First Day....

crfsonly · Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 10:04 pm Post subject: First Day....

Today was the first day of testing the Dirt Rider project bike. The testing location was at Lake Isabella. Lake Isabella is just outside of Bakersfield California at about 3,000 ft above sea level.

The first order of business was to get bikes unloaded and then scope out all the other bikes. There were incredibly impressive machines from all the groups. After the scoping static shots were taken of each bike and then a few group shots.

DR testers (associate editors) were assigned to each bike. They were to gear up and get out riding before the rain came to get some action shots.

While Chris, our tester geared up, I started the bike to warm it up and noticed the idle was pretty irratic. After checking ruling out the throttle cables and hot start cable, I focused on the pilot jet. By this time they needed to go...so i set the idle up a notch and Chris took the reins.

They found a fairly large natural jump and reeled off jump after jump. Chris on the CRF's Only bike was catching the most air and even managed to get in a heel-clicker! That's right...a CRF450X over a natural terrain jump busting out a heel clicker! It was pretty sweet to watch.

The went get some roosting shots as they blasted a burm. The CRF450X was really hooking up. Chris' speed through the turn was awesome and the bike look great hitting the turn.

Then they went off on the trail for more shots and testing. Once they returned, I quickly changed the pilot jet to a 48 and this resolved the irratic idle.

Chris had nothing but great things to say about the bike. Initially, skeptical about the Rekluse he came back saying, "this bike is really starting to make me like the Rekluse." Apparantly his previous experience sounded like the z-start might not have been adjusted correctly. Ours really engages well and hooks up strong.

After lunch they went out again on a longer ride. They were gone for hours and hours. Finally, Ty Davis came back with bad news. The ran into snow. They continued on until the snow as over two feet deep. The initial word was several bikes had run out of fuel and one had smoked the clutch. You guessed it...the CRF450X.

Obviously, not good news. However, I had to remind myself of the extreme conditions they were riding in and then find out exactly what happened before I became too concerned.

I didn't have a spare clutch pack but A.J. with Service Honda had a spare for a 500AF. None of us were sure if they were compatible so we ended up pulling the cover of Thumpertalk's personal CRF450R to check. They were very willing to help which was great. Confirming they were the same...we loaded up Ty with tools, the clutch pack, and fuel and he headed back to the stranded group. I loaded up the truck with fuel, food, and dry clothes headed to the trail head to help once they made it off the mountain. Fortunately, they had already made it out.

The short version of what happened to our X? Chris was running great in the snow. He commented on even passing Ty Davis on the trail. There was a KTMTalk member that went along with the group who was exhausted and really struggling on his KTM 525. Chris' comment was "he was having a really hard time controling his bike and your's had so much control with so little effort we decided to have him ride it just to get him down. I don't think he's ever ridden a Rekluse. Anyway, the clutch burned up while he was riding it."

My guess is he left it running in a gear high which caused it to slip like crazy as he attempted to wade his way out of the snow.

So, I'm not too concerned about this...clutches, manual or the z-Start, will burn up if you abuse them.

On the positive side, Chris loves the bike. The highlights of his comments were the power, suspension, balance, and appearance.

we'll be putting a new clutch pack in and he'll be doing more testing. more updates to follow.

ken

fat_boy_on_crf450x · Joined: 28 Nov 2005 Posts: 47 Location: Long Beach, CA

Ken,
Thanks for getting the update posted so quickly. I know it's not a shootout, but are each of the test riders going to ride each of the bikes? Or are they going to stick with their assigned bikes?

Fat_Boy

RottenRob · Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 10:40 pm Post subject:

Do you have any idea what month the article will be published in DR? That should be some fun reading. To bad about the clutch.

RottenRob · Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 10:43 pm Post subject:

Did you weigh the difference in our bike to a stock 450X? If so please tell.

uniped · Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2006 5:35 am Post subject:

Ken Thanks for the info. Sounds like we have a very good bike put together. Can't wait to read the DR article. hope to see it soon.

Scott
________
WEED VAPORIZER

727 Capt · Joined: 29 Sep 2005 Posts: 51

Sounds like you did a good job. Can't wait to see all the bikes. Did you get to ride any of the other bikes? Are you going to be there all week?

crfsonly · Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2006 6:28 am Post subject:

the bike is very good in every way. clutches burn up...it happens to world class riders whose bikes are prepared by world class mechanics...especially in harsh conditions. in this case, i really believe it was a result of a fatigued rider that didn't listen to the clutch telling him to down shift.

i didn't weigh the bike before and after. that was my bad. i have weighed many of the individual components with their stock counterparts. i'll post those as soon as i can.

they won't be testing every day all day. each tester will do their own testing after yesterday. i know that jimmy lewis rode our bike to see if it could climb this monster hill and several told me that it just motored right up it without difficulty. i think jimmy will ride it again before the article is written.

ken

727 Capt · Joined: 29 Sep 2005 Posts: 51

I just saw the pics on the other thread. That looks awesome. Have you taken the time to add up everything yet? Looks like you spent your money well whatever it cost.

OLDFATGUY · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 750 Location: Springfield, IL.

Sounds great so far, cant wait to hear more. OFG

nowazzu · Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2006 8:52 pm Post subject:

paul turner · Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2006 9:16 pm Post subject:

great job Ken. i can hear Doug drooling from here.
decent trails up there. i'll bet you guys are doing the steak houses in Kernville.{Ewings,etc.}.

paul

crfsonly · Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2006 6:30 am Post subject:

paul...the biggest sacrifice i've made so far with this project bike build is staying at the isabella motel! i don't recommend it to anyone. fortunately, the bag-o-rocks they called a pillow was a bit softer then the slab-o-marble they called a bed. the place should be renamed flintstone motel! i was sure i saw fred and wilma checking in!

ken

Roady · Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2006 6:30 am Post subject:

Thanks Ken. I hope we are going to get a running journal of testing ... anxious to hear about day 2 and the insights, comments, etc from the various testers.

Bike looks like the ultimate collection of the best from Honda and the aftermartket world. Hope the May trip and E-ticket rides are still on the agenda Laughing

crfsonly · Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2006 6:34 am Post subject:

i likely won't be with the testers from here on out. i'll be delivering the bike to them with a new clutch tomorrow or friday. then they will have it for two weeks on their own.

can you email me the may details. i wasn't keeping up with all the date and location changes. if i can make it i'll be there. ken at crfsonly dot com

ken

dobent4@yahoo.com · Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2006 10:04 am Post subject:

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