Off-road Buddy

Cheshire · Post by **Cheshire** » Tue May 19, 2009 4:13 am

So...I allowed myself to get talked into attempting to take my Buddy on an off-road trail, but I at least get to pick the trail. Something a dual-sport would probably go down, but doesn't necessarily have to be too rough-and-tumble.

I really, really need to go back to just lurking on ADVrider.

This should be interesting....

KRUSTYburger · Post by **KRUSTYburger** » Tue May 19, 2009 4:34 am

I've been wanting to do that too! I've been "off road" a couple times, but not on actual trails, just dirt roads,
sand and grass. It got a little crazy in the sand like I almost fell over a couple times, but it was still fun.

I might just need to get me one of my dream scooters, the Honda CT-90.

gr8dog · Post by **gr8dog** » Tue May 19, 2009 4:42 am

If I find myself off-road with the Buddy I have made a terrible mistake.

I have ridden across grass or dirt but I take it slow because the Buddy does not have a very forgiving suspension.
When I was a teenager we had two mopeds, complete with pedals, the real deal. They would top end around 32mph indicated. We used to go to the state park and ride through the abandoned quarries. I actually went airborne one time because I hit a rise in the limestone I did not see, surprise! No wonder they didn't last very long.

Cheshire · Post by **Cheshire** » Tue May 19, 2009 4:42 am

I can already say whatever trail I pick will have NO (or nearly no) WASHBOARDS!! I've had more than my fill of those these past couple weeks.

Sand sounds interesting. Might have to do that next time I'm near the coast.

olhogrider · Post by **olhogrider** » Tue May 19, 2009 3:20 pm

Sunday I did my first organized dual-sport ride. It was around Sly Park east of Placerville. At times the dust was so thick I could barely make out the taillight of the bike in front of me. There was enough snow in places that some got stuck. One of the water crossings was so deep that the water splashed over my head! I think a Buddy could have made it with some proper tires, but the deep water would have drowned it. Of course, two people could easily carry a Buddy through that.

Skootz Kabootz · Post by **Skootz Kabootz** » Tue May 19, 2009 6:28 pm

I took a cruise up a dirt fireroad a little while back. First time so I rode really carefully, it was way fun, and the Buddy ate it up. I didn't have a clue I was committing a total no-no. When I eventually noticed the "you shouldn't be here" signs I turned around... slowly... and that was when the front tire slid out and I took my first (only) spill. Fortunately I caught the bike before it totally went down but I have a nice scrape on my centerstand and a very slightly bent passenger footpeg to remind me about the realities of riding on gravel...

... but I'm thinkin' a dirt bike could be fun

Cheshire · Post by **Cheshire** » Tue May 19, 2009 6:32 pm

Skootz Kabootz wrote:I took a cruise up a dirt fireroad a little while back. First time so I rode really carefully, it was way fun, and the Buddy ate it up. I didn't have a clue I was committing a total no-no. When I eventually noticed the "you shouldn't be here" signs I turned around... slowly... and that was when the front tire slid out and I took my first (only) spill. Fortunately I caught the bike before it totally went down but I have a nice scrape on my centerstand and a very slightly bent passenger footpeg to remind me about the realities of riding on gravel...

... but I'm thinkin' a dirt bike could be fun

When you say "you shouldn't be here signs"...do you mean as in No Trespassing or more along the lines of the scooter telling you it's out of its depth? I read that either way....

Skootz Kabootz · Post by **Skootz Kabootz** » Tue May 19, 2009 6:45 pm

Cheshire wrote:
Skootz Kabootz wrote:I took a cruise up a dirt fireroad a little while back. First time so I rode really carefully, it was way fun, and the Buddy ate it up. I didn't have a clue I was committing a total no-no. When I eventually noticed the "you shouldn't be here" signs I turned around... slowly... and that was when the front tire slid out and I took my first (only) spill. Fortunately I caught the bike before it totally went down but I have a nice scrape on my centerstand and a very slightly bent passenger footpeg to remind me about the realities of riding on gravel...

... but I'm thinkin' a dirt bike could be fun
When you say "you shouldn't be here signs"...do you mean as in No Trespassing or more along the lines of the scooter telling you it's out of its depth? I read that either way....

I mean "no motorized vehicles allowed" signs. Bylaws, fines, all that fun stuff...

ERik3tb · Post by **ERik3tb** » Tue May 19, 2009 6:47 pm

I'd still like to get my hands on a Big Ruckus and drop a 400cc motor in it for off road and trail use.

Cheshire · Post by **Cheshire** » Tue May 19, 2009 7:24 pm

Skootz Kabootz wrote:
Cheshire wrote:
Skootz Kabootz wrote:I took a cruise up a dirt fireroad a little while back. First time so I rode really carefully, it was way fun, and the Buddy ate it up. I didn't have a clue I was committing a total no-no. When I eventually noticed the "you shouldn't be here" signs I turned around... slowly... and that was when the front tire slid out and I took my first (only) spill. Fortunately I caught the bike before it totally went down but I have a nice scrape on my centerstand and a very slightly bent passenger footpeg to remind me about the realities of riding on gravel...

... but I'm thinkin' a dirt bike could be fun
When you say "you shouldn't be here signs"...do you mean as in No Trespassing or more along the lines of the scooter telling you it's out of its depth? I read that either way....
I mean "no motorized vehicles allowed" signs. Bylaws, fines, all that fun stuff...

Gotcha. Thanks for setting me straight.

louie · Post by **louie** » Wed May 20, 2009 1:31 am

ERik3tb wrote:I'd still like to get my hands on a Big Ruckus and drop a 400cc motor in it for off road and trail use.

a trail bike would have about the same size motor, 250, with tons more clearance. not really the off road scooter a first glance suggests.

Lagerhead · Post by **Lagerhead** » Wed May 20, 2009 2:12 am

louie wrote:
ERik3tb wrote:I'd still like to get my hands on a Big Ruckus and drop a 400cc motor in it for off road and trail use.
not really the off road scooter a first glance suggests.

Very true.

It's basically a naked Honda Reflex.