Motorcycle Shops...something old/something new (July 28, 2012)

On a very hot and humid Richmond day, went to Velocity Motorcycles, which if not my most favorite, it is one of my most favorite in Richmond. There is always something interesting to see there. For instance, take this Honda Hawk (believe its a 400cc) bike. Unique in that it is an automatic, and was one of the first of the breed (there have been a few others over the years) and they are starting to get more common in motorcycles (have been the norm for some time in scooters). I am kind of old school, like to shift gears, but if it gets more on two wheels, I am all for it.

 Richmond does not have a Ducati dealer, but always quite a few of the brand at Velocity. The one at the top (in the window) is fully tricked out for racing, and though dated has a price tag just north of $16K. Many of the bikes there, such as the Ducati below it, can be had for a lot less. There were a lot of bikes there during my visit to the shop. Velocity also rents motorcycles, and has a lot of other things to offer. They are located in Richmond, VA on West Marshall Street, check out the Velocity Motorcycles web site for more info. 

I read that this bike would be out in "Summer 2012" and here it is...the 2012 Honda NC700X. Powered by a water cooled twin, chain drive, lots of storage space under the seat, chain drive and a six speed gearbox. It is even available in a semi-automatic version. It starts at $6,999 and Honda claims it can get some 64 MPG. I will be interested to see how this bikes does in the market, and think it could be very worthy competition to other like bikes in the market. Took this photo thru the window, it was at Honda House in Richmond, VA (on West Broad Street which had closed at 3PM ( I was there a little later on in the day. 

Few things go together like bikes and barbeque either in North Carolina, or for that matter in Virginia. One of my favorite places to eat in Richmond is Buz and Ned's. They have a couple of locations, but i like to eat at the one on The Boulevard in Richmond, VA. They are real proud of the fact they were able to beat the legendary Bobby Flay in a cookoff. You see that in the shirts the employees wear, and the film shown on the tv quite often. All I can say is it is really good barbeque here in Richmond.
The bike in front with the tag "BuzHog" is a Harley-Davidson V-Rod. It seems to be in that same location all the time, but I can not say that it does not ever move from that spot. Buz and Ned's has dining inside and out (I like to eat outside even in this heat) and it is outstanding barbeque. By the way, I do not get compensated for putting that on here, I just really like the food. When I have visitors to the area, I like to take them here as one of the stops.
Anyhow, a nice weekend spent looking at some bikes...next weekend I plan to get out and enjoy riding mine in the Carolinas. Ride safe, and will see you in a few days here!    

Birkdale Village/Lake Norman (July 22, 2012)

Got out on the bike on a very nice Sunday early afternoon....much less humid than it has been the past few days, and of course...for the past few days I have been in Richmond, VA. So it was nice to get out and take a short ride on a fine Sunday. This is actually at the second stop, but a nice view of the bike, and also a bit of the lake. Lake Norman can also be seen in the photo at the bottom of this page...its a massive lake, and as I understand it, man made. It's purpose is to provide cooling water for the nearby nuclear reactors, but its also a very popular place for boating and fishing, as well as some impressive houses on the lake as well. 

 This is a photo of Birkdale Village. It is a neat sort of thing; lots of shopping there, apartments (perhaps even condos, I am not sure), many good places to eat and drink, a movie theater....you can find pretty much anything (though I don't think they have a grocery...yet). A number of places such as these have been popping up in the North Carolina area (and I have seen a development like it in Chester, VA) but in the Charlotte area this was the first and the biggest. I stopped in to check out a brand new place called Big Daddy's Burger Bar which I read about this weekend in the Charlotte Observer, it is pretty neat, and I enjoyed the visit there.  

Nothing as peaceful (at least early on) as Lake Norman, took this photo shortly after noon. It is a big lake, and covers a large area (something to see from the air which I have done). Like visiting there, although it has been awhile since I rode out that way. Sure a very nice place, and a nice ride on a Sunday-sometimes though traffic in that area can be really, really bad...its a very popular place to visit, and I am sure it got that way later in the day.
Few things I enjoy more than a Sunday morning ride; and this one covered about 50 miles in total-did not have a great deal of time, as I had to get back to Richmond later in the day.

On A Hot Sunday Morning in Concord, NC (July 8, 2012)

 Got out early on Sunday July 8 before the heat (which was once again over 100 degrees heat index wise later in the day) got really bad. Besides, like riding on a Sunday morning-the traffic is light, businesses are empty and the world is quiet. Thanks to my stock exhaust on the Vulcan, I do not blast my presence as I ride. Made a stop at Charlotte Motor Speedway, like to ride by and around the outside of the big track (at times I have ridden on it, which is pretty cool, they allow that from time to time) as I rode up NC-49 to Harrisburg, NC, and then up to the track. While I was in the area, I also rode out to the Concord Mills Mall, and to the Concord Regional Airport. Both of those places were quiet-though a few planes were flying. Concord Mills is the #1 tourist attraction in North Carolina (which in my opinion is sort of sad with so much to see, but it is big for sure), and the airport in Concord is one of the busiest in the state (the busiest is Charlotte-Douglas just up the road a few miles). 

Took a short ride on the way back up Union Street which has a number of really cool houses, many of which are historic. I love riding down that tree lined road. Downtown is small, but has a number of neat stores, and some good places to eat. I have a good time there, though most all of them were closed on  this Sunday morning.
For the day, ride covered some 45 miles. I got a few miles down some backroads, and enjoyed it. It will be a while before I get out again, but looks like more normal Summer weather will be in the area. I have enjoyed a nice vacation, and sure will be looking forward to the next one-but soon its back to Richmond and time to get to work again.

Victory Motorcycles and the Hot, Hot Ride (July 7, 2012)

A very hot day, Richmond, VA hit a record of 104...here in Concord it was not far from that-a very toasty day. Went for a real nice early ride down some backroads in the area before noon, but it did get warm later on really quick. Riding in this heat is like riding into a furnace-hot air is hot air even moving at speed. Made a stop during the first ride at RideNow Powersports in Concord, NC where I saw this (at left) 2013 Victory Judge. Nice looking bike and love the color of it (it also comes in black). Like the fact that if you want an American made motorcycle you now have another choice.  

 They have been making Victory Motorcycles for a few years now. At left (seen here in black) is what is known as the 8-Ball, which is the most basic Victory Motorcycle. I rode a few of them a few months ago, and they are nice motorcycles, though at the time I found the transmissions a bit "clunky". Those transmissions though do have a real long warrenty, so what is a little noise I guess? Nice looking bikes, and this model is a 2013 model, which I found out from seeing the new tank badge on the gas tank. Nice bikes, and they have quite an impressive line up, from what is called "The New American Motorcycle Company".  

Later in the day, rode out to Buffalo Wild Wings which is in Afton Village in Concord, NC (seen here in the background with my Kawasaki Vulcan in the foreground). Nice sunny day, but as I noted it was hot, hot, hot. For the last couple of weeks, temperatures have been real close (and sometimes over) the 100 degree range over a huge area of the US of A. Has made for some toasty warm riding, but riding certainly beats not riding. That said, sure glad for air conditioning at stops such as this. Went to see some former co-workers here, they gathered for a while and it was a lot of fun.
For the day, got in a total of 66 miles, the early part of the ride (before noon) was cooler, for the later (starting around 1:30, got back around 4PM with a good break in between) it was warm. Bike has held up probably better than I have in the heat over the last week or so, really has been rough, but it also has been a really good time. It is summer after all, but dealing with record breaking heat has been something else. Looking forward to more seasonable summer temperatures which are said to be on the way in the next few days.   

Road Trip To Louisville/Southern Indiana (July 1-5)

Though I traveled by car, did see a whole lot of motorcycling while I was out on the road on my way to the Louisville area. Went to visit family and friends, and have a few more photos on my "Richmond and Me" page. Seen here at a rest stop in Tennessee are a group of bikers heading to parts unknown. Neat rest stop (like the cabin added on) and saw a lot of motorcycles on the way up there. As it has been, some toasty riding, with temperatures in the 100+ range, and also some nasty storms happened while we were out there, especially in Virginia and West Virginia. Lots of power outages in those areas.   
Saw this bike below...ape hangers seem to be popular in Southern Indiana. Nice motorcycle, and of course in Kentucky and Indiana there are no helmet laws. Did see a lot of people riding with them, and also without helmets. Thought this was a very nice bike though. 

Took this photo at S+S Powersports in Clarksville, Indiana. Purchased by Honda 600 Shadow from them, since replaced by the 1500 Vulcan (which I purchased here in North Carolina) but it was a great bike. These are some classics...A Honda 750/4, Honda CB450 (dirt/road version) an original Gold Wing (when it was a big Honda without all the touring items), and a V-45 Sabre. Nice group of bikes and they all look factory fresh! Many bike shops have interesting old bikes, part of the reason I like to visit them. These though are a very fine collection. I did a lot of riding over the years in Kentuckiana, and really have enjoyed them a great deal. It is a fun place to visit, and a good place to live. Lots of good memories, and always good to come back for a visit.