Any women riders?

[LadyDraco]

Welcome Kath

I agree NEVER be embarrassed...
It's good to have been on a bunch of different motos...
Stepping stones are a good thing....

That's how you find what ya like..

[Ladybug0048]

Hi Gals,

This thread got active while I was gone this last week. I love seeing all the posts and the new gals joining the thread. It's nice more and more women are out there riding.

Avocado Sandwich (that's a cute name) I just returned from a one week, almost 2000 mile tour on my DR200SE I sure do enjoy the heck out of that bike. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I do mine. I'll be starting a ride report in a few day and will post the link here too.

If you have any questions about your DR200SE there is a DR200 thread here: DR200 If you haven't found it yet you might want to check it out. I discovered there aren't a lot of accessories available for the DR200 it seems to be considered a starter bike rather than a bike that people might want to really get out and ride. It does have it's limitations on the open road but I have one heck of a great time with my bike.

[avocado_sandwich]

Hi Ladybug! I'm impressed that you did a 2000 mile trip on a DR200! I'm working up to taking a long trip. Yes, I've been reading the DR200 thread--it's been extremely helpful! Its hard to find accessories for the DR200. So far, I've put a Walmart ATV seat cover on, and my husband made me some small tank panniers and a tank bag from some toiletry cases. I have a cooler on the back, and some nicer rubber grips. I'm getting a Slipstreamer windshield soon, so I'll be ready for the colder weather!

I really do love this little bike. It does everything I need to do. Maybe someday I'll want a bigger bike, but for now, it's just about perfect!

[Ladybug0048]

Originally Posted by avocado_sandwich

Hi Ladybug! I'm impressed that you did a 2000 mile trip on a DR200! I'm working up to taking a long trip. Yes, I've been reading the DR200 thread--it's been extremely helpful! Its hard to find accessories for the DR200. So far, I've put a Walmart ATV seat cover on, and my husband made me some small tank panniers and a tank bag from some toiletry cases. I have a cooler on the back, and some nicer rubber grips. I'm getting a Slipstreamer windshield soon, so I'll be ready for the colder weather!

I really do love this little bike. It does everything I need to do. Maybe someday I'll want a bigger bike, but for now, it's just about perfect!

Yep, working up to it is the way to go. I've been riding for a few years so I'm used to long miles in the saddle but it does take a while for a newer rider to get that saddle toughness built up. The most important thing is to enjoy your riding, whether it be 2 miles or 2000, what ever makes you smile is what it's all about.

Here's the Superbug all packed up during that 2000 mile ride. I'm packed heavy but also packed with all my camping gear.


I was disappointed with how few accessories are made for the DR200 but I was able to figure it out with a lot of help from a few friends (oldtimer did a ton of work on the bike installing all the goodies and Loud Al provided me with a lot of good suggestions and websites). Klay who is a regular on the DR200 thread is also a great resource.

The tank panniers I have on it are ATV tank pannier and they work great. The sidebags and tailbag are from Nelson-Rigg and designed for street bikes. I have side racks on it from Happy Trails, they are a tad spendy but they are made for a DR200 and keeps the side bags where they belong and are worth it to me. Happy Trails also makes a tail rack but I got mine from a place called cycleracks.com. It was designed for a DR200 although it's a bit wider than I would prefer but it works. There is a small magnetic tank bag on it and the bag on the seat is a cheap Walmart duffle that works well.

When I got my DR200 I had it set up for long miles even though a few people thought I had lost my mind especially since I already own 2 F650s that are set up with everything people couldn't understand why I would do this with a 200. I have the Superbug set up with heated grips, wired for an electric jacket liner, 2 power outlets (one for the GPS the other to charge my phone or whatever) I have a voltmeter so I can monitor how much power I'm drawing so I can turn things off before I kill the battery. A headlight cut off switch was also added so the headlight can be turned off while starting the bike (to use less power) I had the seat cut down and a gel pad added, aluminum bars and gel grips added for less vibration.

I enjoy the Superbug so much I have ridden it 7000 miles since March, ah yes that DR200 is a hit with me!

[GSjoyride]

add another one to your tabulations.....

[HokieDNA01]

Originally Posted by Ladybug0048

Yep, working up to it is the way to go. I've been riding for a few years so I'm used to long miles in the saddle but it does take a while for a newer rider to get that saddle toughness built up. The most important thing is to enjoy your riding, whether it be 2 miles or 2000, what ever makes you smile is what it's all about.

Here's the Superbug all packed up during that 2000 mile ride. I'm packed heavy but also packed with all my camping gear.


I was disappointed with how few accessories are made for the DR200 but I was able to figure it out with a lot of help from a few friends (oldtimer did a ton of work on the bike installing all the goodies and Loud Al provided me with a lot of good suggestions and websites). Klay who is a regular on the DR200 thread is also a great resource.

The tank panniers I have on it are ATV tank pannier and they work great. The sidebags and tailbag are from Nelson-Rigg and designed for street bikes. I have side racks on it from Happy Trails, they are a tad spendy but they are made for a DR200 and keeps the side bags where they belong and are worth it to me. Happy Trails also makes a tail rack but I got mine from a place called cycleracks.com. It was designed for a DR200 although it's a bit wider than I would prefer but it works. There is a small magnetic tank bag on it and the bag on the seat is a cheap Walmart duffle that works well.

When I got my DR200 I had it set up for long miles even though a few people thought I had lost my mind especially since I already own 2 F650s that are set up with everything people couldn't understand why I would do this with a 200. I have the Superbug set up with heated grips, wired for an electric jacket liner, 2 power outlets (one for the GPS the other to charge my phone or whatever) I have a voltmeter so I can monitor how much power I'm drawing so I can turn things off before I kill the battery. A headlight cut off switch was also added so the headlight can be turned off while starting the bike (to use less power) I had the seat cut down and a gel pad added, aluminum bars and gel grips added for less vibration.

I enjoy the Superbug so much I have ridden it 7000 miles since March, ah yes that DR200 is a hit with me!

Great report on your luggage. I have an XT225 and so far have shyed away from putting a lot of on road milage on her although I would like that to change. My boyfriend has quite a bit of street experience on sportbike as do I so both of us worry about the grip of the tires on pavement if you had to do an emergency manuaver. I dont want to ride with total street tires so I can go off road as I please but worry that knobbies just wont give me the grip i need (since I'm used to VERY sticky tires) Any suggestions on tires would be very appreciated.

[Ladybug0048]

Originally Posted by HokieDNA01

Great report on your luggage. I have an XT225 and so far have shyed away from putting a lot of on road milage on her although I would like that to change. My boyfriend has quite a bit of street experience on sportbike as do I so both of us worry about the grip of the tires on pavement if you had to do an emergency manuaver. I dont want to ride with total street tires so I can go off road as I please but worry that knobbies just wont give me the grip i need (since I'm used to VERY sticky tires) Any suggestions on tires would be very appreciated.

Doing dual sport riding there are always trade offs. I have DOT approved "street" knobbies on my DR200. I had a more street type of tire on the bike but only took it on a couple ride before I decided they were not the way to go. They were fine on ashalt but horrible on the dirt. Knobbies won't give you the grip you are used to with the sticky sportbike tires and if you go with knobbies you will need to ride accordingly.

Truthfully I don't have any good suggestions on tires as I'm still working through trying to figure out what the best tire is for my DR200 with what I like to do with it.

Good luck in finding tires that you like for your bike.

[Ladybug0048]

Over the weekend I started my ride report from my latest adventure. The report is here: Itty-Bitty_Bike_Tour. I hope you enjoy it.

[LadyDraco]

Great report
Thanks for sharing...
Horay for Otis !!! ADV kitty !!!!
He's a cutie !!!

[Extreme Velcro]

Originally Posted by LadyDraco

Great report
Thanks for sharing...
Horay for Otis !!! ADV kitty !!!!
He's a cutie !!!

Kitty cool, I so love kitties. Must be why I have 16 of them.

[Ladybug0048]

Originally Posted by LadyDraco

Great report
Thanks for sharing...
Horay for Otis !!! ADV kitty !!!!
He's a cutie !!!

Otis is a great cat and jumps on the seat of a motorcycle any chance he gets. I also have Wilbur a big fluffy orange cat, he doesn't jump on the bikes as much but does every once in a while. Both Otis and Wilbur know the sound of my bikes and my pickup and come running when they here any of them. It sure seems funny to be chased up the driveway on my bike by two silly cats. Pets are fun and lots of company.

[LadyDraco]

Yes little furry kids are great company...
Anything that can make me laugh is alright in my book...

[PrairieRider]

Here's my favorite four-legged furry friend. She keeps my spirits up and sits close to me when they're not.

[Kath]

Awww...what a sweet face!!!

[PrairieRider]

Originally Posted by Kath

Awww...what a sweet face!!!

She says, "Thanks, I know!" That's a corgi for you.

So, ladies...I got a new (to me) ride...am so excited! Got all jazzed about this bike after doing this ride on an earlier model. Feel free to have a good laugh at my expense...I can take it!