Black Bear Pass on DR650 and Tenere 700.

[@ThrillaPark]

Epic. And at time puckery. Great video. Thanks for not ruining it with “adventure” music.

[@JB-ss3bv]

Hat off to you both. I could tell Tenere dude was feeling the pucker on the steps and I don't fault him one bit for that. Nice work keeping it cool and pushing on.

[@doc650adventures]

Excellent video! Hell of a ride. Major pucker factor with those drop offs! Sounded like the Mighty DR650 was chugging along nicely! Hats off to both of you and your friend on the Tenere 700 did great on the heavier bike. Glad he did not have to pick it up a lot due to the altitude. Excellent! Subscribed! Cheers!

[@1255cgraham]

Thanks!

[@trevorjameson3213]

Man that was awesome! I'm heading up to Colorado in two weeks, going to have to drive over there and ride that pass, never ridden that one before. I have a DR650 also, and it's always been just great on rides like that. The last one I rode was Antero trail west of Buena Vista. If you haven't ridden that one, it's quite the challenge to get to the top! But a DR650 can do it no problem.

[@mamjack6134]

Don't usually watch more than a few minutes of riding videos..... But that view!!

[@1255cgraham]

The Alpine Loop area is one of my favorite places in the country.

[@mamjack6134]

@@1255cgraham getting a DR as versatile commuter and do some trail riding at the parks and national park..... Looks like I'm needing to do some homework and use some vacation days

[@BMRTV]

I definitely enjoy listening to an engine work.

[@1255cgraham]

I know right. Nothing sexier than a DR engine struggling to breathe at 12k feet :) I was gonna mute it and add music but this is more of a what to expect video for those who want to give it a try.

[@BMRTV]

@@1255cgraham I don't mind intermixing or overlaying (IE: engine noise and music or narration) but for me only music only works in short sections (length of one song and possible a couple times for longer vids). I'm not a fan of only music videos.

[@BMRTV]

@@1255cgraham to your point, for me, watching vids of other people riding is about feeling like I'm there with them so gravel under tires, motor, etc is what I want.

[@deanpenn5645]

Perfect soundtrack. Like being there!

[@texling93]

Nice ,next best thing to being there....real sounds.....no music! Thanks

[@TxCxx]

It's nice to see bigger bikes on this trail.

[@percyfaith11]

Until you see them being picked up.

[@TxCxx]

@@percyfaith11 lol

[@Heartlanddualsport]

I truly thought you had a honda CRF 450 RL, I am not sure who told me that, nice ride guys . I know Don is moved on nowhoep you two can still meet up and ride from time to time. I know yall did a lot of trips together. Keep up the fun videos. Dale

[@1255cgraham]

I really like the 450L but I have the DR set up perfectly for these rides and it has given me 25k miles of reliability so I dont think I'll ever sell it. I rode the T7 for awhile and didn't really like it especially in stuff like this. Unfortunately Don sold his bike when he moved but maybe the bug will bite him again someday.

[@Heartlanddualsport]

@@1255cgraham Ok good deal, well that makes sense. It is a great bike for doing the this kind of stuff, so I get it Yes sir, I had heard he did sell it , but I figure, the bug will always show its head form time to time, even if yall met up half way in georgia or something, there is so much for beautiful stuff between us and him now. I hope you have a blessed weekend sir. Dale

[@earlgray4333]

Lol it’s funny you say that about the five days of sheer waterfall rain because that’s what it seems like whenever I plan a bike trip so this year I plan on spending top dollar on every waterproof item I can think of that way it won’t rain one damn bit LOL.

[@1255cgraham]

That's always the way it works!

[@wireedm1]

Fun to watch, thanks for posting!

[@johnhamilton2680]

Great stuff. Thanks for sharing.

[@5725Hurley]

Great video guys...thanks

[@dash8465]

The DR sounds like my 1967 WheelHorse tractor pushing snow, complete with sputtering.

[@1255cgraham]

She does sputter a little at higher elevation 🙂

[@iaingraham4911]

Good luck clansman

[@MrCaptainCrazy]

I'm subscriber number 💯. Cool

[@tradingpost6412]

YOU NEED TO BUY A BIGGER BIKE, YOU NEED TO BE ON A KLX300

[@bluedolphin5792]

That's a pretty big bike for Black Bear, scares me on a Klr.

[@1255cgraham]

We both agreed after the fact 😅

[@louvega8414]

Black Bear Pass? There's an actual place called Black Bear Pass? And people go there? With Black Bears? PS: OK, its stunning!

[@cassin11]

Reminded me of my moments on life span reducing 500 pound bikes. Too much stress. I'm now looking for definitely 350 pounds of less bikes on these types of terrain

[@rickvann3489]

The motor is in there to be running to maintain balance not be shut off. Try it sometime put it in neutral and let engine idle going down hills I don't recommend being in neutral but in gear and using proper braking and clutch.

[@deanpenn5645]

I felt myself leaning as you navigated the track. Awesome video. Definitely helps prep for a future ride. On my bucket list. Now I gotta find somebody in Florida adventurous enough to get to BBP to do it with me. Bikes look lightly loaded...camped somewhere else and took this as a side trail? Thanks for posting!

[@1255cgraham]

We did it as a part of the COBDR. We shed the camping gear at a friend's house in Lake city for Black Bear and Imogene.

[@bingleyrichardsoniv2517]

want to do some tracks like this? in florida with a DR 650.

[@tahoehiker]

Very nicely done 👍. I'm curious what tires you used on the DR?

[@1255cgraham]

I'm pretty sure I had the Tusk dual sport tires on this ride. I've been using those with good success since they came out.

[@jimmcbride6297]

Nice video. I am going there the end of 8/21. Did you need to adjust mixture before this ride on the DR?

[@1255cgraham]

The bike is set up with the top of the airbox cut out (airbox mod), FMF exhaust, and JD jet kit set up for sea level. I did not change any of the jets and the bike ran fine. I did install and extended fuel mixture screw and adjusted it once we got over 8000 feet to make it idle correctly.

[@jimmcbride6297]

@@1255cgraham I've been debating if I want to do that carb mod...you've convinced me. Thanks!

[@ralphderkapitaen9875]

looks like the DR had an easier time going down the hill than the Tenere. Overall, i would think it would be easier for the DR as its a lighter bike than the Tenere.

[@1255cgraham]

Being the DR rider I agree completely 😂.

[@lshort8842]

Looks like a good place for a Yamaha XT250....

[@1255cgraham]

Yes That would be a very appropriate bike for this trail but the video would suck 🙂

[@aaronstory22]

Thinking of buying a DR 650, great video! We do a lot of off road riding over here in South East Idaho. Curious what mods you have done to this machine, gearing ect. Thank you!

[@1255cgraham]

Just some basics to make it more comfortable. Stock gearing (I've tried 14t and 16t but prefer stock) Seat concepts seat Madstad windshield Tusk luggage racks and luggage Acerbis 5.3 gas tank I have 23k trouble free miles on it. I pretty much use it for local rides with my son and yearly backcountry discovery routes.

[@gillesgenete9598]

Well done 👍

[@mhilde7744]

Nice! Sounds like your DR jetting was off. What'd you set it for ?.....👍

[@1255cgraham]

It was jetted for sea level and I just adjusted the fuel screw to keep it running.

[@barrycasey9144]

Nice video. Was he using the ABS on the Tenere or turning it off? Seems like a hinderance on the slick rocks downhill and maybe the scree. I'm considering buying a Tenere.

[@1255cgraham]

ABS was off for this ride. The biggest hindrance was the weight of the bike on this steep downhill.

[@kevinnashskitchen3517]

Love that ride.. Great job guys! What is that on the DR? Windshield? Kinda looks like a Madstad

[@1255cgraham]

Thats exactly what it is. Normally I ride the DR from Oklahoma City to the start of the BDR. The Madstad makes the highway trip much better.

[@kevinnashskitchen3517]

@@1255cgraham love it! I wouldn't be afraid of one of those.. It's not the prettiest thing but they work! I put on anything as long as it functions for my comfort 😂

[@kevinnashskitchen3517]

@@1255cgraham if you wanted to... You can take it off and ask someone if you could leave it there and just grab it later.. If it is a hotel or campground no problem.. Just remove it and put it back on after some technical rides..👍

[@1255cgraham]

@@kevinnashskitchen3517 It really doesn't get in the way at all. I have it in the up position on the highway then put it in the down position when I get to the BDR. It goes low enough to not get in the way at all.

[@evergeendata]

is this going west to east from Telluride to Silverton, or the other way east to west?

[@evergeendata]

I think I figured it out. looks like this is going west towards Telluride based on the the Steps into the switchbacks

[@1255cgraham]

Yes you can only go one way from highway 550 to Telluride. Once in Telluride you can grab a burger then head back out to 550 via Imogene pass (there a video on that as well).

[@plastruk]

As much as I want to ride that I’m sure I die

[@1255cgraham]

Give it a shot! Just take a friend in case you get in trouble.

[@trevorjameson3213]

You can tell the guy on the Yamaha isn't very experienced. Maybe he should be riding a smaller bike, like a 250 or something like that. I rode in Colorado once with a friend who wasn't a great rider, and he kept falling down, going too slow, cussing about the rocks, etc. Trying too hard, that's the problem. Just gently coax it along, but not creeping along like an old grandpa, keep the speed up a bit, let the bike do it's work and float over the rocks. But, he never did catch on. I felt sorry for him, but did admire his determination to make it to the top and over the other side. He did actually do it so that was good.

[@1255cgraham]

He actually downsized from a Super Tenere to the T7. Still to big and heavy in my opinion but he is always down for whatever whenever and it makes for good video 😆

[@oosteveo315]

YOu guys should have switched bikes for safety on the gnar... lol I was scared for his life.

[@1255cgraham]

He did switch bikes... His previous one was the Super Tenere that almost killed him on Ophir pass the year before!

[@SWTrailsAndWheels]

Riding the DR looked like cheating ;)

[@danmcg9981]

While it would be cool to see the pass. This old fart at 65 will be avoiding it on my travels across country.

[@brianbassett4379]

I rode this same stretch in 2015 on my bicycle... it's way more beautiful when you aren't having to listen to and smell a stinking ICE the whole way. It's got to suck living gas station to gas station.

[@adammoore9088]

Huh, looks like the guy is having too much fun riding his motorbike to reply.

[@mamjack6134]

🤡