New Dubai based n00b

[iggs]

Thought I'd say hi. I'm new to Gas Gas and new to dirt bikes

Finally given in to the inevitable and started riding in the dunes here. Only been out twice so far and loved it

The bike is an ex rental 2014 450 from Gas Gas Tours. Main reason for going with Gas Gas as opposed to more conventional options was because of the support available from them.

It's obviously a much better bike than I'll ever be a rider but it also seems to be cutting me plenty of slack

First mission is to get out and put as many hours as I can in on the sand

Also need to mount my gps on the bars

I haven't messed with any suspension settings or anything yet. Got some reading up to do on that

I'm likely to have some questions that will seem daft to those of you who've been around the block a bit but please bear with me. All advice gratefully received

I've got a bit if a plan but more of that another time


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[john r b]

Welcome aboard, that bike looks like a handfull.

 

[iggs]

Welcome aboard, that bike looks like a handfull.

It's been very kind to me so far


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[john r b]

iggs, how about a photo of the other side. Is that tank stepped up at the fill port? Thanks.

 

[Moto7man]

Nice bike! We only ride sand here in Florida, install a set of Tubliss inserts and you can run a low air pressure for the sand. Also, the Tubliss system is lighter than tubes and saves you weight on each wheel so you susoension action is better.

 

[Coop]

Welcome, good looking bike!

 

[liv2day]

Congrats and welcome

You definitely need to post some ride pictures from your neck of the woods - I'd really enjoy seeing those.

 

[iggs]

John - what do you mean by stepped up. I do have a pic from the other side, I'll dig it out

Moto7man - hmmmm, interesting, I'll look into that. What pressure are you running in the sand?

Liv2day - I haven't got any images yet from my rides but here is a flickr link to some images from last years Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge https://www.flickr.com/photos/ianganderton/sets/72157633565154769/


IMG_8461 by ianganderton, on Flickr







Bike #1 tearing it up at the Prologue by ianganderton, on Flickr







Loading by ianganderton, on Flickr







IMG_8490 by ianganderton, on Flickr







Engine bay pies, its traditional by ianganderton, on Flickr



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[iggs]

Image from the other side. Shame it's in shadow

This pic is from my first ever ride on the sand. Taken by Sam Smith of Gas Gas Tours who was introducing me to the dunes

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[liv2day]

This pic is from my first ever ride on the sand. Taken by Sam Smith of Gas Gas Tours who was introducing me to the dunes

Having never ridden in sand myself, I bet that's crazy to try and turn in. It doesn't look too deep - how's traction? Do you essentially have to stay on the gas the entire time you're riding?

Looks really cool; 180 degrees different than what I ride here

 

[iggs]

I'm very very new to the game so not the best person to answer but I'll try with what I can

The advantage of sand is that you can ride virtually anywhere, there is no path, trail you have to follow. This means you don't need to be forced into sharp direction changes. Last weekend in the bigger dunes I really felt some flow.

With all the different shaped created by dunes it seems to be the case that you can really use these for helping turns (think berms everywhere)

The traction is obviously reduced when compared to some surfaces but there is plenty as long as you maintain your momentum reasonably. It's not so much a case of being on the gas all the time as managing your momentum to carry you through stuff without being to fast and end up sky rocketing off stuff

It's a lot of fun that's for sure


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[iggs]

Is this more your kind of environment? MN in early march was pretty damn chilly!,


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[liv2day]

Is this more your kind of environment? MN in early march was pretty damn chilly!,


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LOL - Nope...this is where I spend 98% of my time riding (OR):

 

[iggs]

Yeap, that's about as different as it gets to my neck of the woods!!


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[Rick]

Yeap, that's about as different as it gets to my neck of the woods!!


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But you have this http://www.skidubai.com/ski-dubai/resort/

Which is crazy!

I've been to Dubai several times, we performed USDA AG wash down of equipment. Both times was there for a few weeks.... loved it! I can't remember the indoor cart track we raced in, but it was massive, plus had a/c!

I'd love to go out and ride those dunes......there freaking massive!

 

[iggs]

It's funny now I've been here a few years things like Ski Dubai don't seem so crazy :-D

The cart tracks are in Motor City. I've only driven on the outdoor one which is huge too

Summer has arrived this week with some days that have crept into the low 40s. Again having every indoor space air conditioned now seems normal after being here a while

If you fancy riding the dunes here then talk to Gas Gas Tours. They will sort you out and look after you


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