Adventure riding on a DR-Z400?

[lmonsanto]

Hi all,

I'm looking for the lightest and most maneuverable bike for riding in Mexico and further south. My first trip will be from El Paso to the Copper Canyon with MotoAdverture. I have a lot to learn and I figure a MotoAdventure trip would be a good place to learn.

The obvious bike to take would be a 650 thumper like a F650GS or KLR650. However, I used to own a KLR650 and it was way too big and heavy for me off road.

I rarely ride over 65 or 70 MPH on the road so going fast is not a big issue for me. I don't plan to camp out so I won't be carrying much gear. I'm a total convert to carrying the bare minimum while traveling.

Happy Trails make a rack and side cases for the DR-Z400 and it's possible to fit larger gas tanks. I'm sure Corbin could take the seat pan and give me back a comfortable saddle.

So, for all you with experience riding in Latin America, does riding a lightly loaded DR-Z400 at no more than 65-70 MPH make sense in the real world?

Thanka!
Lynn