Dune climb.

[FDB]

Episode 1.
On the ec200
I'll be back!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoXHneClfqw

[shang]

Are you using a paddle? I'm guessing by the rest of the terrain you aren't. I Have the Little Sahara dunes and St. Anthony Idaho dunes within 3hrs of me so I go quite often, but I haven't had the 300 out there yet. I'm curious how it will do.

[FDB]

No paddle.
You are right. the rest of the terrain does not allow it.
But with a paddle i'm sure i would have made it.
Or if it was early morning or late afternoon. The sand was hot and dry. Very tough to get up when its like that.

[Ryderod]

Dunes are currently very loose, like riding up a huge heap of baby powder! I also failed on my attempt on my EC300, but I must confess, I'm not overly keen on wringing a bike's neck when the conditions aren't ideal, so until it rains properly I will give it a good one off 70% effort and leave it be..

[FDB]

Not me.
I have declared war on that dune.
I'm even pondering these tires:

http://moto.michelin.co.uk/tyres/mic...arcross-sand-4
But i don't think you get them in an 18"

[kyton]

Well you wouldn't find my swaping tyres every time i decide to ride some sand. Too much effort.

[liv2day]

Originally Posted by FDB

Not me.
I have declared war on that dune.

LOL - good couple attempts to crest that thing

I haven't ridden sand before; what's your air box look like after being out there...like a beach was imported? My buddy and I joke with each other that the dunes are where 2-strokes go to die.

Looking forward to episode 2

[shang]

Liv2day, I don't think the dunes near me or the Oregon dunes for that matter are very dusty. I have trail rides that require a filter change after a few hours sometimes but I can go a weekend in the dunes without a problem. Although the GasGas air box might tell a different story once I finally get out there.


I have heard a lot of people say that sand dunes ruin bikes, but that hasn't been my experience with my bikes or the people I ride with. I just think there is more of a party culture out there and some of those people might be a little less likely to take care of there stuff. That's just my theory though. If I had no regard for the care and maintenance of of my bike I could easily destroy it in any terrain.

[bowhunter007]

If people cleaned their bikes after a sand trip, like they'd clean a boat after the salt water...I'd rather deal with sand. I used run my Bronco in the sand, and rarely had any issues. Where as others would go through U-joints, axle seals, etc. Extra grease before the sand, & thorough cleaning after equals good fun, and less headaches.

[Ryderod]

Originally Posted by liv2day

I haven't ridden sand before; what's your air box look like after being out there...like a beach was imported? My buddy and I joke with each other that the dunes are where 2-strokes go to die.

Those dunes are the closest place to ride in our area and are an extremely popular riding place. The biggest issue is that they are not beach sand dunes, but massive man made piles of this baby powder type gold mining waste, which includes traces of cyanide residue used in the gold processing. I personally have been riding these mining dunes for many many years with absolutely zero negative impact on any bike life, be it 2T or 4T.
The key to successfully riding this harsh environment continually is maintenance, as per any condition, a clean, properly oiled air filter with a nice run of LM grease around the sealing face is most important, I also do not like oiling the filter too long before a ride, but personally prefer doing this only the day before we ride. I also immediately toss out any oem air filter when getting a new bike and chuck in Twin Air ones.
The other critical thing is to rinse off the bike, soap it down and wash & rinse again straight after a ride, this I strictly adhere to, and I do not use a high pressure washer for this so as to minimize seal and bearing contamination.
Based on this maintenance we have enjoyed many years of trouble free fun on these dunes!