I had to try to find a rogue bull tonight after work so I figured I'd putt around the pasture on my '79 CM400. I didn't realize how big and rough the neighbor's pasture was, though (I found out tonight that it's 2 full sections). Worst part was when I ran out of gas in the bottom of a dry creek bed. Here are a few pics of my adventure.
Not a road for miles:
For those of you who have never ridden a street bike in rough country like this, here are a few pointers.
If you're in 2nd gear you're going TOO FAST.
DO NOT lock up your front break going down a steep hill.
Cow paths can throw you just as quickly as badger burrows will swallow your front tire.
Highway tires spin a LOT so you have to go way too fast to go up hills.
First gear is
entirely too fast for climbing the aforementioned hills that have
any rocks, dips, molehills, dry cow patties, yucca plants, or badger holes.
First gear is all you've got so you'll probably end up slipping the piss out of the clutch. :shock:
Or you'll be going way too fast and your tires will spend as much time in the air as on the ground.
You have NO traction when your tires aren't touching the ground.
If you don't lean WAY forward when climbing hills you'll be driving solely on the back tire.
It's impossible to steer a 400cc street bike up a rough hill using only the back tire.
But I survived and found out that once you get past these slight limitations, it's amazing where you can go.
