Washtenaw County, Michigan Dirt Road TAG-O-RAMA

[DIRTSCOOTER]

So Toad, is that third wheel of yours driven or just free wheeling.

[The Toad]

Originally Posted by DIRTSCOOTER

So Toad, is that third wheel of yours driven or just free wheeling.

It has engageable 2 wheel drive. It has gotten me out of more than a few situations.

-Brian

[John Smallberries]

Hey - can a new guy play as well? I'm just over the eastern edge of Washtenaw County (Northville), but love those roads. If I get a break in the rain this weekend, I'll need a good excuse for a ride.

Hey Toad - would you mind telling me more about your DR? I read your excellent "Expedition Michigan" ride report and am very interested in your bike. I've got a 1200GS and a Yamaha TW200 and think I need something in between for a ride through the UP next summer. I may even sell the TW and buy a used DR. I'm curious about your thoughts on the DR350 vs. DRZ400. Where did you get your rear rack and bigger tank???

[two trackin fool]

I have to get a day ride together and head south to check out your riding area !
I'm getting tired of this area .

[DIRTSCOOTER]

Smallberries,

A fellow TCD member here, I have a drz and live not too far from you. I you want to see it, sit on it or take it for a ride let me know.

[4TooMany]

Originally Posted by DIRTSCOOTER

Smallberries,

A fellow TCD member here, I have a drz and live not too far from you. I you want to see it, sit on it or take it for a ride let me know.

I'm out in Northville once in a while (dad lives there), and I also have a DRZ400S (almost an "E" now). DIRTSCOOTER and I should ride out to see you. Any excuse to ride!

[proeasy]

Originally Posted by John Smallberries

Hey - can a new guy play as well? I'm just over the eastern edge of Washtenaw County (Northville), but love those roads. If I get a break in the rain this weekend, I'll need a good excuse for a ride.

Hey Toad - would you mind telling me more about your DR? I read your excellent "Expedition Michigan" ride report and am very interested in your bike. I've got a 1200GS and a Yamaha TW200 and think I need something in between for a ride through the UP next summer. I may even sell the TW and buy a used DR. I'm curious about your thoughts on the DR350 vs. DRZ400. Where did you get your rear rack and bigger tank???

"John" I think I saw you a few weeks ago on a saturday I was heading into Northiville on 7 Mile, you were heading west, just west of Beck. While I have an RT more and more of my miles on on my single cylinder bikes in the direction west of Novi/Northville. I have to say perhaps my favorite is my XR-400 (kick start/air cooled) that you can ride like you stole it and really never get you into trouble. Plus at approx 260 lbs is not a bear to pick up. Always open for a ride and and have some nice dirt routes to the likes of Hell/Pickney. Saturday later looks a bit dry and may head out to the Dam Site Inn to clear my head. The XR-400 and the TE-510 have between them three various Cannon Treks completed. As many can attest, there is no one perfect bike, just all the more reason to have a few at your disposal

Paul O

[John Smallberries]

Originally Posted by proeasy

"John" I think I saw you a few weeks ago on a saturday I was heading into Northiville on 7 Mile, you were heading west, just west of Beck. While I have an RT more and more of my miles on on my single cylinder bikes in the direction west of Novi/Northville. I have to say perhaps my favorite is my XR-400 (kick start/air cooled) that you can ride like you stole it and really never get you into trouble. Plus at approx 260 lbs is not a bear to pick up. Always open for a ride and and have some nice dirt routes to the likes of Hell/Pickney. Saturday later looks a bit dry and may head out to the Dam Site Inn to clear my head. The XR-400 and the TE-510 have between them three various Cannon Treks completed. As many can attest, there is no one perfect bike, just all the more reason to have a few at your disposal

Paul O

Could have been me. I look like a giant tomato with red winter jacket with the word 'Airbag' on the back and a red GS.


I am itching to ride today - but have a funeral in Warren at 11 am. I'm not quite sure when I can be back. Ideally, I'd like to meet up at 2:30 (say - BP station at 7 & Beck) and then go find the tag near McClure Road. Any rules against multiple bikes in one tag?

It's a good day for the electric heat and getting the GS a bit dirty.

[proeasy]

Will try to be there at 2:30 (Gas station at 7 and Beck)

Paul O

[John Smallberries]

Proeasy and I took advantage of the weather break today and got this tag:


We rode the muddy backroads as much as possible to get to Mill Lake and then head back to our side of town for a tag of our own:

Hint - it's about as far NE as you can go in Washtenaw County.

Have at it...

[DESERT SCORPION]

I got up early, 'cause I heard it was going to rain later. I shot this tower way up near the northern border of Washtenaw Co. Gave me a chance to try out my new tag-a-camera. It was a little hard to use with frozen fingers, but I struggled through it.




THE SCORPION

[DESERT SCORPION]

Here is an old farmhouse I passed on my way out to the tower tag. It is just outside Ypsilanti on a North-South road northeast of the center of town. The name of this road is the same as a British high-performance motorcycle components company. Its about two miles inside the county line.



THE SCORPION

[The Toad]

Originally Posted by John Smallberries

Hey - can a new guy play as well? I'm just over the eastern edge of Washtenaw County (Northville), but love those roads. If I get a break in the rain this weekend, I'll need a good excuse for a ride.

Hey Toad - would you mind telling me more about your DR? I read your excellent "Expedition Michigan" ride report and am very interested in your bike. I've got a 1200GS and a Yamaha TW200 and think I need something in between for a ride through the UP next summer. I may even sell the TW and buy a used DR. I'm curious about your thoughts on the DR350 vs. DRZ400. Where did you get your rear rack and bigger tank???

I've owned the DRZ about a year and a half and cant say anyting but good things about it.

It began life as an S model, I have since added:

Sidecase protectors
Larger tank (IMS 4.0 gallon)
MSR radiator guards
Tusk D Flex hand guards
Moose Expedition rack
Heated grips
LED aux lights up front (too see and be seen)
Seat Concepts seat (went thru about 4 others)

I think im done now

We've done quite a bit riding in the LP as well as Tennessee mountains.

Planning on a big cross country dirt trek summer 2013 on her.

Feel free to PM anytime if you want to come check it out, sit, ride, etc.

now.. back to the tagging

-Brian

[meijer's trails]

Proeasy. how do you like the 630 compared to the 510?

itsnt it much heavier? I keep hearing things like "bmw has RUINED husqvarna forever!"

please comment

[proeasy]

Originally Posted by meijer's trails

Proeasy. how do you like the 630 compared to the 510?

itsnt it much heavier? I keep hearing things like "bmw has RUINED husqvarna forever!"

please comment

Actually both are proper Husquvarna's (pre BMW motors)

The-510 is motocross bike with blinkers, approx 260 lbs, close ratio transmission that is great in the trails. Much more power than my-630. The down side of this bike is the engine does not have a balance shaft and is quite buzzy. Great bike for the likes of the GLDS rides. Had to put a aftermarket gas tank on it to get above the factory 70 Mile range

The -630 is the last of this bike series from Husqvarnar it, has been replaced by the Terra -650 (BMW Motor). I really like the -630, approx 310 lbs wide ratio transmission that is better for back roads/true dual sport rides on the dirt roads west of Northville. The new TR-650 gained about 80 lbs, went to a 5 speed gearbox, and has less suspension travel than the -630. Only good point is that it gets better fuel economy. Between the bike and the way I ride, I get around 40 MPG on the -630.

Long term I think it will be good thing, to compete with KTM. I like what they did with Nuda, that we do not get here in the US.

In summary no perfect bike that is why we need a few