​It all started in 2011. A buddy that I worked with at The Ohio State University Medical Center had a Beemer and loved to share his riding stories with me, the non-rider. He would share magazine articles from BMW Owners News, RoadRUNNER, and the American Motorcyclist Magazine; the writings of Neil Peart (the drummer of Rush fame who was also an avid motorcycle rider and author) and Piet Boonstra (old school enduro rider and author); and any other motorcycle related article or book he could find to throw my way.

​A few opening ramblings…
 
First off, as of this writing I ride a well-worn Suzuki V-Strom 650.  The Strom is the first motorbike I ever purchased, and all its scars prove it helped me learn how to ride (at least that’s what I tell myself!).  My V-Strom model is the older generation, not the more off pavement-oriented XT models the OEM started producing in 2015.  I will list some of the things I used to beef up my older Strom model from an excellent street-oriented ride to a true ADV beast.  I’m sorry, I have to say it… The only gripe I have on the new models is why did they change the headlight configuration?!  It was unique!  Everyone could tell a V-Strom by the look in its eyes when it was coming at you, those tall, pointy, side-by-side, angry bug-like eyes.  They changed them to an over-under configuration along with a new extended beak, which both look similar to a few other ADV bikes…but I digress, back to my initial subject.

Join Appalachian ADV at Clinton County Motorsports for the NEBDR Documentary Film Premier!