I'm wondering if anyone has done any fire roads or light offroad riding with their HS? YES, I know the HS is not a dualsport bike and doesn't claim to be. So what? That doesn't mean it can't be done. I'd love some feedback on this!
HS offroad possibility
- Thread starter South of Heaven
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- offroad possibility
I've taken it down some fire roads and out in a gravel pit or two. The tires are a little slick for that type of riding I've found, and the front suspension is a little soft for barreling down a bumpy road/trail; but I love exploring and wandering down old roads or trails, so I'm "making" the bike work for it.
I'm waiting on the cartridge kit now to be installed in the forks, and have to contact the race-tech folks about building a stiffer rear spring for me. I think I may end up trying to shed some weight at the expense of my center stand and battery, then slowly tinker and see what else I can do. I think for the center stand, because it's so nice for chain lubing and cleaning, I may come up with a way to use a quick-release pin, something like aircraft use for holding stuff in place. I may get an aluminum slip-on to shave some excess from that heavy steal exhaust on there; just don't want to make the thing any louder. (I don't like everyone else knowing where I'm exploring). Eventually, I may slap on some aluminum hand guards to replace the stockers and pick-up the aluminum skid-plate from twisted throttle.
another thing I noted was that the traction control doesn't like the dirt if the settings are to high. Sliding on the dirt is fun, and if the settings are too high it simply ******* the ignition far too much. (granted, I don't think Ducati designed it for the dirt, so I'm not complaining)
I'm waiting on the cartridge kit now to be installed in the forks, and have to contact the race-tech folks about building a stiffer rear spring for me. I think I may end up trying to shed some weight at the expense of my center stand and battery, then slowly tinker and see what else I can do. I think for the center stand, because it's so nice for chain lubing and cleaning, I may come up with a way to use a quick-release pin, something like aircraft use for holding stuff in place. I may get an aluminum slip-on to shave some excess from that heavy steal exhaust on there; just don't want to make the thing any louder. (I don't like everyone else knowing where I'm exploring). Eventually, I may slap on some aluminum hand guards to replace the stockers and pick-up the aluminum skid-plate from twisted throttle.
another thing I noted was that the traction control doesn't like the dirt if the settings are to high. Sliding on the dirt is fun, and if the settings are too high it simply ******* the ignition far too much. (granted, I don't think Ducati designed it for the dirt, so I'm not complaining)
Joined Mar 2013
3K Posts | 161+
Naples, IT
While I don't go looking for dirt, I feel so in control of this bikes right-sized frame and weight that I not hesitate taking some loose dirt or gravel if I had to.
I've ran her into patchy grass/dirt at 30+ mph a few times when a turning car was holding up a one lane road near my house. Very stable.
I've ran her into patchy grass/dirt at 30+ mph a few times when a turning car was holding up a one lane road near my house. Very stable.
Joined Nov 2012
1K Posts | 9+
Mobile Al.
I do so love me a Ducati in the dirt!!
I have probably close to 500 miles give or take a few in the dirt to include fire, forest circus and "jeep" trails and there are two things I have noticed, ok maybe more like 4. Suspension, wheel size, tire style availability and protection. The Scorpions work pretty well on hard packed dirt and dry solid rock and not so good elsewhere as you could imagine but the traction control does help pretty well. It would be nice to have a 19" front wheel and a narrower rear wheel only to help with the bumps and tire selection. There is no need to talk about the suspension as we all know and some better protection for the bike from the aftermarket folks would be a bonus! ALTRider and SW_Mototech have a few bits but not much.
I have probably close to 500 miles give or take a few in the dirt to include fire, forest circus and "jeep" trails and there are two things I have noticed, ok maybe more like 4. Suspension, wheel size, tire style availability and protection. The Scorpions work pretty well on hard packed dirt and dry solid rock and not so good elsewhere as you could imagine but the traction control does help pretty well. It would be nice to have a 19" front wheel and a narrower rear wheel only to help with the bumps and tire selection. There is no need to talk about the suspension as we all know and some better protection for the bike from the aftermarket folks would be a bonus! ALTRider and SW_Mototech have a few bits but not much.
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