Mark R.
Member
I went on an organized ride last fall in southern New Mexico, where about 90 riders showed up for a long weekend of riding some really spectacular areas. I rode down on my Tenere, with my Wolfman saddlebags packed up, and due to the fact I wanted to take my usual complement of flat repair and other off-road accessories and supplies, rode the entire weekend with the saddlebags half full of stuff.
Everyone else, on the other hand, trailered down their dual sports and plated dirt bikes, and rode the area on light and agile bikes. Besides KTM's of all varieties, the bike that really caught my eye was the Suzuki DRZ 400, beefed up with a few choice components, and a 4 gallon Clarke gas tank. Well, I could not get the image of those DRZ's out of my head, and yesterday, found one on Cycle Trader in Minneapolis for $2950, with 3700 miles on the clock.
It already has a skid plate, bark busters, kickstarter, rear rack, and upgraded pegs. I will have it shipped down to me in a couple of weeks, and I am really looking forward to a winter project of stripping it down and going through the whole bike. I plan on checking the valves, checking all the electrical connections, lubing the swingarm and steering head, and performing all the reliability upgrades that are posted on Thumpertalk.
The best part of getting this bike, however, is that my son will now be able to go riding with me in the local forests and mountains, which I have been riding alone for the better part of the past 6 years. I am really excited about getting this machine, as I have heard nothing but good things about it. I think it will complement the Super Tenere in terms of giving me a lighter dual sport option for more difficult terrain, as well as enjoying time with my son in the outdoors.
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Everyone else, on the other hand, trailered down their dual sports and plated dirt bikes, and rode the area on light and agile bikes. Besides KTM's of all varieties, the bike that really caught my eye was the Suzuki DRZ 400, beefed up with a few choice components, and a 4 gallon Clarke gas tank. Well, I could not get the image of those DRZ's out of my head, and yesterday, found one on Cycle Trader in Minneapolis for $2950, with 3700 miles on the clock.
It already has a skid plate, bark busters, kickstarter, rear rack, and upgraded pegs. I will have it shipped down to me in a couple of weeks, and I am really looking forward to a winter project of stripping it down and going through the whole bike. I plan on checking the valves, checking all the electrical connections, lubing the swingarm and steering head, and performing all the reliability upgrades that are posted on Thumpertalk.
The best part of getting this bike, however, is that my son will now be able to go riding with me in the local forests and mountains, which I have been riding alone for the better part of the past 6 years. I am really excited about getting this machine, as I have heard nothing but good things about it. I think it will complement the Super Tenere in terms of giving me a lighter dual sport option for more difficult terrain, as well as enjoying time with my son in the outdoors.
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