Keeping up with XR's off road?

[Grendel]

Just wandering to what extent you can use the 600 TA off road and would it be able to keep up with a XR250 and a XR400 bearing in mind I’ve never ridden off road before and have a shoulder problem so picking it up all the time would be an issue?

[AlanH]

It really depends on the terrain. If it's forest tracks then it's not going to be a problem. If it's wet, boggy and muddy, that's a different story. Just make sure you've got a decent set of suitable tyres on it - and crash bars of course.

As for picking it up with a rubbish shoulder, try this...



The first method works for me. Whealie normally just lies under the bike and waits for someone else to pick it up

[moon]

I've done a bit of off roading on my 600 (on road tyres) & I reckon that if it's a lane/track the transalp will manage. If it's wet, don't use road tyres, you'll get stuck....

[phil w]

Havin done trails here I do regularly on both of these (well all 3 really) I can say there aint no way I would ride the TA as quickley as the XRs and it would be a far bigger work out to do it at a decent pace, which really is defeating the object of trail riding on a TA.

[j]

Just wandering to what extent you can use the 600 TA off road and would it be able to keep up with a XR250 and a XR400 bearing in mind I’ve never ridden off road before and have a shoulder problem so picking it up all the time would be an issue?

Speak to BTBloke, he is a Bit taped he takes his TA every where even on roads.
yes you need the correct tyres and you have to be determined to succed and get yourself out of the poo, with out these your stuck in a bog , PD squire concurred Elan Valley with a Blady Bald rear tyre and some Mahoosive help. I have taken xrv's and BMW gsers off road but its far easier with an XR650R.

[Curzon]

Just wandering to what extent you can use the 600 TA off road and would it be able to keep up with a XR250 and a XR400 bearing in mind I’ve never ridden off road before and have a shoulder problem so picking it up all the time would be an issue?

From the way you phrased the question, I think you already know the answer to your own question.

If you have never riden off road I would suggest you start with a lighter, more manageable or suitably tyred bike, and get some training or guidance about off road riding. Especially if you do not wish to exacerbate your shoulder problem.

Also beware trying to keep up with possibly more experienced off road riders on more suitable machinery. Ride with with knowledge of your own skills and limitations and stay within your comfort zone.

I don't mean to lecture of put you off, off road riding. It can be great fun if done properly and the right gear. But it can also hurt a lot if you get it wronng. I'm speaking from experience here!

[Grendel]

Thanks for all the advice

Looks like the XR chaps have said similar on other post:
http://www.xrv.org.uk/forums/xr/4181...eenlaners.html

So looks like i'll be waiting for some simple dry dirt tracks in the summer months to cut my teeth on to play it safe before i try jumping in the deep end and nackering either myself or bike.

[btbloke]

Two different types of bike,two different types of offroading and two different ends of the scales as to advantages and disadvantages.
Your alp will take you many many more miles to find lanes,the xr is a wee bit hard on the ass and generally thay get trailered except for the odd hard assed few.
Your alp will handle anything you can throw at it,some even get enduro'd against xr's etc but this is down to rider ability not the bike.
You alp will happily play all day or as long as you can or can last because it's a heavy bike it is obviously harder work.
the alp will go anywhere the xr will if suitably prepared and equiped,but the more you equip it for mud the less it becomes equiped for the road so it's a personal choice.
The xr is built for the job,it's got better suspension,it weighs substantially less,it has less range but uses less juice because of previous two points.
the xr's are ridden differently by people looking for a different kind of riding experience. You do have the few of us who are determined to take an alp "anywhere and everywhere" but we are mostly considered insane or mildly oddball when we cross paths with the trf's and such like on the lanes.

The general point I'm making is, ride to your ability with people who are happy to wait for you while you learn or ride to your ability. Prepare the bike for the conditions you will be riding,the right tyres and pressures etc.and you'll need crash bars and spares for your bike as the xr/drz/ttr boys won't have kit for yours so just be prepared.

As for keeping up? Mudwiz used to ride his alp at a speed and ability that he would overtake the xr's of this world turn around and repeat the lanes in the time it took some ttr and xr boys to do their first half of the section.

It's not about keeping up it's about enjoying yourself,learning and experiencing the joy of off road riding.

Above all though be safe,go with someone else and always stay within sight of each other. Pick the lanes suitable to your current ability,pick the weather suitable to your ability and gradually build up experience as you go.

[Mudwiz]

Can't comment on the 600, but the 650 with a few gentle mods will even take little XR's and things on special stages!

Will tear your shoulder off though, and the re-hab from the ops takes over a year!

[Lord Vader]

Can't comment on the 600, but the 650 with a few gentle mods will even take little XR's and things on special stages!

Will tear your shoulder off though, and the re-hab from the ops takes over a year!

MUDWIZ,you still alive.How you doing?Long time no hear
Hope you all ok
Pete