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bike buried in soft sand - what to do? bike buried in soft sand - what to do?
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North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Trans Sahara Routes.

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  #1  
Old 16 Jun 2007
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bike buried in soft sand - what to do?
I saw a picture of a 4x4 with the front tires completely buried in soft sand. What if this happens to a motorbike? What is the best technique to dig out of soft sand (or do you?) and get moving again? I also saw a picture, I think in Sahara Overland, where this happened to a bike. What does one do when their bike is half buried in soft sand, wheels or the bike on its side?
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  #2  
Old 17 Jun 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by monkii View Post
I saw a picture of a 4x4 with the front tires completely buried in soft sand. What if this happens to a motorbike? What is the best technique to dig out of soft sand (or do you?) and get moving again? I also saw a picture, I think in Sahara Overland, where this happened to a bike. What does one do when their bike is half buried in soft sand, wheels or the bike on its side?
You mean like this? You unload, sweat like you're never before, start the bike and push alongside it with all your strength, curse Allah ... and out of the sand she came.....



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Old 17 Jun 2007
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dig the sand away from the sides of the wheel then lay the bike over on one side & let the sand fall under the wheel then lay it over on the other side & do the same keep doing until the bike is out this worked for me (thanks Loz for showing me this) there is also a thred on adventure riders site with a video showing a guy on a ktm dug in he rocks the bike backwards & forwards & give the bike a bite with the clutch just at the forward point of each rock this takes a small bite out of the sand each time until he is out.
Kev
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Old 17 Jun 2007
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As Kev says, lie in on its side and kick the sand back in the hole. I was caught in axle deep gooey mud where I used a similar technique but putting rocks in the hole, then walked it out under power.

Tim
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Old 18 Jun 2007
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I've had to do this with the heavy 1150 a few times.
What you're doing is building a road, whether it be 6" or 6' in length.
Deep, loose sand can be exhausting, obviously.
You're better off to take more time than you'd really like to, making certain that she will pop out and be on firmer ground, than hoping for a 'quicky' fix.
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Old 20 Jun 2007
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these shots are of my bike in Sahara Overland deep in sand

the dakar riders have a technique

pull the front and gas the bike and twist sideways, then jump on.
but they are heroes...

Karim
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Old 21 Jun 2007
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Originally Posted by coolkarim View Post
these shots are of my bike in Sahara Overland deep in sand

the dakar riders have a technique

pull the front and gas the bike and twist sideways, then jump on.
but they are heroes...

Karim
How did YOU get this bike out of the sand?
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Old 21 Jun 2007
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just logically


I dug out around the front wheel as much as possible
took about 5 mins

then pushed the bike over completely onto its side so front wheel is lifted out of hole

then dragged the front wheel (and bike) sideways a little to be away from hole. (bike still lying on its side)

then lift the bike back up right (hard bit!)


I have done this many times in my 4 sahara rallies, ie push bike over, drag by the front wheel (nice grip) into a better position, free from the 'problem'


the only pain is lifting the bike back up, and it being flooded

if the bike is loaded with travel gear, you could remove some first


the problem is the heat, and lifting the bike back up with a full tank. Its draining for anyone alone.

when dragging, make sure the bike is put in a 'line' so that you can drive away freely. in deep dunes, I often drop the bike on its side on purpose, drag the front by the front wheel into a better position and lift bike up again. eg if you are in a sand bowl and cannot just drive out. or stuck on a dune face and cant turn around etc.

and my new bike is a heavy XR650R, big tank. but no luggage.

hope this helps
Karim
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Old 22 Jun 2007
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Karim, disaster in sahara, happy to read about you.
I spent time on your report few years ago, (trying to learn and improve my english level), I don't remember how I found it, a word document I believe. I've been very impressed with your adventure. It seems that you became desert addictive.

Eric
Two 400 XR in Morocco - ADVrider
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Old 25 Jun 2007
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Thanks Eric

yeah, my head is always in the sahara.

Maybe Algeria next year with Chris Scott
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Old 26 Jun 2007
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Originally Posted by coolkarim View Post
Thanks Eric

yeah, my head is always in the sahara.

Maybe Algeria next year with Chris Scott
South Algeria, also an area where I would like to ride.
Maybe one day

Eric
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