THE BLACK BEAR PASS STEPS ARE AN ADVENTURE BIKE HELL AND MUCH STEEPER THAN YOU THINK!!!

SOLO I TOOK ON BLACK BEAR PASS, RUNNING OUT OF TIME THIS SUMMER. NOBODY WANTED TO GO OUTSIDE AND PLAY WITH ME.
I REALLY DO NOT BLAME THEM. THIS TRAIL IS MUCH STEEPER GOING UP AND DOWN THAN VIDEOS PORTRAY FROM THE RIDERS VIEWPOINT WITH GOPROS AND HELMET CAMS!!!
I CAN NOT BEAT UP THE SUZUKI V-STROM FOR IT'S PERFORMANCE ON THIS TRAIL. MUCH OF FAILURES WERE STRICTLY DUE TO MY LACK OF EXPERIENCE. THE WEE-STROM IS AN AMAZINGLY-DURABLE TRAVEL PARTNER! ONE PIECE OF KIT THAT I BELIEVE WOULD HAVE MADE A PROFOUND DIFFERENCE ON THIS STEEP TRAIL WOULD BE THE ADDITION OF A MUCH "LOWER GEARED" SPROCKET. THE ADDED CONTROL OF SPEED GOING UP AND DOWN WOULD HAVE BEEN FREAKING AWESOME. THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF THIS AND MY LAST VIDEO ARE TO CONVEY JUST HOW STEEP THIS TRAIL IS GOING UP AND DOWN. HAPPY TRAILS, AND I HOPE YOU ENJOYED MY INSANITY RIDE.

[@justinstiff5641]

I love your brutal honesty about the difficulty. Most videos on this pass don't stress enough how serious it is. Maybe you will save someone else's life if they see this first they'll try something easy yet still beautiful

[@ridewithgnr2116]

YOUR WORDS ARE EXACTLY WHY I POSTED THIS VIDEO THE WAY I DID!!!

[@Dr.Twisty]

Yeah-that was pretty dumb to take a v-strom on that road-especially ALONE!But you persevered! And you got a great video out of it and made it back alive! You’ll keep that memory for the rest of your life. Nice.

[@ridewithgnr2116]

I totally agree! I will have that memory for years to come. It is a unique and beautiful place, no matter how you get there! Next time will be in my Bronco, but I would do it again with a different motorcycle set up. Thanks!

[@edwolfe1397]

Good job. Kudos for knowing your limits and sharing it with us. .

[@ridewithgnr2116]

Yes, Sir. I was determined to make it home alive! The overall steepness is really the big obstacle on that road. It taxes you!

[@MotoGiant]

the beer really tastes GREAT in Telluride especially when you are washing the Black Bear dust out of your throat - awesome dude!

[@glendavis1266]

Gravel?

[@scottpeterson9269]

Good for you for sharing what's rarely shown/spoken. But we've all been in those moments of "what was I thinking?!" Glad you got through it safely & hope it motivates you to keep adventuring.

[@ridewithgnr2116]

scott peterson I will definitely keep adventuring when I have time. Not much around me for about 4 hours in any directions for “real mountains.” There is a local off road park that I have been going to to get accustomed to riding on dirt. Like everyone,... I wish I had more time to play.

[@TheDe1deonly]

Glad you made it safely! Been riding 52+ years, and been that, done there... when you realise that you have made one or more terrible decisions... but you keep going, hoping that it doesn't get worse. Thank God you made it, and try to learn (and help others avoid them) from your mistakes!!! 👍👍👍

[@ridewithgnr2116]

I am glad it did and glad I made it out! I concur with your thoughts!

[@evtyler]

As much as it sucked in the moment...you conquered it, you saw some gorgeous scenery and you have memories (and video) that you can look back on for the rest of your life. Congrats on making it through bro!

[@ridewithgnr2116]

I am going back with a 4x4 one day, to just cruise and enjoy the scenery a bit more. Any, yes, by golly, I will never forget that day, even if I did not have the video!

[@kriskjellquist1758]

Giving you a sub for brutal honesty. I would roll that on a mountain bike with my eyes closed, but as a knewb ADV rider it makes my rear pucker watching these vids! I know first hand how YT makes everything look 40% flatter and every drop look like nothing!

[@ridewithgnr2116]

Sorry, my comments are messing up, but again, I tell people forward facing videos just don't show pitch and angles when you watch them. Very deceiving until your there, going, "Dang, this is much steeper than I imagined!!!

[@MountainHobbler]

Props to leaving the comments on! Lifting that bike over and over at that elevation is no small thing, I am guessing you were pretty tired the next day.

[@ridewithgnr2116]

IF YOU CAN'T BE HONEST,.... Just recounting, about two days afterward I was a bit sore in muscles I didn't know existed.

[@michalk5108]

You are a brave man, a beautiful and dangerous pass, I hope that maybe one day I'll visit too.

[@ridewithgnr2116]

Not that brave, really. Just did.not expect it to be that steep throughout the bulk of the trail. I have watched a little of your vids and you would have enjoyed the ride and scenery. I highly recommend a “lower geared” sprocket for climbing control and on the way down even more so. The traction was awesome with the TKC 80 tires, even with 5000 miles on them.

[@Windblown]

That was a fun watch! Black Bear is a beautiful pass and the steps are a serious head game. Shifting the camera angles kept it interesting and the commentary was great. Props for tackling it on a heavy bike. I rode it on a bit lighter bike (KTM 790) and I was glad I wasn't on anything heavier.

[@ridewithgnr2116]

Thank you. I don't think people realize home much time and effort goes into timing the different camera angels. Sometimes I ask myself, "Why do I do this." And them someone makes an appreciative comment and makes it worth while. As for Black Bear, and Hwy 550, my favorite place to go back to over and over and over. Just beautiful!!!

[@JohnMFlores]

Thanks for your honesty

[@ridewithgnr2116]

Absolutely! That is how I roll. Thank you, as well.

[@ryanmalone2681]

You’re a very brave man. Respect. You did so well. Hats off.

[@GregoryNavarroAZ64]

Appreciate your capture of this on a bigger bike. I ride a sub-300 lb dual sport and I'm sure it would still be a challenge!

[@aaronbehindbars]

Duck walking with the engine off and in gear is exactly me and my group brought our KLR650s down Black Bear. Can't imagine doing it on a V-strom. Brave soul you are!

[@ridewithgnr2116]

Aaron Fink Brave or stupid? It was a really beautiful place to visit and I am glad I got to see it and make it home! I am not too proud to say it took me by surprise how steep it was. I just wanted to get down safely. Thanks for your honest hearted comments.

[@tahoehiker]

Absolutely insane! Can't wait to try it!

[@ridewithgnr2116]

That's the spirit! It is such a beautiful place.

[@bigsby6bender]

Thanks for sharing!

[@Chance-ry1hq]

The commentary is hilarious. Nice job pushing the envelope buddy.

[@ridewithgnr2116]

Many thanks! I am glad I did the ride and would love to do it again,.... On a smaller bike!

[@seabiscuit726142]

Dude, you did great! That's a big accomplishment on a 500lbs+ pig! I know there were stressful moments when you wondered why in the world you decided to ride there and you felt helpless and exhausted but I also know that once you got home safe and sound you wanted to do it again. It's a frickin' drug!

[@ridewithgnr2116]

Thank you, and I do want to do it again. A little differently, but YES!

[@2wheelsandatent]

Way to stick it out man! Totally been in that panic and let me tell you are growing as a a rider and person pushing the limits of yourself and the bike!

[@ridewithgnr2116]

Dirt Nap Dirt Bike adventures Thanks, Dirt Nap. One thing is for sure. Some of the small stuff I ride on now is like, eh, nothing. I hit it with greater confidence and just let the bike do the work, as know it will get through it. Street bike or off-road you really have to put a lot of trust in the bike to make it’s way over whatever terrain your crossing regardless of pushing it over into a curve or plowing through some crazy rock bed.

[@2wheelsandatent]

RIDEwithGNR you got that right, trusting the bike is Huge!!! It always amazes me what these things can actually do even my 2 stroke can handle way more than I can as a rider. I just thought it was cool you showed the reality, a lot of creators just edit to look awesome which I don’t love. It inspires me more to see you push through and make it than any edit of “how great I am” Cheers for telling it like it is!

[@del4918]

U had me cracking up!!! Kudos to u for doing it 👍🇺🇸

[@albertosbrolla8424]

Looks like some extremely difficult terrain to to navigate through, great job getting through it so far!👍

[@ridewithgnr2116]

Alberto Sbrolla That was a heck of a challenge for me. Yes, Sir, I am a novice on a street bike in a foreign land not known to my motorcycle tires, but wowee was it something else.

[@obake_neko]

And this is why I abandoned my F650GS for a much lighter WR250R on technical terrain. Nice job getting yourself through that section.

[@ridewithgnr2116]

Don't blame you for that change at all!

[@jmaccotter1]

Great video! Thanks

[@ridewithgnr2116]

Thank you, and you're welcome.

[@tomwolf4609]

you did very good for an amature and played it smart on such a heavy bike . you have to admit though that was an adventure that you can brag about later.

[@_Justinriceism_]

Might have been dumb but ya did it 🤙🏻

[@ridewithgnr2116]

Yes,... yes I did,... and Thank you.

[@THEelduderino]

Excellent video, thanks for the honest editing, that is rough. Was on a touring bike trip through Telluride this year & had to stop at the pass, been talking about going back on CFR’s or a KTM ADV & been looking at vids, you gave it a great perspective on the angle of the steps & gave me more to consider. Fun but at my limits

[@ridewithgnr2116]

Mike Glad you appreciated the video. I would ride Black Bear again on a smaller, low geared, higher-clearance bike. While I am an amateur for off road motorcycle trips, I think I would have never tried it on the V-Strom had I seen a really candid large touring ADV bike set up with highway gearing and loaded to the hilt, do it first.

[@bradl45]

Congrats, I've never done that on a big bike, DRZ, 525 500 KTMs, always a sigh of relief when you can see that first switchback after the last step!!

[@ridewithgnr2116]

One of these days, I would like to buy a smaller trail bike, but I really want to build a trail 4x4 for my wife and I, first.

[@roamingscooterguy2786]

Good job!!!

[@VVoltz]

That looked crazy. I didn’t know how you could possible maintain control of your bike on that steep rocky downhill. Thanks for posting!

[@ridewithgnr2116]

Close your eyes and just go! Really, I think I did okay for a newbie on on big road biased Adventure Bike of sorts. Fortunately, when I did fall over, it wasn't over a cliff.

[@TheWilburinthehouse]

Love the honesty

[@ridewithgnr2116]

Much appreciated. I have watched a few videos that have only a few really beautiful clips and thought to myself, "Hum, I wonder how they did in certain sections that I remember to be pretty tough, very steep and easy to pick the wrong line or lose balance?"

[@livelymoto2039]

There r no challenges without fear!! good on you!

[@ridewithgnr2116]

LivelyMoto ! There was definitely a “healthy” element of fear knocking on my door on that ride.

[@jeffhudspeth6397]

Great job! You can be proud of your accomplishment!

[@ridewithgnr2116]

Not going to lie. That's how I still feel about it! Thank you.

[@SteelHorseman]

Amazing

[@ridewithgnr2116]

It is a beautiful place!

[@bluedolphin5792]

My hats off to you!

[@ridewithgnr2116]

Thanks. It was a bit crazy, but we made it up and back down Black Bear in one piece, and I was good with that!

[@kevinnashskitchen3517]

You had some halfway decent tires on that V-Strom at least👍 Good job. Very cool scenery up there.. lovely

[@ridewithgnr2116]

I think the difficulty level and fear would have been much worse with street biased tires on the little V-Strom. I would say the scenery is to die for, but maybe not appropriate because that could have been a reality at several moments in the ride. It was quite the experience!

[@ScramblerTales]

Total Respect!

[@ridewithgnr2116]

Many thanks!

[@nikoskopidakis1363]

Hats off mate! Kudos!

[@ridewithgnr2116]

Thank you. We made it down alive. Maybe a few scratches on the ole' beast, but they remind me of where I have been!

[@RiderObvious]

Major props for getting it done. Hope the bike wasn't damaged.

[@ridewithgnr2116]

Rider Obvious The next video you get to see the carnage! It got damaged but nothing I can’t deal with. I was happy just to make it back down and to our campground in Durango. You know I like that place!

[@motovloggingwithvman2188]

Great job dude!! That was something 👌👌👌👍👍

[@ridewithgnr2116]

Much appreciated. It was a heck of an experience.

[@r12rtpilot]

Most excellent video. Honest, and well filmed!

[@ridewithgnr2116]

Sorry for the delayed response. Much appreciated. It was quite the experience.

[@jimc778]

You showed a lot of courage to complete it! Lots of balancing exercises and feathering the clutch and brake exercises would help you a lot if you decide to take on another challenge like this. From what friends have told me Black Bear should probably be done on a 400cc or less and a much lighter bike. I have been there and those were on trails in woods where I didn’t risk falling off a cliff, I was freaking out then and can’t imagine how high your blood pressure was on that day! Thin air too! Must have been agonizing to breathe while having to keep picking up your bike. Thanks for posting.

[@ridewithgnr2116]

I agree, for most of us mortals, a smaller, lighter bike set up for trails would be the right choice for this ride!

[@alvarogaitan2529]

Thanks for sharing this video good luck 🤞

[@ridewithgnr2116]

Much appreciated. Thanks and at least you know I am still alive doing other things.

[@soullcry]

Man this one of the most hilarious and engaging experiences 😂. Thank you for sharing it and sincere respect. Keep up with the adventures spirit!😂❤

[@kcrush1]

Good work dude. You can’t explain how steep it is to those who haven’t been.

[@ridewithgnr2116]

kcrush1 Yup, I have to agree with that too! It is more steep than videos shot forward can give a accurate perspective. It sure surprised me.

[@rickvann3489]

I got to had it to you... you did good to get out of that mess.

[@ridewithgnr2116]

Rick Vann I greatly appreciate that, Sir. If it was all easy where would the adventure be? And the learning curve?

[@ScottyADV]

Awesome video, good job!

[@ridewithgnr2116]

Thank you, very much. I really tried to make the steepness more obvious than some videos. I think had I watched this video first, I would have been going,.... "Nope, Not gonna do it,.. Wouldn't be prudent."

[@chrisknight5263]

OMG! This has to be my favorite Vstrom video on KZbin! That could be me out there. Thank God you made the video or I would’ve had this at the top of my ADV to do list, which I’ll start when I get myself a Vstrom. Now I’ll wait till I know what I’m doing before I even think about it! I don’t know what’s braver, riding the pass or sharing the despair you went through mentally!

[@ridewithgnr2116]

Just got a message from another V-Strom rider that just took his over the pass. While they may require a bit more work to make the trip they are obviously plenty capable, especially with a competent rider. Yes, I was very new to off road riding, but the short time I spent at a local Off Road park playing made a huge difference for getting a feel for the bike.

[@tractortalkwithgary1271]

New subscriber here. I have done Black Bear in a Jeep and I can tell you, I feel your pain. Great job on this video.

[@ridewithgnr2116]

Thank you. I was planning on doing this in my Bronco and never got it finished in time for that trip so I just said, "What the hell!" and took my V-Strom instead. I wish I had been in your Jeep instead!!!

[@flatlander6928]

Gr8 story, you will be telling ur grand kids. It's always those days, u don't forget.

[@ridewithgnr2116]

Definitely, not going to forget soon! I am glad I tried it.

[@mikelowry1053]

Mate all credit to you that was a hard ride. I definitely wouldn't take my R1200GSA up there! You had the sense to take the steps carefully, glad you got through it safely. A good video to share for anyone else wanting to try it.

[@ridewithgnr2116]

I know a better rider could have made it look easier, but I don't think any bone stock "ADV" is going to make it an easy ride! You have to have some level of skill and fortitude on a trail this steep and full of good sized rocks to bounce all over!

[@mikepark5884]

Hat tip sir, that looks insane

[@ridewithgnr2116]

IT WAS PRETTY INSANE. I AM GLAD I DID IT, AND I WAS DANG GLAD TO FINALLY GET DOWN OFF THE MOUNTAIN!

[@tonyrdr7207]

Wow 😮 respect like you I have taken heavy bikes including an 1150 bm to silly places and got away with it but I am pretty sure this would have stopped me. Very inspirational might give it a go in the future when I come over there to see the TAT and other great trails you have there. Greetings from Australia 🇦🇺

[@ridewithgnr2116]

GREETINGS! I have seen videos of guys on big bikes do it better than me, so no doubt skillset makes a difference, but I also don't see many post showing the whole ride. Good and bad.

[@scottloftin1730]

Good work mate!

[@ridewithgnr2116]

Thank you, mate!

[@crjmoto]

Nicely done! What a relief when you're at the bottom looking up eh?

[@ridewithgnr2116]

No joke! I really had nothing left in me by the time I finished this ride. One the the most exhausting moments of my life. But, I do look back and go,.. “Cool, I did it!”

[@kevinsterner9490]

Great video. That's one of those moments your glad you did it but didn't enjoy the event. I rode Ophir , Engineer and Cinnamon on my Africa Twin, but never would I do Black Bear with such a big bike. Props for getting thru it

[@ridewithgnr2116]

Kevin Sterner Thank you. The trails we endure always make the best stories. It was an exhausting ordeal, but I was off the couch and experiencing life the best possible.

[@ridewithgnr2116]

Kevin Sterner I really want to go back someday and ride the other passes you mentioned. That part of Colorado is just so beautiful.

[@stevegantner8184]

I've watched quite a few vids about riding on this pass and never got the perspective you showed with regard to those more difficult sections. My heart was pounding a few times when I thought you were heading over the edge. I was waiting for the screen to fade out to "in memory of...:" Glad that didn't happen!! Can definitely relate to the "what was I thinking!?" comment, haha. Thanks for being humble and honest. As others have commented, you likely saved others from getting in over their heads. Take care and safe travels!

[@ridewithgnr2116]

Thank you for the comment. I just got back from Washington State riding much easier roads in the Olympic Mountains with some great view. Was almost two years since I even hit the little red switch to fire up the bike!!! Been a rough few years, but we are slowly moving forward.

[@RJDCR]

Bravo for yer effort...kudos to you Sir

[@ridewithgnr2116]

Many thanks!

[@RJDCR]

@@ridewithgnr2116 chit yes mang , Ride safe

[@robertheymann5906]

Wow...tough ride

[@MADDOG100ful]

I'm glad you made it okay but I found it very entertaining I know how you feel when it comes time to pick one of those big pigs up and you are exhausted LOL

[@richmoto1]

Haha, I had a DL1000 and got hung out in rough places plenty of times but nothing that bad. I always did the same thing just shut it off and brake check my way down. Good job!

[@ridewithgnr2116]

richmoto1 I was waiting for an onslaught of bashings from people telling me I was too chicken to ride it out. Nice to hear others have done something similar in situations like that. Thank you. Better safe than sorry is my Moto,.... most of the time.

[@raymondsimpson7433]

If you are going to do this, gear your bike down for the ride. Put the biggest sprocket you can get for the rear and the smallest sprocket for the front. It's not like you are going to be flying down a highway. you're ascending and descending a mountain most of your stock bikes can't handle it, and if you're out of shape, get into shape for your adventure. Great video. Thanks for keeping it real.

[@big566bunny]

Glad you made it down safely. For other riders - if you are going to undertake a ride in an extreme environment, especially when you are not fully informed of road conditions, ride with a buddy or two. That’s no place to have accident that immobiles you, can be fatal. Ride a light dual sport as you will be picking up a lot. Know how aggressive a tire you will need. Start extra early so you have plenty of daylight for unforeseen circumstances, and can afford to take rests. You sounded super stressed and itself degrades your energy level. Yet, you persevered- that’s heroic.

[@lyleswan6671]

Well, what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger. Experience is cumulative. You have more now than you did. Good job brother.

[@kpd3308]

My heart attack didn’t make me stronger.

[@ridewithgnr2116]

I might have to agree on that. I tried very hard not to ride past the point of no return where the steep drop offs were. While there were plenty of opportunities to really hurt oneself anyway, I was trying to be calm and determined to make it home safely.

[@ridewithgnr2116]

Making this comment post Covid, I am glad I did that ride more and more back then, as my health has taken a pretty big hit this past year. Hopefully, I will get my stamina back, but I could NOT do that ride right now for sure.

[@petebaumbach7944]

Big respect from the UK ..as you say unwise to go but impressive that you managed it , Pete

[@ridewithgnr2116]

MUCH APPRECIATED, MATE. I WOULD LIKE TO GO BACK ON A SMALLER MOTO. START EARLIER AND ENJOY THE SCENERY A BIT LONGER.

[@davidpoffenbarger3686]

I have a 14 V-Strom and a KTM 500 EXC. That ride looks fun on the KTM and probably more of a challenge than I'd sign up for on my Strom. I've ridden the Strom through some rocks and such. It can be done, but as your vid shows, it's a handful!!

[@ridewithgnr2116]

Your, Sir, are correct. It was a handful. I am glad I made it. Would not recommend it to anyone on the bigger bikes. Obviously, it can get done, but not as safely.

[@Dreamrider7]

After many years of riding all kinds of bikes I've learned (Empirically) the main key to success in going downhill on a dirt/rough road on any bike is to NEVER USE YOU FRONT BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP, it will put you down really fast. Try using your rear brake only, then you can control your direction without a fall. Nice video by the way.

[@h4l414]

It's no joke on two wheels. You did fine.

[@ridewithgnr2116]

Much appreciated!

[@kingkong1040]

Video / photos NEVER do it justice! Nice work

[@ridewithgnr2116]

Thank you, Sir. At least I made it back down in one piece!

[@catdaddy3302]

That’s more of a road bike than an off-road bike. They do fairly well off-road, but it’s not deigned for places like that. You should’ve had Soft bags too. You can get your legs caught under those hard panniers. I have hard panniers on my heavy BMW R1100GS, and I don’t try Jeep roads like that. It’s too heavy. And I might drop it and tear up the panniers or get my leg caught up under them. I’ve ridden to Crystal and Schofield Pass on it, and it was pretty hard on my 67 year old body.

[@stealinglucky]

At the very least you got a good PSA about poor choices :) glad you made it through safely.

[@ridewithgnr2116]

No argument there on the poor choices! I hope this video might keep someone else from making the same poor choice. Not that it can't be done, but definitely more risky.

[@stealinglucky]

To be honest my last ride over there was on very heavily overloaded KLR 650 “ a very poor choice “ and it was a struggle “ lost my back brake on the way down. Sometimes the most “Fun” comes from bad decisions. 😁

[@MTBryanH]

Nice job. That's not that bad on a smaller bike. But thumbs up for taking an adventure bike on it. Not much room for error if you ditch it. Last time I rode it, I came up in about 4-6 inches of snow. Then my Yamaha stopped running at the top and I had to dead engine all the way to Telluride.

[@ridewithgnr2116]

That would have sucked, dead/clutching all the way down, for sure. But, we make it down alive! Thanks, and I am glad I did it. I have been chastised pretty well for being an amateur and not belonging there on such a big bike or my crappy skill level. That’s okay, the early pioneers did worse in covered wagons.

[@MTBryanH]

@@ridewithgnr2116 I think it's freak'n awesome you did it on an adventure bike. Forget the haters!

[@michaelw6277]

I think I would love doing this on something like a KLR-250. It’s probably a lot easier to handle over the bigger, heavier Suzuki.

[@ridewithgnr2116]

That would be a much more enjoyable and safer ride choice!

[@unclebilly1353]

Trust me , the drz400s would be so much lighter and much more flickable then that slead he is navigating. Granted the 250 class is much lighter . But there is something to be said about that torque monster that makes me giggle. Plus you can cover some distance on high way if needed. The drz works for me.

[@jasonhamrick2528]

Balls. You got em.

[@ridewithgnr2116]

They may be small, but I got 'em! Really, it was one of those things, I got in a certain distance and was like, I sure ain't turning around and going down that loose rocky road bed, so onward we go!!!

[@simonscott1000]

I've got a 650 VStrom. It may have off road pretensions, I don't. I wouldn't even think about taking off road, let alone riding up and down that mountain. Plus if it goes over it's really heavy to pick up. All credit to you matey.

[@Wildirishmanbiker]

What kind of tires do you ride? I have the 80/20 kendra. Awesome ride, got nervous watching this vid lol. Can't imagine in person

[@ridewithgnr2116]

TKC-80 Continental Tyres (tires). Felt really weird at first, but I came to really like the overall feel, even when getting off my Concours 14 and getting back on the V-Strom.

[@VPB1970]

Man I really feel your pain. Very honestly and although I have 35 years experience and always rode off road. I’ve been in a similar situation in a trail , by night, in the middle of the Atlas Mountains, 8 years ago, in a Honda NC750…

[@ridewithgnr2116]

I thought about taking another trail to short cut back to camp that night as the sun was going behind the mountains. So, glad I stuck to the longer paved road I had ridden before and was familiar with. Nighttime on an unfamiliar road or trail would be terrifying at times, I would imagine. Glad we are both here to tell the tales!!!

[@kingcat2004]

Expanded your horizons and survived!

[@ridewithgnr2116]

I definitely saw some new horizons! Beautiful place!

[@MrJrFish]

I think you would have had very different day if you 'd have swapped out the front CS before attacking that. My KLR is and entirely different beast w/1-2 less teeth up front (14T) when you get it into this nonsense, and it can be changed pretty easily in camp or the motel parking lot. Still, I've been there! Alone, more brave than brains, now committed and can't turn back, undergeared, overmatched, and under talented. GREAT Job on wrestling your big bike through that solo. Big Bear has always been on my bucket list. Kinda of still is, but you have certainly given me some things to consider. Ride with Pride that you took a big "dual sport"(LMAO!) through that and rode it home! Good job!

[@ridewithgnr2116]

I absolutely agree that it would have made that trek so much easier. If not alone, I would take my V-Strom back over that pass with "lower gearing" set up on the sprocket for sure!

[@davidbones8947]

It may be dumb but what a freaking adventure you will not soon forget !!!

[@outbackwack368]

I owned a 2012 and 2015 Vstrom 650 with Shinkos and a Neotec and I would NEVER ride anything like that! Good job!

[@ridewithgnr2116]

Much appreciated on making it over Black Bear Pass. I have a huge fondness for the "little mule" of a V-Strom. With a better rider and a few tweaks, this thing is a capable machine that can take you almost anywhere, even if you maybe shouldn't!

[@MRTPR]

It was just scary watching it.

[@ridewithgnr2116]

My wife says the same thing. It was quite an experience.

[@egretsregret]

whoaa, there's a significant "pucker factor" to some of this video.

[@stephtraveler7378]

I did it 2up and full camping gear with hard cases on my Vstrom 650. Did have that gal walk around some parts of the steps, especially that big ledge side right turn overlooking Telluride. I dropped it once and that was because a freaking jeep panic stopped in front of me.... BBP is not that bad. Its the scenery and scary factor that make it so tough. Its a headplay thing. You would do those roads at 35 if there wasn't the dropoffs to the sides.

[@ridethroughlifertl]

I did it on a KLR just months before you did this. I was in Silverton for the Trail Taker rally and it kicked my butt. I roasted the rear brake master cylinder on my way down. Boiled the fluid.

[@ridewithgnr2116]

Glad you made it down safely, even if your brakes did not! Not sure about you, but it was much steeper throughput the ride than I expected. I knew parts would be steep, but wow!

[@ridethroughlifertl]

@@ridewithgnr2116 I had no idea what to expect. Next time I'll do it on a smaller bike for sure.

[@jmbugno]

Be nice in your response: I have never been on a motorcycle but I have driven this trail in my very capable Jeep. I never even had to put my drink down as I enjoy the scenery going down the steps and then the switch backs. Is a bike that much more difficult on trails? Like I said I have not ridden a bike so I don't know.

[@ridewithgnr2116]

I can laugh at myself, so I can be nice. I have spent some good times wheeling 4x4 style in some older Broncos. I think the biggest difference is that you can stop pretty much anytime to enjoy the view on steep slopes in a 4x4. Two wheels is a bit different. There were a couple of times I did stop and was surprised my bike skidded backwards it was so steep. It does not take long to learn don't stop until your on level ground. The V-Strom really is not the best trail bike so keeping forward momentum it does not have the wheel travel to soak up the "bigger" loose rocks in the road causing you to bounce around quite a bit. Gearing it down would make a big difference. It is a different experience. No doubt a smaller more purpose built bike would have been easier, but sometimes we just want to prove to ourselves, it can be done.

[@donbrloks3959]

Did it on a Husky 390 many years ago. An experience I’ll never forget

[@ridewithgnr2116]

Same here on never forgetting that ride. I hope to take my wife up there in our old IH Scout or Bronco one day.

[@AppalachianDualSport]

But think about how much easier it will be next time when you are more experienced / skilled and more mentally prepared and likely on a different bike. Cool video, thanks for sharing.

[@ridewithgnr2116]

Yup, next time a different, lighter, higher clearance, and geared down machine would make the time up there more "enjoyable."

[@KLRmurdercycle]

It's on my list for a moab trip. All the other videos skip or down play the difficult sections of the trail👌 On a weestrom too✌😄

[@ridewithgnr2116]

It's doable for sure. I really think a bigger sprocket would have made quite a difference on the up and down power band control. Maybe I am wrong, but if I were to do it again, I would make that investment and see how it worked out on the pavement too.

[@ridewithgnr2116]

Last summer I took the Strom from Texas to Washington and figured out 85 MPH was just too buzzy on my hands anyway, so perhaps the lower gearing wouldn't bother me if I was cruising around 65-70 MPH where it felt mucho better.

[@alvarogaitan2529]

you are feeling like an amateur rider and scared a lot of congratulations you are still a life

[@gunner4373]

You got it done. Remember confidence will get you through next time. You may have been in more danger walking it than riding it, or vice versa lol. Light bike luckily.

[@ridewithgnr2116]

Many thanks.

[@hoagiesherlin7732]

I love my vstrom but it's no dual sport i would not try that on a vstrom for love or money . I'm glad you made it

[@ridewithgnr2116]

Much appreciated. I wasn't the first to try it, and it can be done!!!

[@djolecar88]

I just did this two weeks ago with my 07 V-strom 650. Also did all the switchbacks in dark. Not wise but I am here, also my bike battery died. A lot of rains recently, just bare, often wet, rock... Got a second change. Next time I am taking a much lighter motorcycle with me. (This was a part of a 8k mile cross country trip)

[@ridewithgnr2116]

Nice, congrats on the ride. If I do it again on a bike, it will also be a smaller, lighter bike.

[@chicagotrauma54]

I have the same wee-strom Awesome bike but sometimes a smaller dirt bike is what's called for. Awesome job getting thru that mess. How long did that whole trip take?

[@ridewithgnr2116]

It took me longer than most for sure. I think it took me about 3.5 hours, with all my heavy breathing breaks, and stopped to eat most of a sandwich up top.

[@ridewithgnr2116]

I left out of Durango really late, due to truck repairs we were having to have done on vacation so my whole ride to get back on pavement was more like 8 hours. If you basecamp out of Ouray, make Black Bear pass earlier, you can ride Imogene Pass (dirt and trail) back to Ouray from Telluride and be much more efficient.

[@WRjockey]

Well....at least you weren't on a Gold Wing. lol Glad you made it - without dying.

[@ridewithgnr2116]

True that! Maybe a Gold Wing next time! No, no, never mind. Thanks!

[@AdventureTomek]

What time of year was this?

[@ridewithgnr2116]

SEPTEMBER. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND AUG-SEPT to make this ride or drive. Even then rain can show up and surprise you and make the rocks more slippery very quickly.

[@wesleymyers3494]

Do you believe Black Bear pass is open in the second week of June?

[@ridewithgnr2116]

Sorry for the late reply. It depends a great deal on the winter and road conditions it leaves behind.

[@exposingthetruth3821]

The ride up is easy as heck... the ride down is insane lol

[@SteelHorseman]

What time of year was this??

[@ridewithgnr2116]

Late September.

[@jimh2061]

I don't know why so many people don't think about the weight of these adventure bikes. They are basically a street bike with knobby tires. Get a little 300 dual sport Honda or kawasaki for this. Adventure bikes are meant for dirt roads

[@ridewithgnr2116]

Sometimes you just gotta put something through the paces to figure that out. Like women wanting a big wedding. "Never again", many say, but they just had to do it once!!!