[GCRAD1]

Commute to work & back over Saddleback Yamaha TW200 - July 2018

Always looking for new routes and or new ways of doing the mundane job of simply commuting to work.
My commute to work is all highway, SoCal highway, like 80mph highway and my commute is against traffic
so it is truly a "TOO FAST" affair for the TDUB! Not that I would want to ride the TDUB on the highway to work...
BUT, if I am throwing a DIRT-WAY in the mix, then I am all about it. Even if it adds time, it's time spent riding
in dirt!

Look familiar? See previous post. Yes, it's my beloved Saddleback Mountain and I can toss it into
my dirt-way to work commute!

Started in the early AM darkness so I ran the clear goggles for the start.

As soon as the sun hits me, it's back into the Bronze tinted 100% Barstow goggles!
These have been my favorites for a while now!

Good morning Lake Mathews, Riverside and Corona peeps!

The dirt portion of the trip started on the Orange County side of Saddleback, going into
Silverado Canyon - up Maple Springs up and over - down Bedford Motorway to the Corona side.

In the afternoon for the commute back home, not wanting to do exactly the same trip, I chose
Indian Truck Trail to go back up Saddleback and this will set me up to cross Santiago Peek and
back down Maple Springs.

One of my favorite sections of Saddleback in this section that just crosses
the Holy Jim Hiking Trail. I like all the tree coverage in this area, very shady
and can be very dark even with the sun out, but at this time of day, the sun
is on the other side of the mountain.

Almost to Santiago Peak and the afternoon sun is peeking through.

At the Peak I can now see the Orange County side, my home side. Sometimes
we can see Catalina Island just off the coast. Time to start making my way down
off the hill and head on home!

And then... I knew the moment I snagged the jagged rock! It bit me! Or rather
my front tire! FLAT FLAT FLAT!!! Not even two miles into the decent! It's
at least 13-miles down just to the Silverado Cafe.

Flat tire and no spare tube... time to creep down slow - SLOW - S - L - O - W!
I've transited on flat front tires before in the XR400, but never on the TDUB
so I'm nervous about knowing if the bead of the front tire will roll/side off.
It's a matter of just sitting back on the seat, getting as much weight off the
front as I can and manage the turns. Funny, I was cursing the freshly scrapped
dirt roads earlier as there was not a solid piece of dirt on the hill. But now, the
fresh loose dirt is my savior for the flat front tire. My biggest concern is to not
tag any of the boulders sticking up to not dent the rim lips.

And the sun is falling FAST!

It's dark and I'm at the Silverado Cafe area. I can get cell reception here!

The "DEATH WING" IS OFFICIALLY DEAD!!! Now I will be switching the front tire!
hehehe yea, kinda' takes something dramatic for me to switch the tire...

SO THE CHOICE WILL BE BETWEEN:

Shinko 241 #87-4450
Size: 4.00-18

OR

Shinko 244 #87-4408 Size: 4.10-18
Shinko 244 #87-4409 Size: 4.60-18
Shinko 244 #87-4410 Size: 5.10-18

 

[admiral]

If you gotta work the "dirt way" are the best ways for sure.

Officially the "Dead Wing". I've ridden a lot with both the 241 and 244. My preference now is the 241 but views vary greatly about what's the best tire. Either one will be much better than the Death Wing.

 

[GCRAD1]

FOR FUTURE REFERENCE:

https://www.bigdogadventures.com/WR250R.htm

SO MUCH GOOD READING IN THIS POST!!!!!

 

[Tweaker]

Nice story and commute sorry about the flat. I noticed a huge difference with a 241, but I don’t think you can go wrong with the smaller 244 either.

 

[GCRAD1]

New front tire

FINALLY! The TW200 is rid of it's factory "death wing" as you guys call it!

While the new tire is in route, I may as well do some further inspection, since
the moto will be down for just a bit.

With the front wheel off, I pulled the front caliper off for inspection and
the skid-plate makes a nice "holder" for the caliper as well!

We are going to inspect the headset bearings as it feels a little "notchy."
These bikes, from the factory, DO NOT COME WITH ENOUGH GREASE IN
THE HEADSET!!! This should have been one of my first inspections...
but you know how it is when you first get a new bike...
YOU JUST WANT TO RIDE!!!

GREASE THOSE BEARINGS!!!!

GREASE THOSE BEARINGS!!!!
GREASE THOSE BEARINGS!!!!
GREASE THOSE BEARINGS!!!!

I went with the SHINKO SR241 TRAIL for the classic look and should be fine
for the varied surface textures I encounter here in Southern California.

A versatile performer with a tough nylon carcass and high dimpled knobs that work well in a variety of terrain.
Narrow knobby configuration means less of an environmental foot print on the trail
4 ply rated tube type
DOT approved
Not intended for extended highway use
All sizes will work for front or rear fitment
“GOLDEN BOY”
https://www.shinkotireusa.com/product/sr241-trail-tire/211922

Milage check - tire installed at: 2,991.


I will try the 244 next time, so starting with this 241 as a base tire will be a good start!

 

[admiral]

I've got the same issue. Felt it last year but was too lazy to fix it during riding season. Riding season is upon us so time to get to it. You won't be disappointed in the 241 compared to the DW. You'll wonder why you waited so long. I still have a stock front tire mounted on a rim with the thought I'd use it on a more pavement ride. Haven't been pavement riding long or far enough to warrant mounting it. It still sits in the corner. For me, riding in sand was horrible with the stock front tire. When I switched it out I became a better sand rider.

 

[Wingnut]

That looks like a parking lot of fun!
Thanks for posting all the pics....great thread

 

[admiral]

Took my steering head apart for inspection. Found the problem.

The top race on top of steering has damage marks. Have replacement race on order. You can see the marks at 12:00.

Bottom upper race and bearings were in fine shape. Will grease the heck out of the bearings before I put everything back together.

 

[TW Newb]

That's one of the next things on my list. But I too just wanna keep riding lol.

 

[GCRAD1]

Shinko 241 Test Ride Time!

Lets go put the TW in the dirt and see how this Shinko 241 feels!

Rolled out at Yamaha recommended air pressure 18/22psi (note the backside of front fender) and also looked what the tire itself recommends.
I think I went down to 14psi for the dirt and that seems to work well (for me).
But look at that landscape!!!

There is a big asphalt heli-pad up on my local riding mountain.

The Shinko 241 is an awesome little tire! I like how it looks like an old school enduro tires and has the soft compliant feel as well, much like a trials tire that guys are using on their enduro's for the rough/rocky areas. While it will "wash out" it's not like the "death-wing" commonly associated with the factory TW front tire. This is mainly due to the large lateral side lugs on the Bridgestone where as the Shinko 241 has smaller blocks that are softer and supply more side angle knobby surface. The overall size of the Shinko 241 is a scratch smaller than stock, but with more knobbies to pick up more rocks, this is better as there is a scratch more clearance between the tire and fender. I like the rally-raid low fender look, as I have no intentions of raising the fender to moto-spec, thus a little extra space is ok.

Ran up on a group of Subaru enthusiast too! My buddy owns Subiworks, so that was fun to talk to them about. They see you and already have their minds made up on what you are about...

125-miles for a test ride! Not a bad day at all!

 

[GCRAD1]

Lets give the Shinko 241 another quick test spin!

AT NIGHT! It's July in Southern California and the nights are cooler!

Getting up over Orange County atop Saddleback was rather easy before we had the Holy Fire, so these images will be the last for quite some time!

Moon rise over Saddleback!

TW on Modjeska Peak looking over to Santiago Peak.
OK< tire is predictable, even in the dark! hehehe

 

[GCRAD1]

DUSTY CHAIN!!!

The stock Yamaha TW200 chain is so wore out! I'm at the end of my "snails" and I just want to ride!

Give the bike a good bath...

OIL THE CHAIN ONE MORE TIME!!!!....

ND HIT THE DIRT AGAIN!!!

A simple dirt road, any ol' dirt road is all it takes!!!

It will always take you somewhere..

Just stacking up some milage!

 

[GCRAD1]

You know how it is... the clock is always ticking, even when your battery has stopped and your auto is just sitting and not getting wound, "the clock" is always ticking.. ticking against you!
But the chain and sprockets are ordered. Clean it one more time and pray to the moto gods to not throw your chain, but you HAVE TO HAVE TO HAVE TO GO RIDE!!!
Wife is out of town and you have time!!!

Bike is loaded and off to Big Bear for some bigger mountain riding!

Lets just cut straight to the chase! 153.6-miles of pure bliss RIDING!!!

What does 153-miles look like around Big Bear? A big loop and a tail from the start - finish location.

Just going to drop a bunch of photos on you for your viewing pleasure and THANK YOU for viewing this silly thread!!!

Yes, I'm riding solo. That allows me to knock down the miles. It was quick notice that wifey was going out of town and friends were not avail to ride at the moments notice!
RIDE ON!

 

[Sthrnromr]

Great pics and thread. Thanks for sharing. That looked like an amazing ride!

 

[TW Newb]

Nice. Some of that will be featured on our June Ride. How long did it take ya?

Edit: Says 10hrs in one of the screenshots

 

[admiral]

You know how it is... the clock is always ticking, even when your battery has stopped and your auto is just sitting and not getting wound, "the clock" is always ticking.. ticking against you!
But the chain and sprockets are ordered. Clean it one more time and pray to the moto gods to not throw your chain, but you HAVE TO HAVE TO HAVE TO GO RIDE!!!
Wife is out of town and you have time!!!

Bike is loaded and off to Big Bear for some bigger mountain riding!


Lets just cut straight to the chase! 153.6-miles of pure bliss RIDING!!!

Yes, I'm riding solo. That allows me to knock down the miles. It was quick notice that wifey was going out of town and friends were not avail to ride at the moments notice!
RIDE ON!

Awesomeness! My kind of riding and scenery.

 

[GCRAD1]

Hey TW Newb!

6:47-moving time.
9:58-duration time.

Nice. Some of that will be featured on our June Ride. How long did it take ya?

Edit: Says 10hrs in one of the screenshots

 

[GCRAD1]

With a couple of local trips on Saddleback, it's time to head back to Big Bear. It's twice the distance away, but worth the effort!

The TW is loaded up onto the ADV80, gassing up and ready to head out!

Get to the mountain, offload and make my way up and find that the little side dirt road I wanted to hit, the big white gate was closed. But, there is way more so I press on.

Find another road that leads to a ridge and another dirt road that drops down the ridge and gets back down in behind some houses so I deem it not worthy to continue. Back up and out I go..

Through some late night Google maps satellite mode searching, I came across what looked like a dirt air-strip and put a Google gold star on that! Today would be the day I went and hunted that down! I had never been into that section of Big Bear so its always cool to see areas I've not seen! It was gated, but still cool to see!

This little dirt road just has the right look!

Such cool backcountry!

So much I want to explore up here but I think I'm going to need that bigger gas tank soon! I'm keeping track of my "point-of-return" milage and I just don't have the range I would prefer!

As I road up to the main ridge of Big Bear, things started to change quick! Clouds or low lying fog started sweeping up fast!
OK, I'm fueled up and it's time to head back down the mountain!

Who knows about this little trick?

With the cold creeping in fast, I put on some Latex work gloves under my regular moto gloves for some wind cutting extra warmth!

While it's time to go home, I still manage to hit a couple of side-shoots to see where they go!

So what if they are dead-ends, it's fun to poke around and see where they go and what we can get into!

TWexploring is the best!!!

 

[admiral]

Well, well, well, I'll have to remember the rubber glove trick. I've found a couple three back country airstrips on my adventures. I was able to ride on all three. Found several still active as well. Fund exploring on a TW. I found I needed a viable long range fuel alternative to the stock gas tank. I went with a bigger gas tank but still on occasion take a 1 gal rotopax for the just in case. Only time I needed extra fuel was for my son's KTM. Imagine that!

Excellent exploring!

 

[Denn]

I found one back country strip Saturday. Not sure I would want to land there as the Salt Cedars are getting pretty thick. A little short for the 150 too!