Black Bear Pass - Fully Loaded ADV Motorcycles

Our trip down black bear pass while on the COBDR route. The bikes were a BMW F800GS, KTM 1090 Adventure R, KTM 990 and a KTM 350.

After a close call with the 990 almost going over the edge we decided to walk the bikes down "the ledge". Even after the ledge the switchbacks on the other side were pretty tight. The view into Telluride though was amazing and the waterfall on the way down is definitely cool.

We were on fully loaded adv motorcycles during this trip and just decided to make this part of our cobdr route.

[robtob]

When I saw how slow he was going and knew he was going to fall. Momentum is your friend when you're off road

[mikemerrill]

The true stud was the dozer operator who cut this road in originally.

[mikec]

You’re always going to have critics and naysayers and people that are going to tell you that you won’t, that you can’t, that you shouldn’t.

Most of those people are the people that didn’t, that wouldn’t, that couldn’t. Don’t be defined by outside sources. You go after your dreams

[billparke]

Exciting trail. Probably, of the group, the KTM 350 was happiest on it. With soft luggage even better.

[knuckles-]

They don’t callem the Rocky Mountains because of the trees!

[AceMBP]

That last part before Bridal veil falls is terrifying. I used to live in Telluride and vehicles would go off all the time. Imogene pass is pretty hairball as well. Great job!

[briangc]

@1:12 the reason for the crash is you let the engine speed go too low. The key to riding this terrain is keep your RPMs up (2500 to 4000) and slip the clutch. Also, the bike will naturally stand up if you keep moving, momentum is your friend. You can not trials ride that terrain unless you have great balance skills. You MUST keep moving above a crawl. Look farther ahead, stop looking at your front tire. Always keep your focus 15 to 30 feet ahead to plan where to put your front tire.

[ThisTall]

Would be great if these bikes came with a 1mph reverse crawl feature

[joethompson]

Oh boy! Going down that quick into the pass doesn’t bode well!

[lisaloetzner]

Exactly how I thought it would be. Glad we skipped it. Definitely helped to have 4 people there, too. Great video. Can't wait to see more.

[gordonsmithsa]

What a beautiful road to ride.... thanks for the vid..

[ridewithgnr]

Kudos for even trying that ride. Hope to be there soon and watching others successes and fails to be realistic.

[cschueren]

Whoa. Very tough. That trail is a beast in a Jeep.

[ridewithgnr]

Well, sir, I made it to Black Bear pass after watching your video. Uhm, I know what happened. Their called rocks on a steep mountain pass. I dropped my V-Strom about 10 times that day. The whole trail was steeper than I expected. And then you get to the steps and realize helmet cams do NOT show how steep the perspective really is. I walked my Wee-Strom down that part. Not enough low gearing for control or balls of steel to do it myself!

[cspoon]

I did Black bear in 2017 on my 350 KTM. I was adrenal pumping but I dont remember the steps being that bad. There was one cut back after the steps that scared me. I think its in your video. But if you look you can find some single track trails on the sides of those mountains that are really sketchy.

[rsmaster]

Fully loaded wasnt that bad .. the package on the side prevents the bike from getting too much damaged 😀

[skeener]

Nice work. Better views than when we did it in the rain. :-)

[tri-statedualsport]

I wonder how may riders get bobbled up and go over the edge?

[kenbrumm]

maybe you could use more crap strapped to your bike...did you bring the kitchen sink?

[ladyknieval]

Looks like a few vehicles there who have no business being there! They watched too many car commercials! lol!