Yeah, this looks like no fun at all.
When I saw this video, I immediately knew I wanted to try this. There's just something awesome about the idea of riding in a group of guys out for a week of rustic motorcycle camping and adventuring in the remotest parts of the American Southwest. The route the UTBDR takes starts in southeast Utah and winds north all the way to the north end of Utah and goes through some of the most picturesque dual-sport country in the world. The only problem was, I had the wrong bike...a 2002 BMW R1150GS Adventure. The GSA is a 600lb. beast of a dual-sport. While certainly capable in the right hands, the sheer hippopotamus size of it induced a serious pucker factor on anything technical for me. Visions of having to pick up the bike would continuously be on my mind as I went through the rough stuff and the thought of being able to put a foot down to steady yourself was laughable...if it started to go, the only thing for it was to try to jump clear and hope the hard bags didn't crush your leg and that nothing dented the beautiful, bulbous 9-gallon tank.
But goddamn was she gorgeous.
That year, a friend and I went on a 10-day motorcycle ride got to taste a tiny portion of that route on our larger dual-sports and it was enough for me to realize that packing heavy on a heavy bike and taking it on technical trails just wasn't my cup of tea. I'm far more comfortable on a lightweight dirt bike. So while we did have an excellent trip through Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado that year, I have to admit it was a bit of a let down considering how badly I wanted to do the BDR.
So this year I sold my big Beemer and plan to spend all of this year enjoying my new toy, a 2007 Husqvarna TE610. At about (literally) half the weight of the BMW, this Italian stallion has a respectable 53 stock horsepower and a very wide ratio transmission (that will cruise at 80+mph all day without complaint) to complement its top of the line Sachs/Marzocchi suspension. In many ways, the TE610 is almost an ideal lightweight dual sport; it has both race-inspired lightweight high-horsepower performance and all-day high-endurance. Outside of a few known issues, it's one of the most versatile high-performance dual sports ever made. Why Husky ever stopped making them is beyond me.
2006 Italian Championship Motorally and Raid Marathon "Marathon" category winner.
Also good for commuting to work and getting groceries.
So, a couple months ago, my hunt began and I recently located a fine ultra-low-mileage specimen in Michigan. As Husqvarna dealers in the US are scarce, it looks like it's going to be necessary to have one shipped to me. A small price to pay for this amazing beast. I have a few ideas for upgrades that need done, but generally, I'm super stoked. I was actually on a business trip in Boston when it arrived, but she is here now. It's almost a shame to ride something that nice and new in dirt, but I'm sure I will find a way to bear it!
