First "real" adventure on the Champion

[DirtDokken]

All right, so I got the bike registered for off-road use and I rigged up this high tech (ha!) ramp for the minivan. I'm headed to a trail system about 30 mins away. I'll update with more pics. Should be fun!
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[JerryHawk250]

Have fun. I wish i was going.

[DirtDokken]

[JerryHawk250]

Looks like you had perfect weather for riding.

[Ina Ditch]

I'm with JHawk on this, that is some beautiful country, new england is on my bucket list.
the post came at the perfect time, earlier tonight I told my wife that I would pay half if she wants to get one so we can take evening cruises after work. I got a nibble now if I can just get her to bite getting her in the boat will be easy. she likes motorcycles and used to ride her own bike with me and she has told me that she misses riding so maybe just a little more gentle persuasion will get an ice bear in the fleet. I fully intended to buy two on top of the Recon but I just had to buy a riding mower and have gone cheap, cheaper I should say because I tend to be pretty tight fisted with a buck.
Keep on posting, loving it. I need to get off of my butt and figure out how to post pics from a chromebook in guest mode so I can quit leaching off you guys.

[bmw111]

Where exactly is this? Looks perfect for a slow country ride and picnic.

[DirtDokken]

Originally Posted by bmw111

Where exactly is this? Looks perfect for a slow country ride and picnic.

Four Seasons Adventure Trail, starts in Newport ME.

[culcune]

Originally Posted by DirtDokken

All right, so I got the bike registered for off-road use and I rigged up this high tech (ha!) ramp for the minivan. I'm headed to a trail system about 30 mins away. I'll update with more pics.

When you register the bike for the street, you won't need the van anymore.

[DirtDokken]

Originally Posted by culcune

When you register the bike for to the street, you won't need the van anymore.

Still wouldn't be able to take it on the interstate, which is how you get to most trails in the state. Unless there's mods to make the Champion go 80-85 mph? Yikes!!!

[PhildoScaggins]

Originally Posted by DirtDokken

Still wouldn't be able to take it on the interstate, which is how you get to most trails in the state. Unless there's mods to make the Champion go 80-85 mph? Yikes!!!

There is! zs190 swap will get you pretty darn close. I'm probably going to order one of those next summer. Riding in Maine has been awesome as of late. I'm generally one to ride with full gear, but t-shirt weather is just so nice on these small bikes.

[culcune]

Originally Posted by DirtDokken

Still wouldn't be able to take it on the interstate, which is how you get to most trails in the state. Unless there's mods to make the Champion go 80-85 mph? Yikes!!!

There surely is another route? There is a Skyteam version of the clone that used to be widely available here in the US. Pitster Pro is one of the brands that uses the Skyteam version (they relabel them as Pitster Pro) but their site says they out of them for now. The point being, a few years back, SSR used to sell them as well. They use a 125cc engine (might be Zongshen sourced vs. the Loncin found in the Champion) and 4-speed manual transmission instead of the semi-auto found in yours. There is a popular thread on ADVrider where a father and son rode from San Francisco to New York City--the father bought a brand new SSR version of the Skyteam clone and the son bought a used 150cc BMS scooter for $100. They managed to stay off interstates the entire route, instead using mostly a lesser known 2-lane highway that runs from northern California clear to somewhere back east (for sure NYC but not sure if it goes any further northeast).

For you, half the fun would be mapping out the route to get to the trail. Okay, maybe 1/5 or 1/10 the fun (riding is 100% of the fun no matter what!). So, your homework is to find a way to the trail staying on road. I know that soon enough you will be doing a few of the 'obligatory' mods including carb, sprocket(s), and exhaust, so your bike will be able to hit 60+, but more importantly, maintain 55 or so.

As PhildoScaggins mentioned, there is a 190cc crate engine (as well as a way to get them to 212cc) that a few brave souls have put on these clones (or originals, of course). But, I believe you are a member of the DAX clone group on FB, a member or two has mentioned that people are trying to get speed out of these that they were never originally meant to go. So, there is that debate. I actually agree with the naysayers, because these are not engineered for such power (think unintended wheelies--going out of control, etc) so perhaps the 190cc engines are best left to the Grom/Grom clones, and pitbikes. I think 60 to 65 mph is about the extreme edge of speed you want for a bike that if you look at old Honda advertisements, they showed people riding on back trails (like what you did). Granted the CT70 that were popular here were 70cc and there were no real crate engines available.

But, again, I would see if there is a route you could take your bike in relative safety onroad. But, I do like your ramp...

[DirtDokken]

Haha, my joy involves riding on the trail, not worrying about getting hit by an SUV on the way there OR modding the bike (and myself) to an early grave by getting it to speeds it was never meant for. I want to get to the trail as quick as possible in a vehicle, not make the journey there take longer!

[culcune]

It took me a while to think of your name's reference, and you should appreciate this, but it looks like you were able to 'Break-in the Chain(s)' of your bike

[DirtDokken]

Originally Posted by culcune

It took me a while to think of your name's reference, and you should appreciate this, but it looks like you were able to 'Break-in the Chain(s)' of your bike

Haha, awesome! Great song too!