Tip of the Keweenaw and the Rocket Range in the Michigan UP

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Keweenaw Tip Michigan - 07

The Keweenaw Peninsula in Michigan is the little finger that extends all the way into Lake Superior.  US-41 ends a few miles east of Copper Harbor where the road turns into gravel, sand and rocks.  And that’s where the fun starts when you enjoy remote and end-of-the-road type places.   I always looked at this place on maps and just had to find out more and explore these logging roads and other dirt tracks.

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Suzuki V-Strom seat comparison and review – stock, gel and Sargent

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suzuki v-strom dl650 side view seat stock

Seat comfort is very important on a motorcycle.  The wrong seat can turn a daylong ride in torture after just a few hours.  This article compares 3 different seats that are available for the Suzuki V-Strom.  There are several other choices so this is just a selection of the ones that I tried. Some riders even have custom seats made specifically for them.   There is no ‘best’ seat because it all depends on the rider build, type of riding and other preferences.

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Givi E36/E45 cases and racks for Suzuki V-Strom

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Givi E36 E45 cases and racks for Suzuki V-Strom

Givi is well-known Italian manufacturer of all kinds of motorcycle accessories.  These cases and racks from Givi are a basic but good quality solution for adding luggage to the Suzuki V-Strom.  The side cases (a.k.a. panniers) were used for the usual long weekend trips and 2-week vacations.  The top case was on the bike all the time for everyday riding.  Two full-face helmets can fit in the E45 case.  One helmet, motorcycle jacket and pants and everyday riding stuff also fit in the E45 case quite nicely.  I have used these for touring and exploring dirt roads and they held up great over time.  I wouldn’t hesitate to buy these again.

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GPS mount and holder for Suzuki V-Strom

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GPS mount and holder for Suzuki V-Strom 1

There are several GPS navigation devices designed for use on motorcycles but they can be quite expensive. If you already have a portable GPS for your car or other outdoor use, installing one of these mounts will be a very cost-effective solution. There are a few disadvantages in using a car GPS device on a motorcycle. Most are not waterproof but you can use a plastic bag when riding in rain as a temporary solution.

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Motorcycle trip to the Chapleau Crown Game Preserve in Ontario

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1 map

This is a motorcycle trip from the end of May in 2009.  The destination was the Chapleau Crown Game Preserve, a nature park with beautiful scenery and many wild animals including black bears. A good trip deserves a trip report which always  brings back good memories.  This trip was on my 2009 Suzuki V-Strom DL650 which I bought shortly before this trip.  A maiden voyage exploring the rugged and always captivating northern Ontario.

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Givi TN532 (DL650) and TN528 (DL1000) Crashbars for Suzuki V-Strom

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Givi TN532 crash bars suzuki v-strom DL650 right

Most owners add crash bars to protect the tank and plastic trim in case the bike tips over or you loose control of the bike. And no matter how careful or experienced you are, this will happen sooner or later.  The Suzuki V-Strom is an adventure motorcycle but body and engine protection is very limited for any adventures on unpaved roads.

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Riding along the USA-Mexico border

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USA Mexico border 6

This was a day trip in February 2006 and was an interesting experience.  I lived in Orange County for a couple of years and San Diego is about an hour south so not too far. My bike at the time was a 2003 Suzuki V-Strom DL1000.  Quite heavy but it did allright on the rocky and sandy roads in this border area.  As I am not an experienced dirt rider, the ride went at slow speeds as crashing in the middle of nowhere isn’t a good thing.

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Motorcycle road trip to Quebec, Cape Breton and Northeast USA – part 4

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trip 55

Day 10 – Machias, Maine – 470 miles / 756 km

Breakfast at the Inn was quiet because I was still the only guest there. There was more rain in the forecast and the day started out pretty gloomy. Fortunately, it stayed dry all day until later in the afternoon. Right before the border crossing back into the USA, the lead-grey sky opened up and dumped a good amount of water on the roads. (more…)

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Motorcycle road trip to Quebec, Cape Breton and Northeast USA – part 3

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trip 30

Day 7 – Pleasant Bay, Nova Scotia – 363 miles / 584 km

The morning ride started out cool but was pleasant nonetheless. It looked like rain was going to spoil the day but I was lucky. When I arrived on Cape Breton at 3:30pm, the sky opened up and changed the mood for rest of the day. The Ceilidh Trail takes you along west cost of the island, which is quiet and very scenic. (more…)

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Motorcycle road trip to Quebec, Cape Breton and Northeast USA – part 2

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trip 16

Day 4 – Rimouski, Quebec – 53 miles / 85 km

The forecasters were right. I woke up with the sound of rain hitting the window. It looked like I was stuck in Trois-Pistoles for the day. Besides its interesting name, there is not much to do in this town so I decided to try out my new rain-suit. (more…)

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