2011-12-09 Joshua Tree National Park

[dcarver]

Pops needed me to check out some real estate for him and offered to pay gas money. Hey, it's a good gig if you get it!

<Full RR here>

Took off down the coast cause it's lots warmer than inland these days. That plus my heated gear didn't arrive in time - so screw it I'm going anyway.

<Full RR here>

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[beemerdons]

Very Nice Ride Report Don, Thank You!

 

[Joe]

Don you were sick in 2010.

Just to refresh your memory.

Joe (Bob)

 

[ynotride]

Nice Report. One of these days you got to get to Baja and improve those sand riding skills

 

[Niehart]

Thanks Don, lots of fun ridding along with your ride report.

E Clampus Vitus always brings a smile to my face because of the one and only Turbo Dave. :fan_1: (Thanks for that RR also)

 

[Khunajawdge]

Three things;

One - Simi Dahba was a realtor in Beverly Hills during the 60's when he amassed enough land fortune to become a sculptor of steel for the rest of his life. He still lives near North Hollywood and still welds up steel forms, and is in his 80's.

2nd - I am surprised that with all that desert land that you inherited there isn't a buyer just waiting to snap up those acres? Water will be needed however, no matter what No?

Third - There is a ride this Saturday out to the California Valley Solar Farm with one of the contractors who works on the solar farm (he is a rider). There will be a meet-up in Santa Margarita on Saturday at "The Porch" in morning for those who wish to join the guided tour. See, Airhead 124's personal email to you from Central Coast Riders.

Glad you found a nice window in the weather for your ride!

 

[dcarver]

Three things;

One - Simi Dahba was a realtor in Beverly Hills during the 60's when he amassed enough land fortune to become a sculptor of steel for the rest of his life. He still lives near North Hollywood and still welds up steel forms, and is in his 80's.

Some of his art is truly amazing - these are big pieces!

2nd - I am surprised that with all that desert land that you inherited there isn't a buyer just waiting to snap up those acres? Water will be needed however, no matter what No?

I've been told there is a huge amount of water literally 20 feet underneath - and the settling of houses is common to the area. The entire area of Joshua Tree, 29 Palms, Hesperia, Victorville, looks to be severely economically depressed.

Third - There is a ride this Saturday out to the California Valley Solar Farm with one of the contractors who works on the solar farm (he is a rider). There will be a meet-up in Santa Margarita on Saturday at "The Porch" in morning for those who wish to join the guided tour. See, Airhead 124's personal email to you from Central Coast Riders.

Man - that sounds like fun, I'm going to try and make it!

Glad you found a nice window in the weather for your ride!

 

[03silverbullet]

Great ride report!

I'm glad Gun is doing well. I haven't seen him in years.

 

[exskibum]

Great ride report!

I'm glad Gun is doing well.

GUNNY!!!!

 

[escapefjrtist]

Most excellent ride report Don. Thanks for sharing the ride with us :cold: less fortunate!

--G

 

[SkooterG]

Most excellent! Good to see that FUGLY mug of that rat ******* Gunny.

So what is up with the two similar 05 FJRs in his garage? Does he have the disease? Are they BOTH his?

My guess: One is TD's old FJR.

 

[dcarver]

Most excellent! Good to see that FUGLY mug of that rat ******* Gunny.

So what is up with the two similar 05 FJRs in his garage? Does he have the disease? Are they BOTH his?

My guess: One is TD's old FJR.

Ding Ding! You win the prize!

..and you know how it goes when bachelors get married - you never hear from them again, or much... Like Odot. Like Gunny. Like Skootie? :huh: :lol:

 

[vabrzn]

Thanks

 

[Khunajawdge]

Pops needed me to check out some real estate for him and offered to pay gas money. Hey, it's a good gig if you get it!

<Full RR here>

Hey DON -

I have a question in regard to the pic above.

Do you think that the bike would have held track if the front was a knobbed tire like a Conti TK and the new Anakee on the rear?

or did the rear end fishtail 1st, causing the bike to lose traction in the rear? Bike does look pretty loaded down.

I need a new front on my Strom but the Anakee in the rear still looks new (still has some good bumps), so am thinking about putting a knobbed tire on the front only and continuing to run the Anakee rear for DV during FODS 2012.

thoughts?

 

[dcarver]

Pops needed me to check out some real estate for him and offered to pay gas money. Hey, it's a good gig if you get it!

<Full RR here>

Do you think that the bike would have held track if the front was a knobbed tire like a Conti TK and the new Anakee on the rear?

or did the rear end fishtail 1st, causing the bike to lose traction in the rear? Bike does look pretty loaded down.

I need a new front on my Strom but the Anakee in the rear still looks new (still has some good bumps), so am thinking about putting a knobbed tire on the front only and continuing to run the Anakee rear for DV during FODS 2012.

thoughts?

There was no saving it. The DL650 makes a terrible off-road bike, and especially when the ground is really soft due to sand, mud, etc. The front weight bias is excessive. There is no way to plane the front tire unless you carry unhuman speeds in which case you'll just crash at a higher velocity. Seriously, DL's suck in soft stuff.

I just recently installed the Anakees and while they are really good for street, they make the DL even worse in soft stuff. I'll not run them again, it's an expensive mistake on my part. I'll be going back to TKC's ASAP.

For the DV run, given that even 'good secondary' roads can quickly become soft single track like, I'd run nothing but full knobbies. The DL's will be the least dirt-worthy marque on that ride, the weakest link in the pack. I'll say it again, I'd only run full, fresh, knobbies. True, the roads may all be perfectly passable and in good condition, but even one one-hundred yard section of soft stuff and you'll be doing the flop-er-ooski too.

If $$ are an issue, try the Kenda Big Block tires. They wear a bit faster than TKC's but are substantially less money and handle well enough for aggressive street riding. The TKC's are better, but mo money!.

Good luck and just my .02 worth!

 

[Khunajawdge]

Don - thanks for the info. Very helpful :thumbsupsmiley:

Here's an example of how I will invest in outfitting the roller Knobs

Luv those top locking Pelican cases!

Not sure yet(?) whether I'll go with Kendas?, Conte's, or Hendenau's but the "Vee" Strom will be fully knobbed!

 

[dcarver]

Don - thanks for the info. Very helpful :thumbsupsmiley:

Here's an example of how I will invest in outfitting the roller Knobs

Luv those top locking Pelican cases!

Not sure yet(?) whether I'll go with Kendas?, Conte's, or Hendenau's but the "Vee" Strom will be fully knobbed!

KJ, from what I've seen pix, He Hendenau's are still too soft, not a full knob. I can't say it enough, you need full, fresh, knobbies. Especially for those of us who can't really afford the hard dirt biff anymore... relative fragile bodies and all.. Do yourself a favor.. IMHO of course.