spokie
Race Dog
Well, I have searched the forum for answers and couldn't really get any, though I am sure there should be on this topic some where on this forum (and I did post in this section of a specific reason).
I recently went on a trip through the North West Province and down to the Free State and had to ride many sand stretches. Through all these sandy stretches and patches I experienced terrible weaving on my Dakki. First I thought it was because I was riding to slow through the sand, but in most cases I was already doing 100km/h when it started and diminished a bit when I accelerated. I must say it is no fun at all, especially if one has a sharp turn in the road; a T-junction coming up or some school kids playing in these roads. At some stages I really felt that I was going to lose control of the bike.
I spoke to a few people who I consider experts on this sandy issue and got many different answers. Most answers seem to be revering to the suspension in some way or the other for it is a known problem that the F650GS Dakars have..? ??? I got the following:
1. GS is not the abbreviation for Gelande Strasse but rather for Geen Sand.
2. The rear suspension is not stiff enough for this kind of riding (sand).
3. The pre-load needs to be adjusted accordingly, well to ones riding preferences
4. The tires are not a match. (I have a 140 17" Mitas E-07 and a 21" Michelin T63 on mine)
5. A shot wheel bearing... (not in my case.)
6. Upgrade the rear suspension to something proper. Well I have seen many Dakkies with upgraded rear suspensions.
7. Bike is too heavy... I do not believe that - a KTM 990 is much heavier than a F650GS and I do not hear complaints from their owners, on the contrary most say they love riding sand on their 990's.
Solutions or thoughts are welcome of course. ;D
I recently went on a trip through the North West Province and down to the Free State and had to ride many sand stretches. Through all these sandy stretches and patches I experienced terrible weaving on my Dakki. First I thought it was because I was riding to slow through the sand, but in most cases I was already doing 100km/h when it started and diminished a bit when I accelerated. I must say it is no fun at all, especially if one has a sharp turn in the road; a T-junction coming up or some school kids playing in these roads. At some stages I really felt that I was going to lose control of the bike.
I spoke to a few people who I consider experts on this sandy issue and got many different answers. Most answers seem to be revering to the suspension in some way or the other for it is a known problem that the F650GS Dakars have..? ??? I got the following:
1. GS is not the abbreviation for Gelande Strasse but rather for Geen Sand.
2. The rear suspension is not stiff enough for this kind of riding (sand).
3. The pre-load needs to be adjusted accordingly, well to ones riding preferences
4. The tires are not a match. (I have a 140 17" Mitas E-07 and a 21" Michelin T63 on mine)
5. A shot wheel bearing... (not in my case.)
6. Upgrade the rear suspension to something proper. Well I have seen many Dakkies with upgraded rear suspensions.
7. Bike is too heavy... I do not believe that - a KTM 990 is much heavier than a F650GS and I do not hear complaints from their owners, on the contrary most say they love riding sand on their 990's.
Solutions or thoughts are welcome of course. ;D
