I Busted My Gas Tank!

I Broke The Leg Breaker!

Okay, the photo may be slightly altered to make the affect hit a little harder, but you get the point. 

The Honda XR600R is famously, or rather, infamously, known as "the leg breaker." It's a big bike. At 591cc, this air-cooled, high compression, kickstart-only, monster makes 46 hp and over 38 ft lbs of torque in stock form. In stock running order, it weighs in at over 320 pounds. Add a 5.8 gallon aftermarket gas tank, and you can easily add another 20 pounds to that. 

Since my last dirty bike post, I took another solo ride in the National Forest, where I started getting a lot more comfortable on the bike, and felt like I was actually starting to hone some of my off-road techniques  bit. I had a good ride that day, even though I was only out there for a couple of hours. I left that day feeling pretty good about myself and my off-road riding, so when it came time to meet up with the guys the following week, I was all about it.

Physical Exertion And Dehydration

I decided to video the ride, since we were all riding together and I figured some of the other guys might like to re-live their day through my camera lens, too. The day started out great, but pretty soon after we got on the trails, one of the guys had a family emergency, and had to head home, so we made a quick run back to the trucks. After helping him get loaded up, the rest of us went back out and kept riding. Everything was going great until a log crossing, one that I had successfully crossed in my first solo ride, kicked my butt. You know how they say, that if you're gonna be dumb, you gotta be tough? Well, it's a good thing I'm tough. Tough or not, after that debacle, I was still pretty gassed. I took a water break, regained my composure, and started riding again. Apparently, I was stuck on that obstacle, behind the guys, for so long that one of them circled back to go look for me.

Back Together

Once we were all back together, though... the ride continued, and I was feeling a lot better. We were all riding pretty hard... even though those guys are much better off-road riders than me. One guy has been riding off-road for, easily, half his life and the other, well... he's a class-A Enduro rider. I felt like I was riding pretty good, though, and a good bit faster and more confidently than I had been, especially compared my my first couple of rides. That is, until I took a simple spill and realized that I was getting dehydrated and physically exhausted. In my defense, we had been riding for a while, and the South Mississippi sun was bearing down pretty hard. The trails were still very wet from recent rains which made the trails hot and humid, especially when stopped. I knew that I was just about spent, but I think my ego, and maybe my immature mind, wanted to keep riding. Big mistake.

Target Fixation

As a motorcycle instructor, I tell my students all about target fixation. Basically, you go where you look and, just like riding on the road, on the trails, you have to look far enough ahead to avoid any obstacles... like small trees. I could keep going on that, but instead... I think I'll let you watch for yourselves:

https://youtu.be/zSn1RQqul7w?si=S0s-OA6GOTnhw3yt

Lessons Learned

The bike didn't explode like in the movies, but finding parts for a 37 year old dirt bike can be tricky, so it did blow up my bank account a bit. I was able to find a used gas tank, but it cost me as much as a new one would have. The fuel petcocks from my old tank wouldn't fit the "new" tank, so I had to order a new one of those, too.

This little incident made me realize that my "retirement body" wasn't cutting it, so I started a workout regimen to get myself in better shape. I'm not trying to bulk up, by any means, but I do need to improve my overall strength and stamina, in case I have to push this heavy bastard out of the woods in the future. It also got me looking for a newer, smaller and more manageable off-road bike, one that will be easier to throw around on single track trails, will have better brakes, and most importantly- won't be so dang tricky to find parts for. Until that happens, though- when I'm not on my Harley, I'll still be out in the woods throwing this big hoss around, and trying my best to stay upright and, hopefully, not running into any more trees. 

Keep an eye out for some upcoming MotoReviews of my riding gear and, as always MotoReaders...

Ride Safe and Make Good Choices!

My First Solo Dirt Ride- Video

 

Back In The Saddle

As I mentioned in a previous post, I haven't ridden off-road in 30 or so years. When I decided to get a dirtbike again, I opted to take the economical route, and get a good used bike to keep my investment at a minimum... just in case I decided to abandon the idea. What I ended up with, was a great bike for a great price... but she's a big 'un. A 37 year old XR600R that was set up for extended desert rides, not single track trail riding. 

After word got out that I had bought an off-road machine, I was invited to ride with some guys that I used to work with, before I retired from my paying job. Now, keep in mind that my bike is older than each one of these guys, and I haven't been on a dirtbike since before most of them were born! Regardless, these guys are awesome and I couldn't wait to get on the trails with them. 

My First Ride

My first ride with them was on the local trails in the National Forest... and I had a blast. I was slow, fell over a lot and was absolutely not in the proper gear, at all. I had good off-road boots, a good off-road helmet and goggles, but that was it. The guys were great, though- they were very patient with my slow, cumbersome riding, and they even said I did pretty good for my first time out. I appreciated it, even if they were lying to me! The takeaway, though, is that I was hooked! I couldn't wait to get back out and ride again. There was just one problem though- I am retired, but they aren't, and riding single track trails in the National Forest alone isn't the smartest thing to do, especially for a novice rider like your old pal, The MotoWriter.

Smart Or Not, I Needed To Ride

After talking to the guys and getting their gear recommendations, I went home, got on Rocky Mountain ATV & Motorcycle's website, and ordered some more gear. After it arrived, I donned my new gear and loaded the old XR into the truck. When I got to the parking area, it looked like I had the place to myself, which was good... but a bit unnerving. Thoughts of "what if.." circled my head, but the need to ride the trails was too strong, so I kicked that 600cc beast over, and set out into the woods alone. 

I took it easy... really easy, after all, riding off-road by yourself is dangerous- if you break down, or worse- crash, there's nobody there to help you. I didn't get crazy, kept myself within my own comfort level and made sure that I had my OnX Off Road App pulled up on my phone. I also brought the GoPro to document my ride so I could critique it later... and so I could share my adventure with my friends and loyal MotoReaders, once I got back home.

Now Playing... The Slow Guy Trail Ride

I'm not a racer and never claimed to be. The following video isn't exciting, and in true MotoWriter MotoVlog fashion- it's probably way too long. But, I had fun editing it and, as long as you can get through the first four and a half minutes, you can see a much better view of the trails I was riding. 

The takeaway is that I didn't crash, didn't break down and didn't get mugged by marauders or killed by a serial killer. I made it back to the truck, safe and sound, and had a great time. If you want to ride along with me on my first solo ride through the DeSoto National Forest, on The MotoWriter dirty bike, you can watch me slow crawl along the trails here:

https://youtu.be/QEEgezJiB-A?si=ohzs9NJax3LZl8pB

I made this video several weeks ago, and have since been out on the trails a couple more times. The last time with the guys, however, I ran into some trouble... literally. Check back for that one, coming soon!

Until then, MotoReaders...

Ride safe, and get dirty!