Silver Lake Sand Dunes

[300rman]

Is this place owned by the state?
cause i am hearing that 3 wheelers are not allowed on state land in Michigain......
if that is the case, im gunna B PISSD as **Do not Type around the word filters**

anyone know anything?

[T3 LOPES]

I see trikes there every time I go. We bring 4 or 5 every time we go. Never been turned away.

[atctim]

I was there and all over UP Michigan state trails on my honeymoon a few months back - you have been misinformed. All you need is a state permit - which we got at the dunes.

[300rman]

mmkay. so, in order to get into this place, i need:
1. ORV sticker, availible from any Michigan powersports dealer.
2. state permit, availible at the gate. for the permit, what do i need to provide? any title/other stuff i need to take?

also, do they do exhaust noise check/spark arrester check?
if so, im gonna have to mod my DG silencer..........

[T3 LOPES]

mmkay. so, in order to get into this place, i need:
1. ORV sticker, availible from any Michigan powersports dealer.
2. state permit, availible at the gate. for the permit, what do i need to provide? any title/other stuff i need to take?

also, do they do exhaust noise check/spark arrester check?
if so, im gonna have to mod my DG silencer..........

You must have a sparky and they do noise checks some times. not on all machines ,it is a random check. you do not need anything but a drivers license, but I don't remember if you even need that.

[Dammit!]

Pretty sure you need a whip also.

[300rman]

how do they check for a spark arrester? where could i get one for my silencer?

[Jason Hall]

Silver lake Is closed for the year now. So you have lots of time to get the needed goodies before they open again next spring. Not sure of the opening date, but you could call the Michigan DNR to find out.

[300rman]

where do you get those neat orange flags, and how do ya attach them?

[Dammit!]

Any ATV shop within driving distance to the dunes should have whips (flags). The mount on the grab bars. That's what the little hole is for.

[300rman]

Any ATV shop within driving distance to the dunes should have whips (flags). The mount on the grab bars. That's what the little hole is for.

ahhh. always wondered what that thing was for.

[Smashin Jack]

I've got a few extra flags if anyone wants to do a ride when they open. The dunes are always open from april 1st thru Nov 1st and they do allow 3-wheelers. The ORV sticker was $16.25 last i checked. You must have a spark arrestor and your motor must pass the decibal meter, which is right there at the entrance gate. Also, no riding double, even if the vehicle is made for that, unless you have seatbelts (sand rails are obviously ok).
I just picked up a 350x to restore and I'd love to get an early season ride setup. If anyone's interested, speak up.

[T3 LOPES]

We always try and make it up there on the first friday in april. Just depends on the weather. I'm always interested in going. Let us know when your planning on going. Lopes

[the tecate kid]

I have never been to the dunes but am interested in going, is there alot of area to ride? Also is camping allowed? I want to take the kids also. Hope its a little more kid-friendly than Haspin!

[Smashin Jack]

Read the rules is you have not been to Silver Lake State Park, ESPECIALLY if you are bringing kids:

http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10365_15070-34760--,00.html

9679 W State Park Road
Mears, Michigan 49436

Information: 231-873-3083

Campground Reservations: 1-800-44PARKS

[OldSchoolin86]

There's a shop right at the gate that sells the flags. The park is very specific on what type you need. Also the sound requirements are pretty lax as long as you aren't blipping the throttle in the parking lot. In other words, don't give them a reason to check.

[Smashin Jack]

There's a shop right at the gate that sells the flags. The park is very specific on what type you need. Also the sound requirements are pretty lax as long as you aren't blipping the throttle in the parking lot. In other words, don't give them a reason to check.

I can tell you from personal experience that spark arrestors and loudness levels are often checked 100% at the entrance gate. They try to put a stick up your pipe. If it goes, you're NOT getting in. Also, regardless of how lightly you ride in the parking lot, they can and will pull you over as you try to get thru the gate with a decibel meter if they are checking that day. I'm just telling you this because I've had to pay top dollar to have custom work done to my pipe on my KTM400sx, at a race shop there, in order to get into the park for the day. Just be prepared, that's all I'm sayin...

[Ryan.]

I can tell you from personal experience that spark arrestors and loudness levels are often checked 100% at the entrance gate. They try to put a stick up your pipe. If it goes, you're NOT getting in. Also, regardless of how lightly you ride in the parking lot, they can and will pull you over as you try to get thru the gate with a decibel meter if they are checking that day. I'm just telling you this because I've had to pay top dollar to have custom work done to my pipe on my KTM400sx, at a race shop there, in order to get into the park for the day. Just be prepared, that's all I'm sayin...


hmm when my brother went there a few years ago they only checked if he had a spark arrester, no sound check....... but that was like 3 years ago also

[Smashin Jack]

hmm when my brother went there a few years ago they only checked if he had a spark arrester, no sound check....... but that was like 3 years ago also

I haven't been there in four years. Trust me, though. Sometimes they don't check sound, sometimes they don't even check for spark arrestor. But, make sure you're legal or at least have the legal equipment with you so you can get on the dunes. There's nothing worse than driving all the way there and not being allowed on after paying for the park sticker and all. That spark arrestor rule is stupid. We're talking about riding on pure sand, which isn't flammable last i checked, but because it's a state park, state park vehicle rules apply even if they don't make sense...

[JohnR.]

Bring some steel wool with you. If you fail for noise, take the spark arrestor screen out, put a little steel wool in the pipe, and put the screen back on. Its an old hot rod trick that guys used to use when their exhaust was too loud for inspection. We tried it last time we were there when one of the guys with us had a 400EX with a Pro Circuit pipe/silencer/arrestor and he was too loud. It worked like a charm and once he got out there we removed the steel wool. If the guy at the gate remembers you he'll usually only check you once for the day. My 250R with a new Duncan Fatboy and a Sparky spark arrestor just made it through.

John

[OldSchoolin86]

I can tell you from personal experience that spark arrestors and loudness levels are often checked 100% at the entrance gate. They try to put a stick up your pipe. If it goes, you're NOT getting in. Also, regardless of how lightly you ride in the parking lot, they can and will pull you over as you try to get thru the gate with a decibel meter if they are checking that day. I'm just telling you this because I've had to pay top dollar to have custom work done to my pipe on my KTM400sx, at a race shop there, in order to get into the park for the day. Just be prepared, that's all I'm sayin...
They do check all for spark arrestors from what I've seen too but I still say the sound requirements are very lax. It takes too long to check everyone's db level. The only ones that I seen checked for sound were the ones that couldn't take it easy in the parking lot. One guy that rode with us even got checked because he was revin' it up in the line (you know who you are.... lol). He wasn't even the loudest but he got stopped and rejected because of his actions. Of course all he had to do was wait till a shift change and went right on through the line again, taking it easy, with no problems. If they took a db meter out on the dunes and checked everyone they'd have to kick half the crowd out.

[300rman]

so, the permit is available at the gate. how about the ORV sticker? available at the gate or something i have to get at a Michigan dealer?

[300rman]

so, the permit is available at the gate. how about the ORV sticker? available at the gate or something i have to get at a Michigan dealer?


and how is the riding up there? are there huge rolling hills? any pics guys?

[Smashin Jack]

It looks small on the map but it's huge. And Lake Michigan looks gorgeous from the tops of the big hills. The directional zone in the lower right of the map is where the biggest hills are. They are too big to allow bi-directional traffic. People would by dying every 5 minutes if they didn't enforce the one-way policy.
The michigan orv stickers can be bought in town at most gas stations. Getting an orv sticker will not be a problem. Here's a topographical map:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/5b/Silverlake.JPG

Here's a photo from the entrance looking at Test Hill (1st hill, and the biggest.)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a1/Testhill.JPG/800px-Testhill.JPG

:w00t:

[Gag_Halfront]

So, the website says opening day is 1 Apr. That said, when should we get a ride together? 1 Apr? 5 Apr? 12 Apr?

[Dammit!]

Here's a photo from the entrance looking at Test Hill (1st hill, and the biggest.)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a1/Testhill.JPG/800px-Testhill.JPG

:w00t:


Man tha pic really makes me appreciate Glamis.

[JohnR.]

SHOWOFF! :D

We're just starting to plan a trip out there for late September. I'll start my own thread when I have more info.

John

[Gag_Halfront]

Will these tires work OK at Silver Lake or would I just be wasting my time?

[dizasterzrfun69]

hey while we're on the "will these tires work" subject, how would 22" pro-wedges do at silver lake on an 85 R? I've never been there and have never rode sand dunes for that matter.

[JohnR.]

Will these tires work OK at Silver Lake or would I just be wasting my time?

I'm not an expert but when we went out the first time, my buddy tried running his 20" Holeshots. He gave up after the first day and bought paddles at the dune shop.

John

[tecat-z]

Will these tires work OK at Silver Lake or would I just be wasting my time?

On a 350x, any of the oem type, 2 ply rear tires will be just fine. You wont overpower them with a stock engine. Those tires are fairly wide, and low pressure, and float great. Maybe adjust pressure a bit. Can't wait to get up there SOON! This weather is killin me. We do Silver lake alot, since we're fairly close. True, it's not the biggest, but it's still fun, lots of racing, and it's all we have over this way. Rumer has it, the state is in the planning stages of trying to open up another 250 acres in the next year. It's been in the works for some time and it needs to be done. That place gets soooo crowded, and the parking lot will fill. Then people must wait to get in. It's a huge cash cow that the small town revolves around. I sure hope it happens. Dune season is the only time there's activity around there.

[300rman]

Will these tires work OK at Silver Lake or would I just be wasting my time?

you surely wont be able to accelerate fast or climb any major hills i dont think. rockymountainatv.com has great tire/wheel combos. I got 2 sand hauler paddles mounted on 2 itp polished aluminum wheels for 180 shipped to my door.

[Dammit!]

SHOWOFF! :D

We're just starting to plan a trip out there for late September. I'll start my own thread when I have more info.

John

If you mean Glamis you should plan on hitting it no earlier than Halloween. It's still very, very hot out there in late September.

[JohnR.]

Sorry, my mistake. We're heading to Silver Lake in late September.

I had some trouble finding the paddle tires I was looking for the second time we went out there so I called the place that is right outside the dunes' parking lot and they had them in stock for the going rate. If you need paddles try David Allen Racing (http://www.davidallenracing.com/ATV.htm), they have lots of stuff in stock.

John

[tecat-z]

Oh yeah, and the chick laying down on the quad on their site, really does work there.:naughty: She's been there for many years working the register. Sweet body:drool: so-so face:confused:

[300rman]

rocky mountain atv (http://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/home.do;jsessionid=CDD25E14A3F79AA8F7C60CFD3043A0E 4.westring1) is probably the cheapest place to get tires/wheels.

[JohnR.]

Unfortunately the cheapest doesn't do you any good if they don't have them. In my experience the availability of paddles can be spotty. I tried about 5 places that had them in their catalog but none of them had them in stock. Then I tried Duneland and had them at my door in a couple of days. I'm not saying they have the cheapest prices but they usually have them in stock. IMHO, a cheap set of paddles will work fine, on our first trip out I had more fun with my cheap ones since they allowed me to slide when my buddies with Skat Trak's would wheelie. The next two times I had my trike all dragged out so I didn't slide at all.

John

[RoscoW]

Last time I was at Silver Lake I took my paddles off the last day and ran the stock Dunlops on my R, and had more fun with it than with the paddles on. I'm not a drag racer and just enjoy running all over the place, running up a slipface and throwing a 180 turn in at the top and running it down, just general playing. With the paddles it would just hook up and lift the front wheel (stock length swing arm) about half way thru the turn, it would climb and accelerate like crazy if thats what you want. With out the paddles it was a little like snow riding, slide out the rear anytime you want, spin around, I could still climb any hill I wanted, you just had to be careful where you stop (on the downward side). It all depends on your type of riding.
Duneland is a great store,I think You get 25% off online orders and if you know when your going Pre-order with store pick-up and you don't have to pay for shipping. My brothers Aerospeeds were like $42 each.

Ross..


Hey Guys , I think us Canadians are planing something for early June, Would be good to get a bunch together again eh!! I'll even have Scott's DS 650 tow truck for those breakdowns again ( no names disclosed).

[Kintore]

Hey Guys , I think us Canadians are planing something for early June, Would be good to get a bunch together again eh!! I'll even have Scott's DS 650 tow truck for those breakdowns again ( no names disclosed).



BAHAHAH jason!

ill see what i can do ross, i know me and all my buds wanna go as well. June 14th is TF remember :)

[OldSchoolin86]

Last time I was at Silver Lake I took my paddles off the last day and ran the stock Dunlops on my R, and had more fun with it than with the paddles on.

X2, I had more fun with the stock tires on my 400ex then the paddles on my R. I have since sold the paddles and have no plans to buy another set.


Will these tires work OK at Silver Lake or would I just be wasting my time?
Those will be perfectly fine.