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2001 MEXICO, GUATEMALA, AND BELIZE ON A KAWASAKI KLR650 |
In 2001, I became aware of the increasingly popular "dual sport"
movement. I would describe dual sport motorcycles as similar to what we used to
call "enduro" motorcycles, but evolved for long distance travel. I first became
interested in them after the Nebraska to Alaska trip, when I learned that the
large motorcycle that I used on that ride was not well suited to take me to all
the places that I wanted to go, specifically if travel on unimproved roads was
required.After a bit of research, I ended up with a new 2001 model Kawasaki KLR650 in my garage, and immediately began making modifications to further enhance the reliability and utilitarian function of the motorcycle with the idea of using it for adventure touring. My KLR is big, ugly, and green, and so it became known as Shrek. When I got Shrek, I didn't have any specific destinations in mind, except perhaps going back to Canada and Alaska, and possibly Mexico. The salesman that sold me the bike had mentioned that a couple of local guys, Frank Tabor and Dale Thornton, were doing a "Tip to Tip" adventure on KLR650's. Tip to Tip means that they were planning to ride as far north as the road goes in Alaska, to Prudoe Bay, and as far south as the road goes in South America, to Ushiaia, Argentina. As fate would have it, I met Frank and Dale through a local riding club soon after buying the KLR. Frank had become familiar with the Great South American Air Adventure while doing research in preparation for his own South American adventure. At that time Dale and Frank had completed the Alaska leg of their journey, and were preparing to travel through Central and South America. They were gracious enough to invite me along. Unfortunately, I was not able to be away from work for six weeks at that time, so I decided to ride south with them for one week, then turn around and ride home alone. Click the links below to find out how it turned out. |
THE DEPARTURE |
MEXICO part 1 |
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MEXICO part 2 |
GUATEMALA |
BELIZE |
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COMING HOME |
| SHREK, THE MIGHTY KLR |
