DakAL Trip Planning

[wbbnm]

You should be jealous. I think the 500 is easily the best bike I have ever owned. It runs good, feels good, quiet, and very reliable.

I moved here from New Mexico a year and a half ago. Nearly all my riding was off-pavement. I am suspecting that I will need something better for pavement up here or at least different tires on the 690.

Mr. Giant

Neither of my bikes has a windshield. I actually have a better wider seat on the 500 than my oem seat on the 690. I have the nerve and confidence to be aggressive riding the 500 in rough stuff. On the 690 it sometimes becomes a matter of survival. (Unfortunately I haven't quite gotten over my KLR days.)

If there is a lot of wide open gravel road and wind, the 690 or even something heavier would be better.

I can go about 150 miles on the 500 carrying some extra gas in MSR bottles. I might get a rear rack so I can carry the rotopax on the 500.

But the chase truck will be the critical factor. It wouldn't make sense to bring the 500 and then load it down with luggage.