Traveling w a Helmet

[1.21GW]

3 years (~10k mi).  Street bikes all.  I've been reading and watching about dirt riding, but of course brain knowledge means only so much without physically doing it.

On the plus side, I'm relatively fit and can handle altitude (e.g. I climbed Mt. Rainier this past summer).

[Howie]

Looks like a fantabulous trip.  Enjoy!

[DarkMonster620]

Thanks, Carlos.  BTW, it's not a secret, I'm doing this:

http://www.freedombikerental.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=180&Itemid=233

4 days/3 nights on a Husq TE630.  If it's as awesome as it sounds, I may need to come back next year for the 9-day tour!

I said that cause a "good" helmet that costs $200 in the US might be around $400 there . . .

[Speeddog]

3 years (~10k mi).  Street bikes all.  I've been reading and watching about dirt riding, but of course brain knowledge means only so much without physically doing it.

On the plus side, I'm relatively fit and can handle altitude (e.g. I climbed Mt. Rainier this past summer).

OK, fitness level shouldn't be an issue, but pace yourself.

I wouldn't pick a TE630 as a 'perfect for a newbie to learn how to ride dirt' bike, but they've not got many options.

[1.21GW]

OK, fitness level shouldn't be an issue, but pace yourself.

I wouldn't pick a TE630 as a 'perfect for a newbie to learn how to ride dirt' bike, but they've not got many options.

Yeah, the only things available we the husq and the kawas---all else were booked.  I expect some bruises both to my body and my ego.

I said that cause a "good" helmet that costs $200 in the US might be around $400 there . . .

Good to know.  I was considering buying a helmet there so as to only have to carry one-way.  Obviously, at twice the price, that ain't gonna happen.

[Speeddog]

Just go easy on the throttle, it can write checks that your dirt skill level can't cash.
A little bit of throttle helps the bike turn, a *lot*.
Look where you want to go; looking at that big rock or over the edge, not helpful.
Sit forward on the seat, particularly in corners.
When you put your leg out on the inside of a turn, stretch it forward toward the front wheel.
If your feet don't have impending business on the ground, keep them on the pegs.
Stubbing your toe on a rock at 40mph sucks. A lot. So does running over your foot.
That bike has more than double the suspension travel of a Monster, so it's going to feel weird.

There's folks here that have learned dirt after starting on the street, they'll likely have good advice.
I learned to ride on a dirt bike 40 years ago, so I'm a bit short of advice going that direction.

It looks like an awesome trip, enjoy!

[ducpainter]

0

What could go wrong?

Have fun.

[1.21GW]

Thanks, all.  Topic was drifting, so I started a new thread with newbie off-road questions:

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=69872.0

[He Man]

dont you live in NYC?

how tall are you?
whats your inseam?
how much can you squat?

Of all those on the list for your trip, id pick the DR200 as easiest to ride. The altitude thing wont matter much since you wont be needing that much power. ofcourse im bias towards the DR650, they dont call it the swiss army knife of motorcycling withou reason. but it is pretty heavy.

i have carried a helmet to travel before (the time my Ducatis motor blew, i flew with my helmet from Ohio to Colorado and Colorado to New York). it wasnt that bad if you have a elmet bag. it doenst fit under the seat though. :p