Kawasaki Sandpit

[Dave Ross]

#3122

Well, since I didn't get a ride in on the weekend, I thought I'd give the Kawasaki Sandpit a go. They are not kidding, it sure is a sandpit. Here is a map of the courseI only did the yellow left hook coming out of the red square and then returned on the green loop back to the main staging area. I've got to say that this was the absolute limit for me. This is meant to be easy. Well, it was a lot harder than the Family Day course. It was like riding a tiger, you couldn't afford to let go. I only took a couple of photos. Compare this to the Family Day pictures. This was just a spot I thought I could stop on. You should see some of the whoops on this track.Here is a picture from the Family Day TrailrideA few hundred meters into the course I realized that I was out of my depth. The only way to tackle this is at speed, standing up, looking into the distance, hoping the bike would go there and not into the trees. Unfortunately, once you're in you're in, no turning back. I had to stop a couple times to get my breath back. Getting going again was a challenge all on its own. You have to get up on the pegs immediately, otherwise you have no control whatsoever. Well, I won't be going there again on the R80, that's for sure. I'll wait for the next family day.

[Jim Young]

#12874

You need a 250 or 400 dirt bike for this stuff Alex

[Dave Ross]

#12875

That would be nice:-)

[Anonymous]

#12876

Definitely.The only time I put the knobbies on my bike was for a trip to the Sandpit.  I agree with Jim.  It's WAY too much bike for that place!Just out of curiosity, how many laps were you able to manage?

[Dave Ross]

#12877

All up it would have been about 5km. Most of the time I was thinking that I shouldn't be in here on this bike. You need to go pretty fast for the bike to become stable. After stopping I had to get my feet back on the pegs and stand up immediately. The first few meters I's be wobbling all over the place until I got the speed back up. In places it was quite narrow and winding, so it took a bit of nerve to keep going. I won't go back there on this bike.

[Anonymous]

#12878

When I rode the BM 450x in there I only could ride one lap and stopped a few times due to being stuffed 🙄 I'm dieing to ride my 650x there once it is back on the road.Alex what tyre pressure did you run at?

[Dave Ross]

#12879

I had 20psi in the front and 23psi in the rear. Could have probably gone lower. What I really need is something like a KDX200. The trouble is that then I'd need a trailer and a car :-), or at least a coupling for Gerda's car. Maybe a road legal DRZ-400 would be the way to go. It's probably still light enough to have fun with and can go the distance. More importantly, secondhand prices are affordable. Realistically though, there is only so much you can do. I get more joy out of proper adventure rides.

[Anonymous]

#12880

I had 20psi in the front and 23psi in the rear. Could have probably gone lower. What I really need is something like a KDX200. The trouble is that then I'd need a trailer and a car :-), or at least a coupling for Gerda's car. Maybe a road legal DRZ-400 would be the way to go. It's probably still light enough to have fun with and can go the distance. More importantly, secondhand prices are affordable. Realistically though, there is only so much you can do. I get more joy out of proper adventure rides.

20 -23 psi will not make much differance at all you really need to get the tires down to 15psi. As long as you have tubes you will be ok with the tyre staying on. If you don't have tire tube locks don't put to much power into the back wheel. 15psi will make all the differance with the bike sitting on top of the sand.

[Dave Ross]

#12881

15psi will make all the differance with the bike sitting on top of the sand.

So you reckon I wouldn't need a lighter bike after all?

[Anonymous]

#12882

15psi will make all the differance with the bike sitting on top of the sand.

So you reckon I wouldn't need a lighter bike after all?

No! as you're not going to race are you. The fun is getting the bike through not the speed. You only need enough speed to keep you in your seat and not having to stand up all the time. You don't see any of the top riders standing up.  🙄

[Anonymous]

#12883

Hey Koko if I was in NZ I promos you I would have gone with you. I know how much fun end hard work that is. Once on a CCA weekend I did that too Remember.Mirror-Man

[Anonymous]

#12884

Checkout April 28th 2008.

[Author]

Posts