Trans American Trail

[RazorWing]

Hey everyone! I do not have an RX-3 yet, but am shopping and will be buying (something) in about a month.

A buddy and I are looking at doing the TAT (Trans American Trail) in a year or so. MOST of my riding is likely going to be street, but I do want this "ADV" machine that I get to be fully capable of doing the TAT. I have zero off road experience outside a few times hitting gravel (and two logging roads) on my EX-500 over 10 years ago. My buddy is going to do it in his WR250X, which is the super moto version, and yes, he wants to do it in sumo form too. He is very experienced in dirt. I do not plan to go fast on the TAT, but I'm curious how the RX-3 would fare.

Based on this and the looks (plus GREAT prices from CSC) I may order the 19" front set and the 13Tooth sprocket (all the local off road stuff is very rocky and quite steep, so I'd be slow and don't want to kill a clutch) with my initial order.

I have discussed this with SPUD, but the other bike on my list is the CRF250L, but I am leaning toward the RX-3 as its more of what I want, just need to be sure it can DO what I want. We all want to think we are at least 50/50, but given most of the roads around are paved and I will use this bike for other things such as commuting and all (will be a stable mate to my VFR800) I'll likely be 80/20 for most of my stuff, and I think around 40% of the TAT is actually paved.

Thoughts are welcome! Thanks!

Off topic: anyone located anywhere around Boone, NC or within a ride from there that wouldn't mind me looking at and sitting on your RX-3? I had can't do most ADV bikes due to size and weight creating some problems, and really want to at least sit on one in person before I buy.

[Huck369]

I'm about 5 hours from you....there is a owner in Knoxville, TN also...not sure about closer.... you can look on the CSC map and see who is registered near you....

[detours]

I honestly have no idea how rough the TAT is, but for the riding I want to do in Colorado, this is my build. I won't replace the clutch till it wears out, but I put it on the list anyway.

13T sprocket (http://www.cscmotorcycles.com/product-p/csc-1099.htm) - $13
19" front wheel (http://www.cscmotorcycles.com/19-FRONT-WHEEL-ASSEMBLY-BLACK-FOR-RX3-p/csc-1017.htm) - $200
Tires (K270) (http://www.cscmotorcycles.com/category-s/190.htm) - $115
Seat (http://www.cscmotorcycles.com/category-s/208.htm) - $249
Kevlar clutch (http://www.cscmotorcycles.com/product-p/csc-1550.htm) - $90
Clutch springs (http://www.cscmotorcycles.com/product-p/csc-1551.htm) - $20
Aluminum skid plate (http://www.cscmotorcycles.com/product-p/csc-1108.htm) - $130

CSC is developing a new shock and I'll probably add that too when it's available.

Also, since I bought the tires and 19" wheel (and accessory chargers) when I ordered the bike, they installed them with no extra setup or shipping charge. A new clutch may be a different story, but you may be able to work something out if you order all your upgrades with the bike.

[Riceburner]

Hello RazorWing, I just posted some of my views of the RX3 in another thread (vs CRF L).

If your not real experienced with off road riding and planing the TAT (would love to have been able to do that one) you might want to get some training and practice a lot. I have taught many riders for street and off road and I still try to learn more.

You may have an off road riding group locally, check it out and have someone show you a few things, not the excessive "off road" style, it's different having a loaded adventure bike than a dirt bike, find an adventure experienced rider to travel and learn from.

Don't be afraid to fall down, it's not fun but just expect it to happen, I have done so many times, very good at it...

Big thing to falling down is knowing how to pick up a loaded AdvBike (now the RX3 isn't a 1250GS but) just lay it down in the grass someplace, unloaded first and practice picking it up, it's easy. Then put some gear on it and do it again. One time I had to unload the gear, empty the low side pannier and take the high side pannier off to get my F650GS up out of the soft sand in the wash, hot morning in New Mexico. And then there was a time....

I found RawHyde Adventure Motorcycle training on line, watched all the video's and learned a lot of stuff and skills, I'm good but... I need to do all that basic and advanced training and practice with this new to me RX3.

I can dance my YBR through the nasties but the RX3 is much bigger and heavier, I can do it all on the RX3 too, just practice, practice.

Riceburner

[SpudRider]

Personally, I wouldn't ride my RX3 up any trail that was "very rocky and quite steep." I have a Honda CRF250X dirt bike, and several dual sport bikes in my stable for that kind of riding. ;) I mostly ride my RX3 on pavement, gravel and dirt roads. Occasionally I will also ride a moderately technical fire road.

If possible, it is easiest to learn how to ride off road by practicing with a lighter motorcycle, which has a superior, off road suspension. The smaller dirt/dual sport bike will be more maneuverable, and easier to pick up after you drop it. ;) The small bike will help you to learn proper technique, and will help to build your confidence. :)

However, not everyone can afford two motorcycles, so we end up riding the bike we own. ;) I'm sure the RX3 will perform very well for the riding you intend. I'm also confident the RX3 will perform well on the TAT. :)

[RazorWing]

I'm about 5 hours from you....there is a owner in Knoxville, TN also...not sure about closer.... you can look on the CSC map and see who is registered near you....

I saw the one on the map in Knoxville, but there has also been a fairly recent add being just south of Asheville that would only be ~2 hours (and on some really nice roads should I take that route) away, but it does not have a screen name.

I honestly have no idea how rough the TAT is, but for the riding I want to do in Colorado, this is my build. I won't replace the clutch till it wears out, but I put it on the list anyway.

13T sprocket (http://www.cscmotorcycles.com/product-p/csc-1099.htm) - $13
19" front wheel (http://www.cscmotorcycles.com/19-FRONT-WHEEL-ASSEMBLY-BLACK-FOR-RX3-p/csc-1017.htm) - $200
Tires (K270) (http://www.cscmotorcycles.com/category-s/190.htm) - $115
Seat (http://www.cscmotorcycles.com/category-s/208.htm) - $249
Kevlar clutch (http://www.cscmotorcycles.com/product-p/csc-1550.htm) - $90
Clutch springs (http://www.cscmotorcycles.com/product-p/csc-1551.htm) - $20
Aluminum skid plate (http://www.cscmotorcycles.com/product-p/csc-1108.htm) - $130

CSC is developing a new shock and I'll probably add that too when it's available.

Also, since I bought the tires and 19" wheel (and accessory chargers) when I ordered the bike, they installed them with no extra setup or shipping charge. A new clutch may be a different story, but you may be able to work something out if you order all your upgrades with the bike.

I would just leave the stock clutch until it fails. My list is rather similar to yours though. Thank you for letting me know that CSC installed some options for you when you ordered for no charge! I was planning on having them "throw in the crate" the 19" "upgrade pack" which has the more agressive tires for both as well. I will also add a 13T (have both likely as sprockets are easy to change). The Acc chargers is a must as well. From reviews the seat will be soon, but I do want to give the stock a fair chance. The TAT does run though your neck of the woods, and from what I have read from intitial research, the Colorado section is one of the toughest. How does the RX-3 fare for you?

Oh, and that skid plate, even if it didn't do anything at all, it is just too pretty to not get:)

That shock will likely be before the TAT as well, I'm watching. CSC is such a cool company so far from what I see!

Hello RazorWing, I just posted some of my views of the RX3 in another thread (vs CRF L).

If your not real experienced with off road riding and planing the TAT (would love to have been able to do that one) you might want to get some training and practice a lot. I have taught many riders for street and off road and I still try to learn more.

You may have an off road riding group locally, check it out and have someone show you a few things, not the excessive "off road" style, it's different having a loaded adventure bike than a dirt bike, find an adventure experienced rider to travel and learn from.

Don't be afraid to fall down, it's not fun but just expect it to happen, I have done so many times, very good at it...

Big thing to falling down is knowing how to pick up a loaded AdvBike (now the RX3 isn't a 1250GS but) just lay it down in the grass someplace, unloaded first and practice picking it up, it's easy. Then put some gear on it and do it again. One time I had to unload the gear, empty the low side pannier and take the high side pannier off to get my F650GS up out of the soft sand in the wash, hot morning in New Mexico. And then there was a time....

I found RawHyde Adventure Motorcycle training on line, watched all the video's and learned a lot of stuff and skills, I'm good but... I need to do all that basic and advanced training and practice with this new to me RX3.

I can dance my YBR through the nasties but the RX3 is much bigger and heavier, I can do it all on the RX3 too, just practice, practice.

Riceburner

Thank you Riceburner for your comments in the other thread, I gave it a thorough read. I have a handfull of friends that frequently offroad, and the one friend that I will be hitting the TAT with has been doing it since he was a kid and is really good at it. Him along with an F650GS DAKAR friend are going to teach me the basics. I may also take an ADV riders class in the spring as well, just no way to practice or learn without the bike as the VFR is heavy enough without going down on gravel, lol. I'm not too concerned about having to pick the RX-3 up at all. I've dropped my VFR (once loaded) and was able to pick it up without too much struggle, and its 520lb before luggage or anything else. The ones that worry me with weight is the likes of the KLR650, DL650 and so on.

Personally, I wouldn't ride my RX3 up any trail that was "very rocky and quite steep." I have a Honda CRF250X dirt bike, and several dual sport bikes in my stable for that kind of riding. ;) I mostly ride my RX3 on pavement, gravel and dirt roads. Occasionally I will also ride a moderately technical fire road.

If possible, it is easiest to learn how to ride off road by practicing with a lighter motorcycle, which has a superior, off road suspension. The smaller dirt/dual sport bike will be more maneuverable, and easier to pick up after you drop it. ;) The small bike will help you to learn proper technique, and will help to build your confidence. :)

However, not everyone can afford two motorcycles, so we end up riding the bike we own. ;) I'm sure the RX3 will perform very well for the riding you intend. I'm also confident the RX3 will perform well on the TAT. :)

Perhaps its not as extreme, not sure how to judge really, haha. Here is my buddies channel (he loves his wheelies) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkau5A5wcnLPKk0mqI_hGXw

He has several of the local off road stuff, including the off road parks (which I wouldn't take the RX-3 on, if I did those I'd just borrow one of his dirt bikes). He is a very experienced off road rider, and I'd be much slower and would be a while before I hit the rougher stuff that he does.

[RazorWing]

This seems to have died fast :(

[Jay In Milpitas]

Well RazorWing, here's a taste of the TAT:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-3kMCUXC6o

Of course it's necessary for the rider to be in fit shape, and to have the right bike for the terrain, and pack proper spare parts:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUsXUjJO-Hs