2019 Desert 100 Ironman Poker Run on DR350s

My first time at the Desert 100. We did 1 lap of the Ironman Poker Run on DR350s. While most riders were on modern high performance dirtbikes, we saw plenty of DRs, and these old street friendly machines handled the 34 miles of whoops and rocks at a decent pace comfortably. Both bikes were stock as far as suspension and engine.
I bent a shift lever, smashed a hole in my clutch cover, and lost a front caliper bolt, but otherwise, the bikes handled the technical terrain without issue.

[@AstheMagpieFlies]

Way to be ON IT editing and releasing this right after the event! Very cool :)

[@SamChou]

Thanks! I'm a bit obsessive about timely posting. It's almost not relevant anymore if I post long after it happens.

[@peteslippyphoto]

Great bikes! I was out there on a DR350 as well!

[@jayceandjeremysadventures.4441]

I was just reading your Dr350se build on advrider and noticed the Washington plate, I live in Sedro-Woolley. I picked up a 98se this spring and absolutely love the bike. I’m planning on going to this race next year, 50th anniversary, it would be cool to ride/race with some other Dr’s. Mine has about 22,000 miles on it. I picked it up from the guy that built it to ride from Bellingham Wa to Barstow Ca for the Barstow to Vagas race and then ride back to Bellingham. Very cool bikes.

[@SamChou]

Greetings from the dry side of the state! That's quite a journey, and I bet that's a pretty well set up bike. Not going to win any races, but it will take any terrain, keep going, and bring you home. There were a surprising about of DR350s out there. But when you get thousands of dirtbikes out in one place, you're bound to see some pretty rare machines.

[@blong2898]

I want to do this!.. man that's AWESOME!

[@h4mst3rtube]

one of the best bike ever.

[@alwin4743]

Nice Video

[@Micscience]

I am amazed how the gear box took those poundings and kept on trooping. These bikes really are indestructible.

[@SamChou]

They really are. ...except I did finish the ride with a sizable puncture in the clutch cover. Had to use JB stick to patch it up in the field.

[@derelict92]

Thats me at <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="415">6:55</a> going up the hill lol that was a fun day

[@SamChou]

Right on! So much more finesse than me lol. Until next year!

[@bryanlyden6797]

When did you get your bike fixed? Last I saw, you had some pretty big issues and I wondered if you ever got it going again. Also, looks like you updated your headlight. Is that from a DRZ? Cool video. Glad you’re back at it.

[@SamChou]

It's been fixed for about a year now. A donor head from a Suzuki Eiger 400 ATV, a new piston, and some machining, and it's all good. Headlight shroud from a DRZ400, and LED headlight from JNS Engineering. Can't stop the DR!

[@bryanlyden6797]

Cool! I picked up a 95 a few months back. I was digging up info on the bike and came across your posts on the DR350 thread. Thanks for sharing!

[@ka4172]

Sometimes the shift lever in the gearbox bent also and shifting was impossibel.

[@johnelliott3896]

Was this in Odessa, Wa??

[@SamChou]

Yes.

[@MustangNthusiest]

How do you put your hand up to stop and start 📸

[@SamChou]

I've gotten pretty good at riding with 1 hand. With the correct riding technique, you get most of your control from locking your legs into the frame, knees into the tank. It gets pretty sketchy riding 1 handed in the rough stuff though.

[@MustangNthusiest]

@@SamChou, but are you shutting camera off, how do you find power button or stop, record

[@SamChou]

Oh that part is easy. Once you have a feel for where the button is on the side your head, it's really easy to find it every time. Kind of like touching your nose. But for this video, I'm not actually powering off every time, just wiping the lens for a transition, and in case any mud or water get on it.

[@MustangNthusiest]

@@SamChou lol

[@jeffferritto]

Evan!!!!

[@SamChou]

He gets around, doesn't he? :)

[@jeffferritto]

He does. Do you work with him? i seen your bike on moto set up and thought of his set up

[@SamChou]

@@jeffferritto We adventure together quite a bit - ski, hike, mtb, moto, etc. He's Santa on my xmas ski video.

[@Desert10075]

Ive been in at least 5 iron man poker runs. Ive been the second one in twice out of around 800 riders. One time i finished, washed up went and got my finisher teeshirt. The people handing them out said its too early, but the guy i couldnt catch was already there also. We said we finished, i showed them my card punches. I got my iron man tee and headed back to my camp, some dumbass riders said to me whered you buy that? I didnt know they sold those. I just shook my head and so did the other guy that i couldnt catch. Hey, if you cant ride fast, thats not my problem. I keep all my old race tees as trophies. My wife asked if id throw out those old finisher shirts. So far im hanging on to them🤣