Getting ready for TAT ride on R²

Well, I thought I was ready and took my little bike out for a test ride all loaded up and ready to go. Found out I had too much weight on the rear and at about 65-70 it wanted to start tank slapping when I got in behind traffic on the freeway. Granted I don't plan much freeway riding but wanted a worst case test. Did not expect this as I have about 29 lbs on the tail and the same approx in the dirt bagz. Anyway I guess I'll have to flea bag it because I cannot haul all this weight on the short wheel base R².

Don't know if anyone else has had any experience with this but I am leaving a week from Friday for the Smokey Mnts Nat park then on back up to Jellico and start the TAT back at least to Mid Oklahoma on this trip. Will be about 1,000 miles of highway riding before we get to the nice TAT roads. I have a 14/46 gear on for the long haul to Jellico and then will drop back to my 13T for that portion. Bummed about not being able to camp as my other two buddies are camping. Not sure I have an answer for this bike. Any ideas of input is more than welcome.

TIA
10Cup

Would an ultralight camping hammock help ?

http://hennessyhammock.com/sp-motorcycling.html

http://hennessyhammock.com/sp-ultralight.html

This is why I am waiting for the larger tank to shift the weight up front. I was afraid that would happen if I carried 2 extra gallons on the rear.

For the record, The WR looks awesome set up for the long haul. Can't help on your problem tho. But keeps us posted on the trip with pics!

Safe traveling,
Luke.

That's quite the windscreen you've got on there, 10!

Are the tires brand new? Brand new the 606 front tire will cause the front end to do that at speed no matter how much weight you have on the bike. You can try dropping the pressure in the front tire to about 18 psi and that will help until you get a couple hundred miles on it, then it should calm down.

Sounds like fun... Be safe!

(sorry can't contribute much as I never camp on-the-go before... and Singapore is so damn tiny... 1000-mile trip will be XXX rounds around Singapore )

your taking too much crap. you don't need as many changes of clothes as you think. clothes weigh alot. and if your going in a group all of you don't need to bring the same sets of tools.

or try incresing the rear preload for the extra weight.

I'm at work right now so can't see the pic - but are you using tank panniers? Very inexpensive (Walmart and auto parts stores carry them for ATVs), and they don't really get in the way when set up properly (I even leave 'em on for intense trail riding).

Great way to shift weight to the front and carry lots of small odds and ends, IMHO.

Krabill wrote:

Are the tires brand new? Brand new the 606 front tire will cause the front end to do that at speed no matter how much weight you have on the bike. You can try dropping the pressure in the front tire to about 18 psi and that will help until you get a couple hundred miles on it, then it should calm down.

I was wondering about that since the 606 lowers the front and raises the back thus changing the fork angle. Thanks for the tip I'll cretainly try this.

Bob wrote:

your taking too much crap. you don't need as many changes of clothes as you think. clothes weigh alot. and if your going in a group all of you don't need to bring the same sets of tools.

or try incresing the rear preload for the extra weight.

I'm sure you are correct on all points, so far I have increased the pre load to about 1/3 of the way down the shock and I only weight 168lbs. I am sure I have something that could come off. What I will most likley do is not camp and remove a complete bag or about 15 lbs until I can get tires on it that have the correct sidewall. Still trying different things at this point.

Can't camp... Huh?

Dude...in all sincerity, you need to off load at least half your stuff. You'll never need it. Enjoy the riding & camping. Take notes with a pad & pencil instead of hauling computer crap along (just a guess). You can tell us all about it when you get back. You shouldn't need to haul a bunch of auxillary fuel. Ought to find a gas stop every hundred miles or so. You'll squeak out 120 miles from the tank, if you manage it right.

Lose the propane Coleman stove and lantern. Buy an "Esbit" stove with fuel cubes. Costs $10, fits in palm of your hand, weighs nothing. Boils 2 cups of water in 8 minutes. Pour that into your "Mountain House" freezed dried GOURMET meal packs. Again....small and super lightweight, and extremely YUMMY.

I've got a Bivy Sack, a medium weight down bag, & a Big Agnes air mattress, that don't weigh much nor take a lot of space. And the other guys are right...."half the clothes"......"half the tools".

If you really want our help, layout all your stuff on the garage floor from each bag, take some photos & post up. Its kind of hard to guess at it. But you shouldn't be packing more than about\ 30 lbs total for this trip.

HF

Here is a link from Dave the Giant Loop Guy on packing which is kinda cool. http://giantloopmoto.blogspot.com/2008/09/daves-packing-tips-dualsport-adventure.html

Well I responded but hit the new thread instead of reply..........sorry inmates see the "going lite" thread

Again thanks to all. Will update as I can. We leave next Friday the 29th.

10Cup

Good luck.

I've had my wife on the very back of the seat and she weighs considerably more than 29 pounds. No problems at 65 on curvy roads.

I'd guess iIt's probably the rear sitting lower taking weight off the front. Add pre-load and raise the rear for the street section.

It could be the windscreen.

1moreroad wrote:

Good luck.

I've had my wife on the very back of the seat and she weighs considerably more than 29 pounds. No problems at 65 on curvy roads.

I'd guess iIt's probably the rear sitting lower taking weight off the front. Add pre-load and raise the rear for the street section.

It could be the windscreen.

Thanks, I'm pretty sure at this point that it is the windshield so will see what happens without it too.

Thanks
10Cup

10Cup wrote:

Thanks, I'm pretty sure at this point that it is the windshield so will see what happens without it too.

Thanks
10Cup