Anybody ever been on this trail/road? www.wabdr.com Just watching the one minute video gets me stoked! Anyone know of a Uly ever doing this route? Perhaps yourself??
Had planned on running it this past August with an eclectic group (GS 650, V-Stroms, KTM Adventure, etc.), but the Uly was getting some "end of the warranty period" work done (new ECM), and had to bail.
There are several good threads on ADVRider about the route (check the "Pacific NorthWet" thread if interested); safe to say the route would be challenging for the Uly, especially the 17" front wheel with no better front tire option than the Pirelli MT-60R... But still do-able for Ulys.
I have loose plans for an attempt next summer, probably after an XB9 gearing swap. . .
I am XB9'd and am interested. The 17 front bothers me. Only time I ever dumped my Uly was in sand. Amazing front brake sand is.
I wonder what it would take to 21" a Uly. Maybe a little rake via new triple mounts...different forks to handle dual disc brakes...off an older Sportster?
I see a Sportster dirt bike You Tube with Kain Saul doing a back flip on it. I LIKE that bike!
Im down for giving it a shot. It may be a bit tough on the Uly but after going on the NW Adventure ride with a bunch of KTM 990's and BMWs around Mt. Hood and down to Badger Lake and back I know the Uly can hang with them for the most part. The only place I had any trouble was when the trail got really muddy. Other than that, the Uly tackled dirt, a little sand, and gravel up to including baby head size rocks. I ran the Uly with the MT-60 and TKC-80 and THANKFULLY the Touratech muffler guard along w/Barkbusters.
I'd love to give a few sections of that trail a run next summer. I'm so far away though(MN), I wouldn't be able to help scout or anything. Plus I'd be faced with a decision; drive out there on the uly, do the trail, and ride back, or put the uly in the pickup truck and drive that out there, or fly out there and rent a cycle...... but I'd want to do it on my Uly. Hey, anyone ever loaded their cycle unto the Amtrak Empire Builder? Maybe that's an option......
@Uly_dude! Come up to Thunder Bay next summer, Can show you some Perfect Uly trails, very little sand, good drainage, FUN Rides!!! Check out the link I put up on the Extreme Uly use thread.
@Estresco! I would like to hear More about your Tire Combo. Could get myself in REAL Trouble with that setup!!! b.
@Eulysses "I wonder what it would take to 21" a Uly. Maybe a little rake via new triple mounts... different forks to handle dual disc brakes...off an older Sportster?" Think a 21" would require Major surgery on the Neck. But... With late triple trees, and 07 or earlier Forks, maybe a degree or two more rake into the triple trees... A 19" front might work! Tire selection would open up! If those folks that do the wire wheels for XB's could come up a 19" with lugs for the ZTL brake, We'd have a Winner! My riding style, I Love the ZTL brake, gives you more leverage, for finer control Love the Precision Eng 2" drop pegs and foot controls, shifts MUCH Better, finding neutral Easy. The brake pedal gives you adjustment in leverage & positioning, helps the rear brake Work MUCH Better. b.
These Wire Wheels! in 19"??? Doable, if they would.
Maybe move the Mod's Talk over to the extreme uly use thread? Interested in this Trail. Planning on riding my Uly down to the SoCal Desert end of next riding season. Then ride up the coast to WA & BC... Visiting family & Lifelong friends. And Maybe going on this trail ride and meeting some New friends. Then back home on the TransCanada Adventure trail at the start of riding season up here.
Or how about an old XTZ750. Cost about $750 here plus $200 for upgrades and $150 for a set of Avon Distanzias. A bike I used for 70k and used in all off roading.
Brucespoint, I just threw on a MT-60 front and the TKC-80 after reading over the threads on here. They worked out great for me. I was a little hesitant about the handling on the road but I have to admit they did just fine and I stayed with the pack as we tore up the windy roads getting up to Mt. Hood. I had no traction problems what so ever, except with section of the path that were muddy or had slick rocks, but I still went right through them (while holding breath). One of the few problems I found with the Uly on the ride is I bottomed out the suspension a lot. But Im a novice at riding my bike offroad, Im used to riding quads. So I could have stiffened up the suspension a bit more to help out. I plan on going on the new NW Adventure Ride and taking the Uly on more rides like that. I had so much and was great to go places on the Uly that so many people keeps telling us that it shouldnt go or will never hang/make it.
Going to have to try that tire setup next summer. Want to find another Uly front wheel, then I'll have two wheel sets, one for touring, one for playing on the dirt... And Ice in the winter! The forks.... have a leaking seal after the Northern Ontario rally. Clanked the front rim a few times on rocks, probably bottomed the forks a few times... Have seen people here discussing raising the oil level to get more control of damping. Will be trying that out. How is the MT-60 at holding the front on dirt while being pushed by the TKC-80? Love the clay surfaced roads up here just after a light rain, When it starts to steam off it gets REALLY Tacky. The REAL Fun starts Then. Oval Dirt Track style!!! b.
Bruce, thats what I did. I have a spare front and rear wheel that I put the tires on so I can just switch them when I feel like going more offroad. I picked up the spare parts I needed off this site from fellow Uly riders selling spare parts. The MT-60 works great with the TKC-80. When I wear down the 80 Im going to put the MT-60 rear tire on though and give it a shot. From what I have read and what other riders I've talked to said that is an even better combo when in nothing but dry stuff, only prob is that the tires are soft and will wear fast. I dont mind that since I'll only use them for offroad use, very little street.
Estresco - Your Uly looks good with that tire combo, glad that worked well; currently have the MT-60Rs on a spare "X" rims for off-paved road adventures, but would upgrade the rear to the TKC-80 or something similar before tackling the WABDR.
Would really like a beefier front tire - - but the closest "knobbiesque" thing looks like 120/90/17, so the aspect ratio is probably too tall. . . Actually would rather have a beefier front rubber than rear, preferring to slide the rear than having the front wash out...
For you NW guys, wouldn't mind putting a date on a the calendar for August - - once we get an idea of this year's snow pack...if you guys are serious about it.
Uly_dude... Yup, border has gotten to be a PITA, Killing tourism up here, putting people out of biz. They don't like DUI's, silly, considering that BEER is a National pastime up here. Bad as Australia, had a friend is a Badly needed profession get turned down because of an old DUI. Hopefully they are going to relax that soon, heard some noise bout that. Cause dammit, it's Beautiful up here! But Pigeon River Crossing is the only one I've EVER had problems at... Going that direction... It's Best place Going South Yet, low stress crossing, I guess to make up for the Ass's on the CDN side. A Training Station, run by dick's sent there cause no one else wants them at Their crossing or headquarters. Try Fort Frances, Much nicer people there. The riding is Worth it.
Estresco, I see a MT-60 in my future, we'll see bout the TKC 80... I Like having it a bit loose on the rear, just don't like losing the front. Sideways on Good clay roads w/ elevation changes, And left AND right curves is just Too Much FUN!!! Only time the the rear gets too loose is while its rain passing through, then its Greasy, but still fun. But while its Drying... Yee HaW!!! b.
Im down for putting a date on the calendar for a ride on the route. I plan on scouting it with my friend in his Jeep prior to ride so I'll have a better idea of certain bad areas and what to prep for. Plus he told me if he can swing it he'll be the follow vehicle which would be great to have.
Pnw, Glad to have you come along, one can never have to many 4x4's to scout and have some fun! If we dont get hit with snow like we did this year the trail might be ready earlier.
Posted on Wednesday, December 28, 2011 - 03:34 am:
I put that Conti TKC-80 (rear) and MT-60 (front) to go on the MT 1000 that someone on the ADV board ran summer 2010. They are still on the bike and do really really well on pavement. I do however wish I had put the TKC on the front. I think it would work but might need a little bit of trimming to clear the forks.
(Message edited by skinstains on December 28, 2011)
Hey Paul...My god man! What happened to the trailer ?! You didnt wash it did ya ?? It looks a lot happier (& cleaner) in the man cave. Im good anytime after newyears weekend. Let me know. Toodles, j