Gravel and off road ride – Auckland

[Anonymous]

#2626

Who's around and up for going off road a bit.I can do Wednesday or Thursday week after next  (16th or 17th of July) or the weekend of 19/20th. I wouldn't plan to do a ride when the BMW register ride is on unless it was a destination ride and we can take the backroads to get there. I'd be wanting to stay nearer to Auckland initially (because I have a 250 and riding further can get a little sore - and I want to build my skills and I figure its better to have a decent off closer to home). The aim is to just go out and explore and have some fun and get a bunch of riders together who are interested in getting to the more out of the way places. If it comes together well we could probably continue with regular rides.Of course we also have the sandpit down the road. I guess the thing is to find a bunch of riders and then sort out what works for us.I'd been heading off road more recently and then there were a bunch of other posts on various forums that made me wonder if there were a bunch of riders around for this. I don't have a off road riding past so I'm not a fast (or a medium fast gravel rider) and I see the posts on kiwibiker of the guys doing 150-200kmph on gravel.  I can ride soft deep sand like the Leightons Farm MX track and up and down hills. So whose up and about for this sort of stuff. I've just been lsitening to the hail fall outside and realise it may not be the best time of year to be posting this but I'm still going and figure there must be others keen enough.Cheers, Des.

[Dave Ross]

#10198

I see the posts on kiwibiker of the guys doing 150-200kmph on gravel.

I also see a lot of other posts on Kiwirider as a result.It is not that hard to ride  high speed on a straight bit of gravel, all you need is a capable bike and the certainty that there will be no turkeys, sheep, dogs, cattle or fencing wire on the road.Those Waitemata Motorcycle Club family fun days are great. It's all one way traffic, there is an ambulance on site and a track for every level of riding skills.I am still waiting for some parts for my R80. As soon as I have them I'll be able to replace the leaking push rod tube seals and then I'll be keen for a gravel ride. Next week should be possible. As I ride to work rain or shine, I have become a bit of a fine weather rider on the weekends. This means I won't be all that keen if the weather is poor.

[Anonymous]

#10199

Sounds good AlexLet me know when you're up and running. Do you have some roads in mind?Are you okay getting a bit more off road than just gravel? I'll keep my fingers crossed on the weather.Cheers - Des

[Dave Ross]

#10200

Off-road is fine, but I have no idea where you'd find it. Just keep in mind that my R80 is a mule and not a mountain goat. I can go most places, but only very slowly.

[Anonymous]

#10201

Hi guys, like to take part. Been told that register off road rides can easily be done on sports bikes with slicks. please advice if this has changed. Luigi from cagiva

[Dave Ross]

#10202

Hi guys, like to take part. Been told that register off road rides can easily be done on sports bikes with slicks. please advice if this has changed. Luigi from cagiva

No, this hasn't changed, please come along, you'll love it. Don't forget to bring some wet-wipes, there is an off chance that we'll encounter a speck of dust or a drop of rain. Better be prepared for the worst case scenario.

[Anonymous]

#10203

Thank you. Will there be more speck or more rain as i have to decide how many wipes to bring. I assume there will not be many hills to ride up to, because – how do you say in english – bmws are very heavy?Luigi from raptor in italy.

[Anonymous]

#10204

Hi Luigi What bike will you be bringing?

[Anonymous]

#10205

Its an italian bike with a jap motor. Tkc80s any good?

[Dave Ross]

#10206

Luigi rides a Cagiva Raptor (with lots of carbon fiber), but he was only joking, the bike doesn't have slicks. Luigi,you can never be sure on the amount of wipes nor on the type of actual use they'll end up getting. Best to bring the whole sachet.I know that the Germans can count on the Italians to bring up the rear, so I am sure you won't mind helping to push the GS uphill with me. I'll  be walking on the other side of the bike.

[Anonymous]

#10207

Didn't think he was on slicks.So Luigi are you good for the Wednesday/Thursday ?Maybe those posting should let us know which days work for them.

[Anonymous]

#10208

Enjoy your day out. Only have time to play on the weekend. The trip to Raglan has a pencil mark next to it, hope Koko booked a bit of sunshine. Luigi from cagiva in italy

[Dave Ross]

#10209

I've got my R80GS back together again. New pushrod tube seals and overhauled carbs. It purrs like a kitten and pulls like a mule. In other words, it's ready for the ride. After that I can retorque the head set the valves properly and synch the carbs for the final time.I am quite chuffed about having done the work myself, with airhead's support via the internet.

[Anonymous]

#10210

Sounds good. So lets hope the weather holds out till next week. Do you have any ideas for ride direction and destination?I wonder if anyone else on here has suggestions, even if they're not riding? Anyone?I was just reading some motorcycle mags over a coffee at mag nation and noticed KTM produced 100 300's with Christini drives for enduro competition. The bikes are 2wd. According to the test ride report they are pretty capable machines. I must coffee at mag nation more often.I'll have a look around and see what I can find in terms of where to ride to. You've done a few gravels rides so I guess you have some ideas. I'm planning on being out for a good part of the day. Your thoughts?Cheers - Des

[Dave Ross]

#10211

We could go up through Puhoi and then do the Kaipara Hills road. Then on to Tapora. There is probably a bit more gravel around Wellsford. Haven't been down to those Tomarata lakes for a while. That should fill in the day. Riverhead forest has some fire breaks beside the road, that's always good for a bit of off road entertainment.To get access to Woodhill you need to go during their ride days. Although I am quite keen to have a play with the R80, Woodhill forest is not the ideal playground for a GS, at least not the sand tracks amongst the trees.

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