Moab - Good idea or bad idea?

[noskills]

I know I'm 11 months ahead of myself but I've been getting the BRP dialed in and now I'm having dreams of Moab grandeur! I've always wanted to go but I'm not sure if my inner 12 year old is getting ahead of my outer FOG.

For those of you who have spent some time there, what's it like? How technical is it? Will I be in way over my head in this environment on a 300# bike with average skills? Are the trails strictly dirt or do you need plates in some areas? How long are the stretches between pumps or is it more of a bunch of small loops where you pack in your gas? Will I need bigger than a stock tank (80 mile reserve)?

Whatcha think?

[Sean]

For those of you who have spent some time there, what's it like?
-It's amazing! I love it out there. Beautiful scenery every where.

How technical is it?
- As easy or hard as you want it to be. Pick up a trail book or two and do some research before you go. All of the trails are well marked and pretty accurate in their description of difficulty.

Will I be in way over my head in this environment on a 300# bike with average skills?
- If you are, turn around. You'll be fine, just don't do anything stupid. My bike was heavier and I survived. It's best to ride with a friend if you can.

Are the trails strictly dirt or do you need plates in some areas?
- State parks and roads you need plates. On BLM land you don't. (I'm pretty sure)

How long are the stretches between pumps or is it more of a bunch of small loops where you pack in your gas?
- Usually small loops. The only real place for gas is in Moab.

Will I need bigger than a stock tank (80 mile reserve)?
- There are a couple of longer trails that might need it. Just don't go on them, or if you do, bring a MSR bottle or two.

Whatcha think?
- Dooooooo eeeet! It's an awesome place to go ride. To bad you can't do the White Rim Trail (it's closed).

[bodhizafa]

Who cares if its over your head ....thats adventure riding!

Do your homework before hand (like you are) then find someone or a group and join them. Here or on ADVrider.

Moab is like Guiness, always a good idea

Amazing place

[noskills]

Now it sounds as though my question should have been, who has an empty spot on their trailer and wants to watch me crash? Ok now I'm pumped!

[Sean]

Who cares if its over your head ....thats adventure riding!

This advise only applies if you have a friend to help push your bike up a hill or out of a huge sand trap!

Def go with one or more people. A good riding buddy is invaluable!

[Sean]

Now it sounds as though my question should have been, who has an empty spot on their trailer and wants to watch me crash? Ok now I'm pumped!

advrider.com

[noskills]

advrider.com

I'm enthralled by the intro pictures I cant even enter site. Thanks

[bodhizafa]

This advise only applies if you have a friend to help push your bike up a hill or out of a huge sand trap!

Def go with one or more people. A good riding buddy is invaluable!

Good points

Can't wait to do another Moab trip!

[Sean]

I'm enthralled by the intro pictures I cant even enter site. Thanks

Go read the Ride Reports page, that should get you through until May.

[asp_125]

So... think a germanic pig like my beemah is suitable for the trails out there? I'm sure I too, will make the trip to Moab one day.

.. must.. not ... click.. ADVrider... must resist.

[bodhizafa]

So... think a germanic pig like my beemah is suitable for the trails out there? I'm sure I too, will make the trip to Moab one day.

.. must.. not ... click.. ADVrider... must resist.

My bike too is a "germanic pig". (400+lbs) Thats why you bring a buddy, to help lift the damn thing.

[Sean]

So... think a germanic pig like my beemah is suitable for the trails out there? I'm sure I too, will make the trip to Moab one day.

I've seen gs1150's and ktm 950's out there. Bodhizafa and I were out there on the KLR and his F800 and did fine. In fact, he had a freaking blast! The only suggestion I would say is to get tires a little more agressive than street tires. I was fine 80% of the time, but could have used the tread in a few places. Especially SAND!

[Bueller]

I personally don't care for adv rider, I am more into Thumper Talk (rocky mnt. forum) and there is a local meetup group I will have to look for the URL. I imagine I/we will be making the pilgrimage out in early spring again. This time I will likely be looking to do some more advanced trails depending on the riding companions that show.
I will however be doing multiple excursions to the Taylor Park area, that is some of the best riding in the western area. Again there is anything from DS easy fire road to insane single track and the high country is at least as beautiful as the desert just in a different way.

[Sean]

Damn you, now I've been daydreaming about Moab at work...

[asp_125]

We NEED a big trip out there in the spring. Noobs, non-noobs..

[bodhizafa]

Damn you, now I've been daydreaming about Moab at work...

I hear ya, I've been looking at new bags today for the GS (tank, saddle).

[bodhizafa]

We NEED a big trip out there in the spring. Noobs, non-noobs..

Sounds like a plan.

[Sean]

I hear ya, I've been looking at new bags today for the GS (tank, saddle).

Why Jay, what happened to yours out in Moab?

[bodhizafa]

Why Jay, what happened to yours out in Moab?

Hey, they still made it. Reminds me of a few more tips 1. bring plenty of extra bungee cords.....and 2. make sure your bike with saddle bags can fit through a skinny trail enclosed by big rocks.

[jbnwc]

Moab in a car was fricken amazing. Moab on a bike would be more surreal than I can imagine.

[Dogsbody]

I've mountain biked for years in Moab and I've since been a few times (once during Jeep Week, that was nuts) on the dirt bike and I rode 90% of the trails that I usually MTB on. I'll say this, it's harder on a dirt bike... but I had a great time and would do it again in a heartbeat. You owe it to yourself to ride Slickrock while you're there too. The traction is phenomenal and if you've got big stones, Lion's Back is calling your name. There's great riding in the La Salles too.

Don't forget about Fruita, there's good trails there too.

One thing I might add. Regardless of where you ride in Moab, stay, stay on the trail. There's macrobiotic crust almost everywhere that basically holds the desert soil together and that takes decades to recover from errant tire marks or even foot prints for that matter.

[noskills]

I will definitely need to hone my skills. Add 50 lbs more motorcycle, 10 more hp and a perpendicular log in the trail and my average skills went to total crap. 8 more weeks and I can try again.

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[Bueller]

That sucks, heal up and come early spring we'll have some dirt clinics. Where did you go down?

[noskills]

Yeah broken stuff will heal. Thanx. I was up at Rampart. I was taking it pleanty easy on the trail that runs perp to the road just in case. Good thing cause I was alone and about 15 miles in when I went down. I think forst service fell this tree to fix a water rutted path by forcing bikes out.

I'm not way new to dirt just this beast. I've put a few hours on 250 2 smokers and 450F's in the past. Never the less I'll take all ther schooling I can get causing learning is way less painfull.

edit: clutching for 28 miles with a broke ass hand sucks. of all the times I could have used a Rekluse!