The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2
Technical Discussion => Ride Reports and Event Reviews => Topic started by: tunnelrider on October 27, 2017, 06:05:08 AM
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On an annual trip with nine of my riding mates, this time to the West Coast, South Island (someone different organises it each year so we go different places in New Zealand), three of us scanned the net for info and branched off into the gravel and possibilities of a river crossing on the second day. The three of us get a bit of dirt every trip if we can, not too gnarly to meet the others later. This trip we wanted to try a couple of tracks loosely connecting us to our night's destination Karamea (St Aranuad - Murchison (Porika Track) and Inangahua - Denniston (Mackley pylon road) so split from the others and went for it.
What followed was surely the roughest day my poor R65 has been through! She made it with flying colours tho and only a few gouges on the bash-plate-less sump! Mud puddles, steep slopes and firm rocky footing through beautiful beech forest on the Porika Track, down on steep dry increasingly loose track to a beautiful lake, out on a remote gravel road with stream crossings and wildlife on the road, on the road for 40km then off road again at the Mackley pylon road, known as a mountain bike/ 4WD road. It was pretty rough!
I was imagining a 1930's enduro race or a BMW bike proving ground. Rocky, up and down little looked after, it's a testing ride on anything bigger than a 250cc dirt bike. We pushed the R65 through the river, engine running and in gear. At least one pipe went under water. Other bikes were a KLR650 and Yammie XT660, we pushed these through the river too. The banks both sides presented problems, a bouldery stream the arrival side and a steep clay bank the far side. A CRF250 passed us going the other way after we crossed the river, perfect bike for it! Also a group of three 4WD, first got stuck on the rocky stream. Second managed get over boulders and get in front to tow it out, those boys were havin fun as we were.
Soon after crossing there was a scree slope about 25deg steep 30m high and presented a major test of clutch work and hill starts on a loose and rocky surface, getting bounced all over the place! The photos only do a fraction of justice, there were so many patches tough to ride there was no time for the camera.
We had to help each other through the worst (well at least the R65) so wouldn't been able to do it solo, but still made it and a good possibility the only R65 to have done so!
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I didn't realize R65s were that good of road.
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So for once we won't see the label "except R65"!
;D
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Damn! Rugged...
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We have a member here, Mick a Scotsman, that rode his '81 R65 around the world .
I think his blog is still on this site, about 10-11 years ago .
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Here is a link. Interesting read.
http://granfuga.blogspot.com/2011_01_01_archive.html
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So for once we won't see the label "except R65"!
Ha ha BPT, someone's been to Motobins.
Bob and Marcmax, thanks for the info on Mick's blog, I'll check it out when I've a bit more time.
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I think it has more to do with skill and determination than the bike beneath you.
This was going in.
(https://i.imgur.com/oEG24EWl.jpg)
This was coming out.
There was no sign where I entered.
It was a bit frightening, but I really hate turning around.
(https://i.imgur.com/QIPUOzgl.jpg)
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Good photos Dan,
I did a few similar trips on my 65 in its early years. Mine has a few scrapes on the sump and cylinder heads and I am still finding mud hidden in odd places of the frame.
The generation of riders before me on their BMWs did some serious tripping throughout Oz which is one of the reasons I went for a BMW. Although at the time I lusted after a R80G/S, the little R65 was all I could afford. I also ended up with a '03 F650GSD which is some compensation, I suppose. ;D
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I think it has more to do with skill and determination than the bike beneath you.
Good point Rob, in my case determination :) That looks like a testing track you took on, beautiful!
I did a few similar trips on my 65 in its early years. Mine has a few scrapes on the sump and cylinder heads and I am still finding mud hidden in odd places of the frame.
The generation of riders before me on their BMWs did some serious tripping throughout Oz which is one of the reasons I went for a BMW. Although at the time I lusted after a R80G/S, the little R65 was all I could afford.
Dave, sounds like you've taken the ol R65 through 80GS heaven too, bet it was great in Australia too, good countryside. Yeah mud gets in annoying places must've been good rides you had. The older generation are leading the younger to get adventurous on these well built machines!
As an epilogue I guess I should say soon after getting back home the brake master cylinder gave the hint it needed a new piston, the shaft drive oil was the only oil to show water entry after the river crossing and the left muffler fell off while riding a week later! (Cracked muffler bracket weld.)