Can the AT,TA & Varadero go off-road?

[DaveS]

A question that is posed by many a prospective AT/TA/Varadero owner and those that have just bought them.

"Can the they be taken off-road?"

So please discuss using the medium of pictures to convey your message :mrgreen:

[african swede]

Daves's @ can. Fierce depth on that there puddle Dave ;-)
http://www.xrv.org.uk/getimage.php?id=678

[Tikka]

http://www.allroadtour.fi/puitsi2005/gallery/P7030001.JPG
http://www.ferdw.net/gallery/albums/Allroad%20Nangu/IMG_1630.JPG
http://www.ferdw.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/image003.jpg
http://www.ferdw.net/gallery/albums/Baggeren/IMG_1140.JPG
http://www.ferdw.net/gallery/albums/Baggeren/IMG_1146.JPG
http://www.motorbikes2africa.nl/fotos/marokko/dcp_0234%20schoon%20plaatje%20niet2.jpg
http://www.motorbikes2africa.nl/fotos/mauretanie/dcp_0309.jpg

I rest my case

[modrover]

I've owned just a handful of bikes over the years. Starting with 250cc and going up. I've had two Transalps (one of which I turned into the SuperEnduro). The @ is as big a dually as I"m ever going to get. Meaning, a bike that I'd get dirty. That said, anything over a logging road (fire road) is a bit much for me. I'm not a big fella so... these bikes are work for me when the speeds get lower :oops: :lol:

So... can the AT be a good off-road bike. I say yes... under the right pilot. I've taken my RD03 off-road a few times now and must say that anything over 25 mph is fook'n sweet! The thing really soaks it up. A perfect long distance off-road monster!

I'm still going to pick up an old NX250 or maybe a DR350 for the really technical stuff. For me... I enjoy the lightweight bikes when it's single track time. :)

[Muckybill]

So... can the AT be a good off-road bike. I say yes... under the right pilot. I've taken my RD03 off-road a few times now and must say that anything over 25 mph is fook'n sweet! The thing really soaks it up. A perfect long distance off-road monster!

I'm still going to pick up an old NX250 or maybe a DR350 for the really technical stuff. For me... I enjoy the lightweight bikes when it's single track time. :)

I agree with you modrover.
The @ is a capable bike on fast going but when it gets thechnical a lighter bike is much more fun and easier on the wallet when the bike goes down. I have learnt by experience

Bill

[DaveS]

Lets exapnd this thread to Transalp's and Varadero's as well.
So lets have some pics of them off-road to prove the point.
I sense some sceptics on the Varadero side, but they could have easily covered off what we did on Salisbury Plain I think.

[jvaughan]

Lets exapnd this thread to Transalp's and Varadero's as well.
So lets have some pics of them off-road to prove the point.
I sense some sceptics on the Varadero side, but they could have easily covered off what we did on Salisbury Plain I think.

unless they drop them.!

I was totally knackered when I fell backwards on the Anti Tank Range. it was as much as I could do to just take my helmet off and look at the bike. getting it back upright was a real effort.
I suspect a Varadero with a full tank of fuel would be well stuck in that situation. Transalp though would probably be easier.

[Tikka]

http://www.ferdw.net/gallery/albums/Goor/IMG_1278.JPG


and have a look here:

http://www.transalpclub.nl/photos/2005/offroad2005/foto.php?no=4
then... fotoalbum>>>>>Off-road rit 2005

[modrover]

I know I've whore'd this photo of me on my SuperEnduro Transalp, but thought it would fit right in here... yes, this baby does off-road! :P

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/modrover/SuperEnduroandMegettingwet.jpg

[iswoolley]

In my opinion the rider is usually the limiting factor, rather than the bike or tyres. Here's Mr Wheeliebin's bike (with luggage and road tyres) distinctly off-road.

http://www.xrv.org.uk/getimage.php?id=729

Although moments like this can give you cause for thought...

http://www.xrv.org.uk/getimage.php?id=708

But even picking the bike up is a matter of technique, and can be a lot easier than it looks. I've seen people pick up a fallen loaded BMW by themselves, because they've got the knack of it.

[modrover]

oh... and the early ones could even be raced! :P
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/modrover/AfricaTwinduringtheParisDakar.jpg

[Tikka]

http://img182.imageshack.us/my.php?image=fotos0iz.jpg

[atgreg]

Yes !!!

http://atgreg.smugmug.com/photos/30624425-M.jpg

[DesertFox]

Even Varaderos can go Off-road.......this one went from Lisboa (Portugal) to Bissau (Guinea). Even survived when a wave went over it on the Mauritanean beach path.

http://ateaofimdomundo.smugmug.com/photos/21970337-M.jpg


Not me.....it's a friend of mine!

[jvaughan]

Much respect for anyone who takes any bike to those country's.
I would love to ride thoug spain, Gibralta, Mauritania and down the coast maybe to Dakar.

[Jeff@TheQuadShop]

I use my Transalp/Africa Twin hybrid on all sorts of nasty trails here in Kentucky. From fast fire roads to tight technical single track at least once a month. I do have 17 years of offroad racing experience tho which like others said has alot todo with how well the big duals handle offroad.

http://cdalejef.smugmug.com/photos/18860747-M.jpg

http://cdalejef.smugmug.com/photos/18860754-M.jpg

http://cdalejef.smugmug.com/photos/18865801-M.jpg

This one is after I installed the AT parts.

http://cdalejef.smugmug.com/photos/19855413-M.jpg

[LaughingBob]

All fantastic photo's. I bought a digital camera primarily to take on biking trips but, always forget the poxy thing in the rush to get out the door. LB.

[Splash]

Of course it can. However, if you are expecting to do an enduro, forget it!! I dont have pics to back this up, well I do, but can never work out how to attach them here!! But Salisbury Plain on Sunday was a delicate bit of off road, but what the AT is ideal for, fast fire trails, with good grip, loose enough to let you slide the back a bit, but no so loose that the front end goes!!

However, three of us on RD03's fully laden with a weekends camping gear did the Gap Road and Sarn Helen in Brecon. If anyone is unfamiliar with these routes, the Gap is only open for two months a year in March and October and is a rocky track leading up to a pass (Gap) in the mountain. Not very steep other then the broken bridge at the start and the summit. The rocks range in size from small pebbles to the size of basketballs and the rock steps on the summit are the size of a stair case. I certainly wouldnt want to go UP the steps, but down is fine!!

Sarn Helen is another long route with lots of steep rocky ascents.

Main points I would say are :

1. Dont treat the AT like a trail bike, it is much heavier and when it goes, it will go quick!!
2. Ride slowly and deliberately on the tricky stuff. It can do it, although it is hard going, but if you do need to place a foot for stability, it will be harder then an XR400!!
3. Never ride alone off road. If your drop it or get it stuck in a muddy spot, you will be very lucky to lift it on your own!! More importantly, if you get a foot stuck, you need your mate!!!!

Get out there and make them do what Mr Honda designed them for!!!!

[wheeliebin]

Another Transalp getting dirty

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ta6500/dirt4.jpg

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ta6500/dirt7.jpg

[Mudwiz]

Just got back from mid Wales, some photos of tracks any bike will do, and some that were tricky with the mass!
Mines the blue one, the silver is a mates.
http://www.luckdragon.co.uk/images/IMGP1442.JPG
http://www.luckdragon.co.uk/images/IMGP1448.JPG
http://www.luckdragon.co.uk/images/IMGP1456.JPG
http://www.luckdragon.co.uk/images/IMGP1467.JPG
http://www.luckdragon.co.uk/images/IMGP1554.JPG
http://www.luckdragon.co.uk/images/IMGP1538.JPG
http://www.luckdragon.co.uk/images/IMGP1507.JPG
http://www.luckdragon.co.uk/images/IMGP1485.JPG
http://www.luckdragon.co.uk/images/IMGP1561.JPG

[DaveS]

Great pics mudwiz, looks like you had a great time.

[Carport]

Great pics! Where is it?

Looks like Strata Florida and The Monks Trod.

If it is the Trod - :notworthy:

[Mudwiz]

It was a fab trip, you're right about the Strata Florida, but its not the Monks Trod, (its currently TRO'ed) its the lane that skirts the resovoir to the south. There is also an interesting UCR that runs down into Rhayder. Others are of the Sarn Helen, but the end of that is TRO'ed too! Oh well, when they open them!

http://www.luckdragon.co.uk/images/DSC00137.JPG
http://www.luckdragon.co.uk/images/DSC00190.JPG

[Dee Duble Yuh]

Not enough Vara's in this thread. I've posted this photo already (http://www.xrv.org.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=44054&highlight=#44054), but I think it deserves a place here too!
http://www.xrv.org.uk/getimage.php?id=2520