Kawasaki Forums - I'm Baaaaaaackk.....Sorta

Hey gang, long time no post:( After riding for 5 years on the street only, with my V-Strom 650 (22,000 miles worth) I'm finally back on a DS, except this time its ORANGE. I was bouncing around the internet a few months back and stumbled on the 2007 NJ KLX ride thread and the YouTube video. After reminiscing for a while I HAD to get another DS. I started off looking for KLX's of any year but it seemed they haven't depreciated any from when I traded mine in 5 years ago, regardless of mileage. They were in the $2800 to $3800 range, over $4000 for the newer body style. I considered the CRF250L but something just didn't click for me with it.
And then I found it....a 2006 KTM 450 EXC with 2800 miles and 110 hours with the Baja Designs DS kit and a street title. $3500 later this was in my driveway:

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k1...161716_126.jpg

With our trails just starting to defrost I've only managed one dirt outing but I've ridden it to work, on a 70 mile roundtrip ride to my folks, in which I got caught in a snowstorm on the way home and just tooling along the back roads.

Thursday I hit a local "limited use seasonal road" for almost 2 hours and never made it to the other end.

Attachment 10711

Here I stopped to contemplate slogging through more of this...

Attachment 10712

12" deep ruts/water in 40 degree weather, not to mention my legs didn't get any longer so I didn't relish the idea of drowning the machine in a "puddle".

I also discovered the answer to, "Does a bear sh@t in the woods?" and its a most definitely yes! I almost stepped in a pile about as big around as a basketball.

Have there been any more North East get togethers? If so, any links to the ride reports?