This is probably like asking everyone about their opinion on oil, but what the heck ;-)
I like my Explorer, but I have 2 concerns:
1) It might just be too complicated with my limited mechanical skills (and limited dealer support). See my post on fuel issues, engine mapping, etc. If it breaks I have to learn how to fix it and that won't be happening on the trail.
2) The official riding areas in my area are setup for dirt bikes, so a trials bike is mostly overkill. It has helped me on a few trouble spots that I can now ride on my dirt bike on, so I am very happy about that. These spots are usually scattered around the park, so not ideal. I am sure there are many expert riders in my area that know difficult/secret spots, but I am not that good ;-)
I certainly have read up on the Freeride and the x-trainer. I even wonder if I lowered a 125/150 how that would be.
If I sold my Explorer, I am leaning towards the x-trainer. The Freeride does seem closest, but I am concerned about it. Lots of people sell them after just a few hundred miles. I also see KTM, and probably others, releasing new 125/150s that are really light. I wonder if the Freeride will still be offered with these new bikes coming out. I think I would rather have a lowered 150 than a Freeride.
Unfortunately, I haven't ridden any of the bikes that I mentioned.
What I think I want is: low speed maneuverability, ability to loft the front wheel from a stop, low seat height and light weight.
(Yes I know you can't have it all, so looking for next best ;-) Everything is a compromise...
I currently have a KTM 350 4 stroke which I really like. It is pretty heavy and tall for me (30 inch inseam). It also is hard to maneuver slow as the idle want to keep the bike moving. I don't plan on ever selling this bike ;-)
I just want a 2 stroke that I can take on difficult trails w/o expending as much energy and effort as on the big bike. I don't need to go fast. Last weekend I went on a crazy rocky Jeep trail (for a short while anyway) and it was perfect for the Explorer. But I would never take my KTM on it. Way too tall, way too heavy. I needed to bounce around, over, between boulders...
I have posted before about the tanks and I think I have them connected correct and with safety wire on the tubes between tanks.
I filled the tanks slowly, bounced the bike around etc. On the trail, after about 5 miles, the low gas light comes on. I figure I better head back (slowly). It did seem to run out of gas and I would lean left/right and I even blew into the top tank to try and push gas lower. I was able to keep riding and made it back. I think the top tank is the bigger of the two...shouldn't that go more than 5 miles?
Some complications: I was at maybe 6000 feet and the bike didn't run great. I don't think there is an idle adjustment. I doubt it has updated software. I didn't do it as Lewisport is too difficult to get to and the guy I bought it from wasn't technical...
All that said, the tanks should be mechanical. And I think the tanks should get ?50? miles (read this somewhere).
My thought is to drain the gas and try and put in 2.2 gallons. If I can't get in at least 2 gallons, something must be wrong.
You should be able to wiggle the pump out of there if all three bolts are removed. You can get a screwdriver or small pry bar under the backside of the hose nipples to kind of help get it to move. Not heavy-handed prying, just some gentle helping.
On the bronze bushing, if the Allen head (or torx on later ones) is stripped-out, try carving across the face of it so that you can get on it with a straight-blade screwdriver. Or take out the cir-clip on the back-side and take out the seal and pump-shaft and impeller. Then you'll be dealing with the bronze piece from both sides.
They are fairly brittle. I had a frozen one last week on a 2002 Pro. In the end, I had the pump body clamped into the vice with rubber soft-jaws. I used a very sharp small chisel to carve into the outside edge of the bushing by tapping with a small hammer. I was able to get it to begin to rotate "counterclockwise" and then it came right out.
Use eye protection as this type of material can fragment.
The brass bushing came stripped and I tried a screw remover, but it just seemed to chew away the brass (not a mechanic ;-) Any idea? I just might have to replace the whole water pump...probably needs it, but would like to see inside and save some $$.
I am sure it has been years since the water pump was removed, do I just 'jiggle' it back'n'forth? I can get it a bit loose, but won't pop out. Tried some needle nose pliers on the bottom and rock the WP holding the top tube...might be working, but not quickly...
Its funny some people say the clutch is hard but at the last trial 10 guys rode or bikes and all said WOW the clutch is so light :-)
Also I believe you can change the clutch master cylinder and run a bigger hose if you want to make it feather light, the USA guys seem to know how to do this. Its not something I would bother with.
I know this is a bit old ;-)
I have searched and couldn't find any references to this technique. I am curious if it is possible...not sure I would do it, but curious...
My 2002 sherco has the lightest clutch I have ever used. I wouldn't mind my Explorer to be the same though ;-)
Oh, and on the TPS, I haven't set it. I do notice that I can't just crank the throttle in neutral and get it to always rev. I know there is something a bit off. So far in riding, I haven't had a problem though. It does need to fully warm up. I do need to get it out to lewisport at some point...
My first thought was that the tanks were not connected, so I disconnected the breather tube on the top tank and then lifted the tank up, that caused gas to rise out of the lower breather tube, so I think it might help with air as well.
So far, I can't really ride long enough to run out of gas ;-) I do have a regular dirt bike and would ride that for anything where I can go faster or longer distance.
Right now I am targeting smaller sections of OHVs that have difficult parts. I do want to find better trails. (Not really into trials _competitions_, so only did that once).
BTW, there are supposed to be 1 or 2 Explorer riders in NorCal...Have you heard of anyone named Alan Ande[sa]? I can't read the last 2 letters...The phone number I have from him is old. He was supposed to do more "adventure" trials riding...
The gas light is always on, but the tank is full...and I have gone through more gas than is just in the lower tank (2L I heard) and I haven't run out. Any ideas?
BTW, the other lights work for blinkers and lights, so I don't think the bulb swapped position.
I think there are only 3 bulbs (nothing in top right).
I do see that there is a sensor in the bottom tank and appears to be connected to the correct light (green/black wire if I remember).
So I was looking at this nut and noticed that is was turning easy...so at that point I just decided to replace the pedal as it needed to be tightened anyway.
And, since my kickstand fell off the last time I rode the bike, using the screwdriver technique worked easy. Test ride tomorrow to see if everything works.
BTW, any trick for aligning up the fuel tank (long) bolt? I just can't get it to screw in. I do have the 2nd air filter (as I have the 2012 model and don't want to remove the filter ever again ;-) I lift the tank and it looks lined up, but it never takes...
I found a video of a german guy that had the parts to swap from Explorer to Trials and video'd it. It really looks like the tanks are connected at the top, with what I thought were vent tubes. I am going to try that out unless somebody lets me know better.
Reading and thinking more about this. The gas cap (and rubber insert) both have a pin hole in them...so maybe *that* is the gas vent and I need to connect the bottom tank metal nipple to the top tank "vent" hose together...
Maybe I am thinking this all wrong...who knows ;-)
I have looked at the manual, but the description and pictures aren't enough for me to really understand.
Is the hose that extends from the front of the "top tank" a vent hose? From the manual, this looks to be yes. I have a hose extending out and it looks correct to me.
On the bottom tank, there is a metal "nipple" (near the top) that rotates 360 degrees and when the tanks are full, does leak gas out of it.
The nipple looks like it would have a hose attached to it, but there is none currently. How should this be setup? Do I just point
the nipple up/front and deal with the gas that sloshes out? Or, if this is a vent, should it also have a hose?
The only way I know is to connect computer and read it.
What is you location?
I am in San Jose. I was to pickup the bike, through lewisport (used), but the delivery didn't happen and I had to get it direct from the transport service...unfortunately that meant that Adrian couldn't look at it...and it is hard to get out to his shop mid-week. I am the 3rd owner...I think the first owner might have been in your neck-of-the-woods.
Also, a completely unrelated question, hope the thread readers don't mind ;-) Just filled both tanks and noticed that if I work the suspension, I get a leak out the bottom of the top tank (general area). Will inspect it tomorrow when it is light, but if there is anything common to look for, let me know! I am getting it ready for the weekend ;-)
Explorer - Next Best?
in OSSA
Posted
This is probably like asking everyone about their opinion on oil, but what the heck ;-)
I like my Explorer, but I have 2 concerns:
1) It might just be too complicated with my limited mechanical skills (and limited dealer support). See my post on fuel issues, engine mapping, etc. If it breaks I have to learn how to fix it and that won't be happening on the trail.
2) The official riding areas in my area are setup for dirt bikes, so a trials bike is mostly overkill. It has helped me on a few trouble spots that I can now ride on my dirt bike on, so I am very happy about that. These spots are usually scattered around the park, so not ideal. I am sure there are many expert riders in my area that know difficult/secret spots, but I am not that good ;-)
I certainly have read up on the Freeride and the x-trainer. I even wonder if I lowered a 125/150 how that would be.
If I sold my Explorer, I am leaning towards the x-trainer. The Freeride does seem closest, but I am concerned about it. Lots of people sell them after just a few hundred miles. I also see KTM, and probably others, releasing new 125/150s that are really light. I wonder if the Freeride will still be offered with these new bikes coming out. I think I would rather have a lowered 150 than a Freeride.
Unfortunately, I haven't ridden any of the bikes that I mentioned.
What I think I want is: low speed maneuverability, ability to loft the front wheel from a stop, low seat height and light weight.
(Yes I know you can't have it all, so looking for next best ;-) Everything is a compromise...
I currently have a KTM 350 4 stroke which I really like. It is pretty heavy and tall for me (30 inch inseam). It also is hard to maneuver slow as the idle want to keep the bike moving. I don't plan on ever selling this bike ;-)
I just want a 2 stroke that I can take on difficult trails w/o expending as much energy and effort as on the big bike. I don't need to go fast. Last weekend I went on a crazy rocky Jeep trail (for a short while anyway) and it was perfect for the Explorer. But I would never take my KTM on it. Way too tall, way too heavy. I needed to bounce around, over, between boulders...
Thanks! for any opinions ;-)