I drank the orange Kool-aid

[Off the grid]

New bike, bought with the proceeds of the sale of the K.

2005 KTM 450 EXC

[SugarHillCTD]

Damn CLEAN!!

Little less insane compared to the XR650?

[Flying Duck]

A 2005 KTM 450? I know somebody who has one of those.

Looks cool - is it streeted?

[Off the grid]

Not streeted yet, need a 200ish kit that has horn, turn signals and brake light switches that run off the battery.

Pretty psyched. A little less than the XRR, a little shorter, and of course the magic button.

Drake I didn't know yours was an 05 450! Yours is a supermotard though, right?

[Flying Duck]

Drake I didn't know yours was an 05 450! Yours is a supermotard though, right?

Yep 2005 450 SMR. I've ended up building my own wiring hanress for it. Still have some work to do until it's fully streeted but I'm close.

It was an impulse buy. I'll probably get it legal, put a few miles on it, sell it and get something a bit more sedate and ADVish. I"m getting too old to think that breaking bones is fun.

[skdonlan]

Sweet ride, looks like a lot of fun!

[Off the grid]

Did a 5 hour, 75+ mile ride Sun in the Southern NJ Pine Barrens with a group of 11 guys from ADV. 2.5 hours in the morning and 2.5 hours after lunch with 5 others. (6 total)

"Epic" is too tame a word to describe it. "Life altering" "Earth shaking" or "Colossal" is closer to the feeling. It was by far the most fun I have ever had on 2 wheels. Bold statement? Maybe. But as the miles rolled by my Kool-aid grin grew and grew.

I enjoy road riding. The freedom, the speed, the people I meet and places I see. I wouldn't be riding 12,000+ miles a year if I didn't enjoy it.

But dirt riding is another animal entirely. Jeep roads, quad roads, singletrack, miles of whoops, jumps, powersliding, . crossings, puddle-forging, wheelies, roosting, keeping the bike upright through 3 foot deep sugar sand....it just hits you in a way that road riding never could.

I don't know, maybe it's in my blood. I grew up on BMX bikes, raced BMX as a kid then spent 1990-2003 riding/racing and wrenching MTN bikes. As a kid I had 2-3 dirt bikes, mostly RM80s, XR100 and a CR125. I think that when you kick up dirt with the twist of a throttle that kid in me comes back out.

The bike was flawless. The front suspension needs springs but the engine is just sick. Wheelies on command and with a set of brand-new tires it was just amazing.

If any of you guys are on the fence about riding dirt....don't wait. Do it. If you ride road you are already half way there.

ADVrider.com is a great resource to get started on dirt rides in your area and dirt-bike buying advice.

[SugarHillCTD]

Looks GREAT.

So little time- so many toys to acquire........

Gots to win the lottery.

[rydor]

The definition of hell: reincarnation in the form of OTG's dirt bike's suspension.

[Off the grid]

You ain't kidding, I dumped a ton of cash into it getting it right, both on and off road. The FZ1 is done finally. Just need to finish the forks on the KTM.

It really is a testament to how well the Austrian made bike is made. Hauling my fat ass 75 miles on absolutely brutal terrain, jumps, 3 foot whoops, puddles up to the hubs, deep sand, 50+ MPH fire roads....

Believe it or not, there was actually a guy on the ride bigger than me. He was like 360 lbs and a great rider actually.

It's funny how I make everything around me to suit my weight when it would actually be better to lose the weight.

What can I do, I love to eat. I gave up everything else.

All I have left in life is riding, fishing, food and masturbation.

[ulm210]

[quote="Off the grid"]
All I have left in life is riding, fishing, food and masturbation. [/quote]

I recently heard a report that said men who have frequent ejaculations have a lower chance of getting prostate cancer.

So, you know, I got that going for me...

[SugarHillCTD]

I gave up everything else........

Ya' mean 1 less person drinking Boddington's at HL??

[Off the grid]

I havent touched a drop of alcohol since Jan 26th 1990.

Sorry mate.

But as you know I don't need it.

And no, being around drinking/smoking weed/doing a line off a strippers ass does not make me "uncomfortable".

[Milton]

All I have left in life is riding, fishing, food and masturbation.

I thought you had a priceless Brazilian 2nd wife? And she looks mighty fine too!

Milton S.

[Off the grid]

Dude as most married men will tell you having an attractive willing wife has ZERO to do with my "me" time.

But alas this thread is not about my mastebatory habits...its about the KTOOOOM!!!!!

[SugarHillCTD]

But alas this thread is... about the KTOOOOM!!!!!

Like I said- So little time- so many toys to acquire........

[Off the grid]

This is a copy and paste of my ride response for the Hammer run which was this weekend. It was a Fri (arrive) Sat-Sun (ride) event. I drove down Sat AM and only rode Sat...not sure if I could physically ride Sun...it was much more grueling that I imagined. I wanted to quit a few times. I crashed 4x, none bad (thank you gear!) and got stuck twice...once on a log and once in a huge mud rut.

This was easily the most difficult physical challenge I have done in 10 years. Not sure what I was thinking, but the type of offroading that this event entailed was extremely strenuous. Dirt biking is not for those that are out of shape. I attest the fact that I finished the ride to my bike and shear willpower. 100 miles off road through swamps, hills, root fields, lake shores, old railroad tracks, historic New Jersey towns. It was singly the most brutal, beautiful and memorable day I have had on a motorcycle.

Here's the post. (WARNING, HAS PROFANITY IF YOU ARE THE SENSITIVE TYPE LEAVE NOW)
Here's a link to the crash I was talking about...I was the 2nd rider behind him.
http://www.vimeo.com/7381481

What an amazing event and ride. The hairiest ride I have ever done, hands down and some of the best and most challenging trails. Great people. Great course. Was the best day of riding I have ever had. This old body is aching...and I only rode Sat.

I can't imagine how much of an effort it was to organize and carry out an event like this, but let me be one of many to say thank you.

Me and Sweetlou. I'm the fat guy on the right. No it's not a toupee. No, Lou and I are not lovers. Yes, I really did finish, but I give all the credit to my bike and the oreo crumb trail.

The "Tool" within the sea of orange. Thank the babyjesus I had this bike, it was the perfect weapon. The ability to wheelie on demand was essential. Have to give major props to KTM for building a bike that can carry my 300+lb ass 100 miles over terrain like it did as well as it did.


The sea of orange.

I was right behind Chris (Sallydog) and Tony (Grady) when Grady decided he was hot and wanted to cool off in the puddle....that was some funny shit and a spectacular crash. His old Husky took a beating but Tony kept on ticking. (hilarity was seeing Chris ride up laughing his ass off in the video)
Right after the crash:

The area:


1st fuel up stop. Some hungry, dirty riders and thirsty bikes. Not sure if the poor girl at the gas station was in shock or just going with it.


This was a great jump and despite me telling people it was there only a few took advantage. Cant say I blame them, I was tired as shit at that point.



That's all I got. Definitely in next year....both days. Next year I won't blow my load in the first 10 miles.

[SugarHillCTD]

Nice Dave. Looks like too much fun. Thanks for the report/pictures.

Stuff like that makes me want to look at a DP bike (like you said I should, considering where I live)

Kind of like having done road bicycling for years and wanting to do mtn biking to get off the road.


Hmmmmmmmmm..........

[Off the grid]

http://www.vimeo.com/7452511

[Off the grid]

Got hammered by a storm here in the last 2 days....over a foot of snow. But sometimes the beast has to come out of the cage.

Almost done with everything I need to start the season...need new standard front signals and relay for such..my original harness was for LEDs, which I really don't like and you can't see for shit in the daytime.

The tally: (about 15hrs, 600 bucks and multiple cigars)
Oil
Rear spring (stiffer-progressive)
New chain sliders
New X-link DID chain
New KTM "Stealth" rear sprocket (steel/aluminum hybrid)
Flush mounted turn signals...because regular turn signals (the ones on the front) last about 10 seconds offroad
Flatland Rad guards...because Radiators are expensive
New gasket/seal for kickstart (was weeping)

[John Clauss]

Snow riding on a dirt bike is the bomb. I have very fond memories af racing snow-mobiles, and losing but smiling in my helmet knowing that I got to ride year round. There were a couple of times when I got to ride my Triumph 500cc single in the pine barrens and I had a blast. I was at a severe disadvantage on the tight stuff, and anywhere the suspension was important. But I pwned the guys I was with on the fire roads hauling close to a ton, while they maxed out around 80. Thanks for posting I have the itch badly, but no funds to scratch it with.

[Off the grid]

In the last month I did the [url="http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=580491"]Lawton 100[/url], the [url="http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=548017"]Berkshire Big Adventure Dual Sport[/url] and this past weekend was 10 miles into [url="http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=580325"]The Durty Dabbers Dual Sport[/url] ride.

Those of you that were at any of these know it was pretty much North East riding at its finest. Mud and rocks punctuated by moments of singletrack and fire roads. Did I mention rocks? Lots and lots of rocks. I would have to say I am a rock God after these 3 rides. The Berkshire ride in particular...the last hero section (I did all the hero sections on each ride) was a 2-3 mile uphill full-rock ascent. "Hairy" is putting it lightly.

But alas back to our story.

Every story needs a hero. This is not one of those stories. I am no hero.

Well, maybe I have been accused of rescuing a bacon sammich from time to time.

So I'm about 10 miles in the Durty Dabbers ride this past weekend, and it's hairy. Stream crossings, climbs, pile-ups. And rocks. Lots and lots of rocks.

(as usual, this climb looked worse in person)
There was quite a pile up as person after person had to "lay er down" here. :lol3 (no, I was not one of those people)

So halfway through the first hero section, about 10 miles in I hear a substantial rock bounce off my skidplate. It was no more significant that any other rock strike other than the fact that it was...notable. Not notable enough to check, mind you as I heard it hit the skidplate. :deal (n00b mistake #1)
So I'm riding. And riding. And riding. Really enjoying my pace and the course. I start to notice I have no rear brake. Nothing. I try to pump it and stomp on it...I can get a little wheel action by stomping on it...oh well I think...will just finish the ride without a rear brake. I have had to bleed the rear in the past, I thought it was another air bubble. (n00b mistake #2)

I ride some more and come to the first rest stop/refuel station which is around mile 30. The bike is running great, I don't need fuel but want to stop for some air.

So I pull up to the hose to air up the front tire a bit (was running 13/16) when I looked down and notice my right leg looked like it was in the path of the BP oil spill. :huh



So I'm like, fuck, how did I get oil on my leg, knowing full well there was only 1-2 explanations. I honestly thought I blew out my sight glass.

I follow my gaze to the right side of my 450 and notice...




I knew immediately what had happened and what rock caused it. If you look carefully in the latter pictures you can see the impact on the skidplate first and then it kind of "rolled" upward into the clutch cover.

My first thought was holy shit my ride is over and I drove 7 hours last night to get here.

My second thought was how the fuck am I going to get back to camp.

My third thought was is my engine fucked.

So I mentioned it to a few guys, what had happened....had more than a few JB weld suggestions, but having no experience with JB I was...reluctant to say the least.

I saw a guy with a flat and helped him out with a tube and some irons.

Cheers Adam, glad you got up and going. After some persuading (again, I had never experienced the miracle that is JB Weld first-hand) a buddy of his Eli broke out the quick-setting JB and after some cleaning fashioned a patch.


I let it dry for about 45mins and even then it was a bit tacky. Tacky enough that I could score it with a quarter.

Alas the herd was thinning so I needed to get going.


I purchased a quart of Valero 10W40 (the only oil they had) and dumped in over 3/4 of a quart. :huh This brought it up to about 1/4" from the top of the sight glass.

...which means I had been riding for almost 20 miles over crazy terrain, hitting the rev limiter at times....and the bike was unaffected while only having about 1/3 of the proper oil capacity.....unaffected up till this point, that is. I had not started it yet.

Alas I could wait no longer. It was getting late and I still had a long way to go. At least 23 miles to get to camp by GPS.

I fired her up.....and finished the ride.

All 100 miles, 70 of it with the JB weld patch in place. I left the parking lot while it was still tacky and it didn't even weep.

The 450 didn't complain a bit, didn't miss a beat.

(that's not my plastic bottle, but I did pick it up)


Came home, changed out that terrible oil and rebuilt the engine.
















I kid, I just rode it today locally. :lol3
Gonna keep the JB weld patch as a badge of honor.

[SugarHillCTD]

Guess da' peg-leg is back to snuff, huh?

Nice ride report.

Have you ever tried some of those semi-solid sticks of 2 part epoxy? This is the stuff that will harden when submerged in gasoline. Just an FYI..