GS Challenge Hunter Mountain, NY Oct 1st. OPEN TO ALL ADV BIKES!!!

husabob

New Member
Joined
Jul 11, 2016
Messages
8
Location
Brookline, NH 03033 America
I registered online this morning. Out of 55 entries, one other S10 from Canada is registered. Forecast for the area is rain for this weekend. Anybody from New Hampshire looking to attend is welcome to rideshare on my 7X14 flat bed. I am leaving Friday morning, and can accommodate 2 more bikes.

I took my S10 off road for the first time yesterday. The Heidenau tires reach their limit quickly. Good to know. Gonna air down to the low teens for the event, and remove windshield and all luggage. That makes it a real dirt bike, right?

Also played with traction control. Slippery off cambers are difficult without it.
 

WrongLane

Member
Joined
Jun 10, 2016
Messages
116
Location
NYC
Me and a buddy will be there to watch if the weather isn't too bad. Riding up from NYC via Westchester. A red and a white S10.
 

husabob

New Member
Joined
Jul 11, 2016
Messages
8
Location
Brookline, NH 03033 America
The GS Challenge is in the books. My Super Tenere was more than a handful in the muddy, slippery conditions. Having the front tire go flat early on did not help. Another rider had a compressor, so I was good to go. I only fell off twice, with no damage to me or my ride. My AltRider Skid plate got a real workout, as did the side bars. Getting a 575lb bike airborne is a real thrill. It took me 20 minutes to wash off the mix of heavy clay mud and grass before it hardened. Looking forward to the dinner and entertainment. ::003::
Bob
 

husabob

New Member
Joined
Jul 11, 2016
Messages
8
Location
Brookline, NH 03033 America
Several observations from the day, in no particular order:
1. Be very careful if you're gonna air down for off road. I had my front tire come off the bead. Another rider had a Slime brand portable compressor, and I was able to reseat and reinflate the tire.
2. Heindenau K60's are almost useless in mud. The center strip that gives long wear prevents the tire from digging in to the muck.
3. Get a good skid plate and side bars. My AltRider armor paid for itself several times over. Some of the rock hits were pretty loud!
4. I removed my windshield for the event. One less expensive part to worry about.
5. Traction Control is your friend. It allowed me to hammer the throttle in TC2. The drag race in a wet, muddy field and the 1/2 mile hill climb were crazy good fun.
6. I found the anti lock brakes to be a liability, especially on slippery downhill singletrack. The tires were also part of the problem.
7. Don't try to ride your S10 like a real dirt bike. It weighs almost twice as much as my KTM.
8. Get your weight back and shift your body. These bikes are very nose heavy and plow in tight turns. Getting your body weight to the outside helps prevent the bike from "falling in" to the turn.
9. My bike was a bear to clean, especially between the engine and skid plate. Also pay close attention to under the front fender and the center of the front rim. I was lucky the Motel manager put a hose out for me.
10. If you can, hone your skills on a real dirt bike first.
11. Always keep two fingers on the clutch when going slow in technical terrain, and don't be afraid to slip the clutch to keep from stalling.
12. Momentum is your friend. Don't stop to obsess over an obstacle.
13. Don't ride off road alone. Having help to pick up your bike is a bonus.
14. Remember; free advice is sometimes worth exactly what you paid for it. YMMV
 
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