ISDE Update

SpeedyManiac

SpeedyManiac

New member
Hi all,
Just a quick note this morning. Picked up my bike from GasGas yesterday - awesome! Very similar to my 07 only with sachs fork/shock, new computer and white plastics. Euro bike has a HUGE silencer on it to. Swapped my triple clamp/sub mount onto the bike along with steering damper, flexx bars and barkbusters. Unfortunately in 08 they changed to hex bolts for the PV cover and I haven't been able to track down any 5mm allen bolts so no LTR cover on this bike. Also noticed all of the engine bolts on the 08/09 bikes are 8mm hex instead of 5mm allen. Nice. Also the 08/09 axle is different from my 07 so the axle pull does not fit. I'm going to track down Steve from GoFasters and see if I can scrounge an extra.

Rode the bike for about 45 minutes yesterday on the grass track - wow, these bikes are really, really good. The sachs fork is great, though maybe a tad soft. Shock is excellent so far. Handling is a dream as always. The KTM guys are struggling to get their bikes to turn on the grasstrack while the GasGas riders walk around with big smiles. Engine is great as always.

Only things left to do are confirm my jetting, set sag, maybe play with the clickers a bit, add grip donuts and track down an axle pull.

I'll try and send some pictures tonight.

Steve
 
Thanks for the update Steve. We all need to live vicarioulsy through you and Billy!
 
Awsome report, be sure, if you can, to try and check in right before the race and possibly during. (I know it is soo hard, you basically wake up, eat, ride, eat, and sleep for 6 straight days - I did it last year.) I am interested in what the test are going to be like. Also the weather. Sounded hot right away, but possibly milder towards the end of the week. Most of all, good luck! Remember, twist it in the easy and save it in the hard. You'll do great.

Brian

517 Chile
 
Bike setup is pretty much done today. It's very hot down in Serres but we head up into the mountains where it's pretty comfortable temperature-wise. Special tests look fun, especially the Red Bull test (day 3/4), Acerbis (day 1/2) and all of the enduro tests at Lailias. Should be a fun event.

Americans are scrambling again as last I heard their container is still in Athens. Talked to Billy at the GasGas truck - he's good, bike is close to setup but we doesn't have his Rekluse or a few other things. Billy's a really nice guy too, so everyone cheer him on!

While the Americans have it bad, the Australian club teams have it worse. Their container got mistakenly sent to Egypt so they've had to buy tools, gear and rent bikes. Chile is in a similar boat and not happy about it.

Looking forward to the race, should be fun. Lots of beautiful women in the paddock and around town. Greece is a great country! I'll try and send another update (complete with pictures) on Saturday or Sunday.

By the way, Steve Berkner AKA Berkyboy, if you read this, I need a front axle pull (mine off my 07 ISDE bike does not fit)! I'm looking for you in the pits but haven't seen you anywhere yet!
 
Lots of beautiful women in the paddock and around town.
Click to expand...

Now Now, no distractions! Focus! (but send pics if you have time.:D )

Actually, the GoFasters boys could be snapping away. Maybe we could do an annual "Women of the ISDE" photo album. Of course Jeff, myself, Girard and Matt would have to review all the pics to be sure they are in good taste and fit the image of gasgasrider.org.


Good luck and wish Billy luck too!
 
Steve, Good to hear your almost set up.

Good luck,but most of all have fun.

We'll be pullin for ya!

Roscoe
 
Hey Speedy, Do good over there in Greece. My 07 250 takes good care of me when the rough gets going. That well groomed machine is going to take you places and treat you to an awesome ride. Treat it well and it will take care of you. Looking forwards to any report that you have time to post.
 
Quick update - it's been an interesting 4 days.

Day 1 - all of my front tire balls went flat (rim lock broke)- road 120+ km on a flat tire. Lost about 20 route points because of it but luckily the wheel is still okay. Lesson learned - use bibs. Crashed in the 5th test of the day (thank you flat front tire) and mangled my shifter. Rode the rest of the test in 4th gear (thank god for reliable gasgas clutches) then jimmy rigged the shifter to limp through 30km of trail to the next check.

Day 2 - picked up a cold a few days before the event, it's starting to catch up to me in the heat. Lost some route points (after Day 1's fiasco it doesn't matter as I'm on bronze anyways) but made it through the day.

Day 3 - new course, faster and not as hammered as previous day. Fun special tests. Rode well in the tests and didn't lose any time. I was also a good samaritan and helped out an Italian women's club rider on both day 2 and 3 when she crashed.

Day 4 - this heat is killing me with a fever. Roasted all day but managed to make it through. Think I lost about 30 minutes but it's all about finishing. My ankle is giving me grief after casing hard on a jump on the motocross track on day 3 - can barely walk. Also broke a barkbuster, bent the front brake lever but made it through the day. 1 more tough day left...


I'm bummed all hope of a silver is gone thanks to day 1, but due to my fever I don't think I'd have enough energy to stay on silver all week. Bronze (hopefully, gotta make it through day 5 and day 6) is still a vast improvement over DNFing last year. I think we need one of these events somewhere colder....say, Canada?
 
Keep it up man, remember this race is about survival first and foremost. Most people that have never ridden one will never understand how hard it is just to finish, let alone do good. Keep your head on. Your past Brain Fade Day (day 3) So it is all down hill from there. You'll hold your head high when your sitting on the starting gate of that final moto. From here on out, it can't be a question of if, but when. That hard faught bronze metal will be more worth it to you then any easy gold.

Good Luck

Brian
 
Keep up the hard work Steve!

Billy's bike didn't make it through day 4 unfortunately.

day-four-billy-burns-lg.jpg
 
Steve...good job....keep it up!!!

Ouch:eek: little tough to make through the day like that......
 
Is that a magnesium swingarm on there? Must have one helluva crash story behind that picture...

jeff
 
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