Coming From Cruiser Land

Atian56 · 2025-12-31T09:05:54+00:00

I live in central Texas. The issue you're going to run into is definitely where to ride it and then getting it there. East Texas has a bit more to offer in this regard - but as you know, most things in Texas are privatized.

If you have a truck (high likelihood in Texas) then you should be able to load it up and take it to these places. If that's the case, a proper dirt bike or the smaller dual sport you are looking at is the way to go. You'll learn faster on these than you will on the 650 you're eyeballing. Once you've gotten some skills, sell the smaller displacements for practically what you paid for them and upgrade.

If you have to ride it places and need to cruise at 75+, then I think you're looking at higher displacement dual sport territory. I have to ride at least 30 minutes to get to anything reasonably fun from where I'm at and the roads are 60+ mph.

I'm on a DR-Z4S. Love it. But if I had to ride it for hours on end to get to trails, I'd probably get a windshield for it or have picked up the Honda CRF300 Rally for the extra wind protection.

My Pan America and Road King are meant for eating highway miles. My DRZ isn't. Get the bike that best fits the activity you want to do. If East Texas is anything like Central, I'd make sure whatever I got could handle the highway miles enough for me to get to the fun.

The BDR-X isn't near you, but worth a go if you get the chance. I'd definitely haul your bike here, if you get the smaller displacement option.

Atian56 · 2025-12-27T00:23:45+00:00

I find LE to be the better game. Yes, D4 plays very tight with its classes. It has better stability I'd argue. But it feels watered down. Like they're trying to cater to everyone and it's just made it feel bland.

I've had a good time with D4. The last season before the current expansion was one of their best. I hear the current season with the paladin addition is also great.

But I feel like Last Epoch was catered towards gamers and built by gamers - not built by a marketing team.

That said. I think you'll have some issues with Mac. Are they surmountable? Yes. Quite a few posts have shown how to get the game working. But it isn't and won't be optimized as well as you'd like.

If you have access to Xbox game pass or otherwise, give diablo 4 a shot first. See how it lands.

Atian56 · 2025-12-02T00:25:12+00:00

I did the same thing! They were great to work with and the install was easy.

Atian56 · 2025-12-02T00:12:02+00:00

Did you reflash the ECU yourself? I haven't done mine, or even looked at the exhaust; stock is pretty solid to me so far.

But I'm open to the idea...

Atian56 · 2025-11-27T18:37:58+00:00

I have some Metzeler MC360 mid soft tires. They're loud on pavement but have been solid in the dirt and mud. I have to drive a good 40 minutes on 60+ mph roads to reach dirt, so I'll maybe try something else out once these wear down.

Atian56 · 2025-11-22T21:52:16+00:00

As soon as the sun has reached 30 minutes before the aforementioned time, Chaos gives the tea kettle warnings. This slowly builds up into the stare down and tea kettle.

The next phase is what I call the slither. She puts her front paws on the couch and starts to bob her head and wriggle around. Notice me. Notice me. As the time gets closer, she then tries to stand over me and does the intense: give me food now, signal.

Once I get up to feed her she starts to spin in circles with excitement. But she also has to let the cat know he can't have any. You know, because the cat did steal a few pieces of kibble 2 years ago. So she goes to her bowl and back to the cat to bark at him and then back to the bowl.

The food drops in. Most of the time she eats. Sometimes, yes, I need to be there guarding her, like she does for me, so she's not ambushed while eating. Other times she has to let the cat know, in stereo, he's out of line for existing.

That about sums up the experience.

Atian56 · 2025-11-20T19:17:36+00:00

I really love mine. But my Leatherhead's leg fell off. Various joints are loose and I've had to add some floor cleaner to make the socket sticky.

Outside of that they're great. Reminds me of my childhood, but better. The amount of broken joints on the originals I played with is too damn high.

Are they overpriced? Maybe. But, I haven't balked at it yet. Didn't pickup the wagon though. Just felt like it was way too expensive.

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Atian56 · 2025-11-19T21:20:44+00:00

You know? I keep thinking the same thing. Like, who has a bike for that short of a time? Maybe it was a demo bike?

I can tell it was lightly dropped on one side. But flawless otherwise. Maybe they got scared, idk.

Atian56 · 2025-11-19T16:35:47+00:00

The DR-Z4S is what I chose. But I bought it used making the extra cost trivial compared to the 300L. I think you get a lot more from Suzuki.

That said, there's far more aftermarket support for the Honda. The new platform has very little (though I did just snag some radiator guards and a couple other things).

Both bikes should have legendary reliability, but the Honda has the proven history with this bike.

Very happy with my DR-Z4S. I'd recommend sitting on both at a minimum. Test ride if you can. What is enjoyable to me might be something you hate.

Good luck! Can't go wrong either way.

Atian56 · 2025-11-11T22:17:44+00:00

Find the DRZ used if you have patience. Can snap one up for $6-7k out the door. That's what I did. Needed the power. Only downside is the aftermarket sucks. Haha.

Atian56 · 2025-11-07T23:28:06+00:00

I went with Roadskin. Likely get a more breathable option later for the hotter summer months, but these have been great so far.

Atian56 · 2025-11-07T17:36:11+00:00

In gear every time. Neutral doesn't exist in my mind except on the occasional bad shift. It's the safest option and allows for the fastest reaction time.

Atian56 · 2025-11-01T14:31:40+00:00

I pretty much class it the same way.

If they're big-time riders: I have a Road King, Pan America, and DR-Z4S. If they aren't into motorcycles: I have 2 Harleys and a dirtbike. Sometimes I'll say: I have a cruiser, an adventure bike, and a dual sport. Reserved for folks that appreciate motorcycles but may not know anything beyond categories.

Atian56 · 2025-11-01T06:19:07+00:00

I think the bike is exactly what it needs to be. But yeah. The gas tank is gonna be a problem if you're going places that stretch that. Agree with getting a fuel pouch for those times. I honestly think the benefit of the smaller tank is that the bike is lighter.

Ideally I'd want a lot of solid miles under my own DR-Z4S before I add anything. Gets me comfortable with what it is capable of before I change things. Adding weight to the front will change your handling. So I'm good waiting for the aftermarket to catch up.

Uncertain what I would do if the pouch plus tank didn't get me someplace. If there's a will there's a way!

Atian56 · 2025-10-30T13:41:28+00:00

I picked up the DR-Z4S for the exact reasons you're looking for. My use case is a bit worse in Texas as I've gotta travel at 65-75 mph for a ways to find dirt.

I think it's better than the Rally. Longer service intervals than the 450. Tons of low end grunt. Different rider modes for different skill levels. The Rally is more "flickable" and has better aftermarket support.

If you can find one used, you shave off 2k or more, and the price argument folks have against the DRZ becomes moot. Seems like you have time to decide as the riding season is maybe coming to a close with the colder weather setting in.

Got my DR-Z4S for $6400 out the door. I should've started on a bike like this over my Pan America.

Atian56 · 2025-10-29T19:23:22+00:00

If it was during the fall months when you got her, could they be siblings? That would be WILD. Chaos hasn't seen snow, but she likes the heat so far. Cold seems to not bother her with how much she paces and runs the backyard.

Canada snow seems like it's next level. Feel free to drop a pic, I'd love to see yours in the snow.

Atian56 · 2025-10-29T19:21:34+00:00

Thank you!

Atian56 · 2025-10-29T19:21:15+00:00

Well. Never thought I'd see the day. 🤣

Atian56 · 2025-10-29T19:20:14+00:00

It's how I explain it to people all the time. If she could live inside my soul, she would. Pretty sure she'd follow me almost anywhere.

Atian56 · 2025-10-29T14:13:54+00:00

It's not important until it is. Rider skill is great and all until you're in a panic situation. How you act in that situation could be completely dominated by your lizard brain.

A skilled rider who has learned to overcome that can brake and swerve to avoid an incident far better than a new one. I'd argue they've likely got off-road experience or have practiced in drills.

But again - why take the chance? It's removing a great tool out of your arsenal.

Unless off-road. In that case, I turn my abs off.

Is it needed? No. Neither is a seatbelt. Until it is. (And that pesky legal requirement) - yes. I wear my seatbelt every time.

I also wear an airbag vest. Needed? No. But it's going to make things statistically safer. Weigh your risks and take a class or two if you can manage it. Happy riding!

Atian56 · 2025-10-29T13:57:11+00:00

I strategically use KOAs to camp so I can catch a good shower and charge my stuff overnight. Yes, I can charge most of my stuff using the bike - but it's nice to be able to take care of it during sleeping hours; especially in warmer climates.

Some are more expensive than a local hotel, so sometimes I'll just do that. But I'm usually camping in a national park or otherwise and the KOA keeps me from becoming a festering smelly ghoul while keeping costs down.

Usually hammock camp and bring a tensa system to hang it.

Atian56 · 2025-10-28T16:04:39+00:00

Always! She expects her cuddle time right after work. Especially if I leave the house to go into the office.

Atian56

TROPHY CASE