Riding areas in California Desert

[Albertan]

My mother in law winters in Southern California by Palm Springs, and when I was down there I got pretty excited about getting down there with my KX500 and heading into the desert.  From my web surfing, it looked like Lucerne Valley and Ocotillo Wells weren't too far away and were open to 2 strokes (at least for part of the year).  Any comments or recommendations?  Right now I have the stock tank and no steering damper, and it doesn't seem like I can buy the Zip-Ty tank to go with my pipe.  How much do you need the big tank?  And the bike is super stable as is, but is a steering damper that much of a help in the wide open stuff?

[Platypus]

You need the big tank as much as you need it.  If you want to go on longer rides get the big tank.  There are desert races nearly every weekend during the winter so check out http://www.district37ama.org. They usally take place at Johnson Valley which is Lucerne or Red Mountian which is about an hour and 45 minutes north of Lucerne.  Ocotillo Wells has some great riding as well but they don't run very many races down there.  If you want to attend a race to just spectate and ride or to actually race let me know if you need any info via PM.

Edit:

Steering dampers are not necessary but will save you tons of energy and gives you a much more stable ride, especially in sand.  They are a must have for any desert junky who isn't out trail riding.  If you do get one I recommend a weld on post insted of the bolt on. 

[Albertan]

Thanks for the info.  I think I'd like to get out riding in the desert for a bit before I ever entered a race, but I'd love to spectate at one.  I imagine the speed of top guys like Abbott or Pearson is mind blowing.

[Platypus]

Yeah those guys are ridiculous but you only see them at national races when it comes to District 37 racing.  Check the calendar on the D37 website and see if you can't make it to one of those nationals.

[Albertan]

Thanks.  I'm gathering you ride in these areas; are there any certifications or permits needed to ride a two stroke in the area?  I do have a spark arresting muffler, but nothing else done.

[Friar-Tuck]

 I live in Northern Cali and to the best of my knowledge a trip to the DMV for an OHV sticker, and the sparky should keep
the Dept. of Forestry happy. The DMV has a booklet on OHV's and may even be avail on their website
  www.dmv.ca.gov
 Tuck\o/

[Platypus]

I know there is some kind of out of state permit you can get but I looked through the DMV site and could not find anything on it.  I know they exist but have no idea how you go about getting one. If they really want people to purchase these things they should work on making them more readily available.

[adrenalinejunky81]

Glamis, Gordons Well, and theres a couple others which are part of the Imperial Sand Dunes. You can buy an out of state green sticker that lets you run all of them, its like $20 if I remember right. Me and my friends are out there a lot and weve never gotten bugged to get one. If you have a flag, helmet, a copy of your title or reg to prove you didnt steal your ride, and arent too intoxicated they leave ya alone. Glamis has cop issues, Comp (Olds) hill gets closed at night, and Ive heard stories of them kicking people out with pepper spray bombs (no s**t, they hit my friend on his golfcart with one) and other BS. My favorite actual riding place is Gordons Well which is more south towards Yuma AZ.

[Danger4u2]

Do they do a sound check?  I drove 1500 miles to North Minnesota to ride the Iron Range and I didn't pass sound check.  The lady Ranger let me ride because it was a week day and they only had 8 other riders in the park.  Does the green sticker mean you are compliant with EPA or does it just mean they have sucked 20 buck from your wallet?  If you have an off road vehicle sticker from your state it's free to ride the Iron Range.  It was 38 bucks to buy a Minn. off road veh. sticker if your state does not issue them.  Here's a picture of the sticker Oklahoma issues for off road use.     http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/ohv/iron_range/index.html

[adrenalinejunky81]

http://www.desertusa.com/sandhills/sandhinfo.html

All California laws applicable to use, standards, registration, operation, and inspection of OHVs apply in the recreation area. Vehicle operated on federal and state highways, county roads and BLM's Gecko Road and Grays Well Road must be licensed for highway use

Off-highway vehicles owned by California residents must be registered with the California Department of Motor Vehicles and display a valid "Green Sticker'' registration certificate. Mufflers and Forest Service approved spark arrestors are required on all OHVs. All riders of all-terrain vehicles (ATV) must wear an approved safety helmet.

In order to improve visibility in the dunes, all OHVs must be equipped with a whip mast (which extends at least 8 feet above the ground) and a red or orange flag having a minimum size of 6 inches by 12 inches. The speed limit for OHVs is 15 mph within 50 feet of any camp or group of people and within 500 feet of Highway 78, Gecko Road, Grays Well Road, and the roads within Gecko and Roadrunner Campgrounds. The basic speed law applies everywhere-Don't drive faster than is safe for conditions.

Sounds like You have to comply with CA laws...but like said they havent got me yet (knock on wood). Theres so many people out there non compliant if your not being a jackass they wont have a reason to bust you.