Q's for dune riders

[just ben]

As a northeastener I have no Idea about dune riding but am planning a trip out west and am trying to get ready for it. The first Q is about tire choice. size,straight or angled,number of paddles ect. and recomendations on front tire. 2nd Q is the rear end set up. axle: stock or extended? swingarm length ect. I don't need a perfect set up but I do wanna enjoy my first experience out there. Right now I am running a +2 swinger with a +5 axle on a stock engined 86 t3. Any help ,opinions or advice is appreciated Thanks,

[KASEY]

make sure when you fianlize plans you post up and let us know when you are coming,, the best expierence you will ever have in the dunes starts with a local who can lead you on the ride of your life,,,,,,, then don't over think the paddle thing.. alot of people run knobbies too,,, what ever you find as long as it isn't a real heavy tire will do just fine,,, i think your setup will do just fine! and bring JETS!! NO SENSE IN A MELTDOWN,,, after driving all that way ....

[just ben]

I will post up the itinerary when I get it. The flight I was going to book just went up a 100.00 so I'm waiting to see if they add more. I'm not trying to overthink the tires but if I'm buying a set I don't wanna end up wit tires that are worse than my knobbies. Diameter is my biggest concern,from the video's I have seen it looks like alot of wide open riding with climbing some jumping. With the 18's I have on the rear my bike tops out at maybe 50 at the most. I was looking at some 20's with angled paddles,I wasn't sure if maybe I should go up to a 22 for the top end speed.

[atctim]

From past experience do not go with 22". It is too much tire. Even for my 450

[wisconsinite]

why not just adjust final drive gearing to adjust top end speed?

[KASEY]

Also don't waste your time with 18 inch knobbies either,,, 20 inch knobbies aired down work pretty good,, but paddles are better...

[falloutboy]

I'd suggest 20" skat trak haulers. 8 or 9 paddle. They are a pretty light tire. If You're wanting a curved paddle, which helps with turning I've noticed, I really like the Sedona Cyclones I have the 20" ones on my 250r, I can't remember how many paddles but I think they only come in the one paddle count for the size. They are a bit on the heavy side but have great traction and slidability.

Also, what dunes are you going to? It would be cool to see you in Oregon.

[just ben]

Also, what dunes are you going to? It would be cool to see you in Oregon.the trip I am planning is the imperial invasion in march. I know It's 5 months away but I have to plan now to be able to make it happen.

[KASEY]

the trip I am planning is the imperial invasion in march. I know It's 5 months away but I have to plan now to be able to make it happen.

very kool!!! are you hooking up with jason hall to get your bike out here? you will be ruined for life after a trip out here to sand heaven!!!! yeee haw!

[tri-shee]

skat trak 21x12x8 10 paddles i run on my Banshee and PRO Wedge 22x11x8 .

[tri again]

are there any requirements for an off road safety card
to be able to ride?

That would be a nice thing to check before you go.
Some states don't care and some want full documentation and insurance


ps - falloutboy knows his dunes.

[tecate_gt5]

stock t3 go with 21x12x8 7 paddle haulers. and front tire if you want the most "hook up" i know guys that run a sand star front. i run my knobbie though and like it. with haulers you will hook up and move! your wide axle will me nice till you wanna ride a razor and flop from side to side but over all will be nice. i have a +6 on my R and love! the swing arm tho i cant give much advice on that im stock length... no saftey card needed. but since your out of state bring every piece of identification for you bikes that you can. the 5-0 at glamis love the reg tickets... oh if you have lights on your bike like under glow specifically blue or red, take it off. leave it at home. you will be given a ticket for impersonating an emergency vehicle. only run your head light and tail light. and your tail light must be red any other color BAM! TICKET. bring several spare flags. when you least remember you will swing your leg over the bike and break it. also bring two of most spare parts you have. stator and cdi running hard in the heat tend to go out in the dunes. use wd40 as your chain lube its a solid more then it is a liquid and the sand wont stick to it and eat your chain and sprockets. on that note make sure your t3 is clean! no oil on it no gas or else when you get home you have one sandy mess that never goes away. grease up all the greasable parts and then wipe the excess off.

[just ben]

Thanks for the info/advice gt5,very helpful. I ordered a set of 20x11x10 sand sharks,mainly because they were only 80.00 for the set. that willThe trip is going to cost me enough as it is, I didn't wanna spend too much on tires for 1 trip.I have no lights on the bike now but I do have them.Should I put them on before the trip? (head and tail lights)

[badass350x]

Yeah ben you have to run lights so make sure there in good working order! There is no way you can go to the dunes and not have a night ride.

Yes headlights an tail light is mandatory along with buggy whip!!!

[keister]

Hey Ben,
I did that trip last year and I am going again in March. If it makes you feel any better, I ran my stock R (my racebike that you have seen). Stock swingarm, stock motor and extended axle. I was able to keep up just fine, you will too. Most important is to go over every nut and bolt. Reliability is much more important than setup for rookies like us. I just ran my regular knobby on front. The sand dunes will really favor your riding style too - when in trouble, Nail the throttle!!

[Mr. Clean]

Here is a video that Billy took at the 2011 Imperial Invasion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPQPEB1q5rA

90% of the video Billy is following me on a basically stock 250r with stock swing arm and with knobs. Just to show you can get around just fine and climb any hill in the dune field. Your swinger axle setup will be fine. You have paddles so your good to go.

keister nailed it!! Reliability is key!!

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk179/miked1957_photo/nailed-it-booyah.jpg


Front tires for me is a non-issue you can run a mohawk tire but it is not any better or worse than stock knobs. I have run them both and MY OPINION the mohawk just looks cooler and may be lighter...save your money.

You will need a dune pass. $25 for the week if you buy offsite, there is a link on this page.

http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/elcentro/recreation/ohvs/isdra/dunesinfo/permitinfo.html

As badass350x said get your lights working, gotta night ride at least once.

You also must have either valid registration or permit from the owners home state, or purchase an Out of state permit, think it is like $20 or $25 bucs.

They have bathrooms but no showers onsite. There is a Holiday Inn Express and just about everything you could need 20 minutes east in Yuma, including race gas 110 or 100.

Bunch of frequently asked questions, lots of good information here:

http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/elcentro/recreation/ohvs/isdra/dunesinfo/lawenforcement/qanda.html

[just ben]

The sand dunes will really favor your riding style tooI think you mean lack of. lol When do you guys plan to book your flight?

[tecate_gt5]

yes reliability is key!!! like i said bring an extra cdi box and coil and ignition coil on the stator. that sand gets in ever place and any place in can get into. buy an outerwears prefilter for your tecate.

bring extra oil and mix oil and about 5 gallons more then you think you will need. in my old t4 over 4 days i burned about 25 gallons.

yeah man hook up them lights you will go on at least 1-3 night rides! bring a coat or two tho the desert gets cold at night.

ill post up some sick pics if i can figure it out.

[tecate_gt5]

this at the canal on the way to to dunner diner from gekko rd157832
this was at camp one of the fellow riders brought this157833
this was out in the midst of no mans land. we made are own tracks and came back to camp on E literally what we had in the bowl of are carbs157834
diagnosing my electrical problem (cdi and ignition coil) 157835
and a guy i knew works with redbull got us a ride in the 1200 hp twin turbo tantum blackwidow:naughty: 157836

my tecate is now sold and i have a atc250r.

[tri again]

Is that sand the 'same' as ocean beach sand or is it
more 'dusty'?

[tecate_gt5]

also watch out for witch eyes!!!! have guys in your camp show you one or more haha they will mess you up in a quick hurry!

[tecate_gt5]

no its like fine grit dry dry sand if you dig about 10 feet down its still dry haha it not like pismo at all! the dunes will be tore up by dark and the next day its like a clean canvas ready for your tires!

[tecate_gt5]

and ben you will love those tires i had them on my tecate4.