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Zipper Maintenance

Zippers!? What, you may ask, do zippers have to do with dual-sport riding? Well, think about it. This ubiquitous fastener touches almost every aspect of our dual-sport riding. They are in our riding jackets and pants, and sometimes in our riding boots. Almost universally they form the closure for our tank and tail bags, and sometimes even our saddlebags. They also secure our tents and sleeping bags, plus a number of other bags or devices that we routinely use in the course of our riding season.

Ride Destination: Deadwood Reservoir

Here are some of the reasons why this place ranks so high for me: (1) Comfortable distance away from the Treasure Valley. (2) Can be a day trip, a rest stop to other locations, an overnighter, and I have even used it as a base camp a couple of times. (3) More than one way to get in and out, which also means different ability levels. (4) Can be a comfortable level 2 ride with V-Strom friendly paved and dirt roads. (5) Can also be a level 3 or 4 on more aggressive dirt roads with rocks, ruts, inclines, and several hundred feet of exposure. (6) It can also be a full on level 5 single track, approx 25 miles worth, for the lighter more nimble dual sports.

The Aging Motorcyclist

While this article is written primarily with the senior (age 40 and older) motorcyclist in mind, our younger and more vigorous cohorts should still pay close attention because, like it or not, we are your future and you can still learn a thing or two from us. Have you noticed that the average age of motorcyclists is advancing? I do, perhaps because I am one…an older motorcyclist that is. This is particularly reflected in the composition of our club, the Idaho Adventure Motorcycle Club.

Ride Destination: The Boise Front

One of my favorite riding locations in the state of Idaho is easily within reach… actually, much of it is accessible after work during long summer days. The Boise Foothills offer vastly varied riding experiences, from novice rides to incredible twisty pavement to mindboggling technical trail riding. Unfortunately, this area seems to be largely unexplored by many club members. This may be at least partially due to the reputation of difficulty of some of the trails in the area.

Riding All Winter Long

The approach of winter does not mean the end of riding until spring. With the proper clothing and equipment, it can still be enjoyable to ride with temperatures well below freezing. My husband, Alan, and I enjoy riding too much to quit riding just because the weather is cooler. We would like to share some of what we have learned about winter riding.

So what about your Chain…?

… And no I am not talking about the one others pull to get your attention. I am talking about the one that makes the rear wheel on your bike go around. Without it you aren’t going anywhere. Neglect it long enough, and it can really bite you bad by suddenly failing (breaking) that leaves you stranded in a remote inaccessible area, causes your rear wheel to lock up resulting in a nasty crash, or does considerable damage to your engine when it balls up around the countershaft and front sprocket.bike go around. Without it you aren’t going anywhere. Neglect it long enough, and it can really bite you bad by suddenly failing (breaking)
that leaves you stranded in a
remote inaccessible area, causes your rear wheel to lock up resulting in a nasty crash, or does considerable damage to your engine
when it balls up around the
countershaft and front sprocket

Packing Light / Living Right

If you are new to dual-sport riding, it can be confusing and frustrating to know what equipment you need and how to pack it for a camping ride. Even if you have been dual-sport riding for some time, it is frustrating when you left at home some crucial item that you now desperately need on the trail, but forgot to pack it. Then there are some who pack too much, making their ride unnecessarily difficult and cumbersome.

Building You’re Riding Skills and Staying Within Your Limits OR Riding with Faster People Without Killing Yourself

I’ve been involved with off road riding now for only 4 seasons… first year or so on a Suzuki VStrom 650 and the last couple of years on a DRZ 400. During that skill building time, I’ve been very fortunate to ride with a partner who is much better than I will ever be. Why he wanted to train such a complete NooB as me, is the subject for another article. However, I was faced with the task of keeping up and building my skills without employing the most common advice I heard which was “Twist The Throttle you BABY!!” After a number of get offs including one high side, twisted saddle bags, two fires and a bike that looks like I should just throw it away, I have some hard earned advice that will transform your skills.

Are You Protecting Your Hearing?

The riding motto ATGATT (All The Gear All The Time) should not only apply to protective body gear, but should also be extended to hearing protection. While motorcycles have been around since the latter part of the 19th century as a mode of transportation, it has only been since the mid 1970’s that studies have demonstrated the relationship between hearing loss and wind noise in motorcyclists [1]. Despite this well-known relationship, many motorcyclists still do not take appropriate measures to protect their hearing.

ATGATT

Have you fallen yet, “crashed and burned”, or logged some unexpected airtime off a slick corner? Has your bike then re-joined you when the yard sale stops, by pinning you to the ground? I’ve experienced all this and more, and it nearly takes all the fun out of dual sport riding.