How to use traction control

racer

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I'm putting on some Heidenau K60's and heading for Daytona. Planning on riding the Trans Florida Rally from coast to coast and back on back roads, dirt and sand roads with some soft sand trails. When in sand should I use TC1, TC2 or TC off? Haven't had the Tenere off road, so don't know how the TC will act. What say you?
 

Koinz

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Turn it off and rip through it. ;D
 

Dirt_Dad

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I'll take a shot...

TCS1 is for rain or any other slippery pavement conditions.
TCS2 will serve most average non-aggressive off pavement riding.
TCS Off- for aggressive off pavement including all water crossings.

As far as sand riding...? You're on your own. Good luck.
 

markjenn

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My $0.02 is that unless the conditions are seriously challenging you can use any setting you like, but my general rule of thumb is TC1 for pavement, TC2 for benign dirt roads, and TC off if the terrain gets seriously challenging (e.g., steep uphill, very rocky, mud, sand, etc.).

- Mark
 

rem

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What he said >>>>>>> ::008:: R
 

Scoop47501

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I agree with Dirt Dad on this one.
Last year I was in West Virginia on a steep gravel road with switch backs. I forgot to turn the traction control off and the bike all but stopped as the traction control kicked in.
Turned it off and all was well again.
Have fun on the trip Racer !!
Scooper
IBA # 55459
 

Ramseybella

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racer said:
I'm putting on some Heidenau K60's and heading for Daytona. Planning on riding the Trans Florida Rally from coast to coast and back on back roads, dirt and sand roads with some soft sand trails. When in sand should I use TC1, TC2 or TC off? Haven't had the Tenere off road, so don't know how the TC will act. What say you?
Sounds like you need to do some riding in sand and other good butt puckering surfaces before you venture off on this epic rally and see how monstrous this beast can be!!
I run no TC in sand, deep gravel and MUD if you get buried you can nudge yourself out of the pit you dug with when you had the TC on..

Don't ask me how I know was my first trial with TC1 on!! :'(

I grew up in Florida it is one big sugar sand box it was a busy time on 250's and 500 cc bikes let alone something close to 600+lbs.
If you haven't get in some practice..
 

snakebitten

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What's all the oh-boy and here-we-go's? :) lol

Unlike oil and tire threads, where it doesn't really matter because they all will suffice, traction control will let you know when you got it wrong. Or put it another way, since the bike defaults to tc1, you could leave it there for the entire life of the bike. But if you go off road often enough, you'll know when its the wrong setting. Especially in Florida! :)
 

creggur

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Sugar sand ain't no joke on a light, pure dirt bike. Doing it on a 600 pound Adv bike is an adventure all-its-own - just don't get too cocky in this stuff. And for sure - if it's been rainy - do not underestimate how quick it turns to ice-slick muck...

Just sayin'...
 

jwhuls

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TC off is the best in sand. If it is deep.

You might need the high RPM to get through and stopping to change settings is going to be a bust.

And practice does make perfect. I always forget to change at take off. Consequently, I have gotten quite adept at sliding the rear through a gravel corner in TC1. All you need to do is control with a low RPM.

good luck and give her hell!
 

racer

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Scoop47501 said:
I agree with Dirt Dad on this one.
Last year I was in West Virginia on a steep gravel road with switch backs. I forgot to turn the traction control off and the bike all but stopped as the traction control kicked in.
Turned it off and all was well again.
Have fun on the trip Racer !!
Scooper
IBA # 55459
Hey, good to hear from you Scooper. We were riding some gravel in Southeast Indiana last fall and came upon a steep bumpy hill. Almost didn't get up it with TC1.
 

Philistine

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with the short amount of time I have spent in sand with the big girl, I learnt very quickly "TURN TC OFF!" and give it to her, it helps stop that heavy front wheel ploughing into the sand and making you look very uncool
 

racer

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Not to worry guys, I have lots of sand experience, albeit on smaller dirt bikes. The big Tenere feels really solid underneath me, so I think I'll be fine. Wasn't going to do Daytona this year, however the Trans Florida Rally sounds like a hoot. ::012:: ::012::
 

Icecold Dan

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We ride a lot of deep, soft sand here in Southeast NC. You definitely want it off. As much as I ride in it, I'm still terrible when it gets really deep. Maybe BaldKnob will chime in, he makes riding deep sand look easy.
 

Chequeneglia

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Dirt_Dad said:
I'll take a shot...

TCS1 is for rain or any other slippery pavement conditions.
TCS2 will serve most average non-aggressive off pavement riding.
TCS Off- for aggressive off pavement including all water crossings.

As far as sand riding...? You're on your own. Good luck.
::026::

I always use TC Off (only when rains i use TC on) O:)
 

Scoop47501

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Florida sounds nice !
I am starting to think Glacier National Park for this summer.
I talked with Obermeyer the other day and he said you thought you passed me with 3 others near Monroe City last fall.
It was us and I thought that the black Tenere was most likely you as well.
You still riding the Alps each year ??
Scooper
IBA # 55459
 
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