[EGGSS]

I'm in NYC and was looking at the pine barrens off-road course , more of my friends are trail riding bikes and im looking to dip my toe in.

most of them ride 250's usually street legal . I wondering if the vstrom is up for it ?

13 dl650 . engine guard , givi skid plate . SW pannier rack ( kind of rear protection ) I have the oem TW tires . which were great for commuting / road , besides being at the end of their life . i wouldn't trust them off road . i know a knobby is better for offroad ,80/20 ,can i use a 50/50 ? should i just get a 80/20 and take them off road. then replace them with something more commuter friendly when im done .

or do i just go buy a crf250 , tw200 or even a cheap Chinese hawk 250 to use for dedicated dirt riding ? the last part would be the hardest convincing my wife i need another bike . because im not selling the V :grin2:

 

[newride]

I would love to try the pine barrens. I have never taken a motorcycle on anything more off road than a Kansas section line road. Every time I drive through the pine barrens I think I would like to come back with my DL and see what happens.

 

[Mucksavage]

Greetings from the Pine Barrens! 1st off, the Pine Barrens class is a wonderful step in the right direction. Mike & Jack do a great job. I never took the class but sat in for a few hours & it'd be a step in the right direction.
2nd, your Strom is outfitted much like mine so its capable of tackling some of the more hard packed roads of the 'Pines. I run Anakee 3's as that what was on my bike when I bought it. It does fine. The sandier/muddier stuff, I ride on my DR350. My buddy rides an Africa Twin with Shinko 804/805's & goes everywhere including the gnarly stuff so it is bike bike doable.
I'd recommend feeling out the more hard packed roads first. Brendon Byrne SF has well maintained roads. Also, check out the "Pine Barrens Rides" thread on ADVrider. Folks post rides all the time & often specify "Big Bike Friendly". While you're there, check out our Tag-O-Rama games.
https://advrider.com/f/forums/northeast-greater-flugistan-and-home-of-the-carp.26/

Shoot me a PM, I'd love to show you around. I'll be setting up a Pine Barrens moto camping trip next month if you're into that.

 

[EGGSS]

Awesome

I might just take a ride down a explore 1 day . Like you said . Get a feel . I’ll look to those tires .

Thanks

 

[EGGSS]

I just looked at Ites it’s a 90/10. Are you sure that’s gonna be enough

 

[Mucksavage]

I think you may be looking at the wrong tire:
https://www.shinkotireusa.com/product/e804e805-adventure-trail-series-tire/211930

 

[Mucksavage]

These may look like a winner too;
https://www.stromtrooper.com/#/topics/421799?page=2

 

[Motor7]

Eggss, it sounds like you don't have much off road experience. Depending on your natural abilities, you may find going off pavement on your DL difficult. I suggest taking a class designed to teach riders off road on big bikes. Or, your idea of getting a smaller bike is a good idea if you want to learn on your own or with friends. You could pickup a used small bike, ride it for a couple of years, then sell it and recoup almost all your $.

It's easier to learn on a lighter bike and less discouraging. Even though BB's and SB's handle differently, the techniques are similar, so once comfortable on the SB, going up to the BB is easier. Don't forget to pick up a pressure suit, good boots and shin/knee guards. And yes, big block tires are the way to go....mine stay on my DL all the time.

 

[EGGSS]

Eggss, it sounds like you don't have much off road experience. Depending on your natural abilities, you may find going off pavement on your DL difficult. I suggest taking a class designed to teach riders off road on big bikes. Or, your idea of getting a smaller bike is a good idea if you want to learn on your own or with friends. You could pickup a used small bike, ride it for a couple of years, then sell it and recoup almost all your $.

It's easier to learn on a lighter bike and less discouraging. Even though BB's and SB's handle differently, the techniques are similar, so once comfortable on the SB, going up to the BB is easier. Don't forget to pick up a pressure suit, good boots and shin/knee guards. And yes, big block tires are the way to go....mine stay on my DL all the time.

i agree with you on getting another / lighter bike but $$

i have 0 time off road on 2 wheels motorcycle . hundreds off road on quads , and millions or hours on mountain bikes , downhill , trail, racing , snow , bmx you name it . i know what 2 psi feels like in a tire . i can tell when i do and do not have traction and i loovvee 2 feet up drifting a corner on any mountain bike . maybe im being Leary maybe ill be a natural . either way i just want my best shot at survival lol .

im leaning toward shinko 804/805 . maximum help in the dirt and if i hate them commuting minimal money loss . and im definitely leaning toward better boots for ankle protection .

 

[newride]

and millions or hours on mountain bikes , downhill , trail, racing , snow , bmx you name it .

Of course a million hours is about 114 years.

 

[madscrapper85]

My very first experience off road was in the pine barrens following NJBill on his S10. I picked my bike up at least 15 times in 4 hours and then rode home 2.5hrs after. Was an eye opening experience and made my decision on finding a class to take. I had a fresh set of 705s on and will tell you they are just barely adequate. I want to go back with my 805 on the rear cause I have a feeling it would make all the difference in the world. I lucked out the next spring and was able to take a class at the Romney camp and ride with Alon and Marco which this is going to sound cliche but it changed my life.

 

[EGGSS]

Of course a million hours is about 114 years.

i dont sleep much

 

[EGGSS]

shinko 804/805 mounted . im surprised how well they handle on the road .

 

[Whiskey Tango]

I've run the Pine Barrens in everything from two-wheel drive four wheelers, trucks, Jeeps, KLR650 and, most recently the DR650. The paved roads in and through the Pine Barrens are fun (for NJ) and they all lead to the Pic-a-Lili!

Two words of caution: the sugar sand sections can be a bear and some of those water holes either have no bottom or lost and forgotten Miatas and Geo Trackers down below!

Come spring, I'd put together a group run of mainly paved roads, some dirt and ... lunch at the Pic-a-Lili.