driving in sand, picking up dropped bike in sand?

[monkii]

Can someone please post some tips on driving in sand, and picking up a dropped bike in sand? I am having some real problems doing these things.

[Walkabout]

Monkii,
have a search around the threads and there will be stuff of interest to you.

For example:

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...iques-your-197

No doubt others will add posts to answer your questions but there is quite a bit within that link. Enjoy!

Dave

[Stephano]

Originally Posted by monkii

Can someone please post some tips on driving in sand, and picking up a dropped bike in sand? I am having some real problems doing these things.

That link has a lot of good advice. Regarding tyre pressures, I would try higher before getting down as low as 5 psi. Following advice I received, I always run my desert bike at 10 psi at the front and 12 psi at the back and it works for me.

From experience gained with fully loaded overlanders visiting these parts, I would recommend if you get stuck in a really bad bit (or can't lift it alone because you're hot and tired) to consider removing panniers and other luggage temporarily to lighten the bike. It may be less effort in the long run.

Picking up a heavy bike is never much fun and doing it in sand is often an indication that it’s extremely hot. At the hottest times of the day and when I am tired, I avoid the temptation to swoop around the bank of a gorgeous looking dune or to see if I can climb that slightly steep one. I don’t take the harder looking route unless I really have to. An exhilarating ride along an easy track can quickly become a horribly hot and exhausting nightmare if you get over-ambitious.

If you do get stuck going upwards, drag your bike around to face downwards before picking it up. That way, you’ll be able to ride it down and regain your energy. NB Try to protect your throttle when doing this; sand can seriously mess them up.

Also avoid using the front brake, you’ll only dig in and lose control. A combination of the friction of the sand, engine braking and the rear brake should normally be sufficient unless you suddenly come across a huge drop!

This might be stating the obvious, but take your helmet off before you start to exert yourself in the desert. It doesn't take long to fry your brains.

As Dave says, enjoy! (The plus side - apart from the beauty of a desert - is that it doesn’t usually hurt that much when you fall off.)
Stephan