ptkatoomer
Husqvarna
Pro Class
Well, today I got the chance to do my first full-on d/s ride with this new scoot. Keep in mind that this is my very first dual-sport bike and I've ridden 450's exclusively for the last 15 years.
I picked the bike up from GP motorcycles in San Diego: they removed the smog, unrestricted the exhaust and air-box and reflashed the ecu. Right off the bat I had troubles with the starting issues everybody has been talking about (that's how I found this forum actually). It took 'em three different tries (fuel-pump, starter motor, reflash-again, and some new starter gears) but I think I can say that, after todays ride, I think they got it all sorted out. They were quite helpful and willing to work with me. Parts took a long time to get here but that's not their fault.
I struggled trying to figure out what gearing I should run- I was hoping the bike could handle the technical trails but still run the highway ok. I split the difference between the TE and TXC and put a 45 tooth on the rear.
Our ride today took us from Julian, Ca, thru the Laguna mtns (about 6,000ft), then dirt roads down to an off-road riding area called Lake Morena (I think Robertaccio knows this area) and back again. About 130 miles. On the highway the bike will move along OK at 55mph, but it's singing pretty good(though if you rev the piss outta her she'll still do 72!
) My hands and butt got a little numb on the road sections-not really sure if I can do anything about that. When we got to the off-road park I was quite pleasantly surprised at how well the bike handled the single-track. True, I had to work the clutch and gearbox alot more that my 450, but the lighter-feeling weight, a little bit lower seat height and nice handling made the bike a blast to ride.
The gearing is tight-even being a six-speed you don't have a lot to work with. I would have to say that a 450 would probably be better as a full-on dual-sporter because the extra torque would allow you to run taller gearing and still be able to handle the slow, technical stuff.
Still, with that being said, I'm pretty pumped
and this has opened up a new world for me to explore.
I picked the bike up from GP motorcycles in San Diego: they removed the smog, unrestricted the exhaust and air-box and reflashed the ecu. Right off the bat I had troubles with the starting issues everybody has been talking about (that's how I found this forum actually). It took 'em three different tries (fuel-pump, starter motor, reflash-again, and some new starter gears) but I think I can say that, after todays ride, I think they got it all sorted out. They were quite helpful and willing to work with me. Parts took a long time to get here but that's not their fault.
I struggled trying to figure out what gearing I should run- I was hoping the bike could handle the technical trails but still run the highway ok. I split the difference between the TE and TXC and put a 45 tooth on the rear.
Our ride today took us from Julian, Ca, thru the Laguna mtns (about 6,000ft), then dirt roads down to an off-road riding area called Lake Morena (I think Robertaccio knows this area) and back again. About 130 miles. On the highway the bike will move along OK at 55mph, but it's singing pretty good(though if you rev the piss outta her she'll still do 72!
) My hands and butt got a little numb on the road sections-not really sure if I can do anything about that. When we got to the off-road park I was quite pleasantly surprised at how well the bike handled the single-track. True, I had to work the clutch and gearbox alot more that my 450, but the lighter-feeling weight, a little bit lower seat height and nice handling made the bike a blast to ride.The gearing is tight-even being a six-speed you don't have a lot to work with. I would have to say that a 450 would probably be better as a full-on dual-sporter because the extra torque would allow you to run taller gearing and still be able to handle the slow, technical stuff.
Still, with that being said, I'm pretty pumped
and this has opened up a new world for me to explore.
