Dual Sport Riding Check List Guideline - Compliments of Woodbutcher
Passing this along if it is helpful to anyone.
Dual Sport Riding Check List Guideline Keyword here is
"Guideline"
This is a modified version of XR650Rocketman’s Dual Sport Ride Check List for Big Bend. It has been cleaned it up to be a little more generic for multi-day rides away from home.
It is broken up into three sections.
1) What you should do before you leave home to get the bike ready.
2) What you should check each day before riding.
3) What you should carry on your bike or a buddy that you will be riding with will be carrying.
Some have been marked as required
(R) and some as optional
(O). Most will agree with the required steps and items, and some will disagree about the optional items, which, of course, is why they are listed as optional.
Pre-Trip bike preparation:
1. R ___ Check every nut and bolt on your bike to make sure it’s there and tight….Put locktite on any that tend to loosen up.
2. R ___ Make sure all the wheel spokes are tight.
3. O___ Safety wire or tie wrap spokes where they cross each other. They can still break but won’t get caught up in the chain or brakes.
4. R ___ Check your wheel bearings.
5. R ___ Be sure to be starting with new, or nearly new tires
6. O___ Put slime in both tires. Follow the instructions carefully.
7. O___ When you are changing tires, don’t bother using a rim lock up front. When you get a front flat we’ll be changing it right away and it’s quicker without a rim lock.
8. R ___ Set tire pressure to firmer than normal trail riding. Adjust after you start riding to match trail conditions. You want to avoid pinch flats as much as possible.
9. R ___ Be sure your sprockets, chain and brakes are correctly adjusted and can go the distance anticipated without wearing out.
10. R ___ Start with a fresh clean oiled air filter. Filter skins are a great idea. Carry a spare filter or Filter Skin all oiled up and ready to go. If you use any No Toil or other oils with alcohol in them, be sure to let your filter air out for at least an hour before you pack it into an airtight plastic bag.
11. O___ Run the largest gas tank you can get.
12. R ___ Check the cable adjustment for all the controls.
13. R ___ Check the fork seals, countershaft seal and shifter shaft seal to be sure they aren’t leaking.
14. R ___ Make sure your suspension is not set too stiff….It’ll wear you out in no time.
15. O___ Put a guard over your headlight.
Daily Bike check:
1. R ___ Visual check every nut and bolt on your bike to make sure it’s there and tight.
2. R ___ Make sure all the wheel spokes are still tight.
3. R ___ Replace air filter with clean one if necessary.
4. R ___ Check tire pressure.
5. R ___ Top off gasoline tank.
6. R ___ Check coolant level.
7. R ___ Visual check for leaks.
Things to carry along :
1. R ___ An 80 or 100oz hydration & backpack combo unit with a big mouth bladder that lets you fill it with ice and liquid.
2. R ___ Food. Ex. A couple of protein bars that withstand heat.
3. R ___ Two 300 mm tire irons wrapped in old gloves.
4. R ___ Good quality bicycle tire pump.
5. O ___ Set of reading glasses (optional for some, required for others).
6. R ___ Spare spark plug.
7. R ___ Compass. (you do know how to use one, right?)
8. R ___ Cell phone.
9. R ___ Matches.
10. R ___ Mountain money in a Zip Loc bag (also call all purpose paper)
11. R ___ New front tube.
12. O ___ New rear tube. (a front can be used in the rear if necessary)
13. R ___ Extra brake lever.
14. R ___ Extra clutch lever.
15. O ___ Spare clutch perch.
16. R ___ Tube repair kit. Check the glue and patches are still useable.
17. R ___ “Quick Metal” epoxy putty for patching engine cases.
18. R ___ Tools. Test these tools at home to make sure you can do all the necessary work with them.
19. R ___ Spare chain master link.
20. O ___ Tow strap.
21. O ___ Siphon hose.
22. O ___ Spare clutch cable.
23. O ___ Spare throttle cables
24. R ___ Two extra massive tie wraps ( AC duct size) for holding flat tire on rim.
25. R ___ Old riding gloves for dirty repair work.
26. O ___ Spare clean pair of no fog, clear lens, goggles for cloudy days or night riding
27. R ___ Leatherman for use on anything.
28. R ___ Small flashlight.
29. R ___ Maps.
General Info Stuff
- Carry some cash in case there is a place to stop. Not all small places can take credit cards.
- Wear earplugs. For long day rides, you will feel much better at the end of the day if you wear them. You will find you can still hear the bike engine just fine.
- Bring a GPS. Make sure you have the maps loaded for the area we are riding. Bring spare batteries.
- Bring a camera. Particularly one that is not too dear to you. Bring spare batteries if it is digital.
- Several people in a group should be carrying a first aid (trauma) kit.
Trail Riding Rules
1. Pick a group leader and a sweep rider before you head out. Make sure everybody in the group knows those individuals are. You can swap roles on the ride, but make sure everybody is clear who is leading and who is at the rear.
2. Wait for the person behind you at each turn/intersection. That way nobody gets off route and the leader is the only one that has to focus on route finding (everybody should be aware, but the leader has to stay on top of the route)
3. Don’t turn back without letting someone else know (and take a buddy).