What Is The Advantage Of Large Displacement In The Dirt? - Page 3

Rucksta · 03-12-2012, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DAKEZ

They are better at breaking a leg in a crash.

No experience on an 1150 but my 800 boxer actually protects the legs in a fall and excursions off piste.
The one time I have been pinned under the bike is when the cylinfer head fell into a rabbit hole.

StolenFant · 03-12-2012, 10:35 PM

Admittedly, it's been 26 years since I rode every day, and even longer since I blasted through the woods and swamps on motocross bikes from 125's to 450cc's. However this past Saturday I took my "new to me" 07 WeeStrom into deep sand, deep gravel, rutted red clay. I was disappointed to find out how impossible it is to redirect all that mass/momentum with any level of accuracy unless the speed is turtle slow. Blasting down straights at highway speeds with more gears and plenty throttle to spare is great until you notice the converging ruts grabbing at your front tire. I loved deep sand as a kid. Weight back and lots of throttle keept the front from digging in. However, no amount of throttle could extract the Wee's front from the sand. Forget about "catching" that power slide with your inside leg/foot.

So, who knows a GOOD adv-riding school in the Southeast? My Wee's not about to get restricted to pavement only, but it would be nice to up the thrills without increasing the spills.

Yes, it looks like there is a DR, KLR, or similar somewhere in my future.

Bucho · 03-12-2012, 11:46 PM

I don't see any advantage, though I do occasionally find it fun to take my concours down some trail it was never meant to be on. But given the choice I'd rather be on my two-stroke enduro for anything that isn't paved.

Briggy · 03-13-2012, 02:29 AM

Yes, the weight when you have to pick it up or get it unstuck is definitely a drawback, but after owning an 800GS, which has better suspension and is more nimble offload, I have returned to the 12GS.

I hated having to clean, lubricate and adjust chains, plus carry chain oil on long trips. Give me the shaft any day. If there is ever going to be a flat tire on a group ride, it always seems to be on the bikes with tubed tires. Bummer. The leg protection of an oilhead in a fall or side contact with a car as already mentioned isn't to be underestimated and the cylinders do also help as a pivot point to assist in picking the bike up after a drop in the dirt. Ever notice who has the broken frames, rear shocks, etc? Usually the smaller bikes on really long trips that are so heavily loaded.

Lastly, the torque means fewer shifts and if you have proper tires and tire pressure plus some offload training, the GS does pretty well in deep sand where power and a bit of speed are your friend if you have the confidence (read "guts") to use them. I stay off trails that are tight, technical, have slippery mud or fallen trees that need an elevated front wheel to cross... I know the limits here and accept them as trade offs.

If I must travel with just one bike, I'll stick with a 12GS every time.

lemieuxmc · 03-13-2012, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeerIsGood

Quite curious about this one. Do you think it is possible to fit a small displacement bike to make it as comfortable as a GS with the same range as a GS?

It's easy, you just put it in the back of a Toyota pickup.

No need to thank me...

RBnite · 03-13-2012, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeerIsGood

This is probably a noob question. And as far as off road riding goes, I guess I am a noob. I see a lot of riders on this forum wallowing around the dirt and mud with HUGE bikes (BMW 1200 GS, Yamaha Tenere, KTM 990) and I was just wondering:

1. What is the advantage of a bike this large in an off road situation?
2. Other than speed and power on tarmac, is there really any advantage?

Take it from a FORMER KLR owner... NOT one thing I ever discovered, Except you will strengthen your legs and shoulders trying not to crash.

Nite

Aussijussi · 03-13-2012, 10:11 AM

It's actually a hindrance more than anything, i mean i ride a 990 adv, and know it's limitations, soft sand, real tight single track. If i had the means, i'd have a something like Ktm 300 or the 525exc, as a second bike. I ride mostly on blacktop and fire trails, so the 990 suits me fine.

Kommando · 03-13-2012, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lethe

such fun when the rear is spinning and the front end is rising with some random cow looking over like WTF?

So, you've stunted through Milwaukee's downtown area, huh?

lemieuxmc · 03-13-2012, 10:24 AM

See, that's a clever application of sarcasm and irony that some ADV readers may not understand!

Kommando · 03-13-2012, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeerIsGood

Quite curious about this one. Do you think it is possible to fit a small displacement bike to make it as comfortable as a GS with the same range as a GS?

If the range of a GS is around 250 miles, you can get it close with a DR650SE and an IMS. If you want 400 miles of range, a Safari will get you in the neighborhood, but it's gonna be a little heavier when full.

Comfort is subjective. I ride long distances on a stock DR seat. Most people think they're torture devices after 30 minutes. Aftermarket seats are pretty comfortable though. I don't use/need a windscreen either.

Mine doesn't seem to have any vibe or shimmy problem at any speed. It's light/agile enough for me to ride it like a fat-ass dirtbike, but it's pretty steady at 80-85MPH (GPS), with a little passing power to spare. Top end is around 100-105MPH (GPS).

lethe · 03-13-2012, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kommando

So, you've stunted through Milwaukee's downtown area, huh?

different kind of cow

neither would fit on the back of the seat I'm sure

Hey Baby, Got Milk?

Ritalin Boy · 03-13-2012, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StolenFant

So, who knows a GOOD adv-riding school in the Southeast? My Wee's not about to get restricted to pavement only, but it would be nice to up the thrills without increasing the spills.

Yes, it looks like there is a DR, KLR, or similar somewhere in my future.

Dirtwise with Shane Watts. Best two days of instruction I've ever had.

If you can't get in a class, buy the DVD'S.

StolenFant · 03-13-2012, 04:41 PM

Just went to Dirt Wise, but it appears to be entirely based on 100% dirt bikes, or at most the lighter barely street capable enduro bikes.

Still I've emailed them to see if they have anything to help.

So, anyone have info on good instruction for the multi-cylinder ADV bikes?

Thanks!

Rucksta · 03-13-2012, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StolenFant

So, anyone have info on good instruction for the multi-cylinder ADV bikes?

Learn to ride a small bike first

StolenFant · 03-13-2012, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rucksta

Learn to ride a small bike first

That's the problem. I did learn to ride a small bike first, XR75, Hodaka DirtSquirt, CR 125, CR250, CR450. They're VERY different from the big bikes, but thanks for the advice.

03-12-2012, 10:35 PM	#32
StolenFant Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Apr 2010 Location: Charleston, SC, Elefant free zone Oddometer: 224	Great thread, I was about to open one very similar Admittedly, it's been 26 years since I rode every day, and even longer since I blasted through the woods and swamps on motocross bikes from 125's to 450cc's. However this past Saturday I took my "new to me" 07 WeeStrom into deep sand, deep gravel, rutted red clay. I was disappointed to find out how impossible it is to redirect all that mass/momentum with any level of accuracy unless the speed is turtle slow. Blasting down straights at highway speeds with more gears and plenty throttle to spare is great until you notice the converging ruts grabbing at your front tire. I loved deep sand as a kid. Weight back and lots of throttle keept the front from digging in. However, no amount of throttle could extract the Wee's front from the sand. Forget about "catching" that power slide with your inside leg/foot. So, who knows a GOOD adv-riding school in the Southeast? My Wee's not about to get restricted to pavement only, but it would be nice to up the thrills without increasing the spills. Yes, it looks like there is a DR, KLR, or similar somewhere in my future.

03-13-2012, 02:29 AM	#34
Briggy Adventurer Joined: Nov 2004 Location: Toronto, Canada Oddometer: 45	Yes, the weight when you have to pick it up or get it unstuck is definitely a drawback, but after owning an 800GS, which has better suspension and is more nimble offload, I have returned to the 12GS. I hated having to clean, lubricate and adjust chains, plus carry chain oil on long trips. Give me the shaft any day. If there is ever going to be a flat tire on a group ride, it always seems to be on the bikes with tubed tires. Bummer. The leg protection of an oilhead in a fall or side contact with a car as already mentioned isn't to be underestimated and the cylinders do also help as a pivot point to assist in picking the bike up after a drop in the dirt. Ever notice who has the broken frames, rear shocks, etc? Usually the smaller bikes on really long trips that are so heavily loaded. Lastly, the torque means fewer shifts and if you have proper tires and tire pressure plus some offload training, the GS does pretty well in deep sand where power and a bit of speed are your friend if you have the confidence (read "guts") to use them. I stay off trails that are tight, technical, have slippery mud or fallen trees that need an elevated front wheel to cross... I know the limits here and accept them as trade offs. If I must travel with just one bike, I'll stick with a 12GS every time. __________________ There are 2 kinds of people in this world; those that believe there are 2 kinds, and those that don't. Briggy screwed with this post 03-13-2012 at 02:44 AM

03-13-2012, 04:41 PM	#43
StolenFant Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Apr 2010 Location: Charleston, SC, Elefant free zone Oddometer: 224	What about instruction for the HEAVY bikes? Just went to Dirt Wise, but it appears to be entirely based on 100% dirt bikes, or at most the lighter barely street capable enduro bikes. Still I've emailed them to see if they have anything to help. So, anyone have info on good instruction for the multi-cylinder ADV bikes? Thanks!

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03-12-2012, 11:46 PM	#33
Bucho Beastly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2006 Location: Maryland Oddometer: 1,576	I don't see any advantage, though I do occasionally find it fun to take my concours down some trail it was never meant to be on. But given the choice I'd rather be on my two-stroke enduro for anything that isn't paved.

03-13-2012, 10:11 AM	#37
Aussijussi Studly Adventurer Joined: Oct 2009 Location: Finland-Australia Oddometer: 994	It's actually a hindrance more than anything, i mean i ride a 990 adv, and know it's limitations, soft sand, real tight single track. If i had the means, i'd have a something like Ktm 300 or the 525exc, as a second bike. I ride mostly on blacktop and fire trails, so the 990 suits me fine.

03-13-2012, 10:24 AM	#39
lemieuxmc Banned Joined: Mar 2009 Location: East La Jolla... it's just Clairemont!! Oddometer: 3,360	See, that's a clever application of sarcasm and irony that some ADV readers may not understand!