Which Red Bike for DS Trip?

Have a Honda XR-400 and picked up a 08 TE-510 last fall, am an intermediate rider. Will go on a 1000 mile DS ride in the Upper Peninsula of MI this summer. Actually considering takeing the Honda in place of the TE. Most gas stops will around 60-80 miles some with no premium and I have not changed the tank yet or put the PU kit on yet.

Thoughts on my decision and recomended mods to the TE would be appreciated, (Racks, Bags, Gearing (15t cs?), etc) Looks like there will be a lot of stops, and E-start will be nice with the Husky

The TE is a great bike, actually worried a little about it geting away from me.

Again appreciate comments

PRO

Is this Cannonshot's 1000 mile 3 day ride in the UP of MI during early June?

Come on now....... does the question of Husky over the Honda really need to be asked?

I'm sure a little extra seat time will make you more than confident enough on the Husky.

I'd take the Honda,



and put it in the shed so I'd have more room to prep the Husky for this adventure!

You should be ok on the fuel issue with the IMS tank or the stock tank with an additional support tank. I've used an Acerbis front number plate tank attached to the rear sub-frame to support the stock tank until IMS finished their 3 gal tank.

check again the fuel issues.. there are only a few stops that don't have premium.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showpost.php?p=8924388&postcount=11

That's why you bought the bike, Get a tank,some octane booster and go! Have Fun, TW

If you take the Husky it will be an adventure....

I took my 2007 te510 on a long (1000 mile?) 3 day trip, with lots of highway and easy, sandy, rocky off road miles.

The seat was murder. I strapped on a airhawk seat cushion from my street bike, which helped, but then it popped. I then stuffed t-shirts/etc into it, which helped a bit. Maybe the 08's are better. Wear padded bicycle shorts, and figure out some kind of cushion or replace the seat. I would have much rather been on my old xr600 for much of the trip (most comfy dirt bike seat ever) for this reason alone.

If you are going to have a lot of highway miles, gear it tall and bring earplugs. Maybe bring 1 extra sprocket so you have a choice.

I think either bike would be fine (not knowing the terrain), but I'd figure out the seat situation and take the Husky since it is new to you. You will really get to know it on a long trip.

As far as it getting away from you, google the g2 throttle cam system. This tamed my 07 in the tighter stuff.

My motosportz rear rack worked great.

Cheers

I had an xr400 and loved it, spent $ on it and then sold it. It needs a 6 speed and you can't fix that, and you have to kick it. I have a 08 te and before the snow came I put on a 15 tooth c.s. spocket and it made it into the DS I was looking for, sell the honda, buy a seat and gas tank and be happy. My husky as the power up kit and the taller gearing made it easier to ride, pulled longer and smoother in each powerful gear and relaxed it on the road. Pirelli MT tires are very good on the road work o.k. in the dirt. Depends on your needs. The honda will be better in the real tight stuff and thats it.

I concur with slow poke. I used to ride my TE to work. I blasted down every dirt road I could find. After about 3 days my ass was as chewed up as my rear tire was. Take this advice to the bank. Get a new saddle for that beast right now, or take the XR. That seat is going to have you begging for mercy after 35 miles. If you do 1,000 miles on the stock seat and do not require surgery afterwards then you should start robbing banks becuase no bullet will ever harm you.

If you think the TE510 seat is harsh, you can join me on the annual MN Ironman cycling event held late April and see how you feel after 100 miles in the saddle of a road bike for the day. That TE510 saddle will seem like a recliner in comparison.

The 1000 mile Cannonshot ride is a mix of single, dual track, ATV trails and forest service roads. It includes only minimal pavement connectors and should require allot of movement on the saddle while riding. I plan on doing it with the stock saddle however I'll be wearing a pair of my top end cycling shorts with a$$ pad under my riding pants.

you are right.. there is a price to pay for lightweight carbon fiber products mated with cutting edge technology.

My sub 15 lb carbon fiber road bicycle, Scott CR1 Pro, was not much cheaper than my new Husky and my sub 23 lb full suspension carbon fiber mountain bike, Scott Spark 10 was about $1500 less than the Husky..I have to make up for their missing engines. :smirk: The pedal bikes have significance in my life since I used one to recover and rehabilitate myself from a bad motorcycle wreck in the early 80's.

Been spending time training this winter doing 35 to 40 mile rides on my mountain bike.





With respect to other hobbies, motorcycles are relatively cheap.. compared to boating , horses, autos, planes..ect

I sold half of my bicycles to buy my 510 hahaha Same as you bicycles have a significance in my life as well. Funny thing is most of my injuries came from bicycle racing and not motorcycles. No more Crits for me..

Thanks for the input, the XR is good to go as is. The TE will need the IMS tank, barkbusters, a rear rack, gearing change, etc. I like fast1 ride pedal bikes as well, not in as deep as him ($$). Wife is not too happy with 3 motorcylcle in the garage and 3 pedal bikes to match and the accesories you need for both.

I agree with the comment on other hobies, I don't golf, and don't plan to, but what a time and money burner,,,would love to ride on some of those plush courses however

PS I only started DS riding two years ago, so I don't want to be the dude who can't handle the fancy bike (the husky)

I think you have to remember that a better handling and suspened bike (TE) will be easier to ride at the same speed you would ride the XR at while on this event.

Plus you have a month or two to become more familar with the TE during some early season rides and dial in the suspension to your liking. If I was a betting man, I'd say you might have the XR for sale sometime this year.

agreed that the nicely contoured golf course would make a wonderfull playground on the Husky and provide perma-grins.

CT IV Bike Choice

Greetings: Took your advice and took my 08 TE-510 on the 1100 Mile Cannon Trek IV with 17 other riders through the bowels of the UP. (47 degrees, Rain and 25 mph winds)

Well, the Husky made it two and half days before the "reliabilty of the FI" on the new bike took a shit, luckily at a gas stop 3 hours from base camp.

For shits and grins decided to put the XR-400 on the trailer when I left Detroit. Glad I did. The XR allowed me to finish.

When I turn the key on I do not hear the fuel pump cycel and get a flashing nuetral light, 3 short and a long?

Ideas?

PRO