AMRA in Az had a little race at Canyon MX track - Destry's home away from home and he won the pro class. I lined up the 310 against a about 10 bikes on the 4th row - live engine start - and the 310 with a Rekluse busted the hole shot with a smooth 2nd gear start. I don't ride MX tracks very often and had to figure out what to do since the first mile was MX. The 310 with a trials tire was far more capable than me and kept me upright and bouncing forward while casing most of the doubles. Fortunately the course consisted of 1 mile of MX, 1/2 mile of enduroX, 6 miles of rocks, and 1 1/2 miles of deep deep silt and sand. I passed almost 20 riders from earlier rows on lap 1 and maybe 10 more on laps 2 and 3. The 310 had more than enough power which combined with the extra traction of the trials tire and tubliss, and the way it puts down 4 stroke power - made passes like a big bike. Part of the ease of passing had to do with the ability to carry more speed thru turns and run lines other bikes couldn't. The steering was F1 quick and it remained absolutely stable at all times (even really cross rutted in the silt) I'll try to get some pictures and video up - right now I need a nights sleep.
View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ma-JDw12of0&feature=g-upl Sorry about the tap-tap-tap, my drink tube mouthpiece was hitting the GoPro. I started on the 4th of 5 rows - about 12 per row. Finished 1st in my class (60+) and 4th overall "C" class. Don't know why the bike stalled a few times ? The 1st guy I got behind and the guy in white on the Kawi I accidentally rammed when they slowed unexpectedly - the GoPro doesn't really show how close I was to riders in front - but it does make the passes look all the more impressive because one moment the rider in front is a good distance away - and then it's like the 310 hits turbo and I fly past !
I'm still watching the video and its really cool so far ... You and the 310 are really putting on some really cool passing ...Like that uphill at the 3:14 where some were stuck on the hill and you ground past them and kept going .... ) You made jumping over that enduro cross stuff very easy ... Thats the scary stuff to me ....
Hey Mike, nice race. You were blowing by everyone. Those rock sections looked nasty. You must have the technique. What rear sprocket tooth count were you running for the race? I'm up here at East Ft. Rock, Oregon riding in 4-6 inches of snow with a bunch of other inmates here for the NW Husky get-together. 32 deg today with snow flurries, great day. My 310 is running great with a 47 tooth rear. Thanks for the vid. Dave
Hey Dave - how was Idaho? I went back to the stock 50 tooth on the back but kept the longer chain which put the rear axle back to the end. Re-adjusted sag and added a click of front compression to compensate. She slides a little better now and doesn't have the tendancy to stand up under acceleration when the trials rear tire hooks up. The Husky just soaks stuff up - I just sit on it and have confidence. The 90-100 Pirelli MXMH on front also helps make rocks disappear and slows the steering just a tiny bit (which is good), and floats thru the deep sand and silt pretty well too (very well for a hard pack tire).
Mike: I never made Idaho, external events killed my plans. My brother made it though, said the riding at Danskin was great. Next summer I'll make it, but probably more up where you were. I like how you can dial-in your bike's dynamics. I'll have to think about what I need and try some things. That trials tire is the secret weapon I think. I was riding in the snow today with someone who uses a trials tire. He had no problem with traction. Just like a snow tire! I need a new front tire, I have to give that MXMH a look. After a 30 mile ride today, in some tough, slippery snow conditions, I like my 310. It really makes me a much better rider and that Akrapovic really gives it the torque through the whole range, which I really needed today. Thanks! Dave
Cool place for that 1st pass in the endurocross stuff ... That second pass was even better ... Moments like that is when I'm glad I've something lighter that a 450 sized bike ...
Finally got a photo of the start - 2nd gear upshift to 3rd and 4th - 50 yards to right turn down hill where picture was taken - funny how few are still in sight. Guy behind me is on KTM350 - I saw him out of the corner of my eye a little off the start but the little Husky pulled harder.
Thanks for the post and thats a great racing attitude that I very much need to apply it to my racing here ...
Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice -- I am thinking of selling my 450te and my new 510 te 2007 that i bought and just stands in my house with 500km on the clock --at 59 i think a 310 will be more up my alley and not so wild
A real single track race today near Wikeup, Az. Dead engine start so I started in 3rd gear since the electic start spins better in 3rd than in 2nd (and I have a left hand rear brake with a Rekluse clutch). Bike started at the same time a KTM 350 next to me did ... he pulled me a little until he shifted ... and I wanted the first turn more than he did (and I had the inside line). So technically it counts as another holeshot doesn't it?
I went from a 450R to a WB165... and have been on the 2t for the past 100+ hrs... I stopped riding the 450r in the woods cuz it's just to much of a monster. I got a chance to try a 310 a few weeks ago... I thought it was going to me to much for my liking, but I have to say that 310 is a KILLER woods bike (if your into the 4t thing). Very smooth power, and handles really well I thought.. I can't stress how much I liked the motor (for a 4t)...
Got a decent start off the line considering I was in 3rd gear. Tried really hard to be patient although I knew the guys off the front few rows didn't have to (get to) pass as many guys as I did. I lost about 30 seconds from the start to the scoring line and about 3 minutes over the next few miles following guys. It's all for fun so there was no sense putting anyone in danger with risky passes. View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QuDLOcTRic
Thats pretty much my attitude on tracks and on trails also ... I'm back on a WR250 after 3 yrs on TXC250 and 4t are good bikes but I'll be on the WR lots more I think ... I'd also guess that 310 would be more perfect than any 250 4t engine ...
