Thursday, March 31, 2011

Healthier Motorcyclists!

JC sent me this link today. I read it and liked what I read. So I thought I'd post a link here. Here's a quick excerpt.
"The group that rode motorbikes posted higher marks in cognitive function tests," Kawashima said.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rearset/~3/aaTP6_gl7Mo/healthier-motorcyclists.html

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Shake Down of the Lil Girl....

The bike came out of the shop on Friday night. My pockets are considerably lighter due to the extraordinary amount of coinage charged to pay her ransom. But I must admit, she is in fine shape once more.  You know though: with a bike this age and this many miles on her, you just kinda stand back and wait for proverbial "other shoe" to drop.  I'll cross my fingers. I'll knock on wood.  I'll do anything to ensure I don't have another major expense on her until after the 2011 riding season is through.  

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IMAGE CAPTION: BARE NAKED LADY

Bringing her home on Friday night, I've noticed the carb is not behaving. I guess I will have to bring the bike back and get them to dial in it.  I wish they would just take the time to put her on the dyno.  They never seem to get the temperamental carb dialed it without it.  I long for the old days, when our bikes could be dialed in so easy, without computers to tell us what we should already know.  Well, I do know my carb is sucking the "BIG DOG" right now.

CV CARB DANGLING BY A THREAD
IMAGE CAPTION: CV CARB HANGING BY A THREAD

Saturday morning arrives. My pants have ants in em.  I can't just sit at home. The MR. is not well. Golden Rod has raised it's fair-haired head: my MR. is in agony.  Nothing I can do about it. I will go for a ride while he tries to drug himself into oblivious shadow land. 

Cranking the girl up, it's nice to see she isn't sprayed in oil. She's dry as a Oak leaf in December. That's a good thing. 

I didn't know where I was heading until I stopped for gas at my usual place. It has no ethanol and all the hot rodders and antique builders in town hang out here.  

IMAGE CAPTION: NO ETHANOL


I decided while I was fueling, to head to Roan Mountain and into North Carolina. It's been several months since I've ridden in this neck of North Carolina. What the heck?

I cross over the mountain into North Carolina and find myself on NC-194 north.  This is a rather non-discript road that I have been on many times.  What I didn't know is that I was gonna stay on this road for many miles past the roads I normally turn off on.  It turned out to be a good idea.  Here are some highlights for ya.

I rode to Beech Mountain. I've never been there. Not in winter, not in summer. Guess It was time to go.  I turned off on Beech Mountain Parkway and headed up mountain.  The ride to this winter wonderland destination is uneventful. In summer, almost all the views of the valley below the road were hidden by tall trees, or expensive homes clinging to the mountain side hogging all the views.  It was sad.  But I did find ONE turn-out where the view was absolutely worth the trip up.

                             IMAGE CAPTION: BEECH MT. RESORT VIEW


Riding back down the way I came, I had a local on my ass.  That's generally OK, but the hairpins had gravel in them here, and I've hit enough gravel to serve me a lifetime.  So to hell with your fast ass behind me Mr. Local.  I'm gonna get back down off this mountain without road rash. So just sit tight.  I'm not gonna be doing the Sportster Pivot for your delight today.

Coming back onto NC-194 north, I stop to photograph my Lil Girl in front of this Stone building.  It's a portion of Lees-McRae College.  I like the stone.

Lil Girl in front of Lees-McRae College.
IMAGE CAPTION: Lil Girl in front of Lees-McRae College

I found this quaint little foot bridge. I liked it because it was such an elaborate ornamental piece, set in a field of wild flowers and thistle.  What do you think of it? 

    IMAGE CAPTION: QUAINT FOOT BRIDGE

Soon I found myself crossing over NC-105. What should I do? Go to Grandfather Mountain?

    IMAGE CAPTION: CROSS ROADS TO GRANDFATHER MT.

NAAAA...they charge to go have a looky-loo.  I'm a cheap assed tourist.  Today, if it ain't free. I ain't going.  I find another road to go, head off into the direction of The Mast General Store, North Carolina's oldest running general store.

    IMAGE CAPTION: THE MAST GENERAL STORE

    IMAGE CAPTION: INSIDE THE MAST GENERAL STORE

   Leaving the Mast General Store, it wasn't long before I came across the route of a marathon.  I saw this last straggler as she climbed the hill to the next check in point.  I waited there for her, handed her some water, and captured her photo.  I like those white dread locks.

                             IMAGE CAPTION: The last runner in a marathon race.

                            It was at this point I deviated off NC-194. I had never been on this little back road and I figured if the Marathon was running this way, it also had to lead somewhere.  I was in luck, again as usual. It did.  I eventually found myself  in Boone, and back on NC-194 north.  Before I got back on 194 though, I found this in the bushes behind a shut down business in Boone.  Cool huh?

    IMAGE CAPTION: I THINK IT'S A DEUCE AND A HALF

Don't tell me you don't love this!

    IMAGE CAPTION: MILITARY HEADLIGHTS

I rode NC-194 until it ended at SR-88 West.  I found this beautiful mural in West Jefferson on my way to Warrensville. You must ride through this town.  It's got that friendly feel to it, and I saw 3 bikes parked and visiting the downtown business district. 

    IMAGE CAPTION: WEST JEFFERSON COUNTRY MUSIC MURAL

    Folks this ride is getting "long in the tooth". So I'll just have to come back and regale you with more during the week. 

Before I go, I must tell you the Lil Girl performed admirably.  No leaks of the oil type...my pant legs stayed oil free as did my right side saddle bag.  I'm not terribly happy with the carb settings. Much to fast in the idle.  That needs to come down a bit.  All in all, I'm proud of my Lil Girl.  She sure does like to go for a ride.

Source: http://chessiestales.blogspot.com/2010/09/shake-down-of-lil-girl.html

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2011 Honda Shadow Aero specification

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/HondaMotorcylesBlog/~3/2oIoeHD7shs/

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Yamaha XS650 flat tracker

Drogo Michie wanted a bike for the streets of London, and chose a stock 1978 Yamaha XS650 as his starting point. ?There?s no reinventing the wheel here, nor a huge amount of bespoke fabrication,? he says. ?My three lovely children’s habit of eating most of my money ensured that!? He took the bike to the [...]

Bike EXIF supplies a daily dose of cafe racers, custom motorcycles and bobbers. Brought to you by the good guys at Ural Motorcycles.

Source: http://www.bikeexif.com/yamaha-xs650-3

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Rider gets Rear Ended, lands on Feet

Watch this video and think about how *you* would have prevented it from happening:

Source: http://yourbikelife.com/blogs/shawn/rider-gets-rear-ended-lands-feet

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2012 Ducati Multistrada 1200S Pikes Peak Special Edition unveiled

Source: http://www.fasterandfaster.net/2011/03/2012-ducati-multistrada-1200s-pikes.html

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Spring Cleaning for the Speed Triple

My ’05 Speed Triple goes in for it’s yearly once over tomorrow. I’ll be glad to have her routine maintenance all squared away. Lately I’ve been daydreaming about long weekends away, carving through the mountains on my Triple. Hopefully, I’ll be able to make that happen this summer. Free time is hard to come by but sometimes the planets align. Read the Rest...

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Fuzzygalore/~3/G12LvhOHlIU/

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Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200: The Wild One

Source: http://www.fasterandfaster.net/2011/03/aprilia-dorsoduro-1200-wild-one.html

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Chessie's Rides....My favorite shots! PT. 3

Here are a few more photos I like...just for you to view!

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This is me...at the pinnacle of Roan Mountain.  I always feel on top of the world when I ride...a photo like this is worth a 1000 words.

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This shot is one that I hope helps the viewer understand a bit about being "behind the bars" and the views.

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This is from Cades Cove (Great Smoky Mountain Park). Perhaps my favorite shot from this day's ride.

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Well...perhaps not my favorite. This park is so beautiful. Amazing shots all around you.


MAN IN THE MIRROR, GOD AHEAD

Here's another shot from Cades Cove...yeah it's hard to pic the "Best" one of the day!

THE FOREST IS COVERED IN BRIGHT COLORFUL FLOWERS

People will tell you, "Don't go to Cades Cove on your motorcycle."  I'm here to tell ya, if you go early enough, and on a weekday... riding though Cades Cove is very rewarding. You sure can't stop and grab photos like this while driving your car through the loop.

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This has to be my all time favorite home.  It's on Flag Pond Road.  With Sam's Gap in the distance, and a grave yard up the hill.


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This is the deconstruction of the Iron bridge on Iron Bridge Road in Carter County, TN. I was sad to see this.

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I love being able to stop and notice "the little things" when I ride.  Something you don't normally do when riding in a 4 wheeler....

I hiked a small portion of the Appalachian trail. This is the mountain top from Stony Creek and Shady Valley. LOVELY

A short hike from TN 97 is this wonderful sight.  I parked my bike and hiked the AP Trail a short distance. Next year, I want to hike farther. I'm thinking of joining the local hiking club.

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Here we are at Grandfather Mountain. Perhaps one day I will get off the bucks to actually walk into the park and out to the sight seeing platform...???? NAAAAA

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This is a shot of the New River Gorge Bridge in West Virgina.  I'm down at the bottom of the gorge on an old iron bridge that crosses the New River...what a wonderful state WV is. I can't wait to do this again!

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This is Kanawa Falls in West Virgina.  I love that state for riding. What a grand time I had.

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This is a beautiful mill house in West Virgina.  Don't you agree about it's beauty?

I can go on forever...but it's best I don't! Did ya enjoy these shots? More to come!

Source: http://chessiestales.blogspot.com/2010/12/chessies-ridesmy-favorite-shots-pt-3.html

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WSBK Racer Maxime Berger Losing His Rear Wheel at Donington Park

WSBK Racer Maxime Berger Losing His Rear Wheel at Donington Park WSBK Racer Maxime Berger Losing His Rear Wheel at Donington Park
We’re still in awe of a bizarre incident from the past weekend’s World Superbike Race at England’s Donington Park. If you haven’t heard what happened yet, check the video after the jump or read about it in our race report. We’ve seen crashes before where a rider lost control of his rear wheel, but not [...] more

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/motorcycle/the-sidecar/~3/kNaHwGxjDLI/

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Harry Hurt dies at 81; Motorcycle Accident Expert

His groundbreaking research published in 1981 continues to form the basis of many of the country's motorcycle safety programs and is credited with saving countless lives.

Harry Hurt, one of the world's foremost authorities on motorcycle crashes and their causes, has died. He was 81.

Hurt suffered a heart attack Sunday at Pomona Valley Hospital. It was a complication of back surgery that he had a week earlier, said his eldest son, Harry Hurt III.

Hurt was the principal investigator of the Hurt Report, an in-depth, on-scene investigation of 900 motorcycle accidents in Los Angeles from 1976 to 1977.

Published in 1981, his groundbreaking research continues to form the basis of many of the country's motorcycle safety programs and is credited with saving countless lives.

via latimes.com

Source: http://yourbikelife.com/blogs/shawn/harry-hurt-dies-81-motorcycle-accident-expert

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Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Playboy Writer Rides the Road of Death

Playboy Writer Rides the Road of Death Playboy Writer Rides the Road of Death
Okay, we’ll admit, we will make up any excuse to get to read Playboy at work, but this is a story worth sharing no matter what the source. James R. Petersen, a longtime writer for the Bunny mag, is also a lifetime motorcycle enthusiast. He also has a degenerative eye condition that makes it increasingly [...] more

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/motorcycle/the-sidecar/~3/r4vlSyJqwjI/

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MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

A little Christmas video from the Vespa Club of Korea (that’s where my pops is right now). I hope you all have a WONDERFUL holiday and we wish you a 2011 filled with joy, love and laughter.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/thescooterscoop/~3/5x5wXO41JpA/

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Oil hits 2-year high on U.S. stockpile drop / news of holiday season

From Reuters:
With 2010 demand showing the biggest gains since 2004 and expectations of a modest increase in 2011, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries could be pressured to open the taps next year, another Reuters poll showed.
The poll of 12 top oil-tracking analysts showed that oil demand this year had recovered far faster than [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/thescooterscoop/~3/X6kzTc_8hOA/

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Not again!

I received this anonymous comment yesteday

i have read the exact same review somewhere else.. either you copied from them or they copied from you... and i doubt you.. you could have at least noted that it was taken off from an another site.. its really pathetic
For this post.

I found that the whole first ride was posted verbatim at
I have to agree with the comment, this is really pathetic. But I am in no doubt at all that I did actually write that post.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rearset/~3/WJ-2d8pIGzY/not-again.html

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Happy St. Patty?s Day: Ireland?s North West 200 ? Video

Kiss me, I’m Irish! For today, anyway. In honor of Saint Patrick’s day, I thought I’d post a little something from Ireland’s North West 200 road racing circuit. This is a 2010 on-board video shot from Guy Martin’s bike during practice. My palms get sweaty just watching – So amazing! Enjoy! More Information Guy Martin North West 200

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Fuzzygalore/~3/g3uTQd7r0M0/

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Honda CBR250R is a big deal


So I did manage to ride the new Honda CBR250R. And I needed to put the bike in perspective and I thought that my long-ignored blog might be a nice place to do that. What say, eh?

As you already know, we've been crawling at an abysmal pace up the value ladder in the motorcycle market while the car guys seems to be able to sell whatever the hell they want to. What gives?

I've long suspected - with increasing confidence - that the Indian motorcycle buyers is value conscious to a crippling extent. And that he expects the motorcycle makers to add all the goodies - displacement, power, styling, comfort etc - at prices that literally boggle the mind.

If you allow me to digress and give you an instance, I was once at a motorcycle clinic where a (undisclosed) manufacturer was trying to understand what Indians want. The respondents were all bike enthusiasts, garage owners, bike modifiers and so forth. And the 10-odd gents came up with the demand for a 850cc V-Twin cruiser that should be on road for, oh, Rs 1.5 lakh.

Anyway, having gotten stuck at 223cc for a long time, things are finally moving again. This time, for real. Mahindra's 300cc Mojo is being readied. Hyosung will re-introduce the Comet, this time with the right engine, the 650cc engine. Bajaj-Kawasaki are working towards a low price point for the Ninja 650 and KTM is working towards the launch of what should be the 250cc Duke by Diwali next year - that last bit is my reading of the market, official word is that the 125cc Duke that is going to Europe is not coming to India. We'd never buy a 125cc at the price it will end up commanding.

Yamaha remains stupefyingly hard to read. They get the R15 and the FZ16 right. Then they hibernate for a whole two years before unleashing the weedy SZ-X. I'm hoping there's a R25 and a FZ25 in the works for next year. Else it's gonna be grim for my favourite performance motorcycle brand.

TVS is understood to be working on the 220cc version of the RTR. I'm hoping the Southern silence is because TVS has finally seen the light and are instead readying a RTR250. One can hope, right?

My point is that the Honda CBR250R is a great motorcycle. And not because of its performance or dynamics either.

Many of us felt that the R15 was too expensive. And it is an expensive - but outstanding - motorcycle, no contest. But Yamaha is having to get some of the higher tech bits from Indonesia from what I hear which makes a lower price tag hard to achieve.

The CBR is about to turn the premium segment performance and price equation on its head. By international standards it is an uncomplicated motorcycle. A simple single-cylinder engine with four-valves and two cams. Cooled by liquid and fueled by an injector. Stick said unit in a steel diamond frame, tack on appropriate front forks and de riguer linkage-type monoshock at the back and you have it. It even has - for Indian fat-tyre fans - a 110-section front and a 140 rear.

My short stint on board says the motorcycle is sorted. Engine doesn't vibe at all. You notice some vibes past 8000rpm but even those aren't worth complaining about. It sounds strong, is never stressed and it pulls hard enough to be interesting. It also doesn't sound wheezy like the Karizma and the CBZ do. As in, likeable. The thrust lasts all the way through the rev range, the six-speed gearbox is slick and the handling package is accurate, honest and neutral enough for newbies and experienced riders to emerge from their helmets with smiles on their sweaty mugs.

Unlike the R15, the performance isn't delivered with urgency. But it's unquestionably a heck of a lot faster. Also unlike the Yamaha, the ergonomics are closer to the sporty Ninja 250R than the committed R15. Which means you can ride on the street, long distances on the highway with equal ease. That last bit will be a great, great reason to buy the motorcycle in India. I don't think the pillion ergos - in addition - are crippling either. So if the rear perch proves comfortable enough when the launch happens, this will be a proper two-up tourer.

But the true greatness of the motorcycle lies in the pricing. With Honda likely to put down the base version - the one I would buy, minus the C-ABS system - at about Rs 1.3-1.45 lakh ex-showroom when the motorcycle launches here in the February-April 2011 window.

Let us assume for arguments sake that the final price comes out to be 1.45 lakh for the CBR250R. Suddenly the Karizma ZMR looks pale. 16PS for Rs ~90,000 when a full 10PS more, a far more shapely fairing et al is just Rs 60K more? The extra money in EMI terms would be a trifle.

R15? Again, 10PS more, a slightly milder styling ethos for a mere Rs ~30K or so more?

Ninja 250R? Why would you pay nearly twice as much for a motorcycle that makes just 7-8PS more? I have a good reason to actually prefer the Ninja but I will come back to that.

Now the unlaunched bikes. Mahindra's Mojo is likely to be a 25PS bike also. But the stated price is Rs 1.7 lakh. Uh-oh.

And the KTM Duke 250 - if I'm right - will be all-KTM from head to toe and will arrive at a CBR-matching price point, similar or better performance and dramatic styling.

The Comet 650 will come in at Rs 5 lakh odd. That's the Kawasaki Ninja 650's ballpark as well. Uh-oh.

My sole reason to buy the Ninja 250R is, of course, that it is a twin. Those of you lucky enough to still have RDs know that parallel twins are great engines in most cases. And that singles are the entry point to motorcycles. Nothing more. I know from my previous chats with R&D engineers that a twin cylinder engine typically tends to double the cost of making a motorcycle over an equivalent single-cylinder engine. So to me, the Ninja's double price isn't a surprise. If money was no object then the Ninja vs CBR debate would end in the green corner.

That the CBR looks like the VFR is also a minus point for me. The VFR isn't going down as a design classic anytime soon in my book.

The CBR is also great because I think it will sell well. And when it does, it will give other manufacturers more confidence in the motorcycle enthusiast. It will tell them that there are those of us who've seen past the whitewash that is appliance-grade motorcycling.

But words like great being conferred before the launch itself? Am I getting carried away? Maybe. But I'm also desperate. And desperate times call for desperate measures.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rearset/~3/KX2qFiFKYFk/honda-cbr250r-is-big-deal.html

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