Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB - V Strom riders advice wanted

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I rode my DL1000 a lot off road and in sand, get some Fastway pegs and plan on standing up a lot or all the time, stand up and steer with the weight on you pegs. Lean with more weight on the rear, it's not the bike it's the rider. It will go almost any where, but it will beat you up, that's why I have a DR650.

Any advice regarding best tyres to use on the Strom?? I am expecting to ride quite a bit of gravel.

Heidenau K60s are probably the best compromise if you will be using your bike for multi purpose or will also be riding a fair bit of highway in between the dirt sections and want very good tire longevity.

TKC80s will offer even better performance but will wear out faster.

For good gravel roads, or on a long tour that will require long stretches of mostly highway, you can get by with a 50/50 knobbie front tire (eg. TKC80) and a 90/10 rear (eg. Tourance). This is the set up I mostly used on the east coast route in Africa. On the west coast, I used the K60s. If you go with the K60s, make sure you get the 150/70 and not the 140/80 as the extra height can cause rubbing issues when bouncing over big bumps.

Ride with more air in the frt tire than back. Kevin's (Dirtpig's) rates seem about right.
We've ridden a fully loaded 1000 thru the Sahara in sand and I stayed on the pegs and it was fine. I've seen lighter bikes plow so there is some rider skill needed to be developed. The bike is top heavy until you get on the pegs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirtpig (Post 385859)

It handles like a greased monkey on ice :mchappy:. I have ridden a fair amount on gravel and mud but sand is a bit scarce in my area of Canada

I found I run about 25 pounds in the front tire and 20-22 in the rear depending on what and where I am riding.

Best thing to do is remember to stand up and get the weight on the foot pegs. It is a top heavy bike and reacts that way when it gets loose. I found on the pegs, body weight nutral to forward and steer with the gas. Lots of fun on packed gravel logging roads and the wet slimy mud we have hear.

As for sand I have not ridden this bike on it much but I would be it would just plough down and sink like a stone.

Contact Mountain Man here on HU. He has ridden his DL1000 through Africa a few times and would have a better idea of how it handles in the sand

Cheers

Dirtpig