My First Year With the DR650...

 It's been a busy year for me as motorcycles go. I started riding the DR in March this year after waiting all winter to ride it. The miles have added up quickly.  By April I had 700 miles on it and was changing the oil. By July it was time to change it again, In August I put new tires on it, I went with Tusk Waypoints, a huge improvement of the OEM tires!

I've added a few things to it this year including a Acerbis skid plate, Tusk handguards, a Procycle seat, a set of Dirtracks side crash bars, a Tusk rear rack with a Harbor Freight case on it.

The weather is supposed to turn bad tonight with 8 inches of snow possible. I'm glad I got what may be my last ride of the season in yesterday. It's deer season here so I went out in orange gear to avoid an accident in the woods...

Also in the picture are the Tusk Cold Pro Hand Mitts. They are insanely huge and extremely ugly but they work great at keeping the cold wind off your hands. It was 42° F and I was riding in mesh backed gloves.

I don't think I'll ever sell this bike. I absolutely love it!

I put 6,728 miles on it this year exploring the National Forest Service roads and the local gravel roads around me in northern WI. Some Suzuki riders claim that the DR is not the greatest at everything, but it does it all reasonably well... I agree. It's not a 600 pound "adventure bike", It's not a stripped down dirt bike built for single track.. but it does everything I want it to... and comfortably

Earlier this summer I found a great deal on a Harbor Freight, hitch mounted motorcycle carrier. I added a set of tail lights to it because the bike hides the light on the truck.

 I really want to go out to South Dakota this Spring and ride the gravel. I've been out there more time than I can count, but always stuck to the paved roads... I want to go exploring. I can't wait for May!