Child Savers/Tuskegee Airman MC Charity Ride (May 30, 2009)

I took these photos during the ride. Funny thing was, I did not go on the ride, but it left from Cloverleaf Mall which is a big abandoned mall near my apartment in Richmond, VA. My motorcycle is in Concord, NC awaiting my return next weekend (when I plan to ride to the Hog Happening in Lincolnton, NC). I read about this ride though in the newspaper yesterday, and got up this morning to see them off.
Funny thing was, I kept running into the ride in the course of the day while doing some Richmond exploring today in the car. For instance this green Suzuki I saw at Buffalo Wild Wings in Richmond, and was one of the bikes on the ride. I thought it was a very cool metal flake paint job, and check out that rear tire!
This yellow custom sport bike was at the official end of the ride, which was the grounds of the Chimborazo Medical Hospital which was where Confederate troops were treated during the Civil War. I went there to see the hospital site (only a museum building is there now).

I did enjoy the rumble and roar of the collected group of Cruiser and Sport Bikes which took part in the ride. The group of mostly black bikers took part in the ride to raise money for the Richmond group "Child Savers" and was put on by the Tuskegee Airman Motorcycle Club who invited a few hundred of their friends to ride along and help out. This photo is of just SOME of the bikes that came out. The Tuskegee Airman is named for the famous black fighter pilots of WWII, who had a remarkable combat record in the face of racism, and showed what America can do when it does it together. I enjoyed the visit with the men and women of the groups that took part in the ride today.
I also found this week, a new site and magazine covering motorcycles in the Virginia region. Thunder Roads is the site, and I have added the link to it on my links. It's a free magazine which offers all sorts of local information, as well as dates and locations for upcoming rides in the area. It reminds me a great deal of our local publications in North Carolina: "Born to Ride" and also "Full Throttle"...both of which are also free and can be found at many biker friendly locations, and most motorcycle dealerships.
It was a beautiful weekend to have ridden, hoping for the same next weekend when I take to the roads of North Carolina for what has always been one of the best rides of the year.

Powerwashing the Bike (the hard way)

Finally got a ride in at home in North Carolina. It was a very ugly day; and the weekend of the Coca-Cola 600. I rode out to the track to see some of the stuff out there. You have to give Bruton Smith credit, he does put on a show. However, this year the weather did not go along with him at all. Anyhow, rode close to home...visited with a couple of friends, and enjoyed being out on the bike. That is it by the way on the left, waiting at a red night on NC29 in Concord. Anyhow, clouds got ever blacker, and finally the skies unloaded a few miles from home. It was a real downpour, and did a great job of powerwashing the bike, as well as my shirt, helmet, jeans and shoes. Got home (thankfully, have some good wet riding skills over the years) and changed clothes and dried the motorcycle off in the garage. Unfortunately, that was the last riding opportunity for the long weekend, which was a real wet time. In fact, it did shorten the Coca-Cola 600 as well.
Back in Richmond now, and am looking forward to the next big ride. I am somewhat concerned about the weather of late; been an exceptionally wet spring this year with many more days of rain than sun. Big event on June 6 (actually also happens on June 5, but I will be here in Richmond) is the Hog Happenin in Lincolnton, NC. As they say it joins the "animal with the mechanical" and is a bbq cookoff, bike rally and features a lot of live music as well. The town square is closed off to all vehicles but motorcycles, and they also have some special things (like a really great stunt show) and some vendors as well. The town is very welcoming, and it has always been a really great time. The event has been held since 2001, I have been going nearly as long. Hope to bring some friends along again this year, usually we have a good group that goes up. It's not a monster rally....usually draws from some 5000-7000 bikes in the course of the day, but its a great ride. Bonus is the roads to get there are nice, and we make an interesting "detour ride" on the way back which is fun.
The Atlantic Beach Rally in Myrtle Beach was this weekend. Like the Harley rally, crowds were way down. Estimates were some 175,000 came out (previous years up to 400,000) and vendors were down by half. Some of that may be due to the economy, but a lot is probably due to the pressure put on the rally (as well as the previous HD rally which apparently was also down) by the City of Myrtle Beach. Will be interesting to see what the future holds for the rallies next year, as well as the Fall HD rally this year.
Speaking of that last, some years ago went to the Fall Rally. It was during the first relocation, was a race weekend in Concord (no rooms available, and we were staying in Concord hotel rooms) so we did a weekend in Myrtle Beach; and it was during the rally. People were real nice and a lot of fun, did some partying with the bikers, and did not find them any more radical than any other groups I have spent time around. I am sure there was some craziness, but also would find that with football/hockey fans, college students on spring break, or a bunch of golfers hitting the town after a day on the links. Funny to have found a tourist town that does not want tourists especially in the case of the HD rally which went on for over 60 years. I think a little give and take on both sides could have gone a long way.
Anyhow, will be in Virginia for the next couple of weeks, looking forward to the next ride. Always ride safe!

Star Trek Future Motorcycles

Interesting news this week as the President Obama put out new mileage and pollution requirements for American autos. I support those measures; can still remember brown skies during periods in the summer in my hometown of Louisville, Kentucky and the calls to "drive less" due to them, and of course we all remember the $4 fuel of last summer (and the shortages from time to time). The Japanese have many cars now that can meet the 2016 goals; the technology to do both is there now.
Speaking of technology though; interesting seeing the motorcycles of Star Trek this weekend when I saw that (very good by the way) movie. Early in the movie a cop goes after a young James Kirk with a flying motorcycle. Very cool (and much like the "speeder bikes"of Star Wars) though not really happening anytime soon (if ever in that case).
However later in the movie, a more grown James Kirk rides to join Star Fleet (and check out the construction on the new USS Enterprise) on an electric bike. THAT technology is not for the future, but is coming to the here and now.
Already, there are electric scooters which have around an 80 mile range and good top speeds, and also there are electric drag racers which are making quite a mark. There is also an electric dirt bike being tested, and a race is being planned for this year with electric sport bikes. Many people think of electric bikes as being slow and with limited range, but if one looks at the Tesla Sportscar (which has amazing performance) you can see its possible to get real speed and performance out of electic motors. Trains move tons of gear with diesel electic engines, and electric motors power submarines. Given enough power, you can do great things with electric motors. They are light, simple, and all the power is available from the start giving some amazing torque numbers.
The big problem is the the batteries; being both expensive and heavy...but both price and weight are coming down, as is the storage capacity. Range is also being worked on. Also being worked on is other alternative sources of power. Suzuki showed a bike which would use hydrogen power and a fuel cell (like those used in the space program) to power a future bike; the exhaust would be water vapor as the bike burns the hydrogen, and vents the water vapor.
Motorcycles are uniquely suited to the new technology being light weight, aerodynamic (due to the work done on sport bikes especially in those regards) and a good single person vehicle. If you note traffic it quickly is noted that most people drive solo. In Europe and Asia with the price of fuel motorcycles are much more common.
So, I think its a matter of time until Captain Kirk's electic motorcycle becomes commonplace, and could well take motorcycles to new and exciting levels. Much on the new electric and alternative motorcycles can be read about (as I have) on the web, and especially in the pages of Motorcyclist Magazine which has run a number of features on the new bikes under development, and those motorcycles which are for sale now!

Bike Lust on a Fine Richmond Day

Beautiful weather outside this Tuesday morning; and I am in Richmond with my motorcycle waiting to be ridden some 230 miles away in Concord, NC (where the weather is also wonderful). However, got a big period of visits there coming up very soon, so this will not be long. Will be in Concord for three days this weekend (Saturday, Sunday, Monday), then here for three days, and then home again for four days (if not five....a curtailment day add on is I am told possible).
Felt kind of bad about Saturday, went to see Star Trek (great movie by the way) but drove past a bike gathering at a local motorcycle dealer. Did go back out to it later, but it was wrapping up when I got there. If you can't ride, nice to be around motorcycles.
Have been reading about the Myrtle Beach Motorcycle Rally; sounds like the crowds are down, but the cops are for sure up; and seem to be writing as many tickets as they can. However, most of the bikers seem to have gotten the word and are spending most of their time (and money) in North Myrtle Beach (which is not part of the area which is hassling the motorcycle crowd). I also read that many of the hotels in Myrtle Beach have empty rooms. Good!
Did see that BMW has put out the new sportbike with the in-line four. Looks pretty awesome, said to have 192 hp. Interesting bike; BMW has really been doing a lot of interesting bikes.
As for my interesting bike, plan to be taking it out some this weekend if the weather holds up. Been wild both in NC and VA with the weather of late....but rain is a good thing (just not during a ride). Luck has been good on visits home so far, keeping my fingers crossed!

Three Bikes from Suzuki

Before the bike show (previous post) we met up at RideNow in Concord, NC as a meeting point. Only Phil made it to the store (ride turned out great as the skies cleared and not a drop fell) but did before he got there check out some new bikes. The first is this blue Hayabusa. One of the great sportbikes of the current day; it is (along with the Kawasaki ZX-14) one of the fastest and quickest bikes out there. That motor also powers the Suzuki B-King. One can get amazing power out of the Hayabusa's inline four; truly a monster at the drag strip, or on the open road.


Not at all the power house of the Hayabusa, but also with a great engine is this Orange Suzuki V-Strom. The version seen here is a 650cc engine. I like the bike, being tall it fits me well as it sits high. Said to have good wind protection from the fairing, and not only does it get great fuel mileage, but also has a very reliable engine. The bike also comes in a 1000cc version for those who want more power. I am told this bike has been a strong seller for a number of years.






Final bike is the blue and white Suzuki Gladius. It is the upgraded version of the SV-650, which was one of the "The" bikes to own according to the vast majority of the motorcycle press. Inexpensive, powerful it appealed to new riders and also experienced bikers as well. Was a great deal of fun on a twisty road too. Suzuki took a page from Ducati and put a trellis frame on the bike, and upgraded the styling, but kept the amazing 650cc V-twin engine. Tough bike with that motor, and though I am 6'2" found the bike fit me well (did not feel cramped on it).

Suzuki has always been a maker of very interesting motorcycles, and has been on the cutting edge for years. They made the first water cooled mass production bikes, once made one with a rotary engine, and is among the world leaders in racing. Did I ever have one? Oh yeah, had a GS-400 back in the 1970's while in the Navy. A very reliable motorcycle, took me on many great rides on the island of Hawaii, and back in Indiana (had it shipped back when I got out of the Navy after my four year hitch). Was the perfect motorcycle back then; got it right after the Arab Oil Embargo, and the run up in gas prices. Fuel in Hawaii was (gasp!) over one dollar a gallon there, had ridden in high school, and getting a motorcycle was a no brainer. Glad I did, great bike, fantastic riding, and a fun machine to see that amazing place on!

Classic Bike Show, Spencer, NC (May 2, 2009)

Rode out to Spencer,NC this morning with my friend Phil. I did not think we were going as I woke this morning to a 50% rain chance, some sprinkles, and a black sky. In fact I had called a few off; and a few said they were getting ready to tell me they were not going due to the weather. I did not have Phil's number though, and also Randy was going to ride to the meeting point at Ride Now from SC, so I rode there. Randy did not show up, but Phil did. As he said, "if it rains we will turn back". I had rain gear, really wanted to go, so said what the hell, and off we went. Started the ride from RideNow in Concord, NC heading down to Old Concord/ Salisbury Road. One of my favorite roads with a lot of twists and turns, past farms and fields.Got to the show about 11, and was pleased to see a lot of motorcycles there. The Indian seen at top was started for us. The BMW in the middle was (I was told) ridden to Myrtle Beach a few times "back in the day"and struggled to make 70mph, and the old Triumph below was one of many classics of British engineering. There were a lot of Triumphs, also many BMWs, some BSA's, Nortons, and some Italian Moto Guzzis there.
As for Japanese bikes, many classic Hondas were on hand, and I also enjoyed the two cycles. I saw a Yamaha RD-250, and a Kawasaki 500 triple. Many of the classic four cycles were also there, among them a factory Suzuki rotary engined bike. Too many great bikes to name, but will be posting more photos of those bikes on my Flickr Page in the next few days (a link to that is in my links page).
Enjoyed the tour of the museum. The show was held on the grounds of the NC Transportation Museum which was a working rail yard, and has a great collection of aircraft, trucks, cars, more motorcycles, and especially trains. Most of the trains are in running condition, and they have train rides available each day the museum is open.
Anyhow, we left about 12:30. By that time the skies were clearing, and as I write this at 5pm, it is still beautiful outside. It turned out to be a really remarkable day.
I also while at Ride Now saw some interesting new bikes, including the new Suzuki Gladius which is the replacement for the legendary SV-650. I will be posting those photos to Flickr also over the next few days, and those bikes will be the theme of another post soon!