Anyone running a motorcycle setup for backcountry trips?

[Shane Limbeck]

Some places are better reached on two wheels. Dirt, gravel, or mountain passes that beat up a truck but call to a bike.

Who’s running a motorcycle setup for the backcountry? Let’s see your rig, your loadout, and how you make it work when the pavement ends.

 

[Joe Ferronato]

Currently have a DRZ and Royal Enfield Himalayan. The DRZ is a bit sportier for the more fun riding, while the Himalayan packs the gear and is very comfortable for extended rides. Pics to follow.

 

[evh1evh1]

I’ve been riding dirty bikes all my life. Currently, I’m into ADV bikes the last few years. I’ve got a Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro that is the best I’ve ridden yet. BMW, Ducati, Yamaha are all good dang bikes but this triple motor is so smooth. Like Goldilocks and the 3 Bears, this one is just right. I’m headed to do the SEBDR soon and then head out west again to Colorado and Montana in the spring. Ride More!

 

[Milo'sSyndicate]

 

[Milo'sSyndicate]

Wife found me this '04 true ADV this summer. Somebody threw high end bolt ons at it, put 11K miles on it and parked it; StainTune, Jesse bags, just completing the full services on it. Insane value; before she even showed me the advert she said: If this is accurate, you HAVE TO buy it. Not a big fan of the servo-assist systems but it has the ABS-Off button, among other things, relatively analog big twin.

 

[Mike Schoby]

I have ben and out of motorcycles for 20 years now. Thought I was out of them, until Honda released their new version of the 125 trail a few years back. Had to buy one just for running around gravel forest service roads and trails here in Montana. It has been fun and plan on doing more backcountry exploring with it this year. Up until now it has just been fun around the property where I load the daughter on back, the boy between my legs and I channel my inner Vietnamese.

 

[Wiley Watson]

I have ben and out of motorcycles for 20 years now. Thought I was out of them, until Honda released their new version of the 125 trail a few years back. Had to buy one just for running around gravel forest service roads and trails here in Montana. It has been fun and plan on doing more backcountry exploring with it this year. Up until now it has just been fun around the property where I load the daughter on back, the boy between my legs and I channel my inner Vietnamese.

You should probably upgrade those cc’s Mike. With only 125 cc, you’re going to be hard on that clutch!

 

[Wiley Watson]

View attachment 470

Those GS’s are beasts. Get some Mosko Moto bags for saddles.

 

[Milo'sSyndicate]

Those GS’s are beasts. Get some Mosko Moto bags for saddles.

Yup, this one came with Jesse hard bags. I bought our first one new in '96 (R1100GSA) put 60K miles on it, got my CCS racing license on it in twins, and then a sponsor took it in on trade for a GSXR1K. Wife had a 650GS, she put 55K on that one touring with the ladies. The new Honda TransAlps and Yamaha Teneres are GREAT maintenance wise, compared to the BMWs but nothing handles like a BMW. These "older" GSs are now a dime a dozen, Patreon creator Kevin Johnson will walk you through any/all maintenance hacks today with his vids., even provides his phone number for Subs contacts/consultations.

 

[Wiley Watson]

Yup, this one came with Jesse hard bags. I bought our first one new in '96 (R1100GSA) put 60K miles on it, got my CCS racing license on it in twins, and then a sponsor took it in on trade for a GSXR1K. Wife had a 650GS, she put 55K on that one touring with the ladies. The new Honda TransAlps and Yamaha Teneres are GREAT maintenance wise, compared to the BMWs but nothing handles like a BMW. These "older" GSs are now a dime a dozen, Patreon creator Kevin Johnson will walk you through any/all maintenance hacks today with his vids., even provides his phone number for Subs contacts/consultations.

@Jason Vincent rode a Tenere through New Zealand last year and loved it. That seems to be one of the best introductory adventure bikes on the market today.

 

[Mike Schoby]

Agreed Wiley - the 125 will go to the kids shortly. Yeah looking to buy a light trail bike in the 250cc range - what would you recommend.

 

[Wiley Watson]

If we get a Kawasaki partnership I’d go for the KLX 300. For a Yamaha I’d do the WR 250F

 

[Rjohnson.307]

I've been thinking about building out a Honda CRF250 to mirror this one for running around the mountains.

DIRTY CIVILIAN — Bike Build

dirtycivilian.com

 

[YETI]

Before my second neck surgery, I rode dirt and ADV bikes for many years. Here are a couple of my bikes over the years:
KTM 530EXCR with a Neduro rally kit. This was such a fun bike to camp off

KTM 950S -this thing was a BEAST

BMW GS1150A down at Gonzaga Bay in Baja (pro tip, metal panniers can make a great cooler for your Tecates)

BMW 1100GS

And my Honda XR650R

I've had a bunch of bikes over the years ranging from street bikes, to crotch rockets, and lots of dirt bikes. The one bike I really miss is that 1150GSA. I bought it sight unseen and rode it all over the southwest and Baja an it never once let me down. So many great memories on that bike...

 

[Wiley Watson]

I've been thinking about building out a Honda CRF250 to mirror this one for running around the mountains.

DIRTY CIVILIAN — Bike Build

dirtycivilian.com

View attachment 2441

Looks cool, but those are mostly tits and lipstick. CRF 250 L’s are dogs, but for mellow cruising they probably fit the bill.

 

[Wiley Watson]

Before my second neck surgery, I rode dirt and ADV bikes for many years. Here are a couple of my bikes over the years:
KTM 530EXCR with a Neduro rally kit. This was such a fun bike to camp off

KTM 950S -this thing was a BEAST

BMW GS1150A down at Gonzaga Bay in Baja (pro tip, metal panniers can make a great cooler for your Tecates)

BMW 1100GS

And my Honda XR650R

I've had a bunch of bikes over the years ranging from street bikes, to crotch rockets, and lots of dirt bikes. The one bike I really miss is that 1150GSA. I bought it sight unseen and rode it all over the southwest and Baja an it never once let me down. So many great memories on that bike...

Is that other picture San Fransisquito? The XR650’s were always fun to start!

 

[YETI]

Is that other picture San Fransisquito? The XR650’s were always fun to start!

Which other picture? Yeah, starting the XR could be a beast! It was a Baja 1000 pre-run bike before I bought it so it had some engine tweaks and tall gearing so it would go over 100 mph. I looked into putting an electric starter on it, iirc Honda made a UTV that used the same engine with an electric starter but sold it because I needed a lighter bike for the kind of riding I was doing

 

[Milo'sSyndicate]

Agreed Wiley - the 125 will go to the kids shortly. Yeah looking to buy a light trail bike in the 250cc range - what would you recommend.

 

[Rjohnson.307]

Looks cool, but those are mostly tits and lipstick. CRF 250 L’s are dogs, but for mellow cruising they probably fit the bill.

For me I put more emphasis on light weight, I want to be able to throw it around on tight trails.

I have no desire to go fast, I scratched that itch many years ago when I was 21 and bought a GSXR750.

 

[spalind]

Not the svelte lady that’s the Tenere, nor the newest thing anymore but I love her nonetheless…