Short Rides During a Three-Day Visit (July 25-27)

I really enjoy Sunday morning motorcycle rides. The streets are quiet and the traffic is light; both wonderful conditions on a ride. Along with that was some wonderful weather, the early morning cool, and the amazing blue skies. It was a really nice ride. Rode for an hour to Kannapolis, NC. That used to be a great mill town; with the giant Pillowtex complex. Now, its a town which is hoping for a new future with the NC Research Center. Those great buildings continue to go up on the site of the former textile mill buildings. Its a remarkable transformation.
Monday, I visited a friend from work; as fate would have it rode by the old factory which is ending production in Concord, NC today as I write this. A-shift (which I used to be on, now in Richmond working B-shift) was letting out for one of the last times. That will soon be a giant empty complex. Its for sale, think the asking price of the around 2500 acres is something like $500 million (give or take a few million). The loss will add a few thousand to the growing unemployment rolls in Concord, and will make for difficult times for many friends I worked with over the years.
Still, as I have found, life is full of changes, challenges and difficulties. Sometimes the best thing you can do is to take a ride. It does make for a fantastic escape. It was good to be out on the bike, and back home again!

Norton is back, and new bikes from Victory

While exploring the internet the other day, came across a bit of news I had to check out. Seems that in England, the Norton brand has been revived. Right now its one bike (aka Indian) but a second is in the works. Has a very classic look, a bit over a 900cc engine and you can see it at http://www.nortonmotorcycles.com. Right now its a limited (around 200 bikes) production run, and not yet available in the US, but interested in that. Saw a real nice Norton Commando at Velocity Motorcycles in Richmond, VA (previous post talks about that) and that is how I came to check on Norton. Back in the day, they were fast motorcycles.
Victory has put out its new 2010 motorcycles. Surprisingly during this recession they have a number of new models. Brought out two new touring models, also a new addition to the (lower cost) "8 Ball" lineup; a Hammer and the Vision have been added (others are versions of the Vegas, and a Kingpin version added earlier to the original 8-Ball) .
Its been a tough year for the motorcycle shops (at least for new bike sales). When I go into RideNow, its like getting swooped on by vultures (probably the same if not worse at new car dealierships, though have not been into any of those).
I did note that Louisville (mty former home town and the first stop in the "factory job world tour" I am currently on) is going after a DUI driver who killed a motorcyclist in a crash. The charge is MURDER, which is a positive in my book. Too often drivers get off with that "I did not see the motorcycle". However, as riders its important that we take charge of our own safety, and watch out for the other guy, and expect the unexpeced. Watch out for drivers on Cell Phones (they are in another world often, and are probably more dangerous than drunk drivers according to studies), and especially watch for cars turning left into your lane. Statistically, that is the most danger to riders on motorcycles...and it happens often.
Hope your rides are great, always ride safe!

Zero Motorcycles and the Future of Motorcycling

I have read about this bike in magazines such as Motorcyclist and on-line as well. This 2009 Zero X Electric Dirtbike is quite remarkable in many ways. I photographed it at Velocity Motorcycles in Richmond, Virginia yesterday. The designer of the bike (Neal Saiki) worked for NASA for many years, got into designing mountain bikes, and then took on this project. The bike has a weight of 151 pounds, the electric motor puts out 23bhp, and an impressive 50 lb-ft pounds of torque. Many of the components are from mountain bike suppliers, and the frame (fitting his aviation history) is aircraft grade aluminum. The bike provides almost instant full power and full torque. The battery pack is the heart of the design; weighing 45 pounds, the lithium-ion battery puts out 300 amps, which can get the bike up to 55 mph. Range is one to two hours depending on how it is ridden. No oil changes, no tune ups, no clutch....just twist the grip and go (and refueling is a recharge). Price is about $7450 or $9450 for the "extreme" model. In checking out the web site for Zero Motorcycles I have read that there is a street bike in the works as well.
Of course, I have also read that Vetrix (who makes an electric scooter) is on its last legs. Zero Motorcycles seems to be doing well, though the current fall in gasoline prices (and the recession) has to be taking a toll on sales (Harley-Davidson announced more layoffs this week due to the drop off in big bike motorcycle sales). Still, the Zero is a great and on-going advance in motorcycle technology.
Electric motorcycles are quickly becoming more than toys. An electric drag bike called Killacycle is running on two 1850 amp, 500 bhp total hp (800 lb.-ft of torque) at a speed of 174.05 mph at 7.89 seconds. This is 1.02 seconds less than the NHRA Pro-stock motorcycle ET record! Plus it does it on 7 cents worth of electricity, getting a recharge after each run which takes 4 minutes!
The bikes will continue to improve, battery technology will as well. Fuel prices, while down now will eventually be heading back up. I believe that electric motorcycles will eventually give remarkable performance, and lower the cost both of fuel and maintenance (got to remember no oil changes or valve adjustments on electric bikes) and still be something remarkable to ride.
This technology will be worth following!

Velocity Motorcycles

Among my adventures in Richmond today was a very good visit to Velocity Motorcycles which is located on The Boulevard in Richmond, Virginia (just up the road from The Diamond, and directly across from Buz and Ned's...both of which I also took a look at). Velocity really looked like a good shop to visit. For one thing they have a good number of classic bikes, and also they have some interesting brands that they sell. I found the people there very friendly, and were very nice about my photo taking. I took quite a few motorcycle photos. They had some old Honda, BSA, Norton, Ducati, and some newer used bikes (such as a very nice BMW as well).
I have seen a lot of Russian made Ural motorcycles, but all the others had the sidecar attached. This one was neat in that it did not. I have heard two stories about the Ural. I do know it was based on a WWII era model BMW. Some have said that the Russians copied it from captured German Army models, others that BMW gave Russia the old design having a newer one in the works. At any case a great blend of old and new. Much of the bike has been updated over the years with better electronics and brakes. I am told that they need to be kept up with maintenance wise, but are easy to work on, and pretty solid rides.
As for the Royal Enfield, that was an old British make, which somehow ended up remaining in production in India for the past few years. Like the Ural, the bikes have been updated over the years, getting more modern components. This is a more modern version (and that is another Royal Enfield in the window) of the bike. Like the Ural not the kind of bike for high power rides, but a very inexpensive way to get into motorcycling. As a bonus both brands are very unique, I have seen them but not a great many of them. One drawback would be that dealers could be hard to come across if you break down far from home.

Velocity also sells Hysung motorcycles (nice and up and coming manufacturer from South Korea), and also sells the new US made Zero Motorcycle. Zero is really cool in that its all-electric, but its no toy playbike ; has some really good performance.
It was a great visit, and really enjoyed the time spent there. I will be making additional trips from time to time. Another bonus, they rent motorcycles there (as mine is in North Carolina, not out of the question that I will do some riding in Virginia while here which would be great).
As a bonus, got the motorcycle magazine "Motorcycle Times" and that was fun to read too (always like the free ones). Next post will be on the Zero Motorcycle, be fun to give some of the details on that bike! Until then, ride safe!

Four Deaths....and the thoughts of Morons

While home in North Carolina over the past eleven days, noted that four motorcyclists died in traffic accidents. Many were due to bad judgment (speeding, stunting) some were bike/car crashes; all tragic. When riding one has to be very careful, especially in North and South Carolina where speeding, tailgating, drivers glued to cell phones, running red lights....all that and more. Many are from other states and countries; so when you ride keep your eyes moving and watch out for the other guy (this is also good advice in cars or whatever you drive).
What griped my ass though was the comments made by some in the Charlotte Observer. Everything from "hope he was an organ donor" to "he deserved it". It also is fair to note that there were also a number of automobile crashes which also resulted in deaths (including some in the so called super safe SUV's....how is that possible). Course it seems that those newspaper post article posting sites really bring out the jerks. I liked one of the comments after one post; "none of you would be friends of mine in real life, certainly none here") talking about the tones of the comments. To be fair not just the motorcycle posts, most of the posts made seem to be of a "Rush Limbaugh" tone. You know the type, basically sarcastic hate filled posts with a tinge of racism.
To my friends and co riders, be careful. Watch out for the cages and keep your attention on the road. Save the stunting for the parking lots, and speeding for the track. Ride safe, and ride long (and I have been riding now for 37 years without an accident, so I speak from experience.

Back to Virginia

Later today will load up the car, and get rolling back to Virginia. Have been back to Concord since July 2, was a great long vacation. Really enjoyed not only some great rides but just riding in general. During the period I only drove the car twice; once to take the dog to the vet, and once yesterday to get some gasoline for the lawn mower. In addition to the three rides I mentioned in previous posts; made a few shorter and local rides around Concord. One of those was last night, for as the temperature cooled off from the blazing heat (mid 90s) of the afternoon went for a dusk ride around the area. It was nice, was able to just cruise down Union Street as the sun was going down. Have learned to avoid the country rides at night, sure you get a few bugs in town, but its swarms out in the backroads when the sun goes down. Town seems a bit better, and saw a few bikers enjoying the same thing as I was. Anyhow rode by the big houses on Union Street, turned up toward NC29 past the two old (and converted; one to apartments, one to offices) textile mills, and then on NC29 toward the Speedway. Turned short of the track though, and rolled back past Frank Liske Park and to NC 49 toward home. During the ride the headlight got brighter on the road as the area got darker; came in though with a nice restful feeling after a really fine though short ride. After the big morning motorcycle ride, an afternoon of tasks, the ride was really great.
Last night thunderstorms in the area; during the days here had only one day of rain prior to that. All in all, a very great week, with a lot of new memories and discoveries to carry me to the next trip back home.
Should be noted that I also enjoyed visiting with my family and friends, and just the joy of being home again. It has been said there is no place like it, and I certainly agree with that statement!

SC Breakfast Club Ride (July 12, 2009)

Patty Wagstaff made some good comments in her blog not long ago about the Rowan County Airport which is near Salisbury, NC. Today, I rode the Vulcan there to meet the planes and pilots who flew in with the South Carolina Breakfast Club. I had a great time, this was actually an early photo (in the next couple of days will show many of the most interesting planes on Flickr...and I have a link to that on my page) as later dozens of aircraft, many historic flew in for breakfast with EAA 1083 and me! I am a big fan of aviation and aircraft, and enjoyed the visit there today. I left the house at 8am, found the streets really quiet and traffic light. I love riding on Sunday mornings. The fact that it was cool early (something which has changed as afternoon has rolled on) was also nice. So enjoyed the ride without the usual speeding masses texting on their cell phones, and had a good cruise in to the airport.
After around a two hour visit, rolled into Salisbury, NC. Very interesting town and always has something new to offer. Being also something of a Civil War buff (and Richmond has a lot of that to explore also) discovered today a house (was told it was the quarters for the Confederate guards) of the Salisbury Confederate Prison. The prison was burned when Federal troops took the town. I was also told of another house, found that; was the residence of the chief confederate doctor at the prison. One of the cannon used at that prison was also in the yard. Little (other than the trenches which hold an estimated 11-18,000 Union dead nearby) remains of the prison that was in Salisbury.
After that, rode back to Concord via Old Concord/Salisbury Road. I enjoyed that ride also, again traffic early was light, and enjoyed a pleasant ride back to the house. During my days here on vacation, got in some 350 miles of very fine riding, and some great memories to get me by until I get back home again. Have enjoyed some fine rides in the region, and am looking forward to some more on my next visit.

Vulcan Riders Association Ride (July 11,2009)

Couple of cell phone photos I took today, got an invite last night to ride with the Vulcan Riders Association (Charlotte Chapter) to Morrow Mountain. We all met at Troutman's Barbeque on NC-29 in Concord, NC. During the business meeting we had lunch. I went with the bbq on a bun topped with red slaw and vinegar sauce; took a while to get used to that when I got here but really enjoy it now. For the ride we had 10 bikes (11 counting mine) and headed out around 12:30. Riders rode all sorts of Vulcan motorcycles; Mean Streak, 1500's, 1600's, 900's, and even a couple of the old 750 Vulcans. Came from all over the area.
I was just at Morrow Mountain last Saturday in fact, but fun to ride with a group, and they were an interesting bunch. The second photo is all of our bikes at the overlook. I love the ride there, go through some really nice roads, and the ride to the top is a curvy bunch of fun. Due to the Richmond/Concord living thing going on now with me, not sure how often I will be able to ride with them, but sure would not mind at all doing that again. Hot today and somewhat humid, but had a fantastic time and a great ride. It is always fun to ride with a group, especially a group with the same kind of motorcycle that I ride.

Tomorrow, before going back to Richmond Sunday night or Monday, I have one last ride left, and am really looking forward to that one too. Will post on that tomorrow or Monday!

Holiday Riding in Carolina (Part 1)

Friend of mine (who went with me) took this photo at Bike Night at Quaker Steak and Lube on July 8. Quaker Steak on a normal Wednesday night gets close to 900 bikes, weather was iffy but I took a chance (as did my buddy Phil) and we rode out to see what was going on there. I used to be a regular, but with the Richmond transfer (and back to working 3pm-11pm) don't get to go anymore. Besides, Richmond does not seem to have as many bike nights as Carolina does; really popular here. Phil took this photo of me next to the new Kawasaki Voyager 1700. Talked to the owner of this bike and he loved it. This one comes with ABS, a nice feature (especially in the rain) on any motorcycle.
My motorcycle does NOT have ABS, but this week what it does have is a rear gear oil change, new brake fluid in the front and rear brakes, cables lubed, an oil change, and new brake fluid in the clutch. Did all that on Monday; good maintenance is important. I do plan to check and/or clean the air filter this weekend. I put a K+N air filter in it a few years ago, nice to not have to get new filters for the air cleaner, and the K+N does give the Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 a lot more power.
Most of my rides so far have been around town, though last Saturday I did take a good ride to Morrow Mountain which is located in Albemarle, NC (town is also famous as the hometown of Kellie Pickler). Morrow Mountain is a beautiful place with a very fine lookout and draws bikes like flies to honey. Had a nice crowd up there and beautiful views. The fact that the heat was not bad nor the humidity were two more plusses. It was a really great ride!
Having a great week so far being home with my family, and also have enjoyed some really good time on the bike. Getting some badly needed rain today, though it did spoil a ride planned with Steve still many days left before I have to go back to Richmond. I plan to take full advantage of the time left to get some riding in here in one of the best places to ride in the US: North Carolina!