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At the Manx on me traily - nowt to do with Tuonos.

O

OlafTuono

Joined Jul 2009
1K Posts | 11+
Co. Durham - England
I have just come back from the Manx, we decided to go on our trail bikes & do some green laning.

On race days we dotted about getting to various vantage points during the day.

Its a fantastic place for this, with many tracks, dried up rivers, mountain routes all over the island to suit all.

People over there are so friendly, with a positive attitude to this.
There are road signs indicating where the lanes start / stop.

Locals will come out of there houses to show you where to go, really friendly, chatty & helpful.
Even old ****** on horse back will stop & show you where the best bits are if you are seen reading a map.

As can be seen, we were lucky with the weather, it rained after 3 1/2 days of glorious sun.

After this, I would imagine a trip to the TT on a road bike would be boring, you can still visit the sites & fill your time in between race days with a bit of exploring.

I took off all the plastic parts before I went & I did drop it once, put a bit of a dent in the tank where it landed on a rock, but **** happens & it will be fixed soon.

A dominator is a bit too big & heavy, but I managed to get up / down everything, all be at a slower pace than some we met.

Well recomended as an alternative if you are thinking of going.

My mate (in the camo gear) had been before & led the way on most of it.

Isleofman2012-Manx036.jpg


Isleofman2012-Manx017.jpg


Isleofman2012-Manx007.jpg


Isleofman2012-Manx005.jpg


Isleofman2012-Manx032.jpg
 
ya hada gud time and enjoyed ur'self. thats all that matters......................

nice pic's.

i we4nt ta france an spain an did'nt even bother takin pic's..............

fair play man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
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I used to love fudding aboot oan trailies when I was younger, looks a great place to go and play Olaf
 
That looks like great fun Olaf.... didnt realise you had a trailie !

Some good trails round here... always looking for more - are there many in your neck of the woods that are still open / legal ?

:)
 
TBF, I have not done much off roading around the NE.

Now that I have tried it, I may join the TRF for access to routes & info.

There are loads around Hexam, Hartside areas that have been recomended by mates.

I was even thinking about getting something more suitable to use instead of the old Dominator, apart from the weight / size, its probably too good condition to wreck.

Felix, do you participate ?
 
OlafTuono said:
TBF, I have not done much off roading around the NE.

Now that I have tried it, I may join the TRF for access to routes & info.

There are loads around Hexam, Hartside areas that have been recomended by mates.

I was even thinking about getting something more suitable to use instead of the old Dominator, apart from the weight / size, its probably too good condition to wreck.

Felix, do you participate ?
Click to expand...
TBH i am thinking about selling the cat and getting a trailie for some fun over the winter but not sure what to look for, been a long time since i rode of road and most of that was in Germany.
any thoughts on what to look for will be appreciated, dont want anything expesive as its bound to get dinged at some stage lol
 
Brooksy,
I always used to be a two stroke fan, but after recent exploits, I think I prefer the softer power delivery of a 4 stroke.

I am no expert, but if its only for a bit of fun, I assume anything will do. Not too heavy or pretty.

As long as its reliable (ish) - You can end up a long way from civilisation.

I was even thinking of something like a Royal Enfield (not to old) & modifying for off road.

When I was at the IOM, there was groups of lads riding all sorts of bikes, its not a race, there is more fun to be had larking about at slower speeds.
 
OlafTuono said:
TBF, I have not done much off roading around the NE.

Now that I have tried it, I may join the TRF for access to routes & info.

There are loads around Hexam, Hartside areas that have been recomended by mates.

I was even thinking about getting something more suitable to use instead of the old Dominator, apart from the weight / size, its probably too good condition to wreck.

Felix, do you participate ?
Click to expand...

Oh Yes, not that often though... !

Piccy at the top of dead mans (alas the *******s have closed this one now)
249391_10150202971307454_775102453_7044215_2921888_n.jpg


There's a crackin route from just outside of Kettlewell (where we stopped for coffee) and you can ride over to Hawes etc - some of its quite challenging (for me!)

Three of us usually ride (RMX250, KDX220, KTM300) all dirty stinkin 2 strokes (premix)

We chuck em in the back of a van and get somewhere near then jump out... + if one has an off or breakdown it would be easier to get it home.... well thats the theory !!

:)
 
brooksy said:
TBH i am thinking about selling the cat and getting a trailie for some fun over the winter but not sure what to look for, been a long time since i rode of road and most of that was in Germany.
any thoughts on what to look for will be appreciated, dont want anything expesive as its bound to get dinged at some stage lol
Click to expand...

You dont have to spend a lot..... though it can get quite addictive.

I really like 2 strokes nice and light and takes me back to my youth - that said i often "wish" i had a leccy start..... and something that i could actually touch the floor on. These bike aint made for shorties like me :(
 
Thanks for the link Felix.

I was pleased I had a lecky start on many occasions at the IOM. Dont think I would have been able to kick start it in some of the places I stalled at.

I dropped it because I was in a deep rut with a big drop on either side. I would have needed a leg 6 foot long to save it.

I supose making them more crash resistant helps, as long as its still rideable after a fall.
 
Looks awesome got me thinking, hmmmmm old trailie for winter why the hell not could be a right laugh !
 
Thats what I did Saga.
I enjoy the old Dominator just as much, but in a different sort of way to the T.
It has opened up loads of other biking experiences & means I dont just look fwd to a good blast on a sunny day for my bike fix.
I have it on a multi-bike policy, so its not that much extra pull out.
I use it like a big push bike, when a short run would not be worth getting the T out.

I keep it sprayed up with ACF 50 or I have just tried some stuff from Rocol.
Its like a mix between white grease & superglue.
Apparently its been developed by the british areospace industry for planes undercarriages.
No good for the T though. It makes the bike look like its been emulsioned & is a b*astard to clean off.

Makes it totally waterproof though.
 
Mate of mine always had a trailie as well as road bike makes sense nice to have the option of just jumping on and getting out and about . Deffo going to look into it as you say multi bike policy way to go .Not sure I ;ilke the recipe of superglue and white grease sounds like hotel butter !
 
felix said:
You dont have to spend a lot..... though it can get quite addictive.

I really like 2 strokes nice and light and takes me back to my youth - that said i often "wish" i had a leccy start..... and something that i could actually touch the floor on. These bike aint made for shorties like me :(
Click to expand...
whats your thoughts on a Honda XR250 as a first bike as its not to big, low mileage and not a lot of money?
 
I like the XR250.... has a great rep too.

One think that makes me reluctant to get a 4 stroke is the potential service / repair costs. Seen quite a few horror stories and have a look at some of the recommended service intervals...... oil and filter every other ride...... what ? i know some of these enduros are in a high state of tune but....

Maybe im paranoid !

Have you had a brouse round thumpertalk.... lots of good info on there mostly usa but it all helps.

Have a look at the TRF too as olaf mentioned..... they have bikes for sale and rides out though you have to be a member

http://www.enduronews.com/forsale.htm

http://www.tmxnews.co.uk/dirtshop/bikes

http://www.offroadbiketrader.co.uk/

etc....etc...etc...


Olaf - sorry for the thread "hijack" - i will try and shut up now

:)
 
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Felix,
I am just dabbling in this off road thing. Its good to have someone with a lot more experience contributing & I sure those that are interested apreciate your thought.

As far as servicing is concerned, its always a comprimise. If you get a thoroughbred off roader, it will need more maintenance.

When I was younger, I always found that road based trail bikes are more reliable, need less servicing etc. The downside is that they are not as crash friendly or as focused.

But it depends on who you are riding with. To be honest, I think skill will play more a part in getting places.

The old phrase, all the gear - no idea has always rung true.
 
Your not wrong there olaf...

Ride with two mates, all of us have dabled off road before, nothing serious. We reckoned that start out with something older (cheap) to see how we got on. Agreed to spend about a grand each. I bought a 98 RMX250 for £900 with no MOT - pair of road legal tyres and a horn and it sailed through. Andy bought a mint 52 plate KDX220 for £1,400, Martin a KTM 300 for £1,500. Bought second hand boots/armour / clothing etc too to keep costs down. That was two years ago and we all still have them.
We only do green lanes and some local waste ground,(and not very often) so by no means experts. But always return with a smile.

Would hate to go out on something pristine and panicking about droping it. We always have a laff at any one who falls off - and we do fall off, usualy through titting about !

1st one with an off buys a pint at the pub on the way home, thats the rule.

:)
 
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