This is and has been one of my favorite threads to follow here. Sorry, Jfet you just can’t post enough pictures and info about your build and now, being used! Basecamping and exploring is not something that is frequently posted here, by others.
Right about this time in 2014, I found myself discovering the Mt St Helens area too. I fell in love with the area that my intended 2 nights extended into 3 weeks of hiking and motorcycle discover riding in and around the area, kayaking on the Cowlitz & Toutle Rivers. Proudly, all boondocking, which is my norm. Met some wonderful people who in turn welcomed me to visit, their large properties, to base camp to explore, all the way to the coast and Astoria. After that, kayaking on the Rogue River, for 5 days too.
Jfet wrote:
cewillis wrote:
Looking great. How much do those motorcycles weight?
(not worried about your rear axle)
About 290lbs each dry. We could put 3000 pounds in the garage pod and still not have a problem with the rear axle.
I wouldn't want a heavier bike but I have seen 400 to 500 pound BMW dual sports on single track. Not sure how they do it.
Jfet, as for Adventure Bikes, you are a bit off, they are around 700+ lbs. While the majority of riders never get them out of the urban areas and OHV areas, there are some of us that are quite adept and ride the single tracks, especially in Death Valley and Southern Utah. While I will pull out one of my two dirt bikes (CRFX 450 @ 261 lbs., 500 EXC @ 269 lbs.), my GSA certainly has the scratches, dents, caked on dirt and grime of daily off road riding. For me, there is nothing like riding one of the increasing numbers of
Backcountry Discovery Routes on an Adventure Bike.
These Adventure Bikes, seem to take me to some of the most wonderful and beautiful locations. This is why I laugh, silently, when some scoff at my ability to reach such remote locations, but I do.
Climbing up into Death Valley on some of the back trails don’t slow some of the more experienced riders.
Some days the bike gets tired and picks a place to take a nap. Granted, a hazard of most off road riding, but a little more work when the bikes are laden with overnighting gear.
Then riding the trails along the San Juan River, running below Muley Point, drying out the boots is a day end necessity.
Hope to see some of you out on the road, during some of the best Truck Camper exploring season Labor Day through Memorial Day.
b
