Hey Guys,

I will be heading to Pismo on the weekend of Aug. 27-28. I have been riding for a long time, however I have never ridden in the sand. Can anyone give me some advice. How does it effect the bike? I have paddles, but I was told to get used to the sand with my Holeshots first and if I want to change to paddles then I should do it out there. Any input would be appreciated.

Thank,
Matt

 

IMHO Leave the paddles on....You will just be disappointed without them.

Go to Sand Mountian Nevada over Labor day weekend. It will be better then Pismo.

 

Put on the paddles and have a great time!!!!! Just tool around for a couple hours till ya figure out the sand cuz it will sneek up on ya and it hurts bad!!! My first time out I went off a big drop with a sand rail and that was before travel----ouch[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img]

 

DS days Labor day weekend Yea Baby Yea! You shouldnt have told him to leave the paddles on. We might have had somebody we could beat[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

Matt, It effects traction, with holeshots it will severley effect your ability to just get going and climb anything. There not hard to get used to. infact you might give up dirt altogether [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] Sand mt. would be alot better place to try out your new tires and meet some other DS folks.

 

Matt, you can check out the thread I started,(Pismo 8/12)There is some good info from everyone there.That was the first time i've ridden in the sand. Do yourself a favor and save some room. Leave the Holeshots at home. Paddles are the only way to go. Get up early and you can have the place to yourself for a little while. Ride safe, have fun & rip it up.



Later, Joey

 

Thank you all for your input and excitement for me. I will definately be putting on my paddles and also see what I can do about DS Days. I will let you know how everything goes. Oh, if anyone is in Pismo that weekend, come find us. We will be in a Red 1999 F350 Crew and a 2006 Chevrolet Crew with 6 guys (2 yfz450's,an Alba Raptor,Scambler 400, an old Suzuki 2 stroke, and my DS) should be fun. You can't miss us with 4 of us in the 250 pound range.

Later,
Matt

 

You are a little guy compared to some here......LOL..[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img] [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif[/img] [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

1st time in the sand?
Take it easy, and get used to the dunes, there are lots sharp drop offs. Noon is probably the worst time to ride as there aren't any shadows to spot the drop offs or surface irregularities.
Goggles aren't a bad idea and shaded lenses will help see drop offs.
Paddles are a must. Try to avoid stoping up hill if you can, if you do, you need to rev it up and drop the clutch. You may find it surprising to find how hard you may need to launch to avoid getting stuck if the sand is soft.
Climbing dunes-hit the steep stuff faster than you may be comfortable with, letting off the gas is like hitting the brakes as the sand and incline will slow you down.
Keep an eye out for flags on the other side of the dune.
Wear a white t-shirt if it's going to be sunny, the sand reflects sun like a lake will.
Don't try anything wild your first time out and watch what the experienced people are doing. Have fun[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

What mystereid said ....

You are going on the dunes for the first time on a Holiday weekend? Go with someone that's experienced .... please.

 

It's not a holiday weekend...it is the weekend before. I will keep all of the suggestions on my mind while riding. Thank you all for the suggestions, they are all very helpful.

Matt