KTM Supermoto to the Pacific Ocean

Red Wazp

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To celebrate my 25 years as a business owner I traded in my FZ1 for a new 2010 KTM Supermoto T (tour model). I have always wanted a V Twin and I really like to ride the outback roads of Northern Ca but these roads are usually quite rough so a good suspension was in order for these old bones. No better place to test out the bike than Hwy 36 from Red Bluff Ca to the Pacific.

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About half way to the coast I turned on small tight back roads for some real testing. This would be the theme of my ride.

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The northwestern part of CA is huge but remote so very little traffic but lots of Cows.

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Perhaps the KTM is part snowmobile

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As I approached the ocean the Redwoods are always stunning.

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Finally after turning 140 miles into 270 I made it to the coast.

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Our Aussie friends are just across the water.

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And here's the big reward after a full day in the saddle, geez even my snack food is orange :BLAA:

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A few thoughts on the Katoom

With the Akrapovic pipes that v twin rumble is just music.

It is a bit tall for me, can you say tippy toes?

Bumps in the road? What bumps.

V twin Rumble? Ya my butt was still rumbling a day after two days on the bike but it is a great machine for our mountain roads.
When it comes to long distance duty I'll still be riding my smoooooth FJR!
 

ckrockets

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It's funny you sold your FZ6 to buy the KTM 990 SMT...

I just bought a 09 FZ6 w/ 1500 miles mint condition for $5000 because I want to do some riding this summer and it's going to take me a year to save up enough to pay cash for a new 990 SMT.

The 990 SMT is my dream bike right now...the FZ6 is a awesome little bike it will hold me over til next year.

I probably end of keeping it for a backup bike...

I have this crazy idea of getting on a train with my new 990 SMT from the east coast out to the west coast so I can get Corbin to make me a custom touring seat, then riding it back to NC. :rockon:
 

motojoe122

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I'd love to do a trip like that, not much time to do it for the next few years tho. Great pics too!

There's nothing like being on the road headed some place far away as the sun is coming up.....:Sport:
 

Red Wazp

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It's funny you sold your FZ6 to buy the KTM 990 SMT...

I just bought a 09 FZ6 w/ 1500 miles mint condition for $5000 because I want to do some riding this summer and it's going to take me a year to save up enough to pay cash for a new 990 SMT.

The 990 SMT is my dream bike right now...the FZ6 is a awesome little bike it will hold me over til next year.

I probably end of keeping it for a backup bike...

I have this crazy idea of getting on a train with my new 990 SMT from the east coast out to the west coast so I can get Corbin to make me a custom touring seat, then riding it back to NC. :rockon:

I sold my 07 FZ6 to buy a really fast FZ1 (great bike) and sold the 1 to get the KTM. Cross country on a SMT? Could get a bit ugly on the flat stuff, I'll keep my FJR for long haul duty :D
 

William

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Great pics and report. Sounds like you caught the adventure bug. :)

I believe that thing in the foreground of the photo below is a grid that cows won't cross. I ran across those (literally) on an adventure challenge over in Texas last month. Dang things! They were all over the place, way rougher than that one and usually popped up leaning into a blind curve right when trying to make a little time on the pavement.

 

ckrockets

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I believe that thing in the foreground of the photo below is a grid that cows won't cross. I ran across those (literally) on an adventure challenge over in Texas last month. Dang things! They were all over the place, way rougher than that one and usually popped up leaning into a blind curve right when trying to make a little time on the pavement.

It's a "cattle guard"....the ones on my families farm are homemade made out of railroad timbers stretched across a natural low spot or creek using railroad track with railroad spikes to secure them.

It was always fun riding over them on 4 wheelers at 40mph...
 

Red Wazp

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Great pics and report. Sounds like you caught the adventure bug. :)

I believe that thing in the foreground of the photo below is a grid that cows won't cross. I ran across those (literally) on an adventure challenge over in Texas last month. Dang things! They were all over the place, way rougher than that one and usually popped up leaning into a blind curve right when trying to make a little time on the pavement.

We have plenty of them in the western states. I had a pucker moment on my FJR last fall in Montana on a wet day. Have to respect the cattle guards.
 

Motogiro

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We have plenty of them in the western states. I had a pucker moment on my FJR last fall in Montana on a wet day. Have to respect the cattle guards.


Yeah, we have a lot of them here in the mountains where there are cattle ranches. Not sure but I think the cattle don't like the feeling on their hoofs and so if they get on the road they'll stay in that area between the grids and hopefully go no further down the road.

When are you coming back down here on your new steed Doug?
 

Hellgate

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Great pics and report. Sounds like you caught the adventure bug. :)

I believe that thing in the foreground of the photo below is a grid that cows won't cross. I ran across those (literally) on an adventure challenge over in Texas last month. Dang things! They were all over the place, way rougher than that one and usually popped up leaning into a blind curve right when trying to make a little time on the pavement.

Oh yeah, lots of cattle guards in Texas. Just "square" up on them, and hit them as up right as possible. Also raise your butt off the saddle and let the bike roll over them. No big deal.
 

red_rock_beetle

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Move :spank:


It may be worth it to hire a local pest control company who deals with the stink bugs (not a problem here), they know what works best where you live.

i hate to turn this into a pest control thread, but i've got honey bees BAD in the end of the house right by the chimney, any ideas?

sweet bike by the way, i like the KTMs, the local yami dealer has a super duke i wouldn't mind having
 

Motogiro

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The only way to get rid of honey bees is the honey badger.
Correct! I can help....

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r7wHMg5Yjg]The Crazy Nastyass Honey Badger (original narration by Randall) - YouTube[/ame]
 

Red Wazp

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I do not like destroying honey bees but you do not want them living in your walls. We do wear bee suits for a reason.
Hire a pro to kill the bees (sorry no safe way to remove them). Then be prepared to open up the wall to remove the wax and honey as it will melt and make a bigger mess.
The longer you leave the bees in the wall the worse it will get.
 
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