With the new website format comes new ways to share and archive. In our “BLOG” you will find a mix of information including product reviews, event announcements, excerpts from our newsletters, staff/customer trip reports, photos and the occasional BLOG post.
We have populated the BLOG page with content from our archives that we thought you might find useful, or entertaining.
Please feel free to comment, but keep it clean and friendly 😉
Michael Spencer
General Manager/Owner
Robert Kaufman
Posted at 13:30h, 24 OctoberFalling down seems to be part of the experience of riding off-road. Twenty years ago, I had a KLR 250. The bike was completely unintimidatigng. I rode it solo to Anza Borrego and transversef four miles of Derp sand of Fonts Point wash by using my feet as outriggers. The bike didn’t fall down on that trip, but its light weight made that a non-issue. My mistake was not taking off-road skills seriously . I sold the bike in 2001 and didn’t get another dual sport/ adv bilke until 2010.
It is a G650GS . While it is light compared to the newer twins , I found that picking it up after a fall in non-level terrain sapped my energy quickly.
Last year I took the Black Swan beginning class and fell down about 10 times. Since that time, I have stiudief a lot of techniques but only practice about once a month, which is not enough . If I had a lighter bike, I would probably enjoy it more. The motorcycle industry seems to be recognizing that perhaps other riders feel the same way. My next bike will be about 50 pounds lighter. The BMW G310GS and the upcoming KTM 390 Adventure are. ideal candidates. It’s fun to explore areas that are only accessible by unpaved roads. I had more fun on my old KLR260 than any other bike, so I’m going light again.
Michael Spencer
Posted at 14:05h, 24 OctoberHello Robert, it is good to hear from you! I remember that you struggled during that class, and agree that in your situation a lighter bike couldn’t hurt, but the real key is to find your balance and practice staying in balance over rough terrain. Managing momentum and reading the terrain, are also key. When you you get the new bike or even if you want to on the current bike, remember you can repeat a class at a discount by using the coupon code REFRESH during checkout, the system will verify your eligibility before final processing.
Ride safe!
Robert Kaufman
Posted at 15:53h, 24 OctoberThanks. Now is the season when the new bikes come out.
I usually go to the Long Beach show.
Robert Kaufman
Posted at 19:00h, 20 NovemberAt the Long Beach show, two bikes stood out to me for someone who wants a lightweight ADV bike with a low seat height. One is the Royal Enfield Himalayan, which comes with a centerstsnd and a crash bar to protect the gas tank at a claimed curb weight of 421 pounds. That would make it lighter than my G650GS. It’s seat is easier to mount, even with the 21 inch front wheel. Even though it has about half the torque of my bike, reviews say it is easy to ride off-road.
The other bike is the BMW G310GS. It is even lighter and is more powerful, but apparently needs about $4000 in upgrades to makes it as off- road worthy as the other bike.
Michael Spencer
Posted at 15:02h, 22 NovemberI have to say, that Himalayan looks pretty good as simple take it easy alternative to the big boys. If you want to see the sights, and aren’t worried about how much horsepower your bike has, I think it’ll get the job done.