TE/TC Potentially ridiculous question RE: TE300 Dual Sport Missions

[Willlyons]

Alright, bear/bare? with me here. I have a TE300 that I love very much to rip over the hills and through the woods all the way to gramammy's house up in the holler in my old Kentucky home. It's the best piece of machinery I've ever owned, hands down.

Every January, a few friends and I take off work and do a month long mission to Baja in search of cheap living and big waves. Every year I dream of bringing my bike along, and every year I decide it wouldn't be worth the hassle (it's been a 165 up until now). This year, a buddy is thinking of doing a mission south on his KLR.

I know the TE300 (it's plated and insured) would be a fairly miserable road ride, isn't designed for it, etc... It may be dangerous, stupid, too light, too wobbly, etc... BUT, it would allow for some exploration of a lot of places that were previously uncharted territory in our $250 chevy 2WD van.

This would be an accessory, not the sole (soul?) vehicle of the mission (or would it? I love a good challenge). My biggest question, is would this destroy my motor? Would semi-long distances at sustained speed wreak havoc on my little 2T or would it be up to the task? Obivously I probably wouldn't get more than maybe 60-70 miles on a tank so it's not like I'd be going the distance, more likely little multi-day missions from a base camp. The reality is I can't afford/don't want to buy a heavy dual-sport bike so I'm trying to decide if I can make this one work. I mean, it sounds fun as hell... And I'm sure the ensuing story would provide plenty of entertainment for all you viewers out there...

 

[racemx904]

Will you dont have a chase driver? Be a lot easier to haul some area.... its not bad just dont flog it and itll be fine at 65 to 70....

Where you going? maybe I can give you ideas on what to do....

 

[Centerline]

Alright, bear/bare? with me here. ...

This is a bear one....:-)

 

[Motosportz]

not the sole (soul?)

and this is the soul one...

 

[Motosportz]

Your answer is yes, take your bike and ride it. Its a machine, thats what it is for. Just try not to hold it open and steady for to long. On / off throttle is our friend. Maybe gear it up some. Run a little extra oil. I'd do it.

 

[Centerline]

and this is the soul one...

Crap, just sprayed the keyboard with my coffee

 

[Colo moto]

If Malcolm Smith and Ron Bishop could race all the way down the Baja Peninsula on old ass '70s 2 stroke Husky's there is absolutely no reason you cant do the same on your modern TE300. I say take it, ride it, love it and smile.

 

[Centerline]

If Malcolm Smith and Ron Bishop could race all the way down the Baja Peninsula on old ass '70s 2 stroke Husky's there is absolutely no reason you cant do the same on your modern TE300. I say take it, ride it, love it and smile.

What he said....

 

[troy deck]

Crap, just sprayed the keyboard with my coffee

ooooow did you blow it out ur nose OUCH HOT COFFEE lmfao

 

[Tinken]

It may be dangerous, stupid, too light, too wobbly, etc...

Probably

Your answer is Run a little extra oil.

32:1, iridium spark plug, waterless coolant and tow insurance at minimum.

 

[52xc]

I ride the ever living hell out of my 300(yes duel sported) and it's fine. Gearing is way way more critical on the smaller bikes. Also consider some kind of air cushion or something. True me... Your back and buttwill be hurting-lol. Also make sure you don't just hold the bike wide open. Learn to roll on and off the throttle on long wide open stretches. Other than you'll be fine. I prefer the two stroke cus they are just so simple and easy to work on. No batteries or efi to leave you stranded. Heck I ride with a guy that carries so much extra stuff he actually carries an extra top end for his two stroke. Can't imagine doing a trail side top end job but that's not even a consideration on a thumper

 

[Willlyons]

Geez, thanks guys! Encouraging stuff here. Next question, and forgive my lack of research I'm stuck on the road for work and only have an iPhone for Internet... How much of an impact do you think a Lectron would have on fuel economy? I see they sell big tanks (4.1 gal) for KTM 300's... Now I'm really losing it... (You have to understand it's 30 and raining in Kentucky, desert dreaming....)

 

[firecrotch]

I duel sported my wr300 for the first time with a lectron about a month ago. I did about 69 miles nd used 1.4 gallons

 

[juicypips]

Better economy for sure im not sure but i got 90miles from my normal tank. Go richer on powerjet if you do get one then when your there lean it back up, oil and gearing for sure just a tooth larger on front sprocket will add 5mph top speed. I did a 18hour trial on my 360 and it managed 12 of those before sprocked bolt sheared, carry a mix of bolts varying length and tube with co2 inflator. Good luck and have fun

 

[Up-tite]

Gear it way up,as high as you can go and have just enough 1st gear to get moving because thats the last you use 1st gear, go up 2 sizes on the main, 1/2 t0 1 size up on the pilot, do not ad extra oil this doesn't do anything other than making you run a larger main jet to get enough gasoline in the motor to cool the piston.
Plug should be Black and sootie but not wet.
Do roll on the throttle( tire life only) WFO is fine for miles on end, but never, never roll the throttle off at speed you will seize it.
Always set your Idle where it DOES NOT idle when at WFO chop the throttle off do not roll it off.
Carry extra gas on your belt in bleach bottles as they hang the best.
If you feel a lean spot in your throttle positioning stay away from that area of the throttle opening stay on the rich part.
Your bike will be just fine run it rich,gear it up keep it pinned. Not going to say have fun because you will be blown away with it.
Later George

 

[juicypips]

Oh let it warm up properly before giving it the beans too like ten mins will be enough but five isnt.

 

[Tinken]

do not ad extra oil this doesn't do anything other than making you run a larger main jet to get enough gasoline in the motor to cool the piston.

This is not true. Extra oil will lubricate your engine better, especially on extended higher rpm runs similar to the racing we do down here in the desert. It is a myth that adding extra oil displaces enough gasoline to cause a lean condition. Even jumping from 50:1 down to 24:1 only displaces 1.92% of your fuel.

WFO is fine for miles on end

I've seen racers do this, it seizes the rod bearing and/or throws it through the case.

Carry extra gas on your belt in bleach bottles as they hang the best.

 

[firebolter]

Geez, thanks guys! Encouraging stuff here. Next question, and forgive my lack of research I'm stuck on the road for work and only have an iPhone for Internet... How much of an impact do you think a Lectron would have on fuel economy? I see they sell big tanks (4.1 gal) for KTM 300's... Now I'm really losing it... (You have to understand it's 30 and raining in Kentucky, desert dreaming....)

I ride for a whole week when in Colorado, all day long for 6 days consecutive on a mix of single track and jeep roads and some paved roads to connect. The TE ratio is perfect for that type of riding. Agree, no long periods of WFO but how often can you do that on the 300 anyway? I am running a Lectron on my TE 300 and the gas mileage doesn't get hugely effected in my experience. I can get 60-70 miles to a tank if I baby it. Stock tank is 2.9. I am planning another Colorado trip next summer and this time I am running one of these below instead of carrying MSR bottles. Looks good, seems to be not too huge and will do a lot more for range. Carrying fuel on your body sucks, it wears you down, carry it on the bike if you can. I strap MSR bottles to the rear fender but I hate doing that too.

If you do run for WFO for extended periods of time, you can always hit the kill button for a few seconds, that will pull fuel mix through and not burn it and will help some with lubrication, but again, who rides a 300 WFO if you are not in a race, in the desert open spaces? I sure don't. 300 WFO are a handful anywhere but the wide open straight desert type stuff and that is when you are racing.

http://justgastanks.com/product_info.php?products_id=5577

 

[Willlyons]

I ride for a whole week when in Colorado, all day long for 6 days consecutive on a mix of single track and jeep roads and some paved roads to connect. The TE ratio is perfect for that type of riding. Agree, no long periods of WFO but how often can you do that on the 300 anyway? I am running a Lectron on my TE 300 and the gas mileage doesn't get hugely effected in my experience. I can get 60-70 miles to a tank if I baby it. Stock tank is 2.9. I am planning another Colorado trip next summer and this time I am running one of these below instead of carrying MSR bottles. Looks good, seems to be not too huge and will do a lot more for range. Carrying fuel on your body sucks, it wears you down, carry it on the bike if you can. I strap MSR bottles to the rear fender but I hate doing that too.

If you do run for WFO for extended periods of time, you can always hit the kill button for a few seconds, that will pull fuel mix through and not burn it and will help some with lubrication, but again, who rides a 300 WFO if you are not in a race, in the desert open spaces? I sure don't. 300 WFO are a handful anywhere but the wide open straight desert type stuff and that is when you are racing.

http://justgastanks.com/product_info.php?products_id=5577

Thanks, that looks super helpful. 6 consecutive days of riding in Colorado sounds f'n awesome, too!

 

[Cosmokenney]

I'd get one of those $140 bike racks from Walmart and throw it on the trailer hitch of that Chevy. I have one and it works just fine. Dual sporting on a dirt bike is more of a hassle that it sounds like. Trust me, I've done a lot of it. But I usually only do one day trips. For long/multi days on the bike, you have to be prepared for so much stuff that it get ridiculous. Forget one thing and it usually leaves you miserable or stranded. Get stuck in the rain, and you'll be wishing for a rain liner for your jacket and over-pants, plus you'll be traveling at 2/3 normal speed because of traction. Make a wrong turn and you'll be wishing you had more fuel. You'll need a camelback, a large one, to carry water. That'll kill your back after a while.
Throw it on the bike rack and you'll be traveling in style with the option to have a heck of a lot of fun along the way.