RE Himalayan Rider: Epic Fail On Sandy Trail 

Absolutely! I have never really ridden dirt bikes, so my rear wheel slipping around and the freak out that comes with it is something I’m having to reprogram in my brain for this new adventure. The tires were definitely another mitigating factor that I have cured, though not mounted. They’re on my garage. And they are basically DOT approved dirt tires. May have gone too far to the other ditch, but I don’t think they’ll last the summer so I can adjust on the next change. SAE 15W 50 API SL Grade JASO MA 2 blended oil is the recommendation for oil. 2.3 l capacity, 2.0 refill. I’ve seen people that say they use full synthetic which is my tendency in general, but I’m sticking to the oem on the first few at least. I couldn’t find the octane suggestion in the owners manual and suggestions online and in forums are all over the place. For my bikes I’ve always used highest available just cause it’s not a large amount of fuel and I prefer less ethanol for longevity where available. The general recommendation has been 91 for my bikes. Here is the free owner’s manual if you don’t have it, buy used, or if anyone else out there needs it. www.royalenfield.com/content/dam/royal-enfield/ownersManual/Himalayan_Owners_Manual_Domestic.pdf Thanks! Chat soon

@@swcoloradoadventures Thank you

That is true. If I was on a mini bike from the 70s, I would have no fear. And holler anytime. It does get warm eventually!

Thanks Eric! I’ll go again. It’s was amazingly sketchy. We will see how the new tires work once mounted. Thanks!

For sure! I feel more confident on sand now with some more experience and way better tires, but still, all sand? No. Just not fun. Thanks!

Yeah. I’m gonna take out the stiffeners from the bags so they are only as full as they have to be. That’ll help. It’s really the riding pants with thermal liner that don’t help. I did down air a few pounds. So, not sure if it helped but I couldn’t handle it. Thanks!

Hey Michael. I understand that. I sure can’t blame it all in the bike. I’m not a great off road rider either. I’ve been riding Harley’s for 30 years or more now. The tires are for a little off road but not much. I have some legit off road tires incoming right now. The sand was pretty fine and not packed except the main road and a few other places. And I can wait either. Then we will know if it’s operator error😂. Thanks!

Hey thanks for the suggestion! I got the pirellis already. But I doubt they’ll last the summer. Great to have another suggestion. Thanks for that!

That Was way more than I bargained for. Then I settled in and road for a little bit 😂

Hey Steve! I had those in my cart and came so close to purchasing. Basically flipped a coin. I think the Pirellis are a bit more aggressive so I went that way. I have to admit this sandbox fiasco was weighing heavily on that decision. Let's definitely compare notes. I will post when I have them put on. I found out this trail closes 12/31, so I may have to try snow first. Thanks for the update!

Absolutely. I lowered only 2 lbs. I just wasn’t sure what I was going to encounter. It’s definitely a great point, however! One pirelli mt21 tomorrow, the other on a week. Thanks!

Hey Bhaskar! Thanks for saying. Everywhere I looked it was all sand. Usually that’s only a part of a trail system. Ah well. Go back with different tires and see how it goes. Thanks!

Hey Greg! Yeah, I’ve only been here since 2010, and had not been down there ever. I was humbled pretty quickly. I met a guy in Durango with a Himalayan and he had gone. Just got back from Ohv trails in La Plata canyon. That’s as far as I have made it east. We’re working on a Hermosa run next week hopefully. I’m excited about the snow leaving Silverton soon. Hitting all of that is the big goal. Thanks for the comments!

Hey Andrew! Not a lot of options at this point. I had a friend that said she and her husband took their side by side in the sand, but I didn’t really catch it. Now I know. Thanks!

Absolutely! I have Pirelli MT21s on order. They are super aggressive for a dual sport. It’ll be a good challenge the second time around. Stock tires are fine for rocky stuff, but not this. Thanks for commenting and watching!

@@swcoloradoadventures I got a D606 as a rear tire, works pretty good so far. Though I haven't had a chance to get into really deep sand.

@@graymangw6016 That was one of the options I looked at. How do you feel about the 130 size? Love to know how it works when you get sandy. It's a different kind of challenge for sure. Thanks!

Absolutely! A fail would have been something broken. Like me…retool and try again later. Thanks Brian!

Hah! Yes you are. Thanks for that, and for watching. See you around here!

Hey Dan! I totally agree. I’ve never had tires as aggressive as what I have coming. It will be interesting. Should help on everything else I am riding as well. Thanks!