This afternoon, there was a get together for the group of four KLR with home-crafted side cars, Where the Road Ends. They left Prudhoe Bay on Saturday (I think) and arrived in Fairbanks last night (Monday). Rich, the rider from Fairbanks shown in the picture, thanked me for the Grip-Stud recommendation though he only had them on the rear tire of his bike. He mentioned that he looked all over Fairbanks for more but couldn’t find any. I still had around a hundred left from my last order so they bought whatever I had. I also mentioned that Goldstream Sports had the smaller ones in stock. One of the employees was there and showed the size they had in stock and if they wanted some, she would open the store early for them tomorrow.
Most of them were using the screw style studs and were sliding all over the road. I mentioned that they only seemed to last around 20-30 miles before wearing out. That seemed to be their experience as well. JedR, one of the Fairbanks Ural riders, transported some of their rigs from Fairbanks to Prudhoe Bay in his trailer. They also have a support van and equipment trailer. I’m not sure what is actually being carried in the sidecar rigs. For cost reasons, they opted to design and build their own sub-frames and sidecars. They do seem very sturdy though the small wheel on the sidecar seemed an odd choice.
The sidecars will be dropped off as soon as they are done with the snow and ice. Initial plans were to drop them off in the Pacific Northwest. I wish the group the best of luck and will be following their adventures. Especially the notorious Darian Gap. Total trip duration is expected to be five months. Much more info is on their website and the following promotional video.
I wondered how those KLR rigs were doing on the snow and ice...did they perhaps remark on their pusher tire just not having enough weight on it to aid in traction? I found this to be a problem with my V-Strom Rig. FWIW, if you liked their rigs, CCjon is perhaps thinking of selling his KLR Rig which he's got all sussed out.
Rich said that they were sliding a lot though he was having an easier time than the others. The sidecars have a lot of lead so maybe that translates to more weight on the pusher. Plus, they had panniers and a top box on the bike.
I think they just attached the sidecars to come off the slope and the Alaskan part of their trip or where the snow is at. I love the grip-stud, i run them on my front wheel
I think they were going to get through the Canadian Rockies first. Six months ago, they were thinking of dropping them off in Oregon. I use GripStuds in all three though not many in the sidecar tire. At the moment, none.
I wondered how those KLR rigs were doing on the snow and ice...did they perhaps remark on their pusher tire just not having enough weight on it to aid in traction? I found this to be a problem with my V-Strom Rig. FWIW, if you liked their rigs, CCjon is perhaps thinking of selling his KLR Rig which he's got all sussed out.
ReplyDeleteI don't have the money or space at this time.
Rich said that they were sliding a lot though he was having an easier time than the others. The sidecars have a lot of lead so maybe that translates to more weight on the pusher. Plus, they had panniers and a top box on the bike.
DeleteI think they just attached the sidecars to come off the slope and the Alaskan part of their trip or where the snow is at. I love the grip-stud, i run them on my front wheel
ReplyDeleteI think they were going to get through the Canadian Rockies first. Six months ago, they were thinking of dropping them off in Oregon. I use GripStuds in all three though not many in the sidecar tire. At the moment, none.
DeleteA good idea for them to use sidecars while on the snow and ice. They are in for one heck of an adventure I imagine.
ReplyDeleteThey were looking for an adventure. Though I think most of it is ahead of them. I believe they are planning a video of the adventure.
DeleteWow, that does sound like an adventure! Cool that an event was held for them! 😀
ReplyDelete