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| Gold | | Set |  |  | | Reg. Date | : | 28/01/2012 | | Posts | : | 20 | | Location | : | Australia |
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| | Posted : 28 Jan 2012 - 10:18 Post title : How does the TBird do on dirt/unpaved roads? | | | Anyone who's spent much time riding their Thunderbird on unpaved roads,I would really appreciate hearing how it goes.
Here in Northern NSW Australia I often need to spend some time on gravel roads to get where I'm going and I'm wondering if I should consider a Bonneville rather than the TBird.
I guess Ikon progressive shocks might help?
Also a more general question; How well does the TBird do the job as a daily commuter, run to the shops collect child etc?
Thanks
| Gold
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| mat1600 | | Thunderbird | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 06/03/2010 | | Posts | : | 8,596 | | Location | : | Bridlington, Democratic Independant State of Yorkshire, United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 28 Jan 2012 - 10:24 Post title : Re: How does the TBird do on dirt/unpaved roads? (Re: Gold) | | | I find mine great in town - use it for the bank run etc. There is a thread on here somewhere about riding on gravelled roads - someone will find it for you. The only thing to watch for on dirt roads is the belt drive. Get a big stone between the belt and pulley and it will be re-mortgage time.
I think that thread was somethiong like 'Wide tyre'
| My first natural instinct is to breathe. My second is to evade tax's.
| | Post edited by mat1600 on 28 Jan 2012 - 10:25 |
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| mat1600 | | Thunderbird | | | | Reg. Date | : | 06/03/2010 | | Posts | : | 8,596 | | Location | : | Bridlington, Democratic Independant State of Yorkshire, United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 28 Jan 2012 - 10:26 Post title : Re: How does the TBird do on dirt/unpaved roads? (Re: mat1600) | | | Here you go - Link Talk-Tech Vault.-wide tyre dangerous)&InSkin=BlackKnight&InPage=1
| My first natural instinct is to breathe. My second is to evade tax's.
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| davetac1 | | Thunderbird | | | Reg. Date | : | 06/09/2010 | | Posts | : | 8,379 | | Location | : | Haverhill, Ma., United States |
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| | Posted : 28 Jan 2012 - 13:05 Post title : Re: How does the TBird do on dirt/unpaved roads? (Re: mat1600) | | | Actually,I find the Bird does well on dirt roads.Just use common sense and ya should be ok.However,what I don't like about gravel, dirt,and or dusty roads is the dust and road debris that gets kicked up by the tires,accumulating on the belt and inbetween the teeth on the belt.I find when that happens,I get the infamous belt chirp cause the belt can't slide back and forth on the cogs freely like it's supposed to when ya get back on a paved road.
What I have to do when that happens is use a wet sponge or rag and wipe the inside of the belt off on both edges and inbetween the teeth by moving the machine ahead a couple feet at a time,so as to wipe the next section of it and so forth until I've wiped the entire belt down which takes about 5 minutes if that,and all is well again.Dave!!!
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| Linkdog | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 10/02/2011 | | Posts | : | 2,998 | | Location | : | Groveland, FL., United States |
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| | Posted : 28 Jan 2012 - 14:49 Post title : Re: How does the TBird do on dirt/unpaved roads? (Re: davetac1) | | | It's not bad on " hard packed " dirt but in deep loose sand or dirt it can be like negotiating with your wife at the wrong time of the month
| Never drink from a cow with one udder! 2010 1600 Blue&White ( of course ) Long TORS and HP filter.
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| RedBird2010 | | Chaac | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 11/10/2010 | | Posts | : | 666 | | Location | : | Spokane Valley, Washington, United States |
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| | Posted : 28 Jan 2012 - 16:19 Post title : Re: How does the TBird do on dirt/unpaved roads? (Re: davetac1) | | |
davetac1 wrote:
Actually,I find the Bird does well on dirt roads.Just use common sense and ya should be ok.However,what I don't like about gravel, dirt,and or dusty roads is the dust and road debris that gets kicked up by the tires,accumulating on the belt and inbetween the teeth on the belt.I find when that happens,I get the infamous belt chirp cause the belt can't slide back and forth on the cogs freely like it's supposed to when ya get back on a paved road.
What I have to do when that happens is use a wet sponge or rag and wipe the inside of the belt off on both edges and inbetween the teeth by moving the machine ahead a couple feet at a time,so as to wipe the next section of it and so forth until I've wiped the entire belt down which takes about 5 minutes if that,and all is well again.Dave!!! |
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As I learned last fall, don't use the rear brake after riding on a dirt road, at least I am fairly sure that is why my brakes hung up on my way home and warped the rotor. Other than that, she did great on the dirt road, we didn't go over about 25 mph and only went 6 miles.
| Rick
2010 Thunderbird SE 1600
"Harley-Davidson; the worlds' most efficient method of turning gasoline into noise without the harmful side effect of horsepower."
"The wilderness holds answers to questions man has not yet learned to ask"
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| mat1600 | | Thunderbird | | | | Reg. Date | : | 06/03/2010 | | Posts | : | 8,596 | | Location | : | Bridlington, Democratic Independant State of Yorkshire, United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 28 Jan 2012 - 17:53 Post title : Re: How does the TBird do on dirt/unpaved roads? (Re: Linkdog) | | | Linkdog wrote:
It's not bad on " hard packed " dirt but in deep loose sand or dirt it can be like negotiating with your wife at the wrong time of the month |
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No way - it can't be that bad.
| My first natural instinct is to breathe. My second is to evade tax's.
| | Post edited by mat1600 on 28 Jan 2012 - 17:53 |
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| coneye | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 29/07/2010 | | Posts | : | 420 | | Location | : | adelaide, Australia |
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| | Posted : 28 Jan 2012 - 21:43 Post title : Re: How does the TBird do on dirt/unpaved roads? (Re: mat1600) | | | Well personaly i would go the bonny , my navman took me the wrong way onto a dirt road when i was 2 up fully loaded on my rocket tourer , i went 2 up on a dirt road on a goldwing a couple of weeks ago done the occasional dirt rd on my t bird and even thoug all 3 bikes done the job i would stil go the bonny just in case , it weighs less .
But to be honest if i was going to do it regular , i definetly would'nt even think about any of them it would be a tiger for me .
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| thanks4thefish42 | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 11/11/2010 | | Posts | : | 269 | | Location | : | High Springs, FL, United States |
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| | Posted : 28 Jan 2012 - 22:58 Post title : Re: How does the TBird do on dirt/unpaved roads? (Re: coneye) | | | I vote Bonnie as well on sand (or a Tiger) as if it's soft the 800 lbs of bike will have to be pushed out DAMHIK-happened today actually in a friends front yard here in North Central Florida.
On Hard packed gravel it's not too bad. but the shocks take a beating and the low belly can bottom out and I would worry about a rock puncturing the case. It's not a good off road machine at all.
That said my front yard is very sandy and I have learned to not stop and don't use the brakes if you can help it. Keep moving. I thought the big wide rear tire would have made it a great sand/mud bike but it's too fraking heavy.
I carry a pressurized pump sprayer for plants when I go on dirt roads and just pump it up and water spray down the belt-only takes a few minutes with the water squirt. But when the sand is soft your pushing. Good to carry an 8mm nut driver to pop off the front pully cover or just leave it off if you know your off roading.
Front and rear crash bars are helpful as well for these excursions off the tarmac. So is 6 meters of 1/2" line to help others haul you back out of the muck. It's always better to back out and go around then to try to push ahead and get stuck worse.
The other bad news guys is that even when "that time of the month" stops happening you will still be locked in mortal combat with the better half. It just never stops. I have learned long ago to just keep my mouth shut-has worked for 37 years :).
| Other rides
Kawasaki Vulcan 900 LT
Suzuki Boulevard S50
BMW R90/6-Luftmeister fairing
Calling upon my years of experience, I froze at the controls. ~Stirling Moss
| | Post edited by thanks4thefish42 on 28 Jan 2012 - 23:00 |
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| bevo | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 08/01/2012 | | Posts | : | 73 | | Location | : | adelaide, south aus, Australia |
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| | Posted : 28 Jan 2012 - 23:19 Post title : Re: How does the TBird do on dirt/unpaved roads? (Re: Gold) | | | not a problem, youve just gotta use the nouse when it comes to loose gravel/dirt/mud roads,havnt had promlem with suspension,as daily commuter great the child will be talk of class at school.
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| Leethal | | Zeus | | | | Reg. Date | : | 24/01/2011 | | Posts | : | 6,576 | | Location | : | Australia |
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| | Posted : 28 Jan 2012 - 23:33 Post title : Re: How does the TBird do on dirt/unpaved roads? (Re: bevo) | | | I've only done about 20kms in one hit on a typical high centred country dirt road with loose gravel and as Bevo says you just ride to the conditions and get used to it, but it ain't no trail bike!!
| Experience is something you get just after you needed it 
1600,Foran Razorbacks, Meerkat bypass, Dyno tune, real headlight,plenty of chrome,switchblade pegs, Nitron R3 shocks & Ikon progressive fork springs etc. Scorpion Western Low handlebars. PH adjustable fork caps.
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| Tenzin1999 | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 20/08/2011 | | Posts | : | 214 | | Location | : | Canberra, Australia |
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| | Posted : 29 Jan 2012 - 02:14 Post title : Re: How does the TBird do on dirt/unpaved roads? (Re: Leethal) | | | I've taken the TB on a number of dirt roads and it has been fine. On one ride which involved some dirt I was riding with a couple of blokes who were on Suzuki M109s and these bikes definitely don't like the dirt. Mind you, the 109's have a particularly large rear tyre, which wouldn't help. 
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| magpie | | Jupiter | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 12/02/2011 | | Posts | : | 1,507 | | Location | : | NSW, Australia |
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| | Posted : 29 Jan 2012 - 03:59 Post title : Re: How does the TBird do on dirt/unpaved roads? (Re: Tenzin1999) | | |
Gold,
What part of Northern NSW are you in ?
Magpie
| Magpie - "I dream of a better world.....where chickens can cross the road without having their motives questioned "
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| zolti | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 23/03/2010 | | Posts | : | 3,127 | | Location | : | newcastle , United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 29 Jan 2012 - 10:05 Post title : Re: How does the TBird do on dirt/unpaved roads? (Re: Gold) | | |
Gold wrote:
Anyone who's spent much time riding their Thunderbird on unpaved roads,I would really appreciate hearing how it goes.
Here in Northern NSW Australia I often need to spend some time on gravel roads to get where I'm going and I'm wondering if I should consider a Bonneville rather than the TBird.
I guess Ikon progressive shocks might help?
Also a more general question; How well does the TBird do the job as a daily commuter, run to the shops collect child etc?
Thanks
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just take it very easy on the loose stuff and plan ahead if its rutty or pot holed. as mat says watch out for loose grit in the belt. worth checking behind the pulley cover after the ride to clean it out.
id go tiger if loose stuff was causing an issue, some might go ktm  cant think who
in town, can be a blast in mediium traffic, keep it in first and go for it.
or it can be leisurely if you sit back and pose
can feel lumpy if theres no manouver room
its not as thin as some for inbetweenies
normally around here car drivers arent too bad about moving over slightly to let you through
the only issue is people will chat when you park, so if your in a hurry park and run
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| Gold | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 28/01/2012 | | Posts | : | 20 | | Location | : | Australia |
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| | Posted : 30 Jan 2012 - 13:40 Post title : Re: How does the TBird do on dirt/unpaved roads? (Re: zolti) | | | Hey you guys are awesome, thanks for all the input. Magpie, I'm in the hills just back of Byron Bay.
Today was the decision day (Special in Australia on the TBird ended today) so I had to decide and went ahead and got the TBird :) I'm stoked!
If I hadn't mentioned before, I traded in a BMW R1200GS for it, so going to a tiger would have been a superfluous move. I want a change from the adventure type bike. Anyhow, I have a LOT of riding experience offroad on the GS (and many enduros on my beloved KTM EXC450 in the 90s) , so I have an idea of how to ride in those conditions, but wanted an idea of any caveats and quirks with the bird. You guys answered more thoroughly than I could possibly have hoped so thanks again.
I'll give my feedback after I've ridden a few of the roads around here.
Wow, this bike really scrapes the pegs easily doesn't it?
| Gold
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| mat1600 | | Thunderbird | | | | Reg. Date | : | 06/03/2010 | | Posts | : | 8,596 | | Location | : | Bridlington, Democratic Independant State of Yorkshire, United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 30 Jan 2012 - 15:51 Post title : Re: How does the TBird do on dirt/unpaved roads? (Re: Gold) | | | Good to see you chose the Bird and enjoying it.
You maybe need to talk to Narsi-nobird - I'm not sure that he has actually found out how to get on his KTM yet.
| My first natural instinct is to breathe. My second is to evade tax's.
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| narsisco_lopez | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 09/09/2010 | | Posts | : | 2,765 | | Location | : | Golden (Showers!), Colorado, United States |
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| | Posted : 30 Jan 2012 - 23:03 Post title : Re: How does the TBird do on dirt/unpaved roads? (Re: mat1600) | | | mat1600 wrote:
Good to see you chose the Bird and enjoying it.
You maybe need to talk to Narsi-nobird - I'm not sure that he has actually found out how to get on his KTM yet.
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I get on it JUST fine... in all senses of the word. 
| 2012 Storm (SOLD!)
Other Bikes:
2003 Suzuki DRZ400E (plated - my dual sport/mountain trail/camping bike)
Past Bikes:
2012 K13S
2009 KTM 990 Adventure
2010 Triumph Thunderbird 1600 (the Alien Queen)
2009 Triumph Sprint ST (another great bike!)
2007 Kawasaki ZX10R
2000 Kawasaki ZRX1100
1975 Honda SB550T "Clubman"
1981 Kawasaki KZ1000J
1985 Suzuki GS550E
1978 Yamaha 650 Special
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| woody | | Chaac | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 10/07/2010 | | Posts | : | 874 | | Location | : | goulburn, nsw, Australia |
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| | Posted : 08 Feb 2012 - 11:12 Post title : Re: How does the TBird do on dirt/unpaved roads? (Re: narsisco_lopez) | | | Goes alright . doesn't handle like a motocrosser but thats to be expected. 
Its a bitch to clean though
Woody
| Woody
Do not take life too seriously. You will never get out of it alive.
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