Motorcycles BS Thread 2.0

I have a banshee for 2 stroke shenaningans

Looks like the crf450l gets like 6 hp from a pipe and tune bringing it to mid 40's wheel. The small tank is a bummer but I still don't think I'd need over 80 miles of range. Guess I'll go ride one and see what's up. A while ago I tried a DR650 and it wasn't my thing.

I think the dealer also has a 250l rally, I'll try that too because why not.

 

i rented a banshee at Pismo
Beach and damn near killed myself flying off a dune. the dropoffs are sudden and you go flying. then you need to stay on the throttle when landing or the quad just sticknin the sand and you launch into or over the handlebars

but the throttle response on the banshee tho! Love it

 

I wasn't really looking for a riding backpack but I saw this No Drag Mach 5 for sale on Facebook. I figured it would be a nice upgrade from my Camelbak with it's two tiny pockets, especially for $70 in like new condition.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOFDCnA7zb8

 

Nice, I've been waiting for this to get posted on Youtube, watched the final practice yesterday and some IG content on it. Guess I know what I'm watching tonight.

 

That was cool!!

 

The plan is to modify a 5x8 utility trailer.

I definitely want brakes. Where I went for my first time off road to @68dave Dave's cabin over on the Cacapon Mtn in WVa was crazy just getting there. It's my benchmark. I would not attempt it with a fully loaded trailer without brakes.

I am going to do some calculations but I believe moving the axle just a little farther back will help keep the rear from dragging in ditches. A fully articulated hitch will allow for a longer tongue, which should allow for tighter turns? I'll mount adjustable jack stabilizers on each corner. I'm going to install bed bars. They'll be able to support a RTT and two happy campers. I want them to be just high enough so that when the trailer is hooked up, the closed tent isn't higher (or not much higher) than the high rise cap on the truck for increased aerodynamics. That should be plenty of room to roll a bike in, even one with a fairing. I need 60" minimum. I'll be rolling it in backwards to save room. This will enable me to keep it as close to the side wall as possible with part of the handlebar protruding beyond the side. A cheap little atv winch mounted to the front wall will assist with that. 1"x2" boards attached to the bed of the trailer, spaced to match the width of the rear tire will ensure the bike is in the correct place each time without steering. The 4 ratcheting tie downs will be cut and labeled so there's no guessing which goes where. The rear gate will be made of wood. It will just be 4 2x6's held together by 3 more 2x6's and will slide in/out of steel channel stock. That way it can be lifted out and used as a ramp for the bike. I have some old metal folding bench legs I'll attach to it and yea, it will be a bench as well. 2 20# propane bottles will be mounted up front sitting on the tongue. A 12v batt monted in front of those will power all the lighting. With the bike on one side, the other side of the floor will be cargo storage. Coolers, my ground tent, camp chairs, latrine, extra fuel, a water tank. A rather large water tank. With the bike on the one side, and cargo, fuel and water on the floor of the other, the area above that will be the camp kitchen. Since it will have 12v power, it may as well have solar charging capabilities right? I mean, how else will you power the built in mini fridge when there's no 120v? For the times 120 is available, I will have a secondary circuit wired in with a simple unplug from the power converter plug into an outlet system. Cooking will be done on a propane Blackstone grill/griddle and open flame campfire. The kitchen side will have metal cabinets for non-perishable foods, and kitchen ware, an ARB awning. The RTT access will be on the other side and include an annex for the latrine, and shower. Metal cabinets mounted over the back of the bike will be used for shower and latrine supplies. The shower and kitchen sink will be connected to a 50 gal water tank, and utilize the propane and battery to run a 12v RV pump, and on demand hot water heater. Everything, including the tent will be covered with a custom made canvas cover secured to the top outside edge of the trailer walls and tailgate on all 4 sides.

I'm sure I missed some minor details but.......It will basically be a cross between a popup, a toy hauler, and a teardrop. At home, everything can stay loaded except for food, fuel, water and the bike, up on the jacks and covered.

Yes, I will use the bike every chance I get for errands to run into town and weather permitting, when I commute solo to work. The work commute is 80ish miles r/t, and broken into 3rds country/highway/City roads. That's the main reason I was interested in the KLR650. That 6.2 gal fuel tank, the water cooled engine and the $6k price tag.

 

Well that's a lot to unpack.

My unsolicited thoughts:

KLR650 is a tractor of a motorcycle. Very versatile and will do a little bit of everything OK but won't do a great job at anything. If it were me, I'd be picking up a used plated dual sport to throw on the trailer, something much lighter and much narrower than a KLR. It'll be better on offroad trails, but it'll still get you to town for supplies. Then get some other bike to do your commuting on.

The thought of rolling in a bike, underneath a RTT and bed bars, tightly packed in with tanks and things on the other side sounds aaawful. The channel thing you describe seems like a good way for the tire to get sideways and bind up or jump the track and tip over onto everything else. I can appreciate the thought, but I don't think it's going to work as great as you want. Something like a wheel chock on a slider might work better, where the wheel isn't actually turning as it's going in?

Or have you thought about mounting a smaller bike on a front hitch, possibly?

 

I always appreciate input Spencer, thanks.

I read somewhere that the KLR was the AK47 of the dual sport world. Others say, if you're riding one and something falls off, you didn't need it anyway.

Yea, I will concentrate on used versions first. I've seen some smokin' good deals.

https://m39t6.app.goo.gl/6xCKM

I'm not sold on a KLR, just everything about it. Price for one, I'd like to keep as low as possible without sacrificing safety, comfort or ability to fill my need. I'm pretty sold though on liquid cooled for the obvious reasons. My motocross days are over.

I have to watch how light in weight I get. I don't want the tail to wag the dog. I'm not exactly a svelte guy. I'm also not very tall so I have to consider seat height too.

I have some experience loading bikes. I've had 4 Harleys. I use to put my XLS Roadster in the bed of my Ram 1500 using a single wide dirt bike ramp. It was harder getting it out. I use to load my Road King into the 42" bed of my 3/4 ton diesel Ram. That was 800ish lbs. I had a special ramp for that. No wheel chock though. Drove it in, put the kickstand down, attached the two pre-set straps to that side first, got on the other side, pulled the bike upright, put the other two straps on, then tightened them all up. The tracks made of wood in the bed of the trailer only act as a guide. I would still have my hand on the handlebar to keep the bike upright. Once it's in the trailer it can lean against the side or on the kickstand until the straps are in place.

I think a 5x8 trailer is more than enough room. The bike will only take up 2' of that.

 

Ktm 690/husky 701. The 500s usually need a "desmog" and they make plenty of power

 

Then I will definitely concentrate on a used bike. For as much as I will use any bike $10k is not an option. That's a shame because that is one thing that has made the KLR so desirable throughout the years.

 

@4x4Runner the weather dropped really fast! Im glad we got that ride in. Now my bike is up on stands, battery plugged in

 

You mean we’re not gonna go for a ride in a couple weeks?

 

That looked super fun, aside from the cold. Also good song choice!

 

if its above 60, maybe. But most likely not. This week, the highs are in the mid 50s. I think next week, even colder. Do you even have a bike here?

I know @LocoLocal bike doesnt work

 

Install day!

Part 1....

 

bruh...

 

@uhplifted is probably taller than me.. He rides beach bikes with baskets.. And he likes to throw bicycles for fun. Im not going to risk my tiny little Ducati with him