Not yet but I'm itching to go. I was hoping you lived a little closer but I guess I kinda forgot where the foothills end and the piedmont begin. In the very late 80's I rode almost daily at Peppy Carson's private MX track in Shelby.
I Concur. I have ridden my Terra on a variety of roads hwy, backroads, good dirt roads and some rough dirt roads and a variety of speeds on one occasion with a loaded Giant loop, and another occasion with soft panniers and camping gear, and quite honestly it feels and rides just like it does unladen.
My off pavement has been mostly forest roads, so I can't give you a 'rough perspective' but for soft fresh gravel, washboard junk, plain ol' dirt and the asphalt in between I don't notice a difference. With the panniers in place I've got be diligent to avoid scraping them on down trees and stuff. I suspect I'd catch one for sure if I put a rotopax in. One difference I do notice is fuel mileage. I've lost 3-4 MPG with the camping load in place. From 55ish to 51/52.
I don't want to disclose for fear of needing some sort of trip permit! But seriously, I'm sure I'm on the high end of the range. I start at 280, wear at least 25 lbs of gear on my person, probably hang 50-75 off the bike. I'll try and remember to weigh everything next trip.
Here's my terra after we got home from a Memorial Day camping trip up near pingree park, west of Fort Collins CO. Pelican 1400 on the rack, and BRMoto side racks with Wolfman Expedition bags.
Here's my setup with the Giant Loop Cyote, Ortlieb 30L dry duffel, and sea to summit dry stuff sack for sleeping bag. The GL carries most of the weight, and the duffel bag and stuff sack are light. Rode 800 miles in 3 days including the Black Dog Dual Sport rally in Bend Oregon on Saturday.
Nice and tidy setup, Harder 1. Was going to do the Black Dog too, but watched the grandkids while their parents were out of town instead.
I'm serious when I ask....is that a top box or one of those mini grills? I assume top box, but it is a camping thread and we all seem to have a sense of humor
Looks like I'll be able to get a Terra but it's going to take a few months to get here. Thankfully since it looks so much like the TE the wife will not even notice the difference and assume it's the same bike. I don't think I could pull that off with the 165. Do they even still make those? Is it just me or are those handguards huge?
Convertible Mini Grill. Load er up and hit the road. You fire up the coals at home, they are good and hot when you get to destination. Only problem is all the hungry folks following you. But seriously, my gal does not like the gas grill, so I found this at the flea market for $10 with charcoal and fluid. And I looked at it and went hmmm, nice looking case, and perched it on the rack for a photo op. I love the tank bag, went out for a mini run today. 119.5º F This thing must be off, I know it did not reach 110º yet today.
I'm pretty sure it's measuring airbox temperature, not ambient temperature, so the temp gauge will always show a bit higher than reality, although once the engine gets hot, and you park the bike, the displayed temp can be quite a bit higher.
Under motion it's pretty good. I've got a Garmin Tempe sensor on the front fork and once you are under way they match within 2 degrees. When stopped the bikes sensor is useless as stated.
Went out for a few days riding in the forests. Here's my lightweight setup. GL Coyote bag, small tent, rotopax, backpack & tank bag. Always within range of a town so onboard food & water supplies were minimal.
