proud new WR owner

Hello all, my name's Eric, and I'm proud to introduce myself as a new WR250r owner. I picked up a new 2011 from a dealership last monday. i got a preety good deal on a demo bike, it has like 1500miles on it but yamaha still considered it a new bike. I live in SoCal and am so excited to get out and explore on this thing. I hope to eventually meet some of yall out on the trails.

Welcome Eric! Any plans for the bike....tank, skid plate, etc? Will this be your weekend ride, or do you plan to commute too?

Generally a weekend ride, and a nice day commuter. I plan on treating it more as a street legal dirtbike, so not too much riding on pavement (traffic scares me). I want to do some adventure touring, like 2 to 3 day trips when I can. Mark on Big Dog adventures really inspired me to get the bike. I only wish I could get the time to do trips like him. I eventually want to get a tank and some racks. I'm not sure on a skid plate, I've heard mixed opinions. I've heard that in some instances the stock plastic can actually be better, it can slide over stuff. Is there any truth to that or is that just wrong? Opinions? I have no issue buying a skid plate if it really protects the bike better.

For right now I just want to ride it and get comfortable on the bike. Its been about 16 years since I've ridden. I grew up riding little 50/80cc bikes in the woods of TN. I'm heading out to Ocotillo Wells this weekend. I really want to explore the desert before it gets too hot, then I'll explore the mountains of SoCal. I'm really excited, any other members in the San Diego area?

Eric