Suzuki 800DE replaces 18 years with the KTM 990

12 months after Surgery I'm back riding and on a new bike - Introducing the Suzuki 800DE

The Suzuki 800DE will replace my 990. That's a huge change from me. I've had 18 years with the 9x0's and achieved more than I ever thought was possible for my abilities. The LC8 is a one off, built from the ground up to race but my body is getting older, it's sustained damage, and it's basically a little worn. The LC8 demands 100% input and physical fitness that I no longer poses. Take your eye off the ball for a moment and the big KTM will chew and spit you out. Of course that's what also makes it so darn addictive and exciting to ride but it's time to move on if I wish to continue to ride.

Ive just completed 2000 miles on the Suzuki in the UK, Spain and Portugal and its been really great fun. The Suzuki has effortlessly taken me over all manor of terrain and has made me smile all the time. I can honestly say that the bike plus a bash plate, a decent set of rubber and some soft luggage will take you anywhere you want to go. Yeah, you'll find the limits of the suspension if you push too hard and/or pick the wrong line but 99% of riders aren't going to be doing that. The motor is a gem, plenty of grunt to make the ride exciting and really smooth. For those who want to take the bike racing or push it harder Hessler Rally has all the parts you need. https://hessler-motorsport.de/shop/

What's been interesting is other riders who I've met on my recent trip questioning why I was on the Suzuki. Claiming that a Tenere or a Tuareg would be better suited to my needs. In fairness when I first saw the bike I pretty much walked away from it. Little ground clearance, scooped out seat, tank up high and wide, a bit overweight, 17" rear wheel, short suspension travel, etc. Actually ride one though and you instantly get it. I've spent many hours on the other bikes available in this segment and for my need and wants the Suzuki is spot on. Most importantly it's allowing me to carry on riding and  enjoy it. It won't be for everyone but I would say to test ride before you discount it. 

The big downside is that the 990, all the race parts, custom parts and spares I have accumulated over the years will have to go. That will be a difficult loss for me.

I'd like to race again and it's good to work towards a goal. I have a long journey to get my fitness and strength back but this bike will make getting there and taking part a whole bunch easier. Mods will just be a set of Enduro wheels and some suspension upgrades. The seat will be reshaped to allow for greater movement.

Current mods are listed below. All worked without issues.

Handlebars: JD Racing KTM Fat Bar

Rear brake lever: Hessler Racing

Front brake and clutch levers: Hessler Racing

Bash plate: JD Racing Suzuki

Bar riser: Hessler Racing

Preload mount when removing passenger foot pegs: Hessler Racing

Rubber: Metzler Karoo Extreme

Rear Rack: Quickly knocked up my own design in CAD.

Luggage: Giant Loop Mojave and ZigZag

Hand Guards: JD Racing KTM

Phone mount: 4k parti speciali

Back home

Well, i'm back home and walking (just). My legs are really swollen and the pain generally is pretty unpleasant. No position is comfortable. Sleep is just not happening and i'm not into my food (that's very strange for me). Curently lost over 10kg's in weight and expecting another loss when the water leaves my legs. They are quite the sight. Bruises everywhere.

Have got some pretty darn fine pain killers for the night time now. Morphine is good stuff. 

A bit of a setback

Appologies for the long silence. How life can turn quickly. At the Carta Rally in Morocco earlier in the year I really struggled towards the end of the race and blamed it on the diagnised osteoarthritis and just getting old. The final 2 days I was really off the pace and it was a real push just to finish and get that 3rd place on the podium. At one point I had crashed off the back of a dune and just didnt have the strength to pick up the bike. I was out of breath and just feeling sick constantly. Nothing made sense at all.

Got home and started feeling very rough but didn't take much notice of it. Had a few more of these episodes and finally I got admitted to hospital and it was discovered that I was having a heart attack! Ended up in Exeter hospital where we tried for stents but during the operation they found multiple issues and it was decided that a triple bypass was needed. So here I am many months later in a very unexpected situation and in intensive care after having the surgery. They tell me it went well. I feel terrible. 

Should be home in the next 3 to 4 days. They don't want you hanging around and to be fair that's fine with me. They tell me that I have unknowingly been unwell for some time which does answer a few questions. They also tell me I will fully recover in the next 12 months and I'll be back to full health and basically be stronger than ever. Looking forward to that.

Africa Eco Race 2022 KTM 990 Parts and Gear Review

So the 16 year old KTM 950 Adventure got to the finish line of the Africa Eco Race in the Malle Moto class with Corky at the helm, and before it heads off to its new home there were a few items that were new to both the rider and bike that we'd like to share with others. These items were definitely paramount to the success of the bike and rider reaching the chequered flag in Dakar.

1) Unit 31 Navigation Tower And Screen (https://www.unit-31.co.uk/shop/4):

There were quite a few crashes as expected in a rally of this kind with the biggest being right at the end during a whoop section sending the rider flying and bending the bars and Iritrack bracket. 

The tower survived unscathed and because of its welded construction nothing rattled loose, moved or broke. The screen did get bent and weakend at the top section but as can be seen from the photos above and below it held together and nothing broke off.

2) SBS Carbon Clutch Plates And Steels (https://www.unit-31.co.uk/shop/4):

Chris and AJ have been using SBS brake pads for a while now and are very happy with the performance. We recently discovered they did clutch plates for the LC8 and what a find they are. No fade, no wear and the oil wasn’t contaminated when changed at the half way point. Without doubt the OEM fibre plates would have disintegrated in the deep soft dunes of Mauritania. We know this from past experiences. Sitting at the bottom of a 2 story dune in 2nd gear, fully opening the throttle and letting the clutch out quickly would have destroyed other plates. 

Chris used a heavier set of clutch springs from Barnet just to be sure of good contact and lessen the chance of slippage.

3) Metzeler MC360 Med/Hard Rear Tyre (www.metzeler.com):

Chris and Andy couldn't find their usual Pirelli XC Scorpion in time for the race and very kindly Metzeler UK suggested the MC360 Med/Hard. At the time it wasn't an ideal situation and there was a lot of concern, but it was all thats was available at the time.

There was no need to worry - the tyre worked perfectly in the desert conditions. Paired up with the Michelin Desert mouse it was a great combo. When the 1st tyre change was done during the rest day the mousse although starting to go soft had no other damage and could have been used further. 

The Metzeler tyre still had plenty of tread and importantly there was no chunking. In the above photo the last tyre fitted during the rally had done around 2,000 km's. The tread pattern hooked up great in the sand and there were no complaints in the rocky and fast piste sections. Now the tyre of choice for desert racing and we will test to see how it performs in European rallies and on the UK trails.

 4) Giant Loop Pronghorn Straps & Armadillo Gas Bag (Giant Loop):

Saved Chris and others loads of times when extra fuel was needed. Was also used many times to transfer fuel from one bike to another. Packs up small and is very lite when not in use so no excuse not to carry around with you. 

Tough as nails, simple and does what it says on the tin (as with all Giant loop products) and now Chris won’t leave home without one. Pronghorn straps were great and quick to use. Coolant and water bottles were strapped to the back many times and never was anything lost to the desert. The rubber construction of the straps helps grip and keep everything in place. 

5) Tripleclamp Moto Airfilter System (tripleclampmoto):

Chris used the new plate which has a guard up front where the majority of the dirt and dust would hit the filter. This used along with the new dust filter skins was a great combo. Yes, there is more power with an open air box but just as importantly there was no crud in the carbs during the event.

Just 4 pre oiled filters were used during the 2 week race. The days included plenty of sand, mud and a water crossing with many hours riding each day in the dust clouds of other vehicles. The air filter kept it all out. The other bonus is the fact the filters pack really small which is important when the rider needs to live out of two metal boxes for the duration of the race.

6) Kodama Carbon Bash Plate (www.kodamacomposites):

This is a project we worked on alongside bike carbon specialists Kodama Composites. We had a very rough shape/prototype and spent 2021/22 perfecting the design and testing. Maximum protection, light and again survived the rally with no issues.

As the custom oil tank was situated at the front and low down along with the fuel pump it was very important it had good protection. Thank you to Chris and his team for a bash plate fit for purpose.

7) Klim Dakar Jacket used with Alpinestars Bionic Chest Protector (Unit 31 Klim Dakar):

Chris used an Alpinestars Chest/Back Protector with the 3DO armour in the elbows and sleeves of the Dakar jacket, Both jacket and armour protected the rider and survived the crashes. The jacket/armour combo made the extreme heat in Mauritania very manageable and Chris will never go back to using a race jersey. 

The vents allow for temperature control, there is more abrasive protection, pockets for food, spare gloves, etc and generally the rider is more comfortable. We knew the gear was good as we've been using the Dakar jacket and pants in the UK for racing and trail riding but turns out it also workes great in the desert. 

Jacket and pants came home, went in the washing machine and not a tear, broken zip or other damage - perfect. 

AFRICA ECO RACE 2022

Africa Eco Race done on the KTM 950 in the Malle Moto and Twin Cylinder classes. Absolutely the toughest thing Corky has taken part in.

The longest days, so many stories, softest dune sets, crazy heat, but amazing riding, scenery, people, race organisation.

Limited Edition Africa Eco Race T Shirts

To celebrate Corky and Andy taking part in the AFRICA ECO RACE in October 2022

 UNIT-31 have a very limited number of screen printed t-shirts up for sale.

First come, first served, Only 50 printed! - £22

 They are available for pre-order here at the UNIT-31 store.

Corky's Race winning KTM 950 Rally

3 podiums thus far and the bike is ready to take on its biggest challenge this October.

The Africa Eco Race in Malle Moto

Check out the link below to see what goes into preparing a 950 Adventure for desert racing

 Click here for full build info