My experience with my Canyon's Off Pavement Performance. What are you experiencing?

[turnerk1]

Let's start sharing some first hand experience with these new three wheeled wonder machines. My trip today was to the Jones Creek OHV area near Vancouver, WA. The single tracks are still closed for winter (not that I'd try them), but there's a compacted, graded, gravel road with some good inclines. The XT did great! I was very happy with the suspension soaking up 2"+ bumps comfortably. I have no love for washboard, but I think the Canyon will handle it. Conditions were pretty wet, see picture. I noticed minimal rear wheel slip on firm sections even climbing around corners. When I pulled out of some deeper, looser gravel, I did feel some spin, but I didn't notice traction control intervening. Made it out easy. I did some standing on the pegs and it was a commanding view. I also tried shifting weight back toward the passenger seat. Didn't notice a change. My settings were PS Max, Engine Normal, and VSS Normal. I like the PS Max since long curvy trips get athletic on the arms. I don't notice any darty-ness. I think their belt will wear faster off the pavement, a deflector covering the top of the bottom of the belt would be useful. I only spent about 20 minutes on the gravel because giant dump trucks were flying up and down too. What are you experiencing?

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[Mikey]

Good to hear you're having a good time testing out your new ride and having good results! By the pictures of the road you went down, my RT's been down a lot of roads like that, you just have to use your head! Just remember, it's not a 4x4! Have fun, be safe!

 

[Snoking1127]

Good to hear you're having a good time testing out your new ride and having good results! By the pictures of the road you went down, my RT's been down a lot of roads like that, you just have to use your head! Just remember, it's not a 4x4! Have fun, be safe!

Yeap, it's a 3x1, looking for a place to get stuck. Seems to me it's riding area is going to be limited.

 

[greer]

Thanks for the report, @turnerk1. I'm glad to hear the power steering is adjustable. The XT I rode wasn't the least twitchy, but it took very little input to steer. That was a little worrisome to me, since our curvy backroads here can be rough as a cob and I wouldn't want a jolt to send me into the weeds. Please keep us posted as you put miles on the bike, enjoy!

Sarah

 

[turnerk1]

Sarah, I haven't noticed any unpleasant feedback from the wheels to the handlebars. It seems nice and stable.

Today I went up one of the worst potholed forest roads I know. Again, the XT did fine. I think the only thing that might have touched ground are the front wheel splash guards. But, upon the after ride inspection, I couldn't see any underbelly scratches. This is the same road that bottomed out an RT frunk. Rear wheel traction was fine until I got off the compacted areas into the deep, loose, gravel on the shoulder. Then she spun some while crawling out. I think a motorcycle or even a truck would also spin in that stuff. Yeah, some electric motors embedded into the front hubs would be awesome, even if only for short bursts. Can Am is developing such technology in their electric 2 wheelers. But anyway, I made it out and back easy. It's doing what I hoped it would. Here's a pic of some typical potholes here.

 

[greer]

Keep it coming!

Sarah

 

[Slick51]

Would you take it up the Haul Road to Prudhoe Bay or on The Dempster to Tuktoyatuk?

 

[turnerk1]

Would you take it up the Haul Road to Prudhoe Bay or on The Dempster to Tuktoyatuk?

I have driven a pickup through BC and into Alaska. The road from Destruction Bay into Tok was paved but horrible. I think the Canyon would do as well as anything there. I like the "take it on the knee" theory of pothole avoidance. I haven't done either of the roads you ask about. From what I've seen, they're not paved, at least the one to Prudhoe Bay. But, sometimes gravel is better than heaved potholed pavement. Depends on how recently graded. Washboard isn't bothering me too much. Anyway, if I was to think about doing those roads, I'd want to understand the Canyon's fuel range better. I haven't run it to empty yet and figure 150 miles is safe. It should do about 200, but I'm a better safe than sorry person, and the warning light comes on kinda early. The other thing is traveling without a spare tire. Sadly, we'd need two types and the rear is not easy to change. Neither will be readily available. I have used a plug kit to good effect on truck tires, if you can reinflate. Don't go by yourself. But, do let us know how your trip turns out!

 

[AndysF3S]

If you are worried about a flat tire, buy yourself a portable air compressor with a plug kit, or a bag of slime, and you should be fine.

 

[greer]

We’ve used the Nealey kits for years, and have them in all our vehicles.

Home | Nealey Kool Tools

www.nealeytirerepairkit.com

Sarah

 

[Snoking1127]

Anyone want to go run fast on a typical Arizona easy off road trail with me. I will be in my KRX1000 SxS pictured earlier.