Jesse James' (of Monster Garage and West Coast Choppers fame) new TV show Jesse James is a Dead Man Debuts on Spike May 31st. In one of the episodes Jesse rides a motorcycle on the Ice haul road in the Arctic, That motorcycle appears to be a R1200GS. There is no schedule for that episode yet. To find out more click the title link.
GAW
Friday, May 22, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Content
Content adj. 1. Satisfied. 2. Resigned to circumstances.
Satisfied: On the ride home from work this incredible feeling of Satisfaction always hits me head on about halfway home. My motorcycle has become an extension of me as we follow the road first left then right, again and again... When I'm riding my bike (sorry I never have given it a name) I can never see how I could replace it. The bike fits so well, either my behind has changed to fit the seat or the seat has changed to fit my behind. I know the familiarity with the motorcycle has a lot to do with the satisfied feeling, the motorcycle and I have shared many great adventures together. The majority of the miles racked up have just been myself, the motorcycle and the road, but the road is always changing not to be seen or felt again.
Resigned to circumstances: Some mornings on my ride to work I get lucky and only have to stop at 10 of the 40+ traffic lights, the rest of the mornings I make a lot more stops. I would have liked to post a photo of me in the morning traffic, but as my hands are busy (with clutch, gas & brake) and my brain is tied up tracking all of the enemy ships around me, there will be no photo. My morning commute (20 miles of no more than 45mph and 5 miles of freeway) is perfectly suited for a twist & go scooter in the 1/4 to 1/2 liter range, but I'm resigned to the fact a scooter is not in the book's this year. The Missus said a scooter was ok, if I sold the motorcycle. That's not an option, see above. If only more people needed what I'm selling...
The video is the last portion of my commute, enjoy. Warning 10 minutes!!
See you on the road.
GAW
Satisfied: On the ride home from work this incredible feeling of Satisfaction always hits me head on about halfway home. My motorcycle has become an extension of me as we follow the road first left then right, again and again... When I'm riding my bike (sorry I never have given it a name) I can never see how I could replace it. The bike fits so well, either my behind has changed to fit the seat or the seat has changed to fit my behind. I know the familiarity with the motorcycle has a lot to do with the satisfied feeling, the motorcycle and I have shared many great adventures together. The majority of the miles racked up have just been myself, the motorcycle and the road, but the road is always changing not to be seen or felt again.
Resigned to circumstances: Some mornings on my ride to work I get lucky and only have to stop at 10 of the 40+ traffic lights, the rest of the mornings I make a lot more stops. I would have liked to post a photo of me in the morning traffic, but as my hands are busy (with clutch, gas & brake) and my brain is tied up tracking all of the enemy ships around me, there will be no photo. My morning commute (20 miles of no more than 45mph and 5 miles of freeway) is perfectly suited for a twist & go scooter in the 1/4 to 1/2 liter range, but I'm resigned to the fact a scooter is not in the book's this year. The Missus said a scooter was ok, if I sold the motorcycle. That's not an option, see above. If only more people needed what I'm selling...
The video is the last portion of my commute, enjoy. Warning 10 minutes!!
See you on the road.
GAW
Monday, May 18, 2009
Red Light Changer. 1 and 1. UPDATE.
Way back in March I talked about installing a Red Light Changer magnet, and at the time it didn't seem to work very well at the one light I wanted it to work at. Since that time I have avoided that traffic light until today. After a short ride this afternoon I took my chances and pulled up to the traffic light in question. On the first cycle of the traffic light I got the Green light I wanted. To date the Red Light Changer is even, one success and one failure. It should also be noted that I called my State DOT, and they said they would check and adjust the traffic light giving me trouble. I don't know for sure if the DOT actually came out or not. So for the time being I will withhold judgment on the Red Light Changer.GAW
Thursday, May 14, 2009
The Short-cut...
My career path has led me to sit in a dark room, stare at a computer monitor and listen to a hypnotic droning sound, for 5 - 7 minutes at a time. When the noise stops I often find that I have been day dreaming. Recently those daydreams have been about past motorcycle adventures...
July 15th, 2001 I found myself in Maybell, CO eating a cheese burger for a late lunch with a critical decision to make. Take the short cut or take the long way? I was on my way to the BMW MOA rally in Redmond, OR, earlier that day I started from Fort Collins, CO and had passed through Rocky Mountain National Park. My goal for the day was Rock Springs, WY. The long way was very simple, continue west on U.S. 40 to Vernal, UT then north on U.S. 191 to Rock Springs, WY (It might have been a really nice ride, I may never know). The short cut would take me northwest on CO 318 to the very northeast corner of Utah and what looked to be about 20 miles of gravel road before hitting Wyoming and a few miles of paved road to U.S. 191. The short cut (see image above, then click on the title link to see what it really looks like.) would knock off 60+ miles, making Rock Springs only 143 miles away. Of course I took the short cut, but not why you think, it had been tickling my brain for weeks. Ever since I first laid eyes on the map and this lonely little road I knew I had to take the short cut. I left Maybell with a full tank and stomach. 318 was a fine road, I know because I don't remember one iota about it. There was a sign when the pavement ended, it said only 40 more miles to U.S. 191, halfway there. I immediately found myself on a washboard surface that literally blurred my vision and banged my teeth together (see below). No matter what speed I drove there was no relief. Occasionally the road
looked to smooth out, but when the tire would hit it I found myself in 3-4 inches of powder, not fun. It seemed like I had been riding in this stuff for hours. I soon saw another sign that said only 35 more miles to U.S. 191. I stopped to think about my SHORT CUT, There was just no way I could turn back at that point, it would have added several hundred miles to the day or left me with out a roof for the night. The key to the road was to ride it like I was on a dirt bike, so up on the pegs I went. I was able to cruise about 35-40 mph with out having my teeth fallout, I would find missing bolts and screws for days and weeks afterword's. I guess my brain had softened some and that is why I didn't stop and snap a photo of the next sign I saw. It read something like this: "Caution Narrow Winding Road Ahead. 14% Grade. Trucks should use tire chains." The road went from washboard gravel to a relative smooth crushed red rock, but the pot wholes were of historic proportions. The road was not much bigger than two tire tracks and the thought of meeting one of those trucks needing tire chains was a little unnerving
. The other side of the pass was of a much gentler grade down into a large valley. I did scare up a group of 15 -20 prong horn antelope, it was quite a sight to see them running at speed off to my right. It wasn't long before I came to beautiful paved road (I must have made it to Wyoming). When I reached U.S. 191 the sun was getting low in the sky. A few miles up the road the setting sun was putting on a show and forced me to stop for a few photos. After taking the photo above I realized all of the gear strapped to the pillion had worked loose on the gravel roads and was in danger of leaving me on the road ahead. By the time I finished repacking the sun had long since set. The last 40 or so miles into Rock Springs were surreal as I followed glowing white and yellow ribbons. If only I had had a video camera
.
I went on to have a great trip I saw Crater Lake national park, had a great rally and did a SS1000 on the way home. I actually rode 1900 miles in 38 hours including a 5hr motel room stay but only documented the first 1100 miles for the Iron Butt Association. But out of it all, the thing that comes to my daydreams is the short cut.
GAW
July 15th, 2001 I found myself in Maybell, CO eating a cheese burger for a late lunch with a critical decision to make. Take the short cut or take the long way? I was on my way to the BMW MOA rally in Redmond, OR, earlier that day I started from Fort Collins, CO and had passed through Rocky Mountain National Park. My goal for the day was Rock Springs, WY. The long way was very simple, continue west on U.S. 40 to Vernal, UT then north on U.S. 191 to Rock Springs, WY (It might have been a really nice ride, I may never know). The short cut would take me northwest on CO 318 to the very northeast corner of Utah and what looked to be about 20 miles of gravel road before hitting Wyoming and a few miles of paved road to U.S. 191. The short cut (see image above, then click on the title link to see what it really looks like.) would knock off 60+ miles, making Rock Springs only 143 miles away. Of course I took the short cut, but not why you think, it had been tickling my brain for weeks. Ever since I first laid eyes on the map and this lonely little road I knew I had to take the short cut. I left Maybell with a full tank and stomach. 318 was a fine road, I know because I don't remember one iota about it. There was a sign when the pavement ended, it said only 40 more miles to U.S. 191, halfway there. I immediately found myself on a washboard surface that literally blurred my vision and banged my teeth together (see below). No matter what speed I drove there was no relief. Occasionally the road
looked to smooth out, but when the tire would hit it I found myself in 3-4 inches of powder, not fun. It seemed like I had been riding in this stuff for hours. I soon saw another sign that said only 35 more miles to U.S. 191. I stopped to think about my SHORT CUT, There was just no way I could turn back at that point, it would have added several hundred miles to the day or left me with out a roof for the night. The key to the road was to ride it like I was on a dirt bike, so up on the pegs I went. I was able to cruise about 35-40 mph with out having my teeth fallout, I would find missing bolts and screws for days and weeks afterword's. I guess my brain had softened some and that is why I didn't stop and snap a photo of the next sign I saw. It read something like this: "Caution Narrow Winding Road Ahead. 14% Grade. Trucks should use tire chains." The road went from washboard gravel to a relative smooth crushed red rock, but the pot wholes were of historic proportions. The road was not much bigger than two tire tracks and the thought of meeting one of those trucks needing tire chains was a little unnerving
. The other side of the pass was of a much gentler grade down into a large valley. I did scare up a group of 15 -20 prong horn antelope, it was quite a sight to see them running at speed off to my right. It wasn't long before I came to beautiful paved road (I must have made it to Wyoming). When I reached U.S. 191 the sun was getting low in the sky. A few miles up the road the setting sun was putting on a show and forced me to stop for a few photos. After taking the photo above I realized all of the gear strapped to the pillion had worked loose on the gravel roads and was in danger of leaving me on the road ahead. By the time I finished repacking the sun had long since set. The last 40 or so miles into Rock Springs were surreal as I followed glowing white and yellow ribbons. If only I had had a video camera
.I went on to have a great trip I saw Crater Lake national park, had a great rally and did a SS1000 on the way home. I actually rode 1900 miles in 38 hours including a 5hr motel room stay but only documented the first 1100 miles for the Iron Butt Association. But out of it all, the thing that comes to my daydreams is the short cut.
GAW
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Tom from work.
I know that my motorcycle is a bit odd looking, that's part of what drew me to purchase it, but as ugly as it is to many I have never heard anybody say it was threatening.
Apparently Tom was feeling a little inadequacy by the presence of my motorcycle, and decided to assert his authority, letting all know who's parking lot it was. Suddenly halfway across the parking lot to the confrontation he turned chicken and ran...
Apparently Tom was feeling a little inadequacy by the presence of my motorcycle, and decided to assert his authority, letting all know who's parking lot it was. Suddenly halfway across the parking lot to the confrontation he turned chicken and ran...
Monday, March 16, 2009
Red Light Changer. 0 for 1...
Have you ever sat at a traffic light on your bike waiting for your turn, and it never comes? Well it happens to me every time I pull up to the traffic light leading into my neighborhood. My neighbor hood has only one road leading into it so I do have two ways of getting home, I can approach from the west and make a Right turn which is my normal method (I will often go several miles out of my way in order to do this), or I can approach from the east and take my chances that a car is already sitting in the left turn lane at the light. The Left turn light will only activate if it senses a vehicle in the turn lane. If I get there first and a car comes up behind me the light still will not change as the sensors are rather short. I have no doubt that at some point in the future that the local Law enforcement will be present when I do my red light run. So what's a lazy guy to do? I really don't want to spend the Time, Energy or Money to prove my case to the Law enforcement officer or the traffic court Judge.
This Lazy guy purchased the Red Light Changer for $20. It comes in a small plastic box with a colorful cardboard inner box, just like every other item from china. First thing you will notice if there is more than one box on display is that they are lightly stuck together. If you pry one apart and take a moment to read the labeling you will find it's not safe to handle if you have a pacemaker (you have been forewarned). When you get the plastic open you will find a small metal can, open the can and there is a instruction sheet and 2 alcohol prep-pads. Remove a piece of Styrofoam and there sits a small brown unassuming lump. It turns out that the lump is quite comfortable in it's can and doesn't really want to come out. The forty pounds of magnetic 
pull quickly grabs on to the side of the can when you try to remove it. The instruction state that you should not remove the magnet from its home until you are ready to install it, but I'm sure most everybody will want to play just a little. Do be careful as it is strong enough that it could negatively effect electronics, credit cards etc.The instructions tell you that the magnet should be installed on the bottom of the motorcycle, towards the front, facing down and stuck to a ferromagnetic part of the frame or cross brace. It should NOT be installed on or to close to the engine, exhaust or electronics. If the magnet is exposed to temperatures greater than 175 degrees it will start to loos
e it's magnetic strength. This is a problem for me as the bottom of my motorcycle is all engine and exhaust. The only bits of frame on my bike are on top of the engine where the electronic brain is, and no where near the road. I thought the center stand would be the best location. After closer inspection I have to find a different location as my center stand is surrounded by the exhaust when in the up position and it actually touches it slightly on the left side. In the end I placed it on the torque arm, it is ferromagnetic, not to close to the hot parts and somewhat close to the ground. Only time will tell if that was the correct location.Just so you know it doesn't Really change the light from red to green, instead it lets the traffic light know that you are there and that you would appreciate a green light in the near future. Unfortunately for me the magnet did not do it's job in the one and only occasion I have found myself at the traffic light.
0 for 1
Judgment is reserved pending more testing.
See you on the road.
GAW
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Scooter Part 2. The 1/4 liter, is it enough?
In my earlier post I came to the conclusion that not only do the Big Boy's (400cc and up) cost more than I would like to spend they don't get the kind of gas mileage I would like to see. So that leaves me with one avenue left to explore, The 1/4 liter bikes.
The 250cc range of scooters covers a very broad spectrum, every thing from the suspiciously cheap to the extraordinarily expensive, little wheels to big wheels.
First things first. I really don't care for the large wheel scooters such as the Piaggio BV, Kymco People, and others of that style. There are a couple of reasons; 1. Visually they don't appeal to me, I know it's a bit shallow but that's how it is. 2. Because of the bigger tires and wheels there is less leg room. Basically you are in the same riding position as on a standard motorcycle, but without a tank to grip. I'm already able to do that.
That still leaves a large variety of 250cc scoots to consider.
So lets start with a Google search, go to Google and type in 250cc scooter (or just click the link) and you will get over a million hits. If you follow the first 50 links you will find brand names like CF Moto, SunL, JCL, Roketa, Tank, Lance, Linhai, Vog and the list keeps going. Welcome to the Ch The first thing to catch your eye is the prices, anywhere from $1700 to $2500 for a brand new scooter. The prices of these scooters will cause a lot of people to stop looking and get the credit card out. I was a bit skeptical and kept digging (there is some truth in "you get what you pay for"). I'm sure someone will disagree with me on this, but there are only 2 differnt 250cc scooters in that long list of brands, mechaniclly speaking. First is the clone of a cloned Honda CN250, from the Honda Helix, often refered to as the CFMoto 250. The Second is the clone of a cloned Yamaha engine, otherwise known as the Linhai 257. Of all the differnt Chinese 250cc scoots the MC-54 seires seems to be the most popular, and if I was to buy a Chinese scooter it would be one of the MC-54 variants. The MC-54 looks like a Honda Reflex on the outside, but is a completely differnt beast on the inside. The MC-54-250 typically comes with the CFMoto 250 and the MC-54B-250 ussally has the Linhai 257, but if you purchase from a drop shipper you are taking a bit of a gamble on what you will have dropped in your driveway. On the outside these bikes appear to be a good deal for about $2000, but qulity control can vary greatly on bikes coming off the same production line, and once you pay for the scooter you are on your own for service and repairs. So fi you don't have the time and skills or don't wish to learn the skills to do your own wrenching you should think long and hard before buying a Chinese scooter (of any size). One place to get more information on living with a Chinese scooter is Scootdawg Forums. I believe I have the skillset to own a Chinese Scooter, but at this point in lmy life I just don't have the time, so I will pass.
What about a Real Honda or Yamaha? For a 250cc, used is the only way. Neither Honda or Yamaha seem to think we need a 250cc scooter in the States. There are plenty of Honda Reflex's on eBay and craigslist, including everything from salvaged titles (wrecked) to less than 500 miles (expensive). Yamaha's are harder to come buy as the Morphous is the only 250cc out there and they were not a big seller. I haven't seen one on my local craigslist, but there seems to be a couple on eBay most of the time. I have to admit the first time I saw the Morphous I just wasn't sure what to think, but as time has passed I have become attracted to them. I really like the 2008 model just as it came from the factory. With the black wheels it looks like it came out of the most recent trio of Star Wars films, it just seems to float above the ground. If only I could find the right combination of price, location and color...
Suzuki doesn't import a 250 at this time. The not for the U.S. Gemma (straight our of some manga story) might grow on me if it was available here.
The Italian brothers Piaggio and Vespa offer the MP3 250 and the GTS 250ie respectivlly. The MP3 being more of what I'm looking for, but as with the bigger MP3's you pay a preimum for the extra wheel and the engineering it took to add the extra wheel. I really like the look of the Vespa GTV, a special edition of the GTS with a fender mounted headlight, exposed handle bars and faux 2 piece saddle. The physical size of the vespa makes me thank twice when considering my commute.
Finally I have to look at Taiwan scooter manufactures SYM and Kymco. SYM offers the RV250 but it feels to snug for my height. Kymco offers the Grand Vista 250 which reminds em of the SYM, not much leg room. Last but not least is the Kymco Xciting 250Ri twin of the 500Ri but with half the diplacement and valves. The only differance between the 250 & 500 is that the 500 has a parking brake and optional ABS. I really like the look and feel of the Xciting 250 (photo above), it's pretty much at the top of my list of potinel buys.
I'm still not sure a 250 is right for me. I need a test ride to get a feel for the performace and handeling of the 1/4 liter bikes. I have been riding a bike for the last 13 years that came out of the factory with 70 horsepower and 60 ft/lbs of torque. I know that I won't get the same performance out of a scooter, that's not why I'm interested in a one.
I would like to give the following scooters a test ride:
Kymco Xciting 250Ri
Yamaha Morphous
Vespa GTS 250
Piaggio MP3 250
If I get a test ride on any of those scooters you will be the first to know.
See you on the road.
Gordon
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