A couple of weeks ago my friend and I took a motorcycle trip to South Dakota. We went to watch the supermoto races in downtown Sturgis. We were there almost a week and the races were only on Friday and Saturday so there was plenty of time for riding in the Black Hills. We made several trips up and down Vanocker Canyon, Spearfish Canyon, Nemo Road, Mt. Rushmore... Even a trip through the badlands on the way home... The weather was almost perfect. A half day of rain on the way out and another off/on rain day on the way home. 2500 miles of fun! Now there's 59,300 miles on the Kawasaki.
Monday’s track day was a bust. 1st session out... at the end of the timed session, they wave red flags, which indicates 1 no passing, 2 slow down and look for danger, 3 wave left hand to let rider behind you know, 4 proceed to pits. Flag cam out as i was in the last corner before pit lane. I slowed, riding with my left waving... suddenly I got slammed from behind. Guy never saw the red flag (or my waving hand apparently). I’ll spare y’all what happened to my knee underneath that failed leather pant. Snot fun.... Guy is stepping up and said he’d make it right. We’ll see.
The dealer picked up my bike today for winter storage. She will be well cared for in a warm room with other like-minded machines, she'll; have more room as the sn*w blower has been crowding her space at home, her battery will be fed, and she will be pampered with a nice maintenance and detail. With all the rain, fog, flooding and snow, I haven't gotten to ride in a month, so I've already gotten over the DT's. Now about February, I'll start feeling them all over again . . .
I haven’t been on bikes in a couple years due to health problems. I wanted to get back in the saddle with something I could ride on back country roads, fire roads, trails etc., without worrying if I dropped it, so I went old school with a 95 Suzuki DR350. I’m going to put an aftermarket saddle foam and cover on the seat this winter, and probably an Acerbic 4.2g tank. Anyone aware of a small windshield that can be used on a DR350?
Betcha find out you like that one! One of my main riding buddies sold his DR650 and went to the 350. Soooo much easier to man handle in rougher stuff. Great on gravel/dirt roads as well. Never looked back. Enjoy!
Awesome, thanks. My last bike was a KLR650. I’m already liking riding this one better because of its smaller size and lighter weight.
To funny. I also owned/rode/toured on a KLR 650. TANK. She gone My go to ride lately has been a Kawasaki Super Sherpa 250. Sweet machine. It easily runs with the 350. I've got around 26000 on it now! Been on trips long enough that other guys wont even take a big bike! I also broke down and picked up a BMW F650GS for a long trip this summer. They have a real low center of gravity and seat height. Good fit compared to the tall, top heavy KLR. Guessing you are on ADVrider.com?
Nice. That’s another bike I certainly considered. And I’ve lusted after similar BMWs but never pulled the trigger yet. Honestly what I’m most desiring right now is a Honda NC700 DCT ABS. Lots of riders laugh at the DCT but I have residual lower left leg weakness following strokes and wouldn’t have a problem letting the bike do all the shifting. I’ve certainly done a lot of reading/ lurking at ADVrider but never actively posted there.
That Honda is on my list also. When they first came out I sat on one and knew. That would work! I think the DCT would be great. Especially in your shoes. Beware the ADV site. Its the black hole of Calcutta. Once in, you cant get out! Hours, days, months of researching and planning on ADV. It has inspired me to spend waaay to much time/money away on 2 wheels Much like this place And its Fri night. Great place to be!