Took my first off-road (well, dirt-road) ride on the KTM today up the Rampart Range Road. I know jack about riding off-pavement, but I had a great time, went way faster than I thought I could at first, and had no mishaps, even though there were a few SUVs, Jeeps, and other bikes in the way. Went all the way to Woodland Park from CO Springs, 30+mi and over the mountains, with a lot of altitude changes, switchbacks, etc.
Followed US24 back to CO Springs and was impressed by how powerful and well-planted a highway bike this is for something so tall, though I can see why a number of folks get steering stabilizers for it what with the wide bars and all. On pavement it's a little deceptive because my head is so much higher than on the 'Busa any lean seems much more dramatic. Still, this bike handled really well for me on twisty roads once I got into it.
The seat is absolutely horrible. For a few miles on the highway I slid back to the pillion and bent over (as if I was on the 'Busa) to get pressure off my nether bits. This sit-up-and-beg thing is going to take some getting used to. Fortunately, I have a new seat under construction. Otherwise, the ergonomics are nominal for my height, and the little windscreen works but doesn't create too much suction.
Dirt observations/questions:
- Gotta keep the gas coming. As long as the engine and wheel are doing something the bike planes on the sand/dirt/gravel/whatever and keeps stable. I learned this on street bikes with exposure to road hazards, but it's very obvious here.
- That first gear all business. Just like the 'Busa, the KTM generates a lot of torque down low and will break the rear loose without much coaxing in first gear. I think I did all but about 20ft of the RRR in second gear (mostly) or above.
- You can go 80mph on dirt. Didn't know that.
- That front brake is useful for about the last 5mph of speed, the rear is a little better, and engine braking (which the KTM has lots of) is the ticket for the rest of the way. I think. I mean, I'm not really sure how to brake on dirt, just that it can't be done very agressively.
- What do you dirt riders do in turns? I'm mystified. I tried to take street lines through switchbacks and stuff, but I didn't want to go too far inside because I couldn't see all the way through and the rear kept wanting to wash out.
When I felt the rear going, however, I just kept on the gas, counter-steered, and tried not to lean too much and it fell back in line eventually. Any pointers?
Other items:
- The 950 runs pretty hot. It's about 90degF (no humidity) here today and the bike's temp gauge went to 5 of 7 bars in about 5 minutes out from my house and stayed there until I hit the highway coming back and made it up to 70mph. Then it dropped to 4 bars.
I'll look up what exact temperatures those represent, but it's up there. With this in mind, I will never ever skimp on oil quality or fuel octane -- higher octane ought to bring it down a little bit and rule out preignition/detonation. It's probably also set way too lean, being a CA bike.
- The parts that are built for the street (e.g., lighting, front brakes, fairing) work really well on the street, the parts that are built for the dirt (e.g., suspension, wheels) work really well in the dirt, and the bits that are for both (e.g., tires, the almighty LC8 engine) work really well on both.
- The 'Busa still has my vote as long distance tourer (especially two-up), with the exception of its fuel range on anything except a slab. It can carry as much, I am used to the leaned-over seating position, and a passenger will probably be far more comfortable.
- Believe it or not, I'd say the 'Busa wins in traffic as well, especially fast traffic what with the street wheels and tires. I can flick the 'Busa between lanes, cars, etc. very easily at this point and get much more lean out of it when I need it with little trouble.
OTOH, I'm not taking the Hayabusa up Pike's Peak (though I had thought about it before).
Followed US24 back to CO Springs and was impressed by how powerful and well-planted a highway bike this is for something so tall, though I can see why a number of folks get steering stabilizers for it what with the wide bars and all. On pavement it's a little deceptive because my head is so much higher than on the 'Busa any lean seems much more dramatic. Still, this bike handled really well for me on twisty roads once I got into it.
The seat is absolutely horrible. For a few miles on the highway I slid back to the pillion and bent over (as if I was on the 'Busa) to get pressure off my nether bits. This sit-up-and-beg thing is going to take some getting used to. Fortunately, I have a new seat under construction. Otherwise, the ergonomics are nominal for my height, and the little windscreen works but doesn't create too much suction.
Dirt observations/questions:
- Gotta keep the gas coming. As long as the engine and wheel are doing something the bike planes on the sand/dirt/gravel/whatever and keeps stable. I learned this on street bikes with exposure to road hazards, but it's very obvious here.
- That first gear all business. Just like the 'Busa, the KTM generates a lot of torque down low and will break the rear loose without much coaxing in first gear. I think I did all but about 20ft of the RRR in second gear (mostly) or above.
- You can go 80mph on dirt. Didn't know that.
- That front brake is useful for about the last 5mph of speed, the rear is a little better, and engine braking (which the KTM has lots of) is the ticket for the rest of the way. I think. I mean, I'm not really sure how to brake on dirt, just that it can't be done very agressively.
- What do you dirt riders do in turns? I'm mystified. I tried to take street lines through switchbacks and stuff, but I didn't want to go too far inside because I couldn't see all the way through and the rear kept wanting to wash out.
When I felt the rear going, however, I just kept on the gas, counter-steered, and tried not to lean too much and it fell back in line eventually. Any pointers?
Other items:
- The 950 runs pretty hot. It's about 90degF (no humidity) here today and the bike's temp gauge went to 5 of 7 bars in about 5 minutes out from my house and stayed there until I hit the highway coming back and made it up to 70mph. Then it dropped to 4 bars.
I'll look up what exact temperatures those represent, but it's up there. With this in mind, I will never ever skimp on oil quality or fuel octane -- higher octane ought to bring it down a little bit and rule out preignition/detonation. It's probably also set way too lean, being a CA bike.
- The parts that are built for the street (e.g., lighting, front brakes, fairing) work really well on the street, the parts that are built for the dirt (e.g., suspension, wheels) work really well in the dirt, and the bits that are for both (e.g., tires, the almighty LC8 engine) work really well on both.
- The 'Busa still has my vote as long distance tourer (especially two-up), with the exception of its fuel range on anything except a slab. It can carry as much, I am used to the leaned-over seating position, and a passenger will probably be far more comfortable.
- Believe it or not, I'd say the 'Busa wins in traffic as well, especially fast traffic what with the street wheels and tires. I can flick the 'Busa between lanes, cars, etc. very easily at this point and get much more lean out of it when I need it with little trouble.
OTOH, I'm not taking the Hayabusa up Pike's Peak (though I had thought about it before).
