Awesome video! Love the Black Hills. Usually stay a month or so each summer around Hill City and ride the area. Considering an ADV bike as I miss the dirt, and this looks like a ball! Thanks for all the info.
Great format for a BDR video. Love all the detailed review to supplement the video sections. This is on my list for next summer. Thanks for putting this together.
My old stomping grounds. What a great ride. I just got done with the Mid-Atlantic BDR and loved it. I grew up in the South Dakota area but I have never been back with my bike. Enjoy your adventure!
Oh man, I absolutely loved riding out there. I didn't find anything in the way of challenging riding but there seems to be endless dirt to ride in South Dakota. You could almost go anywhere in the state without hardly ever touching pavement. And of course the scenery is top notch. You should definitely make a plan to return on the bike. It was outstanding. Cheers
Let me know how the riding is. I have some friends out there right now and it looks like pretty good weather. Plus the leaves are turning and it looks awesome out there.
Great video. I just completed the Black Hills BDR-X last month. I rode it solo in 2 days, on a Norden 901 Expedition. 3 or 4 days would have been more enjoyable, but didn't fit the schedule.
That’s awesome. What did you think about the difficulty level? I think SD had some of the most scenic riding in the country but it wasn’t really that difficult.
@@upshiftingadventures Overall, it wasn't absurdly difficult. I started/ended in Spearfish. There were some challenging portions, of course. Bear Mtn optional harder route (keep that momentum!), Rocky Downhill made me pucker up a little bit. There was also a difficult, immensely rocky-rutted climb in Section 1 off of Hwy 385 & NF-642 where I should have paused, judged, and chosen a better line. For me, a lot of the difficulty came with fatigue. I feel I am an intermediate rider, far from expert. BUT, I'm too dumb to quit. 190mi on day one and 160mi on day two really wore on me, thus increasing the difficulty during my ride. It was a blast! Scenery was amazing. Terrain was challenging enough. Some portions were ravaged by SxS's. Others were dominated with mud/holes.
My son and I did some sections in late July. Trails were dry (thankfully). He was on a bmw gs1200, I was on a Suzuki DE800. We concluded that it would be more fun on lighter bikes.
Awesome! Best video on the SD BDR-X dirt portions I've seen. A few constructive things: the city of Lead is pronounced Leed, the town of Rochford is pronounced Rotchford (Rotch like crotch). Finally, the music. I could do without it, or have the level lowered quite a bit. I'd rather hear the bikes or your convo. Thanks for recommending just going through it. We have a good thing in the Black Hills, but the Forest Service hates the widening of trails due to all of the go-arounders. The Tread Lightly! principles are always encouraged so we don't get trails shut down. Nice work.
Thanks for the notes on the video. I appreciate it and will take them in to consideration for sure. You guys have a great area. I just go back from a trip with my wife riding our KTMs through the area. I’m close enough to drive up for a weekend. I’ll be back in two weeks for the Get On Adv Fest at the buffalo chip. Can’t wait
I agree, bigger isn’t always better. However, I rode from home to the start of the BDR-X and in my opinion, comfort is something that has to be addressed. If I’m gonna trailer, then I’ll bring the most fun bike for the ride, but since I was able to ride the GSA with no problem then I believe it was the right choice for the situation, especially when talking about the hundreds of miles off Wyoming winds.
I didn’t find it all that tough but to be fair there wasn’t a whole lot of mud. I went back a few weeks later with my 701 and it’s definitely a lot more fun.
Thank you. I guess I should do a little bit of research before hand to avoid embarrassing myself. Live and Learn. But seriously, thanks for the correction.
If you run with a pack and have big bikes those tracks are just fine. If you are a lone wolf who is not capable of picking one of those water buffaloes up 100% of the time, the answer is no, don't do it. Get a lighter bike.
Awesome video! Love the Black Hills. Usually stay a month or so each summer around Hill City and ride the area. Considering an ADV bike as I miss the dirt, and this looks like a ball! Thanks for all the info.
Can’t wait to ride this BDRx absolutely love riding in the hills
One of my favorites for sure
One of the best I've seen on assessing the route sections 1-3. Great job.
Thanks so much. I hope that it helps others who are on the fence about riding it.
Great format for a BDR video. Love all the detailed review to supplement the video sections. This is on my list for next summer. Thanks for putting this together.
Thank you for the comment I really appreciate it. Drop a line after your ride and let me know how it was for you
Excellent work Sir
Thank you my friend.
Great video, thanks very much
Glad you liked it!
My old stomping grounds. What a great ride. I just got done with the Mid-Atlantic BDR and loved it.
I grew up in the South Dakota area but I have never been back with my bike.
Enjoy your adventure!
Oh man, I absolutely loved riding out there. I didn't find anything in the way of challenging riding but there seems to be endless dirt to ride in South Dakota. You could almost go anywhere in the state without hardly ever touching pavement. And of course the scenery is top notch. You should definitely make a plan to return on the bike. It was outstanding. Cheers
What a great trip…looking forward to seeing the next video. Ride on…
More to come!
Great video. looking to go out there later this month and hoping for good weather conditions..
Let me know how the riding is. I have some friends out there right now and it looks like pretty good weather. Plus the leaves are turning and it looks awesome out there.
Nice ride and presentation - thanks
Thank you my friend, I appreciate it
My DR 650 is great for that stuff. Nice music. We get a BDR in my home of Montana in "26.
Great video. I just completed the Black Hills BDR-X last month. I rode it solo in 2 days, on a Norden 901 Expedition. 3 or 4 days would have been more enjoyable, but didn't fit the schedule.
That’s awesome. What did you think about the difficulty level? I think SD had some of the most scenic riding in the country but it wasn’t really that difficult.
@@upshiftingadventures
Overall, it wasn't absurdly difficult. I started/ended in Spearfish. There were some challenging portions, of course. Bear Mtn optional harder route (keep that momentum!), Rocky Downhill made me pucker up a little bit. There was also a difficult, immensely rocky-rutted climb in Section 1 off of Hwy 385 & NF-642 where I should have paused, judged, and chosen a better line.
For me, a lot of the difficulty came with fatigue. I feel I am an intermediate rider, far from expert. BUT, I'm too dumb to quit. 190mi on day one and 160mi on day two really wore on me, thus increasing the difficulty during my ride.
It was a blast! Scenery was amazing. Terrain was challenging enough. Some portions were ravaged by SxS's. Others were dominated with mud/holes.
My son and I did some sections in late July. Trails were dry (thankfully). He was on a bmw gs1200, I was on a Suzuki DE800. We concluded that it would be more fun on lighter bikes.
Everything is more fun on lighter bikes…..except highway miles of course
Awesome! Best video on the SD BDR-X dirt portions I've seen. A few constructive things: the city of Lead is pronounced Leed, the town of Rochford is pronounced Rotchford (Rotch like crotch). Finally, the music. I could do without it, or have the level lowered quite a bit. I'd rather hear the bikes or your convo. Thanks for recommending just going through it. We have a good thing in the Black Hills, but the Forest Service hates the widening of trails due to all of the go-arounders. The Tread Lightly! principles are always encouraged so we don't get trails shut down. Nice work.
Thanks for the notes on the video. I appreciate it and will take them in to consideration for sure. You guys have a great area. I just go back from a trip with my wife riding our KTMs through the area. I’m close enough to drive up for a weekend. I’ll be back in two weeks for the Get On Adv Fest at the buffalo chip. Can’t wait
Man this is nooot good for me.... I soo wanna get up there this year now! But I don't really think I can 😢 next year goal though!! 💪🏼👍🏼
Another good one.....keep them coming...@stanforadventure
Thank you sir.
Some times big isn't better, I'll stick to my 250lb ultralight 500 exc-f.
I agree, bigger isn’t always better. However, I rode from home to the start of the BDR-X and in my opinion, comfort is something that has to be addressed. If I’m gonna trailer, then I’ll bring the most fun bike for the ride, but since I was able to ride the GSA with no problem then I believe it was the right choice for the situation, especially when talking about the hundreds of miles off Wyoming winds.
bmw is a big bike and front wheel heavy for muddy, sloppy roads... south dakota looks like a great adventure ride.
I didn’t find it all that tough but to be fair there wasn’t a whole lot of mud. I went back a few weeks later with my 701 and it’s definitely a lot more fun.
Not extreme... come back February 1ish 😂😂😂
It’s pronounced Leed, like I’ll lead you. Not lead like the metal.
Thank you. I guess I should do a little bit of research before hand to avoid embarrassing myself. Live and Learn. But seriously, thanks for the correction.
If you run with a pack and have big bikes those tracks are just fine. If you are a lone wolf who is not capable of picking one of those water buffaloes up 100% of the time, the answer is no, don't do it. Get a lighter bike.
exactly😂 water buffs 😂