Gunshot's Taco Build and Washington Debauchery Log...

Back in the day the four Japanese companies dominated the two wheel department. Husqavarna and KTM were not highly regarded.

I rode Honda, Yamaha and Kawasaki.

What changed?

 

The Jap4 def still dominate the road bike market, but KTM and Husqvarna(ktm rebadge) seem to have found their niche in the dirt.

KTM def has its problems still, but they largely have upper range stats in the classes they make bikes for.

 

All I see these days are KTM’s in the dirt bike arena. What used to be the 2-cycle arena.

 

In my continuous cope of not having the scratch for an ADV bike yet, I added some DIY pannier cases on the duke. Had to swap to a Yoshimura tidy tail from the one I had cuz the turn signals got in the way of the rack.

KTM powerparts luggage rack and 2 Harbor Freight Apache cases plus some hardware from home depot and Im good to go! Perfect size to jam my fly fishing kit in, as well as can pull grocery getter duty.

Hardest part was getting all the damn stickers off the cases. They were so bad at leaving backing all over.

 

Got the parts for the other side (closest lowes only had enough for one side), mounted, then tossed some orange vinyl in the Cricut and banged out some stickers.

Looks pretty close to OEM if you didnt know any better. Very pleased with how they came out. The case handles even work as hand holds for a pillion since the 390s didnt come with any.


*obligatory helper dog included in pic

 

Impressive. Is there a spot in there for helper dog?

What’s the longest trip you’ve been on so far?

 

Millcreek and back. Bike is a little small for anything other than short commute jaunts in the highway.

May take it up to PC this weekend and bring the fly rod.

 

Too small cc wise?

 

Yeah, its only a 390.

Doing mid 70s Im at 6th gear 9k rpm

 

Great day for a rip! Sunny and mid 70s at home, and nice and cool up top at Grizzly Gulch.

 

Nice pic.

 

when are you coming back to NOVA? we got a Koenigsegg dealership now

https://www.koenigseggwashingtondc.com/

 

Looking fast as f*ck at Fears, Tears, and Beers! Such a good enduro race! Look forward to being back a third time next year.

 

Camp recipes to save for later:

https://bikepacking.com/plan/pine-nut-pesto-pasta/

https://bikepacking.com/plan/bikepacking-recipe-pad-thai/

 

Are you like sponsored, or did you pass the camera that takes your pic, and at the end of the race you can buy the photo for an insane price?

You have a serious look on your face.

 

Not sponsored, just a guy that likes to ride bikes.

Race had some photographers at each stage to catch the action.

 

If you get the 390 Adventure you can do the track on that next year

 

No way you could get a moto up to the top on the climb track, but would be sorta nifty on the downhill.

The last timed stage, youd prob die though, unless you were really slick on the bike with a MX background.

 

Bike overheated last weekend on the way home from the lake 83 miles away. Thankfully it did so right before I was about to jump on the freeway and ascend a rather large hill. Had to limp it the last 20 miles home about 3 miles at a go. Nothing like being sunburnt, dehydrated, in the 100* sun then having to deal with a hot bike. #overit

Went to check the coolant today, and I think I found the problem. Realized I didnt check it when I bought it back in March, when it was 41* outside so unfortunately dont have a baseline to know if it lost it all or never had any. Has run flawlessly until yesterday afternoon. Ran it for a quick minute today to check for error lights, etc and its clear, so hoping I just need to add coolant and be g2g.

Reading up on it, apparently 390s are notorious for overheating, and also slowly losing coolant, so Im hoping its not a larger issue.