Sell or keep

[N4teTheGreat]

It's not a BDR if my butt isn't numb and my hands aren't buzzing, but I don't think I'd really want to do a BDR on anything harder to pick up than the DRZ.

Since we're posting Patterson pics, apparently, he's my latest summit from this August..

 

[ThumperX]

If you’re inseam challenged but also want the horsepower, try out the 2025 or 26 Ibex 800 E

I’m loving my. Little 450 it cruises at 70 comfortably. It’s an age little goat and quite capable.

 

[Blankpage]

A lifetime of street riding doesn’t prepare you for off-road, that’s a whole other world.
IMO a 1190 requires off road experience. I’ve seen guys easily take them places where I was struggling on a 690 enduro.

 

[SFMCjohn]

I have seen people ride big GSs to the top of Mt. Patterson. If you have that level of skill, any bike will do. For most though, a dual sport is a better choice for BDRs and their hard splits.

View attachment 584073

in the interest of proper perspective, maybe, it's probably important to note that my inappropriate-bike attempts vs success ratio on Mt Patterson is 2 for 6.

the brutal reality of off-pavement riding was certainly a shock for this old club racer, but I'm still a big fan of ride-what-ya-got. I'm certainly a moar successful KLR rider than I was, thanks primarily to just riding the silly thing ... if I'd been on a WR250R, at this point I'd simply be a "better" WR250 rider.

the truth is that most of the CA unpaved fire roads I like to do, I could do in a rental car ... but I guess that's not really why we want to go adventure riding--here's a non-Mt Patterson pic, to support that proposition:



KLR guy credo: don't let perfect be the enemy of good enough ...

 

[berth]

the reality is that most of the CA unpaved fire roads I like to do, I could do in a rental car

Funny thing is that, honestly, that's all I want to do. But I know if I drop my bike, (and that WILL happen), it's bad news. I simply haven't quite the strength for it, and the idea of doing it and wearing me out for the trip back, I just don't look forward to.

So, I don't do it.

If I had someone down here to ride with, I'd consider it. But not alone.

 

[augustiron]

The "adv bike solo deadlift" should be allowed in all dealer showrooms for prospective buyers to try first hand.
Throw a couple of sandbags on top for a more realistic attempt....

 

[SFMCjohn]

Funny thing is that, honestly, that's all I want to do. But I know if I drop my bike, (and that WILL happen), it's bad news. I simply haven't quite the strength for it, and the idea of doing it and wearing me out for the trip back, I just don't look forward to.

So, I don't do it.

If I had someone down here to ride with, I'd consider it. But not alone.

yes, I can relate ...

I've been doing the ADV n00bs Rally for the last few years--200 of my closest riding buddies at Panamint Springs to go riding with out in the super-difficult Death Valley So Cal desert, every March, if I want to--although very recently I usually just watch the sunrise at Father Crowley Point.

 

[ThumperX]

I just ordered a titanium cane rated to 600 lbs and my so is rigging up a lifting jack for me. At 5' dropping my bike is pretty guaranteed and I know this makes me an undesirable riding buddy.
:droppedbikeemoji

 

[berth]

I just ordered a titanium cane rated to 600 lbs and my so is rigging up a lifting jack for me.

There was a guy selling a Thing. It was essentially a bar (in pieces) that you assembled, and then you stuck it in the ground, and used one of those ratchet straps to lift the bike.

 

[ThumperX]

There was a guy selling a Thing. It was essentially a bar (in pieces) that you assembled, and then you stuck it in the ground, and used one of those ratchet straps to lift the bike.

A few folks have come up with those, and they range in price all starting over $250. They seem bulky and heavy and slow but I'm not sure how ours will turn out. I want it to have a simpler set up, we'll see.

 

[Dmitriy]

What tires does it have?

Mud on a bike will never be easy regardless of your skill or tire choice, same can be said for deep sand.

If you are out riding a new to you, big ass ADV bike and get caught in mud, you're going to have a bad time. It's not necessarily the bikes fault

I will agree with above 100%. Mud or snow or sand will amplify a big bikes disadvantages. Yes picking it up sucks.... I got a 1090..... and somewhere on my phone there are pics of @Cabrito @anytwowilldo @1962siia and myself rode over Hull Mountain to Covello in the snow.... (I mean the f-ing road was iced over with a tiny bit of snow on it.... sometimes sending the big bike into the ditch was the only stopping method [while keeping it upright the ditch has fresh snow] as the 'tripod' [2 wheels and a leg] no longer helped because the wheels were in full lock on ice - downhill. Yea picture that shit!) That trip I learned the wet mode on the KTM can indeed be overwhelmed enough not to give you any more power.... LOL.

I would say any single track I take on the 1090 I would have already ridden on my 300 or 500 at least a few times....

 

[Lowside57]

I can relate to your dilemma. I have an R1200GS which I think is the best all round bike I have ever owned. But in tight technical / deep soft stuff a tall 500+ pound bike is not much fun (at least for my skill level and 32" inseam). Thinking abount adding something smaller / lighter to the stable. Big enough to get me there on the highway, but small enough to handle a tight rutted trail.

 

[greenmonster]

Just for reference the YouTuber Itchy Boots, who spends most of her world travels going off-road dealing with sand, ruts, washouts (and currently the Taliban since she’s in Afghanistan), is currently riding a Yamaha Tenere XT600z and previous to that she was on a Honda CRF300 Rally.

 

[Lowside57]

Just for reference the YouTuber Itchy Boots, who spends most of her world travels off-road dealing with sand, ruts, washouts (and currently the Taliban since she’s in Afghanistan), is currently riding a Yamaha Tenere XT600z and previous to that she was on a Honda CF300 Rally.

Interesting. My buddy bought a CRF300 Rally last year and loves it.

 

[ThumperX]

Cabrito goes many places on his CRF Rally.

 

[catch2otwo]

Well thanks for everyones input. Can always count on barf for that. Kinda talked me off the ledge. Ill throw some tires on it and get some more seat time. If im not enjoying it in a year, ill move it on to a new owner.

 

[kneedraggeroldy]

I am in American Canyon so if you want to have another rider to “assist” for any unplanned dismounts, let me know . Also will be planning another BDR excursion next season….

 

[berth]

Just for reference the YouTuber Itchy Boots, who spends most of her world travels going off-road dealing with sand, ruts, washouts (and currently the Taliban since she’s in Afghanistan), is currently riding a Yamaha Tenere XT600z and previous to that she was on a Honda CRF300 Rally.

The singular issue with the 300, is simply the "getting there" part in 70 MPH traffic. Throttle to the stop in the slow lane. I can't speak to the XT600z.

I'm betting where she goes, there's not much high speed interstate riding.

Back in the day, I didn't really feel anxious about it at all on my 180 scooter, but we had a 55 MPH speed limit, and that toned traffic down.

Today, we're still post COVID where some folks seem to have not learned that the highways have filled back up again.

 

[OaklandF4i]

I will agree with above 100%. Mud or snow or sand will amplify a big bikes disadvantages. Yes picking it up sucks.... I got a 1090..... and somewhere on my phone there are pics of @Cabrito @anytwowilldo @1962siia and myself rode over Hull Mountain to Covello in the snow.... (I mean the f-ing road was iced over with a tiny bit of snow on it.... sometimes sending the big bike into the ditch was the only stopping method [while keeping it upright the ditch has fresh snow] as the 'tripod' [2 wheels and a leg] no longer helped because the wheels were in full lock on ice - downhill. Yea picture that shit!) That trip I learned the wet mode on the KTM can indeed be overwhelmed enough not to give you any more power.... LOL.

I would say any single track I take on the 1090 I would have already ridden on my 300 or 500 at least a few times....

Sometimes, just by sheer dumb luck, I make a wise decision on occasion. That was one ride I felt pretty smart skipping after hearing about the carnage

I don't feel comfortable on my big GS on anything much more than a fire road or easy jeep trail. 1090/1190 is newer, with more tech, but still a VERY big bike offroad. Totally agree with Dima, that I would hesitate pointing the bike down any single track I hadn't ridden on my dirt bike previously..... regardless of the peer pressure.

If my budget allowed, I think the 890 would be a much better all around ADV bike for me, offroad. But budget is what it is, and I enjoy the GS for what it, is in my hands, at my capabilities. Makes a great travel bike, with the ability to carry anything I want to bring, including the kitchen sink, and opens up some tame offroad adventuring.

 

[dtrides]

Maybe ride one of the new KTM/Husqvarna/ Gas Gas 690's and see what you think?
Way more power than you need off road but plenty to get you down the highway.
One caveat is these are still tall unless you put the lowering kit on them.
The KTM is 100 lbs lighter than a KLR and double the hp.
DT