-
Enjoy XS650.com? Consider making a donation to help support the site.
XS650.com receives a small share of sales from some links on this page, but direct donations have a much greater impact on keeping this site going.
Anyone ride their XS off road?
- Thread starter Tron
- Start date
troopthrowback
XS650 Addict
They did that to me on the Sheetiron. They're such a silly group, bought into the notion that you have to drink the orange kool aid to be able to survive off pavement. My idea is I'm riding my most dirt worthy bike! If it was good enough for the guys that founded the rally, it's good enough for me.
troopthrowback
XS650 Addict
Okay. I ran 5" uni filters without skins. I went for a ride Thursday after I got back and thought I'd better swap some clean filters on after the sheetiron. I pulled my sidecovers and found my filters to be decently clean. Not sparkling, but serviceable especially since it also dawned on me at that same moment I forgot a rag or towel or anything to clean my hands on. Rather surprised me. So back went the sidecovers and away I went!
Growl
XS650 Addict
Barstow to Vegas
Sheet Iron in Lake County & Mendo...
Wayyyy to go XS 650 riders!
I appreciate the ride reports and pics
Sheet Iron in Lake County & Mendo...
Wayyyy to go XS 650 riders!
I appreciate the ride reports and pics
troopthrowback
XS650 Addict
I'm dying to do Barstow to vegas, but I'm not sure it's in the cards for this year. I you've gone somewhere cool on your XS, post up!
jussumguy
XS650 Addict
I got the impression a lot of people get up early on Saturday, get their picture taken at the starting line, load em up, drive to Baker for breakfast and ride through Red Rock and get to Vegas early then get their picture taken at the finish line high fiving and drinking beer like they slayed the dragon.
Just sayin.....seemed like... Not bitter or anything...beer is always appropriate
Just sayin.....seemed like... Not bitter or anything...beer is always appropriate
troopthrowback
XS650 Addict
That's too bad. I'm the guy that goes cool places and leaves with stories, no t- shirt to show for it. What's the point of showing up for photo ops only? Lame.
That said there are some insanely capable machines out there that make some rough stuff look easy. Perhaps that's what's fooling us? I choose the hard way.
Hi jussum,
you reckon they were posers or just riders doing the best that they can?
Aerostitch has a "joke" portion in their on-line catalog.
I like the analog GPS, (the photo shows a small polished brass sextant with a handlebar clamp mount.) but what's appropriate to your post is the aerosol can of instant road grime, containing oil, dirt and genuine insect parts.
oldbmw1
XS650 Enthusiast
All we know as veteran good off road riders is that we started before the sun rose, was at the front of the pack, road all day with very little breaks, and finished after dark. Granted, we were not at warp speed with only 3 inches of travel flogging it across the desert and slogging through deep sand, but many started late and finished early. They cheated and bailed many sections but came in as hero's. We finished, and even the sweep riders were ahead of us. When you finish there's check in to make sure you are okay. When we came in, they did didn't even bother to check us in. They were tearing down the event.
In my opinion, the route was too long for truthful real riders.
In my opinion, the route was too long for truthful real riders.
jussumguy
XS650 Addict
Hey Fred
They were probably just people smart enough not to beat the crap out of themselves for fourteen hours straight, have some fun and drink a few beers! It was fun but word to the wise, get out of Vegas in the early hours Sunday or get stuck in traffic for the entire trip back to Barstow. We idled along in first and second gear for 8 hours on the hi way
They were probably just people smart enough not to beat the crap out of themselves for fourteen hours straight, have some fun and drink a few beers! It was fun but word to the wise, get out of Vegas in the early hours Sunday or get stuck in traffic for the entire trip back to Barstow. We idled along in first and second gear for 8 hours on the hi way
troopthrowback
XS650 Addict
Sheet iron is next weekend but I'm out this year. Wife just had our newest baby yesterday. That said, I have been having fun up till now. Each episode is approximately 30 minutes each, shot by a good friend and my trail guide here in Northern California Sierra Nevadas.
Ride to Washington Town:
Ride to Alleghany:
Ride to Washington Town:
Ride to Alleghany:
Sweet movie, really enjoyed watching it and it for sure seems like a great trip. Hillclimbing aswell
Thanks for sharing.
Fleksta
XS650 Addict
I know this was posted a long time ago, but maybe someone knows the answer to my question. I picked up a set of these scrambler take-off shocks off ebay and found that the rubbers and bushings in the eyes are too big on one end and too small on the other. Where did you find proper mounting hardware and/or how did you adapt them to fit properly?
subscribed...... love this stuff. Would love to take this direction with my on going build. Only problem is I don't know many land owners here in the Indiana flatlands to take it off-road at.
troopthrowback
XS650 Addict
Did you get those from me?
Check your local hardware store nuts and bolts section for shims. Just bring the shock in with you to test fit the bushing end, and use a caliper to measure the ID or a generic bolt that fits.
I honesty don't recall having a bushing issue on my 1978 standard with the Scrambler shocks until I got my current NJB shocks (which work great!). But those came with a large assortment of shims to adapt to whatever application. The shocks are made for British twins. They're perfect.
scabber
XS650 Guru
Your the man Troop and the 650 is the bike. Really enjoyed the ride videos. To boldly go where no other 650 has gone before. Congratulations on the new baby. 
