imogene pass vs ophir pass

Get some more experience and possibly even a slightly smaller bike. You will be laughing at that section as you cruise thru. Good luck.

I hear you.

In hindsight we’ve done those type surfaces here and there, but not first thing in the morning or in such concentration. Did the Utah BDR last October and LaSalle Pass was at least the equal of this.

I vote for lighter bike.

I was definitely getting La Sal flashbacks coming down Ophir this year.. this is from a couple years ago..

I've heard that Utah ride is excellent. Long long way for me but I have plenty time now. You recommend it, going again? Thanks.

The Utah BDR is amazing. Great variety, very challenging at times. I hope to go back some time.

My thoughts exactly! I'm in Ouray and am thinking a loop of Imogene and Black Bear, but can't find much 990 specific experience with Black Bear. I'm pretty handy with the 990 in rough terrain, but am riding with luggage and alone. Did you do it?

I've ridden BB many times, with the largest bike being my 650L.

I wouldn't be thrilled about doing it on my 950s but I would still probably go with another person.
I wouldn't do it with luggage. (well.. maybe my soft bags...)
I wouldn't do it alone on my 950. Hell no.

If you are looking it, leave your bags in Ouray. Walk the steps if you need to, its only about a 50ft pucker section. Be careful in the ruts on the switchback below. I've seen big GS's up there, it can really come down to rider. Smaller is easier, but a 990 is pretty capable in the right hands.

BB is a bit more messy this year than years past, all those avalanches did a number on it.

I just rode BB 2 hours ago. Didn’t see anybody up there. I’ve never ridden it before but didn’t think it was bad at all. I may be wrong person to judge though. I was riding on a lightly loaded 500 husky. This was after about 8 hours of previous riding.

I say do it. Go slow and have fun

For what it's worth, I did it on a 1200 GS with bags... just stick to the right side.

I did BB a few years ago on my 990 with a friend . It was raining so we walked the ledges. The only tough place was the ledges. They were pretty slick. We were 60 at the time. No luggage. We did meet a guy alone on a fully loaded GS one time. He had dropped it several times. If we hadn't come along he would still be there. I've done it easily several times on a KLR.

That section is ass puckering to say the least. My personal comfort level is nothing bigger than a thumper.

Comfort levels are meant to be pushed..

Just watch these three Rockies guys do it at night.
I see why one makes heavy duty hand guards, he has probably broken a few in his time!

No desire to ride BB on anything larger then a 500, lots of better places to ride the big bike where it's designed to go and far more enjoyable.

there should be a rule that if you're gonna ride it at night you have to go up the steps!

IN!

When we going?

The night video really shows how rough it is with the shadows.

In.