2 690’s, a 701 and a T7

[Canzvt]

So just completed my second run into British Columbia with this group of guys (minus a 690 this year). Our original plan was to run the Okanagan BDR, but since that part of the province is burning up, we decided to head north. Our trip consisted of 6 days, starting in Edmonton, and going through Hinton, Grande Cache, Grande Prairie, Tumbler Ridge, and back. The ride was about 50:50 pavement and gravel, with the gravel being anything from a logging haul road (80’ wide, 120km/h) to a boulder strewn quad trail high in the mountains and everything in between. We slabbed it for a bit, road part of the Grande Cache Death Race route, road quad trails seemingly to nowhere only to find another oasis, climbed numerous mountains and forded some streams/rivers.

The Bikes. All the bikes were outfitted with knobbies (the T7 was running Shinko 804/805’s – kinda knobbies), had crash/bash protection and mainly running Mosko Luggage of various specs.

The Riders. Riders ranged in age from 51 to 58 with well over 30 years’ experience in off road riding each. We stayed in Hotels, as we are old, and want showers, a good sleep, beer and steaks.

 

The good.

•  The T7, or course! What a tractor! Went up everything I wanted it to, and some things I didn’t! The 2WDW tune with the Camel ADV pipe rocked! This set-up will not disappoint, and not once did I have starting issues even with ambient temps in the low 30’s C.
• Fuel mileage. The euro bikes were all running accessory tanks, giving them over 21L capacity. I brought along 2 x 1USGal Roto-Pax, but I never touched them. Did one 300km leg consisting of gravel, single/dual track and highway and ran long into reserve. Put in 14.2L to the other’s 16-18L
• Shinko 804/805’s. So long as it remained dry, these tires worked great. Long lasting, great wear, and good traction on gravel, rocks, shale and pavement.
• Outex tubeless system with Carud TPMS. Flawless.
• My modified Outback Motortek/Mosko Moto 25L/RotoPax setup. This system works great for road riding, pavement or gravel giving tons of luggage capacity, low center of gravity, and well over 450kms (if speed is below 110km’h) of range with both RotoPax fitted. You really don’t know they are on there.
• OSMAnd Android off road GPS. This app kills! Download the maps, input your own GPX files, and ride. Had to of these and 2 Garmin’s and there was no difference in detail.
• Klim Krios helmet. I’ve been chasing buffeting for months with my Shoei GT-Air on this bike. Nothing with the Krios.

 

The bad.

• My suspension set-up. I’m running RR’s 35mm fork kit, with .64 springs and a revalved shock with a 9.5 spring, with the sag set perfectly, and while for the road and fast gravel riding it is great, it is WAY too stiff in the rocks. Need more compliance. Dropped my compression damping to minimum, but still too stiff. More work to come, I guess…
• My Outback Motortek/Mosko Moto 25L/RotoPax setup on single/dual track. With the luggage so far forward due to having the RotoPax mounted on them as well, it doesn’t safely provide enough room for my feet for walking the bike through ruts or foot dabs. These will be up for sale in the near future for a great deal, so someone who doesn’t do single track can enjoy them.
• Shinko 804/805’s in mud. They offer absolutely NO side traction in mud. Zero!
• Fuel mileage – crank it up over 110 km/h and watch your fuel range disappear. Was the same for the Euro bikes too, but…

 

The ugly.

• Always wear a helmet! Got into a particularly tight section where we had to manhandle and walk each bike through a steep/deep wash, when a certain T7 Bark Buster connected with a certain pusher’s head, resulting in a trip to Grande Cache hospital and 7 stitches. Worst part about it was he soaked through his compress riding to the hospital getting blood all over the inside of his helmet!
• Don’t try to climb a quad trail up the side of a mountain consisting of loose rocks about 5-10inches in diameter, and not make it to the top. While the T7 FEELS like a heavier version of my WR450, when it is sideways on the trail and I’m on the lowside with the bike following, just get out of the way, as it is COMING OVER. I consider myself fairly fit and strong, but I couldn’t hold it upright on this trail. Good thing for soft luggage and bark busters…Skidded it around and got it pointed in the right direction, then spent the next half an hour bull-dogging it down the rocks in +35C heat. Happy to see the highway and vented gear.

Anyway, great week away. Never touched the T7, other than to change the UNI pre-filter on day 3. Checked tires, spokes, brakes, chain and everything was good. Very happy again that I ride a T7. The euro bikes couldn’t outrun the T7.

 

Edited August 3, 2021 by Canzvt

[Ol'crazy]

Really interesting. Thank you very much for sharing your experiences. 

[Macduncan]

Great story line and thanks for adding extra clarity of your thoughts and ideas.  Your adventure sounded like a good one!  Beautiful country to roan around! Way to get to it!  Cheers 

[Landshark]

Thanks for that write up and great pictures.  Now that's an adventure in my mind.  I hope the stitched up friend is OK.  That would hurt.

[MikeCMP]

@Canzvt

id get the camel tank and lose the rotopax, and keep your racks and luggage. How often did you find you needed both of them?

 

nice report, really cool ride, bike is pretty good on the rough stuff. I have the RR suspension too and it is a bit rougher on the rocks, but otherwise I quite like it.

 

Mike

[Canzvt]

6 hours ago, Landshark said:

Thanks for that write up and great pictures.  Now that's an adventure in my mind.  I hope the stitched up friend is OK.  That would hurt.

Thanks for the feedback. The stitched up guy was fine. A couple of Advil's later, and he rode the rest of the day - about 5 hrs. Spent the night coming up with a great story to tell his kids/friends that included a bear, running and climbing trees, and a motorcycle... It was fueled by alcohol!

[Canzvt]

3 hours ago, MikeCMP said:

@Canzvt

id get the camel tank and lose the rotopax, and keep your racks and luggage. How often did you find you needed both of them?

 

nice report, really cool ride, bike is pretty good on the rough stuff. I have the RR suspension too and it is a bit rougher on the rocks, but otherwise I quite like it.

 

Mike

I don't often need the RotoPax, but like the flexibility. I'm not a fan of the Camel tank. Like Corey's stuff, just not a fan of the tank. I'm not a fan of how wide the bike is for doing single track with the racks and bags I'm running. I'mgoing to switch over to a rackless system like the Reckless 80 or 40 (haven't figured it out yet. Keeps the bike narrower for single track. Then I'll likely switch to a single seat, and a rear rack that I can either use a RotoPax of not. Probably narrow up the bike by a good 6 inches.

[MikeCMP]

5 hours ago, Canzvt said:

I don't often need the RotoPax, but like the flexibility. I'm not a fan of the Camel tank. Like Corey's stuff, just not a fan of the tank. I'm not a fan of how wide the bike is for doing single track with the racks and bags I'm running. I'mgoing to switch over to a rackless system like the Reckless 80 or 40 (haven't figured it out yet. Keeps the bike narrower for single track. Then I'll likely switch to a single seat, and a rear rack that I can either use a RotoPax of not. Probably narrow up the bike by a good 6 inches.

you might like the ride AdV racks. I have them with my mosk bc35s on, I can grab a better picture from the rear but they are strong and sit close to the bike.

 

They also have mounts for rotopax.

 

Mike

[williestreet]

6 hours ago, Canzvt said:

I don't often need the RotoPax, but like the flexibility. I'm not a fan of the Camel tank. Like Corey's stuff, just not a fan of the tank. I'm not a fan of how wide the bike is for doing single track with the racks and bags I'm running. I'mgoing to switch over to a rackless system like the Reckless 80 or 40 (haven't figured it out yet. Keeps the bike narrower for single track. Then I'll likely switch to a single seat, and a rear rack that I can either use a RotoPax of not. Probably narrow up the bike by a good 6 inches.

I am looking for a rackless system as well if I can find one for a fair price. 

Givi has the GRT721 , but I have not found anyone selling these in Canada yet.  Leaning towards this because I just need the base and can use almost any dry bag with this system.  I have a few drybags currently and cost will be very small to get something working.

Turkana has one in development as well.  Looks like it will hit the market soon.  I will probably wait to see it's price before I pull the trigger on something.  There are some pics of it on their facebook page if you look around.

I like the Mosko moto stuff, but this luggage will only be used a few times a year and I just can't justify that large an investment. 

[Canzvt]

10 hours ago, MikeCMP said:

you might like the ride AdV racks. I have them with my mosk bc35s on, I can grab a better picture from the rear but they are strong and sit close to the bike.

 

They also have mounts for rotopax.

 

Mike

Thanks for the guidance. I've watched RideADV's videos and like their philosophy. I had a looks at their setup, and I'm still not a fan of a rack type system for MY needs. I'd bet a steak dinner than with the Mosko 40's directly mounted to the bike will save 3-4inches in width. I don't think I need the 80's as I don't motocamp. I motohotel...

[Canzvt]

9 hours ago, williestreet said:

I am looking for a rackless system as well if I can find one for a fair price. 

Givi has the GRT721 , but I have not found anyone selling these in Canada yet.  Leaning towards this because I just need the base and can use almost any dry bag with this system.  I have a few drybags currently and cost will be very small to get something working.

Turkana has one in development as well.  Looks like it will hit the market soon.  I will probably wait to see it's price before I pull the trigger on something.  There are some pics of it on their facebook page if you look around.

I like the Mosko moto stuff, but this luggage will only be used a few times a year and I just can't justify that large an investment. 

I like this Givi system. I did a quick configure on the Givi USA site, and it looks like I could probably get into a complete system (2 x 20L Roll bags, Tool Bag, 30L top roll bag) for probably around $500-550 USD. I haven't had any experience with Givi's soft luggage so don't know the quality or durability. I use their hard bags on a couple of other bike I have, and it seems fine.

 

Givi Canada doesn't show any of the above, and I can't purchase directly through the US site. I have friends south of the border I can purchase through, but that comes with its own challenges. I'll keep and eye on this stuff for sure. Thanks for the tip!

[MikeCMP]

7 minutes ago, Canzvt said:

Thanks for the guidance. I've watched RideADV's videos and like their philosophy. I had a looks at their setup, and I'm still not a fan of a rack type system for MY needs. I'd bet a steak dinner than with the Mosko 40's directly mounted to the bike will save 3-4inches in width. I don't think I need the 80's as I don't motocamp. I motohotel...

Gotcha, I had the reckless 80, and the rally raid racks to help keep them off the bike, I’d have to look but my new setup is prolly wider by a bit

 

40 would be a good size. I mostly camp, so have to drag a little stuff with me. It’s amazing how much space and weight all that stuff is.

 

Mike