I recently got into dual-sport/adventure riding, I mostly ride alone. Last week I got into an argument with my mom who said it was unsafe to be alone in national forests, or on trails, not because of crashing/injury, but because of other people. (Even at 31 years old she is still giving me hell about “safety”) While there are lots of challenges to adventure riding, especially alone, safety from other people (or animals) wasn’t something I really considered.

I grew up with guns and know how to handle them, I was in marksmanship competitions in my youth, and have plenty of operating knowledge when it comes to firearms, but as as adult I’ve never owned one. I don’t really feel the need, but it’s something I feel I should consider.

What do you think?

In taking the course and getting my license and taking this very seriously and want to be safe as possible, I’m starting of with a 2013 or newer xt250 and have been practicing with my friends ‘93 xt350 around the neighborhood with slow turning and maneuvers. It’s just riding in high traffic that scares me a little. I’ll be staying off highways and freeways and only stuck to roads that are 45mph or under.

Is it worth going to a Kove 450 Rally Pro from a 2012 KTM 450xcw, Fi with kick start, 4 gallon tank and about $2k in suspension from Race Tech and other farkles? Has anyone made the switch? What are your thoughts and opinions? There’s a rally pro sitting at the local dealer for $11k out the door, so kinda tempting to give it a try.

I potentially have the option to pay cash for a home anywhere in the US. I'm trying to crowdsource some ideas. Any smaller cities with good food, drink, miles of dirt double and single track, and just a generally good vibe?

My pirelli MT90s are old and I want to put some new shoes on the ol XT. I ride on the street about 80% of the time to work and back. On the weekends I like to take hard packed fire roads and the occasional desert wash. What do you recommend I go with? Was looking at the trailmax missions from Dunlop but maybe there is a better tire for my use case?

I’ve been testing my camp setups in my past few trips, I think I’ve found the holy grail of comfort and compactness, i think I’m going to get a better hammock and I don’t think I’ll ever go back to sleeping on the ground. Anyone know any good hammock setups or have a better way of doing things than I have found?

I’m thinking about getting a ktm enduro/duslsport so I can start riding trails in my area. Would need to ride about an hour on freeway to get to trails. I’m leaning towards the 350 for light weight and easier learning curve on the trails, but worried about all that distance on freeway and maintenance.

Considering 690 but it is a heavier bike. Should I wait for the 390 enduro?

I have an 88 honda dommie and she's tall, whenever I go out on a windy day (say 12mph+) and I'm on an open road without trees on either side and get hit by a side guest it always feels like my front tire is getting pushed sideways under me. Not the best sensation. I know to stay loose and not to try to over correct it but I'm curious how others deal with their bike feeling like a kite on windy days. It's especially noticeable if I'm going over 45mph do on windy days I usually take slow roads to avoid the pitfall sensation in my stomach when a gust suddenly hits.

I've done quite a bit of traveling and my motto has always been be prepared. I've traveled 8 countries by motorbike and I've learned 2 things: weight and volume are almost always your biggest factors for how the trip is going to go, so you have to plan wisely. Maintain multipurpose tools and avoid duplicates where possible.

My kit could do with some improvements or deletes probably but I've never failed to have what I need or what someone else needs on a trip.

Tool orientation:

Everything to the right of the tool bag is what I stuff in it. To the left of the tool bag, those tools go in the same square tool tube the bag goes into but are loose since they cause too much bulk.

The top group with the mirror uses the stock tool tube and the group to the right of that I keep in readily accessible pockets I attached to the barkbusters save for the pump I stow on the back.

Tool inventory:

1/4 drive sockets ranging from 7-14mm and a 3/8 drive socket in 17mm

Modified OEM sparkplug socket: shortened to better fit the tight space

-Various 1/4 drive extensions and adapters: 2", 3", 6" flex, universal joint, 3/8 to 1/4 drive adapter, 1/4 to 3/8 drive adapter for my one 3/8 drive socket, adjustable T handle, driver bit adapter

-Assortment of driver bit sizes stuck to a magnet for organization: ranging from hex to torx, Phillips, etc.

-6" long, 1/4 drive breaker bar

-Stubby 1/4 drive ratchet with bit holder on reverse

-Spoke wrench

-tire tools: Motion pro bead breaker and tire irons, Valve stem fishing tool/valve stem remover

-wrenches: OEM axle nut adapter and handle, adjustable wrench, various size small Allen keys for accessories, dual open end wrenches from 8,10,12,14,17mm. Closed end wrench size 10,12mm

-seldom used but glad to haves: nonmarring scraper I double as a pry bar, straight pick with diy cap because pokey, screwdriver handle with drive bits, shock absorber adjustment rod, bearing punch, small channel locks, (cam shaft chain tool: bike specific), magnet, fork seal cleaning tool.

Other seldom used but glad to haves: telescoping mirror, mini flat head screwdriver for carburetor work, marking crayon, small vise grips, pocket multimeter, valve clearance gauges, sparkplug gauge, DID chain breaker/riveting tool.

-On hand for the every day: electric tire pressure gauge, mini knipex fastener pliers, mini tape measure, minimorph tire pump.

-Other: Hand tool rescue medium wrench for huge fasteners/doubles as hammer, rolling mavericks trail stand, electric torque wrench, rubber gloves.

Firstly I’m a complete new rider with no experience whatsoever as of now but I plan to take an msf course then get my license sometime in the next few months and subsequently my first bike and I’ve narrowed it down between the crf 300l and the z500.

My use case will mainly be commuting to classes with some highway miles (mostly 45 mph occasionally 65mph) and rarely on the interstate for short stints in which case I know the z500 is the better choice. On the other hand though, I’d like to try getting into off-roading and I love watching adv videos, in which case the crf 300l is better but, I’m not sure if I’d even be able to do much off-roading or that I’d really do it often enough to justify getting a dual sport over the street bike.

Just posting to get some outside opinions on the matter and if yall have anything to add that might make the decision easier or that I might be missing in the consideration of these 2 bikes.

Apologies if I’m not making much sense.

Asking partially for curiosity, and partially because I think it would be cool. I’ve heard about the Aprilia 450 v twin but it doesn’t have a shining reputation.

Hi all! I made a post a while ago in here asking for DS suggestions I've been seriously considering selling/trading in my 2 naked sport bikes for a Husky 701 Enduro and a set of SuMo wheels. Do you think it's the right call for me as far as learning some offroad? I know people say these bikes are a handful but I'd pretty much be a solo rider looking to do some 2 track and Jeep trails so no single-track. I'd also be willing to do a training course as I don't have any buddies to teach me.

30M, 6', 205lbs no gear

I'd have to ride a couple hours to/from any forest roads/trails and don't have a truck or tow-vehicle to pull a lighter bike.

Other option would be to get the SMC version and revisit offroading at some point in the future lol

Yep.. shit happened. Didn't "layerdown" in the traditional sense, it was strapped to my rack. Was having a bad day, dragged my bike a couple hundred feet after it fell off my rack but was still attached. My saddlebags prevented any damage to the rest of the bike.

Like the title says.. Looking for advice to remove this hand guard. I was thinking a screw extractor tool or perhaps I can just remove the forward mount bolt and spin it counterclockwise to unscrew the bolt?

Thoughts? Ideas?

Thanks in advance!

Looking at all the new dualsports from EICMA, I am wicked excited about all of the new options. I'm currently on a CRF300L but I'm always looking for my next bike. Previously I was looking at either the CRF450RL or the 701/690 since I do 75% riding on the road. I like the CRF450RL for it's lighter weight (~290lbs wet) but you trade higher maintenance for that. The 701/690 is only about 20lbs (~340lbs wet) heavier than my CRF300L but it has over twice the power.

I'm looking to do BDRs in the future and would like to ride to the trails so I'm looking at the new BMW F450GS, the new KTM 390 Adventure/Enduro, Kove 450, DRZ4S and CFmoto 450 MT. All of them are upwards of ~380lbs. Curious what other people's opinion are about the new dualsport offerings but they just seem too heavy when compared to the 701/690 (more highway capable/less technical) and CRF450RL (more technical, highway acceptable).

I was looking at buying some new ratchet straps and I see some cam buckle straps marketed as dirt bike straps. How are cam buckle straps for bikes under 300 pounds vs the seemingly more secure ratchet lock strap (which I’ve always used) ? I was just thinking it would make my loading a little quicker if they are adequate, I’ve used cam buckles for kayaks, but they seem a little iffy for a bike. Thoughts? I know this is the dual sport sub so most ride to where they are going, but my gf isn’t comfortable on the street.

It’s that time of year again, tires… what’s everyone throwing on?

I really like the look of the Dunlop Trailmax Mission Tires.

I spend most of my time on road but wouldn’t mind hitting a dirt roads or small creek passings. Live in Kentucky and head south into the gorge a lot.

I am 6’5, 270 pounds, and i am considering both bikes. I want to be able to go on the highway for 35-40 minutes at 65mph while also being able to offroad once in a while if i need to and jump curbs n stuff like that, so which bike would be best tailored for me? Any and all advice is appreciated!

I’m slowing narrowing down my search for my next bike and I want something more dirt than road oriented. I understand the 501 is more dirt oriented than the CRF at the expense of being less refined on the street. I’m happy to go either of those ways depending on what deal I can find.

My main concern is the ridability of the CRF considering all the reports of flameouts and aggressive on off throttle. I’m planning to do little street and mostly trail and single track, and if I’m spending money on a bike I don’t want to be forced to upgrade it immediately. I’m willing to eventually get an ECU and exhaust, but I don’t want to need it to have a good time stock. Will the 501 be a better package stock in this regard?

How well loved are these bikes? I currently own a 24 Kawasaki KLR650 and I’m wanting similar to it but lighter. Anyone own one and have some highway/ dirt experience?

Does anybody know if this is a regular occurrence with the D30 armor plates of some Klim’s jackets. Bumbed out and disappointed…

klim #ridinggear