Imogene Pass, Full Length, Telluride to Ouray, XR650L

[@zur9142]

Few videos do this bike justice like this. You don't have to ride a bike hard to have good fun while taking on semi technical trails. This video shows the purest form of adventure riding in my opinion because its not always a race but simply getting to the destination. Sometimes i enjoy someone enjoying the simpler side of riding versus pushing yourself and the bike to its limits which is badass. But this strikes me as the more practical side of riding this kind of bike.

[@markboza6215]

no dought if you need to go 100 then ur not enjoying the scenery,now dont get me wrong i like to give it a nice roost from time to time but its enjoying the ride that makes it so relaxing!.

[@chadgoff4878]

It was purely survival for me lol. It's not fun bouncing down a cliff. I had a family to return home to.

[@tomroper4600]

I agree, the XR650L is a pure form of adventure riding. Heavier adventure bikes can do it if the rider can afford the effort on the trail and the expense of broken parts. We've all seen they can go wherever the rider can take them. The pictured XR650L was suitably softly damped and could cope with the rocks with the lowest effort of most anything with a license plate. A heavier bike needs momentum to stay upright, that means carrying speed which means stiffer suspension and high effort, one leads to another. My KLR650 was soft enough but would eventually be bottoming on the rocks at the speeds needed to keep it upright on the rocky Imogene or Black Bear Passes. I traded it for the Aprilia Tuareg 660 which would be capable in the right hands but generally is just adding effort and expense on technical rides. At the other end of the spectrum, you can get between all of these junctions from paved roadways. There is always a trail more technical ahead, and bikes of every genre up to the trials bike. At some level of technical competence they get so light they strip away the horn and lights and stop being street legal. With adventure bikes, that's the pivot point we're all making judgments on, the street legal format that best suits what we are trying to achieve, which is a moving target so we never stop buying them.

[@PeterVred]

10 minutes in, this is awesome! I’m picking up a 650L, with a trailer today for a friend. Up at 4 in the a.m., too excited to sleep. And it’s not even my bike.

[@MacawAviculture]

Great video, thanks for not having any useless music!

[@No_Malarky]

Love these trips. I`m 63 & still very active on my old `83 Honda XL250. I too much prefer distance on old roads vs aggressive hillclimb etc

[@jeffreyparrish4372]

Nothing like a rider that is not scared of heights. This pass is a testament to Honda quality. Enjoyed it tremendously. Ride on (safely).

[@evopwrmods]

Riding on my KLR650 is much easier thn it is in my big ford 1 ton that has a 12 inch lift rolling on 37's. Being up so high i such a big truck is sketchy on some of these mountain roads.

[@captainamerica9353]

Jeffrey Parrish , a testament to Honda quality? WTH is that supposed to mean? I can't ride this on a DRZ, BMW, KTM or Beta?

[@nwilk6407]

@@captainamerica9353 probably just staying the obvious about Honda and their legendary engine quality. Not that hard to interpret. No need to make it about you.

[@captainamerica9353]

@@nwilk6407 , it's not about me. It's about all the riders of every other brand and model riding in the same places. The OP made it about him, being a Honda fanboy.

[@nwilk6407]

@@captainamerica9353 no. You chimed in on a video of a guy riding a HONDA to give your 2 cents, so yes, it’s about you. It would be different if he said…looks fun but KTMs are better blah, blah, blah. Kinda like what you did.

[@TheMutchlerchad]

Thanks for the video man! My wife and I did the pass on a side by side at the end of last summer....it is soooo beautiful. It was one of the best days of my life.

[@14489]

I used to ride but I can't anymore, I've seen your video 10 times... it really relaxes me and brings good memories... thanx a lot

[@micwell2247]

You are the very first to post riding with sense in the back country... Good ride !!!

[@chiptaxfree]

I appreciate you narrating most of the way through the video. that makes it much more interesting to listen to and watch. You're a brave man doing that all alone.

[@georgerehak1424]

“I hope this is the right way.” My mantra for life.

[@bobflynn5689]

My favorite line in the video was: "Yeah, there you go. Let's not get wet. Let's drive off the cliff." Chad says this right after I thought, "man, he's getting close to the edge." Made me chuckle because I could see myself doing the exact same thing. These videos just can't show true perspective. We never really know how narrow or steep these trails are.

[@keyboarddancers7751]

North America has some absolutely fantastic trail rides!

[@mikehagan4320]

My wife and I were on the Ouray side back in 1991. I was riding a 91' BMW paris/Dakar. Turquoise/ Black. I took a picture of My Beautiful 5 foot tall Blonde haired Wife and the scenery that won First place at our county fair. (Location about 53:00 on your video. ) The Wife and the Bike are Both gone now. Oh How I Wish I Had Her Back! She was such a Great Motorcycle. Now I Have a Kawasaki KLR 650 parked in my kitchen. Because I can! Great adventure video! Best Wishes from Montana! M.H.

[@pattyleabo426]

That’s a great story! I’m getting married in March for the first time. I just turned 30 in October and I’m lucky enough to have a fiancé who wants memories like that!

[@captainamerica9353]

Mike Hagan , I think your Caps Lock key is getting sticky.

[@Theroadaxe]

I'm working on several trips for next year. Trail riding Michigan with it's 4000 miles of trails as a break in for the CDR, and then at least part of the TAT. Watching your long videos to Telluride and then to Ouray gave me a feel for what it is really like on these rides, instead of the usual 30 second segments in long videos I always see. Thanks for posting the long videos. As for the spare bedroom experts, just ignore them. You did a great job!

[@blatherama]

Calm, peaceful, tranquil. Then he swats at a bug and scares the heck out of me... Excellent video.

[@pavementsurfer10]

me too! lol

[@nucl3arfamily906]

Me too!

[@davidklementis5913]

Lol, yep me too.

[@432hzPopMusic]

Holy Schnikes! This guy is a super pro rider and very brave. Thank you sharing this experience.

[@katsujinkin60]

Beautiful and terrifying! Truly awesome. Thanks for taking us along!

[@hendragster]

That's one gnarly place to ride definitely is in my bucket list now after watching your video. 👍🏾👍🏾

[@MrKmd27]

The XR handled this terrain perfectly. Although I love the scenery, the heights and drop offs would keep me too anxious to enjoy this ride.

[@michaelhatch1255]

Thanks for your videos, just rode Imogene Pass yesterday (090420) and dumped my KTM 350 at the same place you dumped! 😱

[@chadgoff4878]

Awesome lol. Was hoping I wouldn't be the only one. Its a lot steeper that it looks on video.

[@thomastaylor5826]

Wow, what a place to ride, the scenery is incredible! This place is on my bucket list now, thank you for sharing!

[@chopperz127]

Nice video. Riding that area is at the very top of my bucket list. Pretty sure when I finally get there I won't ever want to leave.

[@OverPenAdventures]

Watched your Black Bear pass video earlier and then a bunch of other attempts. Sitting here having a laugh at how a guy in jeans and work boots on a stock 650 is just clowning all the kitted out adv and DS guys (don't hate, I'm one of them). Excellent rides man, subbed for sure!

[@JohnErikjohansson]

Well, there it is! What can a man Possible need more out of a bike than this!. Love the XR aircooled, this is motorcyckling at it finest" SIR !

[@alkydah6741]

JFC man! Every time you chose to keep your boots dry at the risk of going off the edge.....I kept leaning to my left in my desk chair!! I'm gonna be doing all the passes (including Black Bear) this summer. I am afraid of heights. I will be GLUED to the left tire track. I will have Dude Wipes up my butt as well! Great video and riding BTW. Nice relaxed pace. Can't wait...but kinda can...haha!

[@richschuster1097]

I enjoy watching you guys slay those passes. I’ll never do it; heights are difficult for me. I really enjoyed how you navigated all the terrain. I’m sometimes left with the impression that guys are not terribly at home on their particular bike. You however are made for that Honda and vice versa. Really nice riding style and technique. Great videos!

[@gibbontakeit9098]

I'm not good with heights anymore either... Should do a Pass if you get a chance, video is deceiving, and also in a car, it's way scarier.

[@stevecarmack6267]

Great video! Planning on this trip this August. Thanks!

[@chadgoff4878]

Safe travels. It will be a trip of a lifetime. At least for me it was.

[@Dan-tu1fl]

Love seeing these beautiful pigs in their natural environment!

[@cecilmusick8629]

Awesome! Thanks for taking us on this ride!

[@mhilde7744]

"Living the dream" ....thanks for the post!!!!

[@2WheeledPatinaThomasC]

Marvellous video! Subscribed. Greetings from 🇬🇧 🇪🇸

[@wfodavid]

Great video Chad. We will be up in August. Thanks for sharing!

[@JohnDoe-xm9ql]

Great video.. Thank you for bringing us along. 🙏🇺🇸

[@cameroncassel994]

Used to live in ouray, wonderful place with the mountains all around. Rode my motorcycle up many a mountain trail around that area.

[@robertnocerajr3985]

Great message.. thank you for sharing.. xr 650 owner myself.

[@jime7194]

Sweet ride in my ol stomping grounds! Good vid thanks for sharing.

[@jamesw9803]

Nice video - I dropped my DRZ at the EXACT same spot on the way up! It is steeper than it looks on vid and at that altitude the bike has some serious power loss. Ride on!

[@maxriptide5447]

Awesome man! that was just like riding with you! Thanks!

[@kheff46]

I drove that and experienced those places. Great to see it another way. Thank you!!

[@bossrogulz]

marathon with your videos mate what an awesome adventure/trail/ride you have made me jealous tbh 😅

[@jamesmcdermott6934]

What a Beautiful ride!!!

[@artm.8254]

Wow that was some ride. It would've taken me at least 2 days to finish. There's too many sights to take in. Thanks for the vid!

[@croaker4747]

Great video buddy. I really enjoyed it. Well done.

[@MacawAviculture]

It is much easier to find the trail when you come from Ouray to Yankee Boy Basin, then to Imogene Pass to Telluride. Imagine if you were riding a BMW 1200 GS and dropped it, without anyone to help lift it!

[@Beeswax106]

I love your riding videos. I'm looking to buy a XR650l.

[@skanda1832]

Wondered if the trail was too technical for a GS. Now I see it's just a dirt road. Thank you for the 1st person perspective.

[@66samdog]

3x3 lavender and purple skirts. Must be matching outfit day. 1:00:13. Not your first rodeo, you handled it like a boss.

[@herbalchicken]

"Good ol' 650's tractoring along!" :)

[@magnuspym]

Bucket list ride!

[@RantzBizGroup]

Great riding on a rather heavy bike!!!

[@fenderfan8543]

This is exactly what these old honda are great at. For some reason people hate on them because they arent pure bred dirtbikes lol. I wish I had roads like that around where I live. Also if I were you i would buy an xr650r front sprocket. Maybe go a tooth lower. The 650r sprocket is twice as wide and doesnt wear the output shaft like the stock ones do.

[@kuhndj67]

Was watching one of the jeep video's of Imogene and they were so SLLLLOOOWWWW... this is more my speed. ;-) (we're going to be out there in a few weeks)

[@JB-ss3bv]

I drove my forester over cinnamon pass last summer. Even an FI motor suffered above 12k. You video makes me think the new FI KLR would be interesting to test.

[@captainamerica9353]

J B , FI is better than carburation at altitude, but it still doesn't make its own air!

[@Azarie03]

Love this video, but please if you ever do another, it would be great to hear more of the bike. I don't know why, it just would. :)

[@dune6727]

Pretty awesome terrain

[@ComfyDadShoes]

Four years ago is when I should’ve bought this bike.

[@mhilde7744]

Nicely done!👍

[@josephdenver1612]

That was a great video. That trail is a big nope for me.

[@alphawolf2993]

I ride the Canadian Rockies..definitely gonna make it down to the USA.

[@ericketchum4809]

Love that bike! Wish they offered it in EFI though 😊

[@kiwiridernz69]

Eric Ketchum nah carby is better for them long trips.

[@xtman693]

I would not ever want a dirt bike with an on board computer EFI crap. A throttle position sensor, crankshaft position sensor, sensors everywhere. Makes troubleshooting a pain and after ten years it all wears out. I have a 2002 XR650L, it sat for 6 years. I rebuilt the carb, changed the oil and that’s all it took.

[@pavementsurfer10]

@@xtman693 Me too I have an 04wr450 it sat for 2 years. Cleaned the carb and dropped the oil. It still runs like a beast.

[@mechcavandy986]

I might get me a XR 650 L. I’ve got a heavy BMW R 1200 GSA now.

[@sbennettyt]

Where did an Ohio boy get the enduro bike skills to ride Black Bear Pass? I spend my grade school years in Cleveland but then moved to WV where I got my first mini bike. Love the videos.

[@StocksFarm]

Great video looks like a blast and a challenge.

[@danielpittman889]

39:11 is about where I almost got divorced. I pulled our rented Rubicon over to the edge to let a motorcycle pass. My wife was freaking out!

[@WRjockey]

Me: Hmmmm.....think I'll watch just a few minutes of this. 1 hr, 23 mins. later: WOW, incredible video!!! Thank you for taking us along as virtual passengers on this ride! Such beautiful scenery. And I have even more respect for the 650 now! You: "This is really a rocky road." (me: understatement of the year!) You: "I might not even like ice cream after this." (me: What does ice cream have to do with it? Why wouldn't he....ahhhh, okay. A little slow today! lol) Since I will never take a ride like this, so happy to be able to watch this video. I'll be checking out your other ones, too. Just so happens I'm in the market for a dual-sport bike right now, and the XR650L is on my list! But I'm a little concerned that the bike might be too tall for me with that 37 inch seat height.. Anyhow, thanks for such a great video!

[@WRjockey]

Edit: the 37 inch seat height was too tall for me. Instead, I got a Yamaha WR250R. (36.6 inch seat height) ;););) That .4 of an inch makes all the difference! hahahaha

[@tonythegreat8481]

How many gallons did you use on this trip? Is the 5.8 gallon tank too much? I wish you had more videos like this because it's nice to watch.

[@sparkyobrian6417]

what a great video

[@rodneyjohnston2217]

I am going across that later this summer on either my DRZ KLR or EXCF500. It looks like I could do on any of the three. I have conti akc 80 s on the suzuki, 606s on the KLR and straight Mx tires on the KTM it appears pretty easy. Relatively speaking

[@chadgoff4878]

I would ride the lighter of the bikes. Slow speed maneuvers on the switchbacks are the toughest parts of any of the trails. Enjoy the ride and have fun. Happy trails 😁!

[@philipthomas3938]

Kickstarter blues...my Honda 300 has gear indicator and electric start for the nightmare spots on the trails with no room to manoeuvre...but any off-road adventure biking still needs the emergency Kickstarter

[@diegoprods7971]

Excelent road excellente bike!

[@bobkelly2447]

Wow more traffic on that road than on the freeway !

[@flgator311]

Chad, thanks so much for the info.

[@switter1999]

Cool road!!

[@danielpittman889]

55:15 there's a really cool abandoned mine. The main adit is gated off, but otherwise open. Spooky as hell.

[@a20dmd]

I enjoyed that thankyou.

[@danielpittman889]

1:16:03 Weehawken trailhead on the left. Old mine ruins and access to a great view of Ouray - but you really have to hate your knees to hike that trail.

[@failedstates5315]

I bought a stock '98 last year. Done a few minor upgrades but nothing serious. Thinking about a larger tank or at least a rack to carry a can. I barely get 100km distance out of a full tank.

[@chadgoff4878]

A 4.5 gal tank would be ideal.

[@cr500blur]

Thanks for the video, now I know how far we won't be going the opposite direction from Ouray in June. One thing that would be nice is if you talk more about what is going on around you since you are constantly pointing the camera forward.

[@danielpittman889]

1:05:24 left would work, but you'd end up on a rough trail heading towards an active mine. A little further west than the route to Ouray, but an alternate route if you're heading further up to Yankee Boy basin.

[@chsftball57]

What were those old buildings out in the middle of nowhere?

[@jasonharris630]

Cool ride, nice rig! Do you still have the bike and if so, how’s it holding up?

[@VinnyV_01]

I realize this was a while ago but man what a fun ride to watch! I am about to get an adventure bike and start doing trips like this, based in Ohio. I am actually looking at an older XR650L, why I ended up on this video. Do you still ride this bike or have you moved on? Can you give a quick pro/con on the XR? Thanks!

[@WRjockey]

Chad died in a motorcycle/deer/auto crash in April 2021. RIP.

[@bkibbeeg]

Dude, I just fell off the left side of my chair watching this! Well ok, but I can't stop leaning heavily to the left. Your hair scramble vids are awesome too. I think I've seen em all, still browsing.

[@stevenlefebvre2991]

Bruce G That is funny as hell Bruce. I have to admit I kept leaning my phone to the left helping him steer the bike. I have the same bike and I was concerned about him getting close to the edge.

[@davida1679]

Fun ride thank you! Watched the entire video. Good choice of bike even if high altitude jetting is an issue?

[@evopwrmods]

awesome video..thnxx

[@65davem19]

So if you were to pull your air filter when up in the higher elevations if it would allow more air? It was so wet you shouldn’t have been kicking up dust.

[@danielpittman889]

1:13:21 Just a few weeks previous, that water crossing was in much worse condition. They've made some major improvements since then.

[@HooksAndWheels]

Man. What a nice soothing video. It's nice to see another XR owner who isnt on moto madness bashing mirrors and flipping people off. Thanks for a great video. If ya dont mind sharing, what are you filming with? I've got go pros and a cannon cam with chest mount but been looking at the sena prism tube. Any help would be great. Thanks and ride safe. Got a new subscriber from thisvideo. .

[@chadgoff4878]

Thanks for watching 😁. I use the Sony Action Cam FDR-X3000 . It does a great job with stabilization while riding. I attach the camera with a custom made mount on the side of my helmet.

[@HooksAndWheels]

@@chadgoff4878 thank you very much for the feedback. I will definitely be getting one.

[@tdirtpor]

NICE. I was there a month before you in 2017. I rode by myself also , maybe not the smartest. Ready to go back in 2020. If you get the same itch let me know I'm in MN

[@chadgoff4878]

Awesome, I'll definitely let you know.

[@joeyrodarte8464]

Outstanding.

[@patrickroach7289]

13 tooth front sprocket would be helpful on a trail like that..

[@Alien300Blackout]

Could you do the alpine loop using a stock tank on this bike or are the fuel stops too far apart?

[@franmitch3589]

Done this same trail on a KLR

[@SamClarkschannel]

Remember guys, only 5 tourists a day are allowed on this pass. Maybe check out California :D

[@jamespolucha8790]

Are you doing all this solo ?

[@flgator311]

Can you give me information on your route and distance between Telluride to Ouray. How long should it take to run the pass? Thank You. Great but sometimes scary video!

[@chadgoff4878]

FL GATOR I did not track the route through GPS or anything. I picked up some ideas from videos on the Eventide channel on KZbin. The distance isn't much more than 30miles. Give yourself 2 to 3 hours if stop and soak up the amazing scenery.

[@stevenlefebvre2991]

Chad Goff Great video Chad. It shows how versatile the XR 650 is and how amazing a time you could have exploring the mountains.

[@kenfletcher7479]

I hear you referencing running rich. Did you rejet or original? What is your normal elevation that you ride? I'm consider this vs a DRZ 400 I live in south Louisiana at sea level. Also I'm 6" 290#s so thinking the more HP and TQ would be better. Enjoyed the ride .

[@chadgoff4878]

The bike's jetting is stock. My normal riding elevation is 1500ft.

[@stevenlefebvre2991]

Ken Fletcher Definitely get the Honda 650 you won’t regret it.

[@kevinxr650l2]

Fun, Fun, Fun! Good ride... Do you air-down the tires for a ride like this?

[@chadgoff4878]

Yes, I did air down a little. 15 to 18 psi if I remember correctly.

[@kevinxr650l2]

I also run d606's on my xr650l, good tip. Thanks.

[@RT-tn4ry]

How do you get to Ouray ? really ?

[@armadilllo]

My legs were zinging the whole way.

[@williamarango5289]

Nací video 👏👏👏👏