sand dunes and dirt bikes

[kawiguy18]

i just watched a video of fmx riders messin around in the sand dunes. someone once told me the sand is horrible on dirtbikes because of the salt in the sand. what are the risks if i decided to ride the dunes? and is there ways to prep the bike to protect it?

[125shifter]

Use your head and you'll be fine.

[SCCRF450]

It is not great. Well yeah it is probably the worst thing you could do short of crashing 7/8 of the way up a Nation Hill Climb Race and having the bike tumble all the way down. Thats probably the worst.

I ride the dunes a lot and love it.

I replace more chains for sure. Wear out other parts faster (wheels, sprockets, head tube etc...)

When I take my bike apart it always has sand everywhere even inside cyl walls.

It's worth it IMHO

[Denn10]

It is not great. Well yeah it is probably the worst thing you could do short of crashing 7/8 of the way up a Nation Hill Climb Race and having the bike tumble all the way down. Thats probably the worst.

I ride the dunes a lot and love it.

I replace more chains for sure. Wear out other parts faster (wheels, sprockets, head tube etc...)

When I take my bike apart it always has sand everywhere even inside cyl walls.

It's worth it IMHO

Sand inside your engine???? sounds like you need a new filter and some good oil cause ive never had a problem with sand inside any of my bikes and ive been dune riding for many years. One thing that will help trap sand that accidently passes thru the filter is when you have your air filter off spray some wd40 or K=N air filter oil in the boot that goes to the carb behind the filter it will coat the sides and help stop and sand getting all the way thru your carb and into your cylinder. Another thing if your gonna be near the ocean dunes spray your bike with silicon spray since it dries hard it helps prevent rush from the salt water and all the moisture in the air and doesnt collect that much sand. and dont go plowing thru the surf LOL theres no help if you do that. Dont be afraid of the dunes there awesome once you get used to riding in the sand.

[socal_sierra]

cut a pair of panty hoes to put over your air filter, helps keep the sand out.

[thestrokes]

Dude, my buddy messed up his bike bad. I warned him a few times to make sure he cleans his bike properly, but he just went on for months without doing so. Now his needs to replace a few different parts to get it working right again. I told him to just buy a new bike.

[06crf_er]

Dude, my buddy messed up his bike bad. I warned him a few times to make sure he cleans his bike properly, but he just went on for months without doing so. Now his needs to replace a few different parts to get it working right again. I told him to just buy a new bike.

Screw the dunes. It's a good place to drink beer and watch other crazies crash their rides but I'm not tearing my bike up out there. I guess that will be one less bike out there for drunks driving around in their sand rails. :applause:

[jaqkar]

Did you by any chance watch Duel in the desert? The last one was shot here in Dubai. We ride sand all the time, we don't have any choices really and we make sure to wash the bikes good and just wd40 some areas for protection.

[ehr400]

There is no difference if from the dunes or riding a sand track IMHO. Alot of the practice tracks near me have deep sand. Just like anything take care of your equipment and it will be allright.

[gaucho]

The dunes are awesome, just check out this vid of these dunes riders and don't tell me you wouldn't enjoy it! Huge hills, jumps everywhere if you want.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CErEKJXSeL0

[Kyle Prior]

Just be sure to clean the filter, change the oil, and get you bike id good running shape before you go out. In the sand, its also good to use a filter skin on top of the regular filter.

[HawkGT]

As far as corrosion, it depends on which dunes you're talking about. I've never ridden near the ocean but can see where anti-corrosion steps would be appropriate. The ISDRA (Glamis, Gordens Well, et al) is about as corrosion free of an environment you're going to find. There's no salt anywhere and the humidity is almost always very, very low (often below 10%).

I make about 10 ISDRA weekend dune trips a year and find that the "sand tears up your equipment" mentallity is overstated. Bearings, pivot points, and chains/sprockets may wear faster but the sand isn't going to ruin your bike. Just $0.02.

[sprint4425]

You'll be fine. Ride sand dunes regularly. Just make sure you clean and oil your air filter AFTER EVERY SINGLE TIME YOU RIDE IN SAND. Also, if you have a thumper its probably good to change your oil/filter more frequently because of all the high RPM's from riding in the dunes. Other than that i would say to make sure you clean and lube your chain before and after every ride (make sure not to use sticky, gooey, oil chain lube) and use a hose or pressure washer to get the sane away from your wheel bearings after every sand dune ride or so.

[davidfloyd]

Agreed - a lot more maintenance and cleaning time, but such an amazing experience, it's 100% worth it. I thought I'd hate the dunes because on some of my other trails, when the sandy areas would hit, it was difficult to control the bike. However, when you're in ALL sand - you get used to the feel pretty quickly and adjust to it and it's just amazing.

[mkporn]

You'll be fine. Ride sand dunes regularly. Just make sure you clean and oil your air filter AFTER EVERY SINGLE TIME YOU RIDE IN SAND. Also, if you have a thumper its probably good to change your oil/filter more frequently because of all the high RPM's from riding in the dunes. Other than that i would say to make sure you clean and lube your chain before and after every ride (make sure not to use sticky, gooey, oil chain lube) and use a hose or pressure washer to get the sane away from your wheel bearings after every sand dune ride or so.

This is good advice, but I would add that when done riding in the sand or changing the filter, remove the entire subframe in one piece. I know this will sound stupid, but if you take your filter off and try to pull it out of the airbox (on a typical mx bike) you WILL:eek: knock sand into the intake boot and with out pulling it apart, you will not get all the sand out..... Just trust me on this.

[BANNED 4 LIFE]

cut a pair of panty hoes to put over your air filter, helps keep the sand out.

I do the same thing.

Who says you can't wear your wifes panty hose...

Also- use Maxima FFT filter oil- very gooky- but little if nothing gets through it.

[Not-So-Fast]

I've ridden dunes a lot. Pizmo Beach in CA. I just run low air pressure in leiu of a paddle tire and never had a problem. That is a 2-stroke. A thumper might need the paddle for extra weight and lower rev. I never had any problems, but I spent extra energy washing the bike down afterwards. A few suggestions: extra oil in your air filter; WD-40 on some areas to prevent rust (if your riding coastal dunes); and a low tack chain lube like Sidewinder or teflon to keep sand from sticking to your drive. Good luck and have fun.

[ajetmech]

I have riding dunes for years and it is a blast. I clean the bike, chain and filter after each dune ride and have not had any problems. Yes the sand gets every where but like above panty hose over the filter helps.

[MikeA796]

The best way to enjoy the dunes is to barrow you buddies bike!

[NavyNuke]

http://media.putfile.com/Glamis-Dec-15-17-2006

I love the dunes too, it ads more maintnace, but I'm a bit heavy on keeping up with that anyway.