VENTURING SOUTH on DRZ's

[Romanousky]

Yeah, I’ve got a lot of breath on the first page but I’ll keep it in check with more photos than words in days to come…

So about 4 months ago I’m sitting in a bar drink’in scotch with my buddy in southern Oregon griping about life in general (i.e. direction this country is headed, politics, work, false freedoms, false reality of retirement for newer generations, lack of adventure, lack of love, lack of LIVING). But this is a Ride Report; So I’m staying away from that stuff and getting the hell out of dodge!

During the conversation my buddy asks me what I’d do if money/time were not an issue. I love the outdoors, I love adventure, I love the feeling of the unknown where anything can happen and I love motorcycles. I guess I’m basically just tired of the way that my world has become a predictable, homogenized system devoid of any life-professing challenges. On top of all this I enjoy travel and have always had a desire to see South America (no idea why).

So I told him (Alex) that I would probably pack up and ride a dirt bike to SA. Alex thought this sounded “Kickass” and he said we should just go for it. I tried to make a bunch of excuses about work/career, money, etc… but eventually I agreed. I really felt that we would do this…..someday.

Over the last 2 months some other events occurred and I talked to Alex and we agreed to do it NOW. Right around X-mas we set the departure date for January 15^th, 2013. Cool….a whole month or so.

Short Background on myself:

My name is Andrew and I’m in my late 20’s. I’ve been riding dirt bikes/atv’s for the better half of my life. I was introduced to supermoto bikes about 2 years ago. For some reason I didn’t even know they existed. “Dirt bikes with street tires….get the F*ck outta here.” Picked up a DRZ400SM about a month later, fell in love, rode the piss out of it for the next 2 years with no problems at all. So I picked up a Husqvarna 510 Supermoto for a little more getup. After 3 miles I blew the engine. Rebuilt to a 530….wow….WOW! Just last spring a buddy of mine invited me on a dual sport ride out of Hood River. Bought a set of 21/18 for the Dizzer and hit the road. Had an absolute blast. Did some research and found this thing called the OBDR. “Trails all over Oregon where you ride mostly off-road…..get the F*ck outta here.” Decided I had to do this with one of my good friends who used to ride but doesn’t own a bike but enjoys camping and what not… Sold my ’81 XS650 that I rarely rode and picked up a 2001 DRZ400S with 600 miles on it in September. We rode Route 3 from Hoodoo to Ashland. I loved it and wanted more of it. Started farkeling the 2001 which was going to be my dedicated enduro/adv bike and started reading ADVrider.com…….Oh the possibilities…which brings us to where we are.

Anyway, Friday is my last day of work for a while. Monday we are loading a pickup and driving to Ashland. Tuesday/Wednesday we depart for South America.

[Romanousky]

I might put up a complete list of accessories, mods, gear, etc.... but for now you can check out the website in my signature below for most of that stuff.

Mine is the first one and only lacking the rear medium wolfman duffel. Alex's is the 2nd lacking the same luggage as mine.

[aviatorbdm]

gotta subscribe to a fellow Oregonian adventure...

[woodly1069]

Oh hell yeah! I'm in!

[MRED]

I am in for the ride.

[ThanatosF]

As another drz owner, I look forward to this. Have a great time... so I can vicariously!

[seetomgo]

[Romanousky]

You guys Rock! I’m not even on the road yet. I really appreciate knowing that there are some folks to turn to if needed. And in return I will try to keep you entertained.

Here is the gist of the trip:

We are rather beginners at this and have done our best to prepare as far as gear, vaccines, bikes, paperwork goes….what we have not done is look at a map. We have no destinations or really any plan whatsoever. We are going to ride the Baja Peninsula and take the ferry out of LaPaz…..that is all we know. Suggestions/Recommendations are VERY welcome however this is being done on a tight budget so nothing too crazy/expensive.

This will be a mix of serious Adventure, serious Relaxing, serious Reflection, and in the meantime serious Partying. Welcome aboard guys!

[Romanousky]

Alex and I made it to Ashland, OR. We also secured a ride south through our craigslist ad. We are getting picked up by an Excursion with an empty 25' enclosed trailer.....with satellite TV. PERFECT!!! Hopefully this isn't some sort of scam.

They pick us up Wednesday morning and take us all the way to San Fran. Then we'll saddle up for the remainder.

[livewire]

2Kewl!

I'm in. (in a 'popcorn' kind of way )

[Throttlemeister]

I like the idea of 400cc bikes for SA, I'm thinking that is about the perfect size to be able to really venture off the beaten path in SA and still be able to get down the slab when you need to.

Did you look at trying to add the kick starters for backup? I think the DRZ or a modified Honda XR400R with electric start added of 400EX are the perfect ticket, I just really like the idea of electric start plus the back-up kicker. Just have to do some more research into gear choices...

Really like your choice of the see through safari tank on the dizzer

This looks ripe for adventure

[mdw403]

I like the sound of this one so im in))

[ADVwnbe]

I'm in!

What's in the tubes?

[rtwpaul]

[Romanousky]

Originally Posted by Throttlemeister

I like the idea of 400cc bikes for SA, I'm thinking that is about the perfect size to be able to really venture off the beaten path in SA and still be able to get down the slab when you need to.

Did you look at trying to add the kick starters for backup? I think the DRZ or a modified Honda XR400R with electric start added of 400EX are the perfect ticket, I just really like the idea of electric start plus the back-up kicker. Just have to do some more research into gear choices...

Really like your choice of the see through safari tank on the dizzer

This looks ripe for adventure

Thanks dude. I heavily debated the DR650 against the DRZ but since I already had one that has been good to me I went with it. The only reason I considered a larger bike was for pounding the long paved sections. I just threw a kickstarter on my bike 2 days ago....haven't used it yet and hopefully I don't have to.

I love the tank. I had a Clark 3.9 and sold it for the 17L. It is much narrower and not so steep as the Clarke. Happy I did it. I almost wish I would have gone with the 28L but was afraid it would be much wider. Oh well....we both have similar ranges now.

Can't wait to get on the road tomorrow