Feasting on Dirt

[BobFV1]

Several months ago, when it first aired, I started watching the four part "Feasting on Asphalt" series, in which Alton Brown and support crew ride BMW motorcycles from coast to coast while exploring unique culinary experiences. I only got to see the first two episodes at the time, but I recorded the final two hours last night and Delia and I watched them.

The third hour took the group from Missouri, across Kansas, over the great plains and right up to the Rocky Mountains, I believe.

The final episode, or the end of the penultimate one (doesn't matter) had the guys riding up Pike's Peak. It made a big deal about the road turning to dirt, and then to dirt with ice, snow, and dramatic drop-offs. No big deal if you have the proper bike, right? Delia and I rode over several dirt passes at elevation in Colorado last Summer on the GS and it was great fun.

What got me about the Pike's Peak ascent on the program was that Alton Brown was riding a heavily loaded RT. I don't know what his payload was, but he had a huge top box, stock side cases, stuff tied to the rear seat - quite a bit of weight on that bike. I could not imagine taking it over much uneven pavement with the suspension loaded down like that, especially since the bike does not have a lot of clearance to start with.

It reminded me of one evening a couple of years ago on my 04 RT. On Friday morning Delia and I decided to head out for a quick trip to Silver City, New Mexico from Phoenix. Late in the day my Garmin put me on a "short cut" dirt road and it was not a good feeling at all on that bike.

Anyway, Alton and company made the Pike's Peak trip without any trouble, and all was well. They spent some great times in the Four Corners - area that I really enjoy - Mancos, Colorado; Mexican Hat, Utah; Kayenta, Arizona.

Rolling out of Kayenta they made a hard run across Southern Utah towards Las Vegas. As they approached Las Vegas, they got off the paved road to take a long dual-track dirt road back to meet someone of culinary interest for an interview.

At once I noticed that the dual-track was in the soft sand of the desert and not the hard-packed surface of the Colorado passes. Sure enough, almost on queue, the RT was going along in the right wheel track, hit some soft sand, it looked like Alton tried to steer with the handlebars and front wheel and he ended up hitting the center crown of the road and flipping the bike over on to it's right side. Broken shoulder, broken ribs - fairly serious injuries, but the bike looked to be in reasonable shape.

My thought, in 20-20 hindsight - why on earth would you take a heavily laden street bike on a road like this, late in the day after a long ride - or any other time for that matter? I'm not sure I would have been comfortable with my GS ADV on that road, laden with the payload that Alton had. That really puts you way up on the ladder of risk.

I just wonder if anyone else saw the show and what your thoughts are as experienced riders.

[Tipstall]

Didn't a rabbit run out?

Did you notice the blacked out BMW logos?

[BobFV1]

Didn't a rabbit run out?

Did you notice the blacked out BMW logos?

Ken -

Happy birthday!

Rabbit - yes, he claimed one ran out, but it must be one of those magical rabbits that don't show up on film :104:. Even if it did - you have squished bunny versus squished human. Could be if there was a rabbit that it startled him into the reaction he carried out.

Didn't notice the blacked-out roundels. They couldn't black out those big hexhead jugs, though!

[DarthRider]

I wouldn't do that, but I wouldn't do this either:

In boning up for some serious DS adventure stuff on the KLR, I learned that some guys are packing on 100-120 lbs. of gear...and making it!
I'm spending a lot of time, effort and $$ on mine to keep it as light as possible. Things like lightweight, multi-purpose tools & gear; etc. everything really as light as I can do it and not sacrifice performance, handling, reliability, convenience, & repair-ability.
I am still gaining net weight with all the mods & gear but not nearly as much as if I was not working so hard to avoid it.
This will spill over to the the riding group(s) for adventure riding and "sharing" things like patch kits, sat beacons, first aid kits, anything that really has to be along on the trip, but you do not need duplicates.
This is really second nature for me as I pretty much do the same thing, to a lessor degree, on street bikes too. I have always banished the Two Great Satans of Motorcycling: Weight & Water, as much as I possibly can.

The old admonition about not taking a knife to a gunfight is true, but no more so than taking a cannon to a gunfight!

[Wild Will]

Sand sucks. You are in paradise on hard packed single track, but sand means you have to run it faster than you'd like to (if you're me) to float on top. When you're forced to go faster in sand, shiite happens. Quickly. That's when you'll pine for a lighter machine. Keep it light and simple. I even carry titanium tire irons!

I have taken my GS off road, and it was not a pleasant situation, especially when we encountered sand, deep sand, near Pinacles outside of Death Valley.
Avoid sand when you can. But if the desert's your huckleberry, then go with a light bike and stand on the pegs, steering with balls and panache. And don't fall.

Let's talk about deep ruts for a second, too. Do Not Attempt to ride out of a rut. You will be dashed to your side and will break something and the ride home will be crapola. Stop, and get off and get the bike out of the rut. Also, I was told by million dollar Suzuki pal racer Rodney Smith that he NEVER crosses the water unless he dismounts and walks the bike over. A get off will cost you plenty of time. Ask me about the time I was lost in the wilderness, draining my carb and fuel lines for an hour after a collision with a slimy rock undetectable from the surface.

[supermotoC]

I bet Alton has never biffed it on a dirt road (or any road), and probably has no real off-road time logged (on any kind of bike). Road time/mileage/whatever you want to call it - does exactly F-all when it comes to dealing with dirt roads/dual track/single track. Hell, if a bunny ran out in front of him, he'd either miss it or squish it like a banana, but NEVER swerve like that (I saw it too) on a dirt road, at least not TOWARDS the crown. DOH! 700lbs is definitely going to dig a trench. In off-road riding, weight is enemy #1, and loss of front wheel traction is #2. He got both.

Darth - the task is to see how little you must carry on a trip like the TAT or Continental Divide. Check this guy's log of the ride, ands what he did/didn't take. A KLR would do this ride pefectly, especially with better tires/brakes/suspension.

I'll be doing this ride in either May or June of 2008 (my 50th year of existence).

http://www.bigdogadventures.com/TATWest01.htm

[DarthRider]

Darth - the task is to see how little you must carry on a trip like the TAT or Continental Divide. Check this guy's log of the ride, ands what he did/didn't take. A KLR would do this ride pefectly, especially with better tires/brakes/suspension.

I'll be doing this ride in either May or June of 2008 (my 50th year of existence).

http://www.bigdogadventures.com/TATWest01.htm

That's *exactly* right!
Another trick on the tool kit is to "live with" your carefully selected tool kit, doing all your maintenance with it, not your shop tools, *well before* the big trek. That lets you refine what works or doesn't, what to take, and - especially - what not to take. And what to share with trek-mates & vice-versa to further lighten the load.
Do you think I'll be able to find electrical outlets for my hair dryer & coffee pot?
On your May/June 2008 ride, you talking about East-West or Continental Divide/Shadow of the Rockies? I'm still committed to the North-South Rockies ride. And Copper Canyon, somewhere around that general time.
I've got that BigDog guy's link on my DS "Hit List" already, along with some others. Or I did until my recent PC crash...now I'm rebuilding, dammit.

[Promethean]

Holy cow...Collyer's old! :gerg:


I'll be doing this ride in either May or June of 2008 (my 50th year of existence).

http://www.bigdogadventures.com/TATWest01.htm

[BobFV1]

Holy cow...Collyer's old! :gerg:I make him out to be a year younger than I.

[Promethean]

http://www.dinosaur.org/larry/art/BD2a.gif


I make him out to be a year younger than I.

[supermotoC]

Born in '59, what can I say? :musicboohoo:



Darth - looking to do both. Start at the border of Texas/Mexico, ride north to pick up the western part of the TAT, then on to the Pacific. Dunno about the CD ride north from there - that ride would be best in July/August, no?
I could be persuaded to do one or the other....

I'm down to a legalized & modified XR650R; a grey-mkt import XT660R w/ Ohlins; a WR450F with legalization chores aplenty, or after I win the lottery; either an HP2 or a 950R Super Enduro, all with huge fuel tanks and Renazco seats. Actually, make that Renazcos no matter which way it goes.

I don't think I can go the KLR route. Even the new one, it's less off-highway capable. If Yamaha France would just sell me an ex-Dakar 450, I'd be set.

[DarthRider]

Born in '59, what can I say? :musicboohoo:



Darth - looking to do both. Start at the border of Texas/Mexico, ride north to pick up the western part of the TAT, then on to the Pacific. Dunno about the CD ride north from there - that ride would be best in July/August, no?
I could be persuaded to do one or the other....

I'm down to a legalized & modified XR650R; a grey-mkt import XT660R w/ Ohlins; a WR450F with legalization chores aplenty, or after I win the lottery; either an HP2 or a 950R Super Enduro, all with huge fuel tanks and Renazco seats. Actually, make that Renazcos no matter which way it goes.

I don't think I can go the KLR route. Even the new one, it's less off-highway capable. If Yamaha France would just sell me an ex-Dakar 450, I'd be set.

We need to stay in touch on these rides. After our new house is finished in July or August, I'm going to be ready for some DS riding!

[supermotoC]

Count on it.

[DarthRider]

I got my GPS for Christmas, and just recieved the Ram mounts I ordered for the KLR and the R1150R. As it will spend most of it's time on the KLR, I got a hard-wire kit for it.
Mounting/installing it will be easy...then I have to learn to use the damn thing!
I've been getting my gear in shape before I retire next week, been wearing out that employee discount!

The KLR is shaping up nicely...I have time set aside to finish all the mods & farkles, then it will be "done" for a while during the new house build. I have 2 more minor performance mods to complete and that part will be all done.
It will be the only bike I have at the new digs in the Canyon for a while so I can start getting my "dirt-legs" back!

If you want to see a way, way cool offroad/dual sport jacket check this out:
http://www.powersportrider.com/cgi-bin/zcatjpg
Kinda pricey, but worth it!
It uses Gelanots waterproof/breathable technology. It produces the same results as GoreTex but in a very different way. It's simpler, lighter and I think maybe better in the long run on a garment you will use for a long while...especially if it will see rough use.
Go back 1 page from the jackets in the above link to read about Gelanots...it's not really new but technical gears buffs should know about it.

[Promethean]

Dave,
If you get a chance to take pics of the mounting process...would you mind posting pics/instructions? I haven't mounted my GPS and Radar on the RR yet and this could prove to be useful.

Thanks.


I got my GPS for Christmas, and just recieved the Ram mounts I ordered for the KLR and the R1150R. As it will spend most of it's time on the KLR, I got a hard-wire kit for it.
Mounting/installing it will be easy...then I have to learn to use the damn thing!

[BobFV1]

Abhijeet said "mounting process"

He he, he he.

[Deans BMW]

Dave, give us a clue as to what page, all I get is a blank Tucker Rockey page.

[DarthRider]

Dave,
If you get a chance to take pics of the mounting process...would you mind posting pics/instructions? I haven't mounted my GPS and Radar on the RR yet and this could prove to be useful.

Thanks.

Sure, but the actual mounting is way simple! And they have really nice kits if you want to hardwire it.
Here is a great place to start...CycoActive which is, I believe, the US outlet for TouraTech.
http://www.cycoactive.com/ram/parts.html
Buy their recommended kit and save ~$15.00 over individual components. You can also customize the kit if you need something a bit different.
Spend some time on the site...it is large and not logically organized, so there are things there you have to just stumble across.
Google Ram Mounts for more sellers...good info on some of them but I found the best price for mine on CycoActive.
Everyone I've talked to highly recommends Ram, although others are available. Probably all more expensive.

[supermotoC]

Maybe this one, by MSR:

http://www.powersportrider.com/CGI-BIN/ZCATJPG?catpub=OR0206C&catpage=90.00

[DarthRider]

Collyer -
Yes, that is a nice jacket at $50.00 less, but...
It is like a "light" version of the MSR Storm Jak that I linked to. Key word being "light". And fewer "bells & whistles", no vents.
You definitely get what you pay for with both, really depends on what you need.
On each, you get the size you normally wear...they are cut a little large for armor & sweaters to be worn underneath.
For upper body armor I got a very light weight mesh jacket and upgraded the armor. I'll wear this under the MSR Storm Jak...I'b be bulletproof & waterproof!
For lower body armor I have "pull-on" knee/shin guards under some semi-baggy, heavy-duty, over the boot, "MSR Strike Pants". Page 95 of the same catalog (will I get my ass eaten out for not posting the link, I wonder...?)

[supermotoC]

That was a guess, as your first linky-no-workee. Storm jak looks nice, but if it's hot out, you'll melt in that one. I'm a layering person, as in a jersey, flak jak, jacket, and then a rain jacket if necessary for warmth or dryness.

Any good flak jackets you can recommend?

[DarthRider]

Dave, give us a clue as to what page, all I get is a blank Tucker Rockey page.

Sorry Dean-O...usually links to our on-line catalog work, but sometimes they don't! That one actually works for me!?
Go to the link (repeated below), make sure you are in the '06 Offroad Catalog, Page 89, then hit enter on your keyboard, not from the screen display (that only shows warehouse availability).
You are looking for the "MSR Storm Jak". I also got the "MSR Strike Pant" on Page 84, but I haven't tried them yet.

http://www.powersportrider.com/cgi-bin/zcatjpg

[supermotoC]

Dave - you cannot link directly to a page in your catalogue - maybe you are "inside the firewall" & it will allow you to do so, but outside...

Since your catalog is basically a series of .jpgs, click on the link below, and then change the page # (the last 2 digits in the link) to go forward/back - but only in the "offroad riding apparel" section.

this links you to page 89 -get it?

http://www.powersportrider.com/WEB/OR0206C/OR0206C0089.jpg

Gelanots info:

http://www.powersportrider.com/WEB/OR0206C/OR0206C0088.jpg

What kinda deal can you get me on a pair of these....?
http://www.powersportrider.com/WEB/OR0206C/OR0206C0091.jpg

[DarthRider]

OK Collyer...so you do post links after all.
I was afraid I was going to have to administer punishment!

Sorry, I am not authorized to give deals, even for Cafe' Bros...I'd hate to get fired 4 days before I retire!