Preparing dirtbike for sandunes?

[Trdollarhyde]

So, what do you guys recommend doing to your dirtbikes before taking them out to Pismo/Glamis? So I know you can cover the air intake holes near the back of the seats, but what else?

 

[dirthead1]

What bike? What gearing? Been riding motorcycles out there for 35 years, so I might be able to give you a tip or two.

 

[Colo moto]

Buy a bike that you won't feel bad about thrashing. Seriously though, sand is super hard on everything. Take at least 1 extra air filter if you plan on being there for a day or two riding. Keep that air filter clean and well sealed and you should be ok.

 

[xymotic]

Paddle tires are not really necessary but sure are fun
I like to pressure wash the bike and get rid of as much extra grease on the chain as possible so the sand doesn't stick.

 

[dirthead1]

I would never change a filter out there. Too much risk of getting piles of sand in the intake tract. I wait until I get home and pull the whole airbox off for cleaning.

I do put foam that is fairly loose cell in the bottom of the airbox. And I also take the flap off. You made need a longer chain. Mine wasn't long enough with a 14/50.

 

[Trdollarhyde]

The bike is a 2009 Te250, uncorked. Also, would a standard trail-riding suspension setup be really hard at the dunes?

 

[Colo moto]

I would never change a filter out there. Too much risk of getting piles of sand in the intake tract. I wait until I get home and pull the whole airbox off for cleaning.

That's a good point. If you do decide to change your filter out there make sure you clean the airbox well, and be extra careful not to let dirt in when the filter is off. That's why I like to have extras ready to go, so the filter is off the bike for the shortest time possible.

 

[Jrmobb]

Ive been to Dumont and I was a little scared. But I found the best thing to do it have a properly oiled filter. Ive met plenty of people who use that spay on oil crap that is junk IMO. Its just not possible to get enough oil from a spray can. They always get dirt or sand behind the filter.

I found the best oil to use is Maxima FFT Foam Filter Oil(or something similar). something you can pour onto the filter and rub it in. I basically pour it on rub in the oil and smash the filter in my hand to the point where oil is dripping out of the filter.

I would love a 5 gal tub that I could just dip my whole filter into lol

Ive never had any dirt nor did I have any sand behind my filter, only oil from me crashing and tipping the bike over lol.

Good Luck!

 

[JasonfromMN]

Been out to the dunes in Idaho a few times. I have never changed a filter out their. Its too risky for me with the sand always flying through the air. I always start with a clean air filter and new oil. I'd consider a tear off prefilter if you were going to be their more than a couple days. A post above suggested cleaning grease off the chain. I would clean all the grease off the entire bike that doesn't belong, like around the steering head, linkage ect. The sand will stick like glue and act like sand paper(pardon the pun). Ive literally seen parts get lightly sandblasted after a few hard days ride.

Have fun!

 

[dirthead1]

The bike is a 2009 Te250, uncorked. Also, would a standard trail-riding suspension setup be really hard at the dunes?

No, it won't be really hard and will actually probably be too soft. Soft bikes are tough to ride out there as you want to stay on top of the sand and not push into it. There are a lot of G outs and square edges out there as well. Plus you are going to be in 4th and 5th gears most of the time on that bike as wide open as Glamis is, which you probably don't spend much time in otherwise.

I'd probably run a six paddle on that bike maybe an eight. I have always ran a ten paddle on my 450s.

I'll be honest with you, be careful not burning that 250f up out there. Glamis is real tough on bikes especially small bore ones and if the wind has been blowing and it is real soft, it will be even harder on it. I would never think of riding a 125 or 250f out there. I'd burn it up. Glamis tears my 450s up.

 

[fitness2go]

I'd buy a cheap 2 stroke for just the sand...no way would I take a nice 2009 TE 250.

 

[pvduke]

Pismo and Glammo are no longer sand, they are powdered glass.
go up at least one size on the main.
use a paddle and save your motor, get your wheel back as far as it will go as well.
use a sand front tire or as close to it as possible. i've nipped the side knobs on other tires to open the tread etc and left the centers to mimmick same.
go down one tooth in the front or up two in the back.
stiffen your fork clickers.
avoid the tallest dunes. if you drop in a bowl, "toilet-bowl" out instead of blasting straight up.
double filter and toss 'em when yer done. make sure your air box/boot seals are 110%
plug you muffler when not riding. i've witnessed sand storms severe enough to pack ex systems tight and kill everything.
tear down the bike after and clean the powdered glass from every bearing.

+1 fitness2go.

 

[Fast1]

I'll be honest with you, be careful not burning that 250f up out there. Glamis is real tough on bikes especially small bore ones and if the wind has been blowing and it is real soft, it will be even harder on it. I would never think of riding a 125 or 250f out there. I'd burn it up. Glamis tears my 450s up.

+1.. you could ride the flats at Glamis and small dunes but you will smoke that 250 engine in the large dunes especially after a hard fresh wind. Now if it was to rain lightly before a ride.. well that might provide the 250 with some excitement. Also weight is extremely critical. If you are big guy and like your bike go somewhere else. A dozen runs up China wall would seriously test that powerplant's longivity.

 

[Sandgroper]

1. Cover up the lower airbox holes. (also get an air filter sock if you can)
2. Use chain wax instead of grease
3. Lower the air pressure in your front and rear tire to 14psi
4. If its an option, the fatter the rear tire the better for floatation on the sand surface.
MX 90/100 tires are not ideal.
5. High pressure Radiator cap (1.8)
6. Lean back and hang on!

Thats my 2 cents worth.

 

[moreccsthanlbs]

all good advise.... but for pismo, wd-40 all your metal, or you'll wake up with rust spots

 

[Sandgroper]

Rust spots from sand? what is the area like where he is riding?

 

[LRPct]

I believe Pismo/Glamis is close to the ocean = salty air and salty sand

 

[Fast1]

Pismo sits on the edge of the ocean, glamis however will not rust your treasure.

 

[xymotic]

Pismo sits on the edge of the ocean, glamis however will not rust your treasure.

Pismo is the ONLY beach in CA you can drive on.

There is a bit of rust popping up in weird places, but it was worth it

 

[highdez1981430cr]

Here is what you want for serious Pismo roost!