Lol at Dave when he says "everything's just turned to jelly!" That's when you know that you are done for the day maybe even the week depending on how far back to civilization you have to go. We've all been there and is just part of the learning curve. A couple aspirin and a Jacuzzi does wonders after such a long day of getting beat up by trails. That day Dave worked harder than both Chris and Riley put together he's a real trooper and has my respect! I'd ride with him and the rest of you guys any day.
Thanks for a fun adventure 😁 Indeed, Dave needs to loosen up and definitely learn that too slow is your enemy on trails. In time, confidence builds through experience 👍
thank you for sharing your experiences. i enjoyed the information. i have a big bmw 1150rs tour bike. i have always wanted a more adventurous bike like bmw650 dakar, but after watching your video, im sold on the 800gs. it's the bike that can do it all. AIRBORNE !
F800GS really is a great machine. Big enough to bang out some miles and decent on the dirt. They are also a very solid platform. We never had any major mechanical issues.
If you haven't changed the soft springs in the forks yet, you should also look in to RaceTech gold valve emulators. I put them in my F650GS Dakar last year and it makes a world of difference. The forks are now fully adjustable for compression and rebound. It add another $100 or so on top of new springs (so about $200 total), but it is well worth the cost.
You’re right that they do have a different set up internally and they weren’t always available. However, not long ago RaceTech released a bale kit made for the F800. Part number is FMGV S2320. Their website lots it at $169, but eBay has a very similar part number (just missing the “S”) for $125. Not sure if it is the same though. Just thought I would share.
Nice! I have done St Donat by highway in the past but will definitely be exploring the area trails this year. Buying my FQMHR pass tonight... Thanks for the inspiration..
I came back after a loong stressful day in the office, was about to lay down for a nap and there it is: Awesome Players uploaded a video. THANKS for making these.
Nicely done ride and video. Dear Dave, you have talked me out of this kind of riding at 59..NO wait. I have found a 09 f650 for 4k and I think it will work great for camping in north carolina. Really appreciate the video fellows!!!
Hi Dan. Riley here. Im turning 55 soon and am super out of shape. If I can do it anyone can! That F bike would be great for exploring and camping. Enjoy it!
I used to ride a Speed Triple, then an Aprilia Tuono (I still have this one though, but I don't ride it very often)... Then I started to watch Riley's videos...... Well..... I ended up at the BMW dealership and got a used 2013 F800GS. I think my real love story with bikes started there to be honest. I won't lie to you, the Tuono still gives me the adrenaline rush when I ride it... The sound, the power, leaning into curves more aggressively, etc. But with the GS I get so much more than that. I'm planning for my first 2 weeks trip in Utah, going to do a lot of off road there with the GS... It's going to be epic. In part I owe this to Riley and the guys (thanks so much!!!) :) So... If you want to keep your sport bike, stop watching. If not, then you're in for a whole new experience!! :)
It seems to me that a lot the problems you encountered were exacerbated by the weight of the bikes. I know that these BMWs are not considered HEAVY, like the 1200s etc. But 500lbs is very far from light. To deal with this issue, among others, I’m designing a modified CCM frame based adventure bike with a BMW F650GS Dakar engine upgraded to Mikuni carb. To keep it simple, no sensors. The advantages of a traditional steel cradle frame is that there’s only one top tube. Yes, some of the oil is in there, but it’s central. And that top weight is countered by the oil in the lower tube sections. The F650GS has an aluminium perimeter frame with two beams, beside the engine. This weight is slightly lower than my single top tube, but there are two of them, so it is extra weight, but more importantly it is overhanging weight. It’s a similar story with the newer 800s. But they are twins, so the whole thing is even wider, meaning there’s even more overhanging weight. I believe this is what’s reducing the amount of safe lean angle on challenging surfaces, and increasing the likelihood of dropping these bikes. My narrower design with the majority of the weight inboard, closer to the centreline of the bike, will make it much easier to lean at greater angles, more often, and for longer - without losing control. This is not a new theory of course. All I’m doing is going back to how bikes were before sports bike style perimeter frames were used, and downdraft EFI was imposed upon us. Thank you for sharing this adventure. It looks like fun. Always carry a tin of yellow touch up paint... 🧐😎😜
Sounds like a really interesting project. Since 2016 I've been riding a Husky 701 and it is a great combination of power (70 hp) and weight. 384 lbs with a full tank, skidplate, handguards, steering damper, tire repair and spare tube as well as a comprehensive toolkit with a saw and jumper cables and even an air compressor.. Also very narrow for a 700cc machine. Now all falls and fails are clearly just my poor riding!
Awesome Players That is indeed a great power to weight combination. Plus you’ve added a load of extras to get you out of trouble. Nice one. Huskies are nice, and the brand has a great history. My inspection was the actual Dakar bikes that CCM produced around 1997. I’m looking for ways to get some more power out of the DOHC engine without stressing it too much or reducing reliability. I’m guessing the chain tensioner will be one of the weak links. But 50HP from a 650cc DOHC is under stressed by any standards. And we know that people have got more power out of them for racing. It’s a journey. By the time I get it done, hopefully this plandemic nonsense will be done with.
Must be stuck inside due to the freezing rain, computer time to edit those hours of raw footage! Went snowmobiling last weekend north of Lac Simon with a foot of fresh powder, gonna be a while before we can get back on the trails this year! Thanks again for posting, makes me look forward to getting back out there.
Hi, Great Video and Subscribed. Poor Dave, he actually did alright though for someone learning. He just needs to keep up his momentum and learn to Judge Lines a little better. Overall I was impressed by his determination. You Talked about Heavier Springs, but on the Back Shocks, did you just adjust the Dampening and 36:24 rebound and it worked. Or did you replace those Shocks as well. Thanks for taking us along for the Ride. That’s a great place to go Riding.👍👍
Another excellent episode of AP riders showing us beautiful Quebec. I can relate to Super Dave feeling uneasy about rocky trails. I'd suggest he find a 200 - 300 cc enduro and spend time on those trails with that. Dreading dropping and lifting a 500 pound rig saps you mentally. On the downhills, do you use your rear brake more to slow your descent and preserve your steering and suspension and 1st gear for engine braking? Different riders have different opinions on that.
On the steep stuff rear brake only and engine isn't enough on the heavy bikes. The rear will lock and you still accelerate and lose directional control.. As soon as you lock the rear the engine stalls unless you pull in the clutch and then you loses the engine braking. We use a lot more front brake now as well as the rear.
That sounds about right from my experience, too. Must watch the front brake so your steering / front wheel doesn't wash out. Keep the great videos coming.
Last two videos have been great, great adventures. Always left wondering, what kind of adventures are the Awesome Players having now a days 2015-2016-2017.
Riley, Your riding has improved greatly. Congratulations. And your narration is proof that a mental attitude is the reason for the improvement. BTW - I have some questions regarding parts of F800GS. I suppose you're still riding the F8 ... Did you have any problems with the rearch shock upper bolt ? Did it bent ? How did you solve it ?
Hi Boko. I sold my F800 and have a Husky 701 for the moment. I did bend a bolt and went with a product called the Indy Kit. Sadly no longer made as it was truly the most bullet proof setup. If you could bend it your next of kin would be riding bike anyways so it wouldn't matter. The Bestrest solution seems to be working for most folks from what I've read on the net. Overall my 800 was bullet proof. Considering what it saw in its 25,000kms it never left me stranded and when I polished it up to sell it looked and ran great.
Riley, could you please provide additional details about the hand guard/handlebar setup you had on the 800? I had the twisted handlebar issue last year, and it's a PIA. Knowing that it can be permanently fixed, it's very tempting!! :)
I was using the BMW factory hand guards but had a Highway Diirtbikes top clamp. On my new Husky 701 I am using the full HDB setup and it is by far the best system. www.highwaydirtbikes.com/index.php?app=ecom&ns=catshow&ref=HDB-100
Ok thanks Riley! I have the factory hand guards too... They're ok, but I bent one pretty badly last year and had to replace one side. They're tough, but not indestructible. Still, they do their job. I'll look into the top clamp, maybe it's a worthwhile upgrade to have if I can get it for a fair price. :)
The top clamp will help and you can order one with extra spots for Powerlet outlets or switches. If you buy the full kit it comes with a tap sp you can thread the bar ends. Then the handguards connect to the top clamp not back to the bars. Incredibly strong system.
Great video! I do the Chertsey- St-Donat trail a few times a year on my KTM 150 enduro. I’m thinking about buying a F800GS. Would I have just as much fun on the big bike? I’m not into going fast, just looking for a different challenge. Thanks!
You will the an F800 size bike a lot more work. It is a different kind of fun. some like it and some don't. It does make easier trails more challenging and you also get a great road bike in the deal.
I’m about to buy an F800GS but I have seen some incredible lightweight Suzuki DR650 builds on TH-cam. It’s a tough decision to make so I might just buy both.
Jason did all of Canada and all the way south to the tip of Argentina. I guess he was gone more than a year. Story here. advrider.com/index.php?threads/big-os-little-trip.896878/
It is actually a US model. I believe Chris bought it from a fellow in Ontario. Sady there was a time when they were sitting on the showroom floors unsold. I should have snapped one up.
Still Avid Media Composer. They have a pretty powerful free version out now as well. Have been dabbling with Premiere and might make the switch one day.
Hi Riley. I messaged you on this as well but thought I would post here also. You mentioned to Dave in the video that there is some handlebar mount you used on your 800 that prevents the bars from twisting from falls. Can you give more details? Also, I remember you saying something in the past about either putting a narrower rear rim on the 800 or making the stock rim narrower in order to accept a 130/19 tire. Did I get that right or was there something else you did to handle something like a dunlop d606? Thanks again for the videos.
Hi John I did have woodyswheelworks.com/ make me a narrower rear as well as a 19" front using a spare set of factory hubs I had. Then I a street set and a dirt set. For the bars the issue is that the two bar clamps are nit connected. www.highwaydirtbikes.com/index.php?app=ecom&ns=catshow&ref=HDB-300 sells top clamps that solve the issue but I would recommend buying there whole system including the handguards. It is awesome.
Thanks Riley. I was doing some research on the bar thing. Apparently tightening the triple clamp bolts and bar mounts to torque specs also helps!! Who would have thought?! :) I have always just tightened to feel but we all know how that goes. I appreciate the feedback.
Understood. Just really got a good look at the rubber mounting on the lower bar clamps and now get it on why things twist and why the new upper clamp would make such a difference. Considering I have had the bike 2 1/2 years and just came to that revelation tells you a bit about my powers (or lack thereof) of observation. Thanks again.
Yes he was. When rewatching the video I saw that on his last crash he didn't use the front brake. The K60 just slipped out from under him on a slight side slope.
Hi guys, how did that f650gs hold up over the years? It seems such nice bike, but how did those cast wheels take all those rocks? Great video as always 8)
The 650 twin held up great. No issues with the cast wheels at all. The cast wheels are stronger than the spoked wheels but the talk has always been that the spoke wheels will flex or some such and not get damaged as easily. The issue with the 650 was the lower ground clearance and crappier suspension. Dave sold it and bought an F800Gs and has been a lot happier in the dirt. On the street the 650/700 is a much nicer ride so it cuts both ways.
Awesome Players Thanks or your reply, I am going for a test ride soon. If it isn't too my liking I will most likely go back to a beemer thumper (even though I will miss the twin power on the highway)
Awesome Players The X Challenge is a juicy machine indeed, but they are rare around here. I think I saw only 1 for sale in our country in the past year. Importing one from Germany could be done, but the closest one is about 600km from here. Also I like my comfort, so if it is going to be a thumper again (very likely), I think a Dakar with ABS would serve me well :)
We meet all types out there. Most are nice. The worst is usually guys in 4x4 trucks who block the whole road to have a chat and seem irritated when we have to squeeze by.
The new guy should have never been on a BMW 800, he would have been much better off with a Royal Enfield Himilayan (for a lot less money too).. If he wanted more dirt capable then the Suzuki 400 would have been the ticket.. For that matter any 250-300 dual sport from Japan would have been much better than the BMW 800.. The facts are the BMW 800 was out of it's element and probably miserable to ride..
unfortunately it is terribly difficult and hard to watch this video of yours because you are just talking talking talking. I managed to look for 10 minutes and my brain was already starting to hurt🤯 Next time, shorten the story and let us enjoy watching the video and enjoy listening to the sound of the engine🙏
Lol at Dave when he says "everything's just turned to jelly!" That's when you know that you are done for the day maybe even the week depending on how far back to civilization you have to go. We've all been there and is just part of the learning curve. A couple aspirin and a Jacuzzi does wonders after such a long day of getting beat up by trails. That day Dave worked harder than both Chris and Riley put together he's a real trooper and has my respect! I'd ride with him and the rest of you guys any day.
True.
Thanks for a fun adventure 😁
Indeed, Dave needs to loosen up and definitely learn that too slow is your enemy on trails.
In time, confidence builds through experience 👍
Dave became very competent over the years but has since moved on to downhill mountain biking.
I have more respect for how well you guys are doing this. I just did a similar type road today for the first time on a gs1200. Terrifying
It gets easier. 1200 is a a really big bike though.
love your style and sense of humor, makes me wish I lived nearby to ride with you guys ; )
Thanks bud.
thank you for sharing your experiences. i enjoyed the information. i have a big bmw 1150rs tour bike. i have always wanted a more adventurous bike like bmw650 dakar, but after watching your video, im sold on the 800gs. it's the bike that can do it all. AIRBORNE !
F800GS really is a great machine. Big enough to bang out some miles and decent on the dirt. They are also a very solid platform. We never had any major mechanical issues.
If you haven't changed the soft springs in the forks yet, you should also look in to RaceTech gold valve emulators. I put them in my F650GS Dakar last year and it makes a world of difference. The forks are now fully adjustable for compression and rebound. It add another $100 or so on top of new springs (so about $200 total), but it is well worth the cost.
I think the 800 uses a different kind of fork internal so sadly that option isn't available. Might work on the non upside down forks of the F700.
You’re right that they do have a different set up internally and they weren’t always available. However, not long ago RaceTech released a bale kit made for the F800. Part number is FMGV S2320. Their website lots it at $169, but eBay has a very similar part number (just missing the “S”) for $125. Not sure if it is the same though. Just thought I would share.
@@westonlindbeck6755 Very cool. Only for the newer 800s. 2013 and up.
www.racetech.com/ProductSearch/12/BMW/F800GS/2013-15
lol, That Dave is a trooper... I will ride with him any day of the week...
He is not a complainer for sure. Even when he does the British accent makes it sound ok.
Nice! I have done St Donat by highway in the past but will definitely be exploring the area trails this year. Buying my FQMHR pass tonight... Thanks for the inspiration..
Lot of stuff around St Donat. Sniff out the Hydro line just out of town.
'You might want to give up on the touch up paint'.. that was the best comment ever!
Going toooo slow will ALWAYS get you in trouble. As you say, keep the speed up, stay vertical and keep going. GREAT video.
I came back after a loong stressful day in the office, was about to lay down for a nap and there it is: Awesome Players uploaded a video. THANKS for making these.
Take the nap. Nothing beats a nap!
some things do! for example watching your videos and hearing you saying hilarious things like at 26:23 ;)
"luckily there were some rocks in there to break his fall" hahahahaha. Great video! I'm excited to get my FQMHR pass and check out these trails :)
The FQHMR has done some amazing work the last few years and opened up so many riding areas. Well worth the money. Check out mototrailaventure as well.
@@AwesomePlayers thanks for the tip!
Hi Riley. Crapy rainy cold April 17th . . . And so you give us a dose of motorcycle-ness. Just what the doctor ordered. Many thanks.
Should another clip out tomorrow or Friday. Weekend looks good.
Nicely done ride and video. Dear Dave, you have talked me out of this kind of riding at 59..NO wait. I have found a 09 f650 for 4k and I think it will work great for camping in north carolina. Really appreciate the video fellows!!!
Hi Dan. Riley here. Im turning 55 soon and am super out of shape. If I can do it anyone can! That F bike would be great for exploring and camping. Enjoy it!
are you still using the same bike? or have you gone bigger?
@@dancheatham5106 I'm riding a Husky 701 these days but looking at the new KTM 790 and maybe the Husky 901 eventually.
I'm sport biker, but watching these vidya's really make want to get a dual sport.
Jman G you wont regret it ! I went from street to dual sport and haven't regret it !
m.l.d. yes indeed! I own a KTM 640 Adventure 👍
m.l.d. KTM 1090 is probably the best in it's section and Weightclass idd. Friend of mine swears by the 990 for suspension and handling. 👍
Get a big dual sport and it is a sportbike as well.
I used to ride a Speed Triple, then an Aprilia Tuono (I still have this one though, but I don't ride it very often)... Then I started to watch Riley's videos...... Well..... I ended up at the BMW dealership and got a used 2013 F800GS. I think my real love story with bikes started there to be honest. I won't lie to you, the Tuono still gives me the adrenaline rush when I ride it... The sound, the power, leaning into curves more aggressively, etc. But with the GS I get so much more than that. I'm planning for my first 2 weeks trip in Utah, going to do a lot of off road there with the GS... It's going to be epic. In part I owe this to Riley and the guys (thanks so much!!!) :) So... If you want to keep your sport bike, stop watching. If not, then you're in for a whole new experience!! :)
It seems to me that a lot the problems you encountered were exacerbated by the weight of the bikes. I know that these BMWs are not considered HEAVY, like the 1200s etc. But 500lbs is very far from light.
To deal with this issue, among others, I’m designing a modified CCM frame based adventure bike with a BMW F650GS Dakar engine upgraded to Mikuni carb. To keep it simple, no sensors.
The advantages of a traditional steel cradle frame is that there’s only one top tube. Yes, some of the oil is in there, but it’s central. And that top weight is countered by the oil in the lower tube sections.
The F650GS has an aluminium perimeter frame with two beams, beside the engine. This weight is slightly lower than my single top tube, but there are two of them, so it is extra weight, but more importantly it is overhanging weight.
It’s a similar story with the newer 800s. But they are twins, so the whole thing is even wider, meaning there’s even more overhanging weight.
I believe this is what’s reducing the amount of safe lean angle on challenging surfaces, and increasing the likelihood of dropping these bikes.
My narrower design with the majority of the weight inboard, closer to the centreline of the bike, will make it much easier to lean at greater angles, more often, and for longer - without losing control.
This is not a new theory of course. All I’m doing is going back to how bikes were before sports bike style perimeter frames were used, and downdraft EFI was imposed upon us.
Thank you for sharing this adventure. It looks like fun. Always carry a tin of yellow touch up paint... 🧐😎😜
Sounds like a really interesting project. Since 2016 I've been riding a Husky 701 and it is a great combination of power (70 hp) and weight. 384 lbs with a full tank, skidplate, handguards, steering damper, tire repair and spare tube as well as a comprehensive toolkit with a saw and jumper cables and even an air compressor.. Also very narrow for a 700cc machine. Now all falls and fails are clearly just my poor riding!
Awesome Players That is indeed a great power to weight combination. Plus you’ve added a load of extras to get you out of trouble. Nice one. Huskies are nice, and the brand has a great history.
My inspection was the actual Dakar bikes that CCM produced around 1997. I’m looking for ways to get some more power out of the DOHC engine without stressing it too much or reducing reliability. I’m guessing the chain tensioner will be one of the weak links.
But 50HP from a 650cc DOHC is under stressed by any standards. And we know that people have got more power out of them for racing.
It’s a journey. By the time I get it done, hopefully this plandemic nonsense will be done with.
Must be stuck inside due to the freezing rain, computer time to edit those hours of raw footage! Went snowmobiling last weekend north of Lac Simon with a foot of fresh powder, gonna be a while before we can get back on the trails this year! Thanks again for posting, makes me look forward to getting back out there.
Ice storm today here in Montreal. Would love to get out there but I imagine the trails up north must still be all snowed in.
Awesome video. Thanks for all your efforts to record this
I love my F650GS. it has done over 106000 km now. It went well off road, but I wasnt very good at it, so I dont do that anymore.
As we say “ bad riding makes god video”.
Absolutely agree about going downhill on the loose stuff... much more difficult to get confident with!
Great video. Thanks for posting.
Thanks for watching!
Hi, Great Video and Subscribed. Poor Dave, he actually did alright though for someone learning. He just needs to keep up his momentum and learn to Judge Lines a little better. Overall I was impressed by his determination. You Talked about Heavier Springs, but on the Back Shocks, did you just adjust the Dampening and 36:24 rebound and it worked. Or did you replace those Shocks as well. Thanks for taking us along for the Ride. That’s a great place to go Riding.👍👍
SuperDave was a trooper for sure. He became a really good rider on tha F800 over the years. Since then he gone street on a 1200GS and is happy.
i miss henrik
Me too!
is he still alive or did he buy a harley :P
Yes , did he stopped riding the DiRT Road?
Anyone tried running knobby on a R650? Channel references? Found a great deal on one, curious if possible to run in my climate, trails.
Late reply here. You can run a knobby on anything I guess. They are a little taller than a street tire so I would check for swing arm clearance.
Great video guys, helps my spec trading no end!
Your videos are very nice. I always feel like I watched a good movie afterwards
Thanks Bill.
I always enjoy your vids
I have the F650GS 2010
Is it possible to change the screen showing from Miles & Gallons to Kms and litres
I can’t remember! Search Advrider.com someone there will know.
Another excellent episode of AP riders showing us beautiful Quebec. I can relate to Super Dave feeling uneasy about rocky trails. I'd suggest he find a 200 - 300 cc enduro and spend time on those trails with that. Dreading dropping and lifting a 500 pound rig saps you mentally. On the downhills, do you use your rear brake more to slow your descent and preserve your steering and suspension and 1st gear for engine braking? Different riders have different opinions on that.
On the steep stuff rear brake only and engine isn't enough on the heavy bikes. The rear will lock and you still accelerate and lose directional control.. As soon as you lock the rear the engine stalls unless you pull in the clutch and then you loses the engine braking. We use a lot more front brake now as well as the rear.
That sounds about right from my experience, too. Must watch the front brake so your steering / front wheel doesn't wash out. Keep the great videos coming.
Cover your brake and cover your clutch. you can feather the clutch to vary engine braking and traction going uphill as well
Last two videos have been great, great adventures. Always left wondering, what kind of adventures are the Awesome Players having now a days 2015-2016-2017.
Lots of fun stuff happened in 15-17. My hard drives are bursting!
eager to see them
Great Video!!
How many terabytes of footage do u have to go through to get up to date ?
More than 20TB so far sitting there.
Great video! I love my g650gs
Thanks. Those F bikes really are a super solid platform. Cheers.
Riley, Your riding has improved greatly. Congratulations. And your narration is proof that a mental attitude is the reason for the improvement.
BTW - I have some questions regarding parts of F800GS. I suppose you're still riding the F8 ... Did you have any problems with the rearch shock upper bolt ? Did it bent ? How did you solve it ?
Hi Boko. I sold my F800 and have a Husky 701 for the moment. I did bend a bolt and went with a product called the Indy Kit. Sadly no longer made as it was truly the most bullet proof setup. If you could bend it your next of kin would be riding bike anyways so it wouldn't matter. The Bestrest solution seems to be working for most folks from what I've read on the net. Overall my 800 was bullet proof. Considering what it saw in its 25,000kms it never left me stranded and when I polished it up to sell it looked and ran great.
Oh man, I want to go with you guys!!
Riley, could you please provide additional details about the hand guard/handlebar setup you had on the 800? I had the twisted handlebar issue last year, and it's a PIA. Knowing that it can be permanently fixed, it's very tempting!! :)
I was using the BMW factory hand guards but had a Highway Diirtbikes top clamp. On my new Husky 701 I am using the full HDB setup and it is by far the best system. www.highwaydirtbikes.com/index.php?app=ecom&ns=catshow&ref=HDB-100
Ok thanks Riley! I have the factory hand guards too... They're ok, but I bent one pretty badly last year and had to replace one side. They're tough, but not indestructible. Still, they do their job. I'll look into the top clamp, maybe it's a worthwhile upgrade to have if I can get it for a fair price. :)
The top clamp will help and you can order one with extra spots for Powerlet outlets or switches. If you buy the full kit it comes with a tap sp you can thread the bar ends. Then the handguards connect to the top clamp not back to the bars. Incredibly strong system.
Sounds very interesting... I'll look into it! Thanks! :)
What GPS Model and Mount are you using?
Love the Garmin Montana on a RAM mount. Tried the Garmin 60 series but the screen is too small.
thank you for the effort.
Great video! I do the Chertsey- St-Donat trail a few times a year on my KTM 150 enduro. I’m thinking about buying a F800GS. Would I have just as much fun on the big bike? I’m not into going fast, just looking for a different challenge. Thanks!
You will the an F800 size bike a lot more work. It is a different kind of fun. some like it and some don't. It does make easier trails more challenging and you also get a great road bike in the deal.
I’m about to buy an F800GS but I have seen some incredible lightweight Suzuki DR650 builds on TH-cam. It’s a tough decision to make so I might just buy both.
Another great video. What happened to the guy with the KTM 625 that was planning the king trip?
Jason did all of Canada and all the way south to the tip of Argentina. I guess he was gone more than a year.
Story here.
advrider.com/index.php?threads/big-os-little-trip.896878/
I can´t way to have my new 2012 1200 Tenere of road!!
Great ride guys
\m/
Watch the Classique 2015 video for some great Super 10 stuff
th-cam.com/video/JQHcR-FYeuY/w-d-xo.html
Did Chris fix his final drive yet. I was hoping for a video on that repair? As always, really enjoy your videos.
He bought a used unit cheap and we swapped the whole rear in 45 minutes.
Cool trip😊
Thanks! 😃
amazing video
Dave did well for anew guyoff road but as they say the only way to learn is saddle time....... and repeatedly picking the bike up :D
Dave is a regular with us now and bought an F800GS.
There is no sexual innuendos pumping up a tire with two other guys in the middle of nowhere on motorcycles.
Never! We only partake of the highest forms of humour. And dick jokes.
Hi Riley - awesome video. How do you think an R1200 GSA would do on that ride?
Probably about the same as the F bikes. A little heavier. The rider would really make the difference.
I am a bit lost, the beginning of the video says 2014. So is this ride from 2014 or is this new material?
It was shot in 2014. I am way behind.... only 3 years till I catch up.
How did you get an HP2 in Quebec??? They're impossible to find
It is actually a US model. I believe Chris bought it from a fellow in Ontario. Sady there was a time when they were sitting on the showroom floors unsold. I should have snapped one up.
Loving it! What video editor are you using these days?
Still Avid Media Composer. They have a pretty powerful free version out now as well. Have been dabbling with Premiere and might make the switch one day.
Belle trails !
Big Black Mac C’est vrai on a des tres belles trails ici.
Hi Riley. I messaged you on this as well but thought I would post here also. You mentioned to Dave in the video that there is some handlebar mount you used on your 800 that prevents the bars from twisting from falls. Can you give more details?
Also, I remember you saying something in the past about either putting a narrower rear rim on the 800 or making the stock rim narrower in order to accept a 130/19 tire. Did I get that right or was there something else you did to handle something like a dunlop d606?
Thanks again for the videos.
Hi John
I did have woodyswheelworks.com/ make me a narrower rear as well as a 19" front using a spare set of factory hubs I had. Then I a street set and a dirt set. For the bars the issue is that the two bar clamps are nit connected. www.highwaydirtbikes.com/index.php?app=ecom&ns=catshow&ref=HDB-300 sells top clamps that solve the issue but I would recommend buying there whole system including the handguards. It is awesome.
Thanks Riley. I was doing some research on the bar thing. Apparently tightening the triple clamp bolts and bar mounts to torque specs also helps!! Who would have thought?! :) I have always just tightened to feel but we all know how that goes. I appreciate the feedback.
Tightening to spec does zip. The rubber mounting allows movement. They twist on every F bike when you drop it.
Understood. Just really got a good look at the rubber mounting on the lower bar clamps and now get it on why things twist and why the new upper clamp would make such a difference. Considering I have had the bike 2 1/2 years and just came to that revelation tells you a bit about my powers (or lack thereof) of observation. Thanks again.
nice one!
Going to La Classique this year? Enjoy your vids as always.
We will be there. You going?
Yes indeed.
That's smooth tarmac in Colorado...
Ah Colorado. I miss the Alpine Loop. Ophir, and I gotta grow some and do the Black Bear. Maybe in 2019. . . .
Black Bear is not that bad, just a few short sections are. Radical Hill and Red Cone are harder IMO. I take my WR450F over that stuff because I'm old.
What's with this old footage , did you guys quit riding ? , its 2018 !
Still trying to catch up on the editing. Too busy riding to make too many videos.
came across a bit of St Donat trivia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gimli_Glider. somewhere in the middle of the page.
you managed to keep the bikes well out of any good video shots! Amazing! NO comparisons possible.. thanks
Glad you liked it!
Wait you havent bought spring buy springs, I see you bought this gear, of yeah buy this gear. I pick it is a good video of some good trails.
Riley, thanks for making tax day almost bearable!
We have two more weeks here in Canada.
Was Super Dave running Heidenau K60s?
Yes he was. When rewatching the video I saw that on his last crash he didn't use the front brake. The K60 just slipped out from under him on a slight side slope.
I have Metzler Karoo 3s on my bike now ,and have the same problem ,no side grip at all.
Evne with a knobby the big bikes are crap on side slopes. Too much weight.
"Hold the pavement, please"
Hi guys, how did that f650gs hold up over the years? It seems such nice bike, but how did those cast wheels take all those rocks?
Great video as always 8)
The 650 twin held up great. No issues with the cast wheels at all. The cast wheels are stronger than the spoked wheels but the talk has always been that the spoke wheels will flex or some such and not get damaged as easily. The issue with the 650 was the lower ground clearance and crappier suspension. Dave sold it and bought an F800Gs and has been a lot happier in the dirt. On the street the 650/700 is a much nicer ride so it cuts both ways.
Awesome Players Thanks or your reply, I am going for a test ride soon. If it isn't too my liking I will most likely go back to a beemer thumper (even though I will miss the twin power on the highway)
X-Challenge is nice!
Awesome Players The X Challenge is a juicy machine indeed, but they are rare around here. I think I saw only 1 for sale in our country in the past year. Importing one from Germany could be done, but the closest one is about 600km from here.
Also I like my comfort, so if it is going to be a thumper again (very likely), I think a Dakar with ABS would serve me well :)
Not many X-Challenges here as well. They were way too expensive when new. Dakar will be a nice choice as well.
Men, you realy need to visit Russia for real offroad, not only trails!!! Wish you can do it. Hi from Saint Petersburg!!! Cheers!
Maybe one day. Would love to travel there. Cheers.
🙄Friendly Atv guy ah!!
We meet all types out there. Most are nice. The worst is usually guys in 4x4 trucks who block the whole road to have a chat and seem irritated when we have to squeeze by.
ATV not responding... tsk tsk...
Of course maybe he just didn't see us. Or was really focused on maintaining control at 10 km/hr.
The new guy should have never been on a BMW 800, he would have been much better off with a Royal Enfield Himilayan (for a lot less money too).. If he wanted more dirt capable then the Suzuki 400 would have been the ticket.. For that matter any 250-300 dual sport from Japan would have been much better than the BMW 800.. The facts are the BMW 800 was out of it's element and probably miserable to ride..
In a perfect world but thats what Dave had. We still always have fun with the bigs bikes but I see how it isn't everyone's cup of tea.
unfortunately it is terribly difficult and hard to watch this video of yours because you are just talking talking talking. I managed to look for 10 minutes and my brain was already starting to hurt🤯 Next time, shorten the story and let us enjoy watching the video and enjoy listening to the sound of the engine🙏
Lots of options for free viewing. I make the videos for me. If others like them that’s ok, if they don’t that’s also ok.