Mojave trail/road on a 990?

Discussion in 'West – California, the desert southwest & whatever' started by Gila Monster, Oct 28, 2012.

  1. Gila Monster

    Gila Monster Carnivore

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    Never been there. How would it be on a 990 fully loaded? How bad are the sandy stretches?
    #1
  2. larryboy

    larryboy Just obey!

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    BigWan can do it, the rest of us cannot. :deal
    #2
  3. johngil

    johngil Reseda, CA

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    Should be alright with some good riding skills from what I remember.
    Can't be skeered of sand or rocks, though.
    #3
  4. tbarstow

    tbarstow Two-wheelin' Fool Super Supporter

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    Lots of rocks and whoops. Bring a lot of front tubes for your 990.
    #4
  5. DannyG

    DannyG I have the waypoint. Supporter

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    when r u planing to do it?
    #5
  6. scorpion

    scorpion Two arm bandit

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    Deep sand and fully loaded 990 is tiring but not impossible.
    I tried it for a day, didnt care for it :lol3
    TKC front and a steering damper.

    Take pics!
    #6
  7. Fubars

    Fubars What would Scoobydo?

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    If there's any mud on Soda Lake, you'll be hating it.
    #7
  8. DannyG

    DannyG I have the waypoint. Supporter

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    or u just skip it...

    Information Service for up-to-the-minute road conditions 1-800-427-7623
    #8
  9. DannyG

    DannyG I have the waypoint. Supporter

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  10. Gila Monster

    Gila Monster Carnivore

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    No specific date planned yet but I definitely won't go if the lake isn't dry. Rocks don't scare me on the 990 but sand can be a challenge.

    I originally planned to do it on my 450 but then I started reading about all the stupid CA vehicle requirements. My AZ bike is Street legal and insured but I don't have turn signals, DOT tires or emissions. I figured maybe it would be OK to just make a long weekend ride on my 990 ADV instead.
    #10
  11. traveltoad

    traveltoad Aaron S

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    I did it on a loaded R1150GSAdv a few years back... that pig was a handfull for sure. But if I can do it on a GS as an average rider, it is very doable on a 990 Adv.

    And if Soda lake is wet, it is easy enough to bypass it just east of Zzyxx.
    #11
  12. Lucky Explorer

    Lucky Explorer Traveled the world

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    There are a couple sandy streches, but much is two track jeep roads. It is fabulous country. My wife and I have ridden it twice, 2up on a Dakar Elefant, similer to the 990, maybe taller. That was with gear. I have ridden it on a BMW Dakar bike, the Duc several times,a 650 Elefant a couple times, and a 640 Rallye. All rather large bikes. Yes, on a wet Soda lake, but got the mud off at a Baker motel! You can follow fairly well the cairn markers, but a book map is available thru Friends of the Mojave Road if needed. FYI, the original road, a military trail went from Prescott to Camp Cady near Barstow. Enjoy!
    Allen.
    #12
  13. traveltoad

    traveltoad Aaron S

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    The area around Prescott is amazing!
    #13
  14. DannyG

    DannyG I have the waypoint. Supporter

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    my CRF450X (stock) had AZ plate from 2006 to 2011 never had problems... just need to have DOT tires...
    #14
  15. ybracing

    ybracing Been here awhile

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    I don't have turn signals on my 525 (plated) and have never had a problem with the authorities. They are more concerned with current registration, insurance and that you are on a legal trail. Have a great ride!
    #15
  16. traveltoad

    traveltoad Aaron S

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    And a spark arrester.
    #16
  17. scorpion

    scorpion Two arm bandit

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    I heard there are a lot of thorns that are perfect for flats.
    I wish I could go with ya!
    #17
  18. tr1200

    tr1200 High Side

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    The original road maybe have been, but the original trail was traveled by foot by native Americans for centuries. I believe the first white man to travel it was Jedediah Smith in 1826 (not sure). The Mojaves (not an Indian word but an English misnombre) would trade with other natives in the inland empire area and traveled this general trail before horses. 990 loaded should be alright and lots of ways around Soda Lake. Smaller bikes are great to spur off the trail to different springs and petraglyph sites. Have fun:D
    #18
  19. notmybikemodelname

    notmybikemodelname KOTW is a myth!

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    That's a good story, have another one?
    I see your alien has matching riding gear for the new bike..:clap
    #19
  20. scorpion

    scorpion Two arm bandit

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    Brand whore :jose
    #20