Appreciate the video. Another shout out too for Derek Dual Sport- great guy. I'm 6'1 260lbs and find the bike has great power for a 300. Just got my 2024 last week and haven't been off-road yet but did put in some country dirt roads and it does great. I was a Honda XR rider in my youth and can't wait to get back out there!
Yeah man, either springs or this link with the rebound in rear cranked up to hold u up, would do u good. Around 800-1000 miles these get another healthy power boost after fully broken in. Mine happened mid ride Thursday after taking a break, and I was confused as why the bike suddenly felt a lot more powerful especially 5k-9k rpm. With just a 13t sprocket, snorkel removed, and fully broken in they definitely feel 30 hp.
@@tieoneon1614 Yeah I've heard they pick up a few ponies when broken in. I'll probably do the 13 tooth sprocket also because I don't like the highway and really just want to ride the rocky jeep trails and back roads of the southeast Wyoming area
@@tieoneon1614 ok so I just ordered the 0.8 jack up kit on Lust. I'll start with that and see how it feels. In case anyone wants to know they are $104 plus shipping now whether you get the 0.8 or the 1.4 kit. I'll report back!
Nice video. Just watching your channel I can tell you are a practical dual sport rider. I’ve seen to many people through Kendra track masters on these dual sports because the they say the stock tires “wash out”, when they neglect to even air down the stock tires, adjust the sag, and barley have any of road skill. I have a Tw200 with 50/50 tires and do a lot of the same riding as you here in northern Michigan and I can ride the balls off it off-road just by airing down a bit and having some off-road experience. And end of day it still rides good on the street cause it doesn’t have knobbies.
I have a new set of Trakmasters and 45t i wanted to put on just for a trip to a really sandy area of UP MI, but know Im going to be too lazy to take them off after LOL. Exploring is more fun so will probably just keep the 605 on, slide my big arse to rear of seat and tough it out in the sand stretch.
@@tieoneon1614 the 45 and tires really are the sand set up 13 psi No stock tires for sand in Florida 😮😮😊😊. I put 13 on the but I think 45 on is better less chain rubbing on the front slide
What is the length of the links? I had 118mm links made locally, which raised the rear end by 3/8" - so I'm curious the length it would take to gain 1.4". 3/8" was perfect for me as I'm quite short, but I like the peace of mind of extra ground clearance.
Thanks for your input. I am the exact same size as you and am considering which dual sport to buy. I'm 52 now rode 2 strokes till last year now just want a low maintenance bike the is street legal to hop between trails. Will it be able to handle the roots and ruts of GNCC trails with just your linkage mod? Also saw your +2 HP video, will it have enough power to hill climb dirt trails? I'm like you, want a quiet, reliable, low maintenance bike but still rip to put a smile on my face. I'm gonna put on MX tires for woods since I'll be there 90%. Any feedback would be appreciated.
Hey Bob. Its an awesome bike. Mayb consider the 300r if u are going to mainly woods ride unless u need the plate. I only did the jack up link to put more weight {less sag} on my front wheel, to use the OEM 605's on faster dirt roads. I see the price went up on the link, over $100 so maybe the rear spring would be more cost effective but this is also easier and less hassle to install. I didnt effect the suspension performance positive/negative but this wasnt a good mod to ride in softer terrain. Actually the oem clicker settings were best for slower rough woods riding, it was plush. I ran 1 click harder all around for 3rd/4th gear speed offroad. The engine is really grunty and smooth at very low rpm, its easy to sit in the woods all day in Second gear and it will still pull me up hill from idle no problem in second gear... which is extremeley impressive. My favorite part of bike is the smooth throttle and low end power. Its more responsive offroad with the secondary throttle plate out which starts the mid range rpm punch sooner. This was at 13/40 dual sport gearing also, 13/45 and 13/42 is popular for offroad focused riding. With the STP and air snorkel out, and MX chain the power off these 300's feel perfect offroad > any more power would be wheel spin at full throttle in the woods. On the road the power doesnt feel like much but its still fun to rip thru the gears. Iv had CRF450X and YZ250FX and they were fun to ride wide open at race pace, but got tiring if u were just exploring or riding moderately cuz of the stiffer suspension and on/off throttle.
@tieoneon1614 Thanks for all the advice. I am back and forth between this bike and the DRZ 400S. Just want to ride without the hassle of valve checks and oil changes so often. I would probably swap out springs, not that big of a deal. Without the snorkel, does the bike run lean and overheat? Also does the O2 sensor come on for check engine? Those are my last question, promise. 😉
@@Bobsadventures58 It doesnt run lean, i checked the spark plug after 1k miles of that. No o2 light. I had 2 DRZ's and 2 KLX last year. I was torn which one to keep also. Ultimately the DRZ felt like a ADV bike offroad, so top heavy and clumsy. But excelled everywhere else besides the f'd up trans ratio's. The KLX felt like my KDX offroad. But in more open faster terrain its not very fast. They ARE the 2 best dual sports available right now, hands down. DRZ for pavement and open terrain. KLX for woods.
Appreciate the detailed explanation. You leaning me towards the KLX. I loved riding my daughters klx140. Made tight trails feel bigger and longer. Would you recommend a spring swap for our size 220 lbs. if I want to be aggressive in woods? I saw Derek Dual Sport change his front and rear springs. Thats an easy job and not expensive.
I didnt think about that. The 0.8" was definitely shorter, making sense in regards towards geometry . However this 1.4" was almost identical length to the oem link which confused me? Either way the oem clicker settings are plenty plush enough for me at slower trail speeds and I really like the predictable handling now and feel of the taller bike.
This makes sense and good info. I’m in Florida with deep sand so sag tires and air pressure is the key . ❤❤😊😊. Well done 👍
This is a great idea. If I ever go motocamping I'd consider this on my bike to make up for that extra luggage weight. Great practical advice here 👍👍
Appreciate the video. Another shout out too for Derek Dual Sport- great guy. I'm 6'1 260lbs and find the bike has great power for a 300. Just got my 2024 last week and haven't been off-road yet but did put in some country dirt roads and it does great. I was a Honda XR rider in my youth and can't wait to get back out there!
Yeah man, either springs or this link with the rebound in rear cranked up to hold u up, would do u good. Around 800-1000 miles these get another healthy power boost after fully broken in. Mine happened mid ride Thursday after taking a break, and I was confused as why the bike suddenly felt a lot more powerful especially 5k-9k rpm. With just a 13t sprocket, snorkel removed, and fully broken in they definitely feel 30 hp.
@@tieoneon1614 Yeah I've heard they pick up a few ponies when broken in. I'll probably do the 13 tooth sprocket also because I don't like the highway and really just want to ride the rocky jeep trails and back roads of the southeast Wyoming area
@@RichieB-s9l the 13 i think is perfect, also the fastest accelerating after i tried 4 sprocket combo's.
@@tieoneon1614 ok so I just ordered the 0.8 jack up kit on Lust. I'll start with that and see how it feels. In case anyone wants to know they are $104 plus shipping now whether you get the 0.8 or the 1.4 kit. I'll report back!
@@RichieB-s9l damn...that went up in price!
Nice video. Just watching your channel I can tell you are a practical dual sport rider. I’ve seen to many people through Kendra track masters on these dual sports because the they say the stock tires “wash out”, when they neglect to even air down the stock tires, adjust the sag, and barley have any of road skill. I have a Tw200 with 50/50 tires and do a lot of the same riding as you here in northern Michigan and I can ride the balls off it off-road just by airing down a bit and having some off-road experience. And end of day it still rides good on the street cause it doesn’t have knobbies.
I have a new set of Trakmasters and 45t i wanted to put on just for a trip to a really sandy area of UP MI, but know Im going to be too lazy to take them off after LOL. Exploring is more fun so will probably just keep the 605 on, slide my big arse to rear of seat and tough it out in the sand stretch.
Yea I get it, deep sand sucks without nobbies. The bent handlebars on my t dub can attest to that
@@tieoneon1614 the 45 and tires really are the sand set up 13 psi No stock tires for sand in Florida 😮😮😊😊. I put 13 on the but I think 45 on is better less chain rubbing on the front slide
What is the length of the links? I had 118mm links made locally, which raised the rear end by 3/8" - so I'm curious the length it would take to gain 1.4". 3/8" was perfect for me as I'm quite short, but I like the peace of mind of extra ground clearance.
Very nice 👍 thank you 🙏
Thanks for your input. I am the exact same size as you and am considering which dual sport to buy. I'm 52 now rode 2 strokes till last year now just want a low maintenance bike the is street legal to hop between trails. Will it be able to handle the roots and ruts of GNCC trails with just your linkage mod? Also saw your +2 HP video, will it have enough power to hill climb dirt trails? I'm like you, want a quiet, reliable, low maintenance bike but still rip to put a smile on my face. I'm gonna put on MX tires for woods since I'll be there 90%. Any feedback would be appreciated.
Hey Bob. Its an awesome bike. Mayb consider the 300r if u are going to mainly woods ride unless u need the plate. I only did the jack up link to put more weight {less sag} on my front wheel, to use the OEM 605's on faster dirt roads. I see the price went up on the link, over $100 so maybe the rear spring would be more cost effective but this is also easier and less hassle to install. I didnt effect the suspension performance positive/negative but this wasnt a good mod to ride in softer terrain. Actually the oem clicker settings were best for slower rough woods riding, it was plush. I ran 1 click harder all around for 3rd/4th gear speed offroad. The engine is really grunty and smooth at very low rpm, its easy to sit in the woods all day in Second gear and it will still pull me up hill from idle no problem in second gear... which is extremeley impressive. My favorite part of bike is the smooth throttle and low end power. Its more responsive offroad with the secondary throttle plate out which starts the mid range rpm punch sooner. This was at 13/40 dual sport gearing also, 13/45 and 13/42 is popular for offroad focused riding. With the STP and air snorkel out, and MX chain the power off these 300's feel perfect offroad > any more power would be wheel spin at full throttle in the woods. On the road the power doesnt feel like much but its still fun to rip thru the gears. Iv had CRF450X and YZ250FX and they were fun to ride wide open at race pace, but got tiring if u were just exploring or riding moderately cuz of the stiffer suspension and on/off throttle.
Tilly2wheel has a decent video of tractering around in the woods in second gear. Its the 300R but same motor {with no STP} and 13/47 oem gearing.
@tieoneon1614 Thanks for all the advice. I am back and forth between this bike and the DRZ 400S. Just want to ride without the hassle of valve checks and oil changes so often. I would probably swap out springs, not that big of a deal. Without the snorkel, does the bike run lean and overheat? Also does the O2 sensor come on for check engine? Those are my last question, promise. 😉
@@Bobsadventures58 It doesnt run lean, i checked the spark plug after 1k miles of that. No o2 light. I had 2 DRZ's and 2 KLX last year. I was torn which one to keep also. Ultimately the DRZ felt like a ADV bike offroad, so top heavy and clumsy. But excelled everywhere else besides the f'd up trans ratio's. The KLX felt like my KDX offroad. But in more open faster terrain its not very fast. They ARE the 2 best dual sports available right now, hands down. DRZ for pavement and open terrain. KLX for woods.
Appreciate the detailed explanation. You leaning me towards the KLX. I loved riding my daughters klx140. Made tight trails feel bigger and longer. Would you recommend a spring swap for our size 220 lbs. if I want to be aggressive in woods? I saw Derek Dual Sport change his front and rear springs. Thats an easy job and not expensive.
The problem with short links is that they decrease rear wheel travel :-(
I didnt think about that. The 0.8" was definitely shorter, making sense in regards towards geometry . However this 1.4" was almost identical length to the oem link which confused me? Either way the oem clicker settings are plenty plush enough for me at slower trail speeds and I really like the predictable handling now and feel of the taller bike.