This one you'll have to see to believe. Our April Weekend Warrior comes from reader Mark Detrick and his buddies Brent (the unfortunate owner of the ill-fated XR), Greg and Jay. They headed out for what was supposed to be a great day of riding, and, well... the photos can tell the rest of the story.**It has been raining, a good time to go ride. Good traction and less dust.Here is a trail we have ridden numerours times.
So there is a little water on it... no need to slow down.Approaching some water crossing the trail, going too fast to stop,
No big deal, down shift, gas it and rasie the front wheel.
We have been through deep water crossing before, numerous times.Right about here the bike sank up to the handle bars.
Starting to flow down stream, I felt lucky to have gotten out of the water.
Greg says, "Grab your bike!"
Brent says, "My bike just went around the bend."
If you look up stream this is what you see."Gee I wonder where my bike is?"
We might have to wait until summer to find it.
It has to be down here somewhere...It might be over here...Do you think it could be over here?It is probably down there.Jay: "It is down here. I can feel it about six feet under."
"Do you have your strap?"
"Yes, it is in the pouch attached to the rear fender..."
"I hope Greg has his."Greg: "Swim down there and tie the strap on."
Brent: "No way, I was in the water once already, it is too cold and moving too fast!"So we tie a rock to the strap and Jay hooks the bike and drags it close to the edge.Now we can see it—what progress!Like landing a fish, you can see color, nice red seat.
Let's hook it again with the rock on the strap.Got a hand on it, we are really making progress now.
If we fall in, we're going down stream.Let's tie the strap on the rim, just in case we drop it.We have made progress, but we're still going nowhere fast.
Three people pulling and the bike is still not moving.Let's try a different direction.Get the tow strap out of the rear pouch.It won't budge.Three people pulling and the bike is still not moving.One, Two, Three, pull! Oh good... we moved it two inches.
I am sure glad I don't have an XR600.We're making progress now.Just another day of riding—lots of laughs.Alright, we're ready to go now.It is a Honda. If it gets wet, just turn it upside down and kick it over a few times.So now how do we get it back to the trail?After towing and trying to pull start the bike with numerous crashes, it is time for a break.After doing battle, the bike runs, but not well.
The crank case beathers are blowing out an oil and water mixture.Well it is a nice day for a trail ride anyway.It took serveral pull starts to get back to the truck.Back at the truck the bike actually idled.The breathers were still blowing out goop.
So I wonder what the oil looks like?After changing the oil three times, it is still coming out white and creamy.
It is not like I haven't got my money's worth out of this bike.
Nine years of use and abuse, this bike has done well.
Got a good Weekend Warrior story?** Let's hear about it! Send us your story and photos to DRnews@primedia.com for a chance to be featured on Dirtrider.com. Click here for more info on how to submit.
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