View Full Version : Off road biking.
I'm off to South Africa in September on a bike tour.:p:p:p:p
Thing is though I've never ridden off road.:)
I have been assured though that I should be fine as the 'off road' roads are compacted gravel.
So my question is how different is off road riding from on road riding? Is there anything I can do to help prepare myself?
Now I have a choice of bike. BMW F650G S, BMWF650G S Dakar or BMW R1150GS ( :rolleyes:as if).
So my next question is other than the fact that the SV is an on road bike, how different is it from the F650G S/F650G S Dakar? Which one should I go for??
Any help is most appreciated.
Wow cool. Really cool. (Not helpful)
rictus01
07-05-08, 02:46 PM
Both the F650's are single's so the power is slightly "lumpier" and the not so revy, the frames are narrower but taller (I think the Dakar is the taller of the two), all the controls are basically the same, so you shouldn't have a problem there, suspension is longer travel, so it'll pitch and dive a bit more than you're used to.
Not really sure what sort of pace they will be aimming at but generally you don't sit down so much and take most bumps threw the knees, but it all likelyhood they'll give you a bit of practise before setting off.
Good fun, you'll love it.
Cheers Mark.
yorkie_chris
07-05-08, 02:47 PM
F650 is really skinny and quite light compared to SV, good fun to ride.
No idea about the dakar model though, haven't ridden one but apparently is a bit higher and more offroad oriented.
Compacted gravel? The Sv'll do that :-P
busasean
07-05-08, 03:01 PM
Hi Melody, even riding on just gravel you would benefit from having some off road training as you will get knackered quicker sitting down, and you will find the bike much easier to control if it does start sliding/wheel spinning.
why dont you book yourself on an off road day, i did the yamaha off road school with a certain mr jones, best day on any bike i've ever had. if you were near sussex i could take you to a place we use and try and teach you the basics on my ktm.
sean
Thanks for the tips guys.
Busasean, I think I'll probably get some training beforehand. As Rictus said, I could have a day's worth of training over there( probably cheaper) but I think I'll do it over here. I'll see if there's anywhere in Yorkshire that does off road training. If not, mini holiday in Sussex for me then.
Wow cool. Really cool. (Not helpful)
Yep, and I'm soooooo excited. Roll on September.:smt041:smt041
yorkie_chris
07-05-08, 03:22 PM
Come and fk about on one of my triallies if you want
Come and fk about on one of my triallies if you want
now you dont get an offer like that every day.....
Think theres an off-road school in Bolton. Definitely recommend getting some training though. Expect to fall off, and expect to be knackered.
yorkie_chris
07-05-08, 09:30 PM
All part of the fun :-P
Come and fk about on one of my triallies if you want
...thank you. . . . I think :D
I'm off to South Africa in September on a bike tour..Dead jealous
Originally Posted by yorkie_chris http://forums.sv650.org/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?p=1501644#post1501644)
Come and fk about on one of my triallies if you want
Dead jealous :D
I'll see if there's anywhere in Yorkshire that does off road training.
BUMPY in Birstall, Tel: 01924 470432. Years since I've been there, and when I did go, it was on a trails bike, so a different kettle of fish really.
Very very good off road area though, with sprinkers for the dry weather. ;)
I got absolutely covered in mud!!
I think Bumpy is closed to all but Trials bikes, so thats Trails bikes out of the question.
If you can borrow an mx bike you could go to the Armthorpe mx track and tootle round there for think its ?30 a day.
Honda have bikes at Preston docks that you can hire and go round a small mx track. Its pretty cheap too and you'd probably end up with a crf110 which is very manageable. Not sure what the direct number is to arrange that but if you ring the number on the trax motorsport page they'll help ya. They do mx, quads, honda track, go karts, pit bikes, supermoto, minimoto and paintballing all at the same place although different tracks and paddocks. Fun day out.
I'd lend you my supermoto with slicks if you know a bit of dirt to see how much grip you get with no grooves or nobblies. Quite a bit. ;)
Red Herring
09-05-08, 06:39 AM
I'll see if there's anywhere in Yorkshire that does off road training.
I thought most of Yorkshire was off road.....:D
Fizzy Fish
09-05-08, 11:31 AM
sounds like a fun trip!
re bike, if you're shortish then I'd suggest the standard F650GS rather than the Dakar, which is taller. I'm 5'6'' and found the F650GS fine to ride, and comfy too. It is underpowered and has a somewhat uninspiring engine compared to the SV, but that doesn't really matter if you're riding on gravel roads/off-road.
BUMPY in Birstall, Tel: 01924 470432.
Ta.
sounds like a fun trip!
re bike, if you're shortish then I'd suggest the standard F650GS rather than the Dakar, which is taller. I'm 5'6'' and found the F650GS fine to ride, and comfy too. It is underpowered and has a somewhat uninspiring engine compared to the SV, but that doesn't really matter if you're riding on gravel roads/off-road.
I'm the same height as you so will probably go for the F650GS. Ta.
LEXINGTONONE
10-05-08, 08:00 AM
Might not help, but would go to bumpy, although not sure if they hire trials bikes for adults, I know they do for kids, I would advise everyone to do some off roading, it improves your control lots, I think trials is best to teach you control of a bike in general, I have done trials, motocross and road racing and am sure the trials helped me most.
Fizzy Fish
10-05-08, 09:29 AM
Ta.
no probs! where exactly are you going in SA?
I'm off to South Africa in September on a bike tour.:p:p:p:p
Thing is though I've never ridden off road.:)
I have been assured though that I should be fine as the 'off road' roads are compacted gravel.
So my question is how different is off road riding from on road riding? Is there anything I can do to help prepare myself?
Now I have a choice of bike. BMW F650G S, BMWF650G S Dakar or BMW R1150GS ( :rolleyes:as if).
So my next question is other than the fact that the SV is an on road bike, how different is it from the F650G S/F650G S Dakar? Which one should I go for??
Any help is most appreciated.
Well, let me give you the beneft of my experience!!
Get off road experience before you go!!!!
I learned as I went thru' Russia & Kaz & though I learned loads I still came off & ruined my trip. I came off on a rutted track with sand banks. I was tackling it in second with loads of beenz but still came a cropper.
The 1150 will be too heavy, don't consider it.
How tall are you? I'm 5ft6 & the dakar was probably the wrong bike for me. Too tall/heavy.
The f650 would have been the better option. With adaptations (i.e. swapping the 19 inch wheel out for the dakar's 21 inch).
The BMW has lots of issues though. It's a right pig to access anything. To swap out the headlight bulb you need to take the entire front of the bike off. To change oil you need to take it out of 3 places, which involves taking of loads of panels....the spark change is a similar pain, nothing is a 2 minute job.
I was impressed by the Yamaha 660xt (2006 model) not the $$$ Tenere. It had a much better turning circle & seemed to be the more adaptable.
Do a bum test on the bike before hand (for as long as you can) fully loaded as well. Put the bike down & try to pick it back up.
no probs! where exactly are you going in SA?
Will be riding from Cape Town to Windhoek. Total of about 2100 miles.:D. About half the trip will be on dirt roads.
But I'm now thinking of doing Cape Town to Jo' burg, along Route 62, 2600 miles, all on road.
Well, let me give you the beneft of my experience!!
Get off road experience before you go!!!!
I learned as I went thru' Russia & Kaz & though I learned loads I still came off & ruined my trip. I came off on a rutted track with sand banks. I was tackling it in second with loads of beenz but still came a cropper.
The 1150 will be too heavy, don't consider it.
How tall are you? I'm 5ft6 & the dakar was probably the wrong bike for me. Too tall/heavy.
The f650 would have been the better option. With adaptations (i.e. swapping the 19 inch wheel out for the dakar's 21 inch).
The BMW has lots of issues though. It's a right pig to access anything. To swap out the headlight bulb you need to take the entire front of the bike off. To change oil you need to take it out of 3 places, which involves taking of loads of panels....the spark change is a similar pain, nothing is a 2 minute job.
I was impressed by the Yamaha 660xt (2006 model) not the $$$ Tenere. It had a much better turning circle & seemed to be the more adaptable.
Do a bum test on the bike before hand (for as long as you can) fully loaded as well. Put the bike down & try to pick it back up.
Thanks for the insight Dirk.
I am now considering just sticking to 'proper' roads for my trip. As much as I'd like to think I can, I'm not entirely sure I'd be able to do about 1300 miles off road.:?
I'll be avoiding the Dakar and going for the F650 GS model instead. I'm the same height as you.
I shan't have much luggage on the bike as there'll be a support vehicle which will carry our stuff along with spares and tools etc.
So my trip is not as autonomous and adventurous as yours but still an immensely exciting challenge for me.:D
Fizzy Fish
11-05-08, 07:53 AM
I was impressed by the Yamaha 660xt (2006 model)
the XT has come out as our favourite for the same reasons, tho the big problem with the fuel injected 660cc models is getting hold of a bigger tank - so far there's only one place in Germany that does them and they charge c. 800 euros! You can get an Acerbis tank for the 600cc version though, and tbh as long as you're not doing altitude the carbed version would probably be the better bet.
btw if you're back in the country at the start of July why don't you join us for the Horizons meet in Derbyshire? take advantage of the fact that there are other people who have learned this stuff the hard way on your behalf - and maybe help a few others out yourself!
Will be riding from Cape Town to Windhoek. Total of about 2100 miles.:D. About half the trip will be on dirt roads.
But I'm now thinking of doing Cape Town to Jo' burg, along Route 62, 2600 miles, all on road.
tbh there's not that much going on inland (plus it gets very hot!) so IMHO your coastal trip sounds like the nicer option. The dirt roads in SA aren't generally too bad, just take it easy and allow plenty of time and you should be fine.
If you are keen to keep away from the gravel though, the other thing would be to take a run East along the coast from CT, which gets more traffic and hence has more proper roads.
And whatever you do I thoroughly recommend taking the coastal road around the Cape Penninsular as part of your journey - it's gorgeous!
the XT has come out as our favourite for the same reasons, tho the big problem with the fuel injected 660cc models is getting hold of a bigger tank - so far there's only one place in Germany that does them and they charge c. 800 euros! You can get an Acerbis tank for the 600cc version though, and tbh as long as you're not doing altitude the carbed version would probably be the better bet.
2 x 5 litre petrol cans tied down to your panniers will be a much cheaper option! That should then give you a tank range of 320-340 miles.
Fizzy Fish
11-05-08, 08:19 AM
2 x 5 litre petrol cans tied down to your panniers will be a much cheaper option! That should then give you a tank range of 320-340 miles.
yeah, there's no way i'm paying 800 euros for a tank, that's for sure!
i would try a wee bit off road while over there it might just be dirt roads and not too bad - you might love it. but 1300 miles off road wow. I did a days off roading but it was real off roading with rivers and cliffs and trees and rocks and muddy bits about 1 foot deep. I have never been so tired and sore, thats not including the chipped shoulder I got.
Hope you have a fantastic time though.
And whatever you do I thoroughly recommend taking the coastal road around the Cape Penninsular as part of your journey - it's gorgeous!
Yes. It is truly spectacular. Would be great to do it by bike this time.
i would try a wee bit off road while over there it might just be dirt roads and not too bad - you might love it. but 1300 miles off road wow. I did a days off roading but it was real off roading with rivers and cliffs and trees and rocks and muddy bits about 1 foot deep. I have never been so tired and sore, thats not including the chipped shoulder I got.
Hope you have a fantastic time though.
1300 miles is an awful lot. But it's dirt roads which aren't too bad. Still undecided though about which route to take.:confused:
Fizzy Fish
12-05-08, 09:34 AM
1300 miles is an awful lot. But it's dirt roads which aren't too bad. Still undecided though about which route to take.:confused:
The West coast is supposed to be stunning, so sounds like a good choice of trip. If you need more info about how the roads are in that particular part of the country/what a reasonable daily mileage would be, try the Horizons Unlimited web forum as there are others who've done a similar route by bike before.
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