Overland Expo May 20-22

[alia176]

If anyone is going to this event in Flagstaff, post up. I'm *thinking* of going Friday after work, spending Fri night there, then *maybe* heading somewhere to camp sat night. On the way home on Sunday, I'd like to stop at the El Malpais and hike in the lava tube that just opened up for the season.

It's always interesting for me to go checkout other creations that people come up with. Lots of vendors are there so if you REALLY need that fridge or that $$ camping chair, this is the place for you. Also, this is a good place to pickup used camping equipment from other folks who are looking to upgrade their gear.

Overland Expo WEST

 

[sl33p3]

I am signed up for the whole "experience". Riding the scooter out with Justin and we are both taking classes/rides etc, camping at the event. I will be tied up most of the days, but break free after about 5 if I recall. Should be fun! I think he and I are leaving sometime Thursday.

 

[Poupon]

If anyone is going to this event in Flagstaff, post up. I'm *thinking* of going Friday after work, spending Fri night there, then *maybe* heading somewhere to camp sat night. On the way home on Sunday, I'd like to stop at the El Malpais and hike in the lava tube that just opened up for the season.

It's always interesting for me to go checkout other creations that people come up with. Lots of vendors are there so if you REALLY need that fridge or that $$ camping chair, this is the place for you. Also, this is a good place to pickup used camping equipment from other folks who are looking to upgrade their gear.

Overland Expo WEST

Keep an eye out for the latest/coolest RTT. Grab brochures, cards, snap pix.

 

[slimbuddha]

I wish I could go, I would love to find a deal on an a fridge, and maybe a RTT as well. I like the hard-shell RTT, but I'm cheap, so unless I come across a deal like Ali, I'll just stick with a normal tent.

 

[Desert100]

I'm planning to go, and if I do I'll be looking at the hard shell RTTs.

 

[TOYOTARIG]

I am signed up for the whole "experience". Riding the scooter out with Justin and we are both taking classes/rides etc, camping at the event. I will be tied up most of the days, but break free after about 5 if I recall. Should be fun! I think he and I are leaving sometime Thursday.

LUCKY!!! How are you enjoying the Katoom? Is it a maintenance nightmare? I am very jealous of you getting to take the bike. I have been getting motorcycle fever lately. Looking seriously at BMW GS's.

 

[lurch]

I'll be heading out on Friday or possible Thursday after work. I'm guessing I'll be driving the FR-S and taking the MTB. I might ride out at Sedona Friday during the day and camp at the Expo Friday & Saturday night. I'll probably do the experience on Saturday and see what I can get into.

Ash what do you think - if the Merc can get into the camping area can the FR-S? Worst case I beg them to let me park up front and hike it back to the camp area? I remember some ruts but no show stoppers for a car. If it's going to rain I wont try to drive back but donuts in the mud does sound fun...JK the car is too new for that ;0) I think clearance is the only concern BUT I did drive around the forest loop RD in Placitas and didn't have any problems. I did how ever get some strange looks from the hikers and bikers as I drove by...

 

[TOYOTARIG]

Steve as long as the weather holds out you should be fine. Last year my brother and I camped just to the southeast of the Expo for free maybe five minutes away. Had it not been for the weather snow and heavy rain. Our camp spot was accessible by car.

 

[alia176]

I think you should be ok, Steve. I recall being super bumpy but no deep ruts and such. But, that was two years ago and I'm not sure what kind of abuse that camping area got from the mudfest at the Expo last year.

 

[sl33p3]

LUCKY!!! How are you enjoying the Katoom? Is it a maintenance nightmare? I am very jealous of you getting to take the bike. I have been getting motorcycle fever lately. Looking seriously at BMW GS's.

yeah I'm pumped to go... hope it's a blast. I have had some leaky seals, but it's also 12 years old, I think I have everything sorted out now.

It's funny, buying this bike has fed my itch to learn more advanced stuff... that would be much easier to learn and apply, with a smaller bike, so I think it needs a friend... still want something street legal... like 350EXC or something...

 

[slimbuddha]

I just sold my F650 in February, I think I am going to switch to a much lighter dual sport, like a 250. Most of my riding has been on pavement, so I recently bought a new toy:

 

[evanz80]

Looks like fun!

 

[TOYOTARIG]

Funny you mention the 350EXC, I just ran into a guy last weekend in El Malpais who was on one. He swears by it, got rid of a KLR for the 350.
He has ridden it all over BDR, CDT and others.

Sweet Indian by the way Buddha!

 

[sl33p3]

Funny you mention the 350EXC, I just ran into a guy last weekend in El Malpais who was on one. He swears by it, got rid of a KLR for the 350.
He has ridden it all over BDR, CDT and others.

Sweet Indian by the way Buddha!

That would be a no brainer trade! Half the weight, over twice the power! That's like at least 50x the awesome! (I have to jab KLR since my buddies ride them, lol)

If I didn't have the 950, I'd be more tempted buy the 500 as a single bike (half the weight, half the power of mine). But it seems too much like mine to justify. I'll just have to test ride yours

And yes, sweet Indian.

 

[marcfj60]

My biggest challenge when choosing MCs in the past has always been finding one appropriately sized for a tall guy. John, what has your experience been with the KTM? I know another big buy that rides one of them as well. I imagine the dual-sports are a better choice since they typically have pretty tall suspensions. I've wondered about Bimmers, especially the R-series, since they always seem pretty tall. But even a GS would still be pretty limited off pavement due to its size and high CG. The only bike I've owned that seemed tall enough for me was a '78 Yamaha IT 400. That thing was a brute and it hurt me pretty bad one time when I got too confident and was going too fast.

 

[slimbuddha]

My biggest challenge when choosing MCs in the past has always been finding one appropriately sized for a tall guy. John, what has your experience been with the KTM? I know another big buy that rides one of them as well. I imagine the dual-sports are a better choice since they typically have pretty tall suspensions. I've wondered about Bimmers, especially the R-series, since they always seem pretty tall. But even a GS would still be pretty limited off pavement due to its size and high CG. The only bike I've owned that seemed tall enough for me was a '78 Yamaha IT 400. That thing was a brute and it hurt me pretty bad one time when I got too confident and was going too fast.

You think it's hard to find a bike being tall, it's much worse being short. Before I lowered the rear and got a lower seat, I dropped the beemer a few times at stops, because the ground was un-even and I couldn't reach the ground.

 

[slimbuddha]

Oh, and another bike I am thinking of getting is a Honda Grom or a Yamaha ZL125. They are small enough, I could probably put it in the cargo area of the LC

 

[sl33p3]

My biggest challenge when choosing MCs in the past has always been finding one appropriately sized for a tall guy. John, what has your experience been with the KTM? I know another big buy that rides one of them as well. I imagine the dual-sports are a better choice since they typically have pretty tall suspensions. I've wondered about Bimmers, especially the R-series, since they always seem pretty tall. But even a GS would still be pretty limited off pavement due to its size and high CG. The only bike I've owned that seemed tall enough for me was a '78 Yamaha IT 400. That thing was a brute and it hurt me pretty bad one time when I got too confident and was going too fast.

Published seat height for mine is 36"... plenty. I can tip toe both feet, but not flat foot either at the same time on flat ground... It doesn't bother me, and the price you pay for 265mm of suspension travel. I'm very confident that the grunt of mine would hurt anyone too cocky to not respect it. I unintentionally dirt bike drifted a turn on menaul after last cruiser coffee in the rain, didn't even begin to get into it. That is of course, wet, oily s***e road and knobbies, but crap it woke me up and the car behind me dropped WAY back.... LOL!

I've sat on the new KTM 500EXC, it is tall, and so sveldt... me gusta mucho, just saying...

Ron, thought about the TW250?

 

[slimbuddha]

Published seat height for mine is 36"... plenty. I can tip toe both feet, but not flat foot either at the same time on flat ground... It doesn't bother me, and the price you pay for 265mm of suspension travel. I'm very confident that the grunt of mine would hurt anyone too cocky to not respect it. I unintentionally dirt bike drifted a turn on menaul after last cruiser coffee in the rain, didn't even begin to get into it. That is of course, wet, oily s***e road and knobbies, but crap it woke me up and the car behind me dropped WAY back.... LOL!

I've sat on the new KTM 500EXC, it is tall, and so sveldt... me gusta mucho, just saying...

Ron, thought about the TW250?

Yeah, that's another one I may consider. I really don't see the need for more than a 250... however, after I get more experience in the dirt, I may want to move up if I ever do any ADV riding.

 

[sl33p3]

Yeah, that's another one I may consider. I really don't see the need for more than a 250... however, after I get more experience in the dirt, I may want to move up if I ever do any ADV riding.

cool. In my limited experience, the only thing that benefits from size and displacement is either speed, or gear load. And for learning in the dirt, I can tell you, smaller displacement IS the way to go based on my 500#, 100HP beast with knobbies experience so far. But I won't lie, goosing it and lighting up a knobby so hard you don't accelerate at 50mph in the dirt, at will, DOES make me giggle as I crap my pants.

FWIW I think the WR250 would be on my list before the TW, but it has it's appeal as well.