Trail

[ChipToothy]

This is where I have been taking the Storm, not my video of course

You can do 200-300 miles of unpaved surfaces here in 1 big loop no problem. I haven't found too much the China bikes can't handle, not saying they can safely keep up with anything else but you still get there just fine. Limiting factors so far are water crossings, the bike just wants to slide out from under you, the 19" front tire is a set back but not a deal breaker by any means. Baby head rocks, I just avoid them at all cost now. The rear suspension is a complete joke, lots of standing for long periods. The front so far has soaked up some hard hits that have snuck up on me, I have learned to avoid puddles Gravel roads are pretty sketchy over 20 mph, the bike just drags you all over the place. The stock tires may be the cause for some of these short comings, they are long lasting and great on the pavement but a 50/50 tire I'm pretty sure would help tons.

[ChipToothy]

This one is a lot shorter and about the same distance from me. I haven't been just yet, gotta work up the nerve as the water crossing are a lot worse.

[pete]

those trails are to fast for me.....I would forget I'm a old bastard now
and end up doing some damage to myself...
Age wise my mind is 30 years behind my body when I get on a bike..


..

[JerryHawk250]

Good stuff. Looks like a good place to ride. The Mill Creek video reminds me of a couple of the places we go ride north of here.

[ChipToothy]

Originally Posted by pete

those trails are to fast for me.....I would forget I'm a old bastard now
and end up doing some damage to myself...
Age wise my mind is 30 years behind my body when I get on a bike..


..

With me I have to remember to keep it under 30mph and not shift into 4th as the suspension just can't handle it.

[Cravin01]

Great way to tell it like it is ! I completely understand and are going to get the Shinko 244's to try and help out in that area also.

https://www.motosport.com/product/?a...badger&variant[SHT000V]=SHT000V-X001-Y011

Everytime I get off road I feel the bike has no bite and I just have to go easy or it's going to side out from under me. The power is great but it needs more TEETH!

[Bud1968]

Sometimes I've felt a little unstable on the gravel roads thought it was just me learning to ride. I don't go that fast so it's still fun.

[ChipToothy]

I’m going to try and get in on this 500 mile dual sport ride coming up in spring. River crossings and the deep gravel are the 2 worry points I have for the Storm bike. I’m hoping a suspension upgrade and tires will be enough. Looks like fun!

[ChipToothy]

Originally Posted by Cravin01

Great way to tell it like it is ! I completely understand and are going to get the Shinko 244's to try and help out in that area also.

https://www.motosport.com/product/?a...badger&variant[SHT000V]=SHT000V-X001-Y011

Everytime I get off road I feel the bike has no bite and I just have to go easy or it's going to side out from under me. The power is great but it needs more TEETH!

No bite! Exactly, good describer.

I’ll start with the fact I am at 20 psi off road.

Fresh grated roads, holy crap you’re better off just turning around. 10 mph sucks!

Normal dirt roads here is 1” diameter ball bearings over hard pack. Over 25 mph and you’re asking for trouble not to mention the pot holes which are deep. I stay as far to the right as I can. Soil (actual dirt) roads are a dream mmmm mm good. River crossings here are very slick, just look at our river beds in the picture. Large stones you can’t even stand on if wet. I fell yesterday just standing on my own 2 feet.

Trails and fire roads are wicked, the rear shock and bar position while standing are my only legitimate complaints. Both of those are whack!

Tires, I am liking the Conti TX80’s recommended by Rally RAID for their stuff so will try the poor mans version off Amazon

I’m going to look on YouTube for some USD suspension improvements like the Hawk guys do with their standard forks. I wonder if some used a Honda forks would be a big improvement?

[JerryHawk250]

Originally Posted by ChipToothy

I’m going to try and get in on this 500 mile dual sport ride coming up in spring. River crossings and the deep gravel are the 2 worry points I have for the Storm bike. I’m hoping a suspension upgrade and tires will be enough. Looks like fun!

WOW! Those guys look like they were on a demolition derby run. I lost count on how many time the Orange KTM went down and smacked into a tree. Good video on how to not do it. lol You get the right tires you will be okay. I found the stock nobbies that come on the Hawk handle okay except in soft sand. Take it at you own slow pace and don't try to keep up with the group. That's when stuff like in the video happen and get hurt. Good example was the guy that wiped out on the pave. Shouldn't of happen if he was running at a safe speed for his skills. One of the place we ride is very similar to there. Sometimes you have to get off the beaten path to avoid the deep water. Bring extra oil in case you drown the engine and have to drain the crank case. I'm 60 years old and handle my Hawk way better than those young wiper snappers. lol But then again I probably been riding long than they been alive. Your lighter Storm will probably do better that those heavier bikes.

If you relax and don't have the death grip on the handle bars the bike will feel a lot better in the loose gravel.

I'm in the same boat as you. I need a better rear shock. I think I done wore mine out. Just measure the stock shock and find something better. The Hawk shock is 310mm eye to eye., not sure what the Storm shock is. You can go with a little shorter if you need to lower your seat height.

[ChipToothy]

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

WOW! Those guys look like they were on a demolition derby run. I lost count on how many time the Orange KTM went down and smacked into a tree. Good video on how to not do it. lol You get the right tires you will be okay. I found the stock nobbies that come on the Hawk handle okay except in soft sand. Take it at you own slow pace and don't try to keep up with the group. That's when stuff like in the video happen and get hurt. Good example was the guy that wiped out on the pave. Shouldn't of happen if he was running at a safe speed for his skills. One of the place we ride is very similar to there. Sometimes you have to get off the beaten path to avoid the deep water. Bring extra oil in case you drown the engine and have to drain the crank case. I'm 60 years old and handle my Hawk way better than those young wiper snappers. lol But then again I probably been riding long than they been alive. Your lighter Storm will probably do better that those heavier bikes.

If you relax and don't have the death grip on the handle bars the bike will feel a lot better in the loose gravel.

I'm in the same boat as you. I need a better rear shock. I think I done wore mine out. Just measure the stock shock and find something better. The Hawk shock is 310mm eye to eye., not sure what the Storm shock is. You can go with a little shorter if you need to lower your seat height.

I saw on here 1 guy bought a 295mm for his Storm. No mention of the width to fit the eye holes or follow up to quality or if it raised or lowered the bike.

I might risk a 310mm, I sliced my seat pad in 1/2 so saddle height is a non issue especially in comparison to the loud thud coming from back there every other minute.

I really feel like with some suspension changes these bikes will pillow along the trails and get a little traction boost from it too.

I looked at used Honda dirt bike wheels, more than I want to pay but still 1/2 the price of anything decent and new.

[ChipToothy]

Here’s a crazy idea.. I can spend like 800 souping up the storm or.. just buy an Apollo and have a dirty bike and leave the storm as my commuter.


Con- A. I still wouldn’t be able to ride ADV style to MOAB or wherever.

B. The odds of the Apollo breaking down 60 miles from civilization seems very likely.


Thoughts?

[JerryHawk250]

A couple of members have gone with this shock and seem to be happy with the results. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074K56B75...v_ov_lig_dp_it
That's the one I'll eventually upgrade to. Just not top of my priority list right now.

[ChipToothy]

Some pics from today’s fun, short but fun. Also check out the milk crate racks on this Honda 250. I just tried one on my ol’ girl and the muffler is in the worst possible place. Too bad because those crates are very strong and usually can be found discarded every where you look.