Gary Huck’s Mount Defiance Ride
18 Aug 2009, written by moto 8 CommentsIt’s great when I haven’t been on a ride in awhile since my last post, then one of our friends sends in pics and a brief recap of an epic ride, keeping the IAATB flame burning. While I was frolicking around the sandy shores of Redfish Lake in the Sawtooth Mountains of Idaho with Welikesmall colleagues and families, I was introduced to an epic singletrack mountain bike trail called Fisher Creek. After a somewhat generic and slightly rocky doubletrack climb, we were treated to some of the smoothest extended sections of twisty descent I have ever been on. That, and chasing after my daughter on her 16″ bike around the lodge was about as much two-wheeling as I have done this month. But thanks to Gary Huck and Tom Lehman who hail from Hood River, Oregon, we have a few snippets and photos to share of a ride they did recently:
“Yo Captain – here’s a few recent pics just to let you know it’s still going on up here in the PCNW….
Been having so much fun this summer on the motos. These are pics from a VERY gnarly fire road ride to the highest point in the Columbia River Gorge – Mt Defiance. iPhone quality of course. Had another good weekend ride down to Bend a few weeks ago. Setting up for another weekend camping trip in two weeks. Hope your summer’s been good!”
Tom Lehman's F800 GS atop Mt. Defiance.
Gary Huck behind the mask, Mt. Defiance.
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8 Comments
Daddymonster
August 20, 2009 9:28 am
I’m looking for some advice for a freind, not me, about getting strarted riding dual sport motos. He’s a beginner, just got his license and took the beginning rider course. His wife has greeen lit the whole project including bike of choice. So what bike? Start out with a small street legal enduro and get some mellow road and dirt miles before getting a real dual sport-or-get the biek he really wants (F650 Dakar) and get comfortable on it with some mellow road and dirt miles-or something completely different?
The Response to Daddymonster's comment
August 21 2009 05:41 am
moto
It really depends what your friend wants to do. If any sort of mixed touring, I'd say 50/50 road and mellow dirt roads, being on a small street legal enduro on the road is not that fun. A biiger bike that feels better on the road won't be quite as nimble in the dirt. This is the whole crux of what bike is best for dual-sport riding and the answer is: you need 2 bikes. My KTM 640 Adventure was pretty darn close to being 2 bikes because it was so good on the dirt and was tolerable on the road. The new BMW F800 blows it away on the road, and holds its own in the dirt. There is no perfect bike. You ride the one you've got. Here's my advice; if your friend can find an F650 GS Dakar used in good condition, buy it. They are really hard to find. Either an F650 Dakar or the F650 GS which is a little easier to find are good started bikes, because they are pretty low to the ground (compared to a KTM 640) and are very comfortable. Another option would be a KLR 650. The pre-2008 ones are plentiful on craigslist and ksl.com and probably the lowest price of entry into a true dualsport. The new KLRs, 2008 and newer, have been getting a lot of good reviews, and supposedly are much nicer for road miles than the old ones. I have heard people say start small and really master the bike before moving up, but there really aren't any smaller dualsport bikes. That would put you on a 450 dirt bike, which is just that, a dirt bike. Wicked fun on trails, miserable on the road.
Daddymonster
August 21, 2009 9:01 am
Definitely gonna do mixed touring, which probably amounts to lots of road miles and dirt of varying conditions (as you know), but not trails if they can be avoided. I think I understand the trade offs that have to be made if you end up on one side or the other of the dual sport fence, like your KTM v. F800. In my opinion both of those bikes would be a tad tall for my buddy, he goes about 5-8 and 145, thats why the smaller (althought the Dakar is a bit taller than the straight F650) BMW may be a better choice. As for the KLR-the new design seems to be an upgrade for true mixed touring, but its a tall bike as well. and if you’re going to drop $5400 and then add to it from there, wouldnt it be wise to spend just a couple $k more and have a machine with some soul? The KLR’s just dont do it for me. Alright its for me, there is no “friend”. Anyway I really appreciate your feedback. Incidentally there is (or was) a nice looking Dakar on KSL this week, maybe I’ll go have a look. If anyone reading has an opinion please chime in. Thanks again.
The Response to Daddymonster's comment
August 22 2009 06:32 am
moto
Jon, get the Dakar if you can find one. It is only slightly taller than a regular F650, and you can always get an aftermarket saddle. Touratech still makes and stocks a ton of parts/farkles/upgrades for this bike. If you can find one with low miles that is clean, you pretty much get the best starter bike you could hope for. The KTM 640 is TALL, but you get used to it. It's tall because it is a dirt bike, and once you get used to it, you give up all thoughts of ever lowering it because the suspension is what makes it go 80 in the dirt. I am about your size, only fatter and about an inch taller, and I can almost flat foot the F800 GS with the low saddle. The Dakar would be a score, IMHO.
Daddymonster
August 27, 2009 1:17 pm
Got the Dakar. Thanks for your advice.
The Response to Daddymonster's comment
August 29 2009 06:06 am
moto
Good for you Jon. Welcome to the tribe.
Tom
September 3, 2009 1:57 pm
GAH! I’m famous!!!
Good stuff as usual Thomas. Keep it going.
The Response to Tom's comment
September 03 2009 20:21 pm
moto
Tom, you are famous, and it has absolutely nothing to do with this blog, because nobody reads it! But I'll fight the good fight.