After Action Report: What Worked & What Broke on the Oregon & NorCal BDR

Written by RIDE Adventures | September 9, 2025

At RIDE Adventures, our instructors aren't just teachers; they are dedicated students of the craft.

They are constantly in the field, testing gear, refining systems, and pushing their limits to bring the most current and hard-won knowledge back to our clients.

One of our top instructors is Jeff Jones (JJ). A former U.S. Marine, retired Deputy U.S. Marshal, and a volunteer for Search and Rescue, Jeff's life has been defined by discipline and skill.

"Mack on left and Jeff Jones on right"

He grew up riding horses to school in South Dakota and discovered early that motorcycles offer the same sense of freedom, mental clarity, and pursuit of learning.

This summer, Jeff tackled two challenging Backcountry Discovery Routes (BDRs) back-to-back: the Oregon BDR and the Northern California BDR. He used these trips as a rolling laboratory to test and analyze his gear setup.

"Fully loaded and ready to RIDE"

What follows is his unfiltered After Action Report—a deep dive into what worked, what failed, and the lessons learned for the future.

The Mission: OR & CA BDRs

Rider: Jeff Jones
Bike: KTM 890 Adventure
Load-Out: Full camping, cooking, and tool setup, weighing approximately 32 lbs plus water and food.

The Great Luggage Debate

The eternal question for any multi-day trip is how to best carry your gear. For these trips, I experimented with two different Tusk luggage configurations while holding the exact same equipment.

"NorCal BDR set up on left and Oregon BDR set up on right."

Oregon BDR: I used the Tusk 15L/15L panniers with a large top duffel. This system worked very well. Keeping my sleep system (tent, sleeping bag, etc.) in the top duffel made camp setup and breakdown significantly faster and more convenient. It also likely helped keep that critical gear cleaner.
NorCal BDR: I switched to the larger Tusk 25L/25L panniers without a top duffel. While this also worked, I disliked the lower, wider profile of the bags. My heel occasionally bumped the bags when dabbing a foot, which was a minor but noticeable annoyance.

The Verdict & A Critical Failure:

I’ll be leaning towards the smaller 15L/15L panniers with a top duffel on future trips. The convenience and packing speed are worth it.

However, the larger 25L bags revealed a critical weak point on the bike: the added weight and lower position placed too much stress on the exhaust hangar, which broke during the trip.

"Quick fix that did the job"

I had it welded in a small town, and it held for two more sections before breaking again. This is a powerful reminder that how you carry your weight is just as important as how much you carry.

Tires on Trial

You can have the best bike in the world, but it’s nothing without the right tires. I ran two different combos at 25 PSI each.

Oregon BDR Setup: A new Tusk 2-Track on the rear and a worn 90/90 Mitas Enduro Trail Rally Pro on the front. This was an excellent combination with zero issues.
Real-World Durability: In the second-to-last section, I tore a mid-depth, 2-inch cut in the sidewall of the front Mitas. Incredibly, it held air for the rest of the BDR and an additional 175 miles of pavement back to the trailer. A true testament to its toughness.

"The Mitas Enduro Rally Trail delivers"

NorCal BDR Setup: A worn Tusk 2-Track on the rear and a new, larger 90/100 MOTOZ Euro Enduro 6 "fatty" front. This was my first time on a fatty front, and it was an excellent combo over 1,300 miles. It handled rugged, rough terrain and long pavement stretches without issue and gave a noticeable confidence boost in deep sand and gravel turns. No complaints.

"Taking a moment to admire the Mars-like landscapes on the NorCal BDR"

Issues to Address: Constant Refinement

Every trip is a chance to identify weak points in your system. Here’s what’s on my list to fix or change.

Exhaust Hangar: As mentioned, this is my top priority. I need to find a solution to relieve the stress on this hangar to prevent future failures.
Heat Management: This was the first trip where heat became a major issue. My KLIM jacket provides world-class impact and abrasion protection, but the airflow was inadequate during the hotter parts of the day. I’ll be researching alternative systems, likely involving separate body armor worn under a jersey, with a packable wind/rain jacket for layering.

"Nothing like a hot coffee on a cold morning."

Cook Setup: I’m currently using a 1100ml pot and a 220-gram fuel bottle. To reduce bulk and weight, I’ll be experimenting with a smaller 750ml pot and a 100-gram fuel canister.
Grips: My current grips are old and worn. Late in the day, my hands get numb and stiff. I may explore thicker, softer grips to combat fatigue.

Build the Skills to Match Your Gear

A broken exhaust hangar, a torn sidewall, unexpected snowfall... these are the moments that define a real adventure. The difference between a trip-ending disaster and a great story often comes down to skill, confidence, the right gear, and the ability to solve problems on the fly.

"Rain or shine, the adventure must go on. Luckily, we were prepared."

Mastering your gear is one half of the equation; mastering your machine is the other. In our ADV Training Courses, you'll learn the fundamental techniques for traction control, body position, and bike handling directly from experts like Jeff.

Build the confidence to handle whatever the trail throws at you, from deep sand to technical terrain, so you can truly trust your gear and yourself.

>> Click Here to View Our Coach & Camp Program <<

Systems That Worked: The Keepers

It’s just as important to recognize what’s working perfectly. These parts of my kit need no changes.

"Today's dispersed campsite along the Oregon BDR"

The "No Chair" Philosophy: A simple 10" x 17" piece of closed-cell foam is all I need. It rolls up, weighs nothing, and works perfectly for sitting, leaning against the bike, or as a clean surface for changing.
Food Plan: Simple and effective. Oysters and coffee in the morning, snacks during the day, and a dinner of couscous and chicken packets. I may even experiment with "cold camping" on shorter trips (no stove, just pre-cooked foods) to save more weight.

"Keeping it simple with some protein and coffee in the morning"

Clothing System: "Wear one, pack one." I only carry one extra set of socks, underwear, and a shirt. Everything can be rinsed at night and hung to dry. A mid-layer, a puffy jacket, and Merino wool long underwear cover all temperature ranges.
KLIM Load-Bearing Vest: This has been a game-changer. It allows me to carry snacks, TP, and tent poles/stakes on my body. This means less digging through my luggage during a quick roadside stop.
The Riding Schedule: Start early (0700-0730) and ride late (1730-1800). This maximizes riding time and allows for finding great dispersed campsites. It really helps to have friends with similar goals.

"Taking a well-deserved break. What's the point if we don't stop and smell the pine every once in a while, right?"

Final Thoughts

The ultimate goal is continuous improvement.

As gear wears out, I’ll look to replace it with lighter, more efficient options to support the bike's performance and increase my own endurance. Every ride is a debrief for the next one.

Have a fun and safe RIDE,
Jeff Jones & Brian Mackenzie
RIDE Adventures
USA

What’s the most important gear lesson you’ve learned on a recent adventure? Share it in the comments below!

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