Started getting into reading traveler's journeys on the internet in the evenings this winter. Ran through most of that I was interested in and was looking for more but no new stuff was being posted. At that point decided to become a contributor and donate some time, money and effort to the internet travelogue cause.

There is not much to do outdoors here during the winter except ski. Not wanting to spend the money to replace my white ski boots (just wait they'll be back in style for men again someday), spent the winter hatching this motorcycle/travel scheme....with enough drive to actually make it happen!

Use of the English language: I am an engineer, not an English major. The use of "I" and "me" and other first person stuff was avoided at first but now doesn't matter. It's hard to write a personal web page using "the author" and "one" exclusively. My only hope is that everything is spelled correctly.

Facts: I have tried to research material to give correct background for these pages. Please, don't use information from this site as a basis for your thesis or dissertation.

2000 Kawasaki KLR 650 - This bike is a 650cc single cylinder enduro style (now called dual sport) ride. Stock with the exception of a 14 tooth front sprocket and Michelin Sirac tires. If you want one there are always some in the classifieds generally with low mileage. Many of us older folks buy them thinking they are a larger version of that 250 we had in college.....Wrong!! They are tall, have a high center of gravity and weigh 340 pounds dry - tip it over just a little bit at a stop sign and it's going down (the author is just shy of 6 feet tall and the balls of his feet are the only part that touch ground at stop). Trick is to be use the motorcycle's power to be on balance before one stops, being off balance and placing a foot down to right yourself will not work.

Last year (2002) on eBay there was a 1999 KLR650 with 13 miles on it, only damage was to a hand grip that was obviously bruised in the only fall the owner ever wanted to take. This species is a beast at first, after you know how to control it a 250cc bike would never again be a satisfactory choice.

Kawasaki lists this machine as a touring bike - like for going to the tip of South America. Many people choose this bike for combinations of on/off road travel. It's the bargain cult classic, just type KLR650 into any search engine and you'll find many traveler's stories.

Leathers - Dainese Luce 2 piece set - coolest thing I have ever owned, everyone should have a set! Bought these because they were armored and the best. You can pay $1200 for the set from cycle dealers or catalogs, or you can pay $500 for the set from www.motorace.com - they are the importers and have screaming prices (no financial remuneration from them for the plug, just a great deal).

Sizing information for those to chicken to go into a cycle shop and try on stuff with no intention of buying, like me. Author is 5'11 1/2", 170 pounds, 33" waist - perfect for a size 52 by the books. Mine fits "track" tight, not enough room for anything additional to fit comfortably under the jacket, could probably have used a 54 jacket for room to add insulation/protection.

Helmet - Dainese Brave. Bought this new retail $550 helmet for $225 on eBay from a dealer of Dainese stuff. My only surprise was that as expensive as this helmet is - there was no DOT certification or European certification - not even a Joe's garage certification! Even checked the manufacturer's web site.