FYI, this is where i grew up... I'm very sad that I haven't gotten to go back and ride now that I do! I can't wait to go home and eat up some of the trials I used to hike and mountain bike. I just haven't had enough time to go home by vehicle and bring the bike along. There's lots of fun to be had here too though thankfully. What bike did you do this trip on? I love the KLX but I wonder how it will feel at 7500 ft altitude.

I don't have any experience with the Aprila but I would guess that on a budget all those options don't come cheap. I love KTM's for performance, but it's like a breath of fresh air every time I realize that I can do an oil change on my KLX for 1/4 the cost.. .and that I do not have to spend way too much time sneaking oil into my down tube, or changing 2 pricey filters with EVERY change ...
The most inconvenient thing about my KLX is days I can't ride, and that silly spring behind the filter that doesn't hold itself in place well. I'm otherwise totally enjoying every moment of it... other than that little embarrassing incident where I couldn't get it to start and run without bogging and got all the way past removing the gas tank before I discovered it had apparently JUST passed into reserve territory when I parked it. but it was a good excuse to explore the work involved in swapping for a bigger tank Really wish someone made a direct fit over 3 gallons though, it's got me wondering if I could have some fabrication mods done to the existing tank.

 

Here is my answer to all those problems... another bike! KLR650. I can got about 270 miles on one tank of gas. Its great. Plus the KLR was only 600$ i got it with 4k miles on it too.

 

Well, I'll be in Pittsburgh this weekend. I'll just stop by and grab that from you... give it a test, make sure it fits my bill

Where do you live in Pitts? (I grew up near there and went to school there)

 

I live north west of the city, Ambridge baden economy area.

 

Ahh... I was at Duquesne for a year, then transferred to Robert Morris out near the airport when I changed majors. And then the lady was in Squirrel Hill while going to Pitt for grad school. And growing up I lived in Ohio, but only about 35 miles outside of Pitts so we were there all the time. We moved after finishing up school, now we go back for visits now & again to see family (like this weekend).

I gotta say, I miss it... but I don't. Being somewhere with a nice highway system that flows correctly is nice. And I don't have to worry about any tunnels causing massive slowdowns for no apparent reason, but then again I miss the local mom & pops places, and that lovely view coming out of the Fort Pitt tunnels / on top of Mt Washington.

 

My girl was too short also. So I got ther the KLX250sf and then had to lower that.
We were pushing the limits of the KLX250s suspension also(mostly me) I bought new springs from moto pro and when I installed the rear spring she said the bumps were not so bad anymore. So that might be a less costly short term solution(also it will improve the ride when you are on it alone) Honestly I did not see as HUGE of a difference from changing out the fronts but still think its worth the $.

Cheers Jim

 

Get mama-san a TW200. Maybe the easiest bike in the world to learn on (don't take my word, go have a look at the stable of bikes at a local MSF course.), will go just about anywhere you point it, low seat height is perfect for ladies and those of us who are vertically challanged. Oh yeah,it gets 80+mpg and is a blast to ride.

I've never been a big scooter fan, mostly because a real dual sport should give you options on the road when the crap hits the fan. I always know I have the choice of leaving the road on a shoulder or median with a very good chance of staying upright. A small wheeled scooter is designed for road only with marginal power, and offers limited options in tight spots.

My GF tried to learn on my KLX. After dumping it twice (too tall) she bought a TW and loves it. Heck, I've become a fan of the little mule as well

 

Oh I am well aware of the TW200, it's the bike I learned on. It's also the reason I got a dual-sport bike. I loved the seating position on that thing. But if we were to get her a full bike instead of scooter, she'd want a Rebel or possibly some other cruiser type bike.

 

My wife's scooter was surprisingly good on gravel roads, and trails.
Get her a Sachs Madass scooter, and put one of those 160 pit bike motors on it.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCI5qfxERI0