DS Ride 4-28-2015

[Bob]

I loaded up the DRZ on my trailer and met up with Lee at the Food Lion parking lot in Morganton. From there Lee led us around around Lake James on 126 to Old NC105 where we hit the dirt. Spent about 2 hours exploring 105 and a side road off of there, then had lunch at the Mexican spot down the street from Christa's. Afterwards we rode down Gingercake to Table Rock Rd., then took a new-to-us forest road connector from there over to 181. Then we hit Craig's Creek and then rode up BMB to the country store where we drank a soda.

This was my first DS ride in a looong time (for various reasons) and I was having 2nd thoughts about keeping the DRZ but after this ride I'm gonna hang onto it. If I can do this only 3-4 times a year it will be worth it. Riding those roads in the fall is especially good. And there are other new roads to be ridden wthin 2 hours or so of here. Maybe we can find some DS roads for summer time that start out at 3K' elevation so WE stay cooler.

Only took a few pics, and Lee--the one of Shortoff Mtn. with the rider in it is one I took a few years ago from 126, that stretch of road you could barely see from Old 105 when we stopped. Its a great photo-op spot. Thanks for organizing and leading the ride!

[Yarbi]

Is this something you could do on you GS1200?

[LeeDavis]

Good report and nice pics! Weather was near perfect clear, cool and a few gnarly spots in the roads for a bit of challenge. Pace was a mix of zinging along with occasional stops to investigate mysterious forest stuff and beauty spots. We stayed on the main forest service roads but I spied many side tracks that remain to be explored. It could go on "forever".

If any of you are on the fence about woodsy adventure riding - I was the same way but now I think this is as good a cheap thrill as you could ask for. Zipping around in the forests on a light weight bike is big fun!

[Bob]

Is this something you could do on you GS1200?

Lee said it best, "zipping along in the forests on a light weight bike is big fun". Note the emphasis. I have ridden short stretches of similar roads on my GS as I'm sure you have too, Don, and its certainly "do-able". But "do-able" isn't the same as "big fun", lol. The DRZ weighs 318 lbs. and hitting big washouts and rocks are non-events. On the GS I would be taking it much slower, with a much greater chance of dropping it when trying to get a foot down on uneven ground. That heavy front end will try to wrench itself out of your grip over minor little things. So why even deal with it?

Get one of these and ride with us!! We'll have our own DS rally. (But you are welcome to ride the GS too.)

[Yarbi]

Kind of what I thought. I would just slow you guys up.

[Bob]

Kind of what I thought. I would just slow you guys up.

Not if you were on a DRZ.....

[LeeDavis]

Kind of what I thought. I would just slow you guys up.

Not if you were on a DRZ.....

It isn't a major commitment. The small Japanese DS bikes rarely change so whether new or used they're the same and aftermarket parts are cheap and plentiful. Example: Complete DRZ plastics set, $100. Tipping over in a rut is no worse than silliness. I had my KLR for a year then sold it for what I paid.

[Bob]

Yeah, used ranges from $2500-$3500. Plus they are really fun on the pavement! Even with TKC-80 knobbies, it wheels thru the twisties like a sport bike.

[Bob]

Don, that new GS with the dynamic suspension is (from what I've read) much more stable in the dirt than the previous models. So anytime you want to try out it's "dirt legs", holler and we'll all go out one day. Who knows.....

[Yarbi]

Thanks will do. I am heading out to the Georgia Mountain Rally tomorrow. Suppose to be a great rally. It is a camping rally. Maybe next week. May have to look for one of those true dirt bikes. Had those on the farm and they are much more forgiving. Don

[Bob]

Here's a nice one--bet he'd knock $1000 off......

http://greenville.craigslist.org/mcy/4994898489.html

[LeeDavis]

Here's a nice one--bet he'd knock $1000 off......

Dang, that's too pretty...it needs to be tore up some.

[Brick]

I ride that on my Tenere' but GS... Oh not sure!


I am out riding my Super Teneré'!

[Yarbi]

Oh come on!

[Bob]

I ride that on my Tenere' but GS... Oh not sure!


I am out riding my Super Teneré'!

Yeah those old mens GS bikes can't do the dirt. Mine gets squirrely if I EVEN ride past the entrance to Brown Mountain beach rd.

[LeeDavis]

Brick, I'd pay money to see you try to turn that Tenere around on the single track Bob and me went down a ways before thinking better of it!

[Brick]

Hell you would probably pay more to see me fall down in the mud yesterday.


I am out riding my Super Teneré'!

[LeeDavis]

Hell you would probably pay more to see me fall down in the mud yesterday.

If you posted a pic of that it'd probably be worth a million $$$!!

[Bob]

Hell you would probably pay more to see me fall down in the mud yesterday.
I am out riding my Super Teneré'!

Didn't happen. Brick doesn't fall.

[Brick]

I did but I don't have any photos... So does that mean it didn't happen?


I am out riding my Super Teneré'!

[Bob]

I did but I don't have any photos... So does that mean it didn't happen?
I am out riding my Super Teneré'!

That Brick is such a comedian. He wants us to believe he actually FELL in the mud!


Hope you're ok. Hows the bike? Mud is soft....

[Brick]

I"m bruised up a little but OK. The Saddle bag on the right side now sports a dint and it took off one of the hanger spools. I"m about to call Twisted Throttle and see if I can get a replacement.

I didn't even see that the one mount was gone and well... I rode over 600 miles with it off with loaded saddle bags so perhaps I only need 3 on that side?

[Yarbi]

You better be careful, don't want to spoil the EU trip!!

[Yarbi]

We are getting to old to fall down! It hurts more now!

[Bob]

We are getting to old to fall down! It hurts more now!

Damn straight!