Riding through history in the Deep South.

The open road. For many, it is the very definition of freedom. Obligations are left behind as we imagine the adventure and spontaneity waiting around the bend and over the hill. For others, the road itself represents the struggle toward a freedom long envisioned — sometimes for generations. On this journey, I was about to experience both.  

As I rolled across the state line into northern Georgia, the autumn leaves were just beginning to turn, and a carpet of green and gold covered the Appalachian Mountains. Change was in the air. It was a busy afternoon when I arrived at Two Wheels of Suches, a dedicated motorcycle lodge and campground in Suches, GA. After all, it was the weekend, and to add to the busyness, a dealer was offering test rides. A throng of riders sat talking on Adirondack chairs and around picnic tables, or milled about, admiring the variety of machines. 

A Target for Questions

All eyes were on me as I pulled into the brimming parking lot, and I soon found myself surrounded. 

 “Is that the new GSX-S1000 GX? I’ve been looking at that one … all the reviews are good,” one rider said.

“Well,” I nodded, “they’re right!”

“Is it comfortable?” 

“I’m on a long-term test ride and I just rode 3,600 kilometres from Ontario … yeah the riding position is slightly more sporty than on an ADV, but a little stretch every hour or so is all I’ve needed.”

 “How does it handle?” he asked.

“I haven’t seen a straight road since Pennsylvania, and to be honest, it’s flickable and smooth … especially in Sport mode with quick throttle response and firm suspension.” I added, “It brakes well entering an apex, and in third or fourth gear, it screams out of the corners.”

“So, lots of power?”

“At 150 horses … you better hold on.”

When asked if I had any complaints, I could only think of two. First, while the cruise control was great (remaining engaged even when I used the quickshifter to gear down on a steep grade), I had to train my thumbs where to reach for the buttons: on/off on the right handlebar, set/resume on the left — and it was a bit of a stretch. I also found that Resume did not always re-engage.

Second, I liked the idea of Suzuki’s mySpin app, which offered me the ability to cast maps, music, calendar, and contacts from my phone onto the bike’s larger TFT screen. It was a great feature with the bonus that I could tuck my phone safely out of the elements. But I’d run into a niggle. It…