several klr's headed to big dog ride, and others
Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2004 12:00 am
Got the following after calling on how many KLR's and
DR's are signed up for the BIG DOG RIDE. Some
interesting stuff:
BIG DOG ADVENTURE NEWS July 8, 2004
August 12-15 Ground Pounding
(Den) Entries are flowing in for the 15th BIG DOG
RIDE. The oldest entrant, Vance Griffitts, from Playa
Del Rey, CA. runs in the A, or crazed class. He
claims at 70 he is allergic to some cats. Young
DOGS beware!
Buddy Passes Sought
Several BIG DOG RIDE entrants have asked for
Invitations for their buddies. These are available to
new DOGS if their pals request them, standing good
for unknown fraternity members. Write
bigdogbmw@... and send their name and snail mail
address.
R1200 Adventures Teething
It seems after the big R1200 Adventure Press
Introduction in South Africa, January, 04, numerous
transmissions were replaced. During another Press
Intro in May put on by Del Bondio Adventure Travel,
another one of the R1200 s crumped, this one ridden by
a Cycle World invitee. A loose wire in the new Single
Wire System had BMW techs scratching their heads for
nearly three days on another R1200. On the upside,
the non-existent surging problem seems to really be
non-existent on the new Adventure.
KTM Versus BMW
On July 7, KTM delivered a 950 Adventure to the
offices of MOTORCYCLE CONSUMER NEWS for a long weekend
run-off, a rode-to- Laguna-Seca-Race-Test comparison
with a BMW R1200 Adventure. Look for a write-up in a
coming issue of MCN, the only motorcycle magazine in
the field that accepts no advertising, thus doesn t
have to waffle on words. Look for KTM vs BMW
Aug.12-15.
Sleeper Adventurer Tourers?
Quietly being whispered by some of the journalists in
the motorcycling press that does live off advertising
is that the Suzuki V-Strom (650) is one of the better
deals going in the Adventure Touring Class. All agree
a skid plate would let the owner worry less about
rocks, but D. H. Gibbs (Salt Lake City, UT) who makes
skid plates for Moose, et al, probably already has
one in the works. The Kawasaki KLR 650 is still one a
favorites for the budget-minded.
Avon Tyres-Back In The News
Rumors be dashed! Some suppliers have been telling
customers the Distanzia model was no longer being
marketed. A call to Avon July 6 dispelled this rumor.
Both the favorite dual-sport Distanzias and Gripsters
are still in production. What the supplier probably
meant was they, they supplier, were out of stock.
Avon is also still saying that mounting backwards the
Distanzia front (21 ) on bikes like the KLR 650 s and
F650 s is recommended. Why? Smoother and longer
wear. Price is still good.
Deadhorse Endurance Rally - Alaska
Think you have the adventure stuff ? Try the
414-mile Haul Road (75% unpaved) to Deadhorse, aka as
Prudhoe Bay. The event is going cyber, but if you get
to Alaska and want to test your stuff, July 25 is when
the flag drops. Riders can expect fire, rain and
snow. The 18-wheelers are known to test riders by
using the road center to see how well motorcycle
riders can do on the slippery shoulders and down into
the tundra (the road is built up on the tundra in
places). Each year several riders have to be
airlifted off the Dalton and crashed bikes hauled
down to Fairbanks. Hauling a dead or broken bike can
cost $1,300-$1,500 versus $1,000 for a wrecked car
from Cold Foot, about the halfway point. Why more for
a motorcycle than a car? The towing company pulls a
trailer behind the wrecker for the motorcycle to be
tied/rolled onto. As for medical assistance, plan on
an expensive helicopter ride. The fastest time up, or
down, is rumored to be by Rick Morrison, 8.5 hours.
In July it is daylight nearly all day, so some riders
can do the 828-mile round trip in less than 20 hours.
A room at Prudhoe Bay costs $125.00 and there is gas
available, but you had better be able to make the 240
miles from Cold Foot to Deadhorse on a full tank
because there is no gas in between. Email:
deadhorserally@....
Can t Make BIG DOG 2004?
Keep your Invitation for 2005, as well as stay up with
BIG DOG ADVENTURE news, get stickers and order your
15th BIG DOG RIDE T-shirt
(www.horizonsunlimited.com/bigdog/)
__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
New and Improved Yahoo! Mail - Send 10MB messages!
http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail