I don't mind having to spin the little engine up to make power. Thats part of the fun of a hooligan bike! I don't think I'd like it as my primary motorcycle, but, as a second bike to my SV, its fantastic. I have full intentions of getting on the kart track. G&J kartway is only about 45 minutes from my house. I looked at the DRZ very heavily also, but I wanted fuel injection. I also prefer the looks of the WR over the drz quite a bit. Theres been a white DRZSM sitting outside the christian high school I pass everyday, and it just doesn't do anything for me. I tried to buy one of these new in 2008 and I called competition accessories to see if they had one in stock. The salesmen told me they did, and even offered to get the paper work ready. Upon arrival, they did not have one, and when I questioned him about it, he said " Oh i thought you said CRF450" or something along those lines. I then got into the triumph thing and the wr250x got put on the back burner... until now...