| Author | Message | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 1342 Registered: 10-2003 |
Hiya, Dave! This is a motorcycle thread, but I got ya to look, didn't I! ;) I ride a KLR650, and like to take a long 2 or 3 week trip from Indiana to ??? on it each summer. Lately I can't seem to stop thinking I'd like a smaller bike, like maybe a Suzuki DRZ400S or perhaps even a Kawasaki KLX250. I'd still take my long trips on it, but I really like the thought of being able to pick it up if (when) I drop it on some beach or trail in the wilderness of Newfoundland or Labrador... Thoughts? John | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 6281 Registered: 5-2002 |
Yea, made me look. My dad rode goldwings. All 50 states. Didn't ride his bike to Hawaii; flew there and rented one. Made the trip to Alaska twice. Tricked out. Won an award for best lights at a rally. Mom usually rode on the back. They loved going to rallys. Dad usually sang in the talent shows. Sometimes on really long trips with a group Mom would drive the van. They loved the Alaska trips. Enjoy! | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 1775 Registered: 2-2006 |
WOW, 2 Times. First, Dave posting in a MC thread. LOL and 2nd, JOHN! you do 2-3 weeks on a KLR 650? You're in better shape than I am. My back would be killing if I did that. Now 3 weeks on my Road King is a breeze, but if I happen to drop it, dude it's a bear to pick up. Dave your dad's Goldwings are superb touring bikes. A man after my own heart , ride in comfort. Keep the shiney side up, Olie PS. John if your travels bring to Texas give me a shout. | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 1348 Registered: 10-2003 |
Dave, eventually we'll get you trained to not look in the divisive political threads either.. :P Sounds like your folks know/knew how to enjoy life. It's a skill most never master until far too late (if ever). Last summer I did 5k miles in 3 weeks on the stock seat (including more than a week of non-travel days), and never was uncomfortable! Of course, I have the Bead Rider and covered that with a cheap Ikea sheepskin. Not wearing cotton undies is the key to comfort in the saddle! I'd like to visit the Davis Mountains again and Big Bend one of these days. Beautiful country and great food. I'll give you a shout, Olie, if/when that happens! Have any experience touring on a smaller bike? I'm really curious to know what the *problems* are with doing that. The other site I frequent, advrider.com, has a section devoted to ride reports. It's full of exotic destinations and bigger dual-sport bikes, but every so often somebody posts up a report for a ride they did on a little 250 that just blows everything else away for sheer fun-factor. There's an element of "stop and smell the roses" that is often missing when speeds are higher and travel days more distance-oriented. I'm trying to figure out if there's a way I can reconcile the two, or if it's wise to even try. Perhaps another factor in this is that my original 2004 KLR650 was totalled before Thanksgiving last fall (backed-over in a parking lot at work). The insurance money went to buy a V-Strom 650 for my wife and I *inherited* her new-to-us-by-three-weeks 2006 KLR650. The V-Strom is awesome on the highway and not an off-road-capable bike as far as I'm concerned, and after having my KLR taken from me, as it were, I find myself angry about it whenever I ride the new KLR. Yes, apparently I have some issues I need to work through!  John | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2961 Registered: 7-2004 |
John: Going commando on a motorcycle? Too much information. (Maybe I'll have to try that in the Miata I just picked up!) lol Bill, tgo | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 1349 Registered: 10-2003 |
LOL! Bill, just because someone might go without one thing doesn't necessarily imply that the person isn't substituting another thing of equal or greater value.. Wicking fabrics are the outdoorsman's friend. John | ||
| georgie_boy
Senior Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 429 Registered: 8-2005 |
Don't know any of all that, but, A Laverda Jota would be something G | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 1350 Registered: 10-2003 |
Gotta love those Italian bikes! Realistically, if I were to get one, I'd go with a Ducati Monster, then dual-sport the thing like this: http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2007/03/12/ducati-terra-mostro-dual-sport/  John |
