Sibirsky Extreme 2012 - The Toughest Ride of Them All

thanks Prutser/Walter....don't want to ride too sedately.. suppose the best bet is to have some fun on the easier terrain and back off when the bike is not coping so well with terrain its not up to .........i was thinking, possibly a 2nd hand (1-2year old) 650 bmw with some limitations is still better than not doing it

+1000
The G650GS and the Serato are very top heavy and outdated compared with the Husky. Not that the Husky is a lightweight by any means bit is is a fine machine.

totally agree.......but given the chance to go or not, but it had to be on the G650.....what would you do....

Great job on the video!!!!......Looks like some Awesome riding!!!
Thanks for sharing!!
Scott

Great video.....cant wait for the DVD to come out. Put me on the waiting list.
The Altai looks like a piece of Switzerland in the middle of Siberia.
Simply awesome. This report gets better by the day!
Spasiba Sibirsky extreme crew!!!

UHD tubes do not prevent snake bites from rims, as I could experience in Morocco (running 1.1-1.2 bars in stones). Simple heavy duty from Michelin are made out of sturdier gum and are really resistant, light and small enough for the same (extreme) use. UHD are also more difficult to mount and also to patch (since they are much less flexible they create lots of shear tension on the patch, which may eventually come off)

But as compared to X-challenge?
~20 kg heavier, has higher compression ratio (12.3 vs 11.5 to 1), and only 190mm suspension travel...
How much difference do you think such compression ratio will make?

Looks sooooo good though!

PS. Also a Loncin assembled Rotax, if I understand correctly...

Interesting observation. I had asked Cole before about patching materials and techniques used.

Do you guys have any name brands for patch kits/glue ... and technique when trail side?

I suck at patching. I found it impossible to do a trail side patch on a Bridgestone UHD tube. Ended up just changing tubes ... and gifting the big UHD tube to a local.
I always carry normal weight tubes for spares. (3 usually for Baja)

I've never got a "Snake Bite" (AKA: Pinch Flat) on a HD tube. Just lucky I guess ... but have helped others who have done it. I also like the Michelin HD tubes I have used, also Metzeler are good but not commonly found in the USA.

It's a Rotax design originally ... now, ALL parts made in China at Loncin plant. For the new Husky, BMW designers went through the motor, made several upgrades according to Motorcyclist's Aaron Frank, who attended the Terra/Strada Intro in Spain:
Shared bottom end with G650 BMW ... but, Lighter Piston, more aggressive cams, higher compression 12.3:1. Frank said: "weak off the bottom but a zippy mid range, quick revving, good character." Over all good review.

If it holds together could be a good KLR beater.
Two major things I'd want to change:
1. Steel swing arm
2. Dual exhaust
An Alu swing arm and single can should take off 10 to 12 kgs or so.

Hello.

I had asked this a couple of pages ago, but whats keeping the TE610 from appearing on your list?
I am amazed at how well that bike handles the highway (as well as dirt).

D

More! More! More!

A question: how did you translate your perceived route on Google earth to your GPS? I've wondered if there is a iPad app that would allow me to drag my finger over the route I want to take on Google earth and it would, in effect, draw me a route line with GPS coordinates? I've been wanting to scout out some treks here in the states for next summer.

I'm excited Walter. Thanks for posting up your adventures! Good stuff for sure!

One would think the increase in compression ratio would have a significant negative impact when using low Octane rated gasoline, i.e., because the onset of Detonation increases with the increase of the compression ratio. The compression ratio increase for the TR650 over the G650 Xch is 6.956% which could easily eliminate the use of low grade fuels (more common in remote areas of the world) and if emergency used might hole the piston:eek1 Thus I've removed the TR650 engine from my list of considerations.

Well I got the impression the guy was after a new bike from the showroom, so XC is out ... but maybe I am wrong.

I dont know anything about the carbed TE610s mate ... rare as hens teeth. There is only one for sale in the UK at the moment, and it is the supermoto version.

I do have a preference for the simplicity and flexibility of EFI. But seriously, I dont know anything about that bike, what aftermarket parts you could get for it, or what I would need to do to one to prep it for a trans continental trip (Safari make a tank for the FI version but not the earlier carbed 610).

Firstly, "create a path" in google earth ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhvXnILwCHQ

Then save that path as a KMZ file.

Then convert the KMZ file to a GPX file (I use www.GPSvisualizer.com)

Then import it into Mapsource or Basecamp and transfer to your device

From memory we had pretty generic patching gear. I even recall us topping up our patch kits at Russian auto parts stores with new glue and patches. We typically patched tubes when possible, but had to replace them when valve stems ripped out.

i would still go ... just pack light and take soft bags

I have enjoyed so much of this report. Thank you. Most recently the reply from the OP regarding how he came up with his tracks. But most of all, I like how the OP replies to just about every question someone asks him. I don't have a question, so I don't expect a response.....

I will say that two things swing how good vodka is .

thing one: how cold it is
thing two: who you're with and what you're doing

Amazing!

I know I didn't ask the question but thanks anyway, have saved this advice for later use...