Have been lurking on the HUBB for three years now--your stories and photos have been my escape. It is still likely two more years until I am able to get out on any globe-conquering adventures, but I'd like to start preparing. Never owned a bike--managed to land a license years ago when a highschool friend wanted me to take a MSF course with her (I passed the course and went on to get my license and she failed ) Overall I spent three days on a bike and it has been burning in the back of my mind ever since.

I'd like to go for a dual-sport. I need one capable of the 400 miles on the I-5 heading home from school. I like the concept of ABS while I am learning the bike's limits and for winter weather in SF. By the same token, I would like a (relatively) simple bike that will be easy to learn to do maintenance and repairs on.

For a long time I have considered a DL650A. Certainly enough has been said in their favor on these forums as well as others, but I recently had a chance to read over Adam's entries and photos on Short Way Round and know that is how I ultimately want to travel. He chose a DR650 for his travels, after beating the hell out of a F650 in SA. He considered a DRZ400 as well, but it failed an important requirement .

Its been a while since I have been on a bike and no body I know owns one, so I am left with you all for help. If you were just begining to ride, how would you do it? Of the three bikes, the DL650/DR650/DRZ400, which would you chose?

I will head to the dealer in the next week or so, just to get a feel for each, but I would like to find a used bike as I am sure I will eventually drop it . I am thinking I will sign up for another MSF course. Are there more extensive courses available? Or do you recommend just getting out on a bike?

I am 6'1" and 190lbs (1.85m and 86kgs) for reference. Thanks as always.

--Chris