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by Stacy on July 27, 2009

We’ll be heading down to Des Moines shortly for our flight back to Oregon. I can’t say I’m looking forward to flying back to the 103° temperatures predicted for Corvallis today, but I am looking forward to riding my SV again. A week away makes the heart grow fonder!

I did get to have my first taste of ADV riding. My steed was a nice Suzuki DR 200, which just so happens to be a bike I’m thinking of buying in the future. The seat height was just right for me, but the power might not be enough for the freeway. I’m still torn between getting a “dual-sport” bike that can take me to the dirt or getting a dirt bike and a trailer.

Riding over the deep ruts left by farm equipment was quite a rush. I can hardly ride the SV over hard packed gravel, but I felt confident on the DR and didn’t have any problems even when I felt the rear wheel sliding out on several occasions. I also liked how easy it was to lean the DR 200 to make tight turns. I didn’t feel like I was going to drop it while leaned over, which is a mental stumbling block I have with the SV. I was also surprised at how quickly I became comfortable with the controls. The Suzuki bikes seem to have a lot in common.

It’s been a wonderful week of vacation, but now it’s back to work — at least I’ll be able to ride my own bike again!

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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }

1 peteg July 27, 2009 at 10:56 am

How about a V-Strom?

2 RichardM July 27, 2009 at 6:30 pm

Just left the heat of Corvallis this morning. At least it was cool in the evenings. The dual sport bikes really seem attractive especially with all the gravel we seem to have here in AK. I never feel comfortable on my RT on even a little bit of gravel. I suspect that it is something about not being able to see what the front tire is up to.

3 Dean W July 27, 2009 at 8:15 pm

Instead of a DR200… DRZ400S. Just sayin’. You can sit/ride my DRZ400SM if you want- just let me know. First hit’s free. ;-)

And a shout out to all the Willamette valley riders- hydrate, soak your riding gear, and try to stay out of the heat of the day. It’s stupid hot out there.

4 Stacy July 28, 2009 at 10:10 am

@peteg: Too heavy for me and not dirty enough. I’m looking for an 80% dirt, 20% street bike. I like those ’stroms for touring, though!

@RichardM: Really? Will you be returning here anytime soon? If so, give me a shout and I’ll buy you a beer.

@Dean W: Ha! There’s a picture floating around somewhere of me sitting on a DRZ400 and my feet aren’t touching the ground! The 400 is on my list though, because I’ve heard you can lower it without completely destroying the geometry.

5 RichardM August 3, 2009 at 12:03 am

I have family in Corvallis so I usually stop by a couple of times per year.

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