Enduro360.com

New Parts From Sicass Racing

Chilly — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:26:55 +0000

I have a couple of new things that I am testing from Sicass Racing

I destroyed the taillight subfender on my dual sport bike. It had lasted a number of years and I think it just finally broke. I had a stock XC-w tail light in the pile of used parts, so I mounted that up. What I have always disliked about the older stock KTM lights is how poor the 1157 bulb works. They are not very bright, break easy and always seem to corrode themselves into the socket. Sicass has a really nice LED replacement option. This is a complete light assembly that mounts to the sub fender. It is super bright and like all Sicass parts is just a plug and play install.

After testing the 2012 KTM 350EXC, one of my biggest complaints was about the stock headlight. Again it just doesn’t put out much power. Sicass now has a halogen bulb option that will plug right into all of the contemporary KTM headlights. For that matter, any light with an S2 base. Where the stock bulb is 35/35 watt output, this jumps to 40/45 watts. So it should be a nice improvement. As soon as I get a chance to do some night riding I will give a report back.

Random Photo

Chilly — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 14:07:20 +0000

Here is some filler for today

I got this from FB, don’t have any story to come up with it. Maybe we should do a caption contest? Let’s refer to the rider as “Alfred”, so fire off our best caption.

Okay, here is one more

More Photos From Baja

Chilly — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 02:01:03 +0000

Big Ride Day Today

Sunrise in Bay of Los Angeles

Alexander and I were out the door at 8 sharp. Keep in mind that with just the two of us we travel pretty fast. We were on the road for a full 9 hours today, leaving Bay of LA in the morning and finishing in San Ignacio. How we got here is something pretty unique.

We did some riding farther East than I have ever been before and saw lots of all new terrain. Most of this is a route that I think only a handful of people have ever completed. In fact we saw some recent tracks of a group of riders that tried to make it all the way through the route but had to turn back. Presumable they could not figure out the key section of the route to make it all come together.

During the afternoon we came over a rise and spotted three kayaks on the beach in a really remote area. It was two girls and a guy who had been traveling and camping along the beach. I think we gave them quite a start. We certainly were not expecting to see anyone else and I am sure they did not either.

So another good day. It will be dinner, beer and bedtime. My front tire is looking rather shoddy, if i get motivated I might try to change it, but probably too lazy. Hauling six gallons of gas around is hard on the tire. So here are a few pics from the day.

Buying Motorcycle Parts on Ebay

Chilly — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 12:59:16 +0000

Online Shopping – Quick and Easy

Buying parts directly from China

I have to confess I almost never buy consumables at the motorcycle shop anymore. I have two of the largest multi-line dealers in the nation in my town and they stock next to nothing. So I make a trip to the shop. They don’t have what I need. I have to explain to the newbie behind the counter what I need. He asks, “what year bike”? I say it is not a model specific part, he looks confused, etc. So the dealer wants me to order the part and then make another trip back to pick it up.

When I visit the wonderful world of Ebay, I find 5 different ways to buy the part I want. I usually find an alternative part that I didn’t even know existed. Buy, click Pay Pal, and part ships. Last week I was looking for a Mousse. I found it for less than dealer cost at Bike Bandit with free shipping. It showed up at my house the next morning! Can it get any better than that?

So here is another one I thought I would share. My dual sport bike needs front turn signals. These are definitely a perishable item. I don’t really expect them to last forever, so I don’t want to pay very much money for new ones. Looking on Ebay I find some LED ones that match what I am looking for. They come in a package of 4 for $14.75 and include free shipping. Now that sounds like quite a deal. Then I look closer and realize they ship from China. Initially I was going to pass on them, but then my curiosity got the better of me. Not much money, maybe I should give them a go?

So point, click and ship and they are on the way. I received an order confirm and shipping notice the same day. Well guess what showed in the mail this morning? My order has just arrived from China. Thirteen days from placing the order to arrival via US mail. Not bad.

The turn signals are well packaged, so no damage. They are just what I expected, so I have already mounted one set up and will stash the others away as spares. I am headed to Baja today for 5 days of riding, so I will give an update on durability when I get back. Got to love Ebay.

Ebay Seller: StephenHong2009 – 10,800 ratings, 99.7% positive

Baja Trip Day 2

Chilly — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:16:03 +0000

San Quintin to Catavina

Just a quick note today. Alexander and I had a really good day of riding. I got to see a few new things. Lots of greenery, there has been plenty of rain down here. Lots of things are getting ready to bloom. I ran into a rancher who told me about a really exciting potential route, something I have never heard of anyone doing. So I will have to keep that one under my hat until I can scope it out. If it works, it is going to be huge! So here are a couple of pics from the day

Honda Pit Service For San Felipe 250

Chilly — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:12:04 +0000

If you plan to ride red at the 2012 SCORE San Felipe 250, then you should think about using the JCR Honda pit program. I am sure new head honcho Scott Dunlavey will have everything ship shape.

Saludos Desde Mexico

Chilly — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 02:30:02 +0000

If you have not noticed, and why would you, I have snuck off to Baja once again. This time I am riding with Alexander Smith to help lay out and prerun the route for Malcolm Smith’s annual Six Days of Baja ride coming up in March.

Day One: We spent last night at Rancho Santa Veronica. As usual it was a typical freezing cold night there. A light coat of ice this morning meant a cool night in the rooms, as they have no heat. Having been to this party before, I bundled up in my long johns and fleece and slept the night away without a care.

Needless to say it was a cold morning of riding. But I know this routine, so with my Klim gear and heated handgrips I was more concerned about getting too hot. I can’t quite say the same for my partner, but he says he likes a brisk morning to get his blood flowing.

We road south through the pine forest and on to Valley of Trinidad for lunch. Excellent lunch by the way, but it was certainly partially due to skipping breakfast. From there we went on south past Mike’s Skyranch and worked our way west towards the coast.

By late afternoon we were on the beach making some real time on the wet sand as the tide went out. Our destination for the day was San Quintin. To really top of a perfect afternoon Alexander and I did a little extra credit section that led us just north of the hotel and we rode down the beach, right into the hotel parking lot.

A Negra Modelo and perfect sunset capped off a great day of riding. Tomorrow we are off to Catavina and I get to see some new trail, so I am excited about that. Cheers, Chilly

Shane Watts Teams With Klim

Chilly — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:46:57 +0000

The DirtWise with Shane Watts Academy of Offroad Riding is stoked to welcome on board to our 2012 DirtWise programs the companies we have formed new associations with and those of which we have continued our partnerships. 2011 was an absolutely fantastic year with 51 schools conducted and a total of 951 graduates of the DirtWise Riding schools. We anticipate the same success for 2012 and beyond!

Watts stated, “We are looking forward to another huge year of DirtWise Riding schools! Having now established ourselves as not only the most effective but also most popular offroad riding school, we will also be releasing Volumes #3 and #4 of the DirtWise Advanced Instructional DVD Series to compliment our learning programs and to help further fast track the skills improvement of our students.”

To view the complete list of our sponsors follow the link below to our website where you will also find product reviews, information on the upcoming DirtWise school schedule, available merchandise, and much more!

http://www.shanewatts.com/product-reviews

Shane Watts and the DirtWise Academy of Offroad Riding schools and Instructional DVDs are supported by Cyclehutt.com, DirtBaby, KLIM Technical Riding Gear, Fun Mart Cycles, IMS fuel tanks and footpegs, Fasst Co. Flexx Handlebars, Maxxis, Dirt Tricks Sprockets and brake rotors, Domino Grips from Offroadchampions.com, DeCal Works, TCX Boots, FMF, Motorex, GPR Stabilizers, and No Toil Airfilters.

Upcoming Arizona Racing From AZOP

Chilly — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:31:28 +0000

Cupid’s Team Race and New Series Video Teaser

ADRA Promo from Cody Wethington on Vimeo.

FAR Husqvarna Race Report

Chilly — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:20:56 +0000

Delong 8th In National Enduro Opener

Husqvarna’s Fred Andrews Racing (FAR) team kicked off the AMA/Rekluse National Enduro Series over the weekend, where Andrew Delong carded a top-ten finish at the Sumter, South Carolina event.

The weather could not have been more ideal, with the sun shining and temperatures in the 60s. Sandy terrain and tight trees made for a technical course, which Delong took to with ease on his TXC310. “I was ‘on rails’ through test one with that fourth-place finish,” Delong said. “I stalled it a few times in the other test but hit the electric start and off I would go again. But my last two tests cost me today.” Delong went on to finish a respectable eighth place – a good jumping off point in such a competitive series.

The day was a bit more challenging for Enduro first-timer Jason Thomas. The GNCC regular finished in 17th place after battling through the trees. “I need to train more in the tight trees,” Thomas admitted. “Some spots you had to stop and turn your bars just to get through. I will be better next race.”

The FAR Husqvarna team will head to Greensboro, Georgia in three weeks for round two of the AMA/Rekluse National Enduro Series on February 19.

Photos By Shan Moore