A forum for owners of Yamaha TTR250 trail and enduro bikes!

For the tech-minded, I was running Tubeliss system wheels with a nice fat Mitas 644 Army Special up front and a Mitas E09 on the rear which, being a skinny fella on a light unloaded bike I was able to run at 0, yes zero, psi in the sand which made for great dune running. About 10psi up front. Reinflating for the occasional bits of roadwork or stonier pistes.

What bit of desert scenery can't be improved by the addition of a dusty TTR?

It wasn't just riding though. We did culture too! Rock engraving and cave art between 2 and 8 thousand years old (estimated, obvs!)

Piste to Tamanrasset, and thence to Niger, closed to tourists, but we got within about 40km of the Libyan border line.

Trip of a lifetime.

Ride safe everyone, and if you get the chance, play in the sand

Simon.

 

 

 

That looks like an awesome trip, but i have to say you are a gamer man than me. Love that last photo.

1000 miles, 1600 km, that a good ride.    I've done a couple of 600 km weekend trips through sand and whilst great fun but ended up fairly stuffed.

Good test of all the bikes, any maintenance required on the TTR's. The 325 kits are oviously holding up??
Did you do an oil change or anything.
The 350 KTM would nearly be up for a fresh topend !!

AS you said Trip of a lifetime    

Wow - what an adventure Simon!

Great photos and thanks for sharing 

Brian

That looks incredible fun Simon!

With gpx tracks to follow, in two groups of riders, it was fairly easy to spread out and keep out of one another's dust. 1 change of air filter half way through was deemed necessary, and only one of us changed oil at the half way hotel stay in Djanet. I used Wurth dry chain lube every other day, but most people left well alone to escape the teutonic frown of the support guy. I just ignored him - I have issues with authority No other maintenance except nightly level checks and general lookover. I had a loose chainguide bolt one day. Not what you'd call earth shattering unreliability.
The 350 katoom behaved, but one of the 690s was sounding a bit "rockershafty" towards the end. It's owner was in denial.
The 325s both worked really well. Just wish I'd a 350 ready to test...
I was suprised how well I took to the sand. Having a light unladen bike helps of course, but I found that despite the general consensus, you don't have to lean back too much, just stand as neutrally as possible and keep the power on. Weight on the left peg to go left, right peg to go right. I had a sore neck the first day (whiplash) from sitting too much and my head wobbling about. After that I stood most of the time, and with nice high bars fitted, had no further aches or tiredness. Revalation!

I think there's youtubeage of one of Wuestenfahrer's trips somewhere, I'll try and find it...

Just back from fetching our bikes home from the near-Munich base of Wuestenfahrer tours. Chris Scott, who was the instigator (but not the organizer) of the trip is currently writing a much more detailed report over on Advrider

advrider.com/index.php

When/if you read it, I'd just like to point out in the interests of fairness that 2 Stroke Tony barely put out a puff of smoke all trip, but you wouldn't want to follow the XR4 for long!

Simon,Just reread Chris Scotts report...what an adventure!...the photographs are beautiful!
You have some brilliant everlasting memories there!

Herman wrote:

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Just read it too and realized I have ridden several times with Dan and Dave, small world!

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 Bumped into them today at Bahnstormer and had a chat, nice folks living the dream. 

Incredible!

Stunning scenery and great photos! I wish I could get to travel to those places.

Where are your nearest dunes Wayne? Is Baja a good playground? If you need some inspiration look up Austin Vince, Mondo Sahara, Terra Circa and Mondo Enduro - all low budget adventures. For me, I would love to get my bike to the 'States... Never say never, if you're determined enough, the world's your oyster