An 800 GS, a day off & the desert

johngil · 03-29-2009, 09:34 AM

Finally got a day off and decided to head out to see a few friends at a District 37 desert scrambles. Temps were great for the most part. 35 F for a low, and 80 F for a high.

Here is the quarter ton of bike that's going to haul my fat ass around for the day.

After a much needed breakfast burrito and coffee in Adelanto, it was time to get moving. The race starts at 0900.

I made it just in time to see the first line leave.

I had other plans for the day other than watching a bunch of guys and gals ride their bikes. I left the Slash X headed into the Ord Mountains near Barstow. It was t-shirt weather and not a cloud in the sky.

While I am having a love hate thing going with the 800 right now, the bike worked as good as any. I told myself that there was no way in hell I would be going up that hill in the distance. I guess the inner me went deaf.

What goes up of course must come down.

It payed off with a nice view.

I hopped on to Camp Rock Rd. and headed towards the north part of Johnson Valley. I recognized the area and chuckled a bit. Last April I had a flat in a national hare & hound in the first couple of miles of the race. I wound up changing the tube and leaving it for the course workers to pick up. Guess they didn't do that after all.

I decided to head back through the Ord Mountains back towards the Slash X. Came upon a few sights to see.

I wound up getting into a wash that stretched about 200 miles long (8 to 10 really). This is where I am having to learn a few new tricks. A 500 pound bike sure is different than a 220 pound race bike in the deep sand.

Start of a long fight. I won.(barely)

Shortly after my little workout, I found myself back at my start.

Had a couple of beers and decided I'd better hit the road. I didn't feel like any pavement, so I headed off into the desert to pick up Stoddard Wells Rd. Gassed up off the freeway and headed back through Adelanto and back through the desert.

Thre are only so many miles in a day, so I picked up the "freeway" to get me closer to home.

Not a bad day at all. Over 300 miles, and more than 100 in the dirt. The variety of terrain was fantastic, as was the weather. The adventure bike thing is a big pill for me to swallow. The off road handling is so poor in comparison to a dirt specific bike. On the other hand, there is no way a little dirt bike could log the miles (comfortably) and have the fuel range as the 800.
I keep trying to stretch the TKC on the rear. This was a mistake for this ride. I really could have used the traction of the new tire that's sitting in my garage right now.

'till next time, John Gil

T.REX63 · 03-29-2009, 09:40 AM

Nice

I just loooove the desert. Don't have much of it here in GA. But, we've got the mountains and twisties...

Saso · 03-29-2009, 09:49 AM

So that's what it looks like around Adelanto. I was supposed to come out there at the end of April for a Lee Park's TCARC but it's been shifted to San Mateo. After seeing this RR, if I ever get the chance to go to Adelanto I'm bringing my DRZ!! Your F800GS looks great in that country, btw.

johngil · 03-29-2009, 09:52 AM

Most of the photos were near Barstow, in the Ord Mtns. Adelanto is a ghetto w/ a prison, airport, some gas stations & Bravo Burger. I wouldn't make it a destination.

Nox · 03-29-2009, 09:59 AM

Bike might be heavy, but it sure looks good.

NSFW · 03-29-2009, 10:06 AM

thanks john for sharing.

the roads look like nOOb friendly, but i'm sure it's tougher than portrayed. there's just too many to places to explore and it's just a matter of finding the time to do them.

johngil · 03-29-2009, 10:41 AM

Everything is do-able , but the long wash will earn a few sets of lungs possibly.

cribaby · 03-29-2009, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johngil

Most of the photos were near Barstow, in the Ord Mtns. Adelanto is a ghetto w/ a prison, airport, some gas stations & Bravo Burger. I wouldn't make it a destination.

Hey you forgot minor league baseball, the logistics airport, crack, more crack and did I forget to mention crack.

Big Bike Cons:
Sand and Expensive to fix when you know better than to try that trail.

Big Bike Pro:
The ablility to carry your buddies beer.

johngil · 03-29-2009, 05:07 PM

...and they have crack. Front and back!

nwgs · 03-29-2009, 06:08 PM

Nice..

CCer · 03-29-2009, 06:34 PM

Hey John, thanks for posting the pics. Wish I had been there with you to share that 200-mile sand wash exercise - not.

scfrank · 03-29-2009, 06:44 PM

Nice report and pics.

I had lunch at the / X when I was out there a couple years ago. I loved the desert! You do have to pay attention though.

GB · 03-29-2009, 06:47 PM

The perfect tool for the ride! Thanks for the report and sunny pics

miguelito · 04-03-2009, 12:56 AM

Thanks for posting. I do love the desert!

Daytona_Rider · 04-03-2009, 08:32 AM

Nice report!

I really like the looks of the 800.

Cheers
DR

03-29-2009, 09:34 AM	#1
johngil ^OP Reseda, CA Joined: Jun 2007 Oddometer: 3,489	An 800 GS, a day off & the desert Finally got a day off and decided to head out to see a few friends at a District 37 desert scrambles. Temps were great for the most part. 35 F for a low, and 80 F for a high. Here is the quarter ton of bike that's going to haul my fat ass around for the day. After a much needed breakfast burrito and coffee in Adelanto, it was time to get moving. The race starts at 0900. I made it just in time to see the first line leave. I had other plans for the day other than watching a bunch of guys and gals ride their bikes. I left the Slash X headed into the Ord Mountains near Barstow. It was t-shirt weather and not a cloud in the sky. While I am having a love hate thing going with the 800 right now, the bike worked as good as any. I told myself that there was no way in hell I would be going up that hill in the distance. I guess the inner me went deaf. What goes up of course must come down. It payed off with a nice view. I hopped on to Camp Rock Rd. and headed towards the north part of Johnson Valley. I recognized the area and chuckled a bit. Last April I had a flat in a national hare & hound in the first couple of miles of the race. I wound up changing the tube and leaving it for the course workers to pick up. Guess they didn't do that after all. I decided to head back through the Ord Mountains back towards the Slash X. Came upon a few sights to see. I wound up getting into a wash that stretched about 200 miles long (8 to 10 really). This is where I am having to learn a few new tricks. A 500 pound bike sure is different than a 220 pound race bike in the deep sand. Start of a long fight. I won.(barely) Shortly after my little workout, I found myself back at my start. Had a couple of beers and decided I'd better hit the road. I didn't feel like any pavement, so I headed off into the desert to pick up Stoddard Wells Rd. Gassed up off the freeway and headed back through Adelanto and back through the desert. Thre are only so many miles in a day, so I picked up the "freeway" to get me closer to home. Not a bad day at all. Over 300 miles, and more than 100 in the dirt. The variety of terrain was fantastic, as was the weather. The adventure bike thing is a big pill for me to swallow. The off road handling is so poor in comparison to a dirt specific bike. On the other hand, there is no way a little dirt bike could log the miles (comfortably) and have the fuel range as the 800. I keep trying to stretch the TKC on the rear. This was a mistake for this ride. I really could have used the traction of the new tire that's sitting in my garage right now. 'till next time, John Gil johngil screwed with this post 03-29-2009 at 05:03 PM

03-29-2009, 09:40 AM	#2
T.REX63 Motorradfahrer Joined: Jul 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA / USA Oddometer: 1,646	Nice I just loooove the desert. Don't have much of it here in GA. But, we've got the mountains and twisties... __________________ Thomas "Hey, ...I'm just ridin' shotgun .

03-29-2009, 10:06 AM	#6
NSFW after a good ride Joined: Feb 2007 Location: Burbank CA Oddometer: 14,333	thanks john for sharing. the roads look like nOOb friendly, but i'm sure it's tougher than portrayed. there's just too many to places to explore and it's just a matter of finding the time to do them. __________________ 2013 dv noobs rally grand canyon indian country 2012 california adventure rider dirt around and beyond los angeles

03-29-2009, 06:08 PM	#10
nwgs indupitable Joined: Jul 2006 Location: WetSide Oddometer: 27,973	Nice.. __________________ i got pwned by a liberal ask me how

03-29-2009, 06:44 PM	#12
scfrank I'm back - sort of. Joined: Oct 2005 Location: same as before Oddometer: 6,531	Nice report and pics. I had lunch at the / X when I was out there a couple years ago. I loved the desert! You do have to pay attention though. __________________ "Have you guessed the riddle yet?" the Hatter said. "No, I give it up." Alice replied. "What's the answer?" "I haven't the slightest idea." Said the Hatter. "Nor, I" said the March Hare.

03-29-2009, 09:49 AM	#3
Saso chronically restless Joined: Oct 2005 Location: Northern California Oddometer: 790	So that's what it looks like around Adelanto. I was supposed to come out there at the end of April for a Lee Park's TCARC but it's been shifted to San Mateo. After seeing this RR, if I ever get the chance to go to Adelanto I'm bringing my DRZ!! Your F800GS looks great in that country, btw.

03-29-2009, 09:52 AM	#4
johngil ^OP Reseda, CA Joined: Jun 2007 Oddometer: 3,489	Most of the photos were near Barstow, in the Ord Mtns. Adelanto is a ghetto w/ a prison, airport, some gas stations & Bravo Burger. I wouldn't make it a destination.

03-29-2009, 09:59 AM	#5
Nox Adventurer Wannabe Joined: Jan 2009 Location: Chicago Oddometer: 36	Bike might be heavy, but it sure looks good.

03-29-2009, 10:41 AM	#7
johngil ^OP Reseda, CA Joined: Jun 2007 Oddometer: 3,489	Everything is do-able , but the long wash will earn a few sets of lungs possibly.

03-29-2009, 05:07 PM	#9
johngil ^OP Reseda, CA Joined: Jun 2007 Oddometer: 3,489	...and they have crack. Front and back!

03-29-2009, 06:34 PM	#11
CCer missing Joined: Nov 2008 Location: unknown Oddometer: 192	Hey John, thanks for posting the pics. Wish I had been there with you to share that 200-mile sand wash exercise - not.

03-29-2009, 06:47 PM	#13
GB Mod Squad Joined: Aug 2002 Location: Toronto, ON Oddometer: 53,466	The perfect tool for the ride! Thanks for the report and sunny pics __________________ ADV decals, patches & flag? Here

04-03-2009, 12:56 AM	#14
miguelito Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Mar 2009 Location: San Miguel de Allende, GTO, Mexico Oddometer: 482	Thanks for posting. I do love the desert! __________________ 3200 miles thru Mexico and SW US Mainland Mexico via Baja I ♥ La Sierra Gorda/Lost in the Fat Mountains The most fun I've ever had following a cop Essential Spanish Phrases

04-03-2009, 08:32 AM	#15
Daytona_Rider You should be racing Joined: Oct 2006 Oddometer: 1,099	Nice report! I really like the looks of the 800. Cheers DR __________________ CORIOLIS RACING CORIOLIS RACING BLOG AFM #993 Come out and support the sport of motorcyling; attend an AFM Race Weekend! Death Valley Ride(s) Rock Dennis Carner Memorial Ride Death Valley Video 1991 Honda NC30 (Racing sweetness) #993 2007 R1200GS Adventure: King of the World IMHO

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