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The place for questions or discussions about the most suitable motorcycles for the Tour of Idaho, T1. Please note, there is a difference between "this bike made it" and "this bike is just right." One is better than the other.
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Hello to all who are thinking about, planning, and have done this crazy adventure.
My brother, cousin and I are starting to plan for a T1, 2021 TOI and I’m planning on riding my 2018 300 XCW.
so far I’m buying a 4.5 gal. IMS tank and starting to look into carrying the needed extra fuel along with oil.
has anyone done the tour on a 2T and what advice do you have for me?? I’m excited to follow along with the riders of 2020 and learn as much as possible during all stages of the process.Last edited by WisemanGibb; 01-08-2020, 05:39 AM. -
The Tour has been done many times on a 2T - including the one you are planning on riding. If your bike is non TPI get a Lectron and the IMS tank along with a GL fuel bladder or two will be just fine. I happen to own that exact bike and would not hesitate to do a T1 on in for a second. You'll need a fresh top end to start and another one when you finish. That's the only downer.Originally posted by WisemanGibb View Post
If you search this forum you should come across a trip report from a rider who completed the Tour in 2019 on a 300XCW.Comment
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Such a great resource here. I was going to ride my 2018 300 xcw but got a smoking deal on a 2018 350 xcf with trail tech headlight. Full bike armor. Long story short I’ll be riding that with my brother here.Comment
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The 350 will be my next Tour bike - just because I don't think I could stand 2T exhaust fumes for 1700 miles. It's just a bit heavier than the 300 and you won't have to do a top end before and after either. Very popular Tour bike.Originally posted by Brothers Gibb View PostComment
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In my opinion, the KTM 350 is tough to beat. Its got more than enough power and is more nimble than the 450/500. However, if I had a 450/500 I would not get a 350 instead just for the Tour.
Finally, I'm with Martin on the 2T exhaust issue. Plus, managing the oil in addition to the 23492309 other things is not appealing.Comment
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I just don’t have the money to put into a new-to-me bike for the tour alongside the other dedicated expenses for this awesome adventure... I’m going to have to think on it some more.Comment
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Ya know, I shoulda added that not only would I not buy a 350 if I already had a 450/500, but that if I had a 300XCW that I wouldn't be seeking a 350, either. Others have successfully ridden their 300 to a finisher #, and you can, too.Comment
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Question for you guys and gals that rode a 350 on the tour. Throttle tamer? Flywheel weight? Rekluse clutch?
how can I best set up for success. Trying to get a jump. Can’t ride this 350 until spring so I don’t even know......
anyway thanks for thoughts on this.Last edited by Brothers Gibb; 01-19-2020, 01:25 PM.Comment
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Rekluse - yes. For durability more than anything else. It's really difficult to frag a properly adjusted Rekluse. The rest of that stuff doesn't matter. Your bike will be about half destroyed before you get to the end anyway so I would not sweat the little stuff. Just make sure that you can ride the damned thing for 10 days and close to 2000 miles.Originally posted by Brothers Gibb View PostComment
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My stock 350EXC with XCW 13/52 gearing only would have been better with a Rekluse. I put a new clutch in it at the start and it seems to be really worn now, I assume from all the slipping I had to put it through in many places. It might be an issue with the master, tho. I need to pull it out and measure the plates.
Anyway, if I had a Rekluse in it I woulda run 13/50 gearing and enjoyed the lower revs on the transfer sections. If my memory is correct, that's the gearing Carrie ran in her 350 with a Rekluse.Comment
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First two accessories I buy is a Rekluse (they are awesome and bullet proof) and FlexxBars (they work, but I have wrist issues so they are necessary).
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Dark horse suggestion for a solo rider, but has anyone ever tried it on a Yamaha TW200?
I've owned a lot of dirt bikes--every one of them with more power and better suspension but the TW was a total bastard of a machine in the rough stuff. I rode a few pieces of the high elevation parts of D1 last summer on a KTM 500. A TW would've been slower, but from an endurance standpoint, maybe easier on the rider.
I had a nicely set up TW a few years back that made quick work out of technical spots that had me at full pucker/code brown on my regular bikes. There's a certain confidence, especially when riding alone, knowing that you can manhandle, foot dab your bike through just about anything and will never want for traction.Last edited by The Uncompahgre; 02-08-2021, 04:58 PM.Comment
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I don’t think it would be the best bike for this adventure.... You should look for something in between the ktm 500 and the tw 200. I would suggest the ktm 350 xcfw. You will need a light weight dirt bike. The tw200 is just not the machine for this type of riding, however, with enough determination and luck the tw 200 would probably get you to Sundance.Comment
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