After "retiring" from roadracing this winter I figured it was the perfect time to do some exploring and hone my dirt skills given I live in one of the best places in the world to ride. My friend David and I have been knocking around all winter around Colorado, and we figured Memorial Day weekend was a great time to give Moab a shot to do some camping and hit some more varied terrain. Klaus the 690: We had a pretty loose plan which was basically pack up our crap Thursday and beat the crowds to Moab, which would have been great except Klaus took a krap before we even left Denver. I had installed the CA Cycleworks fuel pump as a preventative step before the trip, but the quick disconnect in the tank popped off meaning I had to take the whole thing apart again, drain the gas, and safety wire it up tight.
I sent my friend ahead to find a spot to camp while I fixed Klaus. Once underway I put my head down and did the ride to Moab in about 6 hours. Stock seat gave me wicked monkey butt, and the strong winds were a challenge to maintain 70+ with no wind protection, but the ride was worth it. Moab is incredible! We set up camp a ways out on Kane Creek Rd, not too much noise where we were and awesome views. First day we were up at the crack of dawn and headed out Kane Creek up Hurrah Pass and out to Chicken Corners. Incredible ride, no one else on the trail and cool air. A few sandy spots but the trail was pretty easy and lots of fun to open Klaus up on. Easy to see why it is called Chicken Corner...
We finished up day one with a bomb down a couple dirt roads and then a visit to town for some food and shade, in the low 90's and after riding until about 2 we were shot. I know this is not at all hardcore, but we decided A/C sounded better than a hot tent so we went to Star Trek in Moab...nothing like draping sweaty gear over the seats and pulling off your boots after a ride, hehe. Day two we hit it early again and headed up 128 to Onion Creek. We originally planned to do Top of the World but somehow we missed the trail and ended up doing some loops. Headed up Kokopelli which was great, and somehow ended up way up in the Aspens. Guess my navigation skills need work, but a fun ride. I'm not fond of heights but got a few good shots of my amigo up top.
A little vid of some of the ride. http://vimeo.com/67273440 The ride home was less scenic but when you are with your riding mates it is always entertaining.
Yeah man... Still trying to put my game face on at work and get back to business. Can't wait for the next trip. The vid turned out pretty good me thinks: http://vimeo.com/67273440 Here are a couple of shots from my end...
Looks like a fun ride! I am from the east but plan on riding in that area come August. Cant wait to get out there!
Great Report, pic's and video. Two rather different bikes... How did the F8 handle the two tracks. Did you wish you had a more dirt friendly bike? Like the KTM... Again thanks for taking us along for the ride!
I'll let Mobster give a full answer, but even though he is a better rider than me and in better shape, I could run away from him in the dirt. He did really well on it but the nature of the bikes showed itself in places like the rocky uphill parts of Kokopelli and the sandy spots up by Hurrah pass. I have MT21's on it but they are totally shot so don't think that was the only reason. That said I immediately ordered a Seat Concepts on my return home, and also might consider a Brittania fairing at some point too. When I got on his Beemer it felt like I sunk into my couch, and he went off on the 690 pulling wheelies, different strokes these bikes.
I'll answer the two questions directed at me... 1. Did I wish I had a more dirt-friendly bike??? No way man! I honestly think the 800 is the perfect 'do-it-all' bike. If I sacrificed any road-going capability for dirt-friendliness the ride down/back would have been miserable (just ask Sam). While the F8 wasn't the best in the dirt, it certainly held it's own. I am going to look into RaceTech for a rebuild or the Hyperpro spring kits, as overall the stock suspension is soft as butter and I was bottoming out everywhere. Wheelies, jumps, crashes, and general hooligan activity prob doesn't help, but I wanted to put the Black Stallion (aka Chloe) through her paces as it was my first real ride aboard. Ride it like it's meant to be ridden right? We did however run into two slightly older gentlemen when we were making our way down from Chicken Corners and they were headed up. One on an F800 just like mine and another on a Wee-Strom. They refused to go any further when it got a bit hairy and sandy along with some tall'ish rock step-ups. So, I guess if you have any issues with dirt or are scared to beat your bike up, you may want to take a lighter, more dirt-friendly bike. 2. How was that Klim gear in the heat? Uhhh, hot as $hit! However, anything would be hot in 93+F. I was fairly pleased at temps at any speed above 5-10+mph. The vents provide a decent amount of airflow. The Sidi ADV boots (non Gore) were the real heater/killer. I'll keep the gear anyday though as I def prefer protection over a bit of discomfort. I guess that's the roadracer in me. Not sure how the moto guys wear what essentially equates to a long sleeved t-shirt (jersey). I did some supermoto racing here in CO and some of the guys brought up on dirt ragged on some of us roadracers for wearing our leathers in the hot sun. Again, I'll take a bit of discomfort over severe road rash anyday! PS... Here is a Moab 'Beat the Heat' tip for you... After riding for the day, immediately find the Colorado (any spot will do). Strip down to your skivvies (sp?) to scare off any locals, wildlife and/or combination of both. Then jump in! Then immediately remove your man parts from your body cavity b/c it is freaking freezing in there! That's how we cooled down.