As usual, I took a ton of photos... way too many to post. But if anyone is interested in perusing them all, here is the link.
Last year, CanAm introduced a new Spyder model, the ST. Previously, there were two models - the RS (Sport) and the RT (Tourer). The ST is a blend of the two bikes - retaining the sport look of the RS but adding a lot of really nice features of the RT (heated grips, cruise control, GPS, floorboards, stereo/MP3) as well as a reworked chassis/frame making the handling much better.
I had been curious about the ST so decided to take one for a test ride about a month ago. A week later, I picked up my new ST on a Friday and left the next day for a 2-week road trip to Oregon and Washington... nothing like trial by fire! She was named on the trip when Sue mentioned that, due to the paint that has colored flake in it making for different looking colors in different lighting, it had multiple personalities. Sybil it shall be!!
The first day of the trip wasn't real exciting... pretty much I5 all the way to Shady Cove, OR where I would meet up with a few others. Given the bike was brand new, I had to play the varying rpm's game most of the way on the freeway... drop behind a truck and follow at 55, downshift, speed up, pass truck, hold between 70-75 until coming up to the next truck... rinse, repeat... at least it gave me something to do along the drab slab.
I was the first to arrive at the Royal Coachman Motel in Shady Cove. I highly recommend this place - the new owners are working really hard to erase a tarnished history from the previous owners. They've done a fantastic job of sprucing the place up with lovely flower beds, etc. and the prices can't be beat.
While others were arriving and unpacking, I wandered out to the river area behind the motel where there were a gaggle of geese relaxing in the cool water that mirrored the colors of the setting sun reflecting on the surrounding trees...
It was a warm evening so we decided to go to the diner next door, get our food to go, and eat it out on the communal deck by the river...
We were spared the extra $5...
And our beverage of choice for most of the trip... packs well, no glass to break, and easy to take leftovers...
All of a sudden, there was a huge goose ruckus down below... seems a solitary interloper tried to infiltrate the gaggle and was fought off by Guido, the lead goose...
Off to bed for a good night's rest under the watchful guise of our cowboy protector for the night...
To be continued... B)
Last year, CanAm introduced a new Spyder model, the ST. Previously, there were two models - the RS (Sport) and the RT (Tourer). The ST is a blend of the two bikes - retaining the sport look of the RS but adding a lot of really nice features of the RT (heated grips, cruise control, GPS, floorboards, stereo/MP3) as well as a reworked chassis/frame making the handling much better.
I had been curious about the ST so decided to take one for a test ride about a month ago. A week later, I picked up my new ST on a Friday and left the next day for a 2-week road trip to Oregon and Washington... nothing like trial by fire! She was named on the trip when Sue mentioned that, due to the paint that has colored flake in it making for different looking colors in different lighting, it had multiple personalities. Sybil it shall be!!
The first day of the trip wasn't real exciting... pretty much I5 all the way to Shady Cove, OR where I would meet up with a few others. Given the bike was brand new, I had to play the varying rpm's game most of the way on the freeway... drop behind a truck and follow at 55, downshift, speed up, pass truck, hold between 70-75 until coming up to the next truck... rinse, repeat... at least it gave me something to do along the drab slab.
I was the first to arrive at the Royal Coachman Motel in Shady Cove. I highly recommend this place - the new owners are working really hard to erase a tarnished history from the previous owners. They've done a fantastic job of sprucing the place up with lovely flower beds, etc. and the prices can't be beat.
While others were arriving and unpacking, I wandered out to the river area behind the motel where there were a gaggle of geese relaxing in the cool water that mirrored the colors of the setting sun reflecting on the surrounding trees...
It was a warm evening so we decided to go to the diner next door, get our food to go, and eat it out on the communal deck by the river...
We were spared the extra $5...
And our beverage of choice for most of the trip... packs well, no glass to break, and easy to take leftovers...
All of a sudden, there was a huge goose ruckus down below... seems a solitary interloper tried to infiltrate the gaggle and was fought off by Guido, the lead goose...
Off to bed for a good night's rest under the watchful guise of our cowboy protector for the night...
To be continued... B)
