Searching for Masters of Sand!

[msjesscat]

Hey all,

I am new here, my name is Jess. I am a Kiwi (New Zealander). I ride a 2013 KTM 350 EXC-F Six Days.

I am looking for all your best tips for sand riding for an Aussie trip next year. I know about keeping weight back and lofting the front etc. What else ya brainiacs got for me?

[Thedktor]

Well that's a pretty random question to get us to look at your instagram.

Good pics though

[tempesc]

I think it is a good question......and am interested in the answers too. From my limited experience I would advise the following:

1. Don’t shut the throttle hard when you hit it and get out of shape (easier said than done)

2. Don’t have anything too hard (eg hard panniers) that will hurt you when you crash

3. Accept that you will crash - probably within 10m of hitting sand......after a wild fishtail or seven

4. Try and crash close to where someone can help you pick your bike up (i’ve tested both scenarios, one was humiliating, one was exhausting - given the choice again i’d take humiliation)

5. After above experiences accept your limitations and have no shame in paddling through the tough/deep stuff

6. Get training so you don’t have to repeat the above experiences (on my to do list now)

7. Revel in an increased level of admiration for Dakar riders

Hopefully there’ll be someone along with another perspective soon

......and welcome to the forum!

[Andi_Archer]

Hi Jess
Riding with Tom is having fun in the Simpson Desert at the moment which may give an inkling on what to expect

[video][/video]

[richeyroo]

Minimal weight, maximum power and new tyres are all that count.
I lived and worked in Oman for 10 years and rode sand every weekend with my CRF450X. All my friends rode Honda 450s and we used to do massive 500km days deep into the desert.
But the UK adventure scene is 200kg behemoths and even the T7 is regarded as a supadupa lightweight Adventure bike.
Riding sand is really easy if the bike is 120kg, anything more is too dangerous unless you have helicopter backup.
Just keep the power on all the time

[petecam]

Hello

Keep the weight back
Keep the throttle on and when you need to slow ease it off very gently
Keep your hands relaxed on the grips
Dont fight the bike let it wander

[Alun]

Hello and welcome to ABR.

[Richard Simpson Mark II]

Going is the easy bit...just accelerate gently and keep ahead of the wave. Just like a powerboat.

Slowing down and stopping is the difficult/dangerous bit...again just like in a powerboat. As you slow, the bow/front wheel digs into the water/sand

[msjesscat]

Thanks all! All good advice. I am getting some training not just on the exc 350 but also with the trials club too, on a 125 I just bought.

Sand has been the most challenging so far but I really enjoy it, I'd just like to feel comfortable with moving over ruts and turning etc.

I guess it's just another style of riding to adjust too!

[msjesscat]

Hi Jess
Riding with Tom is having fun in the Simpson Desert at the moment which may give an inkling on what to expect

[video][/video]

Thank you, I have heard Riding with Tom is awesome. Will add to watchlist!