It's funny how things work out sometimes. As many of you know I've been shopping around for a new dual-sport motorcycle for some time now. For the most part, it was just window shopping and watching Craigslist and other sites looking for good deals. The plan was sooner or later I'd find the right bike for my needs and it would show up at the right time. The universe, you just gotta believe!
At least, that's what I kept telling myself. After crypto winters, pandemics, personal issues, and other obstacles I was close to giving up on finding the right bike at the right time.
The final straw was last weekend when I went to one of the largest motorcycle dealerships in Western New York state. Looking around the shop I noticed there were no Honda motorcycles, I asked the salesman where all the Honda's were and he laughed saying, "Sold out and back-ordered until at least the end of August or September"
They had KTM's, Husqvarna and Ducati's but all the Honda's were on backorder. The used selection was almost non-existent as well. This is a place that usually has an airplane hangar full of used motorcycles at any given time.
The salesman said they were having some supply chain issues related to the pandemic. I left the shop more than a little discouraged.
I'd also been scanning Craigslist and other sites for months looking for the right dual-sport. I wanted something "newer" with low miles and limited to very few modifications.
Monday I started scanning Craigslist again and didn't see anything new. I had mentally concluded that I just wasn't going to find the bike I was looking for this summer. I kept telling myself, "The right bike will show up at the right time!"
It had become a mantra over the last several months. I mentally said it to myself again as I hit refresh on Craigslist in an act of desperation. To my amazement, there it was. Freshly posted! A 2014 Suzuki DR 650 with ONLY 1700 miles! I couldn't believe it. The only modifications made to the bike were a luggage rack and handlebar risers! EXACTLY WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR and exactly what I needed!
The price was a little more than I wanted to spend though. I kept the tab open in my browser and kept on going back to it several times over the next hour. Finally, I said to myself, this is exactly what you're looking for, call the number and buy it!
So I called the guy up, I was the first to call. We set up an appointment to check out the bike Tues. evening. By Wednesday morning the bike was registered in my name and on the road!
For the most part, this is exactly what I was looking for. I'll be using this for some distance riding and I'm hoping to take the big trip across country from NY to California sometime next year! I've waited so long for this!
I spent most of this week making some adjustments to the bike and test riding it around town and on the trails.
Honestly, the bike rides incredibly on the highway. Offroad, I have to admit, it's a bit much and a little hairy! 650 CC's off-road is A LOT of power. I'm glad I bought that little 250 a few years back to get comfortable off-road again. I'll be posting more about the performance of this bike in another post.
I learned a lot riding this bike the last couple of years. I wish it had just a little more power for distance riding. The DR 650 fixes this! No more excuses! Time to take that trip!
After riding the DR around the neighborhood and getting accommodated to the new bike I decided to take it for a longer ride into Niagara Falls NY. I drove to Fort Niagara about 45 minutes away from my home. It's a scenic drive along the Niagara Gorge and one of my favorite local rides.
I absolutely love the scenery on this ride. Here's a picture parked outside Fort Niagara with Lake Ontario in the background.
So it looks like some travel blogging may be back in order soon. I'll probably do some short trips around Lake Erie soon. I'm also going to plan another short Alleghany State Park trip as a test trip. Then around Autumn I'd love to hit up Letchworth State Park and the Adirondack Mountain region, maybe even extend that into Vermont.
Hopefully, Gods, Goddesses and Universe willing... Hopefully I take the big trip next summer. I've got all the equipment I need now. The bike was the last piece I needed. I'd actually consider it this year, but with the rise of Covid variants, the states overreaction, and not knowing what to expect when flu season arrives, I'm thinking next summer might be more appropriate for a cross country journey with less covid related hassles.
Who knows, maybe a trip to Cape Cod Mass. is in order this year. I'm trying to plan expenses and even considering a part-time job to avoid dipping into my trading nut anymore and helping to fund next year's travels. Honestly though, probably no job hunting until the end of summer! A winter job to fuel heavier trading and save for some serious traveling next summer seems practical though. I guess we'll wait and see what the market brings for now!
I've also got the Honda up for sale. I really don't want to sell it, but it could replace most of the money I spent on the DR.
Well, hopefully all works out with the new bike. I'm pretty stoked to being one step closer to motorcycle / travel blogging again. I'm looking forward to sharing more motorcycle adventures here on Hive as well! Until next times, safe travels!