Scooter Cannonball 2023 // Day 1 (Pt 2): Joshua Tree, CA to Lake Havasu, AZ

[@REZrblde]

Thank goodness Dean was around to help you with that belt repair. Sad that he's no longer with us,he looks like a really nice and friendly guy.

[@arealious25]

What happened to him?

[@QuasiMotard]

Sadly, Dean committed suicide just a few weeks after the Scooter Cannonball event concluded. RIP Dean St. Louis: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2rHlYetisuoY5o 🙏😞 --QM

[@karlfonner7589]

@@QuasiMotard oh my gosh I’m so sorry to hear about your friend. I’ve been in a funk, but hopefully not that bad. Do you know if it was anything physical? Such as the big C?

[@QuasiMotard]

@@karlfonner7589 Unfortunately, we never found out any more details about the "why" of Dean's decision. It was totally unexpected, and he didn't leave a note... he just checked out. 🤷‍♂️😒 --QM

[@BarbRS]

So sad, he was a sweetheart for sticking with you on that repair. It's a shame we never seem to see that coming in people. Prayers he is in peace. 😢❤

[@ReachBrian]

Man, I've got to do this in '25. RIP Dean as well. Glad you made it (relatively) unscathed through such a rough day.

[@edwardsp1916]

What an adventure, thank you for sharing.

[@QuasiMotard]

Thanks again for the support, Paul! 👊😉👍 --QM

[@philward252]

Thanks for sharing. ‘‘Twas indeed a brutal first day. I have already viewed a few months back now some of the more ‘special’ events yet to come that you and others have posted. Looking forward to Day 2 video as the saga unfolds.

[@QuasiMotard]

Thanks for the support, Phil! I'm editing Day 2's episode now, and hope to have it out within the next couple of days. Cheers! 😉👍 --QM

[@DavidM2002]

I was heading in the opposite direction on my CBR1000RR returning to Vancouver, BC from South Carolina and started to see some of your fellow ( and fellowess ? ) riders. A couple were stopped to take some pics so I did a quick U-turn to go back and chat to see what all of the scooters were doing out there. We had a great chat.

[@ericsemple4820]

Just imagine being stranded out here! You called it. Roadside repair! I remember talking to Doug at the gas stop. I was hurting but the real pain was to come later. Loved that Dean stopped and had the v-tool. I am sweating watching the video. It was so freaking hot! You looked so beat at the end and we all were feeling the same. it was a long tough day.

[@QuasiMotard]

Yeah, I shoulda just kept my mouth SHUT... I jinxed myself! 🤣👍 --QM

[@dcijams]

I drove across that last summer, the early morning temps, were 114 degrees. I was only driving at 60 mph. I had 44,000 pounds in the box (Tracker Trailer), by the time, I got the to mountain range, it was 122 degrees. and of course, I had to run my 4 ways, all the way up the mountains. (Did, It once, hope, I never have to do it again).my biggest fear, was getting a blow out. as I would have to ride it, until, it Decina grated,

[@yak9989]

Dean sure comes off like such a likeable person. RIP

[@whocaresaboutme29]

I'm sad dean is a kool guy and a big heart ..will.keep.him alive in my travels also..randy

[@roywalls5595]

Its crazy day for you when belt went out and Dean fall over just helping you out and missing tools! Mr. Aaron

[@MadsWorld34]

i'm still going to do the 2025 but the burgman fell through the 2899 after he added so much to it turned out to be 4900 so i said no. but now that i know a fonza is legal for it i am looking at those also.

[@RebelCowboysRVs]

RIP Dean. Seems like a nice guy.

[@theoldman8877]

My father taught me when traveling in the desert in the summer of 1956 ( I was 7 years old), that you never push a vehicle hard if you don't want to walk in the desert . We had a long walk on that day , my dad had pushed his old chev pickup a little harder than was good for it.

[@conniewaite1371]

Did you take a tent? Could have used the tarp for shade and wind protection maybe. Glad your buddies were there for you

[@QuasiMotard]

I thought about trying to string my tarp, but the 40+ mph wind gusts would have made that problematic. The entire belt change only took about 20-25 minutes, so it wasn't too bad. Dean needed more time to rest and recover, so we ended up sitting there for just over an hour. 😉👍 --QM

[@FeralSparky]

I've gotten good at replacing cvt belts without tools. Just my hands. I should try doing it on my Helix to see if I can do it as well.

[@QuasiMotard]

The belt can be changed relatively easily on the Helix 250 and Reflex 250. I've done it many times on my old Helix 250's with only basic hand tools and no CVT/clutch holder. However, the rear torque drive on the PCX150 is fully recessed within the drive housing with only a few mm of clearance, so it MUST come out to swap the belt. 😉👍 --QM

[@FeralSparky]

@@QuasiMotard Gotcha. Never got to ride a PCX. Might pick one up eventually. I like the styling of it. That and the MPG over the helix.

[@robbiecan]

Hahahaha! Me with a halo! 😂

[@QuasiMotard]

You deserve it, buddy! You really went above and beyond to support me during the Cannonball! 👊😉👍 --QM

[@nateclark4908]

What a brutal day. Great video though man. Shows the realities of cross country rallies!

[@QuasiMotard]

👊 Thanks for watching and leaving feedback! Yeah, it was a rough first day of the event for me and a few other riders. I'm editing the episodes for Day 2 right now, and we had a good run with no major mechanical issues. My variator wasn't happy and started to give up toward the end of the day. I should have those episodes ready in the next couple of days. Cheers! 😉👍 --QM

[@whocaresaboutme29]

Great video...too bad no.one stopped to help...I'm a rider and love road trips and always stop to help ..would love to do a trip with you guys..im outside las vegas.nevada

[@QuasiMotard]

We'll be coming through your area next June for the 2025 Scooter Cannonball. Our planned route should be rolling through Nevada and Utah for the ride up to Seaside, OR. Maybe we can catch you on the road! Cheers! 😉👍 --QM

[@whocaresaboutme29]

@@QuasiMotard that would be great!!

[@RS-co4fu]

Dean took the time. Time is fleeting?

[@kinzenwong842]

Thanks - be safe !

[@belalehner3937]

The "moral" of the story about the failed CVT belt is, that it's always a better choice not to use tuned up parts. The stock parts wasn't chosen by the engineers of Honda by accident. They tested them, checked them working together as one machine and as you break this "harmony" with some upgrade by choice the end-result will be some nasty failure of your bike. Well, You should use stock either and period.

[@paulb_614]

Looks like a fun time. Do belts have a mile life on a scooter? at least you had the belt!!

[@QuasiMotard]

We had a blast despite the minor mechanical setbacks. CVT belts generally last 12-16K miles under "normal" riding conditions. The Scooter Cannonball is a different kind of torture with the prolonged high speeds, high temperatures (usually in the heat of summer), and the dirt/gravel roads. Most of us burn through a belt in 6-8K miles under those conditions. It's normally not a big deal to swap a belt if you have the tools and a spare belt. Doing it in the Mojave Desert is a different scenario! 🔥🤣👍 --QM

[@kinzenwong842]

So close to the traffic lane with those big rigs screaming by, I would have gotten another 10 feet from the traffic lane ..

[@QuasiMotard]

Unfortunately, moving farther onto the shoulder wasn't an option in our situation. The camera doesn't show the slope of the road very well, but it dropped off sharply toward the gravel. That's why both riders on the other scooters dropped their bikes... the shoulder isn't flat at all. I originally planned to turn the bike around so the left side would face away from the road, but that crowned surface and the 40+ mph winds may have pushed the bike on top of me while I was sitting under it. Neither scenario was a good one, so we finished the job as quickly as possible. --QM

[@Oldguy-k3t]

Exactly what I was thinking. Guys on scooters vs semi truck, total carnage.

[@QuasiMotard]

There was deep sand on the shoulders, so we wouldn't have been able to put the bike on a centerstand if we weren't on the hard shoulder. We were sitting about 8 feet from the roadway... the camera makes it look closer than it really was. 😉👍 --QM

[@greymas3006]

Where did your mechanical skills come from? You diagnosed it while it was happening then fixed it road side. Calm cool and collected in the desert heat no less! I got to get these skillz before I take my Super Cub on a long trip. Well done!

[@QuasiMotard]

I've been wrenching and racing since I was about 6 years old, so I guess the mechanical aptitude came naturally. I've experienced similar failures in the past, so I knew how those symptoms were evolving and what the likely outcome. I'm just glad that the rear wheel didn't sieze when I was moving 70+ MPH as I had been just a mile before that incident! Working and waiting in the heat wasn't fun, but "keeping your cool" is important in those situations. The Super Cub is even easier to maintain and less likely to have major mechanical issues. The Cub's chain drive and air-cooled engine are much simpler in comparision to the PCX's CVT belt drive and water-cooled engine. The primary maintenance chores you should memorize and practice are: - how to patch/change a tire (usually the rear), - how to adjust the drive chain slack and keep it lubricated, - how to check and change your oil on the road (particularly if your trip will be over 2K miles) The Honda service manual is a great investment at only ~$50 USD, so I recommend getting one if you haven't already. You can order one through HELM, Inc website: www.helminc.com/helm/search_service_owner.asp?Style=g61zysahc9jvf8w&class%5F2=AHC Cheers! 😉👍 --QM

[@miked1254]

What a brutal first day out.

[@QuasiMotard]

Man, you got that right! My 2021 SCBR journey was full of slow, brutal torture, but we didn't have ANY mechanical failures or accidents on our team throughout the 10K-mile adventure. The 2023 SCBR started out rough and only got rougher as the event rolled forward. Regardless of the trials and tribulations, I still had a blast! The hardships and minor catastrophes are what create a memorable adventure! 🤣👍 --QM

[@louispaulter8733]

Interested in a Honda Adv160 as a on-road urban/mild dirt/gravel/single track keep trail off road transport. How feasible would a 160-150 cc scooter would be for a slow lane travel on a 70 mph limit interstate where other vehicles are often cruising 85+ mph, based on your Cannonball Scooter Rally experience ? BTW, wish you could do a review on a Honda Adv160 scooter because as of 12/12/2023 there are NO REVIEWS BY USA TEST RIDERS !!!

[@arealious25]

I have one but i don't plan on riding on the interstate. Great bike though.

[@jameshenry1729]

Good Show

[@QuasiMotard]

Thanks for the support, James! 👊😉👍 --QM

[@RC238297]

Great videos of the 2023 Cannonball Run. How and what did you use to project your speed along with all the other trick stuff?

[@QuasiMotard]

Thanks for the feedback! The telemetry data for the HUD is recorded by my GoPro Hero11 camera and my Garmin Zumo GPS. The gauge overlay is generated using a third-party program called Telemetry Extractor: goprotelemetryextractor.com/ I stitch everything together with Adobe Premiere Pro to create the final videos. Creating the overlays is a lot of extra work, but I think the end results are worth the effort. Cheers! 😉👍 --QM

[@bigalon3wheels]

Temps are measured in the shade, never in the direct sunlight. Add at least 10 degrees to that posted temp. The desert has winds and can get well over 60 mph in a heartbeat. The entire Mojave desert is huge, hot as hell in the summer and windy most everyday.

[@QuasiMotard]

@bigalon3wheels Oh, yeah... been there, done that, and I have the burned bunz to prove it! That's one more item crossed off the bucket list: G̶e̶t̶ s̶t̶r̶a̶n̶d̶e̶d̶ i̶n̶ t̶h̶e̶ M̶o̶j̶a̶v̶e̶ D̶e̶s̶e̶r̶t̶ i̶n̶ t̶h̶e̶ s̶u̶m̶m̶e̶r̶t̶i̶m̶e̶ w̶i̶t̶h̶ a̶ b̶l̶o̶w̶n̶ C̶V̶T̶ b̶e̶l̶t̶. ✅️ CHECK! 🤣👍 --QM

[@GodzillaGoesGaga]

I’ve ridden across that area on the motorcycle and you really have to watch out for the 3pm winds. They whip up and they are strong gusty winds. You literally have to play tip and rip with them!

[@dailyrider2975]

Know it's been a year, but hoping someone will reply. Your video info overlays are fantastic. Is that from one of the recorders, phone app or separate device?

[@thembaa10xaba36]

Being stranded out here would be a nightmare really

[@QuasiMotard]

Yep! We rode across the Mojave on our Honda Super Cubs back in 2021 during the return trip to Texas. Adrian and I discussed doing that trip on scooters vs the Cubs, and we debated on the chain vs CVT belt issue. Fate had a surprise waiting for me in 2023! 🤣👍 --QM

[@thembaa10xaba36]

@@QuasiMotard ey man those belts kept going off. i thought u were really tested in that regard, and most of the time u were alone when they snapped. but thankfully your buddies kept checking on you and not fogeritng that good samaritan as well, that helped you with the first incident. but overall this scooter Cannonball seems very impossible to accomplish. i wud defnitelty give up along the way. you guys are strong. I watched up to day 3 so far , i will continue wih the remaining days. your content is heart warming . thank you

[@thembaa10xaba36]

Regretfully, I don't know anything about scooters. The only reason I've grown to adore them is that I'm going to start working as an Uber Eats delivery guy. I am not experienced at riding motorcycles, so I would rather ride a scooter. Riding the scooter has been a lot of fun and uncomplicated so far. It simply amazed me that you guys use scooters to go such large distances; yours are definitely more powerful. However, I've recently developed a strong passion with scooters and the adventures they offer.

[@GodzillaGoesGaga]

What gopro helmet mount did you use ? All the ones I have I have fear of the glue melting in the heat.

[@QuasiMotard]

I've been using the SUREWO Aluminum Helmet Chin Mount for the past few years: amzn.to/3TnmSvE . Those things are TANKS that will withstand a ton of abuse. The one on my previous SHOEI NeoTec 2 helmet survived 3 faceplant crashes at over 30 mph, and it's still firmly attached to the helmet! I haven't shared the other two wrecks on video, but the second one was near the end of Day 8 of this Scooter Cannonball: kzbin.info/www/bejne/npfYho2ujs98ars 😉👍 --QM

[@GodzillaGoesGaga]

@@QuasiMotard Thanks.

[@curtgottler9961]

Why didn't you use the Supercub again?

[@QuasiMotard]

I considered taking the Super Cub again this year. However, I wanted to try the PCX150 because that was my intent for this scooter since the 2016 Scooter Cannonball. I missed the 2016 and 2018 events due to family priorities, and then I opted for the Super Cub in 2021. In retrospect, and if I had known that my variator and rear torque drive were causing my problems, then taking the Cub again would have been a smarter choice. 😉👍 --QM

[@user-yf5mc6nc4m]

You got your bike broken in the middle of the desert, but nobody pull over to help. What's wrong with the people?

[@QuasiMotard]

Several of the Scooter Cannonball participants slowed to check on us, so that was nice. I was surprised (and annoyed) that almost NONE of the speeding cagers bothered to scoot over or slow down when passing by us at 80+ MPH. Not a single cager stopped to see if we needed help, except the support van/trailer that came later to wait on us. California highways are NOT friendly places to be. 😒👎 --QM

[@Ziggy8750]

You and belts

[@pauls8456]

You can’t film in a National Park? I think we only have a restriction on drones

[@QuasiMotard]

Nope... the government got greedy and now requires $$$ permits for ANY "commercial filming or photography" in National Parks which could generate revenue of any kind. This includes private videos that are uploaded to KZbin, Instagram, etc... even private blogs/vlogs with revenue potential. Here is the public notice: www.nps.gov/aboutus/news/commercial-film-and-photo-permits.htm . 😒 --QM

[@telcobilly]

Govt ran up $35T debt, gotta get the money anywhere they can get it. I thought We The People owned the national parks?

[@candacesmith3580]

Did you start the Cannonball with a new belt?

[@QuasiMotard]

Yes! The CVT belt was fresh with only about 600 miles on it when I left Houston. The underlying reason for my PCX150's appetite for destruction was determined on the morning of Day 4: the rear torque drive assembly (clutch and pulleys) was defective. The rear pulleys weren't expanding and contracting properly, so there was too much stress and wear on the CVT belt. I also believe that's what caused my Dr.Pulley variator to fail twice... too much tension on the belt, so it was wearing down the center bushing of the variator from friction and stress. After I replaced the variator and torque drive with OEM Honda components at the end of Day 5 (after two days on the support trucks), it ran flawlessly for the rest of the journey. My top speed was limited to the original 62-63 mph, but at least I wasn't stuck on the side of the road swapping belts again! Cheers! 😉👍 --QM

[@candacesmith3580]

@@QuasiMotard Oh wow! I went back to T-6 before continuing the series and wasn’t sure if you mentioned it in one of the later videos. I’m participating in the Cannonball next year, not on a PCX, and was like… should I be worried! Another question. Did you mount your Go Pro or camera on top of your Zumo (sun shade)? If so, that’s nifty!

[@QuasiMotard]

@@candacesmith3580 Yes, I mounted my GoPro MAX 360 camera on top of the GPS mount. Neil fabricated that mount for my Garmin Zumo XT... he's an amazing guy! The extra mass of the camera caused the mount to flex and bounce around a bit, but it worked very well overall... it even survived a gravel crash at 35 mph! - Eating gravel at 35 mph : kzbin.info/www/bejne/npfYho2ujs98ars - Eating gravel in 360° : kzbin.info/www/bejne/bWHcf5tjpdSre5o If I run the PCX150 in 2025, then he and I will probably reinforce that hood to give more stability. Neil has a list of other mods and custom mounts that he wants to build for me, so I'm eager to see what's in the Mad Hatter's head. Cheers! 😉👍 --QM

[@markwalters1584]

Cowboy shower at In n Out.

[@chucklesy]

Just a few cheese burgers slower qusi😅

[@QuasiMotard]

Hey, wait a sec... you callin' me FAT? 😆👍 --QM

[@tompeavy5357]

Nobody hat or rubber glove this is the desert

[@kennethcooley3445]

Since when can you not film YOUR OWN PARK!

[@TictacAddict1]

Yeah, can you say un-American.

[@litreland764]

seems like you can film, just not for business/profit without a permit i assume, which kinda makes sense

[@QuasiMotard]

@honeyforce996 Well, that's the rub... posting ANY video on KZbin is subject to monetization, even if the creator isn't receiving that revenue (KZbin always makes $). The problem is that the government files legal action on the little guy for the supposed infractions. The government doesn't distinguish between large vs. small content creators, nor the amount of revenue generated, whether it's $0.01 or $thousands. This new law applies to ALL federal lands (e.g., National Parks & Forests, BLM, USFS, USDA, etc). Several prominent content creators have already been fined big $$$ and forced to take down videos because of the law change that went into effect (again) in October 2021. 😒👎

[@dailyrider2975]

National Park not allowed to film while driving is BS.

[@QuasiMotard]

@@dailyrider2975 💯

[@Oldguy-k3t]

You can make videos in national parks, just have to get permit, stupid but possible.

[@QuasiMotard]

@@Oldguy-k3t The permits cost upwards of $350, and they are dated for a particular timeframe. Even worse is the fact that it can take 30-60 days to receive the permit. No thanks... I won't play that game. 😒👎 --QM

[@Oldguy-k3t]

@@QuasiMotard Wow, I don't make videos so I can no idea the actual cost etc, ridiculous. It should be good for 1 year and include entrance fee!