I really enjoy my 1987 Suzuki Savage. This past weekend, I traveled from Clovis, NM to Chama, NM and back, a trip of 325 miles one way. With rest stops, it took me 8-1/2 hours on Thursday, with about the same on the way back.

I left at 2pm and arrived 10:30pm in Chama. It was 102F in Clovis, 106F in Fort Sumner, and in the 40F in Chama when I arrived. Talk about differences in temperatures! I wore my Joe Rocket Phoenix mesh gear, using the rain liner when it got cold. I used the little used Route 60 from Fort Sumner to Vaughn on the way up. Talk about a lonely stretch of road, encountered less than a half dozen vehicles. On the way back, I took I-40 from Clines Corners to Santa Rosa, 44 miles at 75 MPH, 5200 RPM.

It amazes on lookers that this bike is capable of touring. (Of course, I have the S-40 Pillow Gel Seat which helps with long ride comfort. - Yes, it will mount to the Savage with a slight modification. You have to drill a hole through the fender to add a 1/4" bolt, washer, nut (don't crush the sheet metal tunnel); mount the pillion chrome mount flange to this bolt with another washer and bolt.)

I stayed in the El Meson Lodge, a fantastic motel at $60 a night tax included, with small fridge and microwave. This was to attend the Christian Motorcyclists NM State convention.

They were a great bunch, 154 attendees; John Ogden from the CMA HQ, Hatfield, AR spoke.

Just to show that I'm not bluffing you, I have attached a picture from my travel up State Road 17 past Chama into the Cumbres mountain pass in Colorado. This area is breath taking, with much natural scenery, twisties, you name it.  

So, I'm just curious, but how many of you out there recently used your Savage or S40 to tour away from home? If you haven't, you don't know what you are missing out on.

Sincerely,
George Hostler
Clovis, NM USA

babyhog wrote on 07/03/12 at 13:09:12:


Thanks, babyhog!

I didn't take many pictures, as I was riding solo and wanted to keep the pace up. However, I have a picture that others may appreciate, taken nearby the same location. It is of the narrow gage steam engine and passenger cars, chugging its way up to the pass.  

ZAR wrote on 07/05/12 at 09:11:07:



ZAR wrote on 07/05/12 at 09:11:07:

Life is short. I'm sure if there is a worthwhile event a further drive away, you could have the other matters temporarily cared for and convince the SWMBO you're on to a worthy cause!  

Yonuh Adisi FSO wrote on 07/05/12 at 13:13:06:

It's good you are in the same neck of the woods.   Fact you sold is not a show stopper. So, what so-qui-li or si-qua (if drifted to the dark side) did you replace it with?