In praise of dirt roads

[dantama]

I really enjoy riding my Nomad on dirt roads. I like the solitude, the feeling that most riders have never seen what I'm seeing, etc.

This was snatched off VROC and is pretty good.

ClickDirtRoads

[unwind2]

I liked that!

[racinchef]

I hear ya, but I've been burnt too many times up here in VT taking my bike down a dirt road. I've run into mud, washboard bumps, ruts and the like. I've decided to keep to the pavement and enjoy the dirt in my cage. However, I have considered getting a dirt or dual purpose bike like the V-Strom 650 just to enjoy all those dirt roads we have up here.

[coloradontexas]

those washboards can sure rattle stuff loose. I enjoy riding the back PAVED ROADS of texas

[basco]

^+1

racin, maybe a KLR 650? My brother in law had one and he could go just about anywhere, and it was more than adequate on the paved roads. It seems I've read that that is a very popular bike for the guys that ride around the world and other exotic things.

[kawgirl]

That was a good one!

Sweet photo Dan. Should be in the "If you see this..." thread.

Don't remind me of Colorado though. Where is it?

[dantama]

Sweet photo Dan. Should be in the "If you see this..." thread.

Don't remind me of Colorado though. Where is it?

It's the Burr Trail near Escalante Utah. I went down the set of switch backs in the photo (about 10 180 degree turns getting to the bottom) and then out the road in the distance, turned left and went about 50 more miles of fairly deep sand. It was a real challenge, but I enjoyed it.

I wouldn't be opposed to doing it again.

Here's the Google earth coordinates


37°50'49.60"N 111° 1'35.05"W

I also really enjoy riding dirt roads. My 1968 BSA of years ago was a very good bike on the gravel or dirt. One reason I traded off the Goldwing was that it did not handel well at all for me on any thing but pavement. The Nomad is much better, really fairly good for an 800 pound bike. Don't like getting it that dirty but I did buy it to ride and enjoy not to shine and polish. Use to ride enduro's when I was younger. Have also though about getting a KLR for a second bike but a 35" seat height is a little to tall for me.