Ya, I wish I had the height for a 650, thanks for the offer! I'm just not as comfortable on the 650's as I am with the 200. Riding up some of the gnarly stuff is prefer on the smaller bike as well as the single track stuff. If anything, it'd have to be a super awesome deal on a 250 wr or sherpa, or maybe a xt, or even the klx's. So much was invested in the DR with farkles, that it seems easier to buy another one and transfer that stuff.
Awe Sorry the DRZ got sold Cuttle, but you still have the Funduro! And what about the Sidecar? Was that a serious consideration?
I've looked, been searching Craigslist, but the really cheap bikes in the 200 / 250 size range, if they are under $2k, it's b/c there's something wrong with the engine. Do you know of a search for Craigslist that compiles all the cities? I've been searching individual cities & while I don't mind it, it sure is a hassle. Also ~ I've been finding more KLR 250's & only a couple of Sherpa's (keeping my options open) I find that very interesting
Catching up; The GS took a trip to the Beach with some Hooligans from Dahlonega, GA back in June. A few photos; Hit a bit of dirt on the way down: Found some beautfiul oak leaf Hydrangeas in there; Riding Pillion to the Waffle House: A book I thought was super cute at an antique store: Some fruity drinks at the restaurant next door; Climbing walls b/c we were all lazy; Ryan's V-Storm, pretty worn out, but it definitely has a lot of character!; Of course, my staple, a post office :) ; I really like riding thru North Alabama and am sad I don't much anymore, but was very thankful for Simpson showing me around when we were hanging out. Some great memories stomping around down there.
So ~ This is some adv'ing in my neighborhood b/c Akula802 (http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=981820) had tent space on the front porch as he was touring the US. He has a super duper fancy camera, so I'm not going to re-post everything he already put up, also he tells a story wayyyyyy better than I do (I really recommend reading his RR) SO ~ I'll put up the ones from my old Ipone 3GS, I didn't even have a working cell phone that weekend so I used what I had; A piece of artwork that was left in Howard's Waterfall Cave in N Ga. Taken with Brian's fancy camera: Brian's response to me telling him that this is where the Southerner's take Yankees and they are never seen again (his camera) ; Just kidding! He was quite surprised to see a saw, climbing rope, pruners, clippers and several over items that looked suspicious in my little car, I never even thought about it...... After the caving bit, we got to Cloudland Canyon (really cool how his camera got the waterfall like that); A heart carved into the tree here from years ago (was glad Brian took that shot): After a few takes, we finally got the photo right for this shot (silly timer on his camera): Super cool to find this monster in the water! (His wide angle lens got the craw dad); As well as a couple of snakes :eek1 The overlook atop the Canyon (he willingly let me take a few shots with his camera): This is the afternoon we left for Muscle Shoals, which he put on the rear TKC for the GS for this trip; He bought some fancy Rose bourbon and put the leather thingy on his Tiger; Rolling around N Ga for some railroad tunnels, the roads have badly eroded in the area and no maintenance has been performed since I'd been there last, sad. But I did find these cool little guys;
At DeSoto Falls; We rolled on to the West, in thru Huntsville pretty quick and on to Joe Wheeler State Park. The next morning rolling out I spied this cool rig (I had a Ranger for 10 yrs); Finally! We got to the State Park in Florence, AL; Mitch Brooks recommended this place, but they were closed for the week of July 4, so oh well....; A cool shot of riding out of the State Park; Selfy! At Muscle Shoals Sound: A great BBQ place recommended by a local; Then off to Champy's for a beer! There's a Champy's in Chatt. Brian's index finger is pointing to the Champy's sign; Champy's serves locally brewed IPA's, yes along with an alligator head at the bar ; Cool shot going over Wilson Dam; A sailboat along the TN River that evening; Dinner one night, yes, more kitty snax ! Along with some chicken and rice specialty of Brian's, Pinot Grigio being served in my aluminum camping cup & cheese dip ;
So ~ A lot has happened in the past few months. A lot. I split and rid myself of the self inflicted misery I was carrying for such a long time. Yay! I got the GS in my possession and am paying for it, while figuring things out thru the help of friends in the ADV crowd and so many people have so awesome I just cant imagine where I would be without them. Ive learned so much about motorbikes I surprise myself when I realize, Hey, I know how this works, or I know exactly the language this person is speaking to me. I come to understand basic things and my confidence has been so shaken ever since 2008, I wouldnt have survived it if I was not the type of person that I am. I feel like a Moran at times, but with an ADV bike and great friends to unknowingly help, I wouldnt be here at this point in my life. Which as Redbud, _anatic and several others have seen via F/B, Ive felt the stars align and Im heading West, into the setting sun. Solo for the first couple of days, staying at a few ADV places along the way. This past Saturday was a challenging day. I was riding to Hot Springs, were _anatic was awesome enough to offer to help me with a skid plate for the GS. I was an hour from the house, realizing I didnt have a bracket that needed to be with me :/ I turned around and ½ in the Ocoee River Gorge, I ran out of gas. Apparently, I have not learned my lesson on the MPG for when the Pelicans are on the bike. So . I shaved a layer off and started walking. It really was a lucky day (A. found a jug to put gasoline in); Found a towel and a pair of shoes as well on walk; The marina was 2 miles from the bike and I was more thankful for the owners to drop me back off at the bike, wait for it to start and I highly recommend those guys! Its the only marina on Hwy 64 in Ocoee, TN. Getting home, I grabbed the bracket and tried to adjust my attitude. I decided to take a different route and start all over again. So I wound up at the I40 exit of NC 209 around 8ish. Shane met me shortly after, then we rode to a diner in Spring Creek, just as they had closed for the night. Iron Horse in Hot Springs was still alive and kickin, but it didnt suit my mood for the evening. Anyhoo~ A glass of merlot to settle me down and then good food was served shortly and I began to go over in my head everything that had happened in the day, including that rattling noise I heard every time I hit a hard bump in the road. I followed Shane on his scree rock drive and we pulled the bikes into his garage. Then was ferried up farther to his place. Where, behold! The he was hiding baby, Night Furies (How to Train Your Dragon) ! I had 3 kittens on me when I went to bed and the same 3 on me when I woke up! I tried so hard to get everything right for that trip and I knew not everything would get done, like the skid plate and such, so Shane started on the mock up for it while I got to working on the rear brakes that needed to be replaced. I found the culprit making the noise. The rear brake caliper was unattached to the support from the bike. It was still attached via the axle bolt, but not up top to keep it in place; Hmmmm . I felt right then sitting on the concrete floor, like I could have seriously been in some bad wreck, but someone was looking out for me. I had not been using the rear brake period ever since I left Fancys place in Hendersonville, NC July 14. Reason why I was not using it at all, b/c the mechanic at Waynesville, NC right on Hwy 74, had put on my brand new chain & sprockets. I remember the bolt being put back on there, that Monday, b/c I was in the back answering questions about the bike (since it has the 2 in lift). Shane had a bolt to fit and you bet I put locktite on that thing. But ! With supervision from Shane, I successfully put on new rear brake pads J that was a first! Mainly, b/c my other bikes are drums on the rear :lol Shane's mockup for the skidplate ; Attempt to bend the aluminum with what he had, but it was too thick for it; Shane measuring for the side stand; The GS enjoying the lovely view while Shane had to weld a small bead on the stand so the added aluminum would not interfere with the chain; I seem to have lost the photo of the finished product, will put one up later. The GS needs it's beauty sleep before next week We finished up and then it was time for me to head back home. I have homework to do so I can't attach the skid plate when I go back, but I'll work on that Wednesday. Here's a photo of Nantahala Gorge, on the ride home. The fog seems to bring a quiet and calmness to the gorge. Not much traffic in it either when riding thru;