DAMN Riders - No rules, Just ride!

Interesting on the KLX250. What do you like about the Kawasaki over the Honda or Yamaha? Oil sounds like a sore subject... I'll steer clear on that one, Can anyone recommend a good local shop to check out helmets and other necessary stuff?--Or do I need to drive up to Philadelphia to shop at Revzilla?

Ok, so a 250cc it is. Now I just have to figure out which one, and then figure out all the other gear, etc. I need to get. Have you seen how many different riding boots are on the market?

The big Honda is definitely tempting--especially given the number of used ones out there at good prices, but I think just too much bike for me to learn on. It sounds like a used Yamaha WR250R or a Honda CRF250L are the top two contenders, with the Suzuki DR-Z400S in third (I hear it's top-heavy, whi...

The 125 would be a dirt-only bike, correct? Not street legal? Like a Yamaha TTR 125? Are used ones good, or more likely to be worn out?

A 250 all the way to Alaska? Did anything break? Did he do a trip report? Thanks for the input again, guys. That settles the issue that I will not be starting on a Honda XR650L. Sounds like something in the 250cc range would not only be appropriate for learning, but would also allow me to travel on ...

Thanks Granville! I have definitely drank the Kool-Aid on lighter being better. My only concern is whether the smaller bikes have the ability to carry a load of camping gear (i.e whether they have mounting points for racks on the subframes, or the ability to carry an extra 50 lbs of weight). Are the...

Thanks stretchride! I hadn't heard of that trail before, and it looks like exactly what I was hoping to find!! I've read a number of people talking about the need for a second bike in order to fully enjoy all the different terrain types/possibilities. As if dual sport is a gateway drug into other ty...

So now you've got me buying trials bikes for the kids too? That may be low risk out in the dirt, but at home, my wife would be furious (since the kids aren't even in school yet, so I'd be in SO much trouble). :) I'm getting the picture that grand camping trips might not be as much of a possibility o...

I don't know what you're working with for budget, and having to clear things with a significant other introduces additional hurdles. That's pretty much spot on. I want to be sure that this is something where the "dream" is going to match reality, and I am indeed going to enjoy it before I...

Ok, so it sounds like even for an absolute beginner, something in the 250cc class such as a Honda CRF250L would not be the place to start. If it helps, I'm 5'10" and 170 lbs with 32" inseam. I have no desire to be out mingling with cars on the highways, so I'd say this would be 90/10 off-r...