I cant believe it, I just got a surprise tax bill for £8000!!! Worse is that the good old tax man wants the money by January. So I have to sell every non esential items i own.. So the now perfectly working DRZ is up for sale as well as all my other toys.
I am totally gutted as im really enjoying the muddy world. So thats it folks, one very sad offroader who didnt even manage a year on the trails. Once I get myself sorted I will try to save up again and get another bike.
In the meantime I will turn this into my two wheels based blog and get back to offroading as soon as the feckin government give me a break.
Cheers for reading all, happy trails.
Sean
Tuesday 12 October 2010
Tuesday 5 October 2010
Goldfish In My Goggles
Well not quite....
Was riding home in some horendous rain and wind yesterday. So horendous that I started to notice quite an impressive puddle growing in each side of my goggles. Evertime I moved my head mini waves were slooshing about. It was like a cartoon and in my daft mind I imagined goldfish swimming about and got a chronic case of the giggles.
The car drivers must have thought I was a proper loon! Possibly they were right. :0)
Was riding home in some horendous rain and wind yesterday. So horendous that I started to notice quite an impressive puddle growing in each side of my goggles. Evertime I moved my head mini waves were slooshing about. It was like a cartoon and in my daft mind I imagined goldfish swimming about and got a chronic case of the giggles.
The car drivers must have thought I was a proper loon! Possibly they were right. :0)
More Physio
So after stacking the bike a gazillion years ago my shoulder is now feeling better. Still cant move it properly but my incredibly talented physio is working his magic. In a weird way it was interesting to see how the injury developed. I think the worst point was the huge pain in my sternum. Got me worried I must admit and some hard and painful work with the physio had it sorted in a few day.
I still dont have full mobility but at least I can take an easy ride again. Just wondering how long until I get back to full strength???
I still dont have full mobility but at least I can take an easy ride again. Just wondering how long until I get back to full strength???
Sunday 19 September 2010
Tinkering Today
Done some minor tweaks on the bike today. Removed the standard mirrors and installed a folding mirror. Easy to tuck away when on the trails in case of a drop.
I also installed a handlebar mount for my iphone. This way I can use memory map on the move to navigate between the legal lanes.
Saturday 18 September 2010
Cheating on my DRZ
Public confession, i almost cheated on my DRZ. A friend from a local bike shop told me a Honda CRF 250x had just arrived. I went to have a drool and found a well used 53 plate bike. They wanted £2,500! Got to say it didnt even remotely compare in condition to the Z so im staying yellow for a bit longer. Especially as its going so well now.
Stacked It
Yes folks, it had to happen. My first proper offroad stack. I had ridden about 45 miles and was having a great time. I decided in my (lack of) wisdom to try out a byway called Vert Wood in East Sussex for the first time. Pretty long wooded byway with deep water filled ruts and it was these that prooved to be my downfall.
Was doing 20mph decided to go through a water filled rut and without warning halfway through, my front wheel dissapeared downwards. All i remember was my arse lifting off the seat and seeing my mudguard from mid air from the front!!! That'll be me over the bars then. I landed hard on my left shoulder and that caused my head to whip into the ground. I was left in pain, concussed and generally buggered.
I rode home slowly and gave myself a more thorough checkout. Right shin bruised (hit the bars), right shoulder hugely painful, ribs left side bruised......well sore left side everthing really. Felt concussed but was ok thanks to wearing all the proper armour and those bargain Tech 3 boots.
This all happened two weeks ago and after two physio sessions my left shoulder is still in trouble. Im hoping i dont need any surgery or anything. Another physio on Tuesday so hopefully more progress.
Was doing 20mph decided to go through a water filled rut and without warning halfway through, my front wheel dissapeared downwards. All i remember was my arse lifting off the seat and seeing my mudguard from mid air from the front!!! That'll be me over the bars then. I landed hard on my left shoulder and that caused my head to whip into the ground. I was left in pain, concussed and generally buggered.
I rode home slowly and gave myself a more thorough checkout. Right shin bruised (hit the bars), right shoulder hugely painful, ribs left side bruised......well sore left side everthing really. Felt concussed but was ok thanks to wearing all the proper armour and those bargain Tech 3 boots.
This all happened two weeks ago and after two physio sessions my left shoulder is still in trouble. Im hoping i dont need any surgery or anything. Another physio on Tuesday so hopefully more progress.
Rode It
After the success with the carb, and with new found mechanical confidence i fitted new factory standard chain and sprockets, serviced the brakes and a tidy up.
After fixing the bike i went for my first trouble free green lane session. I rode off alone as i sometimes prefer. Bloody fantastic fun with no worries. Bike performed brilliantly and with so much extra grunt. I got to and from the lanes much faster. Quite a dry ride so not too tricky or technical. Brought the bike home, cleaned polished and ready for the next run out.
Fixed It
Bliss!! Absolute total and utter bliss. The DRZ was always slow, never getting above 63mph. After checking out a few bike forums such as thumpertalk and TBM, i quickly realised the bike was much more capable. I thought i had sorted the carb but chance led me to find a new DRZ carb on ebay. Purchased, and fitted by me in under an hour i fired up the bike, it sounded different and i done a quick ride. Bloody hell what a difference!! I grabbed my kit straight away and went for a run. Tons of power compared to what Im used to on the pre fix DRZ. To put the icing on the cake i disconnected the side stand cut out switch to solve the engine cut out problem when stood on the pegs.
All in a very happy chap with what feels like a brand new bike. Time for some lanes :0)
All in a very happy chap with what feels like a brand new bike. Time for some lanes :0)
Saturday 21 August 2010
Section 59 Warning Update
As written earlier in this blog, I found out that I was wrongly issued a section 59 warning back in May. In short, kids on nicked bikes were being cretins about 750 yards from where I was repairing my broken bike (after the drowning). I was not riding due to the bike being broken and was right next to the field where my next door neighbour allows me to shoot and keep the bike if necessary. Two PCSO's basically gave me the 59 warning for the crimes committed by the cretins. They came to the large field because the people in the houses quite rightly rang the police to report the kids on mini motos and a trials bike.
I didnt know I had a 59 until over a month after the date I met the PCSO's. This is when my firearms liason officer came to give me a letter warning me over the 59!! I was mortified as I have never been in trouble with the police before and have helped these very PCSO's with trouble in the community locally. I wrote to the chief inspector in the hope of clearing my name. Last week I finally got a phone call from the very pleasant CI and he is now looking into this falsly issued warning. Im hoping I will have my name cleared and the section 59 removed.
As a mini rant, i think that these poorly trained PCSO's should not be given the power to assign 59 warnings or anything else to any party alledged to be breaking the law. I would have preferred a qualified traffic officer to come to me and tell me exactly what offence I had committed by sitting in a field next to a broken bike.
Incidentally the chavs are still riding up and down the pavement outside my house / in the field. Perhaps the PCSO's done me because I was a sitting duck and an easy target.
I didnt know I had a 59 until over a month after the date I met the PCSO's. This is when my firearms liason officer came to give me a letter warning me over the 59!! I was mortified as I have never been in trouble with the police before and have helped these very PCSO's with trouble in the community locally. I wrote to the chief inspector in the hope of clearing my name. Last week I finally got a phone call from the very pleasant CI and he is now looking into this falsly issued warning. Im hoping I will have my name cleared and the section 59 removed.
As a mini rant, i think that these poorly trained PCSO's should not be given the power to assign 59 warnings or anything else to any party alledged to be breaking the law. I would have preferred a qualified traffic officer to come to me and tell me exactly what offence I had committed by sitting in a field next to a broken bike.
Incidentally the chavs are still riding up and down the pavement outside my house / in the field. Perhaps the PCSO's done me because I was a sitting duck and an easy target.
Kit Changes
After a little bit of time on the lanes I realised some tweaked were needed for my kit. First thing was to get some proper offroad boots. I got some great Tech 3's. Very sturdy and gives much more confidence on the trails. Interesting trying to walk in them though lol.
Knee protection has been swapped from hard jointed platic to knox softer armour. No longer clashes with boots and at £30 quite affordable.
Outer clothes. Picked up some MX gear for £90. Padding, reinforcing and space in all the right places. Very comfy for summer riding over the top of my mesh body armour suit. For the forthcomming winter Im looking at maybe RST Enduro jacket and trousers or good old British Army gortex kit big enough to wear the armour underneath. Im broke so guess im going to go army.
New bike grips are going on in a couple of days. Im out on Wednesday to ride in Surrey so want it all sorted by then.
Knee protection has been swapped from hard jointed platic to knox softer armour. No longer clashes with boots and at £30 quite affordable.
Outer clothes. Picked up some MX gear for £90. Padding, reinforcing and space in all the right places. Very comfy for summer riding over the top of my mesh body armour suit. For the forthcomming winter Im looking at maybe RST Enduro jacket and trousers or good old British Army gortex kit big enough to wear the armour underneath. Im broke so guess im going to go army.
New bike grips are going on in a couple of days. Im out on Wednesday to ride in Surrey so want it all sorted by then.
Return to the DRZ
What with work pressures I have to admit to being a big blouse and not getting out in the lanes. I decided that this is the month to get to it. First thing is to sort the small issues with the bike. This has to start with the poxy side stand cut out switch. With the help of a friend the switch is now happily bypassed and I can now stand on the pegs in confidence, knowing that the engine will not try to die on a tricky uphill section.
After getting more info i have realised that the new improved top speed of 63mph is still way under what the bike should be doing. So I whipped off the carb again, with more confidence and knowledge I stripped it down, cleaned everthing and found the pilot was out 6.5 turns instead of factory standard 3!!!!. That would explain the carbonised spark plug then. So, all put together and although no gain in speed the lower speed stuff is much smoother.
Next step in desparation is to check the exhaust, whipped it of, checked for blockages (found none) and back on again. So nothing there. What next???? Gearing. I have 13/43 as installed on the bike when I bought it. After speaking to some fellow DRZ owners I find out that I should at least have much more low down power and top speed of 80-90mph with what I have. Bearing in mind I have (to the best of my limited knowledge) checked the carb, hoses, fuel, air, spark etc......the problem must be low oomph from the actual engine.
Patience, and talent now gone I have admitted defeat and took the bikes to another local bike shop.Not those robbing bastards at TPG in Southwick. My thinking that they are professionals and can get the power back. Not so it seems, this fella insisted I was talking pooh about the possible speeds and that its all down to gearing. He really didnt want to take the bike in. Very odd. So, i have booked it in and got new standard factory chain and sprockets to be installed. If this guy is correct I should have my power back.
Somehow I doubt this guy is right, I hope he is.
After getting more info i have realised that the new improved top speed of 63mph is still way under what the bike should be doing. So I whipped off the carb again, with more confidence and knowledge I stripped it down, cleaned everthing and found the pilot was out 6.5 turns instead of factory standard 3!!!!. That would explain the carbonised spark plug then. So, all put together and although no gain in speed the lower speed stuff is much smoother.
Next step in desparation is to check the exhaust, whipped it of, checked for blockages (found none) and back on again. So nothing there. What next???? Gearing. I have 13/43 as installed on the bike when I bought it. After speaking to some fellow DRZ owners I find out that I should at least have much more low down power and top speed of 80-90mph with what I have. Bearing in mind I have (to the best of my limited knowledge) checked the carb, hoses, fuel, air, spark etc......the problem must be low oomph from the actual engine.
Patience, and talent now gone I have admitted defeat and took the bikes to another local bike shop.Not those robbing bastards at TPG in Southwick. My thinking that they are professionals and can get the power back. Not so it seems, this fella insisted I was talking pooh about the possible speeds and that its all down to gearing. He really didnt want to take the bike in. Very odd. So, i have booked it in and got new standard factory chain and sprockets to be installed. If this guy is correct I should have my power back.
Somehow I doubt this guy is right, I hope he is.
Monday 31 May 2010
Sussex Bikesafe
Ok not offroad related but......
Recently returned from todays BikeSafe course. It was lashing down throughout the day. Reminded me of my CBT and DAS training lol. I have to say it really is the best £50 I have ever spent on bike related stuff. Excellent day and I learnt shed loads.
Cant recommend it enough, I strongly recommend any rider, especially newbies get booked up on a course. The goodie bag at the end is worth it alone lol.
Big thanks to all the emergency services who come together to do this for us bikers.
Recently returned from todays BikeSafe course. It was lashing down throughout the day. Reminded me of my CBT and DAS training lol. I have to say it really is the best £50 I have ever spent on bike related stuff. Excellent day and I learnt shed loads.
Cant recommend it enough, I strongly recommend any rider, especially newbies get booked up on a course. The goodie bag at the end is worth it alone lol.
Big thanks to all the emergency services who come together to do this for us bikers.
Thursday 13 May 2010
Back to the Lanes
3rd May 2010
I couldnt help it, I had to get muddy again. Despite the kick stand problem Ilaunch myself over to the legal byways of East Sussex. It was warm, sunny and the stunning yellow rapeseed fields just made it a superb ride. I learnt that riding with my left foot forward lessened the stall problem. Must get that stand sorted.
While flying over a heavily rooted section I hit my toes, BLOODY OUCH!. Time to get some proper offroad boots. I was skint at this point so ebay to get a bargain on my return home.
I couldnt help it, I had to get muddy again. Despite the kick stand problem Ilaunch myself over to the legal byways of East Sussex. It was warm, sunny and the stunning yellow rapeseed fields just made it a superb ride. I learnt that riding with my left foot forward lessened the stall problem. Must get that stand sorted.
Great ride alone and gaining confidence. Tea, laptop and time to get some sturdy boots. My old Dainese road boots were to be retired from mud antics.
The Quest For The Cause of the Stall
After getting advise from some very helpful fellow bikers on various offroad forums (listed at the end), i realised that i had the bike idling to slow and that i had a faulty or oversensitive sidestand cutout switch.
I easily upped the idle speed and all was good. I went for a ride to the top of Truleigh Hill on LEGAL BYWAYS! and the bike was great. Happy days until the return journey.
Every time I stood up on the pegs the engine spluttered. Side stand switch again. Time to go back to the forums and get an idea on how to disable the switch.
Some sites that have been very usefull....
http://www.trailbikemag.com/forum/
http://www.nortonmotorcycletraining.co.uk/forum.asp
http://www.trf.org.uk/forum/
I easily upped the idle speed and all was good. I went for a ride to the top of Truleigh Hill on LEGAL BYWAYS! and the bike was great. Happy days until the return journey.
Every time I stood up on the pegs the engine spluttered. Side stand switch again. Time to go back to the forums and get an idea on how to disable the switch.
Some sites that have been very usefull....
http://www.trailbikemag.com/forum/
http://www.nortonmotorcycletraining.co.uk/forum.asp
http://www.trf.org.uk/forum/
Bike Fixed & Im A Cock
17th April 2010
So, I got the bike running, made another oil change with clean filter. It was still chugging and stalling so I thought in my infinite wisdom that it needed to be ridden slowly to give it a run in. I didnt want to do this on the road in case it went horribly wrong, i coudnt rev it for ages in the garages as the residents would all complain and get me in trouble with the police. So, (here is the part where I am a cock) i pushed the bike to the dirt bowl a short trip from my house. Take note that i saw lots of chavs on nicked scooters blasting up and down a farmers field and the terrace of cottages there. I mutter a few 'bloody chav giving us bikers a bad name' comments and get to where i wanted to be, a deep pit with high earth banks all round and no houses, people or walkers to upset. Its an old landfill site in the middle of nowhere. Lid on and all the safety kit, I look up to see all the chavs in the distance leave. Perfect.
The bike was still stalling, aaarrgh. So after a few minutes i dismount, put the bike on the stand. Lid off, sit down and ponder my solutions to the bike issues. At which point I see two Police Community Support Offers (PCSO's) walking my way.
Again, (like a cock) i thought they wanted to talk to me about the chavs on nicked scooters and mini motos. I recognised them both and all was friendly. Especially when they said its not me they were after and that I was not causing a nuisance...........right up until they radioed in my registration and said I might be given a section 59 warning. NOT GOOD!!!!!! They told me that if i didnt hear anything in two weeks i would be clear.
After this we chatted about the neighbourhood crime, life, universe and my neighbours horses which we were standing near. All while they puffed on their cigarettes.They then cave me permission to ride my bike home.
Lucky escape....or so i thought.....see my forthcoming blog for the 13th May 2010 for the kick in the nuts.
So, I got the bike running, made another oil change with clean filter. It was still chugging and stalling so I thought in my infinite wisdom that it needed to be ridden slowly to give it a run in. I didnt want to do this on the road in case it went horribly wrong, i coudnt rev it for ages in the garages as the residents would all complain and get me in trouble with the police. So, (here is the part where I am a cock) i pushed the bike to the dirt bowl a short trip from my house. Take note that i saw lots of chavs on nicked scooters blasting up and down a farmers field and the terrace of cottages there. I mutter a few 'bloody chav giving us bikers a bad name' comments and get to where i wanted to be, a deep pit with high earth banks all round and no houses, people or walkers to upset. Its an old landfill site in the middle of nowhere. Lid on and all the safety kit, I look up to see all the chavs in the distance leave. Perfect.
The bike was still stalling, aaarrgh. So after a few minutes i dismount, put the bike on the stand. Lid off, sit down and ponder my solutions to the bike issues. At which point I see two Police Community Support Offers (PCSO's) walking my way.
Again, (like a cock) i thought they wanted to talk to me about the chavs on nicked scooters and mini motos. I recognised them both and all was friendly. Especially when they said its not me they were after and that I was not causing a nuisance...........right up until they radioed in my registration and said I might be given a section 59 warning. NOT GOOD!!!!!! They told me that if i didnt hear anything in two weeks i would be clear.
After this we chatted about the neighbourhood crime, life, universe and my neighbours horses which we were standing near. All while they puffed on their cigarettes.They then cave me permission to ride my bike home.
Lucky escape....or so i thought.....see my forthcoming blog for the 13th May 2010 for the kick in the nuts.
Bike Mechanics 101 and a bit...
When the bike refused to start I was gutted, I cleaned the carb again,checked all electrical connections, found a loose one in the process. Then I got a nagging feeling about the spark plug. Although I had just recently paid a lot for a full service I thought I had better check. Good job as the rip off garage (TPG) had not changed the plug in the service. the old one was totally black with carbonisation and rusty at the base. Way to rusty for two or three days old.
I purchased a new plug, installed, fully charged the battery overnight and tried again the next day to fire the bike up. After about 10 no gos's, she sounded like she was turning over. I bled the carb and tried again......Eggy my DRZ coughed back into life. I cannot explain the good feeling obtained from knowing nothing about engines to fixing a wrecked one. Especially as the bike ticked over better than ever. I had a quick ride and the bike had gained another 10mph on the top end speed! The DRZ is a slow bike but at least its now a bit better for the road miles to get to the good muddy stuff.
A total and utter result :0)
NEW SPARK PLUG...apparently
I purchased a new plug, installed, fully charged the battery overnight and tried again the next day to fire the bike up. After about 10 no gos's, she sounded like she was turning over. I bled the carb and tried again......Eggy my DRZ coughed back into life. I cannot explain the good feeling obtained from knowing nothing about engines to fixing a wrecked one. Especially as the bike ticked over better than ever. I had a quick ride and the bike had gained another 10mph on the top end speed! The DRZ is a slow bike but at least its now a bit better for the road miles to get to the good muddy stuff.
A total and utter result :0)
Wednesday 12 May 2010
Bike Mechanics 101
So i killed my DRZ. In a big way. At this point i realise that i know as much about simple engine mechanics as I do quantom physics. i.e Naff all! The DRZ did come with the workshop manual but to be able to use that the basics need to be known.
After much forum scouring and many newbie questions, i started to form some ideas. First off was to open up the air box. I opened up the side of the air filter and muddy water poured out, not a good start. Slick mud collected in the sump. I follow the air routes and this led to the carburetor. At this point i was worried. Next step was to take out the carb, some brute force and swearing required there. With the carb out i consult the workshop manual and take it apart. Not easy for a mechanical numptie like me. Especially as all the screws were either seized or rounded off by a previous owner. Much more swearing and Dremmeling later, it was in bits. The muddy water had totally entered the carb and a silty residuew was everywhere. I even found a blade of grass in the main jet. Cause of the previous stalling possibly???? I took apart the jets, cleaned and blew out all the crap several times until i felt it was ready for re-assembly.
Perhaps i am a geek but i started to enjoy the experience until i went and looked into the engine where the carb enters. Lots more muddy residue in there. Now i was very worried. My fears confirmed when my offroader buddy started talking about hydrolock, bent bits and the world coming to an end. I drained the oil from the engine and the frame. It looked more like milk! Bearing in mind the oil was two days old, i think a gallon of pond water had got in there also. A few tests and it was not so bad. Head off the engine, feeler gauges and all seemed ok so no hydrodeath.
New oil in and clean filter, battery charged and re-fuel the bike. Try to start it and nothing.
After much forum scouring and many newbie questions, i started to form some ideas. First off was to open up the air box. I opened up the side of the air filter and muddy water poured out, not a good start. Slick mud collected in the sump. I follow the air routes and this led to the carburetor. At this point i was worried. Next step was to take out the carb, some brute force and swearing required there. With the carb out i consult the workshop manual and take it apart. Not easy for a mechanical numptie like me. Especially as all the screws were either seized or rounded off by a previous owner. Much more swearing and Dremmeling later, it was in bits. The muddy water had totally entered the carb and a silty residuew was everywhere. I even found a blade of grass in the main jet. Cause of the previous stalling possibly???? I took apart the jets, cleaned and blew out all the crap several times until i felt it was ready for re-assembly.
Perhaps i am a geek but i started to enjoy the experience until i went and looked into the engine where the carb enters. Lots more muddy residue in there. Now i was very worried. My fears confirmed when my offroader buddy started talking about hydrolock, bent bits and the world coming to an end. I drained the oil from the engine and the frame. It looked more like milk! Bearing in mind the oil was two days old, i think a gallon of pond water had got in there also. A few tests and it was not so bad. Head off the engine, feeler gauges and all seemed ok so no hydrodeath.
New oil in and clean filter, battery charged and re-fuel the bike. Try to start it and nothing.
An Excellent Resource
One of my questions I found myself repeatedly saying to offroaders was "Where can i legally ride?" Then a friend of mine came up with this superb website. An ever expanding OS map showing all the legal byways South of London. Its work in progress but is is a stroke of genious.
This database not only has the route overlaid on an OS map, but it includes a video of the entire route. Go check out http://www.bywaydatabase.com/
Sven, the creator of this idea and site is also a well know biker vlogger. His youtube pages are here http://www.youtube.com/user/svengalie
This database not only has the route overlaid on an OS map, but it includes a video of the entire route. Go check out http://www.bywaydatabase.com/
Sven, the creator of this idea and site is also a well know biker vlogger. His youtube pages are here http://www.youtube.com/user/svengalie
The First Day of Greenlaning.....and Death of the DRZ!!
So, Dan calls me and asks if i fancy an afternoon on the greenlanes / byways in East Sussex. I was nervous at first knowing that the bike had issues, but hell, yes I said.
The next day I rode to Newhaven and met Dan. Fuelled up and hit my first lane. This was Beddingham BW8 in East Sussex. Even though the bike kept stalling I could not help but grin my arse off behind all the mud and crap. I was keeping up with Dan. I was happy with that as he has a good year of experience and was on a KTM 450 exc.
That was until a slippery climb where the bike power just died, jerked back into life and ploughed me into a steep bank. I was furious, knackered and for the first time on a bike, had forearm pump. Not had that since my last rock climbing session.
I climbed that hill and felt elated i had conquered the climb. Onwards to some more great trails and then disaster.......
I should have sussed that Dans ride lines were not always the best we he confessed to picking the puddle lines instead of the easiest. We went through some marsh land called 'White Dyke'. I followed Dans lines and found my self in deep deep ruts filled with water and underlying slick mud.
Dan was 40 yards in front and fell off head first intro a huge deep rut. I creased up laughing, lost concentration as well as the front end and also launched myself headfirst into a deep mudbath pool. I stumbled to get to the kill switch but in my now sodden road boots, failed. The bike was underwater and chugged to a stop.
I got the bike upright, pushed it back 200yds to dry tarmac. Knackering while sliding around in gloop. It was deader than a dead thing. Neither Dan or I had any tools or the knowledge to use them. The story of my first ride ends with the DRZ in the back of Dans van and being driven back to my garage.
Things learnt today:
1:Dont follow another riders lines aimlesly
2:Carry a toolkit
3:Learn what to actually do with the kit in a breakdown situation
4:Should have got a bike with a kick start as DRZ is electric start only. Pants in heavy wet conditions.
5: Dan is a star for getting the van and taking me home.
The next day I rode to Newhaven and met Dan. Fuelled up and hit my first lane. This was Beddingham BW8 in East Sussex. Even though the bike kept stalling I could not help but grin my arse off behind all the mud and crap. I was keeping up with Dan. I was happy with that as he has a good year of experience and was on a KTM 450 exc.
That was until a slippery climb where the bike power just died, jerked back into life and ploughed me into a steep bank. I was furious, knackered and for the first time on a bike, had forearm pump. Not had that since my last rock climbing session.
I climbed that hill and felt elated i had conquered the climb. Onwards to some more great trails and then disaster.......
I should have sussed that Dans ride lines were not always the best we he confessed to picking the puddle lines instead of the easiest. We went through some marsh land called 'White Dyke'. I followed Dans lines and found my self in deep deep ruts filled with water and underlying slick mud.
Dan was 40 yards in front and fell off head first intro a huge deep rut. I creased up laughing, lost concentration as well as the front end and also launched myself headfirst into a deep mudbath pool. I stumbled to get to the kill switch but in my now sodden road boots, failed. The bike was underwater and chugged to a stop.
I got the bike upright, pushed it back 200yds to dry tarmac. Knackering while sliding around in gloop. It was deader than a dead thing. Neither Dan or I had any tools or the knowledge to use them. The story of my first ride ends with the DRZ in the back of Dans van and being driven back to my garage.
Things learnt today:
1:Dont follow another riders lines aimlesly
2:Carry a toolkit
3:Learn what to actually do with the kit in a breakdown situation
4:Should have got a bike with a kick start as DRZ is electric start only. Pants in heavy wet conditions.
5: Dan is a star for getting the van and taking me home.
Lets Get Muddy
I decided its time to get muddy. Im fortunate because right next to my house is a dirtbowl where i decided to test the new bike and offroad tyres. Steep hills and drops, boggy mud and rough flats were waiting. I took the bike out, and spent 45 minutes buzzing around. Huge fun, covered in mud, wet and knackered.
However the stall problem was really pissing me off. Everytime i tried to open the bike up it died. This had to get sorted and fast or I would end up hating the DRZ.
The Woes of Buying a Used Bike
So being an impatient bugger and like a kid in a sweet shop, i decided to take the bike for a ride. It looked in mint condition and i felt happy with my bargain purchase. On the road. The big shock was how tall the bike was. Bearing in mind im used to riding a VFR 800 Vtec sports tourer. Almost dropped it at the first junction when my 6ft tall frame forgot to plant a foot in time LOL. I have to be honest and say I was very dissapointed. The bike didnt start too easy, the choke didnt seem to work, the bike kept stalling on downshifting to lights and generally felt gutless.
After getting home i started to think why all the above was happening. The bike had done 4700 miles in its lifetime and only 450miles in the last year. I was thinking a good service would sort this out. So I ordered some very good offroad tyres as recommended by my offrroader experienced mate, took them to TPG in Southwick and paid for them to fit the tyres, do a full service. In this time I had purchased an offroad lid, goggles, body armour, knee armour at Alfs in Worthing.
I collected the bike expecting to have all the problems ironed out. Paid the money, rode away cautiously on the brand new and very knobbly tyres. The damn thing felt a little better but still kept stalling and was still gutless. I resigned myself to the fact that I may have bought the wrong bike. Never mind, I can learn the basics on this and upgrade later.
After getting home i started to think why all the above was happening. The bike had done 4700 miles in its lifetime and only 450miles in the last year. I was thinking a good service would sort this out. So I ordered some very good offroad tyres as recommended by my offrroader experienced mate, took them to TPG in Southwick and paid for them to fit the tyres, do a full service. In this time I had purchased an offroad lid, goggles, body armour, knee armour at Alfs in Worthing.
I collected the bike expecting to have all the problems ironed out. Paid the money, rode away cautiously on the brand new and very knobbly tyres. The damn thing felt a little better but still kept stalling and was still gutless. I resigned myself to the fact that I may have bought the wrong bike. Never mind, I can learn the basics on this and upgrade later.
A Bike is Found
I had almost given up in my search for a bike i could afford. Then out of nowhere i get an email from a mate who said someone we know off a shooting forum was selling a 2003 Suzuki DRZ400s. I knew these were not too pokey, reliable and even better this was well within my price range of £1800. I rang the seller and got the bike for a good price. It came with a new top box (for those quick trips to the shops) and various new bits like sprockets, spare tyre and even a cheap lid.
The big problem was it was in Wales and I could not get there to do a test ride. The seller was a police officer so i took a gamble and bought the bike. I organised delivery through an online broker. This website was superb and I got the bike delivered from Wales to West Sussex for £60!! Bargain. It had road tyres so my plan was to get some offroad but road legal tyres, some offroad clothing / armour and then get muddy.
The big problem was it was in Wales and I could not get there to do a test ride. The seller was a police officer so i took a gamble and bought the bike. I organised delivery through an online broker. This website was superb and I got the bike delivered from Wales to West Sussex for £60!! Bargain. It had road tyres so my plan was to get some offroad but road legal tyres, some offroad clothing / armour and then get muddy.
Sunday 9 May 2010
And so it begins
Just over a year after passing my big bike test I noticed that a few of the guys who were on the training schools forum got into greenlaning. Some of them were vlogging and posting up on youtube. Inspired by this i decided to start saving and get involved.
I spent a lot of time researching the right bike and to do this i had to work out what type of offroading i wanted to do. Motocross, enduro, holiday trips only??? In the end i relised that i wanted to explore the countries green lanes. The trouble here is that i live in West Sussex in the UK where there are sod all lanes due to the local authority restricting access. This meant i needed a road legal machine with a full MOT, not just daytime MOT. Several models were possible, various Honda, KTM Exc, DRZ, Yamaha WR's... After working this out i struggled to get the money together and started the search on the usual websites. Known biker forums, Ebay, MCN, Biketrader, Friday Ad and Gumtree. It was a long search......
Im writing the first few blogs retrospectively. I will catch up in a few days or so then be blogging as i progress on this journey.
I spent a lot of time researching the right bike and to do this i had to work out what type of offroading i wanted to do. Motocross, enduro, holiday trips only??? In the end i relised that i wanted to explore the countries green lanes. The trouble here is that i live in West Sussex in the UK where there are sod all lanes due to the local authority restricting access. This meant i needed a road legal machine with a full MOT, not just daytime MOT. Several models were possible, various Honda, KTM Exc, DRZ, Yamaha WR's... After working this out i struggled to get the money together and started the search on the usual websites. Known biker forums, Ebay, MCN, Biketrader, Friday Ad and Gumtree. It was a long search......
Im writing the first few blogs retrospectively. I will catch up in a few days or so then be blogging as i progress on this journey.
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