"Before" pictures of my new DR400ZS prior to the effects of 1,538 miles of Baja between Rancho Santa Veronica, just south of the US border, and Cabo San Lucas, on the Southern tip of the peninsula. 

It was the only "S," or street legal model, of the new Suzuki DR on the ride. My friend Avery Innis (a.k.a. Dr. DR) had built this bike in a mad rush in the two weeks prior to the ride. I hadn't seen my new bike until I climbed into Bob Mueller's van at the San Diego airport.

The bike represented a stealth testing platform for the new "S" DR. There were literally zero aftermarket parts ready for this "fresh off the boat" new street model, so Avery had adapted a dirt model tank, dirt model Yoshimura exhaust, as well as countless other bits and mods.

It was a beautiful package, but it was entirely unknown if it could stand the test of so many unforgiving dirt and rock encrusted miles. 

What Avery and the aftermarket manufacturers hoped to learn was how well the new bits would integrate, how well they worked on the S platform and how well they would hold up in the crucible of Baja. 

More than one set of fingers were crossed. I had little idea of how many long and late hours, sweat, sacrifice and favors had been required to get the bike to this point in time for the ride. 

Avery had replaced the stock lamp/fender setup with the lightweight Acerbis kit. In total, he took around 36 lbs. off of the bike, making it only 7 lbs. heavier than the dirt model electric start bikes on the ride.  This new DR feels and rides much, much lighter than my old dirt model DR and feels like an 80cc motocrosser compared to my old street model DR (a.k.a. the Great White Whale). 

My within-20-days-of-18 year old son, Adam, camera strap and his completely obscured rental DR400Z (dirt model) electric start. 

Just what you'd expect in Baja. A blue water lake and a pine forest...

New DR and a most unexpected vista. This was within a national park, which was normally closed to bikes due to abuse by previous riders. 

The blue water lake nestled in a pine forest. It was the first of many wonderful natural splendors of Baja. 

Our first gas stop. Vintage and octane unknown. Get used to it, its Baja. 

No shortage of satellite dishes, another characteristic of modern Baja. 

Lunch stop at the orphanage. Another great meal. Unfortunately, the van that Zan Smith had donated had done too good of a job of hauling the kids to school, so we missed them this year. 

Adam in the water crossing just below Mike's sky ranch. 

Adam and Russell at Mike's Sky ranch. I took Adam in to show him the most famous swimming pool and bar in all of Baja.

Adam coming down one of the single track trails. This section included a beautiful section through a deciduous forest along a stream. Another completely unexpected natual treat in Baja.  

A nice little downhill/uphill that looks a lot harder than it rides when you approach it from the other side. 

Typical vista. Mountains, valleys and bike receding off into the distance. 

Adam was in the "just get me to the pavement" mode, so we skipped the last dirt & beach section of day one. Last gas, day one. 

Just outside of dinner at the Old Mill. At this point Adam has a full scale inkling of the implications of the phrase "this ride is all about endurance and pacing."