Stoopid In The Smokies on a KLR

[willie]

To anyone contemplating this trip: Include a ride on The Snake from Shady Valley to Mountain City, TN if possible. PM me in advance and I'll join you if my schedule permits. I've been here since '92 and still haven't gotten tired of these roads.
Willie

[salty_monk]

Dan and Debbie spend a couple months in Terlingua TX near Big Bend National Park in the winter and take some of their bikes to rent. I'm hoping to go out there in February and ride for a few days. Dan raves about the area as a 'must-ride at least once' place.

Thanks,
Joe

I'd be up for that... It's only 1200 miles away

February is a no-go for me. I'll be on lock-down due to imminent arrival of little feet.. I imagine my riding year next year is not going to offer too much in the way of long trips!

Maybe 2013....

[marvinsc]

A dual sport has been on my wish list for a while now and stories like this aren't helping a bit! Have a lead right now on a DR650 but the money gods aren't cooperating.

[crag antler]

Looks like a heck of a region to dual-sport.
But you trailered ??
The KLR's should have been able to do the ride and back.

[marvinsc]

Looks like a heck of a region to dual-sport.
But you trailered ??
The KLR's should have been able to do the ride and back.

No doubt they would have done the ride to and back but 200 mile slab runs aren't a dual sport's forte. Just like I love riding my SV in West Virginia but have no plans to ride it up there.

[bwringer]

Looks like a heck of a region to dual-sport.
But you trailered ??
The KLR's should have been able to do the ride and back.

The flesh is willing, but our vacation time is severely bruised and weak... plus, the days are far shorter in late October.

Getting there or back in one day involves 450+ miles of slab for me, and around 600 miles for Tim & Wazz. A KLR can certainly do that, but not before dark in late October. And taking the slab means you bypass hundreds of miles of outstanding roads.

In the summer, we generally take two days to make the trip south, and usually, in order to conserve our meager rations of vacation time, endure the brutal all-day slog back north.

As it happened, it rained hard the whole day Wednesday, so we didn't feel too bad about staying dry in the truck.

[twr1776]

#21 Today, 07:09 PM bwringer The flesh is willing, but our vacation time is severely bruised and weak... plus, the days are far shorter in late October. As it happened, it rained hard the whole day Wednesday, so we didn't feel too bad about staying dry in the truck.

Yes the 600 miles is possible in a day on a KLR but as Brian mentioned that would have been two days of 600 mile slab days for Greg and me. Besides per Brain we are are now the "Trailer Kings".

[marvinsc]

Indeed, anyone who trailers a trailer is King like.

[oldrookie]

That looks like so much fun it should be illegal. Probably is in some states.

Thought I was getting a DR 650 from my friend was excited about getting some dual-sport riding in. Turned out he had a GR 650 to get rid of. Thoughts of dual sporting still rattling around.

[JEEPRUSTY]

You essay is stunning! Thanks you so much for sharing.

[salty_monk]

I rode 566 miles the day after I saw you guys at Bruce's. Only half of it on the slab (incl route 108 and other scenic stuff).

It took me about 11 hrs incl lunch etc but was a long day.

They definitely are capable but I would prob not have wanted a long ride the next day.

I'd have trailered in your situation given the chance too