"BrokenMostWeeks" (brokenmostweeks)
09/30/2020 at 11:17 • Filed to: two wheels good
15
41|
"BrokenMostWeeks" (brokenmostweeks)
09/30/2020 at 11:17 • Filed to: two wheels good | 15
| 41 |
A new (favorite) way to adventure.
Growing up, riding dirt bikes was one of my favorite things to do, but after 10yr of riding the same field, it kinda lost its spark. Now what?
Riding a motorcycle on the street seemed terrifying- all those machines looked like they’d do 200mph without blinking, and the thought of sharing the road with cars froze me with fear.
I recently began learning a ton about dual-sport riding, and that got my interest big time. There are a billion places in the backcountry to find adventure that I couldn’t/wouldn’t want to take even a Jeep, but are public lands and public roads. A dirt bike with a license plate is the perfect tool for the job.
I sold my old Yamaha YZ80 death-machine when I was 16 and hadn’t touched a bike since. Now 30, I fell down the rabbit hole thanks to coworkers and reading all your adventures here. Upon learning about the old airhead BMW boxers, and given my bias, I had to have one, so I drove to Ohio in June for what seemed to be a good specimen. It’s... been a BMW, which means it’s been broken enough to not ride more than around the neighborhood, but that’s another story. So I bought a Honda.
Monday, on my first ride out, we covered nearly 80mi in the beautiful mountains of my backyard in western North Carolina on a route I made up in google maps. We’ll call it the ‘Lap of Linville Gorge’, and the north/south directions are entirely dirt forest service roads with some spectacular scenery. Even on the 15-20mi of paved sections, there were very few cars, which was a big confidence booster.
Linville Gorge, with Table Rock on the left
But those forest roads... sometimes technical, twisty, muddy, rocky, and exposed. Other times mellow and somehow smooth while still being dirt, and you can let the machines open up a bit.
My little 230cc Honda (a CRF230M for those familiar) is pretty much wide open all the time, as it makes less than 20hp. Think Miata-like ‘slow car fast’ type of fun, and you’re getting the picture. It’s fun.
It’s small, light-ish, and nimble enough to throw around in the rough stuff and blast out of the many nicely cambered hairpins with the throttle pinned. No worries about the rear tire spinning you off the cliff or hooking and pulling the front end up. These little dirt forest roads become your personal rally stages, and on the paved surfaces, you can ride it like a Moto GP race and have the most fun while going 35mph.
Fall colors just starting...
I have big plans for more adventure dual-sport riding (hello Backcountry Discovery Routes), and will definitely need to get a more serious machine when those times come, but for now, mind my last-minute lunchbox tied to the rear rack snack carrier and the fact this little Honda will only top out around 65mph (which feels... more than enough).
This is my new favorite thing.
My adventure rig WJ
jminer
> BrokenMostWeeks
09/30/2020 at 11:21 |
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Beautiful pictures!
Like you I grew up riding dirt bikes and am terrified of modern high performance bikes. I just have no inclination to go that fast, my 500cc parallel twin with 47 hp will do fine thank you.
krustywantout
> BrokenMostWeeks
09/30/2020 at 11:23 |
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So jealous! I have been looking at the Africa Twin and maybe a Multistrada 95
0
but am now leaning towards something smaller and more nimble like a CRF450L. Thank you for sharing!
ShrimpHappens, née WJalopy
> BrokenMostWeeks
09/30/2020 at 11:29 |
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What’ve you done to the WJ to have so little squat with that bike hanging on back?
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BrokenMostWeeks
> jminer
09/30/2020 at 11:30 |
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Thank you!
Your 500X does sound like a pretty ideal machine for a ton of people. Rally Raid over in the UK makes some really neat stuff for them too.
Having fun at any speed is what it’s all about.
E90M3
> BrokenMostWeeks
09/30/2020 at 11:33 |
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Western NC? Need to plan a drive on some of the roads near Ashville at some point.
vondon302
> BrokenMostWeeks
09/30/2020 at 11:33 |
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Nice pics!
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BrokenMostWeeks
> krustywantout
09/30/2020 at 11:33 |
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Before this ride I was lu sting after a BMW GS, Honda AT, or Yamaha T7.
After this ride, I feel that a Honda 450L is ideal, although a 250L or Yamaha WR250 is more likely to happen.
A few miles on pavement at 55 on this little thing is more than enough, so it definitely depends on your type of riding. I want to skew much more to the dirt side of the scale.
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BrokenMostWeeks
> ShrimpHappens, née WJalopy
09/30/2020 at 11:35 |
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IRO 3” lift with new spring isolators and Bilstein 5100s all the way around.
Empty it sits a little rear high, with the bike it squats a little, but not awful.
Rides sooooo nice though
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BrokenMostWeeks
> E90M3
09/30/2020 at 11:36 |
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Count me in!
I usually go up towards Boone and eastern TN, but have been wanting to explore more of the Asheville end of the mountains
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BrokenMostWeeks
> vondon302
09/30/2020 at 11:37 |
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Thank you!
HammerheadFistpunch
> BrokenMostWeeks
09/30/2020 at 11:38 |
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I gotta find me something like that.
Speed
> BrokenMostWeeks
09/30/2020 at 11:40 |
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Absolutely stunning. I’ve got the same outlook on motorcycle ownership, but never really seriously considered picking up a dual sport to explore with. I really like the idea. Time to start looking.
Here’s a trail from my neck of the woods you’ll appreciate. It’s called the Kentucky Adventure Tour and it’s 1,000 miles of mostly forest roads and trails. I got the GPX coordinates off of the Facebook group and have tried a little of it. The eastern most part of it shouldn’t be too far from you. There’s a website, some articles and social media accounts associated with it. The guy that laid the trail out is a motorcycle guy so it’s actually geared towards bikes.
Also look up the Georgia Traverse if you ever decide to head down that way. The west gets all the glory, but we have some killer routes east of the Mississippi.
https://www.treadmagazine.com/trails-tales/kentucky-adventure-tour/
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BrokenMostWeeks
> HammerheadFistpunch
09/30/2020 at 11:41 |
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They’re really about the perfect size for what I think you’re looking for as a runabout exploration tool.
Easy and light to throw on the back, but definitely not suited for long expeditions.
Think of it as the Honda version of the Yamaha TW when setup like this 230M with the bigly tires. The 230L is much easier to find.
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krustywantout
> BrokenMostWeeks
09/30/2020 at 11:41 |
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I have been in the BMW camp (had a 2001 R1100RT) and the bike was great except for the BMW tax on parts/accessories and it was top heavy. Now I stick with Japanese bikes due to the fact sourcing parts is easier/less expensive and they have fewer quirks than the Euro bikes. I currently have a 20 13 ZX14-R that I have setup for commuting/sport touring which I love . I’ve recently started mountain biking and now have the motorcycle trail itch. Next year....
OhCrikeyTheRozzers
> BrokenMostWeeks
09/30/2020 at 11:43 |
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Great post, thanks for sharing. I’m sort of the opposite track—been street since I was legal on a 50cc scooter and after more than 20 years (including a 10 year stretch in downtown Chicago) the risk of street riding has become almost too much to tolerate anywhere outside of lightly travelled backroads. Got all the way up to super bikes, and sold my CBR1100XX a few years back for my current Tiger 800 XC. I’ve been hitting gravel and dirt roads when I can, and i deally in a few years I’ll be down to the Tiger and a Honda 250, only riding back roads and trails . Lot of fun riding a slow bike fast and glad to see you’ve renewed your p assion for riding—hoping to ultimately get to the same place myself.
Just Jeepin'
> Speed
09/30/2020 at 11:46 |
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I’ve been wanting to take my Jeep on the Kentucky route. There’s also a Wisconsin trail, the regrettably-named TWAT.
valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option
> BrokenMostWeeks
09/30/2020 at 11:52 |
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Great pics, great story, thanks for sharing!
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Speed
> Just Jeepin'
09/30/2020 at 11:54 |
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I just want to run it so I can get a trendy #overland badge that says something like, “I explored the TWAT”
You certainly should come out this way for the KAT. I’m going to run some of it with my wife’s Jeep this fall, but want to get my Silverado done before we do anything that may result in pinstripes and trail rash. I’d love to hit it then go out and do the Traverse in GA.
Ever heard of the Butterfield Route in Oklahoma? That may be my third.
https://expeditionportal.com/retracing-the-butterfield-route-across-oklahoma/
shop-teacher
> BrokenMostWeeks
09/30/2020 at 11:58 |
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That’s awesome! I wish we had roads like that around here.
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Just Jeepin'
> Speed
09/30/2020 at 11:58 |
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Nope, but I’ll do you one better:
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Speed
> Just Jeepin'
09/30/2020 at 12:30 |
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Now you’re just getting extreme! That’s like the final boss on the USA map before hitting the Pan-American. I need more vacation time. Seriously. That or these folks need to let me work remote.
Speaking of Trans Am... I was coming in from lunch earlier and had to stop and watch a Bandit Trans Am leave the FedEx hub next door. I was a minute late clocking in, but damn what a good looking car.
Milky
> BrokenMostWeeks
09/30/2020 at 12:37 |
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T hats cool and all but im gonna need a WJ post.
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Milky
> BrokenMostWeeks
09/30/2020 at 12:37 |
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T hats cool and all but im gonna need a WJ post.
ibRAD
> BrokenMostWeeks
09/30/2020 at 12:49 |
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That looks like fun. And I’ve got thousands of acres of crown land 5 mins from my driveway. One day I’ll get a couple of these or something similar for the wife and I
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ShrimpHappens, née WJalopy
> BrokenMostWeeks
09/30/2020 at 14:10 |
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Oh man don't make me go by my local dealer
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BrokenMostWeeks
> Speed
09/30/2020 at 15:22 |
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Thank you for the kind words, as well as the information on that adventure!
Definitely adding that one to the list of ‘things to do’. The list is growing by the day, but I see that as a good thing.
The west has all the public lands we don’t get, but you’re absolutely right in that us easterners still have a pretty excellent array of adventure locations; we just have to look a little harder.
Hopefully you can join in on the dual-sport fun as well!
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BrokenMostWeeks
> krustywantout
09/30/2020 at 15:27 |
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Haha I think we’re both on the same page when it comes to Euro vs Japanese in both 2- and 4-wheeled arenas.
I don’t actually expect ze Germans to work, so they’re the toys (the R80RT and M3). The Japanese fun-havers (Miata RF and the CRF230M) are thankfully always ready to go.
That ZX14 is a monster of a bike... how are you liking it??
I too went down the MTB rabbit hole, still ride, but thought the motorized version sounded equally fun in a different way. Hope you can join!
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BrokenMostWeeks
> OhCrikeyTheRozzers
09/30/2020 at 15:30 |
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Thank you!
Very interesting to hear your take from the opposite end of the spectrum. Sounds like you’ve had some killer machines!
The road riding is still scary to me, but I think that’s a good thing. I don’t want to get complacent, but I do want to get more comfortable. I suppose that will come with experience.
The dual sport life is a great compromise and exploration tool. Hope you get to join in!
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BrokenMostWeeks
> valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option
09/30/2020 at 15:30 |
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Thanks a bunch!
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BrokenMostWeeks
> shop-teacher
09/30/2020 at 15:32 |
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you don’t seem to be having any shortage of two-wheeled fun, and that’s what matters!
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BrokenMostWeeks
> Milky
09/30/2020 at 15:33 |
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More than happy to oblige.
Full report incoming, though I can’t say exactly when I’ll get to it
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BrokenMostWeeks
> ibRAD
09/30/2020 at 15:33 |
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Highly recommend getting in on the fun
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BrokenMostWeeks
> ShrimpHappens, née WJalopy
09/30/2020 at 15:35 |
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I’m not going to say don’t do it... this is Oppo. Literally the most enabling place around haha.
So.... do it!
For reference, this is a one year only model, so sorta rare, but it should be in the $3000 range, and hopefully under 10, 000mi
HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
> BrokenMostWeeks
09/30/2020 at 15:38 |
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Man that looks like a great place to ride. Maybe I can bring my XT next time we go to NC to visit family. I wouldn’t ride it there tho. Lol. Altho I do want to make a solo Wi- NC Off freeway trip on my Marauder next year. Or maybe I’ll wait till I have a better tourer lol
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Speed
> BrokenMostWeeks
09/30/2020 at 15:44 |
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Absolutely. It’s a beautiful country with coast to coast variety. My wife and I have considered moving to the Carolinas. You get the mountains and the ocean so it’s a win win. That second picture with Table Rock is frame and hang beautiful.
I’m a fan of the Rubicon wheels on the WJ. The ‘07 Wrangler we picked up a few weeks ago has a set just like it and they make the Jeep.
Once I get a few projects knocked out I may pick up a cheap dual sport. My dad keeps snagging dirt cheap bikes so I’ll have to see if he can set one aside for me. I wanted the Honda CR500 he’s got, but he did get some sort of street legal bike recently. I think it’s an old Honda XL or something.
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BrokenMostWeeks
> HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
09/30/2020 at 19:13 |
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The more I dig into this stuff, the more I find too... it’s just the beginning of the adventure
I think an XT would be great on the sort of trip this one was! Definitely bring it down. J ust look for squigglys on google maps or forest service maps, see if they’re dirt, and bingo
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BrokenMostWeeks
> Speed
09/30/2020 at 19:19 |
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Thank you for that compliment! That’s really motivating for my photography
While the NC citizens can sometimes be a bit... old-school in their social thinking, shall we say... the state itself has so much geographic variety. If you can get over the social aspect, it’s a pretty great place. Definitely a win-win, as you say.
I’ve kicked around throwing the BFGs on the stock wheels again for a different look (I get bored), but the Rubi wheels just work on these- I’m surprised more people don’t do it.
Oh boy... a CR500 is a monster! Haha I can highly recommend everyone getting a dual sport though
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shop-teacher
> BrokenMostWeeks
09/30/2020 at 22:31 |
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This is quite true!
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krustywantout
> BrokenMostWeeks
10/01/2020 at 08:37 |
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Love the ZX14R. I have added a taller windscreen and handlebar risers. Every time you twist the throttle, it feels like the hand of God is pushing you. No drama, just pure thrust. It is so smooth and it actually has more torque than most Harley
s so you can ride it in 6th gear at 45mph. It doesn’t like to go slow though
; the water temp goes up very fast unless it has enough air going through it’s radiator (
45 mph or higher)
. It likes to cruise around 80-
90 MPH @
5000 rp
m
and a small twist of the throttle,
you’re going 130 and that’s in 6th gear. It is also very long. I’m 5'9" and I can put both
feet down but the
reach
for the handlebars
is very long, the risers help reduce that.
It has been the best motorcycle I have ever had.
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BrokenMostWeeks
> krustywantout
10/01/2020 at 09:54 |
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That’s a gorgeous machine!
It just looks fast sitting there, and judging by its gearing and cooling, sounds like it needs to go fast.
I can’t imagine something with that kind of power. Sounds terrifying, but it also sounds fun. Excellent choice!
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krustywantout
> BrokenMostWeeks
10/01/2020 at 10:18 |
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Thank you.
This was my first bike that had over 100 HP but it produces it so smoothly;
it doesn’t feel intimidating. It is also not light
(53
0lbs)
,
has two power modes,
and traction control. The bike is very stable and well balanced so it doesn’t feel like it’s trying to kill you. If you have a chance to put a leg over one
do it after you have driven some larger displacement bikes so you can manage the throttle. Other than that, it’s not that terrifying.