New rider here, rode last season on my permit and this Spring took a proper MSF riding class and got my endorsement.
Bike is a DRZ-400E that has been receiving upgrades from the day I bought her:
- 80/20 Street/Dirt tires front & rear changed from the dirt knobbies I bought it with
- Dual Sport conversion lighting kit installed (made it street legal in NJ)
- Adjustable Steering Stabilizer
- Upgraded LED headlight
- LED taillight, running light, plate light and blinkers
- Bar-End mirrors (now flipped down instead of up as in the pic)
- DRZ400-SM (SuperMoto) gearing change
- New O-Ring chain
- Water Pump fix
- Extra Capacity fuel tank (this things DRINKS more gas than I do beer)
- Bark-Buster hand guards, Radiator Guard, aluminum skid plates and crank cover (this was used only on dirt before I bought it from original owner)
- New rotors and pads just installed last weekend front and rear
- Moose Racing 3-Finger clutch lever waiting to be installed (stock is worn to hell with way to much play)
I'm sure I forgot some, but shes mostly stock and unmolested. Pulls hard with the SM gearing change from dirt gearing. A hard 1-2 shift will pull the front wheel off the ground.... Scary for a new rider. I mostly ride back roads (I live in NJ and don't want to die at 33 because people don't know how to drive and share the road with bikers, maybe I'll get there one day).
She's old but still runs like new, great 1st bike IMO. I want to keep it forever, but the wife would only like me to have one bike at at time. Working on that LOL.
Considering a Cruiser for next season, Honda Shadow 600cc (I believe) V-Twin seems like a nice cheap upgrade. Really want to be able to throw the wife on the back so we can enjoy it together, I feel so guilty after a day of riding. The sensations are like nothing words can honestly explain, and hopefully that will get her more appreciative of the hobby.
Here's how she sat last year (now 100% NJ street legal, registered and insured):