SA SAND

Another weekend done and dusted and a touch more frustrated with SAND.

Honda leg nearly fell off on Sunday which has led to the decision to upgrade.
You are dead right Strika, a new bike wont make me a better rider. I have persisted for sometime with it, but im finding im spending more time kicking and less time riding. I'm all for one to learn the hard way, but all im learning is numerous techniques on how to start it. I will get someone to look at it before i part with her, but Im not spending much more on it. So.. now im looking for another dirty little steed for the stable.. any suggestions?

Back to SAND.. Cant quite get it. The balance between speed, weight and lines is driving me insane.
Need to take some time off and just work on it im thinking.

Just drop it back a gear and gun it

Just drop it back a gear and gun it

Yeah.. kinda need a bit more than that.. I end up hanging in trees

Possum, I do understand your frustration. Apart from maybe two rides in Vic, I learnt to ride a dirt bike in W.A. Those who either live there or have lived there will know it's 90% sand and 10% pea gravel. Neither of which are easy to ride on...

I honestly think you should just persevere with the XR. I remember from my learning curve, that one day it just clicked. Before it clicked however, it was embarassing and frustrating and exhausting. I had initially a TTR250. So no more power than the XR really. It was heavy in the front and I spent more time losing the front than actually riding it for the first six or more months. Then, one day, I just got on it and rode the wheels off it in the sand. No crashing.. I just "got it" all of a sudden. From then on, it didn't matter if I was on the TTR, one of my kids KX60's or KX80's, my WR400 (try starting one of those halfway up a steep dune.....it'll make the XR seem like a doddle......) , the KLX400 or the KDX200, i just found it easy.

A good craftsmen never blames his tools Possum...........

Do you keep stalling it? Just wondering if the gearing should be changed cause your in the sand?


I'm all for upgrading I have improved heaps since I got the baby husky, I have more confidence in the bike which leads me to try new things and push harder, thus improving my riding

Go two stroke ktm200 are surprisingly forgiving for a 2t
Or if 4 stroke is your preference Yamaha wr250's are bullet proof and reasonable 2nd hand
Or there's ktm but they do cost more
Or..... Join the husky family

.. I end up hanging in trees

That happens to me even in good conditions...

.. I end up hanging in trees

That happens to me even in good conditions...

You reckoned the tree was a softer option?

.. I end up hanging in trees

That happens to me even in good conditions...

You reckoned the tree was a softer option?

Option...that seems to indicate a choice of where to crash...

Option...that seems to indicate a choice of where to crash...

Final moment of self preservation John, no time to choose...



Back to sand.


Momentum is everything in this softer sand and very different riding the dunes of 2 weeks prior, way more work on the bars is how I gauge it in sandology terms.

Another weekend done and dusted and a touch more frustrated with SAND.

Honda leg nearly fell off on Sunday which has led to the decision to upgrade.
You are dead right Strika, a new bike wont make me a better rider. I have persisted for sometime with it, but im finding im spending more time kicking and less time riding. I'm all for one to learn the hard way, but all im learning is numerous techniques on how to start it. I will get someone to look at it before i part with her, but Im not spending much more on it. So.. now im looking for another dirty little steed for the stable.. any suggestions?

Possum,

I'm with you, regarding the Honda. I can only get my 600 to fire from cold if I have it on the stand and can get a good hard kick on it.

F#@$kiing frustarting as hell. Last weekend over three days could not get it to go!!

The only chance it has is I'm going to take to Glen ( Allfixed ) to see if he work some magic. Otherwise its back to an old 2 Stroke.



In so far as riding in sand a couple of simple things for beginers....

Keep your weight back and your revs up

Use the bars to turn the front wheel ( may seem exagerated to start with )as well as leaning.

Like anything..... practice make perfect ( or at least a little better )

Cheers

Rusty

Cheers Rusty, nice to know there are others out there with the infamous Honda Leg

Finding the transition from road to dirt somewhat comfronting when it comes to Sand
and yes, practice does make perfect.. Im in need of lots...
Well can only go forward