Huzband Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 Ophir Pass would be a piece of cake on your Oilhead D/S. It wasn't even difficult on Bill's R100G/S. Hell, even twisties rode it on a DR-Z without falling down. Link to comment
roadscholar Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 RS Thanks for the input. I really want to see that area. Where does that trail start and stop? I would like to look at it on google maps or somewhere. GPS coordinates? k, just google Ophir Pass Rd. plenty will pop up, but it runs E/W between US550 a few miles north of Silverton over to CO145 a few miles south of Telluride, CR8 on the E side and 630rd. on the W. I'd recommend staying in Ouray or Ridgeway because they're central to a lot of similar rides, and allow yourself at least a few days, it's a very scenic area. When I was in Ouray last weeek it rained 2 of the 3 days so I squeezed 8 passes into the 3rd day. Didn't linger long for lunch but got quite a few pics, I can post more if you're interested. When lunch isn't the 1st priority. As far as difficult, it really isn't, some spots are steeper than others, and it's slightly looser and rockier (10-20%) than it was 4 years when a group of us rode it, but quite doable on a big bike. It just looks intimidating in person then once you commit to the west side turning around could be tricky. These guys were probably 3rd or 4th gear on-the-gas all the way up, but you see what they're riding! Link to comment
lawnchairboy Posted August 7, 2013 Share Posted August 7, 2013 In retrospect, I think on a bigger bike it would be less challenging to go west to east over that pass coming out of the town of Ophir running towards 550. Link to comment
roadscholar Posted August 7, 2013 Share Posted August 7, 2013 Yep, done it both ways and at that angle it is a little less challenging going up, but IMO the visual crescendo from the other direction when that wall gradually comes into view far outweighs it, yes waxing poetic. But I discovered over the past few weeks, on the steeper stuff, think I like down better, could be just me. At least you can see roughly where the crash will be! Link to comment
kmac Posted August 7, 2013 Share Posted August 7, 2013 I am pretty comfortable going up or down. This info is great folks, thanks. I already started sending my riding buddy pics to wet his appetite...lol. Funding the ride is my only issue right now. Link to comment
eddd Posted August 8, 2013 Share Posted August 8, 2013 Nice pictures Bill. As is normal, the pictures totally fail to capture the depth/height/steepness/danger. Link to comment
Twisties Posted August 8, 2013 Share Posted August 8, 2013 Ophir Pass would be a piece of cake on your Oilhead D/S. It wasn't even difficult on Bill's R100G/S. Hell, even twisties rode it on a DR-Z without falling down. I didn't see that. Just saying. Link to comment
roadscholar Posted August 8, 2013 Share Posted August 8, 2013 One of the days we were riding I asked Edd, how come you don't take hardly pictures out here? .."what's the use, ya can't show what it's really like anyway, waste of time". Typical, right on the money. I try anyway, but actually it's one of the reasons I started shooting on the move maybe 15 years ago, just didn't have time to stop! Ok there's 3 ways to get back over to Ouray from Telluride (not counting Black Bear, it's one-way going west), the highway (145 to Ridgeway), Imogene Pass (I'm saving it for a future trip plus it's late, I'm alone and already whipped after 6 other passes), and this one, Last Dollar Rd. It runs up behind the Telluride airport and rejoins 145 near the Dallas Divide, basically a shortcut over the mountain, of course which takes a lot longer. looking south on 145 north on 145 and into Telluride heading up Last Dollar Ralph's house (Lauren), one of 'em anyway : ) and down into Ridgeway Link to comment
OoPEZoO Posted August 8, 2013 Share Posted August 8, 2013 OK Bill........thats enough. This is killing me......in a good way of course Link to comment
eddd Posted August 8, 2013 Share Posted August 8, 2013 Bill, what's the report on super-moto's off-road performance? Link to comment
kmac Posted August 8, 2013 Share Posted August 8, 2013 Sumo's are not usually too good in loose, gravelly or sandy stuff. They are good on hard pack dirt and great on asphalt. I am going to guess there may be something different in the question though? Link to comment
roadscholar Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 I think edd was just wanting some feedback since the WR wasn't running while he was there and couldn't ride it himself. The X version according to specs sits 1.5" lower (35.2 vs 36.6 seat ht.)than the R but has the same suspension travel, I think 10.6 and 10.4. It could be the X has stiffer suspension but I haven't ridden an R for comparison so don't know that. I rode it in some sandy conditions one day and fairly rocky stuff another and liked it more than I expected. Once used to it, it was definitely preferable to the DRZ400. It doesn't turn as quick (on dirt) with the fat tires but that's easy to get used to. It felt nice and compliant offroad and I thought it might bottom in a few big holes and on some steps, but it never did. I'm happy with it but I haven't ridden any 450/350/500 KTM's or Beta's to know what I'm missing, which is probably good. I already had some background though, we have a buddy locally that has one (he's 5'4") and few can keep up with him if he doesn't want you to, in sand or whatever else. I'd probably like the 18 and 21 on the R better but at 5'8 I'd rather have the lower seat, especially in rocky and unlevel terrain. Link to comment
kmac Posted August 10, 2013 Share Posted August 10, 2013 I had a feeling there was something specific in eddds question. Link to comment
Joel Posted August 10, 2013 Share Posted August 10, 2013 ... went down Engineer Rd. to see if it'd improved any since we were on it, NOT. Ugh Then went back over here, it was a little better. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh ... Highlight stuff Hey, sorry I missed you guys, had to go, I was already late leaving. Hopefully next time! Looking forward to it. Link to comment
lawnchairboy Posted August 11, 2013 Share Posted August 11, 2013 Last dollar is soooooo nice. Thanks for the pics. Link to comment
Huzband Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 This is funny. While Bill is teasing the CADS over on AdvRider, we've already seen the best. I'm not tellin'. Link to comment
roadscholar Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 we've already seen the best. I'm not tellin'. mmmaybe, mmaybe not! ...and you better not. Link to comment
Matts_12GS Posted August 14, 2013 Share Posted August 14, 2013 OK Bill........thats enough. This is killing me......in a good way of course +1 Link to comment
roadscholar Posted August 17, 2013 Share Posted August 17, 2013 there's eddd... and a UFO... Link to comment
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