near Beasore or Jackass Mdws in July???

(edit) Oh, yeah, the backside of the Sierras beckons too. Out of Bridgeport and Mammoth there's a lot to see and ride.

Sounds like a good idea. Are you organizing it? Here's a pic of my ride.

[2on2off]

Originally Posted by kluts

Jim, I can't agree with you more about the rideability of the GS series bikes. I come from the opposite end of the spectrum, always a road rider until I got the GS and now I dabble more and more on dirt roads. I haven't done much single track riding, in fact none since the 70's.

I'm in North Central California but I can see myself puttering about in your backyard pretty soon. Loki, Gail, Jim, how bout a camping soiree somewhere near Beasore or Jackass Mdws in July???

(edit) Oh, yeah, the backside of the Sierras beckons too. Out of Bridgeport and Mammoth there's a lot to see and ride.

Since the GS is BMW's all time most successful model, there has to be many GS and other Adventure Bike riders out there.

Gail, Ray and I have all taken our R1200GS's up to the top of Cattle Mountain at the North/East End of Bass Lake.

Mammoth is my favorite summer destination so far and Ray and I rode our GS's there and to the White Mountains three times last summer and are anxious to go back once most of the snow melts.

I have talked with numerous GS riders near Shaver Lake that have never taken their Adventure bikes off-road. What a shame but these bike are very fun to ride anywhere.

I have now been on several rides with Tom from Pacific Grove and his F650GS. He did an extended ride to the Grand Canyon last year that I hope to duplicate.

My other riding buddy Jim has a '93 GSPD that he has been having fun with:
Here is a pic of his bike:

[Loki]

His bike has a familiar looking exhaust system design.

[STrider]

I ride a Honda ST1300 when I tour or ride two-up, and a 650 Wee-Strom when I don't. I really haven't had much dirt experience, but would really love to explore some of the Forest Service roads in the Sierras this summer.

I'm the guy the other Jim bought the KLR from last year. We've worked in the same school district for many years.

[2on2off]

Originally Posted by STrider

I ride a Honda ST1300 when I tour or ride two-up, and a 650 Wee-Strom when I don't. I really haven't had much dirt experience, but would really love to explore some of the Forest Service roads in the Sierras this summer.

I'm the guy the other Jim bought the KLR from last year. We've worked in the same school district for many years.

Wait a minute....Which Jim again?

Loki = Jim
Kluts = Jim
2on2off = Jim
jimfix93675 = Jim

jimfix93675 bought two KLR650's last year and has since sold both. One he rode to Prudoe Bay Alaska last year. He is the one currently riding the R100GSPD. He has a few more bikes as well.

Why don't you join us with your wee strom on one of our rides. When people say wee strom, are they usually referring to the 650 model as opposed to the 1000?

[Law Dawg (ret)]

A pic of my bike? Look left... It has been on single track and other places it really should not be but I have never really felt good doing it.

I ride local dirt roads on a fairly regular basis http://www.pashnit.com/forum/showthr...ight=Rancheria . The bike is set up with H&B Gobi cases for camp out Adventures. This Summer the plan is to do the Rancheria Road/23S16 ride again and also a truck supported moto camp out on the Kern Plateau.

Give a PM/post when you want to hit the Kern/Tulare dirt Jim(s).

[2on2off]

Originally Posted by Law Dawg

A pic of my bike? Look left... It has been on single track and other places it really should not be but I have never really felt good doing it.

I ride local dirt roads on a fairly regular basis http://www.pashnit.com/forum/showthr...ight=Rancheria . The bike is set up with H&B Gobi cases for camp out Adventures. This Summer the plan is to do the Rancheria Road/23S16 ride again and also a truck supported moto camp out on the Kern Plateau.

Give a PM/post when you want to hit the Kern/Tulare dirt Jim(s).

Glad you posted up. I do want to explore your neck of the woods and Rancheria Road. The only dirt I have done in that area is Kennedy Meadows (trails are too tight for my GSA. I rode this on a dirt bike) and the Piutes but I know there is much more.

I rode my GSA through the Piutes last September on the dirt road that connects Lake Isabella to Jawbone Canyon. It was a blast with great views as you decended the mountain toward Jawbone. That road goes up to 8,200 ft.

Let me know when the dirt roads at Rancheria are dry enough to ride. The dirt roads in my area are still too wet or have snow on them. I'm sure Tom, from Pacific Grove would want to ride along.

[eye.surgeon]

I have GS envy, does that qualify me ? Seriously I am thinking about getting one as I look longingly at some of the torn up goat trails I pass by on my 'GT.