35hp, Long Island (Now with balder knobbies and added drama)

[scottzilla]

This past weekend I set off determined to find some fresh trails.  LI has lots of open space but nowhere to ride.  geting caught on an off-road bike is akin to giving cigarettes to minors (Basically you are the worst person on the planet).  So with 4 hours in hand I did 90 miles, all within 12-15 miles from my house.  I'll let you do the math.
Deep in the woods.  All this stuff looks alike after a while.  I found some trails that hadn't been walked on in years, let alone ridden on.  The ground is deceptively soft in many spots.  It looks solid with a coating of pine needles but underneath is a foot of sand.  My legs got a workout and i'm still sore.  I am old though.




Even found a bunch of steepness.

[scottzilla]

[scottzilla]

I found this long section that led to an even longer rugged trail through the woods that went on for miles.  I have personally blasted past this trail a million times while riding the XX and Speedy.  It's amazing what you find when you're actually looking for it.
I encountered a dozen deer and about 50 wild turkey's back here.  If I had a rifle I could have whipped up one hell of a stew.




 


Minature pines.

[scottzilla]

Oops.  The bald tires got in the way this time.  I had no rear traction in teh deep sand and the front end just plowed, knocking me to the ground.  The handguards held, the folding shift lever folded and the hwy bars, bent from previous tip-overs continue to provide some clearance between the ground and important crap mounted to teh bike.  Luckily, the sand was deep so that provided a nice cushion as well.  Or so I thought...
 

I think a deer tripped me.


So I reach some solid ground and stop for some water and a damage assessment.  The bike is puking coolant out the ass end overflow.
 

No problem, probably from

 the bike being on it's side.  What's that noise?  Ah, the radiator shroud is bent and chewing the hell out of the fan.  Nice.


See that shiny spot?

[scottzilla]

So with the help of the completely inadequate tool kit i'm on my way.
Terrain get pretty rugged, i'm out in spots that people don't even walk on and the trees are closing in.  My helmet is taking a beating from trees and 2 straight miles of whoops, though a ball of fun, are starting to burn up my legs.

[scottzilla]

With fan inoperable, the bike started to run hot,, and I actually feared blowing up in the middle of nowhere.  I often joke how on LI, you are never more than a hundreed from a house but damned if there were any neighborhoods around here.
After a few miles, I found HWY and knew exactly where I was.  Once up to hwy speed the bike cooled quickly.  I found another trail, and headed in only to happen upon on a guy riding a KTM.


Long story short, this guy belongs to a group that has permission to ride on a several acre plot of land.  I'm sworn to keep my freaking mouth shut, so I will.
More of this and that, then back home.




Turns out the bike took a few cups of coolant and upon removal of the fan, this is what I found:



Let me know if you spot a shitty KLR plastic fan cheap.

[DogBoy]

(Basically you are the worst person on the planet).

When has this stopped you before?



Looks like a fun ride and did just enough damage to still allow you to return home.  

[Hulked Up]

I admire your spirit of adventure.  But I think you need a 250 or some crash bars or you should move.

[kendenton]

I grew up in Bethpage - what part of the Island are you exploring?

[scottzilla]

I grew up in Bethpage - what part of the Island are you exploring?

The last place on LI left that still has open land, deer ticks, west nile mosquitos and no rich people: MANORVILLE.

[scottzilla]

I admire your spirit of adventure.  But I think you need a 250 or some crash bars or you should move.

WILL A 250 DO 80MPH THE ENTIRE 130 MILE TRIP TO YOUR HOUSE?

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Hey Scott - before you install your new fan blade, take tin snips to the outer metal band that "protects" your fan blade    That's the first thing I did to the new KLR when I got it home from Georgia  

[ZED]

Nice looking trails.  Great way to spend the day.  

(Basically you are the worst person on the planet)

[rant]
I've never understood this prevelant attitude.  Why do people so badly want to keep us out of places that no one else is using anyway.  Preservation?  Of what?  
[/rant]

 
I think a deer tripped me.

Yup.  KLRs with dual purpose tires get tired and like to have a good lie down in deep sand or mud.
Watch out for those deer too.  They're sneaky!

Two key things to note here.
1.  The KLR is really too heavy not to have some kind of radiator gaurd.  If it falls down, things get flattened.
2.  The two most important tools for your KLR are spare zip ties and a leatherman tool.  The picture above shows a slightly squished fan gaurd.  The pliers can straighten that out and keep you going.  
You don't have to take my word for it though, ask KLRChickie how we learned that.  

[marc11]

WILL A 250 DO 80MPH THE ENTIRE 130 MILE TRIP TO YOUR HOUSE?

Hey I rode my KLX250s all the way from my house to WV (400 miles each way) and back, including three days of off road riding while down there.  It didn't do 80 MPH, but did do an honest GPS verified 70 MPH - 75 MPH.  So that was with 21 HP, but maybe your bald knobbies give you an edge.


Don't knock the 250's.

[Mac]

At least it wasn't a cougar that tripped you. I hear they like to break some of your bones when you're down.

[Mastros2]

Funny report Scott! Keep them coming!

[bubba zanetti]

Buy and aftermarket, metal fan. They can take some abuse without dissolving the mount.

[scottzilla]

Buy and aftermarket, metal fan. They can take some abuse without dissolving the mount.

I bought an EX500 plastic fan and removed the shroud.  IMO, a metal fan bends, a plastic fan bends but returns to shape (Assuming a blade isn't snapped off).  Bike is running good.

[sagerat]

I never dual sport by myself in case a) the Kawi breaks and I can hook a ride out or other rider can go for help or b) I break and need somebody to fetch either help or a hearse.  

Cool pics and fun read.