Stupid Things Faster With More Energy

[scotty69]

Let me know when in the area riding. I'd love to do that ride.

[Zecatfish]

Originally Posted by Kyle B

These routes will work with a 1200GS with a passenger?

I wouldn't bet money on that, parts of it could be doable easily on the 1200.
It would entail all maintained forest roads.

[lineman29]

Looking forward to riding that stuff in July also. Thanks for sharing.

[gagnaou]

Looks like you guys had Fun!!!

[TroyWolf]

Originally Posted by Kyle B

These routes will work with a 1200GS with a passenger?

Easy answer is "no".

Longer answer
I couldn't have done parts with a passenger on a 1200 or my 800. Some folks couldn't ride the route on a 250 2-stroke. Other folks would have no problem doing all of it on a hard-tail Harley with a passenger. The difference is skill, eh?

I remember a friend and I riding up a long, gnarly hill climb in Arkansas on our light-weight dualsports. We struggled up, but made it without falling over or getting stopped. Once over the top, we shut the bikes off and removed helmets to catch our breath, drink some water, and congratulate ourselves for being so manly.

Then we heard it...a soft putt, putt, putt of a thumper climbing the hill. As the rhythmic putt, putt grew closer we heard no engine revving nor sounds of struggle. As he crested the hill, we about fell over in disbelief. It was a man on a fully-loaded KLR with huge aluminum cases....and his wife on the back. He passed us and started up the next steep section never changing pace or throttle.

That man is my hero.

Ever since that experience--and the many others I've witnessed since--I'm careful to label something as "easy" or "difficult", and I almost never describe a trail as "not doable on a big bike". Those are words I'd almost surely have to eat!

Regarding GS Giant routes specifically, I'm not in charge of that, but for what I provide, I'll be playing it on the safe side when making my suggestions for easy, medium, and difficult routes. So if you typically find trails to be easier than described, you might want to step up into the harder category.

For those not familiar with riding in Arkansas and Missouri, I'd say some folks are surprised by how rocky the trails can be. If, for example, you are used to the smooth, soft dirt trail in Michigan's UP, you'll find some Arkansas trails to be a rock garden! My advice? Point your front wheel at the biggest rock in your path and gas it! The bike WANTS to go over it--you just have to hang on!

[TroyWolf]

Originally Posted by gagnaou

Looks like you guys had Fun!!!

Oh yeah! You'd better be with me on that 950 next time, Luc! ...oh and Paris was WONDERFUL! We got home yesterday after having a perfect week in Paris.