Best kind of bike for Colorado?

[Silverbird]

As most fo you know our roads tend to suck.  I have had lots of bikes ranging from an XR650L to my XX and all of them were only fun less than 1/2 the time because some roads are smooth and curvy and other are pothole infested and rediculously bumpy.  

I have recently been thinking about a 1200GS or bug adventrue bike to take some fire roads on but I also want to be able to really good corning capabilities. Any one given up in sportbikes in Colorado because of the bumpy roads?

[Justin]

I have not given up on Sportbikes yet myself here - but I think if I had 25k, and could buy one bike with it living here, it would be a GS. I really am a sportbike rider at heart, but there are times I really really wish I had a GS living here. I recall hearing that only 20% of CO's roads are paved.

[birdrunner]

big KTM


'nuff said.

[blakebird]

I haven't given up on sportbikes, but as a longtime offroad rider a good dualsport in Colorado will really expand your available riding area. Some of the real scenery is atop places like Imogene and Engineer Pass. The San Juans alone can be seen much better from the seat of a dualsport.

I've had a BMW GS Adventure, and they're awesome road bikes and can do some offroad (if you're a good offroad rider).
A better bike, IMO, would be a 950/990 Adventure if you're going to be doing much offroad but still want a good roadbike.

I leaned towards dualsported dirt bikes for years, but my current TE 630 is probably the best Colorado bike I've had. Six speed wide ratio gives you great offroad gearing and the ability to maintain highway speeds effortlessly. EFI means no jetting when you go up to 13,000 ft and above.
Good alternator output for the accessories you need in Colorado - heated gear, grip heaters, GPS...

I put a 6.6 gallon Safari tank on, good for 300+ miles in Baja and places where you can't depend on gas being available.
Carries the weight low so when partially filled (~4 gallons) it handles great offroad and still gives plenty of range.  

The bike is also a ton of fun on pavement in the canyons.

[coho]

Optimal ride for Colorado.  Year round, any road or lack thereof and plenty of storage for your outdoor activity accessories.

[JimWilliamson]

I'm paying notice to the thread too as CO has a nice mix between asphalt and gravel. Blakebird's post hits good topics - FI, range, power for electrics - is well taken.

I'd be looking for a machine that would be decent for both sweepers and forest roads / un-maintained two-track. Perhaps a V-Strom (something with a bit more ground clearance and suspension travel than a street only bike).



Invitation: Until {If?} I get back onto two-wheels, my Jeep is the wind-in-the-face sightseeng substitute for a motorcycle. If any of you wish to see what some of the Jeep trails are like, PM me and I'll let you know when a trail ride comes up. There's often a seat or three available. From what I hear, CO has a ton of single-track trails available to bikes. Two track for Jeeps, there is less but still a decent amount. A nice web site for two-track exploring is here: www.TrailDamage.com Edit: TD has a trail rating system. Finding trails with a high scenery rating and a low difficulty rating would be the first step for selecting a trail for bikes.

[bluedogok]

Coming from Texas where it seems like most of the roads are bumpy, rutted, tar snaked and cheese grater paved most of the roads that I have been on up here seem to be as smooth as glass in comparison. Tar snakes in day after day of 100+ degree heat can also cause a lot of butt pucker factor as well.

[bikerfish1100]

roads too bumpy for a sport bike? never noticed, really. I guess that telelever/paralever combo actually works really well, eh?

however- i think my F800GS is a real fine choice for the "do anything, go (almost) anywhere" need.

JimW- you've got my email- gimme a shout when you want a passenger or 2.

[blakebird]

however- i think my F800GS is a real fine choice for the "do anything, go (almost) anywhere" need.

The F800GS is a great Colorado bike.

On one of our Baja trips one of our group took his F800GS instead of his TE610, and it did great in some rugged offroad stuff. Much better offroad than I thought it would be. After that trip, a solid week of rough offroad riding, I came back considering one.

[bikerfish1100]

The F800GS is a great Colorado bike.

On one of our Baja trips one of our group took his F800GS instead of his TE610, and it did great in some rugged offroad stuff. Much better offroad than I thought it would be. After that trip, a solid week of rough offroad riding, I came back considering one.

no argument from me.

[Justin]

I'd be all over that  

[RodeRash]

When all your rides start at an elevation of around 5,000 feet and go up, my preference is for something with a lot of power.
I'm willing to deal with the extra weight that comes with it.

[black hills]

big KTM


'nuff said.

 

Not Colorado, but close:

[blakebird]

The only place I wouldn't want an LC8 on the White Rim Trail, would be going up Hardscrabble Hill or Murphy's Hogsback after a good long rain.
When that ground is wet it's the worst kind of slippery and steep.

 

Not Colorado, but close:

[black hills]

The only place I wouldn't want an LC8 on the White Rim Trail, would be going up Hardscrabble Hill or Murphy's Hogsback after a good long rain.
When that ground is wet it's the worst kind of slippery and steep.

They are a bit of a pig for "real" dirtbiking. but better than the competition in this area IMO? if you can keep it above 10mph it works fine, slower than that and it gets to be a real handful. Sure, I would mych rather have my 300 in the tight stuff, but once on anything that resembles a road the LC8 is fine.. I installed a Scotts stabilizer last night so am looking forward to a test ride sunday

[Clovis]

I always thought Colorado has some of the best sport bike roads in the country. I'm not bothered by tar snakes and rough roads, you just have to be aware of them and confident on your bike.

I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned Yamaha's new Super Tenere. It's gotten great reviews and most people place it in between a KTM and GS1200 in terms of a road/dirt balance. If I was in the market for a dual sport I would strongly consider that bike.

[Justin]

I always thought Colorado has some of the best sport bike roads in the country.

Yes, it has *some* of the best sport bike roads in the country - the problem is that there are not many. As of recently only 80% of the roads in CO were paved. For sport riding, you either have to ride the same roads all the time, or ride hundreds of miles to get to new roads (not that there is anything wrong with that  ).

Back in upstate NY, I had hundreds of windy paved roads I could choose from within 1/2 an hour of my house; and go another 30 miles and there will be another 50 roads. Out here I have like 5 roads within a half an hour I'd consider good or OK sport riding roads  

So for a true do it all CO bike, I'd definitely go with a GS or other adventure bike. For now, I'm happy eating paved miles still, and I really do like sport bikes. In the future, I'd really like to add a DS.

[sfarson]

Yes, it has *some* of the best sport bike roads in the country - the problem is that there are not many. As of recently only 80% of the roads in CO were paved. For sport riding, you either have to ride the same roads all the time, or ride hundreds of miles to get to new roads (not that there is anything wrong with that  ).

Back in upstate NY, I had hundreds of windy paved roads I could choose from within 1/2 an hour of my house; and go another 30 miles and there will be another 50 roads. Out here I have like 5 roads within a half an hour I'd consider good or OK sport riding roads  

So for a true do it all CO bike, I'd definitely go with a GS or other adventure bike. For now, I'm happy eating paved miles still, and I really do like sport bikes. In the future, I'd really like to add a DS.

Now Mr. J.... I could come up with more than five decent sporting roads within 30 minutes of say, Morrison. Even more if out of Boulder.    But would note the 80% paved figure you mention is actually the opposite... 80-90% of Colorado's roads are unpaved.  And yes, a DS is ideal for Colorado if having an interest in wandering down those stray and faint/dashed lines on the map.  Also, they can take one across the state in comfort, and they can be wicked in the curves.

[Justin]

But would note the 80% paved figure you mention is actually the opposite... 80-90% of Colorado's roads are unpaved.  

Yeap, I meant to say "unpaved", typo on my part  

Now Mr. J.... I could come up with more than five decent sporting roads within 30 minutes of say, Morrison.

I can come up with 5 "sporting" roads 30 mins outside of Morrison as well. And if you are at a "sporting" pace, you might actually be able to make it to 6  

[birdrunner]

Yeap, I meant to say "unpaved", typo on my part    

Technically I believe it's a  BRAINFART, not a typo as you actually didn't spell anything wrong.

Get with the program boy.  

I suspect a KTM 990 SMT or Adventure will "out twisty" may of our sport touring rigs.

[black hills]

I always thought Colorado has some of the best sport bike roads in the country. I'm not bothered by tar snakes and rough roads, you just have to be aware of them and confident on your bike.

I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned Yamaha's new Super Tenere. It's gotten great reviews and most people place it in between a KTM and GS1200 in terms of a road/dirt balance. If I was in the market for a dual sport I would strongly consider that bike.

After sending my Moab pics to a friend (yamaha dealer) he has ordered a Super Tenere and we are planning a spring trip to Moab. I Should have a review on the Tenere by June !!

[sfarson]

Yeap, I meant to say "unpaved", typo on my part  




I can come up with 5 "sporting" roads 30 mins outside of Morrison as well. And if you are at a "sporting" pace, you might actually be able to make it to 6  

Maybe with the Busa you're looking for wide open, at high speed sweeping/curving riding.  With a lighter/shorter wheelbase sportbike, even a DS or motard like bike, there's a basketful of grinful roads within 30 minutes of Morrison carving through the Foothills.  I could mention the twistfests of the Magnolia Road, Sugarloaf, Four Mile, Sunshine, or Flagstaff minutes outside of Boulder, for they are probably close to 30 minutes from Morrison, but let's stay closer,  A few pretzeled or bending fun roads within 30 minutes...

- Coal Creek
- Twin Spruce
- Golden Gate/Crawford Gulch
- Lookout Mountain
- Bear Creek/Kerr Gulch (A canyon road you know well)
- North Turkey Creek
- High Drive/Stanley Park/Little Cub Creek
- Brook Forest/Shadow Mountain
- Hilldale Pines
- Conifer Mountain
- Deer Creek/Firehouse Hill
- High Grade/Pleasant Park
- Deckers
- CO 103 to Echo Lake
- Jarre Canyon
- Guanella Pass (Have you checked out the park like, newly paved (finished in Oct) and twisting ascent on the north side, all the way from Georgetown to the pass summit?)

I'll leave off Indian Hills/Parmalee (Maybe too short for you), Foxton Road (Not a lengthy one either, but empty and fun), Clear Creek (Too much traffic, oh but only if this wasn't so), CO 105 to Monument (Sweeping, but perhaps not bending enough for you), Fall River (a fun out and back), the Peak-to-Peak (Pushing 30 minutes away from Morrison).

 

[blakebird]

I think Justin should get a dualsport so I can show him the Switzerland Trail, West Magnolia, the 505, Kingston Peak....    

If you've run low on paved roads around here, that's the solution Justin

So much to see, especially if you like spending time in the San Juans.

[Justin]

I think Justin should get a dualsport so I can show him the Switzerland Trail, West Magnolia, the 505, Kingston Peak....    

One of these days .. been saying it for years. Let me know if you see any good deals come around.

For now, I just ride farther to satisfy my cravings  


And Steve - didn't mean to argue, there are good roads out here. Just saying, that compared to back east, they are much fewer and much farther. So from a pure sport riding position, I wouldn't say CO was one of the best. For (sport-)touring, adventure, DS it's definitely way up there.

And no - I haven't hit Guanella since the repave - will put that on my todo. Any idea when that road opens?

[jbs80106]

hmm...did 600 miles from CSPrings, over Indy Pass to Paonia, back home on Hwy 50.  Lots of good riding there, didn't notice roads being 'bad' the whole way?  

Never tried true fire roads, but have done some dirt/unmaintained roads east of falcon on my K75 and my GS650.  Didn't like it but survived.  Maybe I'll try a dual-sport some day....

[sfarson]

And Steve - didn't mean to argue, there are good roads out here. Just saying, that compared to back east, they are much fewer and much farther. So from a pure sport riding position, I wouldn't say CO was one of the best. For (sport-)touring, adventure, DS it's definitely way up there.

And no - I haven't hit Guanella since the repave - will put that on my todo. Any idea when that road opens?

Oh I know, I was just clarifying.

But having ridden a bunch in the east, I don't rate the sporting roads and their frequency of occurence as highly as you, but we all have different criteria.

As for Guanella, the snowfall amounts will dictate the progress one can make, easier on the south, less so on the north (duh).  The plows may come out earlier on the north side given the refurbishment.  I've made it to the top well before official maintenance came along.

[Justin]

Oh I know, I was just clarifying.

But having ridden a bunch in the east, I don't rate the sporting roads and their frequency of occurence as highly as you, but we all have different criteria.

Indeed. And even if there are less "sporting" roads out here - I like riding here much better. It's not all about twisty roads for me. I like the wide open desolate places just as much. And having to ride farther is a good thing anyway

[fineout]

I know I'm a bit biased but for good twisty performance and some (very limited but manageable) fire road/very light offroad duty, the versys is a great option. You may be thinking the little 650 is a bit anemic but you may want to take one for a test ride, it has plenty of torque to get you around very easily. Good luck on your search  

[blakebird]

He doesn't want a Versys for where I'm going to take him  


He might survive it on a KLR

[Justin]

He might survive it on a KLR

I doubt that. Last time I rode dirtbikes it was one of these maybe even older



I don't think my old fat a$$ could muscle around a KLR on the stuff you ride  

[Thundergod]

Yamaha WR450 R -- Street Legal Dirt Bike (dying breed)

[blakebird]

Do you perhaps mean WR250R?

There are a LOT of people wishing Yamaha would make a factory street legal WR450.

I know folks with the 2fiddy who say it's quite a good little bike. A buddy flew to Sacramento and did a fly 'n ride, taking two lane and gravel back to CO. (Burr Trail, etc)

Yamaha WR450 R -- Street Legal Dirt Bike (dying breed)

[Trinity]

Jim, nice to see you're still hanging around this forum. (Terry-CB's).  Let me know when you get a V-Strom or something and we can go ride.

Agree that the WR250R is a really nice bike for both road and trails but everything is a compromise. It's no fun doing 100 mile road rides on the WR. But it's a blast riding Crystal Mtn or the desert in Utah or the single tracks in WY.

Just picked up a very well used R1200GS 2 weeks ago and what people say is true. If you can only have one... My old K1200RS is definitely going up for sale this spring and maybe even the sport bike. Yes, the GS is that much fun. Lacking in power but still loads of fun.  It's a blast tearing down dirt roads and scratching pegs (figuratively speaking only) on the street.  However, I think I'm keeping the WR. There is no way I have the skill to take the GS up Moody Hill.

Used to have a DR650. Great for some distance riding on the street but not a single track bike for sure. The F800GS, Super Tenere, KTM 990 are all awesome bikes. So to answer the question, in the end, it's all a compromise. There's no such thing as the best kind of bike for CO... at least not one.

[Powder Addict]

There are PLENTY of great paved sporting roads in Colorado, many that are rarely patrolled and have very little traffic.

Western Colorado is a motorcyclists dream.  I know of one road in particular that is about 9 miles of tight twisty magical goodness.  

As you get closer to Denver, the roads become more congested and patrolled.   But out here on the Western Slope, it's a whole 'nother story

[sfarson]

Things are quite calm with traffic and enforcement on weekdays along the Front Range, also in the early AM on weekends.  And totally true on secluded, empty sporting riding on the Western Slope.

Not only the enchanting nine mile thing, but at its southern launch, there's great riding in three other directions.

 

[blakebird]

that looks like it could be hwy 65 just a few miles south of I-70 at the beginning of the Grand Mesa Scenic Byway

[sfarson]

Ahhh... Very good and very close Blake.  If turning around 180 degrees this would be the case.  Pic looks north at the De Beque Cutoff... a gnarled and pretzeled twistfest of a road.  It's the "north option" from a divine riding intersection.  To the west the Plateau River Canyon, to the east Collbran and then sweet dual-sport riding all the way to McClure Pass, and to the south, CO 65 over the Grand Mesa...

http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=CO-65+N%2FGrand+Mesa+Scenic+Byway&daddr=Mesa,+CO+81643+to:CO-330+E+to:45+1%2F2+Rd%2FDe+Beque+Cutoff+Rd+to:CO-65+S%2FGrand+Mesa+Scenic+Byway&hl=en&ll=39.203792,-108.098602&spn=0.225337,0.410271&sll=39.185433,-108.13139&sspn=0.056349,0.102568&geocode=FRABVgIdQOON-Q%3BFbWhVQIdo_CN-SlZ3T--KCpHhzFELgh22e2LIQ%3BFbztVQIdMl-O-Q%3BFT1IVgIdXNWN-Q%3BFcT2VQIdA4mN-Q&gl=us&mra=mi&mrsp=4&sz=14&t=m&z=12

[DenverC-14]

Not really related to the best bike(I love my C-14) but here are a few pics of the completed Guanella pass, just after they finished.

[Justin]

Not really related to the best bike(I love my C-14) but here are a few pics of the completed Guanella pass, just after they finished.

Very nice, thanks for the share. Got those pics right as the aspen's were changing  

[sfarson]

Most definitely nice pics C-14... the road, the terrain, the bike.  

[bikerfish1100]

i had the good fortune to go over Guanella on my way to Top of the Rockies in late July. construction still going on, much of the Georgetown side was still dirt.

[blakebird]

The Elephant Ride is this weekend for anyone wanting to give Guanella a try  

I'm kinda glad I have to work - the bald Karoos on the Husqvarna would not get me far.

[Justin]

The Elephant Ride is this weekend for anyone wanting to give Guanella a try  

I'm kinda glad I have to work - the bald Karoos on the Husqvarna would not get me far.

I'll be happy to take the Husky out for you since you have to work  

Was not familiar with the Elephant Ride though - sounds like it would be a lot more fun on a 2wd Ural  

[VIVID1]

I haven't noticed the roads being too bumpy for a sportbike in Colorado  

[lomax]

No idea how old this thread is but I subscribed.

I have been riding Colorado all my life and am still looking for the right bike  

Marc

[blakebird]

No idea how old this thread is but I subscribed.

I have been riding Colorado all my life and am still looking for the right bike  

Marc

that's easy....they're all the right bike for Colorado  

[bikerfish1100]

that's easy....they're all the right bike for Colorado  

well, maybe not this one so much.
at least, not much of anywhere above the eastern plains.

[blakebird]

I'll bet it's a blast on a good downhill like S. St. Vrain