sw mo-tech centerstand

[David Kaltenbaugh]

Listers: What is the verdict on the SW Mo-tech centerstand that Fred markets (other than "quality German engineering")? How does it compare to the Dual-star product? Thanks. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[InWoods13@aol.com]

Following's my ride report from the WDSRC sponsored Seminole Wind dual sport ride of a few weekends ago. It was a two up KLR adventure for sure, with some relatively technical routes. (not too technical for say..a CR250, but plenty of challenge for a KLR both solo, and especially two up) Bill "Sandshark" Whalen did the KLR community proud, as a fearless pre rider of the most technical loop. I represented our brand as the guy to attempt the nasty, deep, sandy whoops of Ocala while riding two up with the better other. All of this took place in the Ocala National Forest in Florida. Attempted to capture the whole experience, more than just blow by blow jumped this, roosted that kinda thing. All best. *The ride out to the staging point for the Seminole Wind ride was a nice one. Even without a lot of twisty roads, the good weather and relaxed ride down 19 thru the Ocala National Forest brought a smile. "This is why I bought this bike" I thought to myself, as I pulled the KLR into position to put a pass on Lori. With all of the shortcomings that it has when the trails turn real hairy, it always reasserts its hold on me with that versatility angle. Zooming down an empty 19, I pull up along side the "team two up" support truck, I get Lori's attention and give her the big nanana nana na - thumb to nose "I'm ridin and yer not" sign. Remembering that her bringing the truck along is allowing us to bring maximum amount of camping junk, I decide it's best to tuck back in behind her and quit teasing. We finally arrive at the campground. That 100+ mile ride on the KLR had me wishing for more street friendly knobs, this wish happens on occasion, but always goes away as soon as the D606's hook up when leaving the pavement. After signing in with the campground folks, we find Swampy & Sandshark. They'd found a nice shady spot, and were kicking back after much pre riding earlier in the day. Swampy's got this summer tent camping thing solved..bring a big fan! Yup, summer camping fan is now on the list. Bill actually packed All of his camp gear on his KLR & rode every trail he could en route to the campground. (including the (KLR650 eating) Florida Dakar section of the gas pipeline) Unreal, Kawasaki should be paying that guy. Once Lori and I settled down some, I handed over the dealer sponsor prize pack to Swampy. I get a real kick out of doing this, even though I'm not the one actually doing the donating. Cycle Riders Suzuki of Longwood came through again, with a generous prize pack donation for a WDSRC ride. They've been great in showing support for the WDSRC, and dual sporting in Central Florida. A lot of the folks at Cycle Riders, as well as our other dealer sponsors, enjoy dual sporting and dirt riding in Florida...we're real fortunate to have dealers showing this kind of support, for our sport. Man, it was Hot that afternoon. Setting up camp (mostly in setting up the screen tent from hell) rated up there with doing a 40 minute moto on a July afternoon. Once we had camp set up, we pretty much hit cool down mode for the rest of the afternoon. On Saturday night while our neighbors dined out, Lori & I pan fried some steaks on the coleman as I wondered what the Wind would bring. I'd not done a Seminole Wind ride before, tho had helped Swampster do ribbon take down last year. Ribbon take down's just not the same as Doing the ride...especially doing the ride two up with better other. I still do get butterflies, but the beauty of these DS rides is that there's no real pressure. (except to keep my streak of no off road endos with Lori on board, in tact) After dinner we broke out the radio and kicked back. Soon after, our neighbors returned from their BBQ feast. Gathered in the screen tent from hell, citronella candles blazing...Sandshark, Jed, Lori, Swampy and I shared some stories and beers. Was cool meeting Jed. Last time I saw him, he was on a DR650 at last years Devils Creek weekend. Turned out that he made the (200+ mile) ride to the Wind on his V-Star, just to help out with sign up/sound check. Get another dual sport Jed! Next morning...up at 6:30am to get ready for sign up! Helping out with sign up was fun, I got a chance to place some faces with names I've seen only on the WDSRC list..pretty sure that Lori got a kick out of it too, she was all smiles. After sign up...most everyone had already taken off, this was fine as we didn't plan on setting any new land speed records. Finally time to ride! We'd agreed to do the easy route, & be guide for anyone in need. We ended up meeting Bruce on his new KLR650. He'd not ridden dirt in years, and hadn't had his KLR for very long. He did have a roll chart holder & actually ended up helping navigate during the course of the route. Everything started out fine and spirits were high. We hit the road section enjoying the lack of traffic and great weather en route to the first dirt road. We hit the first dirt road...nice hardpack with a little sand on top..fun stuff, nothing but forest to be seen. Nearly hit an Indigo, he sped up, I was glad..neat snakes they are. Eventually we hit pavement again then started looking for the first jeep trail. Following the roll chart was a breeze, found the trail exactly where it was supposed to be. This trail was a little more sandy, but nothing we'd not done before. Then the sandy whoops started...Scott starts swearing like a drunken sailor...Lori knows swearing means hold on tighter...Bruce doesn't seem to mind this whole slowing down in the whoops thing, as he's still trying to get his dirt legs back. Scott figures that these whoops must end eventually so he quits swearing. Four or so miles later the whoops haven't ended, we haven't seen the landmark for our turn..we decide to take a breather and pull off the trail. Soon thereafter the sweepers (Paul & David?) caught up with us. Turned out that they were guiding a support truck to a broken collar bone just up the trail a bit. So we mounted back up and made our way to the scene. The poor guy was flat on his back and in obvious pain. (note to self..ditch the aspirin & stock good pain killers in the KLR first aid kit) With much concern and assist, WDSRC members helped the injured fellow into the support truck & loaded up his XR. At this point, I'd somehow gotten backwards with the rollchart. I still hadn't found the landmark I was looking for, and was pretty sure I'd overshot where it was supposed to be. Asked (sweeper) Paul what lay ahead and he told me that the whoops pretty much continued for days from the point that we were at. So...Lori, Bruce, and I had a conference deciding that if we turned back now, we could make the campground in time for lunch! This was ok by me as I can't stand up in the whoops two up..and I was hungry! The route was doable (with some sweat) on a KLR650, Sandshark sliced thru the pre rides on his. This DNF did go against my grain some. But it was like the best/safest thing to do at the time. Two up's tricky stuff...it's not just me I'd be hurting now. The only time I'd not finished an organized ride/race before, was from either concussion or seized piston. Next year, the plan's to have Lori piloting her own ride, & ready for the whoops of Ocala. Until then...there's always the Devils Creek DS ride in July! A two up blast for sure. So here's to dual sporting...Sharing that spirit of adventure, and going for rides with no particular destination or limitations. Big thanks to all that made this ride possible. The fearless preriders, and sweepers (if there's an Iron Man award for this ride, it should go to them), the shops that donated stuff, Mrs. Swampy for making the Long drive to come to our rescue with the food, my dad, anyone else I missed...and of course Swampy. Here's hoping that there are many more Swampy's scattered across the U.S..that dual sporting will continue to grow. -Scott

[RM]

On Thu, 27 Jun 2002 InWoods13@... wrote:

>attempt the nasty, deep, sandy whoops of Ocala while riding two up with >the better other. All of this took place in the Ocala National Forest >in Florida.

How come none of this sort of thing was taking place when I was stuck in slow-cala for a week?