Black Hills BDRx: Bear Mountain "Harder" Alt Route

[@ognightrider8730]

After owning a couple big adventure bikes I have built an ultralight adventure bike with a Beta 390, I still ride and camp with guys that ride big bikes, life is just 50 times easier and I enjoy the ride more.

[@davidb5952]

Just did Wyoming BDR on DR650. NO way would I want a bigger, heavier big on BDRs. Agree - Lighter is better.

[@DubuqueDude]

If it only showed how steep and slick that climb was. Great video!

[@JacobAnawalt]

Now we see why it took our great-grandparents all day to go 15 miles. Glad you survived the adventure!

[@redeemedadventures]

Not taking away anything from ya. Good on ya for buying a bike and getting out there and doing it! Thats awesome! The advantage of those big freaking bikes is that they are great for highway touring and some light off roading. The disadvantage is that they are horrible for this kind of off roading. For my style of riding, I prefer my KLX 300. If the ride is a long ways away I will throw it on my truck and haul it out there. I can pack enough on it to go for a 1-3 night camp out if I want to. The KLX 300 with the Dunlop 606’s on it, would rip through this route no problem. But again. I enjoyed watching the video and good job! You got your but out off the couch and out of the city and took the bike off roading - That’s a good day! I’m actually contemplating loading the KLX on the truck later this year or next year and driving all day to do this BDR route. Hence why I’m watching some videos on it :)

[@psunaminami6672]

youve got a death grip on that clutch...give it the gas and let go of the clutch!

[@thedriftlessrider]

Funny you mention that, I just ordered a new clutch pack yesterday 😂. Nice thing about filming your rides is you can look back and learn from it.

[@cdan1768]

I feel you! I just completed the route and while there are easy parts to be sure, the hard ones make up for it. Fortunately I didn’t have to deal with the amount of mud you did but still had some and some of the ruts were insane. Awesome ride and awesome scenery. I recommend everyone do this route. If you are a beginner skip the expert sections but an intermediate rider should be alright but it will challenge you.

[@theshadyeightyshow3355]

I appreciate seeing it done the hard way, good effort guys!

[@KB-ce7gf]

This is a perfect video of what not to do, ha ha. "Mainly for the content", as you put it. I laughed my ass off through most of it. Oh, and how's that clutch doing? Burn baby, burn. Hey, at least you guys were out there having a blast. that's what it's all about. Nice video.

[@thedriftlessrider]

Clutch was replaced under warranty at the beginning of this year. It had other issues that were totally unrelated to this ride 👀.

[@JB-qu1bu]

After watching this vid I am so glad I am building an xr650l for an adv bike. Thanks

I live in Montana and found my DR 650 is perfect for that kind of stuff.

[@Jgoldyadv]

I might be missing something but can i ask what is the advantage of having such a big heavy bike that you can't lift on your own in those conditions seems like a disadvantage to me ?

[@Thomas-im4vf]

Do you really need everything that you have loaded

[@michaelreicks381]

Love it! Just did the bdrx this weekend. Was a terrible idea. Absolutely loved it! Im from new hampton and have a t700. Message me if your looking for somone to ride with.

[@paul.vanhout57]

Greasy conditions in a steep climb with fully loaded bikes😬. No quit in your crew though👏

[@traineeadv]

I'm glad I wasn't the only one that got caught out by the mud there in September! Great watch.

[@craigsturman6661]

Even with the lowering links my T7 is a little tall for my short legs. You guys did awesome for what you were into. I think I'll pass on the hard sections of this BDRX when I do it.

[@thedriftlessrider]

If it’s dry, it’s doable with little experience. Main thing I wish I did better was keeping my speed up and having confidence in the bike. The ruts were aggressive though.

[@craigsturman6661]

@@thedriftlessrider I get it, and the camera doesn't do the hills justice. My problem is when I have to stop on a hill, I have to plan where to put my foot down. I would have dropped it way more than you did. I have learned over the years how to use momentum and speed on these big bikes. But I still have my frustrating days!

[@chrismcallister6546]

those street tire's not so good off road... looked like a great time tho

[@thedriftlessrider]

Yea the stock Pirelli Scorpion Rally’s are terrible in mud. 3 of us had them and we were not having a good time.

[@MeerkatADV]

I absolutely HATE the OEM pirellis. They're great street tires and complete garbage in anything loose.

[@thedriftlessrider]

I agree. I’ll be changing them out in the near future before the riding season starts.

[@grego10r]

it's always the pilot there is no mud tires

[@ChiTownTino]

Ooh looks difficult! Maybe a bit more speed might help?I know I wasn’t there it’s just what I was thinking for every drop. Good effort tho!

[@thedriftlessrider]

That’s what I was thinking after making this video. Definitely a learning moment.

[@lostgamer9569]

I've ridden all over the west on the tat and BDR's with my 890 a tiger and even a versys. look into more aggressive tires when your doing these kinds of rides and save the 50/50 for when your just doing easy stuff. it makes a world of difference on hard sections having aggressive offroad tires. your tires are caked so your just not sure enough with your traction to have the speed to throw the mud off with 50/50. also start doing slow clutch drills at home with no gas to learn your actual stall point. stalling is embarrassing but burning your clutch out when you need to get over something will defeat you. last thing ill say is take it easy on yourself at altitude. things that are easy in the low lands will absolutely leave you laying on the ground gasping at alt sometimes.

[@lanifuu7640]

Were your SysBags damaged in any way, after this trip?

[@thedriftlessrider]

They were not. The video I made on the Sysbags was made after this trip and I cover the durability of them.

[@lanifuu7640]

@@thedriftlessrider Nice! Thanks you!

[@chrysovalantiskamprogianni541]

Those tires are not for this type of terrain buddy. Great ride though!❤

[@the88tlc]

all kinds of motorcycle riders on pavement, see how many ADV moto riders when you add the rocks, dirt, mud, grease hill climb.

[@macdaddy258]

Looks like you’re really enjoying yourself 🙄… stick to dirt roads dude..