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Originally Posted by
tuscan
Jenny
I know it's a bit of a while ago for you now, but I'm doing the TAT in Sept this year and I have a few of questions....
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No problem, I'll do my best!
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| Was there much single trail - (I have the option of using an XR400 or my Tenere) - if there is lots of technical stuff the XR would be better - however you may know different - comments please. |
There really is a bit of everything - from muddy 'logging trails', rocky piste tracks, sandy two-track, and some narrower rocky trails too - but virtually all are wide enough to take a 4x4 on... Certainly the sections in the Colorado mountains can be tricky - watermellon size rocks in some places, but I managed them all on the Tenere (it was only the Rubicon Trail in northern California that beat me... this time anyway). I'd say that because of the distance involved (over 3500 miles if you do the whole length), the Tenere is preferable for comfort, fuel range etc. It is also much easier to carry camping kit on the bigger bike (I have an XR400 too btw.), and there are places you WILL want to camp for sure... Guys in the US do it on everything, from small trailies, to KLRs - although unless you are a riding god, anything bigger than a 650 is going to take some work in Colorado and Utah/Nevada deserts...
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| In the sandy conditions of your Heros trip and previously the USA, what did you do about chain lube? I'm considering a Scotoiler for the TAT. When I ride single trail in NZ in sand, a proprietary chain lube sure turns the cack into grinding paste. I have for a long time now been using my own made up spray mix of 3:1 petrol / gearbox oil for both my XR's and its fine for the worst off road day rides, although not suited to touring work - a bit messy to carry and mix up. Again comments please? |
I didn't use any chain lube on Heroes' and only lubed the chain in the US when I had a big road section to undertake. As you say, any lube which is sticky is going to attract dirt and sand and quickly wear the chain and/or sprockets. As for using your petrol/oil mix - I'd be careful as the petrol may damage the o-rings of the chain, letting the grease inside escape? An alternative might be to use GT85 - which has PTFE in a fine spray oil (bit like WD40) - I know a lot of people (including me) use that on mountainbike chains. It is also perfect to stop squeaks etc.
As for chain wear with no lube - I fitted new steel sprockets (Supersprox on the rear) and a DID 520VM chain at the beginning of Heroes, and 8000kms later, the rear sprocket was still in excellent condition, as was the chain (adjusted maybe once or twice over the course of the rally). The front sprocket had started to hook, but had plenty of life left in it also. I only changed the chain when I got home as it had turned to rust during three weeks on the ship, and the front sprocket to save wearing the new chain - the rear sprocket is still on there, and will be for a good time yet I imagine!
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| My Tenere speedo is woefully inaccurate... GPS v (Indicated): 50kmh(55); 60(65); 70(77); 80(88); 90(99); 100(110); 110(120); 135(147). Did you find this on your machine and did you do anything about it? |
They are all the same! As you say, it is optimistic by around 10% - I just bore that in mind. From what I understand, the odometer though is pretty accurate, so it seems the speedo 'ratio' is slightly skewed to help us keep our licences? As for the milages in the TAT instructions, I think the stock Odo should be fine, and in conjuction with a GPS, you should have no trouble.
For info, I bought a Garmin 2610 when I first went out to states (you can still get them manufacturer refurbished via ebay.com etc), and the City Navigator mapping software is excellent - many of the dirt roads are on there, as are fuel, hotels, banks, restaurants etc. Definitely get a GPS that can run the US City Navigator maps - it will make your life so much easier!
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| I temporarily mounted a hand held GPS (Garmin eTrex Summit) above the Tenere instrument cluster and no matter what I did the vibration was such that the unit switched off as soon as I moved off. (Had to strap the bloody thing to my arm for the above test - 135kmh one handed to compare speeds was interesting). Did you get vibration on your gear and was it a problem and how resolved if so? |
The problem with virtually all battery driven GPS units on a bike is the engine vibrations make the batteries jump on their contacts, and they eventually carbon over, braking the current. The best thing to do is use a 12v power supply hardwired to the bike (either direct to the battery, or via the sidelight circuit for example - the little 2-pin connector behind the panel below the instruments is switched with the ignition, and fused with the sidelights). Also, take the batteries out until you want to use the unit off the bike, otherwise they will still vibrate and carbon over, and not work when you disconnect the 12v supply!
I would also mount your GPS on the handlebar/s cross bar above the yokes, as it is far less susceptible to vibration there.
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| Finally (for now) what tyres did you use on the Tenere on the TAT off road bits and how much life did you get out of them? |
I used Pirelli MT21s initially (as TKCs were on back order), then TKC80s exclusively for the rest of my trip. I'd say the TKC is the best dual purpose tyre for the Tenere, as it is far more predictable on the road, and lasts significantly longer too. Another popular choice (with a 17 inch rear) is the Michelin T63, or in the US particularly, the Dunlop 606.
I rode over 23,000 miles in the USA, and used three front and five rear tyres, although the last set were still less than half worn by the time I got back to the UK. If you are just riding the TAT, then you could feasibly do it on just one set, however, I would budget for changing at least the rear in Moab (Utah) for example, as you'll appreciate the grip for the desert in Utah, Nevada and the forests in Oregon.
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If you can shed any light on the above it would be much appreciated.
ta |
I trust I have done so!
Any more questions, just ask!
Jenny xx