Donner Pass and the TREACHEROUS Descent into Downieville: NorCal BDR Day 3 (Sections 4 and 5)

[@DorkintheRoad]

HUGE thanks to Quad Lock for sponsoring Day 3 of our Northern California BDR motorcycle adventure. Check out the Quad Lock site at bit.ly/3Mt2O6F and use promo code "dorkintheroad" to save 10% My Quad Lock setup on the KTM 790 Adventure: www.quadlockcase.com/collections/shop-motorcycle/products/motorcycle-scooter-mount-kit-all-galaxy-devices?variant=43474729205931

[@billgaither9835]

@@DorkintheRoad good morning, just bot a 300 rally & was curious what aftermarket pipe u thought was best to go with the 550 performance?

[@M0T0bri]

I like the Sasquatch shirt you're wearing at the end... You guys are in a major hotspot.

[@kawabungah20]

It's nice to see the standard NorCalBDR. Thanks for the vicarious ride along!

[@markchoitz443]

what a great Bday present - Happy Birthday Ken!

[@advredbikes]

Thanks Ben for that awesome ride, wow even on camera that hill look really steep, glad Ian got a air mattress replacement, always good to have a hotel stay, looking forward to your next video

[@TwoWheeledBooBear]

Fantastic! Even though I live up here and ride these tracks nearly every weekend, it's hard not to be in awe of the footage. Appreciate the birthday wishes and the shoutout. Hope we can get together again soonish for some local hidden gems along Sections 4, 5, and 6! Cheers bud, and happy trails!

[@ronswihart176]

Happy birthday 🎈 Ken and thanks for saving the day

[@alvarogaitan2529]

great job and video

[@sganzerlag]

Happy birthday, Ken!!

[@TheRamblingMan69]

Ian made my laugh. He should try that more often. Good to see my backyard before i see my backyard! Thanks, good vid.

[@urbancavemanintheak7732]

Happy birthday Ken! Great video as always.

[@NEINLIVES999]

Another well designed video. The variety of motorcycles on this BDR is great! I have the XCape 650, which I'm really enjoying the longer I own it.

[@clarkleakins879]

50 years ago, Dad and I, with other dads and sons, rode those tracks, including up to Sierra Buttes fire tower, on a 1970, and 1972 Honda Trail 90. Other motorcycles were Kawasaki Bighorn 360, Honda XL250, Suzuki 250, Hodaka Ace 100. Then a few summers later, on a 1976, and 1978, Honda XL175. Still have the 1978 In excellent condition. Next time, stop at Malakoff Diggins State Park at Downieville. The nearby town of Washington is very quaint. Below Sierra Buttes, Packer Lake is a wonderful resort. Next time, head east from Jackson Meadows road, on Heness Pass road, the 1800 wagon ruts along the way, into Reno. Off route, stop at the Loyalton Hotel for a good lunch and scrumptious apple pie. I need to get that map! Probably now are many BDR roads that I rode.

[@tonyjourneyman1944]

Ahh Hodaka, reminds me also of the brands Bultaco, Maico and Montessa. Awesome bikes in their day.

[@rdbjr52]

Just want to say that I just purchased a CRF300L based on your review and comments. Your videos are quite entertaining and informative. I’m an old guy, and although I’ve done plenty of street riding, I have no dirt experience. So, I plan to stick to fire roads and two tracks. Thank you!

[@chrisbiery7217]

That down hill gave me goosebumps. I’ll be trying that soon !

[@paul.vanhout57]

Note to self - fresh brake pads before tackling the NorCal BDR😬

[@williamb.6918]

We had a guy show up to one of the BDRs with almost no remaining rear brake pad material. Needless to say he ended up having to bail halfway through as a result.

[@stephenjacques554]

Ken's the man thanks Ken for saving the trip, be well be safe gentlemen. See you soon. SJ

[@krisfant4749]

Great video! Hopefully you plan to go back to Sierra Buttes!

[@defaultuser3410]

Happy birthday Ken! And thank you Ken!

[@aajoda3298]

Ayyyeeee You're in my original stomping grounds!!! Now in the Willamette Valley, but this video makes me miss that area (but only the diverse scenery and historical points 😂)

[@DorkintheRoad]

Willamette valley is better anyway 🤣 I might be a little biased though.

[@aajoda3298]

@@DorkintheRoad Absolutely better in all ways!!

[@CJ-hq3ek]

Happy birthday Ken!

[@JamEWalsh]

Happy birthday - and THANK YOU! - Ken!

[@alvarogaitan2529]

happy birthday everyone

[@fhsauce]

Also Happy Birthday and Thanks to Ken eh ;)

[@tomhengel7244]

Happy birthday Ken.

[@BarberRidez]

Im sooo JEALOUS!!!!!

[@KK6USYHamRadioAdventures]

Thanks for the video, I guess I have been on a lot of those sections before it was the BDR. Too bad you didn't walk out on the dam at Milton res. it has some huge trout or use to anyway.

[@hedsy]

Perfect trail for the tdub. First gear just crawls.

[@bradsanders6954]

I was going down that downhill, and got to chasing dust. Thought a bike was up ahead. But no it was a bear absolutely hauling ass kicking up dust. He jetted up a cliff and was gone. I did 20,000 miles on my 890R, then got a 690 and did some long days on dirt. I would say its 50% of the effort to ride the 690, compared to 890. 690 is a play bike and is SO easy to ride, its plush instead of stiff. 890/790's are always stiff in stock form.

[@jessrumblin]

❤🎉thanks

[@danchandler8931]

Did the NCBDR about a week after you. Admire how you can look around with your GoPro to show us the scenery without running off the road

[@DorkintheRoad]

LOL it's a challenge sometimes.

[@williamdillon7708]

Thanks everyone and happy birthday! Ken I think that was the first preview I've heard on dork in the road for a future show but I might be wrong.

[@max_archer]

Ever try an Aeropress? I got one a while back for travel but like it so much it's become my daily driver. Makes decent strong coffee in around 30 seconds with the default recipe or really amazing coffee if you use the popular 3 minute Hoffman method.

[@OlegAvdeev]

Next time, highly recommend stopping by Casey's place in Alleghany, its a small detour right before than Downieville downhill section. Probably the remotest bar I've ever been to, super cool historic building and friendly folks. I think there are like 15 people living in that town in the middle of nowhere.

[@AdvenjarBinks]

Love the dual handlebar at 12:44

[@rp4120]

Love your videos. Maybe I have missed it, but have you ever done a video or series on your tech setup? I am running a couple go-pros and have just recently upgraded my chin mount camera to an Action 4. Much less hassle to run it all day on an external battery than the go-pros that require a specific power on process to achieve the same run time. I am using a Cado Packtalk Edge, but seeing your antenna out of your backpack, has me now investigating GMRS radio setup with Bluetooth connection to the cardo and a push to talk handlebar mount button. Curious as to what kind of range you get with your setup? I appreciate the knowledge you share about all things adventure riding and gear. Very useful.

[@NorCalSaint]

More likely to see a unicorn on that trail in the summer than you are rain...

[@jaytischler6168]

Hi, so going down the hill you were in first gear, braking front & rear, were you putting more weight toward the rear wheel etc. how fast were you going in first gear? Whats the principal regarding shifting your weight going down hill versus uphill etc. thanks, Jay

[@cwakeley01]

Crashed last night on my wr450 and my quad lock snapped. I wasn’t surprised. It was an unlucky event. I just ordered the pro mount. I like their gear

[@tonyjourneyman1944]

I've had 2 stolen, right off my bike and scooter at different times when parked in the street. Some people!

[@drpayne77]

Rode around with the QuadLock on my Norden for the first time today, it's going to take a long time to trust it.

[@danjones1365]

That drop is Galloway Rd from Henness Pass down into Downieville. 2500 ‘ in the course of 4 miles with probably 1500 ‘ in the last 1.5 miles Definitely a brake cooker.

[@dualsportoutdoors]

I have got to ride that route

[@Roberta_Esposito]

dork: just make sure you’re bringing enough to eat

[@DorkintheRoad]

Do I look like a guy who doesn't prioritize carrying food? 🤣

[@MrTmax74]

Lol ​@@DorkintheRoad

[@mikeday4383]

Just need OnX!

[@Briefcase217]

Another great video. What radio's are you guys using?

[@DorkintheRoad]

Baofeng uv5r

[@LuckyNikitaBoba]

I can’t believe you threw away those lettuce

[@johnmartin7144]

What Garmin are you running?

[@JCrozier1]

Neato mosquito??? Dork! ;)

[@MotoProspector-pv6wf]

It's Gray-Eagle 🤣. Donner tahoe sierra buttes is my local area.

[@InTransit8911]

Did you remove the passenger grab handles of the stock rack? I've found they make my giant loop coyote fit a bit awkwardly.

[@scotty2307]

Sleeping on asphalt. Is that similar to Feasting on Asphalt? Shameless Alton Brown reference.

[@bikealways]

Ben I see you put on an orange bar riser on your 790. I was thinking the same thing for my 790. We're their any issues with the length of the wires? Or did you have to get longer ones?

[@DorkintheRoad]

Vanasche makes the best stuff. 0 issues whatsoever.

[@bikealways]

@@DorkintheRoad That is where I figured you go it from. Do the risers make a big difference?

[@JosephWolf]

Excellent video I might have missed a few parts but to have a question or two. I'll start by saying that I have used a quad lock on my KLR for a couple of years and I love it. What gps tracking device navigation system were you using? Also, do you still quad lock your phone on these travels?

[@TheMotoShaman]

Yeah man pour over is the way to go! Enjoying the videos! Sorry I missed you in Texas! Engine breaking wasn't keeping you on that downhill?

[@DorkintheRoad]

Not even close. It was STEEP

[@MeerkatADV]

Engine braking you will still end up doing 30.

[@TheMotoShaman]

@@MeerkatADV​​⁠that’s nuts! The Arkansas dragon has a spot like that. I imagine starfish shaped holes in my seat doing something similar off-road!

[@TheMotoShaman]

@@DorkintheRoadcrazy!

[@fhsauce]

Are you an early morning guy or just trying to keep a schedule. Up before first light on DAY 3...I'd still be passed out

[@DorkintheRoad]

It was boring AF with no cell service and we were super tired so we went to bed at like 9pm

[@robertstuck3214]

What ABS mode did you use going down the hill?

[@DorkintheRoad]

Off Road. Always Off Road ;)

[@johnlong8518]

Was that a guy sitting in the road at 8:03?

[@DorkintheRoad]

It was Ken taking photos.

[@njiska]

You keep saying you don't air down on big bikes. Does the 790 have a specified offroad tire pressure? The 890 ADV R has 25/25 listed as offroad tire pressure on the bike itself.

[@garrick2600]

Unfortunately Gaia GPS on Apple devices will auto-zoom when you tell it to center on your location. It's super annoying.

[@DorkintheRoad]

yikes

[@bossHogOG]

Out at first slurp

[@timschneider7070]

Always great videos. What is the year and model of your KTM?

[@DorkintheRoad]

2024 790 Adventure

[@patring620]

Uh...At 8:00...You are definitely in California.

[@scrout]

In addition to your normal videos, I would definitely watch an unedited full length video of just the trail ride in each section. Pop another camera on the bike and just let it go....

[@DorkintheRoad]

Yeah...that'd be about 6 hours of monotony a day. Ain't nobody got time for that.

[@ArrrExSeven]

Just to let you guys know my lottery win will fund a ship so Euro TET riders can cheaply exchange with US BDR riders for fun