Hey Klxster, being from TX I was wondering if you've ridden over in the Big Bend area. I've been somewhat amazed that we had as good a riding as we do when you take in Big Bend State Park, Terlingua Ranch, BB National Park, and Black Gap Wildlife Management Area.

I had ridden the National Park on Old Ore Road, Black Gap trail, Glenn Springs, and the River Road which aren't all that tough for many, many years. However, the state park and BGWMA have proven to be quite fun with some very decent challenges for a real dirt bike in places...and the scenery in all of them is fantastic.

Done in any riding in any of them?

 

No I haven't,, but I've certainly seen all of your pictures and threads on your Big Bend rides.. This was my rig for doing that kind of trip:


But not too long after I bought both (new off the showrooms), the trailer was "taken out" by a tornado at the family ranch (Rio Vista Tx..) ... Then my life took a turn,,, I've not yet replaced the camper...

 

I had a dream last night, sold my KLX, the guy that bought it tore it all the way down to the case (he wasn't a gearhead), then I was thinking of..... KTM 350!

 

Yep, I think that's the bike I would pick if I was going to go all in on one of these high dollar, street legal, race bikes. To me, the KTM 500+ street legal model is way more engine than I need for trail riding. The 350 is just about right.

 

It has finally occurred to me that there is a reason I ride the KLX more than my open class racers nowadays - and I finally understand the adage: It's more fun to ride a slow bike fast, than a fast bike slow..

I'll keep my open class machines, but a new addition only needs to be a KTM/Beta/ 250 - 350 dual sport , but only if/when they put buddy pegs on em..

 

I get that for sure, always felt that way. I rode friends' Z1s, but it was more fun to ride my 400 triple and when I kept with or got away from them on the back roads it was a bit gratifying to me. Same was true when I rode/raced a 125, being able to pass open class bikes in hare scrambles because I could wring the snot out of it in about any conditions. Really enjoyed it.

I really enjoyed it when I rode the KLX650 on the road and found just how well they worked on the back roads of east Ohio. Then I rode a KLX250 and realized how much more enjoyable it was to ride it on rough roads or single track trails - way more fun. It's nice to have the big bike, but as you say, the smaller one is as much or more fun for a majority of what I do now.

Never was a mistake getting the 250 as it is and when I finally get the big bore/carb/pipe on it, it will still be the small light bike I so much enjoy, but with a bit more power. Not really necessary, if it was I'd have the work done now, just want to see how it is and can't leave anything alone.