I had a long but uneventful drive back to Quartzsite yesterday. This morning, I sold my Kawasaki KLR650.
Ben had contacted me about it just before I left for Los Angeles. We agreed to meet up when I got back. He was proactive and got back in touch with me yesterday, and we set a time to meet this morning. He came, he saw, he test rode around the area, and he bought it. Ben’s a fairly new rider, and this is his first bike. I think it’ll work out well for him. He’s taller than I am, and unlike me, he can actually flat-foot it. I never could. He has a helmet, but no other riding gear yet. He happens to have the same shoe size as me, so I gave him my old motocross boots as well. I’d been looking to sell them separately, but he needs them, and I get that space back in my trailer.
It was bittersweet seeing it go, on the back of his van just like I used to carry it on mine. That bike and I have been through a lot together. Before van life, it taught me how to ride on dirt. We had many adventures and low-speed spills together. We’ve been to all four corners of the country together. We’ve tackled everything from difficult trails to the Tail of the Dragon and even a track day. This bike did it all. My needs have changed, and the V-Strom is the right choice for me now. But I’ll always have a soft spot for this KLR.
This means that I’m no longer tied down to one spot. Anytime I want, I can load the one remaining bike into the trailer, and go. I have little desire to right now, ironically. I’m going to stay put with all the awesome people in my camp in Quartzsite for a while longer, while they’re here. I’ll also be around for the Rubber Tramp Rendezvous (I have to be, now that I’m giving a presentation). Jenn and I have discussed going to Skooliepalooza in nearby Ehrenberg the week afterward. I do want to get down to Imperial Dam at some point, but I’m not sure when. Plus, if my Big Loop plans work out, I’ll be leaving this area in late February or early March anyway. So we’ll see.
But at least now I’m free to move about the cabin.
Smokey Da Van 