Rusty, don't forget the essentials first bigger rear sprocket and chain, performance tires, high perform air filter,bark bustersto keep your fingers and levers intact,shock springs for your weight,emergency tire kit.......oh the list goes on.

Rusty, I noticed your age and I don't mean this the wrong way by any means, but ya can get a real nice hopped up and fully modded street legal used enduro (XT 350 or sumthin) for 2K or so...... if I was your age that is what I would do. Ya take a big hit on depreciation when buying a new bike which you may out grow kinda fast.

A lot of us are older and don't worry about purchases in this price range as much as we used too,its a much smaller percentage of a hit for us. A prime example is Nobrakes, he fully modded his bike and then upgraded to a 450 ktm....... he never complained once (except when he dropped the timing chain during a piston upgrade ) but he had a fun learning curve and obviously the money associated with what he was doing was not an issue or at least not a big one..... he's still married...I think. (If I'm wrong Brian chime in) He's old and has been working a loooong time Just like me. jmhyeo

 

Yeah, but my wife says I can't buy a new bike every year, I think she's afraid this might become a habit.

Here's the way we do it, she gets something, I get something. In January we got a new bedroom suit - dresser, chest, night stands, king sized bed, all good stuff. And I planted the seed then - hmmm ... if you get all this nice furniture, that means I should be able to get something, maybe a new bike, huh? Price seems in the ball park, give or take. Then I mention another time or two over the next few weeks or month. Before you know it we happen into that MC dealership, Oh lookie there, just the bike I've been wanting, how about that, what are the odds? A week later, it's in the back of my truck.

But yeah, like Finger mentioned, they don't pay for themselves. Remember, I've had it for about a week and don't even have 3 hours of time on it yet. Working too much ... Double edged sword, that.

And even the KTM needed stuff - gas tank, skid plate, hand guards, jet kit. I put in a 2nd set of rim locks and Bridgestone Ultra duty tubes. Bikes are money pits, at least mine are . And if you don't already have it, be sure and hold back about $500 or $600 for gear - helmet, boots, pants, gloves, goggles, etc.