My Suzuki DR650 Motorcycle

For context, this Chapter is JUST pictures of my motorcycle.

It is not a travel log, because a lot of stuff happened without my motorcycle in the frame. These are just DR650 pictures.

Well, this was a Monday that changed my life!

I had a crazy idea that I might like riding a motorcycle on adventures. After talking with a few other guys, I decided that the Suzuki DR650 was going to be the perfect bike for a real adventure.

(Spoiler: it certainly was.)

Here it is, brand new on the Edge Power Sports showroom floor.

And, it dropped into the back of my pickup truck fairly nicely.

I bought a helmet and some riding gear and the adventure begins.

This was taken at Cam and Rachels place in Colorado, the destination of my first ride. I bet they thought I was kind of crazy.

On the way back home, this dugway has a great view of the Green River.

The next trip was a loop through 3-corners and back Irish Canyon.

This is up on the divide overlooking Clay Basin to the North, Three Corners to the East.

I decided to switch out the 15 tooth front sprocket for a 14 tooth for more power at lower speeds.

The factory tires (I think they are nicknamed the death angels) got replaced with Tusk Waypoints. Which are still my favorite tires.

Rachel and I took a ride to the top of little mountain and…

I got stuck.

But, my bike would stand without the kick stand! A plus.

The view from the top of little mountain is just amazing.

The next trip was a solo adventure to the top of Goslin Mountain.

Right after this picture was taken I got a flat tire. I had everything to fix it, including a spare tube.

But, the air compressor was broken!

So, I rode 30 miles home with a flat front tire. The tube was trashed when I got back, but the tire was fine.

Now, I was ready for a bigger trip. How about Hope Canada to see Sam, Taylor, Wes and Ruby.

Along the way I stopped to see Sean Johnson in Rock Springs.

And…I made it to Hope where Wes liked the bike.

And my riding boots fit him perfectly!

Checkout how fat I was in September, 2025.

Foreshadowing

Heading back to a hotel in downtown Hope.

The 650 (yet unnamed) out the window of the hotel in Hope.

On October 24, 2025 I headed out for what would be a defining moment of my life I guess.

I did not really tell anyone where I was going because I was sure I would not make it.

I rode up Crouse Canyon to the top of Diamond Mountain.

This is the top of Diamond Mountain, above Vernal Utah.

I visited my friend Ken Vargo at his new place near the Sand Dune Park in Colorado.

Then I headed down south.

This is a picnic spot on the way back from McDonald Observatory.

A fake Prada store near Marfa Texas.

You have to love this. Just have to.

The DR looks amazing here.

Then, down the road from Marfa is this Buc-ees.

Another art installation.

At the hotel in Eagle Pass they let me park right in front of the entry so the front desk folks could keep an eye on my bike.

Seems like I have a lot of junk for a guy on a motorcycle?

Foreshadowing…

I am in Mexico!

Great little hotel with gated parking. My room was right above the motor.

This picture highlights how fat I was when I took off on this trip. This was a great little Airbnb.

In Campeche I stayed at a Marriot sub brand. Nice enough.

This is the new rear tire I picked up in Campeche.

This is a 5 star hotel near Chichen Itza. They made me park a 1/2 mile from the front entry way, however they took me back and forth in a golf cart. And the guard at the gate had a machine gun. So it was super safe.

In Palenque, I stayed at a great hotel. They let me park under cover near the bus entrance. Super great selection.

Random gas station in El Salvador.

This was the day I met Robert. We rode quite a while together and then later we rode from my place in Browns Park Utah to Prudhoe Bay Alaska. This is his Africa Twin (foreshadowing again).

'Pure Michigan' baby!

This is the exit port leaving El Salvador for the Honduras.

This is the port of entry into the Honduras.

Now we are crossing into Nicaragua.

I went on a ride around the volcano and fell in the rocks. Notice the first of many broken mirrors.

And you can purchase all the new mirrors here that you would ever want.

I got new tires in San Jose Costa Rica. These Motoz Tractionators lasted me all the way to Denver Colorado, via …well via a lot.

The DR really needed a wash.

Heading south to Panama.

It rained. Hard.

This is at the locks in Panama.

Getting ready to ship our motorcycles to Bogota Columbia. It is not possible to cross the Darian Gap on land.