Well its nice to hear about someone getting a job instead of losing one. 60 mile commute....hmmmm have you considered moving there? Is there a bus you can take? If no to the previous 2 questions, then I would seriously consider the KLR 650. You can still have fun off road, but the motor won't get tired and neither will you and your rear end. The KLR is a great compliment to the DS world. Trust me if you try and ride a KLX 60 miles each way everyday, you will be standing on the pegs half the time.

 

Plus you'll have to get fuel twice per day.

 

My goal is to eventually move closer. Just not until my kids finish this school year.

For now, I have to make the best of it.... I highly doubt, I will do another KLX250, just because of the commute length... It has to be a 400 or bigger....

My biggest issue is I am only 5'8"... Getting a bike bigger than a 400 with my short legs becomes a challenge.

 

Me to. Last day of work was 23 Dec 2007.
First day on the new job 07 Oct 2010.
72 mile round trip.
Parts Manager at a Honda Shop.
Be a cold day in hell before I get rid of the green one tho.

 

Sucks to lose your job the day before Xmas eve.

 

Yeah, what a classy way to let someone go. I'm sure the bean counters have reasons for it, but WTF.

Glad to hear the good news that your past that.
Dan

 

'Grats man on being back. I know you hated to get rid of the KLX.

I agree with you on more cc's for a 60 mile commute. Get a DRZ or KLR, ride it till you're back on your feet and then go back and get a dirt carver.

I'm vertically challenged as well (5'8") and the KLX is about as tall as I'm comfortable with. Still, there are lots of choices out there....

 

or....just snag a nice EX500 for the commute? ( Discontinued and not many people wanted one it seemed.) Until you can go back to the dirt thing.

edit: Congrats on the job

 

I'm going to look into the XR650R. They're road legal here and I've read elsewhere that they make a good ADV Bike.