Crazy Off Road Idea, Reponse from the Peanut Gallery?

I have the 1980 Maxim and I'm wondering if it would be possible to have two bikes in one.

I live next to a canyon that has some fun dirt roads that would be fun to ride. A few times a year I like to go out to the desert which includes traveling on groomed dirt roads and some wonderful dry lake beds. I don’t want a hill climber, just something that would be okay transitioning from road to packed gravel. With only a switch in wheels/tires could I turn my bike into something that would tolerate dirt and gravel roads? The white walled Avons look great but I don’t think they would work out too well in the dirt. I would be going places that would be accessible to any average car or minivan.

I'm wondering if I could get an ugly set of wheels off eBay and then find some decent DOT all terrain tires. Would I need to set up the wheels with a new set of bearings? What would I do with the rear shaft drive, I guess I would need to change the rear gear oil every time I swapped wheels?

Thoughts or ideas?

 

you need another motorcycle.
you can never have too many and here you have the perfect case for it.
just saying.

 

yeah yeah.

I could probably find an old dirt bike that needs love for the price of a pair of tires.

 

yup. get another bike. great excuse

 

i don't see why you can't go anywhere a car or minivan can go now

 

I guess I don't need moto-x tires. This is where we go for our annual manly camp. Tule Hardpan:

 

awesome picture. Wish we had things too see around here like that.

 

I've done some "flat trackin" on dirt and gravel roads with my XJ, but I wouldn't recommend an XJ for what you want. A good choice would be an old SR500. I've never owned one, but I've ridden several and I'm always amazed at how great they handle, on and off road. I'd probably buy one if I found one for a good price.

 

It's an awesome place. 50 miles west of Delta UT. We do the following out there:
fly large scale r/c airplanes (50cc birds)
fly R/C helicopters with roman candles attached to the skids
shoot SKSs, dragonovs, and other old rifles
Dry Ice, Sobe, Tannerite bombs
black powder cannon, shoots soup cans filled with cement
motorcycles, 4 wheelers, side by sides, go carts, etc..
watch zombie movies with a projector
sawdust cannon
high-speed runs on the flats.
Occasionally real planes too.

Lots of fun!

 

SR500s look awesome!

 

you could try some avon duel sport tires. I know a guy who puts them on his Nighthawk and has no problem going anyware.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/2/ ... Tires.aspx

(there are probably cheaper places to get them)

 

our bikes are heavy as hell.

something lighter seems more appropriate. but awww, hell, do it see what happens. report back. what's the worst that could happen?

 

funny you mention the Sr500, I am currently looking for one. I havent found one as of yet for the right price. I am looking to restore a beater, but I might just end up buying one in already good condition. The Sr500 would probably be fun out there.

 

Just get a 2nd set of XJ rims that fit your bike & put the dual purpose tires on them & swap over when you want to play in the dirt. Reverse Motard.
I play in the sand & dirt on mine , yes they are a bit heavy but the occasional play is fun. Also no dirt & snd in the chain to worry about. :lol:

 

http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=33005.html

 

Dont we do all this for the joy of rideing

 

Everyone who loves to ride needs to do the following at least once. You need to get your bike to a large empty, flat plane that is empty of anything of reference. Think Bonneville Salt Flats or any of the many dry lake beds in the Western US.
Just get onto the flats and ride. The feeling of riding in any direction at any speed is awesome. I tend to settle into giant turns balancing lateral Gs with just a slight lean. The most fun I have ever had riding was on our little Kawi 110klx in the dark with no lights. There was nothing to run into a mile in any direction and the desert sky was full of stars. The milky way was the only light I had. It was awesome, it felt like I was riding in empty space.