CanyonChasers Invade the DR

Motocaribe had the recent pleasure to host a group of 14 from Canyon Chasers Motorcycle Sport Touring , led by Dave and Kris Dave Palazzolo, the group’s founders and leaders. The Canyon Chasers are based in Salt Lake City and have a strong regional following and top-notch website.

These folks are serious motorcyclists. The group that came to the DR included veteran Motorcycle Safety Foundation instructors, top-ranked amateur racers, motorcycle race instructors and a manager/organizer of Miller Motorsports Park in Toole UT. Without a doubt, these folks were the top riding group we’ve ever had the pleasure to host.

Wanting a tour more challenging that a week, we put together a custom package that included both the NE to Samana and to the SW.

I’m a good rider, but spending 11 days with these folks was like going to a daily pro rider’s school. I learned more in 10 days than most learn about motorcycling in a lifetime! I might mention they had 2 female riders and 4 bikes two-up.

Here are some pics from the tour (BTW, DR1’s Chip was on the tour with us and offered great support):

They arrive at STI (note the reflective riding gear):


Outfitted @ camp Moto, ready to roll:


Salto Jimenoa:


Lunch @ Mi Vista in Jarabacoa. Angel there does one heckuva job:




At the Gran Jimenoa, ready to head to Samana:


Down the hill from Jarabacoa:

Rest stop by the ocean, just past Gaspar Hernandez:


To La Entrada for lunch:




Warren the racer playing in the sand (kids, don?t try this at home!):


Heading into Sanchez, yours truly in the blue hat as lead:


Kid showing off to the Big Bikes in Samana:


End of the road @ Las Galeras:


Dave meets a new friend @ Boca del Diablo:


And at Los Gringos, a lunch stop headed back to Jarabacoa:


Mmmm, lunch @ Los Gringos:


Time for gas in Jarabacoa:


Headed to the SW, turning at the El Baden bypass to San Cristobel:


Arriving at Hotel Las Salinas. We park in back:


R&R at Las Salinas:



Fixing a flat in Barahona, me taking care of business:

Lunch @ Bahia de Las Aguilas:


Back to Barahona:


Top of the pass going to Constanza:




Kids love us wherever we go:




Lunch in Constanza:


The uva test comparison:


Great riding, superior Top 1% riders, just a fantastic group!

THIS is lunch @ Los Gringos:



Thanks, bob, for pointing it out. :classic:

Two DR1 rascals in this one:



Chip was invaluable on this trip.

MWpending said:

Sweet! We have a Harley and love to ride, we were wondering if we should have it shipped there, is there harley dealerships and others that love to ride as we do. Any input would be greatly appresiated.

Click to expand...

There is a dealer. But parts and service will be a problem unless you do your own wrenching.

There are some Harley's here. You see them in groups usually on Sundays. You'll see sport bikes and enduros, too, mainly on Sundays.

But unless you stay on the main slabs, a Harley is the wrong tool for the job down here. A 650-800cc dual-sport bike is the ticket: V-Strom, TransAlp, Versys, GS650/800, etc. JMO.

socuban said:

Awesome! I love to ride, thanks for sharing. Still thinking about shipping a bike to the DR, leaning on a beemer, the GS800 to be exact.:rambo:

Click to expand...

Great bike!

It'll be pricey ($17,000+) by the time you get it here and you'll need to know how to wrench it yourself-and BMW's DO require significant maintenance.

For $5000+ less you can do a V-Strom that almost never requires maintenance AND Bonanza has techs for them.

With 12 bikes in 3 years with around 85,000 miles total, we've had only one maintenance issue on our Stroms: a clogged high-pressure fuel filter.

Just sayin'...

Come ride with us on a Strom for a week. I'll make you a serious deal on our April 17-24 tour.

socuban said:

Strong argument for going with the choice you made, I hope if and when I pull the trigger, logic instead of emotion prevails. Is that tour in April going to the southwest?

Click to expand...

No, it's goes to Samana and Constanza.