TwistedGray's first time at Hollister Hills on the DRZ

TwistedGray · 06-01-2008, 12:13 AM

I had a blast; I was invited to join Robert at Hollister Hills today around noonish. So, I rode out to Hollister and met up with Robert and Ehsan.

First thing is first, we let out some air in the tire. Street I run 25/25 and never had an issue. I have been on plenty of dirt roads but never adjusted the air accordingly. Typically because I had no way of adding air when I hit the street. So, today I ran 16/17 or something like that...

We headed to Faultine (where the truck was) so that I could yank of a layer or two. We headed out into the trails, starting out on some easy stuff. I was still "fresh" so I was doing fine, pretty well considering 17's with street tires. The traction was decent and the trails were not tooooo challenging. I have no idea which trails we went on, but I know they gradually got harder as the day progressed.

We headed up to the new trails and Robert and Ehsan had lunch there, they had been riding since the morning. Robert, after boosting my confidence, ushered us into LIGHTS OUT (or something like that) and we began on our merry way. All I remember is that they trails began to get tighter and tighter. Fortunately I gave Ehsan a good workout, helping with the lifting and starting routine that would continue through part of the day.

We rode a bunch of trails and my body took a bit of a beating. We ended up at the TT track sometime around 200ish I think. They were just spraying it down so we hung out there. After watching pro's Robert and Ehsan having an easy time on the track I finally mustered up the balls to do it myself.

I started out slow and progressively got faster then I threw my bike down on the turn after the huge burm; I need to get used to pushing the bike down and not trying to lean with it. After a few more laps, a pretty hot chick hopped on the track. She was setting a pretty decent pace, for me, so we did a few laps and I took the inside line and passed before the long sweeper. I hit the burm and headed toward the next turn and fate has it that I threw it down again. I got up (I always get up) and there she was on the opposite site with her bike down...I WIN I WIN!

Ok, after that we did a few more trails. I know we did an "upper" section along the ridge and then a lower section but no idea the names. We ended up heading back into camp because we ran out of drinking water. After shooting the shit, and filling up, Robert and Ehsan headed for some Black Diamonds. They told me to pack my bags and get the hell out of dodge before they leave me in the hills.

I ran out to the TT track and ran about another 10-20 laps on that. Then I made my way up to the LODGE Track. There we only like 2-3 of us out there so it wasn't too bad. I did about 20-30 laps on the lower section and got some decent jumps on the DRZ. Then I came home and took a shower

Here are the very very very few pictures I took...between lifting the bike and riding, picture taking was the last on the list of "things to do"

Gimpdiggity · 06-01-2008, 06:50 PM

I hate you.

I want your bike.

Sounds like fun man. You need to get someone to get some video next time.

silent_R1 · 06-01-2008, 09:48 PM

I want a dual sport so bad I can taste it.

TG, how does your DRZ do on the highway?

TwistedGray · 06-01-2008, 10:16 PM

I am gonna take some money and eventually get a set of dirt rims for it.

Highway riding is as exciting as smashing your hand in the door. Top speed is about 70ish but with the wind it makes the ride quite unfavorable.

TwistedGray · 06-02-2008, 01:23 AM

A few shots from one of the other riders:

Gimpdiggity · 06-02-2008, 07:47 AM

The top speed issue is the ONLY reason I haven't seriously gone after one of these.

My regular ride contains about 90 miles worth of highway driving...and in Michigan the highway speed limit is 70...so that means you have to go 80 to keep up.

I'm afraid the DRZ wouldn't do so well at that. Of course, it could be geared for it, but that would take half the fun away from the bike.

TwistedGray · 06-02-2008, 01:06 PM

There is no way around the highway? If so that sucks; if not, take it...dirt or not

I typically do 55-65 on the highway and let everyone pass me; they can go around me if they want. Just ride slower, it may take a whopping 5-10 extra minutes to get there. However, keep in mind that the seat is NOT comfortable for any super long rides.

It sounds as though your trip is 90 miles each way? That's 180 miles of highway riding which would most likely be too much for a single day. The most I have ridden on the DRZ in a day was about 200 and it was not toooooo bad.

yamirider · 06-02-2008, 03:15 PM

You are a glutton for punishment! I would never want to ride offroad without a knobby. Having that super sticky dunlop D756 rubber out back makes me spoiled when it comes to traction in the dirt.

Don't you have a Ninja 500 too? Why not sell the Ninja 500 and get a dirt bike/extra set of wheels for the DRZ so you can really enjoy the off road.

TwistedGray · 06-02-2008, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yamirider

You are a glutton for punishment! I would never want to ride offroad without a knobby. Having that super sticky dunlop D756 rubber out back makes me spoiled when it comes to traction in the dirt.

Don't you have a Ninja 500 too? Why not sell the Ninja 500 and get a dirt bike/extra set of wheels for the DRZ so you can really enjoy the off road.

Lolz, the Ninja sold on Saturday with the same intention as you just mentioned. It's not toooo bad, when you get to the black diamond/black/blue trails it does get a little "harder" but it's not that bad

TwistedGray · 06-02-2008, 03:50 PM

Here's a larger slidewayz shot

Gimpdiggity · 06-02-2008, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TwistedGray

There is no way around the highway? If so that sucks; if not, take it...dirt or not

I typically do 55-65 on the highway and let everyone pass me; they can go around me if they want. Just ride slower, it may take a whopping 5-10 extra minutes to get there. However, keep in mind that the seat is NOT comfortable for any super long rides.

It sounds as though your trip is 90 miles each way? That's 180 miles of highway riding which would most likely be too much for a single day. The most I have ridden on the DRZ in a day was about 200 and it was not toooooo bad.

Well, there is but it's all 55 MPH or less roads...and it's about 15 extra miles each way.

The ride is only 45 miles each way...for a 90 mile total daily commute.

But off the highway it would spike to about 60 miles each way...and it would add a total of about 20-25 minutes to the drive...and when I work at 4:30 AM, getting up an extra 30 minutes earlier would not really be a very good option.

TwistedGray · 06-02-2008, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gimpdiggity

and when I work at 4:30 AM, getting up an extra 30 minutes earlier would not really be a very good option.

No maybe not, but it would be the best (imo). I think bashing through 1/2 highway and 1/2 non-highway would be a decent solution, too. Also try, no highway on the way there and highway on the way back as you would be a bit more tired on the way back anyways.