Holding the wee up...

[fe-strom]

I'm an occasional wee rider, so I was happy to go on a week's ride in the Dom Rep with 3 other v-strommers, de-strom, thor hiney and beserker. I have about 2 years riding, fair amount of dirt road km although little dirt bashing. I do wear high heels on my wee for stability (I'm 5'7") but didn't need to on the tour as the bike was lowered a good few inches and it felt very comfortable.

I found, however, that in a few little sections of very deep gravel/stones if the bike suddenly slewed (or on one occasion started fishtailing) there was no way I could manage its weight and down I went. Doesn't leave me feeling particularly confident, although these were exceptional situations. Luckily lots of guys around to pick the bike up for me and I got 6.0 scores for two of my dismounts!

May just be off-road inexperience, but I never felt like that the day I spent on a smaller dirt bike. The wee is a big bike! Any tricks from fellow female riders? Commiseration will do instead!

[BuckTwenty]

The DL650 is 400+ pounds and not the perfect trail bike.

Adding knobbies will not get it to where my DR200 can go in it's sleep.

I have taken my DL650 down dirt roads and trails but this is nothing new as I have done this 20 years ago on my RD400 and Seca 550.

Is my RD a trail bike because I rode it on some dirt? NOT!

The adventure label is a GIMICK just like they call enduros dualsports now.

The Adventure label does not make it a dirt bike.

It is a very good machine for all sorts of riding.

[fe-strom]

Thank you both - it does make me feel better! It was very impressive how the other riders, Thor Hiney a good example, rode the 650s on the rough stuff, but they had had years, if not decades, off road riding. I'll remember the flatter tire trick, and I'm sure if my husband hasn't got a little compressor already he'd be delighted to add to the tool kit!

[ann_tn]

Being a little over 5'5" the wee is not only too heavy for me in gravel but too tall as well. For those occassions that I need to put my feet down I cant get enough traction. I just choose to stay off gravel if I can help it. Mine is mostly set up for highway riding.

On the other hand, my 6'4" husband threw some knobbies on his and prefers gravel & dirt roads to the highway.

Guess it goes to show that though the wee is not all bikes for all people but it does seem to be able to satisfy in one way or another for all types us.

[re-psycle]

... never felt like that the day I spent on a smaller dirt bike. The wee is a big bike!

Agreed. Missing my XR200 enough to go test drive the XR650 earlier today just to see what droppping 200 lbs would feel like. Mixed emotions, but will keep the wee for now.

[ChelleStrom]

I am into my DL1000 10,000 miles. Just got back from a 3500 mile trip. The Strom is bike #4 or 5 for my lifetime. I still have four. I have a custom seat (Rich's Custom in Seattle, WA) and a mechanically inclined hubby who put in lowering links, bar risers, and other stuff I cannot describe.

I am barely 5'5" and about 160, 45 years old to boot. Every bike is too big for me but I am bound and determined to get what I want from the sport. I like to go fast (CBR1100XX) and play mildly in the dirt (DR200). The Strom is the go a long way bike and on varied terrains.

I was gone three days then I dropped the Strom twice in parking lots and then went down on the gravel. The first drop was my own miscalculation in a parking lot. I was trying to back up to park (WTF with that, anyway!) and went too far to one side. The second drop was a series of events - sloped, gravel lot; husband stopped too fast and I was too close behind; unable to get footing and the front sprung back up hard enough to throw me off.

Now, the crash..... I chose the gravel road. My goal with this bike is to get off the main roads and not just do highway. I have no plans for dirt biking, just some easier gravel and forest service roads that will lead me to "cool stuff". I had already been off road the day before and had successfully navigated an amazing back way into Badlands National Park.

We started off and in places, the gravel was a bit thick. I was nervous. I came around a turn, up a bit, and got hung up in some thicker stuff. I let the bike get away and got into a pretty good tank slapper. When I knew I was beyond saving, I headed to the grass off the side of the road - aim for the soft spot!! I had on my skin and bone saving gear (ATGATT) and am thankful for the sprain, bruises and sore spots - nothing broken. It took me a few to get my composure, and injury inventory, and then we rode out. Checked the bike and finished the trip.

My confidence has been shaken, for sure. My desire to ride no less diminished. I have to rebuild, reshape and practice my ass off to master this one!

I, too, seek advice, feedback and support. We will repair, and better protect, the bike. I will ride it around gravel roads closer to home and then venture out. I will ride it unloaded then fully loaded to practice.

I plan to seek out videos, books and other ways to study up. I am, after all, an education geek and reading fool.

I hope to hear from others - women in particular - on experiences and lesson learned.

Keep in mind that when a guy goes down, no matter how large or small he is, nobody suggests he get a smaller bike, now do they???

[greywolf]

Whenever shaky bar syndrome arises, a Scotts steering stabilizer should have been there first.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3048/2942945437_1615324b4b.jpg

[ChelleStrom]

However, I hear that there is an impediment when turning tight. So, while one problem may be partially resolved, another may still exist. Is this the case?

[greywolf]

It has no effect on the handlebars at speeds a rider will input. It only dampens high speed movements.

[dtalk]

Whenever shaky bar syndrome arises, a Scotts steering stabilizer should have been there first.


Hey, I keep forgetting to ask you -- I know you bought yours to prevent high-speed slappers, but does this alleviate the typical 40mph low-frequency flapping as well? I've been getting that a lot since I've started travelling with a lot of weight on the rear for camping -- it's much less of a problem when the bike is not loaded. Raising the rear preload to max definitely helps, so I suspect that lowering the forks a bit would as well, but I really don't want quicker steering.

The flapping is quite pronounced around 40mph; I have to hold the bar still (full grip) sometimes, and this is with new tires and known-good, properly adjusted head bearings. So ... wondering if the Scott's might do the trick.

[greywolf]

I got a little wobble at around 40mph with a bad Conti Road Attack tire. I can only guess how bad it would have been without the stabilizer. I crossed a steel grate bridge yesterday that has been wobbling my bikes since 1973. Not this bike though.

[dtalk]

I got a little wobble at around 40mph with a bad Conti Road Attack tire. I can only guess how bad it would have been without the stabilizer. I crossed a steel grate bridge yesterday that has been wobbling my bikes since 1973. Not this bike though.

Noted. Thanks.

At 20k miles, this suspension is already worn noticeably (and it was crap to begin with), so I might have to spend the money there first, but I'll put the stabilizer on my wish list.