Hmmm, maybe your MX buddies aren't either...
-
Hey Everyone! May's Bike of the Month challenge is now open for entries!
Off-road riding advice
For all the fellow Multistrada riders here; any tips, discussion, ideas, suggestions on off-road riding? I feel I can push it to the (my) limit on pavement but realized I know nothing about enduro style riding. I have ridden the occasional smooth dirt or gravel road but met my match on some fluffy sand. Lucky it only cost me a broken mirror.
I'd like to get input from experienced off-roaders regarding techniques for getting our moneys worth out of enduro mode. What is the secret of doing this successfully?
I'd like to get input from experienced off-roaders regarding techniques for getting our moneys worth out of enduro mode. What is the secret of doing this successfully?
41 - 53 of 53 Posts
Funny guy.....Nah, I wouldnt say they're racers or anything but they do get out just about every weekend, so that equates to quite a bit more riding experience off road than I have.
My 950 Adventure never fails to amaze me when the going gets tough. The weak link is always me, not the bike.
I was thinking. But I wasn't going to say it.Hmmm, maybe your MX buddies aren't either...
Sent from Motorcycle.com App
Well jbone, don't take this personally, the bottom line is if you rode a "real" dirt bike yourself then you would understand the differences.... I'll put to you this way, you would never see James Stewart doing a super cross track, or anyone else on "your" bike!Jimmy...my KTM 990 ADV is pushing 460lbs dry. I might be careful on statements like that... I can keep up with my MX buddies in the tight stuff just fine and I am not a great off road rider.....just sayin'
Nuff said.Sent from Motorcycle.com Free App
except sand..
I 'want" to ride my Multi off road as I do on my F800GS and I have a fair amount of training and experience via rawhyde and real world stuff.. I have taken my Multi on a few mild off road tracks but that 17 inch front tire in sand is not a great plan... I love the bike and want to take it more palces off road and sometimes wish it had a 19 inch narrower front.I ses this subject in two ways: dirt roads and off roads. I have no intention of riding across fields or between trees and over logs etc but I do want to travel down unsealed roads - of which there are a lot of them in Australia.
I put TKC80s on and have the Altrider bars etc and have done quite a few unsealed roads already and it handles OK. I'm not interested in doing high speeds on rough roads, but I do like to explore.
BTW, I did a BMW offroad course with the Multi on the Scorpions and it worked well, although the instructors were a bit up themselves because I wasn't on a BMW or kitted out in the latest BMW clothing. I had traction control and ABS still on and learned a lot about braking, riding positions, down hill speed management etc. Several of the BMW owners came to grief by not listening to the instructors. At one point they took us through a deep muddy area and the Multi handled it well with good throttle control to keep the momentum up. I was actually impressed by it's ability to work it's way through many types of unsealed roads.
What I have seen though, is that a lot of BMW/KTM riders think they are quick on gravel roads but when it comes down to it, they crap themselves and go rigid with fear. I went for a run recently where a BMW rider told me how quick he was on dirt after seeing my TKCs. I let him go ahead and he crumbled at the first sign of dirt. Then he had all sorts of excuses why he couldn't keep up - and I wasn't going that quick!
If you plan your route and take it easy, think about the road conditions and ride accordingly, the Multi is capable of dealing with most surfaces - even with the Scorpions.
MTS Off Road
I have just turned over 1200 miles on my new 2013, during the first 300 miles, about 100 miles was off road on rutted fire roads / logging trails / mining roads in eastern Tennessee. It performed much better than I had expected, however I did notice extreme hesitation in Enduro mode when I need to "crack the throttle" for slight obstacles.
Others have mentioned "Get a real dirt bike" which I have to say is good advice. I have been riding for well over 45 years now with my first 15 years in the dirt on anything I could get my hands on, as I remember my first "Real Motorcycle" upgrading from my 5hp Rupp mini was a '68 Honda C110 50cc road bike that I quickly modified with knobbies and homemade exhaust and I was giving the Hodaka Super rat's a run for their money!
I have mentored many new riders and my suggestion was always to start with an enduro and graduate to a street bike. The skills learned in the dirt and loose gravel with save your hide on the street when you encounter unexpected variables like sand / gravel on the road. My bike of choice back in the 70's / 80's were Yamaha 650 twins, and I have logged thousand's of miles on the road and often off the beaten path, the love affair with these old thumpers never died, I still have a couple.
I was a "Motor Officer" in Dayton for several years in the late 70's early 80's and believe me, I took a '68 Electra Glide places it should never have gone, sorta like the Bumble Bee, they don't know it is physically impossible to fly, they do it anyway. I remember one instance when I was chasing a stolen dirt bike (KX 250) and ended up on the bikeway along the river, the kid on the stolen bike was in so much shock that I followed him up and over the river levee on a 900+ lb Harley that as he was looking over his shoulder he failed to see the cable across a park road..... end of that chase!
If you are willing to risk broken parts (Bike and self) the Multi will take you places you have never dreamed of, just be willing to "Power On" when needed and don't back off! But first learn both your own personal limitations and the bikes. Your personal limitations will be easier and cheaper learned on a very inexpensive dirt bike or enduro. The bikes limitations are best learned from others with experience and eventually your own. Get with a group of "Dual Sport" riders and get some saddle time, many offer rides that separate riders in ability and bike types.
On another thread we have been discussing putting together a true "Multi Event" that will include a Road trip, Track Day, and a day in the dirt. And I can't think of another motorcycle that would be more capable to do this on than a MTS!
I have just turned over 1200 miles on my new 2013, during the first 300 miles, about 100 miles was off road on rutted fire roads / logging trails / mining roads in eastern Tennessee. It performed much better than I had expected, however I did notice extreme hesitation in Enduro mode when I need to "crack the throttle" for slight obstacles.
Others have mentioned "Get a real dirt bike" which I have to say is good advice. I have been riding for well over 45 years now with my first 15 years in the dirt on anything I could get my hands on, as I remember my first "Real Motorcycle" upgrading from my 5hp Rupp mini was a '68 Honda C110 50cc road bike that I quickly modified with knobbies and homemade exhaust and I was giving the Hodaka Super rat's a run for their money!
I have mentored many new riders and my suggestion was always to start with an enduro and graduate to a street bike. The skills learned in the dirt and loose gravel with save your hide on the street when you encounter unexpected variables like sand / gravel on the road. My bike of choice back in the 70's / 80's were Yamaha 650 twins, and I have logged thousand's of miles on the road and often off the beaten path, the love affair with these old thumpers never died, I still have a couple.
I was a "Motor Officer" in Dayton for several years in the late 70's early 80's and believe me, I took a '68 Electra Glide places it should never have gone, sorta like the Bumble Bee, they don't know it is physically impossible to fly, they do it anyway. I remember one instance when I was chasing a stolen dirt bike (KX 250) and ended up on the bikeway along the river, the kid on the stolen bike was in so much shock that I followed him up and over the river levee on a 900+ lb Harley that as he was looking over his shoulder he failed to see the cable across a park road..... end of that chase!
If you are willing to risk broken parts (Bike and self) the Multi will take you places you have never dreamed of, just be willing to "Power On" when needed and don't back off! But first learn both your own personal limitations and the bikes. Your personal limitations will be easier and cheaper learned on a very inexpensive dirt bike or enduro. The bikes limitations are best learned from others with experience and eventually your own. Get with a group of "Dual Sport" riders and get some saddle time, many offer rides that separate riders in ability and bike types.
On another thread we have been discussing putting together a true "Multi Event" that will include a Road trip, Track Day, and a day in the dirt. And I can't think of another motorcycle that would be more capable to do this on than a MTS!
We'll said Duckhunter!I have just turned over 1200 miles on my new 2013, during the first 300 miles, about 100 miles was off road on rutted fire roads / logging trails / mining roads in eastern Tennessee. It performed much better than I had expected, however I did notice extreme hesitation in Enduro mode when I need to "crack the throttle" for slight obstacles.
Others have mentioned "Get a real dirt bike" which I have to say is good advice. I have been riding for well over 45 years now with my first 15 years in the dirt on anything I could get my hands on, as I remember my first "Real Motorcycle" upgrading from my 5hp Rupp mini was a '68 Honda C110 50cc road bike that I quickly modified with knobbies and homemade exhaust and I was giving the Hodaka Super rat's a run for their money!
I have mentored many new riders and my suggestion was always to start with an enduro and graduate to a street bike. The skills learned in the dirt and loose gravel with save your hide on the street when you encounter unexpected variables like sand / gravel on the road. My bike of choice back in the 70's / 80's were Yamaha 650 twins, and I have logged thousand's of miles on the road and often off the beaten path, the love affair with these old thumpers never died, I still have a couple.
I was a "Motor Officer" in Dayton for several years in the late 70's early 80's and believe me, I took a '68 Electra Glide places it should never have gone, sorta like the Bumble Bee, they don't know it is physically impossible to fly, they do it anyway. I remember one instance when I was chasing a stolen dirt bike (KX 250) and ended up on the bikeway along the river, the kid on the stolen bike was in so much shock that I followed him up and over the river levee on a 900+ lb Harley that as he was looking over his shoulder he failed to see the cable across a park road..... end of that chase!
If you are willing to risk broken parts (Bike and self) the Multi will take you places you have never dreamed of, just be willing to "Power On" when needed and don't back off! But first learn both your own personal limitations and the bikes. Your personal limitations will be easier and cheaper learned on a very inexpensive dirt bike or enduro. The bikes limitations are best learned from others with experience and eventually your own. Get with a group of "Dual Sport" riders and get some saddle time, many offer rides that separate riders in ability and bike types.
On another thread we have been discussing putting together a true "Multi Event" that will include a Road trip, Track Day, and a day in the dirt. And I can't think of another motorcycle that would be more capable to do this on than a MTS!
Sent from Motorcycle.com Free App
Multi Event
DLM,
I see you are in the Maryland area, a trip I would like to do with other Multi owners would be to make a road trip (I'm in Ohio) collecting as many Multi riders as possible and go to Summit Point in West Virginia, attacking as many twisties as we can on the way, plan a "Track Day" at Summit Point, then the following day hit the trail or possibly road trip to Hatfield McCoy off road park which is about 5 hours away near Gilbert, WV.
Of course the Duc Pond is always a good place to visit in Winchester, Va near Summit Point. I'm going to be looking at the calendar and see when would be a good time to plan a trip like this, hopefully Spring '14, since weather breaks a few weeks earlier there before Ohio springs, it looks like a good way to start the season.
Let me know if you would be interested.....
DH
DLM,
I see you are in the Maryland area, a trip I would like to do with other Multi owners would be to make a road trip (I'm in Ohio) collecting as many Multi riders as possible and go to Summit Point in West Virginia, attacking as many twisties as we can on the way, plan a "Track Day" at Summit Point, then the following day hit the trail or possibly road trip to Hatfield McCoy off road park which is about 5 hours away near Gilbert, WV.
Of course the Duc Pond is always a good place to visit in Winchester, Va near Summit Point. I'm going to be looking at the calendar and see when would be a good time to plan a trip like this, hopefully Spring '14, since weather breaks a few weeks earlier there before Ohio springs, it looks like a good way to start the season.
Let me know if you would be interested.....
DH
My advice is don't. It's not an enduro. It's not fun in the dirt. It's a pig with too much power. Yes, people ride around the world on R1s, but not because it's the best choice. They do it for the recognition.
Buy a 500cc dual sport like a Husky and you'll have so much more fun...just the worrying about dropping a $20K bike in the dirt is enough to make it hardly worth the effort.
Buy a 500cc dual sport like a Husky and you'll have so much more fun...just the worrying about dropping a $20K bike in the dirt is enough to make it hardly worth the effort.
Right...this.
As the OP stated (remember him?), he has no skills off road, but the Ducati Marketing Machine claims it can do it all because they named a suspension setting "Enduro"...therefore it's a dirtbike.
NOT!
The only thing that can be learned by an un-skilled rider offroad with this thing is how much Ducati plastic costs to replace, so don't do it.
As the OP stated (remember him?), he has no skills off road, but the Ducati Marketing Machine claims it can do it all because they named a suspension setting "Enduro"...therefore it's a dirtbike.
NOT!
The only thing that can be learned by an un-skilled rider offroad with this thing is how much Ducati plastic costs to replace, so don't do it.
Comparisons....
Is the Duc Multi offroad capable, I would say a firm yes, do I want to risk tearing it up...that's a firm no, however I will and have taken it off the beaten path already, but it was to get from point A to Point B, not to see what it's limitations are. I have a 2012 Jeep Rubicon that is very capable off road, but I choose not to drive it over a cliff to prove a point, yet I am happy to get off the beaten path and have been in situations where technical driving skills were necessary. It's a matter of common sense, when I'm off road it is to go to a location or destination with a purpose. That may be for a photography assignment, hunting trip, or just to escape. I have seen many drivers dive into the deepest mud pit where there were adequate passage around, I have traveled throughout South and Central America and most of North America in very rough terrain, and I have learned from experience, when you get stupid, things get broken, sometimes it's parts, sometimes it's bones, and many times it's both!
Will this keep me from taking my Multi off road, absolutely not! But I will do so with knowledge of my limitations and learning that of the machine. And I am looking forward to the sights that these ventures will yield!
Is the Duc Multi offroad capable, I would say a firm yes, do I want to risk tearing it up...that's a firm no, however I will and have taken it off the beaten path already, but it was to get from point A to Point B, not to see what it's limitations are. I have a 2012 Jeep Rubicon that is very capable off road, but I choose not to drive it over a cliff to prove a point, yet I am happy to get off the beaten path and have been in situations where technical driving skills were necessary. It's a matter of common sense, when I'm off road it is to go to a location or destination with a purpose. That may be for a photography assignment, hunting trip, or just to escape. I have seen many drivers dive into the deepest mud pit where there were adequate passage around, I have traveled throughout South and Central America and most of North America in very rough terrain, and I have learned from experience, when you get stupid, things get broken, sometimes it's parts, sometimes it's bones, and many times it's both!
Will this keep me from taking my Multi off road, absolutely not! But I will do so with knowledge of my limitations and learning that of the machine. And I am looking forward to the sights that these ventures will yield!
Part of the problem is the definition of "off road". To some this means tight single track...to most it means a wide, flat fire road or secondary that has some gravel on it. If you're going to ride the last 2 then ya...have a blast and tell everyone you ride it off road...for most of us off road means dirt, mud, rocks, woods, etc. I've taken my BMWs on all of it..even did some laps on a local MX track with them...but really, it was only so that I could brag about it on a forum like this. It sucked...every second of it...
41 - 53 of 53 Posts
- This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Ducati.ms - The Ultimate Ducati Forum
A forum community dedicated to all Ducati owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, troubleshooting, superbike racing, maintenance, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Top Contributors this Month
View All
ducvet
137 Replies
Elbato
129 Replies
rennsportmotorrad
118 Replies
Recommended Communities
