Riding on dirt. REALLY riding on dirt.

[Robb]

I've been riding on dirt for years. Turns out I wasn't REALLY riding on dirt.

The difference, I found out Saturday, is speed. Lots of it.

I took the 640 about an hour north on the highway, turned off into a fine high desert canyon to meet up with some other folks riding absurdly large enduros. Lots of BSing, I learned how to tighten my chain, there was BBQ.

Then, the riding. Holy crap.

When you ride on dirt at "normal" speeds, e.g. 35 mph or less, the way I've been riding all these years, things behave about the same as they do on pavement. You lean into the turn, because you aren't testing your traction -- it's a close approximation of what you have on the road.

I had to learn a whole new thing to keep up with these guys.

Somewhere around 45 mph, the equation changes; you have to be standing, for example, to take the bumps properly. It also forces you to lean the bike in a turn and keep your body straight -- which puts the weight, wait for it, on your OUTSIDE peg. Which is the right thing to do.

Plus, your back end slides right the heck out from under you. In a "controlled" fashion. On every turn. :wow:

I learned a lot yesterday. I don't think I need to run freeway speeds on dirt roads every day, but it's interesting to know I can do it. In a pinch. ;)

[lumberjack_jeff]

1. I grew up riding dirt bikes

The first few rides on a street bike were enlightening. "I'm supposed to sit the whole time?"

:)

[natrat]

2. it's a great sport

i rode in the bishop area over the weekend and it had rained a few days before, The trail surface was loam and nice sand. Basically only when it's like that i will slide turns and generally go faster cuz it's so forgiving. Alas i live hundreds of miles from southern california so it's only a few weekends a year. On the big bikes 640/950 the standing peg pressure totally turns the bike, but i still am chicken to turn the bike with power to the rear wheel. The drz on the other hand has been the perfect platform to learn things without getting killed. What a sport. Pics are a little big.

[smoochy]

3. I'm Jealous

I'm jealous, really nice pictures!