Earlier in the year, I had a post about my upcoming trip to Oregon. I was considering taking my KLX250s instead of my 610 Husky. Well unfortunately two weeks prior to the trip, my husband suffered sudden, permanent hearing loss at an indoor gun range. We had to cancel the Oregon trip completely, along with a trip we had planned over Sonora Pass, while he went to a series of specialists. Fast forward five months, and he is slowly getting back to riding.

Too keep occupied during that timeframe, I did some riding on my own. I rode the KLX, since it's more manageable when I'm alone. I changed the plastics from red to green, and I ordered a 351 kit and had it installed. We hooked up some heated grips, and then we took the windscreen off my husband's BMW and made it fit the KLX, since he got a larger screen for his bike. I also picked up one of the ATV seat pads at Walmart. I also had the kickstand shortened. And finally, I attached the luggage that I use on the Husky. So with the bike all set up, I was ready to try it out.

We already had a trip planned to Death Valley in early November, but it was going to be a trip with our truck and camping trailer. We were going to meet my parents there. So I decided to leave a day early and ride the KLX351 to Death Valley. In the past, I've ridden the freeway through Tehachapi, but being on the smaller bike, I thought it would be more fun to ride up the Kern River Canyon through Lake Isabella and over Walker Pass.

So on a Wednesday, I set out. The morning was chilly, but the heated grips were great. The ride through the Kern River Canyon was great. No traffic, and miles of twisty road. I'd been over Walker Pass years ago, but couldn't remember much about it. It was a beautiful ride, with some fall foliage on the western side, and a dusting of snow at the pass. Here's my first pic, right before the pass:



And here's one on the other side of the pass:



Unfortunately you can't see the snow in either pic, but there was a dusting. The first couple of pics are from my cell phone.

 

So my mom and dad were already in Death Valley, and my dad decided that he'd ride over to Trona and meet me. Trona is iffy on gas, but dad said when they'd driven by the station, that they saw people at the pumps. I needed a pit stop though, so I stopped at a station in Inyokern. Just as I was putting my helmet back on, my phone range. It was dad. There was no gas in Trona, only diesel. So he said he'd meet me in Ridgecrest, because he wouldn't make it back without fuel.

It was incredible timing, as we both pulled into the station in Ridgecrest at the exact same time. We fueled up, then went to Trona. We ate lunch at a picnic table at the gasless station in Trona. We then headed for Death Valley.

Here's my bike and his. We have completely opposite taste when it comes to bikes! Well actually he does have a TW200. But he lowered it, put street tires on it, cruiser handlebars, and he wears chaps and a leather jacket when he rides it (even in the dirt)! Don't even get me started on that! He tried his best to turn his TW into a mini cruiser!



His bike is an 800 Suzuki Intruder.

 

So we arrived in Furnace Creek just before dinnertime. My mom was there waiting for us. That evening my dad made some awesome shredded beef soft tacos. Then it was time to set up my accomodations. I could have taken my backpacking tent, but in Sunset Campground, it's impossible to get stakes in the ground, so I left the tent behind. My dad has a Dodge truck, so I leveled out the front seats with towels and whatever my mom had available, and put down my Thermarest mattress, sleeping bag, and pillow. Luckily, I'm pretty short, so it worked good. I slept well.

Here's my setup:

 

The next afternoon mom, dad, and I all rode over to Stovepipe Wells to watch for my husband who was driving over, so I got to ride a little more. I was surprised that my butt wasn't killing me from the day before, but it seemd that the ATV seat pad had saved me. It not as comfy as the Renazco seat on my Husky by any means, but it made the ride possible. I would have never made it on the stock 2x4!

My husband brought his Honda CRF230L with him in the back of the truck, and the next day, was was really wanting to ride through Titus Canyon. We had ridden it together back in January, but he didn't really want to ride this time. So I suggested he and my mom take the truck, and that dad and I would ride the bikes. Everyone thought it was a great idea, except dad. He doesn't like to ride dirt that much. But mom helped talk him into it. Plus I think he did it so mom could sit in the front seat of the truck and be comfortable, because if three of them went in the truck, one would have had to sit in the extra cab seat which isn't real comfy.

So here's my dad and I heading for Titus Canyon:



Oh yeah, remember I said he wears chaps and cruiser gear in the dirt! I was nice enough to give him a dust mask, since he'd be eating my dust!

 

We all met up in Leadville, and head lunch there. Then we explored the remnants of the town.

Then it was through the narrows:

 

The next day was kind of chilly, so we opted for a hike. Here's my mom and I hiking Golden Canyon:

 

The next day I talked everyone into going for a short ride. We headed to Artist's Palatte:



At the overlook we met Boris. He was a cool Goldwing rider:





The next day we headed for home, with the KLX and CRF in the back of the truck. It was just a small first trip, but a great opportunity for me to get the feel for traveling on the KLX351.

 

Great pics. Love the dog on the goldwing.

Thanks for sharing.

 

So here are my final thoughts...

Did I enjoy traveling on the KLX351? Yes. Would I change some things before another trip? Yes.

Seat
The Coleman ATV seat pad saved my butt, but if I decide to take a longer trip on the KLX, I'd definitely look into a Renazco or XPC seat. I tried a Sargent, and it didn't work for me.

TiresI would also possibly change tires. If the trip was going to be 99% pavement, I would probably change to Avon Distanzia's like I have on my Husky. My Pirelli MT21's worked, but they are a knobby tire and didn't track well on the rough/rocky/coarse pavement that's in Panamint Valley. But for a true dual-sport trip, I'd stick with the MT21's.

GearingAlso, for paved trips, I would consider going to a 15T countersprocket. I know the 351 could pull it, and it would keep the revs a bit lower at higher speeds. For off-road riding, I actually prefer the 13T, even with the 351, but the 14T is a happy medium that is doable for me both on and off road.

WindscreenThe windscreen that we mounted from my husband's BMW X-Country worked well to keep me warmer and keep the windblast off my chest, but I'm not sure it's 100% necessary. It's a nice looking shield though, so I'll probably keep it on at least for winter.

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My take on some of my setup...

- B&B 351 kit: very happy with increase in power
- Wolfman Enduro Saddlebags: work great on KLX and Husky
- Wolfman Tank Bag: works great on KLX and Husky
- Aerostich Seat Bag: works good on Nomadic KLX rack, but better on Husky Borrego rack
- Ortlieb Rack Pack (duffle): great bag for multi uses
- Grip Heaters: work great, pretty easy to install, cheap
- Shoei Hornet DS helmet: forgot to mention my new helmet! Works great with goggles and with street shield. Love it!

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So the final question might be, will I pick the Husky or the KLX to travel next time? I guess the answer is, it depends. I am very happy with my setup on the KLX, but in all honesty, it will never be what the 610 is. But then I never expected it to be. Both have their advantages and disadvantages.

My Husky SM610 is much more comfortable to ride, has far more power, better brakes, and is less effected by wind blast due to the heavier weight. But of course the weight can become an issue in the dirt, and I can really only handle it on smooth dirt roads. The KLX351 is lighter, which I enjoy (since I'm kind of weak!), but of course it gets tossed around more at higher speeds. The new power is great, but still nothing like the 610. So I guess the 610 will remain my primary traveling bike, but if the trip involves a lot of dirt, or if I'm solo, the KLX would be my choice. It really is true. You can't really do it all with one bike, so I am very thankful that I have two. If I could only have one bike, however, I think the KLX would probably be my choice, because it is the closest to being an all-rounder for me.

 

Very nice report and pictures. You and my wife would get along great