Planning a Trip to CM from Korat. Any Suggestions on a Route Changes?

[Shurup]

Going on a road trip on my new Diavel the second half of Jan.

Here's my planned route:

https://goo.gl/maps/s6GCV

Any Highways I should avoid or take? Don't want to take the bike off-road or on any long stretches of dirt roads, bad roads, constructions, etc... Was going to go straight through Phetchabun until HWY 12 and then head West, or even make a loop through Chaiyaphoom and go through Nam Nao National Park, but there's a very long stretch of construction road from 21 on HWY 12, been there recently so decided to avoid that part.

Will probably make it in one day from home to Nan and then on a way back from Tak to Home also in one day, but will try to enjoy the rest of the trip and take frequent stops here and there. Will also do some random tent camping up North, hope it's not snowing!

Will stop for a little while in CM and do some day trips here and there, but I already picked up some ideas about CM from another thread.

Edited December 21, 2014 by Shurup

[dave_boo]

First off I can tell you that you really don't want to go up the 11! It's pretty bad.

Rather, stay on the 225 until you get to the 1 and then quickly head up to the 117 and then head north. Alternatively the 1067/1069 over to the 117 isn't bad. I'd then head west over to Sukothai and up the 101 to Nan. Nebula and I came down that way and it was much nicer than heading up the 11. Up at Tak, instead of crossing over to the west side of the Ping, keep on the east side (1084) down to the 1073. You can either cut across there and end up on the 1/32 or once over the river follow the 1182 down into Nakhon Sawan.

Either way you go, don't bother with the Nakhon Sawan bypass. It's crap right now as there's a lot of construction going on.

I know you're looking to do Tak -> home in a single day, so I'll keep my mouth shut about alternative routes through my back yard.

Edited December 21, 2014 by dave_boo

[Shurup]

Thanks Dave! Does it look like something you were talking about?

https://goo.gl/maps/UDGHI

Google keep trying to push me back to the West side of Ping, had to do a lot of corrections. What's the reason for staying on the East side? Better road or a better view?

Google also suggested cutting back to 225 therefore avoiding Nakhon Sawan altogether.

Alternatively on my way North I could go through Phetchabun up to 12 and suck up that construction section, which is 20-25 km between 21 and 2196.

https://goo.gl/maps/d33oo

I don't know how long the construction is though but HWY 12 is awesome, at least the parts of it that I've been on before the construction started.

Anyone has any ideas if any parts of 12 are under construction in other places? If it's all good, I might then go through Tak and take 12 all the way back to 21, and back home.

Dave, how far off my planned route do you live? Ideally I plan to cover very long distances on a first and a last days so I have more time for in-between places, but whether I can deviate from my plan will depend on the return date, if I don't run out of time for my return back to work, I could spare some time and pop in for a visit.

[dave_boo]

Thanks Dave! Does it look like something you were talking about?

https://goo.gl/maps/UDGHI

Google keep trying to push me back to the West side of Ping, had to do a lot of corrections. What's the reason for staying on the East side? Better road or a better view?

Google also suggested cutting back to 225 therefore avoiding Nakhon Sawan altogether.

Alternatively on my way North I could go through Phetchabun up to 12 and suck up that construction section, which is 20-25 km between 21 and 2196.

https://goo.gl/maps/d33oo

I don't know how long the construction is though but HWY 12 is awesome, at least the parts of it that I've been on before the construction started.

Anyone has any ideas if any parts of 12 are under construction in other places? If it's all good, I might then go through Tak and take 12 all the way back to 21, and back home.

Dave, how far off my planned route do you live? Ideally I plan to cover very long distances on a first and a last days so I have more time for in-between places, but whether I can deviate from my plan will depend on the return date, if I don't run out of time for my return back to work, I could spare some time and pop in for a visit.

The east side is in better condition, you aren't breathing the truck fumes, and I think the view is better. However, don't continue on the 1084 after Banphot Phisai unless you're planning on going all the way down to Nakhon Sawan. Where google maps has you cutting across can sometimes be ok; it can also be horrible if there's any flooding at all.

I can't stress just how bad the 12 is right now. Tons of it between Lom Sak and Phitsanulok is simply tore up. I'd say at least 60% of that stretch is dirt or loose gravel. When they are done, it will be beautiful...now...it's horrible.

One more thing, it may be a bit faster on your final leg to shoot down to Chai Nat and then over.

The closest you come to my humble abode is when you're on the AH2 north of Nakhon Sawan and then it's about 52 km. Unfortunately I won't be in as I will have departed to work overseas already.

[Shurup]

Thanks again Dave, I appreciate your input very much!

Posting this link just for myself

https://goo.gl/maps/ksn0Y

But if anyone else wants to comment on anything, then please do.

[moe666]

Ill get back with you later need to get my mapout but a cool ride is thru Nampat east of Uttradit and down to the ferry across the big Lake. I was just on the 12 a couple of weeks ago driving from Ploke East there are still a few bad places but overall most of it is now paved, I know because I have either driven or rode the 12 4 times inthe past year and a half. no were as unsafe as last year Ill get back to you on road numbers laer tonight.

[dave_boo]

Ill get back with you later need to get my mapout but a cool ride is thru Nampat east of Uttradit and down to the ferry across the big Lake. I was just on the 12 a couple of weeks ago driving from Ploke East there are still a few bad places but overall most of it is now paved, I know because I have either driven or rode the 12 4 times inthe past year and a half. no were as unsafe as last year Ill get back to you on road numbers laer tonight.

The route from Lom Sak to Nan using the ferry sure is pretty...but there's a lot of places (especially in the first 1/3 of the ride) that are going to slow him down.

If shurup is interested in an alternative route which will most likely mean he doesn't reach Nan the first day, than I would still recommend shooting up the 117 until Phitsanulok, follow the 11 until 1296, stay on that until it "T-bones" into the 1193, turn left and go until that "T-bones" into the 1246 which becomes the 1214 and then the 1047. Turn off on the 1339 and go until you reach the ferry. Just as a point of reference...you need to tell the bloke at the restaurant you want a ferry. Nebula and I found out the hard way about that. You can also save a bit of time if you stay on the 11 until the 1246. Rather than trying to make it to Nan should you decide to go this way, I recommend staying at the "Resort" located at 18.33402, 100.71761. Decent rooms at a good price.

[dave_boo]

I was bored, so I broke down two possible first and last day routes for you.

The one route I proposed that skirts Phitsanulok and heads up the 101. Note that I planned fuel stops every ~100 km which should just about be an hours ride or so. Even if you don't need fuel, stopping to stretch or relieve yourself is recommended.

https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=15.3986311,101.4589075&daddr=15.581437,+101.067164+to:16.03244,+100.63086+to:16.58111,+100.14737+to:17.236079,+99.858330+to:17.977743,+100.02672+to:NAN+to:CHIANG+RAI+to:CHIANG+MAI+to:MAE+HONG+SON+to:16.8239469,99.1632271+to:16.549634,99.4910627+to:16.3685351,99.5927317+to:16.23475,+99.73237+to:15.57804,+100.12489+to:15.06906,+100.69243+to:15.4022255,101.4586821&hl=en&sll=17.497389,99.678955&sspn=8.657626,13.52417&geocode=Fef26gAd3CMMBg%3BFf3A7QAdnCkGBg%3BFbii9AAdTIH_BQ%3BFfYB_QAdqiD4BQ%3BFW8ABwEdmrfzBQ%3BFY9REgEdYEn2BQ%3BFVB-HgEdsqwBBim7bR0OCY4nMTHAlYY4sYKACw%3BFV7CLwEdq0zzBSlL6icJZwbXMDEepjq5EdhrOA%3BFaOtHgEd6IPmBSlBeJnCyMzQMDHUAyWSduFpag%3BFY6GJgEdfdXWBSlvm17gg9naMDEgS4r6xUYDAQ%3BFYu2AAEdWxzpBQ%3BFQKH_AAd9hzuBSkzW3gWAxfeMDHcTmbIut_Ceg%3BFZfD-QAdG6rvBSmbiCgpByHeMDEcRJ-di1VZOg%3BFf649wAdksvxBQ%3BFbiz7QAd2sj3BQ%3BFYTv5QAdznEABg%3BFfIE6wAd-iIMBg&mra=pr&via=11,12&t=m&z=7

This is a variation that takes the ferry. Note that "E" is the last place on the route that you can refuel...and it's kind of hinky. That means there's going to be ~227km from there to the next fuel station just shy of point "G" that I recommended sleeping at.

https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=15.3986311,101.4589075&daddr=15.581437,+101.067164+to:16.03244,+100.63086+to:16.58111,+100.14737+to:17.33798,+100.23237+to:18.04717,+100.69169+to:18.33402,+100.71761+to:NAN+to:CHIANG+RAI+to:CHIANG+MAI+to:MAE+HONG+SON+to:16.8239469,99.1632271+to:16.549634,99.4910627+to:16.3685351,99.5927317+to:16.23475,+99.73237+to:15.57804,+100.12489+to:15.06906,+100.69243+to:15.4022255,101.4586821&hl=en&ll=17.66496,100.557861&spn=8.691399,13.52417&sll=17.477495,99.683839&sspn=8.65862,13.52417&geocode=Fef26gAd3CMMBg%3BFf3A7QAdnCkGBg%3BFbii9AAdTIH_BQ%3BFfYB_QAdqiD4BQ%3BFXyOCAEdsmz5BQ%3BFcJgEwEd6m4ABg%3BFUTBFwEdKtQABg%3BFVB-HgEdsqwBBim7bR0OCY4nMTHAlYY4sYKACw%3BFV7CLwEdq0zzBSlL6icJZwbXMDEepjq5EdhrOA%3BFaOtHgEd6IPmBSlBeJnCyMzQMDHUAyWSduFpag%3BFY6GJgEdfdXWBSlvm17gg9naMDEgS4r6xUYDAQ%3BFYu2AAEdWxzpBQ%3BFQKH_AAd9hzuBSkzW3gWAxfeMDHcTmbIut_Ceg%3BFZfD-QAdG6rvBSmbiCgpByHeMDEcRJ-di1VZOg%3BFf649wAdksvxBQ%3BFbiz7QAd2sj3BQ%3BFYTv5QAdznEABg%3BFfIE6wAd-iIMBg&mra=ls&via=12,13&t=m&z=7

Note that on the waypoints I set, you can click on the street view to see what I'm talking about.

[Shurup]

I was bored, so I broke down two possible first and last day routes for you.

The one route I proposed that skirts Phitsanulok and heads up the 101. Note that I planned fuel stops every ~100 km which should just about be an hours ride or so. Even if you don't need fuel, stopping to stretch or relieve yourself is recommended.

https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=15.3986311,101.4589075&daddr=15.581437,+101.067164+to:16.03244,+100.63086+to:16.58111,+100.14737+to:17.236079,+99.858330+to:17.977743,+100.02672+to:NAN+to:CHIANG+RAI+to:CHIANG+MAI+to:MAE+HONG+SON+to:16.8239469,99.1632271+to:16.549634,99.4910627+to:16.3685351,99.5927317+to:16.23475,+99.73237+to:15.57804,+100.12489+to:15.06906,+100.69243+to:15.4022255,101.4586821&hl=en&sll=17.497389,99.678955&sspn=8.657626,13.52417&geocode=Fef26gAd3CMMBg%3BFf3A7QAdnCkGBg%3BFbii9AAdTIH_BQ%3BFfYB_QAdqiD4BQ%3BFW8ABwEdmrfzBQ%3BFY9REgEdYEn2BQ%3BFVB-HgEdsqwBBim7bR0OCY4nMTHAlYY4sYKACw%3BFV7CLwEdq0zzBSlL6icJZwbXMDEepjq5EdhrOA%3BFaOtHgEd6IPmBSlBeJnCyMzQMDHUAyWSduFpag%3BFY6GJgEdfdXWBSlvm17gg9naMDEgS4r6xUYDAQ%3BFYu2AAEdWxzpBQ%3BFQKH_AAd9hzuBSkzW3gWAxfeMDHcTmbIut_Ceg%3BFZfD-QAdG6rvBSmbiCgpByHeMDEcRJ-di1VZOg%3BFf649wAdksvxBQ%3BFbiz7QAd2sj3BQ%3BFYTv5QAdznEABg%3BFfIE6wAd-iIMBg&mra=pr&via=11,12&t=m&z=7

This is a variation that takes the ferry. Note that "E" is the last place on the route that you can refuel...and it's kind of hinky. That means there's going to be ~227km from there to the next fuel station just shy of point "G" that I recommended sleeping at.

https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=15.3986311,101.4589075&daddr=15.581437,+101.067164+to:16.03244,+100.63086+to:16.58111,+100.14737+to:17.33798,+100.23237+to:18.04717,+100.69169+to:18.33402,+100.71761+to:NAN+to:CHIANG+RAI+to:CHIANG+MAI+to:MAE+HONG+SON+to:16.8239469,99.1632271+to:16.549634,99.4910627+to:16.3685351,99.5927317+to:16.23475,+99.73237+to:15.57804,+100.12489+to:15.06906,+100.69243+to:15.4022255,101.4586821&hl=en&ll=17.66496,100.557861&spn=8.691399,13.52417&sll=17.477495,99.683839&sspn=8.65862,13.52417&geocode=Fef26gAd3CMMBg%3BFf3A7QAdnCkGBg%3BFbii9AAdTIH_BQ%3BFfYB_QAdqiD4BQ%3BFXyOCAEdsmz5BQ%3BFcJgEwEd6m4ABg%3BFUTBFwEdKtQABg%3BFVB-HgEdsqwBBim7bR0OCY4nMTHAlYY4sYKACw%3BFV7CLwEdq0zzBSlL6icJZwbXMDEepjq5EdhrOA%3BFaOtHgEd6IPmBSlBeJnCyMzQMDHUAyWSduFpag%3BFY6GJgEdfdXWBSlvm17gg9naMDEgS4r6xUYDAQ%3BFYu2AAEdWxzpBQ%3BFQKH_AAd9hzuBSkzW3gWAxfeMDHcTmbIut_Ceg%3BFZfD-QAdG6rvBSmbiCgpByHeMDEcRJ-di1VZOg%3BFf649wAdksvxBQ%3BFbiz7QAd2sj3BQ%3BFYTv5QAdznEABg%3BFfIE6wAd-iIMBg&mra=ls&via=12,13&t=m&z=7

Note that on the waypoints I set, you can click on the street view to see what I'm talking about.

That's awesome, I thank you one more time!

A ferry route sounds like a good adventure, might go that way so a few questions regarding it:

1. Where's the restaurant with the bloke that you mentioned? Somewhere near the pier?

2. How often do the ferries come?

3. Do they carry 95 fuel at the fuel stations @ points E and G? Can't put 91 into my machine. If they're full size stations then shouldn't be a problem but any smaller pumps may or may not have it? 227 km should not be an issue if I keep it the sane speed and I will have to as I will be carrying my wife on a back.

[dave_boo]

I was bored, so I broke down two possible first and last day routes for you.

The one route I proposed that skirts Phitsanulok and heads up the 101. Note that I planned fuel stops every ~100 km which should just about be an hours ride or so. Even if you don't need fuel, stopping to stretch or relieve yourself is recommended.

https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=15.3986311,101.4589075&daddr=15.581437,+101.067164+to:16.03244,+100.63086+to:16.58111,+100.14737+to:17.236079,+99.858330+to:17.977743,+100.02672+to:NAN+to:CHIANG+RAI+to:CHIANG+MAI+to:MAE+HONG+SON+to:16.8239469,99.1632271+to:16.549634,99.4910627+to:16.3685351,99.5927317+to:16.23475,+99.73237+to:15.57804,+100.12489+to:15.06906,+100.69243+to:15.4022255,101.4586821&hl=en&sll=17.497389,99.678955&sspn=8.657626,13.52417&geocode=Fef26gAd3CMMBg%3BFf3A7QAdnCkGBg%3BFbii9AAdTIH_BQ%3BFfYB_QAdqiD4BQ%3BFW8ABwEdmrfzBQ%3BFY9REgEdYEn2BQ%3BFVB-HgEdsqwBBim7bR0OCY4nMTHAlYY4sYKACw%3BFV7CLwEdq0zzBSlL6icJZwbXMDEepjq5EdhrOA%3BFaOtHgEd6IPmBSlBeJnCyMzQMDHUAyWSduFpag%3BFY6GJgEdfdXWBSlvm17gg9naMDEgS4r6xUYDAQ%3BFYu2AAEdWxzpBQ%3BFQKH_AAd9hzuBSkzW3gWAxfeMDHcTmbIut_Ceg%3BFZfD-QAdG6rvBSmbiCgpByHeMDEcRJ-di1VZOg%3BFf649wAdksvxBQ%3BFbiz7QAd2sj3BQ%3BFYTv5QAdznEABg%3BFfIE6wAd-iIMBg&mra=pr&via=11,12&t=m&z=7

This is a variation that takes the ferry. Note that "E" is the last place on the route that you can refuel...and it's kind of hinky. That means there's going to be ~227km from there to the next fuel station just shy of point "G" that I recommended sleeping at.

https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=15.3986311,101.4589075&daddr=15.581437,+101.067164+to:16.03244,+100.63086+to:16.58111,+100.14737+to:17.33798,+100.23237+to:18.04717,+100.69169+to:18.33402,+100.71761+to:NAN+to:CHIANG+RAI+to:CHIANG+MAI+to:MAE+HONG+SON+to:16.8239469,99.1632271+to:16.549634,99.4910627+to:16.3685351,99.5927317+to:16.23475,+99.73237+to:15.57804,+100.12489+to:15.06906,+100.69243+to:15.4022255,101.4586821&hl=en&ll=17.66496,100.557861&spn=8.691399,13.52417&sll=17.477495,99.683839&sspn=8.65862,13.52417&geocode=Fef26gAd3CMMBg%3BFf3A7QAdnCkGBg%3BFbii9AAdTIH_BQ%3BFfYB_QAdqiD4BQ%3BFXyOCAEdsmz5BQ%3BFcJgEwEd6m4ABg%3BFUTBFwEdKtQABg%3BFVB-HgEdsqwBBim7bR0OCY4nMTHAlYY4sYKACw%3BFV7CLwEdq0zzBSlL6icJZwbXMDEepjq5EdhrOA%3BFaOtHgEd6IPmBSlBeJnCyMzQMDHUAyWSduFpag%3BFY6GJgEdfdXWBSlvm17gg9naMDEgS4r6xUYDAQ%3BFYu2AAEdWxzpBQ%3BFQKH_AAd9hzuBSkzW3gWAxfeMDHcTmbIut_Ceg%3BFZfD-QAdG6rvBSmbiCgpByHeMDEcRJ-di1VZOg%3BFf649wAdksvxBQ%3BFbiz7QAd2sj3BQ%3BFYTv5QAdznEABg%3BFfIE6wAd-iIMBg&mra=ls&via=12,13&t=m&z=7

Note that on the waypoints I set, you can click on the street view to see what I'm talking about.

That's awesome, I thank you one more time!

A ferry route sounds like a good adventure, might go that way so a few questions regarding it:

1. Where's the restaurant with the bloke that you mentioned? Somewhere near the pier?

2. How often do the ferries come?

3. Do they carry 95 fuel at the fuel stations @ points E and G? Can't put 91 into my machine. If they're full size stations then shouldn't be a problem but any smaller pumps may or may not have it? 227 km should not be an issue if I keep it the sane speed and I will have to as I will be carrying my wife on a back.

1. It basically is the pier. The restaurant is one of those floating ones. If you open up that link and zoom in on point F, which is really where the ferry departs from, you'll have an idea.
2. It takes about 20 minutes, perhaps less if you arrive earlier, from the time the guy uses a walkie-talkie to call for the ferry. If you see some tied up you are in luck because the locomotive force is a long tail boat which comes from the other side.
3. I doubt that point E has 95. Point G does sure. Instead of point E you can go up the 11 another ~12km to the 1214 intersection where there is a "PT" station.

[moe666]

hehehehe When I went across on the ferry they had no pier just beach the pontoons drop off a wooden ramp and drive aboard. the winches they use to haul upthe ramp are all made of wood with a wooden spoke system for turning them. The road from Nam Pat to the ferry except for a couple of stretches was in good shape a couple of years ago. The road on the northside is the same severalstretchs of some rough stuff but overall in good condition with one section that was so new that the white stripping had not fadded. You could fill up in Nam Pat as they have a full service station there and and it is about 30 or 40k to the ferry and after crossing you will find station along the route to Nan. A friend roade his Multistrada along this route and crossed on the ferry earlier this year. Some nice scenery and just something different to do

[moe666]

hehehehe When I went across on the ferry they had no pier just beach the pontoons drop off a wooden ramp and drive aboard. the winches they use to haul upthe ramp are all made of wood with a wooden spoke system for turning them. The road from Nam Pat to the ferry except for a couple of stretches was in good shape a couple of years ago. The road on the northside is the same severalstretchs of some rough stuff but overall in good condition with one section that was so new that the white stripping had not fadded. You could fill up in Nam Pat as they have a full service station there and and it is about 30 or 40k to the ferry and after crossing you will find station along the route to Nan. A friend roade his Multistrada along this route and crossed on the ferry earlier this year. Some nice scenery and just something different to do Double post can one be deleted

Edited December 24, 2014 by moe666

[Shurup]

Definitely sounds like a good adventure, something different to just staying in the saddle all day. Appreciate all the advice guys.

[DualSportBiker]

The road from Mae Sot to Mae Sariang does not meet your criteria - plenty of long sandy sections where the road has completely disintegrated, and miles of road under repair. It would would not be fun on a cruiser, sports bike, or cafe racer...

[Gweiloman]

The road from Mae Sot to Mae Sariang does not meet your criteria - plenty of long sandy sections where the road has completely disintegrated, and miles of road under repair. It would would not be fun on a cruiser, sports bike, or cafe racer...

As per Goggle maps, this is 236 km. How bad is it and how long would it take to navigate this stretch? Also, how dangerous?

[DualSportBiker]

The road from Mae Sot to Mae Sariang does not meet your criteria - plenty of long sandy sections where the road has completely disintegrated, and miles of road under repair. It would would not be fun on a cruiser, sports bike, or cafe racer...

As per Goggle maps, this is 236 km. How bad is it and how long would it take to navigate this stretch? Also, how dangerous?

I'll have to trawl my GPS data, but off the top of my head, I left Mae Sot at 13:10 and arrived in Hot at 18:30. Hot is 347 k.m. so it can't be that bad, as that time equates to just under 70 km/h average. There was perhaps 20 k.m. of damaged or under-repair surface. Some of the worst was where it was steepest; mostly loose sand an inch deep with rocks the size of apples. That section was only 150 meters long. The remainder was 50/50 flattened mud, and road in need of repair. Nothing impassible, some caution will get most through.

[Shurup]

Got my panniers and passenger backrest (got back to Canada a day ago). 19,000 THB savings over what Ducati Thailand wanted for these 2 items (and over a month wait time)! Got a small rear rack as well, I think it will get used as panniers aren't very large. A lot of small packages and bags with parts and mounting hardware will probably take one day for installation, once I get back to Thailand in one week. Still looking for a tank bag with a clear top cover to place my tablet running maps under it. Today didn't see anything that I like, will check a few other bike shops tomorrow.

Edited January 16, 2015 by Shurup

[seedy]

(got back to Canada a day ago).

Where in Canada - if you don't mind me asking /

[Shurup]

Edmonton.

[Shurup]

First day into the trip. Stopped for the night some 50 km before Nan, after talking the ferry. Last 30 or 40 km before the ferry as well as after was done bad roads with tight twisties. It got dark while I was crossing on a ferry and had to ride in the dark until I got to that resort.

Night before that I installed the frame and panniers on my Diavel. Looks OK, not as sexy as the stock bike but not ugly. Will take about 30 min to return it to its original look.

Pictures will follow later.

[Shurup]

Installing pannier's frame and passenger backrest. Took a while to put it all together from all the loose pays and pieces, but should be fairly easy to swap everything back to stock.

Another update (as per my suspension tread) I did tweak the suspension after reading many pages on Diavel forum regarding stock suspension. Now the bike is actually rideable, my teeth don't clunk on every road bump as before. I would say it's on the soft side now as I have that pogo stick feeling on the larger bumps. Also the bike doesn't lean into the corners properly, feels like it falls into the corners (can it be related to the added weight of loaded panniers and a passenger???) And if the corner is a little bumpy then the rear wallows.

Some more tuning will be done tomorrowv before I take off again.

Edited January 25, 2015 by Shurup

[Shurup]

Well, pictures did not attach. Trying again.

[taninthai]

Good work ,keep us updated...

[dave_boo]

Give it some more pre-load.

[Shurup]

The preload (rear) is near the max. It sounds like the rebound is at to soft setting.

[dave_boo]

The preload (rear) is near the max. It sounds like the rebound is at to soft setting.

If you have preload at near max it can actually affect the rebound damping negatively. Adjust that more firm a bit. If you can add in a spot more compression damping also.

Keep playing with it until you get it how you like. When you do...write down the settings. Because when you go back to no luggage/no pillion you're going to want to back off. Having the numbers written down when you go on another tour will simplify this process next time.

[Shurup]

The preload is as firm as it can get. Folks on Diavel forum are saying that the rough ride that I experienced is due to the shock bottoming out at the stock setting and people recommend to keep it at the firmest setting.

Good idea wiring down the numbers.

[moe666]

Enjoy your trip

[moe666]

Enjoy your trip

[Shurup]

2nd night of camping. More pictures