New riding area

FastDoc · 03-11-2012, 11:32 PM

Actually this is still in the hills by my house but Roger and I explored a canyon we'd never ridden in before.

We crossed this immense area of open desert. As far as we could see just desert. We rode side by side, I was in third gear. Great fun. We saw two coyotes.

We dropped down into this draw but it was too tough to ride there. At one point the tumbleweeds were up above my front fender! We climbed out on the hillside on the right side of the picture.

Back on top The Beast paused to rest. So did I!

These racing motocrossers are OK on the tight trails, but you'll never forget they're not XR200-250's. :? No one bike can do it all.

Well, maybe Spuds KDX... :wink:

Weldangrind · 03-12-2012, 12:39 AM

Beautiful area. Please explain; how would an XR be superior in that environment?

FastDoc · 03-12-2012, 01:20 AM

Some areas were slow, rocky and very narrow. An XR with it's ability to gently creep along without wheelspin is easier to manage there. Also the XR's sit much lower making it easier to put a foot down if needed. Also the XR with much less power is less likely to flip you off the back if you accidently hit a bump and give it too much wrist.

On the other hand the XR's don't have the power to weight ratio to get on top of a sand dune. There's always a tradeoff. That's life!

The YZ and ESPECIALLY the KX will spit you off or flip over on top of you if given the chance. As powerful as the 400 is, the FI 450 will eat it's lunch.

Weldangrind · 03-12-2012, 10:42 AM

It's fair to say that I'm not at that level yet. I was ripping on TurboT's YZ250F, and my eyes teared immediately. I can't imagine what a 400 is like! 8O

FastDoc · 03-12-2012, 11:15 AM

It's wonderful, Brother Weld. Since 'adapting' to the 400-450 series of motoctossers I am hooked. I'm very happy with The Beast and all the new types of riding it has offered me. This is the displacement and performance class for me.

Sand dunes? no problem. Stupid steep loose hillside? Just twist the grip. Decent sized jump? Just pay attention to launch angle. Roost your buddy? Nah, I'd never do that! :wink:

SpudRider · 03-12-2012, 10:17 PM

Thanks for posting the ride report, Doc!

As always, I love viewing your photos.

Spud

JimW · 03-14-2012, 09:37 AM

Cool pics, doc. We don't have grass that tall around here. All short grass prairie. I've thought about getting a couple of enduros for the wife and I but I'm so heighth challenged it becomes a problem.

FastDoc · 03-14-2012, 11:32 AM

That grass was unusually tall. Normal length is about 1/3 that. Many areas have no grass at all, just sand/rocks. Some spots with sagebrush or bunchgrass or cactus. Occasional (rare) Juniper tree but that's about it.

JimW · 03-15-2012, 08:19 AM

Buffallo grass is our native here. On a wet year and un-pastured it'll get about 3-4" tall. Some of the crp grasses that were planted in the late 80s and early 90s is old world bluestem. It'll get about knee high but cattle don't eat it very well

03-11-2012, 11:32 PM	#1
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	New riding area Actually this is still in the hills by my house but Roger and I explored a canyon we'd never ridden in before. We crossed this immense area of open desert. As far as we could see just desert. We rode side by side, I was in third gear. Great fun. We saw two coyotes. We dropped down into this draw but it was too tough to ride there. At one point the tumbleweeds were up above my front fender! We climbed out on the hillside on the right side of the picture. Back on top The Beast paused to rest. So did I! These racing motocrossers are OK on the tight trails, but you'll never forget they're not XR200-250's. :? No one bike can do it all. Well, maybe Spuds KDX... :wink: __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

03-12-2012, 12:39 AM	#2
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	Beautiful area. Please explain; how would an XR be superior in that environment? __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	0

03-12-2012, 01:20 AM	#3
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	Some areas were slow, rocky and very narrow. An XR with it's ability to gently creep along without wheelspin is easier to manage there. Also the XR's sit much lower making it easier to put a foot down if needed. Also the XR with much less power is less likely to flip you off the back if you accidently hit a bump and give it too much wrist. On the other hand the XR's don't have the power to weight ratio to get on top of a sand dune. There's always a tradeoff. That's life! The YZ and ESPECIALLY the KX will spit you off or flip over on top of you if given the chance. As powerful as the 400 is, the FI 450 will eat it's lunch. __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

03-12-2012, 10:42 AM	#4
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	It's fair to say that I'm not at that level yet. I was ripping on TurboT's YZ250F, and my eyes teared immediately. I can't imagine what a 400 is like! 8O __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	0

03-12-2012, 11:15 AM	#5
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	It's wonderful, Brother Weld. Since 'adapting' to the 400-450 series of motoctossers I am hooked. I'm very happy with The Beast and all the new types of riding it has offered me. This is the displacement and performance class for me. Sand dunes? no problem. Stupid steep loose hillside? Just twist the grip. Decent sized jump? Just pay attention to launch angle. Roost your buddy? Nah, I'd never do that! :wink: __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

03-12-2012, 10:17 PM	#6
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	Thanks for posting the ride report, Doc! As always, I love viewing your photos. Spud __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894
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03-14-2012, 09:37 AM	#7
JimW Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Panhandle of oklahoma Posts: 276	Cool pics, doc. We don't have grass that tall around here. All short grass prairie. I've thought about getting a couple of enduros for the wife and I but I'm so heighth challenged it becomes a problem.
	0

03-14-2012, 11:32 AM	#8
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	That grass was unusually tall. Normal length is about 1/3 that. Many areas have no grass at all, just sand/rocks. Some spots with sagebrush or bunchgrass or cactus. Occasional (rare) Juniper tree but that's about it. __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

03-15-2012, 08:19 AM	#9
JimW Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Panhandle of oklahoma Posts: 276	Buffallo grass is our native here. On a wet year and un-pastured it'll get about 3-4" tall. Some of the crp grasses that were planted in the late 80s and early 90s is old world bluestem. It'll get about knee high but cattle don't eat it very well
	0