I came across this event while wasting time one evening on You Tube. Thought, man, this is amazing. Gotta do it! I entered the Dark(french red bull!) Dog Moto-Tour In France. It's 3200 km. over 7 days rally. There's navigation, time-keeping and every day has 2 -3 (all out) special stages on a closed road or a race track. It's 99 % tiny back roads including a few dirt ones too! There's a lot of bike preparation before hand. Like chucking out the instruments to make room for a Dakar style route sheet holder and the ICO timer & Trail Tech Vapor. Also since Metzler is the sponsor that's what you gotta run. The bike is a 2001 S4 with Ohlins. I put some forged wheels on it that saved my ass the very first day when I had to jump a kerb whilst unable to slow down into a roundabout thanks to rain and diesel! Lighting is a big deal too. There's marathon days that start at 4:30 AM. and a night, time trial up a one lane mountain road. It's true, the darkest hour IS before the dawn! I procured a J.W.Speaker Harley LED headlamp. That light is great if your going straight but when yer leaned way over it definitely helps to have 2 led fog lights also. I struggled with how to get the bike there. I finally opted to ride to Montreal from New York and put the bike on the same plane as myself. The big advantage is that no is crating involved. I made a video from a few (including my own) sources. https://vimeo.com/56786331 (https://vimeo.com/56786331) I was the first American to do it. Everyone was super friendly and helpful. Who's up to doing it with me next year? The weather could only be better. It is EPIC!
Buy a new Hyperstrada, pick it up there all prepared and ready to go?
I couldn't figure out how to include pictures so you'll have to click here; https://picasaweb.google.com/113481007110458857569/MotoTour# (https://picasaweb.google.com/113481007110458857569/MotoTour#)
Very cool [Dolph] So you were # 210 right?
Quote from: stopintime on January 12, 2013, 04:15:48 AM
Very cool [Dolph] So you were # 210 right?
210 yep, that's me.........
crap 2k euro entry. are tires/fuel included?
Quote from: Raux on January 12, 2013, 08:51:53 AM
crap 2k euro entry. are tires/fuel included?
No, but you get a decent bed, 3 meals a day, your luggage carted, and mechanical support. I have to say, it's very well run. You can also enter for almosat half that and supply your own amenities. Like a spouse to drive a camper [thumbsup]
I was thinking about, IF I stay in europe, to try and get a team from the U.S. military here in Germany.
I still may put up the idea, since the French military participate.
Do it! If I resided in Europe I wouldn't hesitate to ride it again.
So what do you win? Did the number plates indicate previous years results? #1 for example, was he the previous winner? Kawis looked pretty serious! I don't speak french, so I don't know if this was covered in the video.
Cool event [Dolph]
I think one of the nice things about this event is that so many levels of rider and machine participate. There's a vintage class, a 125cc class, scooters with Ohlins suspensions, Can-Am 3 wheelers. There was a guy on an old rotary Suzuki that had a bazillion kilometers on it.....The top guys all pre-ride the special stages and go like stink. They also are competing for 10k euros. The guy on the Yamaha r6 has won it 7 (!) times in a row! The only thing I wished I could do was watch some of the top riders. Smooth and loose seems to be the trick....... especially with the weather we had. My riding abilities improved dramatically. By the end I could actually stay on the gas when things would start to let go. Mind you, that was after crashing twice in an hour and a half the second day! Those roads are S-L-I-P-P-E-R-Y when wet. This year was different as GPS was banned. It is real easy to make mistakes navigating which means you'll go fast to catch up which means you will probably make another nav. error, well you get the picture. The bike numbers are just based on what class your in. OK, so last years winner also had the #1 plate.
All in all a pretty amazing experience.
Interested in the exact rules. Does not seem fair to allow the route to be ridden before the competition. Those guys definitely knew the route, they were flying.
It should be one or the other, everyone gets the chance to scout it or none should.
I have a contact who raced cars in France. Think I'll check into this more this week.
What did it cost to get your bike over by air?
Anyone can pre-ride the special stages. But it tends to be the top people that do it. Actually they post video's of them too. They're done from a car and I can't say they have much to do with what I experienced. The other thing is that many of the stages are off limits to being pre-ridden on a motorcycle. They try not to get the locals upset. It's sort of amazing to me that this event can even happen in this day and age.
I spent 2K to fly it over. I looked into renting a fully prepped MV. It came out to a little less but you don't have the luxury of using it before and after. Not to mention dealing with the cost of crashing if your so inclined.
If I did it again I would try and ship by sea. But there's lots of pesky details that way too. I think if you got 5 - 10 people to go it could work pretty well. That's actually what I'd like to do.
I talked to Ducati about this when I was there. They said it should be possible to pick up USA spec bike there and have it prepped. I think that new Hypermotard (bigger tank, yes!) would be the perfect bike.
Thank you for answering my inquiries. I agree with the group ship in a container by sea. Did you have to get any special permits, tags, license to ride your bike during the visit?
You just have to get the so called "Green Card". It's basic liability insurance. I found a policy from Luxembourg for not to much for a month coverage. I also got some travel insurance with an "adventure sport" rider. The organizers also make you buy some that actually has some disability and coverage in it too. One of the things I found interesting is that no one had loud exhaust. In fact they have tests for that. Cars are so respectful of motorcycles you don't need that defense.
BTW, Love that Fast & Dirty website. I still remember watching King Kenny do his thing. I guess that dates me!
ok email sent to them for info about a U.S. military team from Germany
Go for it!
Just found out the start city will be in Saverne near Strasbourg. Even better for you! I'm still trying to figure out how to get a shared container to get mine there. I'm posting the whole story here; http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=858688 (http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=858688)
got a couple of local Duc riders interested [thumbsup]
Press conference is this coming Friday in Paris.
Yeah, the suspense is killing me!
What sort of bike are you thinking of riding?
actually, I likely will be support and/or photographer. no where good enough rider to do this.
BUT, I do know several that are. and we could actually make a good showing.
there are several privateers in europe who are actually american military.
wow, that sounds like the makings of a great team. [leo] keep me posted.