Back in the Saddle Again (March 27, 2010)

Can not believe that it has been something like two months (January 18, or there abouts) since I last rode...does not seem possible it was that long. However, thanks to cold, snow, rain, forced overtime weekends in Richmond..and of course a dead battery; the bike sat waiting. Got the battery and put it in on March 26; also put in a short 10 mile ride. On the 27th (today as I write this) got a much longer ride. This is the start in Downtown Concord, NC. Rode on out to DEI in Mooresville, NC (which was closed on a Saturday) but enjoyed the ride there on a beautiful (if somewhat chilly Saturday in North Carolina. After so long without riding though...did not care!

Went into Downtown Mooresville, wandered around there on foot for a while. There was an easter egg hunt going on downtown, and of course lots of old buildings to see. It is a very nice town and fun to explore. Went down NC 115 which is a fun road to ride, and which also rolls into Davidson, NC. I like that college town a great deal too, but did not stop this trip, but kept going on. Got back into Concord, NC and met with a former riding buddy (he sold his motorcycle) before rolling into the driveway of my house after a 3.5 hour ride. Enjoyed it a great deal after being off for so long. Nothing like a motorcycle ride in the Carolinas.

As for this Ninja it is a customers bike at RideNow, took the photo when I ordered the battery for the bike. Did some checking of the motorcycle, everything is in good shape on my Vulcan. Did add a bit of SeaFoam to the gas, had read about that on the Vulcan Riders Forum; they call it "tune up in a can"...I just call it magic. Looking forward to some great rides in the upcoming weeks and months. Last battery lasted just short of five years (would be five in June) but can not complain. Back with power now, and good to be an "active" part of motorcycling again!

Kentuckiana Visit in March

I visited the Louisville, Kentucky/ Southern Indiana area in March (from the 22th to the 26th) but made some time while visiting family and friends to check out some motorcycles. One of the great things about bike shops is that they often have some fine classic motorcycles on display. One such shop is S+S Powersports in Clarksville, IN. It was there that I saw this very fine (and rideable...has tags on it) Honda 350. I am very fond of these bikes, like the condition of this one (saw one a few weeks ago in Richmond, also in very good shape. Back in the day, you saw Honda 350's all over the place, a very popular bike.
Another great motorcycle is the Honda V-65 Sabre seen here. Believe that bike features the V-4 engine which the founder of Honda called 'the perfect motorcycle engine". Again, though a few years old, looks like it is ready for sale, and just came off the assembly line. Honda still uses that engine in the Interceptor which for this year has been punched out from a 750 to a 1200 and is said to be one fantastic motorcycle judging from the reviews I have so far read on it. The V-4 makes remarkable power (and yes, I have ridden them back in the day) with a remarkable sound when you get on the throttle.

Quite a few interesting bikes there, including this Honda CL-450. It was a "scrambler" type of bike, designed to roll down dirt roads (which was the reason for the upswept pipes) though certainly not a "trail bike" due to the fenders tight on the wheels. Still a lot of fun to ride, and again really old school with the round speedo and tach, the long seat, and the classic 70's styling. This 450 used a vertical twin engine, which many Honda's did. Another bike which was on display at S+S was a very fine CB-750 and a original Gold Wing. I purchased by Honda Shadow from S+S many years ago, before moving to the Carolinas.

I saw this custom motorcycle at Harley-Davidson of Louisville. In Louisville they have two locations; this shop is the one off of I-65 near U of L. Nice Harley shop (as they all tend to be) had gotten a shirt from there many years ago and wanted to see the shop this trip home. I liked this bike, often for some reason don't see green on custom motorcycles (though you do on Kawasaki Sport bikes) and liked the look of this bike. It was a very nice looking bike in person, low long and lean. By the way, that is my Nissan Versa in the window at far left....did not ride to Louisville on the Vulcan this trip, but hope to do that in the near future.
Last photo if the sales floor of Harley-Davidson of Louisville. Driving around Louisville was a lot of fun, felt like spring most of the trip (first day was pretty cold with highs in the 40s) but did get warmer. Helmets are optional in both states (Indiana and Kentucky) though did see many with them on, also many with them off. From my many motorcycle days there, always considered it a good place to ride, and a fun place to explore. Lots of good fun riding in Kentucky and Southern Indiana. There is also some good riding in the Carolinas, and hopefully will get some in here in the next few days!

2010 Kawasaki Motorcycles at Ultimate Cycle

Beautiful day in the RVA, and missing my bike in North Carolina, wandered during a walk in the sunshine to see the new bikes at Ultimate Cycle at 8321 Midlothian Turnpike in Richmond, Va. I like this shop and have been there before. Even cooler the General Manager Pete Daniel remembered me from my first visit there a few months ago which was cool. Bike at right is the Kawasaki Voyager, the big touring bike. I believe that has a 1700cc engine, and is a really nice ride! Bike is along the Harley-Gold Wing sort of touring bike, comes with a lot of features and would be just the thing for a cross country tour. A very good looking motorcycle!
Last post I had (in this same position in that post) a Kawasaki ZX-14. Well, this is the Concours 14, which uses the same in-line four 1400cc engine which is in that very fast motorcycle. If you want to tour but don't want to cruise getting there, but have to "make time"...this is the bike to do it. The ZX-14 engine is very powerful though have read this one is slightly detuned from the sport bike ZX-14 Bike has a lot of cool features and is a very roomy bike. For those who want to tour, but don't want the weight and size of bikes such as the Voyager this is the ride to look at. It would also be a lot of fun on a twisty road. Some of the larger bikes do not handle like these do.
Finally, saw this Vulcan...kind of partial to Vulcan Motorcycles, in fact I ride a 1500 Vulcan. Liked this all black treatment of the bike (believe it is a 900 but would not swear to that). Thought it was well worth a photo though.
Anyhow, will be back on my bike soon; got to get the battery this weekend ordered (you would think they would have them in a bike shop, but it does not work that way) and will be riding a few short days later. Been some great weather, Spring officially starts on March 20, but have been enjoying a great preview the last few days. Get out and ride, and enjoy it!

2010's at RideNow, Concord, NC

As a Vulcan 1500 rider, really liked this bike at left. Took this photo at RideNow in Concord, NC on Saturday March 13, 2010. It is a Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Classic and a fine motorcycle indeed. I have had great luck with my (now no longer made, but was for over 10 years) 1500, a bit over 20,000 miles and to this point...zero problems. Easy to maintain and a fun bike to ride. This bike is a beautiful piece of work, and a real quality bike. 1700cc's give you loads of power, and the seat was really comfortable (gave it a quick check). A water cooled V-twin is a good way to go, and really adds years to the bike. Down the road, will give this a serious look.
I would love to have one of these; the Kawasaki ZX-14. Just a beautiful motorcycle, sleek and powerful, it also (in another version) makes a really fine touring bike. Designed to take on Suzuki's mighty Hayabusa (another great motorcycle) it features almost unbelievable horsepower and torque which provides neck snapping times on the dragstrip. I have read some great reviews of this motorcycle, and people I know who ride it just rave about this bike. Not for the non-professional rider, good to have some real experience before you get your hands on this motorcycle.

Likewise for this bike, the 1000cc Yamaha R1 is not for the rookie biker. This is the ultimate semi-pro GP or Superbike race type motorcycle with all the bells and whistles that come with amazing performance. Yamaha is a fixture of modern motorcycle road racing and this bike is the sum of what they have learned over the years. Done up in (largely) Yamaha racing colors of black and yellow, this bike will give and earn respect with a capital "R:.
Enjoyed checking out the latest new bikes (with more to come, and looking forward to an upcoming great ride with my bike very soon. Still down for the battery on the Vulcan, but that will change in the next few days, and I will be back exploring the roads of North Carolina!

Rain in NC, Daytona, and a legend retires

Back to NC this weekend, though the temperature is rising, looks like a wet weekend there. Not a huge deal, have to get a battery for the Vulcan which I will be doing the next week. Will be on vacation that week; and am planning some serious riding during that time. This week will be looking at doing some preventative maintenance on the bike; a good time to lube cables, and take a look at brake fluid in the bike (good to change that every two years). I have the oil and filter change in 500 miles, and also like to check the air filter (K+N) as well as tire pressures which I do often. Take care of your motorcycle and it will take care of you!
Read some about Daytona Bike week. Seems that the crowds were down, but everyone (and I knew a few who rode down there this year) had a good time. Jake Zemke won the Superbike race on the National Guard/Michael Jordan GSX-R1000 (yeah the same basketball legend who is now owner of the NBA Charlotte Baskeball team is a superbike motorcycle team owner).
I also read this week that Angelle Sampey is retiring from NHRA Motorcycle drag racing. She is a real legend, and since one of her many wins in 2001 the woman with the most wins in racing (beating Shirley Muldowney for that title that year) . She won 3 NHRA World Championships and 18 events. Even more remarkable than her 41 victories in 13 years was her 364 round wins in 506 matchups. Best of luck to her, and thanks for a great career.
For all of us, riding season is ramping up; time to get the bikes in shape, and to get into a defensive mode; cause your best defense to get a safe 2010 year in is to keep alert, keep your bike in top shape, and be careful out there!

More From Hondahouse

As noted from what is now yesterday's visit, had a great time at Hondahouse on Hull Street Road in Richmond, Va. My second visit there since coming to Richmond, and have been impressed with the dealer. It is a low pressure sort of place, and has a nice selection of bikes. As I noted worked today; at work some of these photos which I had posted on my Facebook site got some real positive comments. Lots of people like sportbikes, and to be honest I am among them. My early motorcycling days were riding two cycles such as Yamaha RD-350's and Kawasaki triples; going quick and fast was fun. I have ridden for a number of years, including modern sport bikes. They are truly remarkable machines.
The bike at left is a Honda CBR 600. In the world of sport bikes, 600's are among the best sellers due to a nice combination of price and performance. The fact that they give as well great fuel mileage and good control are pluses as well! Honda makes a great 600 which is based on a long history (the first in the line is dated back to 1987 when the 1987 Hurricane 600 came out (selling for $3698 back then). Since then the CBR 600 has sold some 200,000+ in the US and roughly double that world wide. I rode a friend's bike a few years ago, and was amazed at the ride on it. Compared to a cruiser, and even to my old two-cycle past, it was a remarkable ride.
The white bike below is a CBR1000. Heavier and more powerful than the 600, it is not a bike to be taken lightly. Featuring power just this side of a jet aircraft leaving a catapult, the CBR1000 is one amazingly quick and fast motorcycle that is not something a beginner should hop on as a "first bike." However, for an experienced rider, it can open up a whole new world of motorcycle excitement. Honda is known for doing some remarkable things with the motorcycles it designs, and the CBR1000 is one of the most amazing examples. Again, got to ride one of those not too long ago, and came away totally impressed.
Due to work, missed the Daytona 200 (ran Friday night in Daytona, Florida..again a night race). I like seeing these bikes raced on Speed Channel (hoping before I leave Richmond in a few years to go to the motorcycle races at VIR) and think they are an important part of motorcycling's past, present and future. For it is my belief that it is not WHAT you ride, it is THAT you ride that makes a motorcyclist. Always remember whatever your favorite bike that we are all in this together. Beyond type, all are remarkable and fun machines!

New 2010 Honda Stateside and Interstate

Been looking forward to seeing these, and on a Saturday in Richmond, just a bit before heading out for some overtime hours at work went to see them. HondaHouse on Hull Street got these two bikes in just two days ago, and wanted to see them. My previous motorcycle was a Honda Shadow 600...a very good ride and prior to that an older (like 1970s era) Honda 550 which I picked up for a song and got running again (it is how I got back into motorcycling after a few years layoff). Honda makes some great motorcycles, and these are prime examples. I like the look of these new models, which to me have a lot of the Honda Fury look to them.
Both bikes can be seen here in this rear shot (and the Stateside at top. The Interstate comes with bags and a windshield (it is the bike at left) while the Stateside is at right in the rear shot. Both have the Honda VTX1300 engine which is watercooled, and has shaft drive. I like the wheels which have a custom look, and the modern instruments (though more of a cruiser type tank instrument rather than the digital type pod of the Fury. Both sit low and have forward type controls for that cruiser look. I noted that the Stateside (unlike the Interstate) has footpegs, as I know from my Vulcan that will give it a bit more lean (the Vulcan tends to drag the floorboards in hard cornering.
Here is a side view of the two bikes. Both are nice to sit on, and have a good feel. I did not get to ride them (which would have made my day) but certainly was a treat to see them. Glad to see Honda is making some changes in their line, some of the models were getting dated (the Sabre which is not in yet, is also getting changes along these lines).
As for me, enjoyed seeing these bikes and a lot of people out riding today. My bike is 300 miles away, but will certainly be in my thoughts today at work. After a long hard winter, spring is certainly in the air (though a few days off officially) but a nice preview this weekend of warmer days to come...and the glories of motorcycling in the Spring!

Edge of Spring 2010

Bike fever is hitting me really bad; due to the winter weather of late, and the fact I need a battery (will be getting that soon) for the Vulcan. Have not pushed to get one, for one thing its been cold and snowing during my last few visits home!
Course it does not help living in two cites (one in Virginia, the other in Carolina) and winter has visited both places hard this year. However, the signs of Spring are coming; both areas are warming up with a great weekend on tap this weekend, and the first sign of 60's temperatures.
As noted in previous blogs, have been visiting bike shops (those who can not ride for a time...dream about riding), and have another one planned for the weekend here in Richmond (which will be my next post). Fun to see the new motorcycles coming out; have been some interesting ones in the pipeline. Motorcycle sales are down substantially (what isn't?) but a lot of new and updated models out there. Did read that Triumph Motorcycle's are selling quite well even in the recession.
Found that the Wheels Thru Time Motorcycle Museum in beautiful Maggie Valley, NC did NOT relocate and close this year as they planned. Was a big deal last year even with a "last day" event before it "relocated". Not sure what happened or why, but glad to let everyone know that it open in 2010, though seems to be on a limited visit schedule. One thing I do know, if you are into classic bikes, it is something to see..and most of them run. The website is for sure worth a visit at http://www.wheelsthrutime.com (or you can find it by punching in Wheels Thru Time via Google or your favorite search engine). It is well worth a look with many photos, videos and news items. In fact, Maggie Valley, NC is a very motorcycle friendly place to visit, and a remarkable riding experience with a slew of great roads.
Anyhow, next post will have some bike photos as I continue to check out the local Richmond motorcycle scene. Also looking forward to some major motorcycle events in North Carolina, and some great riding in the next few weeks. My motorcycle riding club (Charlotte VRA) is planning some great rides in 2010; difficult to work out some of them, but will make a few. Got a really nice ride coming up later this month. So, until the next post...ride safe!