Scott Brady
Founder
I am working hard to build me endurance and skills for three weeks of solid riding. Thousands of miles of dirt will take its toll on the bike and me, so I have been hitting the gym 3-4 times a week, working on strengthening of my back and upper body, principally with high-rep. movements like bench, triceps, shoulders, lats, etc. I feel better than I have in years. It is good to get moving again. The strength routine is being complimented with 3 days a week on the mtn. bike (thanks Christophe/Flounder). I feel like me endurance is ramping up quickly as well.
Lesson #1: You really do need to be in good shape and strong to toss a 500lb, 100hp dirt daemon around on the trails.
My first dirt ride was a typical Scotty maneuver, riding all alone to one of the most difficult trails in the area. I made it about half-way up, more out of luck than anything, then failed a rutted climb and needed to walk the bike backwards down the ditch, only for it to tip on its side after an overzealous push from my left leg.
So, I go to pick it up like all of my other dirt bikes - Oh no... So, it took nearly all of the strength in my 6'1" 225lb frame to lift that monster. I could have probably done it one or two more times, but after that, it would just need to lay there for while.
Lesson #2: The big adventure bikes are VERY hard to save once they start tipping to one side. And more importantly than that, they are REALLY hard to pick up once on their side.
Initial impressions of the KTM 950 is that it is a dream to ride on the road and on fast sections of trail and even over whoops, rocks and up big climbs. Where it falls short of traditional dirt bikes I have owned... Anytime the trail gets steep and loose. All that HP and weight has a real hard time keeping traction.
I need to raise the handlebar and put in a 15 tooth cog in the front.
Lesson #3 These adventure bikes are nowhere near low geared enough for their size (I understand that the BMW adventure has a nice low 1st gear), which means you need to keep the speed higher than you want, especially when going down hill.
The two-wheeled deliverer of death, looking all innocent before a big climb.
Lesson #4: Crash bars are a good thing. During a little "test" run, another member of the team tried to ride the 950 down my block. It ended up sliding down the block, but with hardly any damage because of the crash bars. Fortunately, the rider ended up with only a light scratch too.
Second trip: Brain and I met up at the Table Mesa exit. It was HOT.
We started down the trail, which immediately became a struggle due to the recent grading. The trail surface was loose, like 10 million marbles had been strewed about the desert. I needed to have total control over the throttle to prevent spinning the rear tire. Overall, the 950 had a pretty easy time of the climbs, as I could ride the same section as Brian at 5-10 mph faster, because of the longer suspension travel and bigger wheels. The BMW worked hard on the climbs and Brian laid the bike on its side on the steepest climb of the day.
VIDEO OF BRIAN ON THE CLIMB
Coming down the other side, I just could not get the 950 to slow down enough, and the trail surface was so torn up and loose, that the rear tire would easily lock and start to slide. Just lightly dragging the front brake would cause the front wheel to slide around. Coming around one really loose turn, I had to use a little front brake and the tire washed out, and down went the 950. Fortunately, I was going pretty slow and was able to step off the bike as it went down. Again, the crash bars saved the sparkly orange paint, and Brian helped me lift it. Then we had some small rock gardens and other climbs and both of us were feeling more confident. The 950 was getting a little hot, so I plan to add another fan (operated with a switch). the BMW had no trouble with the heat, though Brian was feeling the heat a little in the heavy BMW jacket.
Once we got on the wide dirt roads, we picked up the pace, and the 950 cooled down. Brian is a good rider in the mid-speed range and he kept a great pace. I found the standing position a little uncomfortable on the 950, so I plan to do an 18mm bar riser.
The entire ride, from door to door was just under 200 miles. The bike took 4.4 gallons of fuel to do that distance.
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In summary, the KTM 950 is as violent and fast in the dirt as a trophy truck, and as quick as a Ferrari on the street, however, it lacks the bonus of a roll-cage... Even with years of dirt bike experience and time riding a street bike, I am finding myself constantly correcting my riding to be safe. The machine is such a thrill (3.4 seconds 0-60), but utterly dangerous as well. So I ride as slow as possible on the road and conservative as possible on the trail too, with a little picture of Stephanie taped above the speedo...
Lesson #1: You really do need to be in good shape and strong to toss a 500lb, 100hp dirt daemon around on the trails.
My first dirt ride was a typical Scotty maneuver, riding all alone to one of the most difficult trails in the area. I made it about half-way up, more out of luck than anything, then failed a rutted climb and needed to walk the bike backwards down the ditch, only for it to tip on its side after an overzealous push from my left leg.
So, I go to pick it up like all of my other dirt bikes - Oh no... So, it took nearly all of the strength in my 6'1" 225lb frame to lift that monster. I could have probably done it one or two more times, but after that, it would just need to lay there for while.
Lesson #2: The big adventure bikes are VERY hard to save once they start tipping to one side. And more importantly than that, they are REALLY hard to pick up once on their side.
Initial impressions of the KTM 950 is that it is a dream to ride on the road and on fast sections of trail and even over whoops, rocks and up big climbs. Where it falls short of traditional dirt bikes I have owned... Anytime the trail gets steep and loose. All that HP and weight has a real hard time keeping traction.
I need to raise the handlebar and put in a 15 tooth cog in the front.
Lesson #3 These adventure bikes are nowhere near low geared enough for their size (I understand that the BMW adventure has a nice low 1st gear), which means you need to keep the speed higher than you want, especially when going down hill.
The two-wheeled deliverer of death, looking all innocent before a big climb.
Lesson #4: Crash bars are a good thing. During a little "test" run, another member of the team tried to ride the 950 down my block. It ended up sliding down the block, but with hardly any damage because of the crash bars. Fortunately, the rider ended up with only a light scratch too.
Second trip: Brain and I met up at the Table Mesa exit. It was HOT.
We started down the trail, which immediately became a struggle due to the recent grading. The trail surface was loose, like 10 million marbles had been strewed about the desert. I needed to have total control over the throttle to prevent spinning the rear tire. Overall, the 950 had a pretty easy time of the climbs, as I could ride the same section as Brian at 5-10 mph faster, because of the longer suspension travel and bigger wheels. The BMW worked hard on the climbs and Brian laid the bike on its side on the steepest climb of the day.
VIDEO OF BRIAN ON THE CLIMB
Coming down the other side, I just could not get the 950 to slow down enough, and the trail surface was so torn up and loose, that the rear tire would easily lock and start to slide. Just lightly dragging the front brake would cause the front wheel to slide around. Coming around one really loose turn, I had to use a little front brake and the tire washed out, and down went the 950. Fortunately, I was going pretty slow and was able to step off the bike as it went down. Again, the crash bars saved the sparkly orange paint, and Brian helped me lift it. Then we had some small rock gardens and other climbs and both of us were feeling more confident. The 950 was getting a little hot, so I plan to add another fan (operated with a switch). the BMW had no trouble with the heat, though Brian was feeling the heat a little in the heavy BMW jacket.
Once we got on the wide dirt roads, we picked up the pace, and the 950 cooled down. Brian is a good rider in the mid-speed range and he kept a great pace. I found the standing position a little uncomfortable on the 950, so I plan to do an 18mm bar riser.
The entire ride, from door to door was just under 200 miles. The bike took 4.4 gallons of fuel to do that distance.
In summary, the KTM 950 is as violent and fast in the dirt as a trophy truck, and as quick as a Ferrari on the street, however, it lacks the bonus of a roll-cage... Even with years of dirt bike experience and time riding a street bike, I am finding myself constantly correcting my riding to be safe. The machine is such a thrill (3.4 seconds 0-60), but utterly dangerous as well. So I ride as slow as possible on the road and conservative as possible on the trail too, with a little picture of Stephanie taped above the speedo...
