Been gone from this forum for around 2 years. A lot of things change in that time haha.

Moving to Bellingham Washington in either May or June this year, looking to get back on a dual sport again. My 09sf was stolen and not long after the klx650 engine locked up on me.

Probably going to go with a 2014 klx250s.

 

red,
Good to see you back. Bellingham will be a mighty change from Midland.

Sorry to hear about the stolen and seized bikes. That really sucks.

Lots of good dual sporting and camaraderie in the PNW.

 

Wow, yeah bad news on the bikes! Ouch. Ive seen some beautiful pictures of the PNW. Definitely a place to have a DS bike.

 

Thanks, been about a year without a bike. Been busy with work and there ain't anywhere to really ride here in Midland so getting a bike was on the back burner.

I'll be driving up there with the old deuce and a half, might have room in the trailer for a bike if I can find a good deal along the way.

 

That's a long way in a deuce and a half, but I suppose you'll be carrying a load of stuff with you.
Sucks about the stolen bike.
Is the 650 salvageable? I'm guessing seized as in cooked head? It sucks the best 650 DS went nowhere and now parts are unobtainium.
I have one that I can't get a spark on. The motor has been on a back bench for a while.
I need to get it running. Or, go get an XR.
You're going to have some nice new territory to explore on a nice new bike.
Good luck on the move and welcome back.

 

I sold the 650 afterwards, no time to fix it then. The guy that bought it fixed it (new liner, piston, full rebuild). Favorite bike I've had, but yes parts can be difficult to find haha.

I'm planning to take 2 weeks on the drive, see the sites along the way. The deuce is on the super single tires, better seats, exhaust muffled, much better for driving. My camper is in the bed and I'll have a small trailer behind it. Part of why I'm getting a bike again, daily driver.

 

Agreed, Kawasaki should have kept the 650 going. KTM has recently entered that category with their 690, just the price tag is outta my reach at the moment haha

 

Please do a move report with the deuce somewhere and link it please.
If I had the mechanical skills to take care of one, it would be the perfect work horse on my property and trips to the bush in Canada with all the gear for a DS base camp.
I know of a short bed, more of a Deuce, custom build for sale...hmm.

 

The deuce is a great truck, very simple to work on and parts are cheap. Its designed to be worked on in the field with minimal tools. Adding an external brake fluid reservoir, muffler/exhaust reroute to the rear of the truck, and better seats are 3 of the best upgrades to start with.

Here's a link to one of my build threads on it http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/129997-Red-s-deuce-camper-project

 

Wow, that's a really sweet set up.
I love the look of the big single wheels.
And the shelter seems like it'll be perfect for adventures.
Good luck in WA.