What makes a great sand bike ?

husabutt · Nov 17, 2014

I took my 97 600 out for the first time in a long time. It was like riding it for the first time it has been that long. I usually ride my 05 450. Anyway the handling in the sand was quite grim. Going straight is fine but turning even a little can be an issue. The 05 handles pretty good in the sand but the 97 is something else.

The major difference between the two as far as I can tell is the steering rake. The 05 is steeper. I did inadvertently set the suspension up too stiff on the 97 which exacerbates the rake I am sure.

The sand is not super deep. Maybe 3" or so covering hard pack (the result of another So Cal drought).

Any tips on how to make a bike handle better in the sand would be greatly appreciated.

ned37 · Nov 17, 2014

when i owned my 98 600, i lived in the east and ran it in a few gncc races as well as some nat'l dualsports. the rake plus the power made it hard to turn easily unless you were able to slide the rear to make it turn, which doesn't happen in sand unless you're in the dunes. the steering reminded me of my early '70s husky desert master...great in a straight line, just don't turn

bushmechanic · Nov 17, 2014

as a disclaimer since what Ive done is counter intuitive to your observations about rake; there are many thousands of different types of sand ...

paddle tyre rear, biggest bridgestone m203 on front , 90mm lower COG, 15 kgs lighter overall, better tank seat layout, closer to 50/50 weight distribution between front/rear and about 150-160mm of trail when measured on concrete

even on hard pack it still turns better than a stock berg because of the lower cog lower overall weight and better ergos.

http://husaberg.org/suspension/12779-bushmechanic-frame-build-pics-stuff.html

on a std berg you could lower the rear 30-40mm (raise rear shock upper mount 9mm) just watch the swingarm angle doesn't get too flat, stiffen the front, fit reduced offset triple clamps and an omero tank

with all that though it still won't be all that great in sand in the std frame either the 97 or the 05. it would be more rewarding to fit the engine to a yz or rmz rolling chassis

I think if you are happy with the 05 then some setup changes might get you what you want from the 97

zaga · Nov 19, 2014

Hi

On my 02, I also feel it doesn't turn as easily as I would like, so I've shorted the chain as much as I could and the tyre is almost touching the mud flap.

For me, I feel it makes a difference, maybe you could try it.

The only problem is the rear fender, since then, I've broke it a couple of times rolling it over in some uphill's

ZAGA

DavidW · Nov 19, 2014

Bushie, whats your cog set up on the paddle, looks low.

bushmechanic · Nov 20, 2014

16/53 so i can use 5th most of the time

3rd/4th are not as strong as 5th and running in higher gears reduces the tourque loads in the gearbox .. they are increased in the spokes though

also a bigger rear increases chain pull moment helping hold the rear up when applying power

the actual gear ratio doesn't matter for what i do.

husabutt · Nov 20, 2014

bushmechanic said:
as a disclaimer since what Ive done is counter intuitive to your observations about rake; there are many thousands of different types of sand ...

paddle tyre rear, biggest bridgestone m203 on front , 90mm lower COG, 15 kgs lighter overall, better tank seat layout, closer to 50/50 weight distribution between front/rear and about 150-160mm of trail when measured on concrete

The larger front tire the better in sand? Easier to turn?

basalt · Nov 20, 2014

You never said what the problem is with turning? Is it not turning, is it knifing? etc Are you running a steering damper?

bushmechanic · Nov 20, 2014

husabutt said:
The larger front tire the better in sand? Easier to turn?

in my sand yes .. easier to turn and much more predictable, in the middle of summer the sand here is like riding on water so anything to stop the front digging in is a plus

surprisingly though most sand specific front tyres are a very small profile

bushmechanic · Nov 20, 2014

FWIW lower bars make it "easier" to turn

try moving them forward if possible and rotating them back to be lower or find a different bend.

What makes a great sand bike ?

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