DDMC Drill and Grill: Log Hopping, November 7th, 2026

[Kurt138]

Hey guys,

This summer I have ridden a lot in the Tahoe National Forest, and while exploring trails I’ve had to cross (or go around) plenty of logs. I’ve found that’s something I need to get better at.

Does anyone else want to work on their log hopping skills?

I was looking around for someplace nearby to practice and spied several logs in small, medium and large sizes laid out around an area near the intersection of Henness Pass Road and Sunrise Creek Road. That’s just a few miles from Boomtown.

How about working on our log-hopping skills up there, then follow up with a short trail ride up Sunrise Creek Road – with some small diversions to attempt some log hops off to the side of the trail? After the riding we could meet up for the grill part of the day at Chop 40 in Verdi.

A second goal for this ride is to find a better way to get up to Dog Valley without riding up Henness Pass, which is normally dusty, even most days in winter. Stay tuned for info on that.

I am not an authority on enduro skills, but if you snoop around on YouTube you can find someone who is – maybe the IRC Tire Guy?

Kirk and I did get over some larger logs on an RR200 pre-run recently using the “skidplate slide” method but that will get you hungup sometimes. I instead have been trying to do a “wheel tap” method. You only need to have a small wheelie in your toolkit to do this. Here’s a practice attempt over a very small log:

If you’re interested meet up at Boomtown at 9 AM on Saturday, November 7th. Plan on a late lunch at Chop 40 at 1 or 2 after riding.

Rides: KLX450R, KX500 (Project)

[Greg R]

Indeed…Rich Larsen, the IRC Tire Guy. I watch his You Tube channel regularly. He’s the king of the single-blip and double-blip techniques of conquering trail obstacle, and he is a master of balance. He also does some pretty gnarly hard enduro riding.

Lately he’s been riding a new Kawasaki KX250X that he seems to really like, but he also rides a Stark and a 2-stroke.

He does a great job of explaining and demonstrating techniques, IMO. Most of his technique videos are slanted toward hard enduro, but a lot of it carries over to trail riding.

I was recently practicing the single blip technique on my KLX300R, but it seemed like the ECU was having a mental meltdown over my simultaneous and rapid inputs of front brake, throttle, and clutch and was causing the EFI to go spastic. Haven’t tried it yet on my DR650, but there shouldn’t be any issues since its fueling is old school.

Dirt: 2022 Kawasaki KLX300R
Dual: 2025 Suzuki DR650

• This reply was modified 2 months ago by Greg R. Reason: Details...details

[Kurt138]

Yeah, that is the guy I was thinking of: Rich Larsen.

I have seen a few of his technique videos and he comes across as extremely knowledgeable and also a nice guy.

Your issue with the KLX300R points out something basic I’ve been finding: doing anything useful out on a trail requires using multiple controls at the same time. Just whacking the throttle ain’t gonna get it done, ha.

I also agree that although Rich Larsen’s target audience might be the enduro and hard enduro crowd, the techniques should translate to a dual sport or even big adventure bike. It’s just a little harder to do those things on a bigger bike.

Rides: KLX450R, KX500 (Project)

[Eric Larsen]

In (weather, and I can’t stress this enough, permitting)

Eric
DR-Z4s, KLX 300, Monkey 125
InReach Add. larseneric27@inreach.garmin.com

[Greg R]

In.

My dirt bike would be my preferred tool for log hopping practice due to its trail gearing, lower weight, and being bomb proof.

Though, I’ll ride my DR since a dual sport is needed to reach the trails and lunch destination.

Dirt: 2022 Kawasaki KLX300R
Dual: 2025 Suzuki DR650

[Kurt138]

Greg R wrote:

In.

My dirt bike would be my preferred tool for log hopping practice due to its trail gearing, lower weight, and being bomb proof.

Though, I’ll ride my DR since a dual sport is needed to reach the trails and lunch destination.

The “Trail Access” Exception: State law allows local city and county governments to designate small portions of paved roads (up to 2 miles) for OHV use strictly to access trails or public lands.

I think your KLX300R will be fine.

Rides: KLX450R, KX500 (Project)

[Greg R]

F**k yeah, baby!

Dirt: 2022 Kawasaki KLX300R
Dual: 2025 Suzuki DR650

[Jason Neal]

Kurt, I”m in if the dates work. I ‘hopped’ a fairly large downed tree. Apparently just sending it is not a technique.

[Greg R]

The IRC Tire Guy posted a 17 minute video yesterday about his log techniques including direct (just send it) and indirect (clutch) power techniques. His indirect power technique is about delivering controlled traction to navigate obstacles.

Here you go: You Tube / IRC Tire USA Moto / Misunderstood Pieces of your Power Delivery

Dirt: 2022 Kawasaki KLX300R
Dual: 2025 Suzuki DR650

• This reply was modified 1 month, 4 weeks ago by Greg R. Reason: Details...details

[Kurt138]

Jason Neal wrote:

Kurt, I”m in if the dates work. I ‘hopped’ a fairly large downed tree. Apparently just sending it is not a technique.

That sounds like Rich Larsen’s direct approach – so “just sending it” is absolutely a valid technique, ha.

Rides: KLX450R, KX500 (Project)

[Eric Larsen]

Pre-drill homework.

Eric
DR-Z4s, KLX 300, Monkey 125
InReach Add. larseneric27@inreach.garmin.com

[Kurt138]

That photo you attached is of a ginormous log Eric – is that on one of our trails?

I think if you can hop that one you are approaching the Graham Jarvis level.

Rides: KLX450R, KX500 (Project)

[Eric Larsen]

That log is on the Ellis Peak trail. (Which I just found out, there is a back way up it.)

Eric
DR-Z4s, KLX 300, Monkey 125
InReach Add. larseneric27@inreach.garmin.com

[Kurt138]

Here’s a cool video from Rich Larsen – he’s testing out some enduro skills including log hopping on a stock KLE500:

Rides: KLX450R, KX500 (Project)

[Eric Larsen]

That double log jump was pretty cool.

Eric
DR-Z4s, KLX 300, Monkey 125
InReach Add. larseneric27@inreach.garmin.com

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