That was ROUGH ground!!! I look forward to covering it myself some time! Looks like maybe 2025, but looks to be well worth the drive - even from living in CO!
Thanks! You guys are lucky out in Colorado, pick a pass get out there and do it! These 690's are so smooth, they stay hooked up in the rocks really nice. I picked up a 2021 recently and have done most of the set up I want, mostly. Going Tubliss on the back enables lower psi which really helps keep the back end in line climbing rock piles. Much more controllable sliding on gravel/loose dirt. These are great bikes to slide with!
Six years ago tried to do this pass on a KTM 1290 Super Adventure R, fully loaded with camping gear. That first big section of scree had been bulldozed earlier in the summer and was missing dirt on the tracks. Got about fifty yards up the road into the scree when the rear tire just buried itself to the swing arm. Fortunately, two friends on BMW GSs had stopped to watch my progress before they attempted it. I couldn't extract the 1290 SAR by myself so they hiked up to the bike helping to get it out and turned around. The three of us on those heavy adventure bikes did the sensible thing heading back down the mountain to Colorado 145.
Just did that 3 weeks ago on a 690 as well. Only loose scree was just before the top. I'm curious about your tablet and holder you're using, I'd like to put a similar set up on mine. Pros, cons?
Tablet is a samsung a7 lite and held on by a Ram Tab Tight. I like the size of the tablet and speed/heading display easily visible. Only troubles so far is keeping everything clean and charging.
