Yes, the pace is slower.
Having spent many thousands of miles in the saddle as a cyclist I actually prefer a slower pace. With a 15:42 final I set the speed at 42-45mph on the open road which is 4500-4800 rpm and plod along. I wind it up when I have to in an effort to manage traffic then settle back down. I also have an F650GSD (and others) and still prefer the 40-50mph speed range as a cruise speed. On the backroads I find the 200 less intrusive on the senses than the big bikes. So, the answer I have found for myself is why carry the extra 200 lbs and mechanical complexity if I'm traveling at the same speed anyway regardless of bike size.
The 200 does lack a 6th in the tranny which I could surely use at times but that's the way it is.
Continent crosser; maybe not, but I have found consecutive 200 mile days manageable and certainly would be willing to make the attempt. The playbook for the Suzuki 200 or any "small" bike would be different than on a "big" bike.
Like many, time off is an issue, and having spent many years putting my biz together it would not be fair to my customers to disappear. I sneak out for 1-2 week stints at times but that was nixed this year when I was laid up over the summer with a broken leg. Plans and sights are set on 2007.
Steve
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