Some action shots from the sand dunes!

[FastDoc]

Roger and I rode some local desert yesterday.

Plan A was a long overnight dualsport ride in the mountians but this was a nice plan B.



Hannibal and The Beast in repose.



We had this corner of desert and dunes all to ourselves all morning.



Roger was playing with the black and white mode on his camera. Looks cool.







I like the power pulses off the sand paddle.



This is what happens when you lay down in wind-swept sand for too long!

[SpudRider]

Thanks for posting the great photos, Doc. Isn't sand hard on wheel bearings, et cetera? :?:

Spud

[Weldangrind]

Originally Posted by FastDoc

That's a cool shot! 8)

[FastDoc]

I suppose it is but I don't see how it would get in past the seals. Also the chain has O-rings so I think it's OK. :roll:

I know it's a load for the engine that's for sure. If a person wants to ride there he really needs a powerful bike that is also light. The Beast seems comfortable out there. It is a lot of fun, so much so that even if it's hard on the bike I'm still enjoying it. After all the bike works for me. I also take good care of it so I figure we are OK. 8)

[SpudRider]

Please forgive, me. :oops: I'm not trying to spoil you fun, Doc. However, I would encourage you to inspect these items more regularly.

Spud

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

That's a cool shot! 8)

X2! That's also one instance where I actually like the black & white photograph almost as much as a color photograph.

Spud

[FastDoc]

I try to keep an eye on the bike as far as maintenence is concerned.

I don't check the bearings per se but I remove and replace the rear wheel every ride in the desert (knobbie and paddle) so if there was an issue there I'd see it. The front wheel I simply give a spin and yank when I wash the bike after every ride.

I change the oil and clean the air filter every 5 or so hours. I lube the chain every ride, and it's an O-ring model.

[SpudRider]

I know you maintain your bikes well, Doc. You certainly have all the bases covered. I hear occasional horror stories about people riding their bikes in sand. However, these people probably never inspect their wheel bearings, and don't even bother to clean the air filter properly! Then, after the engine inhales sand, they need to do a top end rebuild of the engine. :roll:

Spud

[FastDoc]

Sand is harder on the bike than dirt. No question about it. The drag on the bike is huge and a powerful motor is needed to overcome it. So much fun though!

In my area though the very deep dust encountered on many of the desert trails in the summertime I bet is worse. It gets almost aerosolized and easily inhaled by man and machine both. The sand at least falls back to the ground rather than forming an abrasive cloud.

I run Uni double layer filters and Uni oil, and use grease to seal them on in addition to making the screw snug. I clean them often.

Wheel bearings are cheap and semi easy to replace, engines no so much!

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by FastDoc

Sand is harder on the bike than dirt. No question about it. The drag on the bike is huge and a powerful motor is needed to overcome it. So much fun though!

In my area though the very deep dust encountered on many of the desert trails in the summertime I bet is worse. It gets almost aerosolized and easily inhaled by man and machine both. The sand at least falls back to the ground rather than forming an abrasive cloud.

I run Uni double layer filters and Uni oil, and use grease to seal them on in addition to making the screw snug. I clean them often.

Wheel bearings are cheap and semi easy to replace, engines no so much!

Amen on all counts, Brother Bill!

Spud