KTM 890 getting beat to crap on local trail near me

[ballisticexchris]

BUT - His choices degraded at about 7:45 when he could be heard breathing harder than he had been.

It was because the trail got much harder. All those 4x4's were lined up because they had to turn around. From what I saw non of those rigs had the capability to continue the climb. The first part of that ascent is very easy. He started dropping it when it got really steep. Kyle will readily admit he is out of shape. But he is a darn good rider almost at amateur level.

How many of us have done this? I sure have. Something to remember.

Only when racing or when I was young and mountain biking. I do not push myself to that limit on a motorized machine when riding for fun. When I crap out I stop and re evaluate.

I was able to navigate some pretty nasty stuff on my Super Tenere and it was not fun at all. I was smart enough to know that once I was past the "point of no return" I had to use every last bit of my brain to safely navigate out of where I just entered.

I now know that the "money shots" and pictures that riders post are just that. When I am riding through a rough section I rarely pull over and take a picture to show "look at me". I'm all about making it through safely.

I have swapped out my Anakee Wilds for a paved tire. I have come to the reality that my Super Tenere is going to be a mostly pavement queen. And anything off pavement is going to be fairly smooth 2 track with open block knobbys.

I have had one good test of some of the nastiest stuff imaginable on it. I do not look forward to a repeat performance:

Ride report to St George UT, Toroweap Overlook, Jacob Lake, North Rim, Sunset Crater and more

Hi there all, I made it back safely. My ride report will be in a few separate posts. I'm still recovering from yesterdays ride home in the brutal wind! Super Tenere loaded and ready!! Day one 397 miles: This was pretty much all freeway to St George UT. I just set cruise control and stopped...

www.yamahasupertenere.com

Any way you slice it these big bikes are very limited on performance on harsh trails. With a small dual sport there are no limitations except for comfort. I am so happy I have kept my Beta. There is no other type bike that has the versatility of it.

 

[HeliMark]

With respect to the 890 rider, I think a strong case could be made for multiple types of fatigue setting in. Physical, brain fade, and probably nourishment and dehydration.

They set out with the sun just up and with very long low shadows, so (hopefully) had an early breakfast (6-7am?), met to talk for a bit, then rode 40+ minutes on the roads to get to the base point. The 890 and 1290 were doing everything asked off-road and other than being faster than probably prudent he did fine and showed some experience in his choice of lines.

BUT - His choices degraded at about 7:45 when he could be heard breathing harder than he had been.

The sun shadows say it is at least mid/late morning by the time he gets to the first time the bike is seen on its' side. HeliMark's old ride goes by at 10:20 with the bike laying down and the rate of dropping it gets worse after that. The rider's speed is also faster with his faster breathing and the dash becomes visible more often as he probably is on the seat more often, implying degrading judgement and being worn out while he just tries to push through. While the other guy has a camelback, they are not seen stopping by this point for a power bar or water when they've probably been riding for at least 4 hours since a real meal, and physically exerting themselves for at least 3 hours. The only problem I see with the 890 is that he had to contend with the heavier weight for hours.

How many of us have done this? I sure have. Something to remember.

Rowher Flats is the area (as mentioned in the video), and was one of my areas of responsibility when I was working. Plucked many riders off the hills in that area and flew them back to the staging area, to meet with friends, or a waiting ambulance if not critical condition requiring a helicopter ride to the hospital.

There are plenty of roads/trails in that area that you can do on a Tenere, and I have ridden mine on the top of the ridge line (where chris is). But there are many trails like you see, and very challenging with deep gullies and deep sand.

Helicopter was a L.A. County Firehawk (converted blackhawk), most likely heading to his base on the other side of the hill.

 

[Sierra1]

With respect to the 890 rider, I think a strong case could be made for multiple types of fatigue setting in. Physical, brain fade, and probably nourishment and dehydration. . . . How many of us have done this? I sure have. Something to remember.

I noticed that too. It seemed he couldn't slow his breathing. I didn't know if it was his fitness, or the altitude. He also mentioned cramping. Cramping, 99.99% of the time, is a sign of dehydration. I am a HUGE advocate of a CamelBak, or similar, hydration system. Spending hours in the Texas summer will make you a believer too. ALL of my buddies ended up with kidney stones. Every time I told them to get some water. . . . their reply. . . . "I'm good, I drink a lot of water." I didn't need to piss rocks. . . . to know that I didn't want to piss rocks.

 

[Checkswrecks]

I have been on numerous investigations where people had to sit or worse due to heat and dehydration. One young lady went into a fast heart arrhythmia in the summer in Bangkok, I've seen people go till they passed out (usually when standing from looking at something on the ground), and I came close myself a few times in the early years. As a site leader I had a responsibility for the safety of everybody there, which sometimes meant being an ass and telling them what they were going to do despite their resistance.

I still teach accident investigation at the Academy and learned long ago the trick to lightly squeeze a person's thumb knuckle between my thumb and fore finger. Just walk up, reach out, and say "Can I see your hand for a sec?" If the red doesn't come back right away as the blood refills the skin, it would be time for that person to go sit and drink for a break. Not fool proof but you do what you can.

 

[ballisticexchris]

There are plenty of roads/trails in that area that you can do on a Tenere, and I have ridden mine on the top of the ridge line (where chris is).

Really? Did you take the fire road to where I'm staged or the Black diamond trial up? I cannot imagine any one being able to take the Super Tenere or any other big adventure bike on anything other than the outer fire roads inside the park such as Fall Canyon or Pelona Rd. Where I am staged is the upper end of Rowher Trail and Lookout Trail. Those are the 2 most difficult trails in the park.

It's a pretty small park and there are very few adventure bike friendly trails to be had. Most guys just ride through the park from Rush Canyon and pop out into Bouquet Canyon Road.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

This is a fun trail called Rose garden hill close to Moab. It’s great on the 525.

Why am I not surprised to see you calling this fun?

Even if I had a buddy's bike and he didn't care in what shape I returned it, this would never make my list of fun things to do. I have done somewhat similar things and just found myself counting the minutes until I would break free.

To paraphrase Sierra1, I know what I enjoy and what I don't. I'm more of a high speed powerside in a dirt corner kinda guy, than a rock crawler or sand trencher.

I always appreciate the wide diversity between those of us who love riding dirt, and have completely different definitions and perspectives. Gotta love motorcycling.

 

[Sierra1]

Yeah, dirt riding looks fun. . . . but, I also know there's more to it than twisting the throttle, and stomping on the brake. Now. . . . give me my Cobalt Blue behemoth. . . . and a cone course. . . . my third favorite thing in life to do. (maybe fourth)

 

[HeliMark]

Really? Did you take the fire road to where I'm staged or the Black diamond trial up? I cannot imagine any one being able to take the Super Tenere or any other big adventure bike on anything other than the outer fire roads inside the park such as Fall Canyon or Pelona Rd. Where I am staged is the upper end of Rowher Trail and Lookout Trail. Those are the 2 most difficult trails in the park.

It's a pretty small park and there are very few adventure bike friendly trails to be had. Most guys just ride through the park from Rush Canyon and pop out into Bouquet Canyon Road.

I have ridden the main dirt roads and fire roads. Like you said there are several from the Bouquet side, and the one that starts on the south side of the park, and goes up to the fire road on the top.

I have been surprised that the forest service has kept it open due to little use, and being so small.

 

[ballisticexchris]

I have ridden the main dirt roads and fire roads. Like you said there are several from the Bouquet side, and the one that starts on the south side of the park, and goes up to the fire road on the top.

I have been surprised that the forest service has kept it open due to little use, and being so small.

Me too. I can pretty much ride all the marked trails in a half day. And I thank you for pulling out people with an airlift. One of the scariest and yet reliefs is the sound of chopper blades coming in for a rescue. I hope to never use my Lloyd's of London insurance for the two free airlifts I have allotted per year.