Great vid and really appreciate the 950 comparisons. You touched on exactly where I am these days. I've been on a 990 since 08 (no 950s available any where) riding similar trails to what you seem to like up in forests and mountains of Washington state. There is something fun about putting big bikes in small places and hearing you huff and puff while bulldogging that bike brought back fun and painful memories. :) The grin factor you mention on the LC8s are hard to beat and there is something very special about those bikes when they are snorting up a rocky hill or running balls out on fast gravel. The maintenance however does suck and at 15 years old, I'm not as confident out in the sesert or way up iin the mountains here in Utah. So, I've been looking at a replacement due to similar reasons you stated. I must say however, it is killing me. Every time I'm on BeDyG (Big Dumb Grin) the idea of letting her go is killing me. I'll definitely be watching your content more closely as you dial in your T7. It is certainly on my short list...especially as I push 60. Thanks for posting! As a side note and maybe a tip for light enduro riders moving to big bikes on single track: While in my 990 years ago, I got into a narrow gully similar to the one you show at the end of the vid at the bottom of a 500 meter hill when the width got too narrow to pass. My buddy and I then spent 2 hours pulling it back up hill. I usually would walk unfamiliar narrow downhill routes to be sure there were no stoppers . I always carry a stick as wide as my bike to test tight spots in the trail . I checked the route all the way to a clearing, and then rode down. Well, as I was riding through narrowest part (similar to 12:30 in your vid) the sand compressed, and my 2 inches of clearance left and right disappeared. With no physical means to turn the bike around, we had to pull it back up hill. It was a good lesson for someone who thought they had it all figured out. Getting a 500+_ lb bike out of a down hill stopper is not the same as your 200lb 2-stroke. Cheers!
Thanks buddy, there definitely some wise words in your comment. I do share the sentiment for 9x0 bikes they are awesome machines but the sands of time a talking their tool on them. I was puffing like a good one when I eventually got out this one is definitely memorable one 😂 I am in process of upgrading couple of things on T7 so riding should get a little better again.
@@SB-Kiwi Front is modified 48mm KYB forks with 265mm of travel you can use motocross or enduro for for that with custom bottoms on fork and new billet triple clamps. Rear is fully adjustable Tractive shock. That also provides increased ride hight of 25mm. It is pretty sweet highly recommended 👌🏻
Fair play for getting up there.💪 Been looking forward to this video to hear your comparisons, I'm fairly new to 'big bikes' and love my 950 but reliability is always hanging over me. Currently the T7 is the only contender as a worthy replacement. What are the sky blue hand guards are you using? A mate has a collection of old Yamaha ITs and a matching T7 rally, he wants some.🤣 We run a campsite up near Machynlleth, if you're up this way and want to camp hit me up.👍
They are Barkbusters but previous owner painted the to match the bike 😉 Send me a message on Instagram @ajkukwa am sure I will be going back up your neck of the woods there is plenty of great riding out there 👍🏻
Great vid and really appreciate the 950 comparisons. You touched on exactly where I am these days. I've been on a 990 since 08 (no 950s available any where) riding similar trails to what you seem to like up in forests and mountains of Washington state. There is something fun about putting big bikes in small places and hearing you huff and puff while bulldogging that bike brought back fun and painful memories. :) The grin factor you mention on the LC8s are hard to beat and there is something very special about those bikes when they are snorting up a rocky hill or running balls out on fast gravel. The maintenance however does suck and at 15 years old, I'm not as confident out in the sesert or way up iin the mountains here in Utah. So, I've been looking at a replacement due to similar reasons you stated. I must say however, it is killing me. Every time I'm on BeDyG (Big Dumb Grin) the idea of letting her go is killing me. I'll definitely be watching your content more closely as you dial in your T7. It is certainly on my short list...especially as I push 60. Thanks for posting!
As a side note and maybe a tip for light enduro riders moving to big bikes on single track: While in my 990 years ago, I got into a narrow gully similar to the one you show at the end of the vid at the bottom of a 500 meter hill when the width got too narrow to pass. My buddy and I then spent 2 hours pulling it back up hill. I usually would walk unfamiliar narrow downhill routes to be sure there were no stoppers . I always carry a stick as wide as my bike to test tight spots in the trail . I checked the route all the way to a clearing, and then rode down. Well, as I was riding through narrowest part (similar to 12:30 in your vid) the sand compressed, and my 2 inches of clearance left and right disappeared. With no physical means to turn the bike around, we had to pull it back up hill. It was a good lesson for someone who thought they had it all figured out. Getting a 500+_ lb bike out of a down hill stopper is not the same as your 200lb 2-stroke. Cheers!
Thanks buddy, there definitely some wise words in your comment. I do share the sentiment for 9x0 bikes they are awesome machines but the sands of time a talking their tool on them.
I was puffing like a good one when I eventually got out this one is definitely memorable one 😂
I am in process of upgrading couple of things on T7 so riding should get a little better again.
There's nothing on a 990 that can't be rebuilt if needed! Keep it alive if you like it.
@@colinbowman8816 agreed is true that you can rebuild everything well most things.
Great content. What suspension front and rear do you have?
@@SB-Kiwi Front is modified 48mm KYB forks with 265mm of travel you can use motocross or enduro for for that with custom bottoms on fork and new billet triple clamps. Rear is fully adjustable Tractive shock. That also provides increased ride hight of 25mm. It is pretty sweet highly recommended 👌🏻
Lol AJ, you nutter! 😂😂✊🏻✊🏻
mistakes where made 😅🤣
that lane looks brutal. noway i have the skill to even attempt it my my t7. But my tdubz hell yeah
It was brutal alright 😅
Fair play for getting up there.💪 Been looking forward to this video to hear your comparisons, I'm fairly new to 'big bikes' and love my 950 but reliability is always hanging over me. Currently the T7 is the only contender as a worthy replacement.
What are the sky blue hand guards are you using? A mate has a collection of old Yamaha ITs and a matching T7 rally, he wants some.🤣
We run a campsite up near Machynlleth, if you're up this way and want to camp hit me up.👍
They are Barkbusters but previous owner painted the to match the bike 😉
Send me a message on Instagram @ajkukwa am sure I will be going back up your neck of the woods there is plenty of great riding out there 👍🏻
@@HeavyEnduroAdventures message sent.👍
Well done AJ, 790 tank probably still be wedged in the rut😂 Is this near you?
Not far from me thats around Usk, it was very tight even lads on 2T was scrapping the bank with the pipes
Nice! Where are those lanes?
@@miro_s Hi buddy they are around Usk in South Wales
Shoulda had my CRF250 😏.
Its going to be a number of years before I get to lighter bikes been there already and am not convinced