Well Sirenklx and I decided to go on a little ride Saturday to Northbattleford for lunch, we took gravel most of the way for her to get used to her bike and test our endurance, we crossed the river at the Maymont bridge then took the slab into Northbattelford for lunch. After that we had this crazy idea to ride to Meadow lake via the pavement. We got there and spent the night at the Travelodge.

The next day we took back roads and made our way to Big River then to Canwood where we stopped for lunch with some of my wife's old family friends. It was extremely hot all day but as long as we were moving it wasn't too bad. We then rode to PA then south to St. Louis where we stopped for a break and a swim in the river to cool off. Then headed south along the river to Batoche and made our way to Rostern then home.

Things we learned on this trip? 1) next time pack some snacks 2) when drifting/roosting on the 500 around gravel corners, make sure the wife isn't in range of projectile gravel 3) the Drz Needs a bigger tank 4) my wife surprised me with her resilience to crushing miles on gravel and slab 5) she now wants an even bigger bike, (she drank the Kool-aid

All in all it was a great two days, the bikes ran great and we proved to ourselves that we could do it, especially Siren, she pushed on and despite experiencing two days on a buzzy DRZ she got to experience a good great trip with lots of good memories. Total we rode 801kms, so now she is thinking she would like a bike that can do highway more enjoyably, any suggestions?

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"When in doubt...ride it out!"
2012 KTM 500 exc
2006 Suzuki Dr-Z400s
1990 Honda ST1100
1974 Honda Trail 90

Looks like a great ride! Highways are a definite weakness with a DRZ and only 5 gears... but if you want to keep the weight down and keep the offroad ability there aren't that many options. Siren is pretty tall.. maybe she should just get a matching 500 EXC

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2015 KTM 500 EXC
2008 KTM 990 Adventure S

I was going to suggest a bigger and much better bike...it starts with K and ends with LR...but you'll just tease me.

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2014 KTM 690 Enduro R

That sounds like an awesome trip! Lots of miles! Siren, let's go check these bikes out, there's two!! http://m.kijiji.ca/dirt-bikes-motocross ... Id=1700203

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'15 KTM 350exc

Great pictures guys! Looks like a great trip.

Maybe try gearing it a bit taller before you give up on the DRZ400, I don't really find Jen's that buzzy. I think we are running 14/44 right now. But factory it's supposed to be even taller, 15/44 I believe.

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2016 FE 501

Thx guys, Shorty those Beemers look pretty sweet, I bet she would be into that. Yes hers is currently geared 15/47, I'd like to get her a steering damper, bigger tank, seat concepts seat and probably 15/42-45? Gearing. She has come a long way from our first adventure loop of 150kms on the Klx then a couple 350km loops and now this first trip of 800kms on the Drz.

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"When in doubt...ride it out!"
2012 KTM 500 exc
2006 Suzuki Dr-Z400s
1990 Honda ST1100
1974 Honda Trail 90

After having a DRZ for a number of years I think you could be very happy with a few mods for comfort over shelling out for a new bike. It's such a reliable little tractor it would be a shame to get rid of it. Though let's be serious...I'm kinda talking out both sides of my mouth as I just sold my DRZ to make room for an EXC...a KTM is the answer to all questions except what is the most wallet friendly bike to own!!

Couple things on DRZ buzz: Gearing makes a surprising difference. The taller you go the less buzz you get. This will also make a big difference on range. Definitely worth trying taller gearing for cheap before blowing tons on a new tank (imo). I also found tire choice to make a big difference on this bike. Messing with your tire and air pressure combo is definitely worth it. Oddly enough my favorite combination ended up being AC10 rear and Trackmaster II front for both comfort and traction. You wouldn't think so for how aggressive that AC10 is but I was very happy with it. Still prefer it over D606 for comfort and no contest traction-wise. Bar weights are nice too. I got away with this and Skull Candy soft grips for a long time. Flexxbars are the answer if you really want the cush ride. That's the first mod on my incoming EXC

Or forget all that BS above and just get a 350 EXC

Thanks for sharing that!

She always impressed me as a trooper, and she tolerates you too!

Your are a lucky man!

Today is my Bride and i's 27 th Anniversary , she tolerates me as well!

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The guy riding the red farkled up 08 KLR where ever the front wheel goes!

Congrats Corney. 34 years for us next month.

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I keep chasin' the horizon, but I can't seem to catch it.

Congrats to both of you! And yes I am a lucky man, it will be 4 years together with my wife this September!

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"When in doubt...ride it out!"
2012 KTM 500 exc
2006 Suzuki Dr-Z400s
1990 Honda ST1100
1974 Honda Trail 90