Who rides motorcycles?

[deserteagle71]

I rode 50 miles of mostly dirt today. Came home and ordered some better tires for the new bike. Stock tires are street bias. I ordered a classic combo D606 rear and MT21 front. Loved this combo on my Yamaha

Dirt oriented tires was absolutely the first mod I had to make to my Yamaha. Stock tires....might as well have been riding on ice, the way they skated around on the "marbles" of the dirt roads around here.

 

[scootr]

Dirt oriented tires was absolutely the first mod I had to make to my Yamaha. Stock tires....might as well have been riding on ice, the way they skated around on the "marbles" of the dirt roads around here.

I guess that manufactures think dual sport is 90% street and 10 percent dirt riding... For a lot of us it's 90% dirt and 10% street...Whatever your percentage is that Dunlop D606 is the best dirt tire I've had the pleasure of riding. Aired down (18 psi) it has grip magic.
Can't wait for to get the rear rack and the phone holder on this thing. The next 2 essentials.

 

[scootr]

Is this even real?

 

[not2old]

Is this even real?

I used to wonder about what I read or heard but now it's also what I see.

 

[deserteagle71]

Can wait for to get the rear rack and the phone holder on this thing. The next 2 essentials.

Never had much luck using a phone as a navigating tool. The pounding of rough roads, plus the hot sun shining down on it, just made the phone shut down. So I use an old Delorme GPS unit, plus an old Garmin Montana. Both are powered by the bike's 12 volt system and have handled every terrain without problem....including some pretty good crashes!

 

[scootr]

I've been using the phone...with some disappointment as you mentioned. Better than nothing but I am thinking about getting something better for the new bike. That's going to take a bit of research to make a decision.

 

[not2old]

I was on a dualsport ride this fall where the only route directions were by GPS and I followed a friend who used his phone. With no roll chart, I quickly realized that I better not get left behind as I would be SOL trying to find my way. Being old, we were able to divert to pavement back to the campsite after 95 KM (about 55 miles) I was very impressed at how quickly he determined we took a wrong turn, never more than about 100 feet. I intend to learn how to use this crap before next year. Pray for me!

 

[scootr]

Put a rear luggage rack on the Rally. 10 minute job. Looks good. Very minimal and great side grab handles for picking up the bike after an unscheduled stop.

Amazon.com: Xitomer Motorcycle Racks Fit for CRF300L Rear Rack Fit for CRF300L Rally 2021-2025 CRF300L Enduro Series Rear Luggage Rack : Automotive

Buy Xitomer Motorcycle Racks Fit for CRF300L Rear Rack Fit for CRF300L Rally 2021-2025 CRF300L Enduro Series Rear Luggage Rack: Luggage Racks - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[FullMetalBucket]

Supposedly newer phones are susceptible to damage from being mounted on motorcycles. Vibration can hurt the camera.

You can google it, but here’s one article from Apple

Exposure to vibrations, like those generated by high-powered motorcycle engines, might impact iPhone cameras - Apple Support

Looks like there’s a company Quadlock that makes a vibration dampener, but I don’t know if it really helps.

In any case just be aware and ymmv.

 

[FullMetalBucket]

Well I've already found what everybody says. If you ride it hard or fast the suspension is too soft and gets to bouncing. It is a good motorcycle but there sure are a lot of people upgrading the suspension on you tube. I am guilty of watching too much you tube. I think it depends upon how you ride.
Suspension is okay for light riding. If you want to race or you should have gotten a 450R then those riders will want upgrades.
Anza? notaz3 We may practically be neighbors. I'm by Lake Skinner.

Did you keep the Yamaha? What swayed you to the Honda? Seems like the suspension is where bike manufacturers save their pennies. I’ve seen that complaint on the majority of bikes I’ve researched and/or bought.

 

[scootr]

I got the new rear shock from K-tech installed. Didn't take too long. I did have to remove the side plastics to access the top bolt. It made a big improvement. Eliminated the bounce on big bumps and generally feels more planted. I went up the hill from hell to be sure...oh yeah - this is better. But the bike stands a little taller...I can either reduce the preload or add a pad on the kick stand.
Coming home I see a new rear tire on the bench by the gate. So that is next

 

[3930dave]

Hanging out on TBN threads like this.... hazardous to bank-account (mine)......

Garmin fan, and the XT2 I've been eyeing is on-sale.....

Rgds, D.

Garmin zūmo® XT2 | Motorcycle GPS Navigator

 

[CalG]

Hanging out on TBN threads like this.... hazardous to bank-account (mine)......

Garmin fan, and the XT2 I've been eyeing is on-sale.....

Rgds, D.

Garmin zūmo® XT2 | Motorcycle GPS Navigator

Dang!

Now I want one. My old Garmin NUVI is getting old.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

I bought a new motorcycle. I went in to pick up a OEM washer for the Yamaha and walked out with 2025 Honda CRF300L Rally Merry Christmas me.

I got the new rear shock from K-tech installed. Didn't take too long. I did have to remove the side plastics to access the top bolt. It made a big improvement. Eliminated the bounce on big bumps and generally feels more planted. I went up the hill from hell to be sure...oh yeah - this is better. But the bike stands a little taller...I can either reduce the preload or add a pad on the kick stand.
Coming home I see a new rear tire on the bench by the gate. So that is next

Congrats! My buddies and I were extolling the virtues of whether one needs 11" of suspension on both ends of a trail bike.

Seems most of us are in the 30-32" inseam and remember our '78 model trail bikes fondly.

Having to lower modern tall bikes is costly.

Wish they made a TW350.

 

[scootr]

Congrats! My buddies and I were extolling the virtues of whether one needs 11" of suspension on both ends of a trail bike.

Seems most of us are in the 30-32" inseam and remember our '78 model trail bikes fondly.

Having to lower modern tall bikes is costly.

Wish they made a TW350.

The TW is a fun looking bike. I don't know how it would be with a bigger motor given it's limited suspension. But you can wish...
I need 10" of ground clearance so I don't use 11 inches of suspension. lol
The 300 rally is tall. In stock form it squats several inches when mounted... but then 1/2 of the suspension is already used or at least loaded. I think it was designed for 140# man ... which is hard to find in the USA. Hence the need to upgrade the suspension for 180 #s.
We used to love the old Honda Elsinore and the CL350 Scrambler for scooting around the dirt back in the day.

 

[scootr]

Did you keep the Yamaha? What swayed you to the Honda? Seems like the suspension is where bike manufacturers save their pennies. I’ve seen that complaint on the majority of bikes I’ve researched and/or bought.

It's embarrassing but I was swayed by watching the you tube content called itchy boots. This young lady from the Netherlands rides the CRF250L bike across Africa and the CRF300L from the tip of South America to the Artic Ocean at Prudhoe Bay, Alaska on mostly dirt roads. That little bike just took a beating and kept on ticking. And it looked easy for a rider of medium skills to handle.
So I started searching and a lot of people were saying the same thing...it is an often overlooked gem of a small dual sport bike.
That thing about the skills I can attest to. It does make riding easy. Beyond that it has a bigger tank, a gas gauge, a 6 spd, better wind protection, ABS braking, more ground clearance, better suspension... I know I'm forgetting something.
The XT250 got me into riding a bike that could do street and dirt. And I think this one just does both a little better... and oh yeah, a bigger engine.
I'll probably sell the Yamaha now and recoup the $ against the new bike.

 

[scootr]

 

[deserteagle71]

We used to love the old Honda Elsinore and the CL350 Scrambler for scooting around the dirt back in the day.

Never had an Elsinore. But I put 45,000+ miles on a Honda SL350, some 50 years ago. Loved that bike!

 

[scootr]

I had that bike too. Mine was a 1972 in red

 

[Grumpycat]

Congrats! My buddies and I were extolling the virtues of whether one needs 11" of suspension on both ends of a trail bike.

Seems most of us are in the 30-32" inseam and remember our '78 model trail bikes fondly.

Having to lower modern tall bikes is costly.

Wish they made a TW350.

I have a 30” inseam. Mount the tallest seat I can get, then an underbar Scotts damper, and Mini CR High handlebars. 2009 Husaberg FE450 with 11.6” front and 12.6” rear suspension travel.