Alwr
Full Member 2013/2014
Posts: 524
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« on: August 05, 2012, 09,59:02 AM » |
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Fumina by Husky.......
By Al Mason
Well after finally buying new boots, I decided I needed to buy a new bike to match them. (Expensive boots!!) So after Nathan arranged a great deal with the very nice folks at First Class Motorcycles in Lilydale I soon had a new TE 310 in the shed to go and test. After a talk about where to go and private or Amtra ride? I decided to test out my new toy at Fumina, (my second home) I did go soft and back the ridde level off a bit and promised to play nice with those that attended.
Nath picked me up Saturday morning and we headed off for a wet day at Fumina with an expected group of 15. I ran a small group as I had a new bike and some new trails to try. We arrived very early, yet some of the day’s crew were already waiting. The car park filled quickly and all but a few punters had arrived, so we pushed on with plans to be on the bike for 9am. Nigel arrived close to kick off and looked flusted after getting lost on the way in. (I did get his message on the way home)
With everyone ready to go it was just after 9am as we headed out. I lead the easy option to at least give the new bike more than 300 metres to bed in, before the clutch work that is “Mine shaft track”. And Nath lead the harder option, so Nath and Jeff set off. At the regroup point we waited for a bit and got a few radio scrabbling, so I headed down to the end of Mine shaft track to see if there was a problem. Once there and still no sign of them it was back on the radio, were Jeff informed me Nath’s battery had waved the surrender flag. With only 6ks under our belts I lead the group back to the cars to sort out proceedings. (My new lift home)
We were all soon back under away and I was coming to terms with how much more of an animal the Husky was over my timbered Yami. The group flowed well as I dropped corner men and worked on making up some ground. Wasn’t hard to keep track of the group, as I was doing my best to hold most of them up. (sorry boy's)We flowed through some of new tracks on a very slick day on my easy loop, well before I made a wrong turn and dragged the group up a slightly, possibly horrible hill? As I sat at the top I heard, revving and swearing from back down the hill and thought oops! After Jeff arrived and a couple others, another group arrived with the same sort of result. I decided I would gear back up and head down to help with the mess I created, and was surprised to see how Yuk the hill really was. Once down I notice our tail man Lance had it all sorted, so I waited with him until the rest of our and their group had made it up and headed back up with Lance.
Once at the top our group was ready to roll so the other group waved us on, and we were back under way. Well until we hit a made road instead of a river? After a quick reference ride up the main rd to work out were I had gone astray, I passed on the good news to the boys we were going back down the hill and taking the left turn. So red faced and looking like a true professional to some new members, I lead the group back into my play ground and get this ride happening. I did my best to pick up the pace and I was on a steep learning curve with the Husky and we headed into familiar ground. As I sat at the top of another hill with Jeff, It started to become apparent I may need to back the ride down a little more and remember to play nice. As we started lunch with a weary looking bunch (me included, as the Husky was still riding me), Lance, Carl and myself walked down the hill to see if Nigel needed a hand? Lance walked all the way down and Jeff rode down as Carl and I waited at the half way mark to give a push if needed. Also I was finding it hard to walk down and eat my chocolate muffin at the same time! It wasn’t long and it was done, the chocolate muffin that is. Jeff had Nigel going until he stopped again, (fatigue) Lance got on Nigel’s bike and rode it up as Nigel climbed up to us. I grabbed his gear to try and made his climb up the hill a little easier, as Nigel explained his battery had gone flat and he had be kicking the 525 over and worn himself out. Once we were all at the top we let Nigel have a rest and some lunch, as Dr Copsey start surgery on his bike. After one of the drops the rear brake lever had punched a small hole in the engine case and was losing important oily stuff. After the repair by Rob with metal putty, I even picked up Nigel's bike ready for him to climb aboard, see no one ever posts up how nice I can be?
It was then into some technical stuff and a few newer sections before we crossed the black top and headed down to the river. I must say it was nice to have a group that listened when I asked to just cruise through the farm gates to we hit the trails again. The message from the farmer on the phone said so. At the river we had a regroup and assessed the crossing before going around. (Again) I turned up the wick and didn’t seem to holding to many up as I dropped and dropped and dropped corner men as we made our way to the recently completed bridge. (Well so I was told?) When we arrived there was another group at the unfinished bridge scratching their heads and deeming it to hard? Our group used the Amtra approach of, if everyone pitches in you’re across and heading into trail bike heaven.
Once at one of my favourite technical sections I let the group go ahead of me, and played tail man. (See again with the nice stuff) As I crossed the steep rocky gully at the entrance to the track I managed to grab neutral, and found myself needing legs that are two foot longer to reach any ground. Luckily enough my ribs managed to break the fall of my new toy as I land on a rock into the freezing water. (S##t that hurt) After wriggling out from under the bike I struggled to pick it up and knew me and my ribs were not going to be mates any more, I set off after the group. As I caught the group at the regroup, I had a laugh as I shared my story. (S##t that hurt too)With everyone smiling and the day light and fuel running low, we made our way for home via a couple favourite tracks and back towards the bridge again. The group just flowed well and with no hold ups, we where soon at the river crossing to blast home up Kenny’s.
Once everyone was across I let them off their leashes to enjoy Kenny’s. Nigel needed a little assistance at the start of the track from Con and I, but other than that it was an easy trip back. With no one running out of fuel that was getting thin on the ground.
Can’t remember what time we finished, but had 123k on the clock. And some weary smiles on faces, so my day was done. Thanks to those who came, and a big thanks to Lance who did tail all day! Also thanks to Rudi for the lift home and Rudi says thanks to me driving.
Ps. Please add anything else that happened further down the pack that i didnt see and any photos or videos.
Al
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« Last Edit: August 06, 2012, 09,35:38 AM by Alwr »
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flipper
Full Member 2012/2013
Posts: 260
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« Reply #1 on: August 05, 2012, 11,27:49 PM » |
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Thanks Al - it was a great day out and the ride flowed extremely well. Thanks also to Lance for sitting at the back of the pack for the whole day.
Even with new tyres fitted, I still had to battle my bike's snappy 2T power delivery at times when the going was really greasy - it certainly made for sore arms by the time I'd got home!
Awesome tracks and a great bunch to ride with!
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johnny d
Full Member 2013/2014
Posts: 301
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« Reply #2 on: August 06, 2012, 09,36:00 AM » |
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Top ride Al,, I must say that I was a bit trepiditious as I hadn't been on one of Al's rides before, even a tamed down version (your reputation preceeds you Al)also I haven't ridden in the Fumina area much either, so when I arrived at the meet point and it was raining, I though oh-oooh this is going to be interesting!.
As Al said in his report, Nathan and Jeff took the mans track and the rest of us followed Al on the easier route,, those that have ridden Fumina before will relate to this I'm sure, as having only ridden a couple of Km's I was sure I had a flat tyre,my bike was moving around under me as though I did, yip the greasy surface sucked me in, was a giggle watching the rider in front looking at his rear wheel to see if it was flat (Fumina-1 Johnny-0). Back at the cars after Nath's electrical problem it was a good opportunity to zip the sleeves of my jacket on as it was quite cold with the patchy rain we were still having. Once underway again all went smoothly until a nasty slippery hill where a few riders were sprawled over the track, I thought I would just wait until there was a clear path and give it a go,, silly me i should have gotten the camera out as I watched the show unfold, - bikes down , bikes up, bikes down , riders down ,riders up and then another group arrived, hmmm, don't know about you, but generally when I see riders and bikes stopped or down I treat it as a warning that all is not as it seems but- no, next thing more bikes down. eventually I got the OK from Lance and off I went, found a nice rut that had good traction once I got through the soft stuff and up I went past the first downed rider, past the second, past the third around the corner and that was it, too easy -got to love the big bore traction in going like this. Once everyone was all present and correct off we went again, Reference Track then became the topic of amusement as Al did a regroup at the top, I think the map might have been upside down at this point as after a short "lets go the other way boys' and a turn around we went back down Reference Track, no dramas this time on the slippery hill.
The ride from here went smoothly for me, just ease the throttle on and all will be well i kept telling myself, worked thus far, so why not the rest and it did.
Cruised along in the pack until a nice open section and thought why not give the 570 a bit of a burst, gee this is great I thought, around a corner and up a bit of a hill, or so I thought,- no , a bit of a rutted, steepish hill. Got balked by a rider in front and did the first of my two drops, one to the right, pick the bike up and one to the left, bugger this, I think I'll just wait till he gets out of my way- cool- the track is clear, clutch, throttle,clutch, throttle, clutch, throttle and up I go, big thumbs up from Jeff as I crest the top. After running repairs on Nige's bike and a lunch break. (Time to unzip those sleeves as the rain was long gone and the sun was out whose idea was those bloody sleevers anyway). Back into it, the ride from here went well, nice and gently past the farms as Al had requested- not hard really. A turn around at the swollen stream and a 'many hands make light work" approach to crossing the unfinished bridge and into some nice "interesting" tracks in Al's play ground, apparently he got bitten by his own track. What a fantastic area you have as your play ground Al!.
Not much to add really as the home stretch went well, a nice "interesting" track and a shallow stream to cross saw us all heading up a fabulous quick hill back to the trailers.
After a goodbye to all, it was a quick stop in Yallourn for a refreshment or two and home James for me, I reckon I hosed 5 or 6 kilos of mud off my bike that night.
So once again, thanks so much AL for putting on this ride.
Thanks to all my fellow riders who made this day what it was ---FUN !!! as is the amtra way.
Last but definately not least a really big thankyou to Lance for tailman duties all day- top effort bloke.
till the next time.............
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go hard or go home !! current ride - husaberg 570, in the shed ktm 525
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Rudi
Full Member 2013/2014
Posts: 126
Less strokes are better (2 stroke is a lifestyle)
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« Reply #3 on: August 06, 2012, 10,23:14 AM » |
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Thanks Al Had an absoluteley awesome day. Thanks to Lance for doing tail man all day and looking after me a few times. Thanks to Con for sharing 2 stroke riding tips specially on one of the greasy hills. Hade a really good work out and Al thanks for driving while i was resting. Thanks to every one that made the day a great Fumina experience. Cheers  Rudi |
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Alwr
Full Member 2013/2014
Posts: 524
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« Reply #4 on: August 06, 2012, 11,44:43 AM » |
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Thanks Flipper, Johnny and Rudi for your comments and glad you all had a good day. It was a very easy group to ride with. Till the next one, Al
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Grandpa
Full Member 2012/2013
Posts: 163
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« Reply #5 on: August 07, 2012, 12,33:11 AM » |
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G'day Al
What do you think of the 310 ?
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Trevor b
Full Member 2012/2013
Posts: 77
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« Reply #6 on: August 07, 2012, 01,56:55 AM » |
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Ya beat me to it Grandpa, was gonna ask the same thing.
Curious what you thought of it Al after all the k's you've done on the WR.
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Alwr
Full Member 2013/2014
Posts: 524
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« Reply #7 on: August 07, 2012, 04,02:24 AM » |
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Husky TE 310.
Happy, not in love with it yet. Very much like riding a BMX that you dont have to pedal on my style of tracks. Power feels about double the Yami and torque to burn compaired to Yami. Brembo brake up front is spungyer, but a lot better feel and stopping power. Rear brake a lot more touchy, but never been my strong point. Suspension as delivered moves around more in the front end, but takes big hits better, little hits worse. Rear end finds traction every where, but harher on landings. Riding position better sitting and standing a lot easier to get forward on and show who is boss. Foot pegs are to small, grips not padded enough for me. Engine vibration is also double the Yami, and feels mor like a two stroke through the bars and pegs. Fuel economy may be an issuse, but engine will still be tight. And 6 speed instead of the 5 is taking some get use to as 2nd and 3rd are either side of where i normaly ride. Think it will make me a better rider once im at home as much as i was on the Yami. Yami feels more of neutral handling bike that you can be lazy or have bad technique on. husky demands more attention and proper technique. and weight saving on the husky makes the Yami nicer and easier to work on and maintain i think. just my view thus far. husky wore me out a bit and bike fitness is not my week point.
Al
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« Last Edit: August 07, 2012, 04,27:05 AM by Alwr »
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Tim Dykes
Abbeyard Officer
Administrator
Posts: 1859
Where I want to be...
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« Reply #8 on: August 07, 2012, 06,54:01 AM » |
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Husky TE 310.
Happy, not in love with it yet. Very much like riding a BMX that you dont have to pedal on my style of tracks. Power feels about double the Yami and torque to burn compaired to Yami. Brembo brake up front is spungyer, but a lot better feel and stopping power. Rear brake a lot more touchy, but never been my strong point. Suspension as delivered moves around more in the front end, but takes big hits better, little hits worse. Rear end finds traction every where, but harher on landings. Riding position better sitting and standing a lot easier to get forward on and show who is boss. Foot pegs are to small, grips not padded enough for me. Engine vibration is also double the Yami, and feels mor like a two stroke through the bars and pegs. Fuel economy may be an issuse, but engine will still be tight. And 6 speed instead of the 5 is taking some get use to as 2nd and 3rd are either side of where i normaly ride. Think it will make me a better rider once im at home as much as i was on the Yami. Yami feels more of neutral handling bike that you can be lazy or have bad technique on. husky demands more attention and proper technique. and weight saving on the husky makes the Yami nicer and easier to work on and maintain i think. just my view thus far. husky wore me out a bit and bike fitness is not my week point.
Al
Rear brake, that's normal for a European bike, you'll learn the art of it, it's more like resting your foot on it to use it. Suspension, that also needs to be run in, around the third ride is where it will settle, it may need a tweak from there. Gearing, you may like to drop a few teeth on the rear, that might move you gears just enough and give a little more fuel range. |
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I can recall the day Australia went to the dogs...
The day that I had to pay for sauce on my pie.
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Alwr
Full Member 2013/2014
Posts: 524
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« Reply #9 on: August 07, 2012, 07,35:24 AM » |
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Cheers Tim. Wasn't going to adjust the suspension until its bedded in. Gearing i will see when i ride it somewhere that i can let it stretch its legs. Was happy with the gearing in the tighter stuff.
Al
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johnny d
Full Member 2013/2014
Posts: 301
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« Reply #10 on: August 11, 2012, 09,24:01 PM » |
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Thanks Flipper, Johnny and Rudi for your comments and glad you all had a good day. It was a very easy group to ride with. Till the next one, Al
I'm sure there were more riders on this,, would love to hear how the ride went for them. |
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go hard or go home !! current ride - husaberg 570, in the shed ktm 525
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carlnorton
Full Member 2013/2014
Posts: 5
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« Reply #11 on: August 13, 2012, 03,30:19 AM » |
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Being only my second with AMTRA I wasn't really sure what to expect, or how my skill level would stack up. Fair to say I had a belter of a day! The tracks were a good mixture of free flowing with nice fire breaks to get some air as well as some tighter sections that were long enough to get a bit of breath up.
It was fairly greasy in patches, which caused a few front end wash outs coming down hill as my eagerness out did ability.... I really enjoyed being behind other far more expereinced riders to see how they tackled different sections and obstacles.
Thanks again to Al for organsing and Lance tailing. I'm really looking forward to going on another Fumina adventure soon!
Cheers, Carl
P.S. even though i ride 4 banger, there ain't nothing on the smell of a sweet 2stroke!
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« Last Edit: August 13, 2012, 03,36:19 AM by carlnorton »
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Alwr
Full Member 2013/2014
Posts: 524
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« Reply #12 on: August 13, 2012, 03,59:19 AM » |
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Was good to have you along Carl. Next time we will get stuck into the good stuff.
Al
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