Seen in Richmond on a Fine Fall Day (November 5, 2011)

Nice day in Richmond, it was a beautiful fall day with a lot of great color here. Temperature was in the 60 range, and there were a lot of motorcyclists out running their bikes on this very fine day. Saw a lot of them, plus some different bikes while out. For instance this lime green Moto Guzzi is a very rare bike to see, and enjoyed checking this out for a while after enjoying a frosty cold beverage at Legend Brewing in Richmond, VA. Moto Guzzi is an old Italian brand, and has a long history having made motorcycles since 1921. This bike is a real beauty and is an interesting take on the popular V-twin engine (a BMW below also has a different sort of V type engine). They sell these at Ultimate Cycle in Richmond (or at least they used to, I assume they still do) but a very fine bike for sure. I enjoyed seeing this one and visiting Legend's was also good. Nice to check out the local beer, and they make some good ones in this city. Had planned to hit some bike shops today, but the bike shops came to me. Good when your ride in waiting for you in NC.

While out by Legends, went by Scoot Richmond. Sure scooters are not motorcycles, but like us they ride on two wheels, and they accept the same sort of adventure and danger, so I consider them brothers and sisters of the road. Liked this bike and for sure on a dark night you would see it coming. They were having some sort of event out in the lot (even a few motorcycles were there) and there was food as well as (gasp) beer there, though I did not have any while I was there. Scooters were popular in England back in the 60's during the "Mods and Rockers" period (The Who sang about those days) and as for today they sure make fuel efficient machines for the road.
Spoke about the BMW V-twin engine, saw this version off of Cary Street. Now they make in-line six and in-line fours as well as some twins (engines of the twins by Rotax who also make ultralight aircraft engines) but it was the Boxer that made the company a legend. They have made bikes since 1923, and have a long history in Germany. Known for technological innovation, BMW motorcycles come with a lot of items which are not found on other motorcycles, and have a reputation for stone reliability. Some of their touring bikes have been the best in the world. Their GS series motorcycles were a big part of the "Long Way Around" show of a few years back.
Finally, saw this Ducati Monster. One of the great designs this bike (think it is a 620, though could be bigger) is a real motorcycle classic. It is a basic air cooled engine on a basic trellis frame-both light and powerful. Ducati uses a different sort of system to make the valves work, which makes Ducati motorcycles some of the most powerful out there. Ducati is is another old brand which started production in 1926. They are heavily involved in racing and have been very successful at it over the years. There is a Ducati dealer in Charlotte, but not one that I know of in the Richmond area. That is a damn shame!

Pair of 2012's, and West Broad Street Bike Show (Oct 22, 2011)

Love to ride but this weekend the ride was far away so went out to see what I could come across and to be around some motorcycles. Came across this bike show by luck in Richmond (on West Broad Street) and enjoyed these two Kawasaki drag bikes. It was part of a car show, and have more photos on my Photo Page, as well as on my "Richmond and Me" blog. Nice free event with a few interesting motorcycles, mostly cars at this event, but the motorcycles that were there were very interesting. Nice to see customs that are not choppers (though there was one of those too). It was a beautiful day to be out and enjoyed exploring (though riding would have been better).

Went by the Yamaha dealer next door to Honda House (also on West Broad Street) where I saw this 2012 Super Tenere. It is an "adventure bike from Yamaha designed for street and trail riding. BMW, Suzuki and KTM (to name a few manufacturers) have bikes along this line. This bike is shaft drive, 1200cc, and will set you back around $14,000 (approximately, according to the Yamaha web site where you can get more information). These are popular bikes, can add some bags to haul gear and could really do some interesting exploring with this type of motorcycle. Bike seen here in red and silver is the new 2012 Honda Gold Wing. A great touring bike, the Gold Wing is still pretty much the standard for long distance travel on two wheels. A pretty expensive motorcycle but a great way to cover massive distance in comfort and style.
Finally another bike which was on display at the West Broad Car/Bike Show in Richmond. Think that long swingarm would keep the front end planted firmly down on the dragstrip. I also liked the paint job on this motorcycle, and thought it was a very creative work. I do like seeing motorcycling from a Richmond point of view. Have met some interesting people here, seen some interesting and creative bikes, and enjoy checking out the sights here in this very interesting and fun city.

Post Storm Day in the RVA (August 28, 2011)

Signs of life after "the big storm" which took out power for like two thirds (no kidding) of Richmond from Hurricane Irene. After checking out some of the damage, hard to figure that frankly. I have seen more after a good thunderstorm. At any case, the next day was real nice, and saw the owner of this bike get in a nice ride. My ride is still sitting in North Carolina, in the shop, but I am hopeful that the problem (electrical) will be found soon, and repairs will be made in the near future. Miss riding but glad that so many are enjoying getting out, and fun to see people riding in Virginia. Not all power to be had is electrical.
Having been out of electricity for some 24 hours though (it went out Saturday at 4:15pm, came back Sunday around 4pm) while out saw this Suzuki sport bike (1000cc) in the truck. Liked the "Hemidog" decal on the truck too. A lot of motorcycle news of late. Good news on the legal front. In Virginia HB 1981 was passed and signed which now makes it legal for motorcycles, mopeds, and bicyclists to go through a red light under two conditions. Must come to a complete stop and must sit though two complete light cycles. In NC, HB 381 makes "motorcycle only" police check points illegal. Was in one of those, was "checking helmets" but turned into a "What Can we Find" deal (as it turned out for me and three friends...it was nothing).
Read this month that Big Dog Motorcycles went out of business. One of the biggest "clone" motorcycle makers, and used S+S Cycle engines in their bikes.
Saw that motorcycle exhaust maker Yoshimura has made a pipe called the R-77 which meets EPA standards (83 db) as well as being lighter than stock systems, and more power is created than with the stock pipe. While the AMA is raising cain about the laws signed in California on noise, since 1983 EPA regulations has stated "no onroad motorcycle shall produce noise in excess of 83 decibels". Loud pipes may save lives (though I doubt that) but they certainly do a lot to piss of many non-riders, and lead to bans on motorcycles, as well as increased enforcement of noise laws.
Read quite a bit (and good to see back) Erik Buell who has for sale his 1190RS, which uses a punched out version of the Rotax built 1125 Helicon engine. The 1190cc version puts out 160hp and thanks to a generous use of carbon fiber weighs in at 384 pounds. A limited production bike, it is expensive, but on a par with some of the leading bikes out there.
Speaking of new bikes, the 2012's are hitting the show room floors. Will be checking some of those out in the next few weeks as they reach the dealerships.
One of my favorite shows, "Sons of Anarchy" starts its new season on FX on September 6 at 10 PM.
That is all I have for now, will keep you posted on this and other news. Ride Safe!

VA Harley and a Hoosier Harley-Dog (July 17)

A friend of mine in Southern Indiana sent me the photo he took of this Motorcycle Riding German Shepherd there. John was told the dog is nine years old, and goes about everywhere the riders of the Harley do, he was also told the dog loves to ride a jet ski. I thought this was remarkable, and was worth sharing and keeping on my blog. I do get a kick out of unique things that I come across, or that come across my way in the wonderful world of motorcycling. Like that the dog even has goggles on which is pretty cool. Dogs to me are a special friend, and a great gift for people, and it is amazing what they can like to do, as well as the many ways they enrich our lives!
Harley-Davidson at right was seen in Richmond, VA where I spent the weekend. Not a lot of motorcycle events here this weekend (at least that I know of) but liked the look of this bike. Weather wise is was a much better weekend; the blazing heat and humidity made a temporary pause-though getting word that it will be coming back in time for my return visit to Carolina very soon. Hope to get a bit of riding then, though will not be doing a whole lot of riding if it gets close to 100 as is expected. In great heat, riding under those conditions can be really dangerous. Be sure to drink a lot of water if you are out in the heat. I will be checking on upcoming events in the near future here in the Richmond area.

VA State Hog Rally, June 25, 2011

Found out about this, and had to check it out, even though in Richmond I am "sans Motorcycle". Still a day spent with bikers is a good day, riding or not. This was a pretty cool event, though most of it was only open to "registered riders". However, the festivities at Colonial Harley-Davidson were, and so I went by there around noon on the last day of the rally. All the photos were taken there, including the one at left. I liked that bike which to me is what a chopper should be...long and (especially) lean. There is nothing extra on that motorcycle (other than the front fender) but its a fine looking bike, and sounded good too!
Thought this was one of the finest looking customs there. Ape Hanger handlebars seem to be the thing of late (in fact both Harley-Davidson and Victory Motorcycles have models which come standard with those type of bars. This bike really had a nice look to it. Nice air breather cover as well, and the paint job just flat rocked. I also liked the pipes on this bike, though did not get to hear it run. That is getting to be quite the problem though; the "loud pipes save lives" bunch is really creating some issues for the motorcycle community. Been a real increase with noise complaints from non-bikers, and those will have a real negative impact if they continue.
Got a kick out of this pair, one is a Kawasaki Vulcan, and one is a Honda Shadow. Since those were the types of my current and previous bike, I liked seeing that. Lucky in that both motorcycles were (and still are...knock on wood) trouble free other than routine maintenance. I am grateful for that, of course a lot of times you make your own luck. Before I ride next time in NC (just a few short days from now) I have some maintenance that I will be doing on the Vulcan. Take care of your ride, and your ride will take care of you. Most of the work that needs to be done on a regular basis is simple and relatively low cost. It pays to do it, or to have that work done!
I liked this photo, just a few of the many bikes at the event. The place had a really good crowd, and there were some biker games (such as the ever popular slow ride) going on when I was there. Harley Owners Group is a fine organization, and they put on some really cool events. Been on a few rides with them, Harley dealerships are also very, very supportive of the groups and they put on some very fun events. Even though I don't ride a Harley, I do enjoy visiting with them, and taking part in what I can. While very supportive of their brand, most are pretty friendly, and take a "its not what you ride, its that you ride" attitude.
Seen here are just a few of the booths at Colonial Harley-Davidson. Many of the people on this hot day were in the (air conditioned) dealership. The Colonial Heights Police Department was there to make sure nothing got out of hand, but it was a really calm crowd while I was there.
While riding would have been better, it was a great time there, and enjoyed the event. If I am in town and it comes here again, I will be back for this.
Later in the day, went to the Virginia Aviation Museum, where I saw some great planes. Love aviation, and enjoyed that a great deal, can read about that in my "Richmond and Me" blog.

Southside Super Show: The Bikes (June 12, 2011)

Nice time at the Southside Super Show at ROC Church on June 12. Free Admission, and a number of cash prizes for the best vehicles in the show. On a hot humid Richmond day, they had some really nice bikes to see (some of the cars and trucks are on the "Richmond and Me" page, which is also part of this site) Seen here is a fine looking Kawasaki which was really a fine motorcycle "back in the day" (around 1970-1980's). I remember the sound of these bikes and they really were a hell of thing to ride back then. This one is an outstanding restoration, and to be honest, I don't think they looked this good back in the day.
I really enjoy choppers, that long lean basic look. This angle of this one really caught my eye. Long lean and mean this is a fine looking bike. They do not get more basic than this, it is about as minimal as it gets. Sometimes with motorcycles I think they are getting, as are many vehicles, more and more complex. There is a lot to be said for basic...working on something like this would be a piece of cake.
Choppers are sort of out of fashion, but I am sure they will be back. Something about that long lean look is really something that touches the basic biker in all of us. This is really though something that looks fantastic.
I do enjoy watching American Chopper, been amazing how many years that show has gone on. The conflicts are neat, kind of remind me how my work goes at times. Its real life, building real motorcycles; to me just about the perfect show on television. Be fun to meet those guys, and as far as working there, would be no problem...many of us have jobs just like that, working for people just like that, and dealing with those kind of situations.
When it comes to custom motorcycles, Harley is a popular subject. Few Harley's remain the same, all have some sort of touches. You can even buy (for a whole lot more money) CVO versions of many Harley-Davidsons which have larger engines, and a whole lot more chrome. The owner of this HD did all that himself. There is a whole lot of work and love that went into this bike, and yet it still retains most of what came from the factory. There is enough chrome on this bike to blind the average driver, which could or could not be a good thing. For sure though this is a beautiful motorcycle. It was one of many in the show, and all were fun to see.
You never know what will cause a biker to create a masterpiece on two wheels, for instance I think a love of the Dallas Cowboys was the theme for this Suzuki Hayabusa. I liked the theme, but it is also well equipped for the road with the longer single sided swingarm, and I am sure some major engine work as well. Suzuki makes some engines that can easily take some very radial and extensive modifications; they remain even in the stock condition some of the most powerful motorcycle engines out there (though the Kawasaki ZX-14 will give it a really good run for the money). I was pleased to see this motorcycle though and am glad to present it to you here.
Finally, the show had some really good stunt riding (by the way, the Nissan Versa second from right is mine, thought I would throw that in) and I was amazed at what they could do on two wheels. In fact they were even able to wheelie a Harley-Davidson Sportster and that I am here to tell you is quite a trick (and I have a photo of that on my Photo Page, via this site).
The show was an absolute great time, with many great motorcycles, and other vehicles. It was my first time to go to this show in Richmond, but I will be back next year (if it is held again next year) and if you are in the Richmond area around this date, be looking for it.

Richmond, Yamaha (June 11, 2011)

Finally, the previously (three posts today) mentioned Keith checking out some of the Star Motorcycles (brand owned by Yamaha) at Richmond Yamaha, also owned by Honda House. This is the third of the three locations (visited Honda House 360 on Hull Street in Chesterfield in the past; previous posts show that shop) they operate. The store, which is located right next to Honda House in Short Pump is a nice motorcycle dealership with a number of Yamaha and Star Motorcycles. A real good friend of mine is a big fan of the brand, and rides a Star which also has an owners group. Salespeople were (as at the other two motorcycle dealerships I visited today) very friendly. I sure had a great time visiting the shops today. If you can't ride, checking out motorcycles is a fun way to chase away those I can't ride today blues.
You see a lot of motorcycles on the streets of Richmond, watch out for them. Riding a motorcycle is a lot of fun, but it is a dangerous hobby. We also have a responsibility as riders to keep our eyes moving, and to "watch out for the other guy". Its a great hobby, but the best part of a good day on the road is to get home safe and sound.

Honda CB1000R (June 11, 2011)

Seen here my first look at a 2011 Honda CB1000R motorcycle. Brand new (at least to the US) this year, the bike has been popular in the motorcycle press, but tough to see in the US. I have looked for it at Honda dealers in North Carolina, and also here. Today, a mention to a salesman at Honda House in Short Pump brought me a "we have one, its been sold, in the back") and we walked back to check the bike out. Here you can see the four into one exhaust, and the typical modern headlight. Under the headlight is a "Led Position" light, which is different. I got to sit on it, very comfortable motorcycle even though I am 6'2" with a lot of leg room.
The 2011 CB1000R uses a older (and re-tuned) model of the CBR1000RR engine; an in-line 998cc water cooled four, 4 valves per cylinder, DOHC fuel injected engine. Rear wheel uses a single-sided swingarm and it has disk brakes front and rear. The gas tank holds 4.5 gallons of gas, it has a six speed transmission, and final drive is by chain. The bike comes in only one color, Pearl Black, and the MSRP is $10,999. Supply is short, probably due to the tidal wave which has greatly impacted production of items such as motorcycles in Japan, also that it is a new bike and they tend to be in short supply. The economy in the US may also be having an impact.
So a real shout out to Honda House, seen at right, and a very cool salesman who gave me a good look at the very cool model from Honda. Honda House also carries other motorcycles from Honda, and also carries Can-Am motorcycles, as well as Honda watercraft. Visited the Short Pump location today, but they also have a location on Hull Street. I have owned a number of Honda Motorcycles over the years, and have enjoyed them a great deal finding them to be a great deal of fun, and very, very reliable.

Velocity Motorcycles, Richmond, Va (June 11, 2011)

View of a an award winning older Royal Enfield on display at the new location for Velocity Motorcycles in Richmond, Va. Now located at 3023 West Marshall Street, the shop is a dealer for Royal Enfield. They also sell a number of used motorcycles including some very interesting models. As there is no dealer in Richmond that I know of which sells Ducati motorcycles, it is a great place to check out some older models. You also can find some BMW and bikes such as old BSA motorcycles, as well as some fine Japanese motorcycles from time to time. It is also a great place to rent motorcycles. I think it has some of the most interesting bikes in Richmond.
I mentioned Ducati, this is one of the bikes there. Ducati is made in Italy, and is a very performance oriented brand of motorcycle. I have seen both older models, as well as some newer model Ducati motorcycles for sale in the former store and the new one. The shop has a good parts department, and a fully staffed service department. This cafe racer model is one of the older Ducati's but would be a great deal of fun to ride. Ducati has a long history and has been very successful in motorcycle racing. The Monster line is very popular and also they have this year added a cruiser to the line up. Maintenance has also been made a lot less complex over the last few years.
Seen here is a 1958 Harley-Davidson, which is also for sale at the shop. As I have noted, you never know what you will come across at the shop. This is a rare model Harley-as it does not have the classic V-twin type engine. It looked to be in very good shape. I have as I have noted, seen a lot of interesting and very rare bikes in the shop, and have enjoyed checking out quite a few models. The staff is very friendly, and has a lot of information on the motorcycles on hand.
I have a few photos posted on my photo page of some older and interesting bikes at the shop. I am not sure if they still do, but they did sell Russian made Ural motorcycles (with sidecar!).
Seen here is the entrance to Velocity. Guy on the bike is checking out a brand new Royal Enfield Bullet. Royal Enfield started production in 1870 in England, and ended there in 1971. However, they also made bikes in India, and that production continues to this day. The "Bullet" got its name because Royal Enfield also made rifles (slogan for the bike was " Made like a gun, goes like a Bullet"). Current model is fuel injected, 500 cc's and a single. Not a real powerhouse, but gets great fuel mileage, and the classic styling is certainly cool. Also neat is that the bike has a front disk brake. It comes in a number of models.
Finally, seen below is a BMW (as I remember it is a R60. BMW is a German company, also with a long history. Though it makes a number of in-line fours, and even a brand new in-line six touring bike, the boxer engine (opposed twin) seen here is the classic engine (and is still used in BMW's today). Next to it is a another Ducati motorcycle. As I have noted (and this was not all that could be seen in the shop, there were also a couple of used Yamaha motorcycles) you never know what you will come across at Velocity Motorcycles. If you are interested in motorcycles, and are in the Richmond area, this is a must see shop during your visit. Easily one of my favorite shops!

Bikes While Touring the RVA (June 4, 2011)

Nice weekend in the RVA; though did miss Hog Happenin in Lincolnton, NC (nice motorcycle event, did see some nice photos from friends..maybe next year), had a visit from a former riding buddy (he still rides) from NC who wanted to see the area. Of course while out (got a couple of posts on my "Richmond and Me" site), saw some very nice motorcycles. First one here, was at Hollywood Cemetery, a popular place to visit with a lot of history. Bike seen here has a lot of history also, being a Russian made Ural motorcycle. An old design (based on a BMW used during the German WWII invasion of Russia) but updated over the years. Still sold by the way!
During the lunch visit, we went to Buz and Ned's in Richmond. Behind the fence is a Harley-Davidson V-Rod. Of all the Harley models, that would be the one I would have, being water cooled, and a more modern engine design than the old classic air cooled bikes. I like water cooling and the bikes I have ridden over the past few years all have/had that. Water cooling tends to make the engines last longer, doing a much better job of controlling heat from the engine which is a real killer to motors over time. As for the BBQ there, it was outstanding. Have been there a few times. We were also going to go to Velocity Motorcycles, which sells among other brands Ural Motorcycles, but it has been moved. Finding the new location (which is on Marshall Street according to the sign), will be a project for next weekend!
Finally saw this Suzuki sportbike in the Shockoe Bottom part of Richmond. We had quite a day of exploring, though unfortunately not on one of these. Great motorcycles though, and I have had a Suzuki in the past (rode one during my years in Hawaii in the USN..now that was a great place to ride!). Saw a lot of motorcycles out riding on what was a very nice "hot but low humidity" day in Richmond. Though we were not riding, and were traveling around the city by "cage" we still had a great time, and it was fun to show off this very interesting city that I have grown to appreciate over the years.

Colonial and Commonweath (May 21, 2011)

Previous post was on Honda CBR250R I saw on May 21, but this is some of the other bikes I saw at the two dealerships I visited. Of course of late, Blogger is kind of mixing up the photos but still works ok. Here is at left big and green is one of the Harley-Davidson CVO models. I think that stands for "Custom Vehicle Operations", and what that gives you is more bike of certain HD models. For instance this one comes with a lot more chrome than is standard, and a great deal of performance upgrades thanks to its "Screaming Eagle" package. If you want more of what HD has to offer, this bike (and others in the CVO line are for you. Of course, this bike was a bit over $32K!

Commonwealth Power Sports is practically within walking distance of Colonial Harley-Davidson (where the photo at top was taken). They carry Suzuki, Kawasaki, Yamaha (plus the Star Line) and Honda motorcycles. They also have ATV's and "Jet Ski" type water craft. The dealership is large and has a number of accessories for those vehicles, plus a service department, and also have clothing and other items (but nothing clothing wise on the scale of your average HD dealer). It was my second visit there since coming to Richmond, and I like the shop. Trend in Japanese dealerships seem to be "bigger is better" though you can still find single brand dealerships.
Seen here is one of the motorcycles at Commonwealth Power Sports; in this case the Kawasaki ZX-10. While the Japanese make all sorts of motorcycles, they are probably best known for their sport bikes. Those bikes tend to be technologically advanced to a great degree and provide some very high performance. I ride a Japanese cruiser (a Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Classic) and even that has many features not found on the typical Harley such as water-cooling, and a shaft drive (though Harley does have the water-cooled V-Rod line which raises the bar for that brand). They also tend to sell for a lot less than your average Harley does.
This is Colonial Harley-Davidson, which like Commonwealth is located in Colonial Heights, Va (which by the way is located between Richmond and Petersburg). I liked this one, has a good line of motorcycles, nice service department from what I saw, and people as at Commonwealth were friendly without being pushy. There was a poker run going on while I was there, and there were a slew of bikes coming and going. Harley dealerships tend to have a lot going on, and usually serve as a starting point for many "Harley Owners Group (aka HOG) events. I like visiting Harley shops as you get to meet a lot of interesting riders, and see some great classic bikes.

2011 Honda CBR 250R (May 21, 2011)

Two bikes that I have been waiting for in 2011 are both from Honda; the CB1000R (which I am still waiting for) and the Honda CBR250R. This is the Honda CBR250R which I first saw today at Commonwealth Power Sports in Colonial Heights, Va. I had been at that dealership once before (I believe it was last year) but made a trip back there today to check out some bikes while I am here in Richmond for the weekend. They carry Yamaha, Kawasaki, and Suzuki motorcycles. A very nice dealership with a very friendly staff. They let you look though without hassling you which is what I like when I go to a bike shop. At left is the CBR250R, which has a very basic cockpit. Nice roomy bike even for a tall person such as myself, I read that the bike comes in two colors; the red as seen here, and also in an all-black model. To compete with the Kawasaki Ninja 250, the CBR250R comes at the same price (suggested retail) of $3,999. For some $500 more you can also get the ABS braking system which is said to be a really good feature especially for a motorcycle at this price.
The Honda CBR250R certainly takes some styling cues from its bigger brother the VFR1200. Like that bike it has a layered fairing. Seat height is 30.5 inches, and the bike fully fueled weighs a claimed 359 pounds. It is fuel injected, has front and rear disk brakes, and sits on 17 inch rims. It has a 3.4 gallon gas tank and due to the fuel injection and the size of the motor it should get some really good fuel mileage. The engine is a 249cc DOHC four valve single, with a compression ratio of 10.7:1. That info above comes from the Honda web site. From other research, found the bike is built (assembled?) in Thailand.
The bike is also watercooled, as you can see from the radiator in the front view here. I saw in a magazine comparison with the Kawasaki Ninja 250 that it is heavier than the Kawasaki twin, and also has a lower RPM limit. The Kawasaki hp at the dyno was 26.24, while the Honda came in at 22.66 hp. The Honda though has higher torque numbers over the Ninja. The Kawasaki had a higher top speed (by some 20 mph) over the Honda with the Ninja able to run close to 110, while the Honda was able to get to a hair over 90.
I had a Yamaha RD250 some years ago, one of the old two-strokes and it was an outstanding motorcycle. I think that either of these bikes would be great for beginners, or for a rider who was interested in getting a fun motorcycle with outstanding fuel mileage. These bikes would be the best of both worlds, offering both good performance for their size, as well as reliability and some advanced features. With the rising price of gasoline, the 250 CBR250R and the Kawasaki Ninja offer a great value.

The Old and the Interesting (April 30, 2011) in RVA.

Went to Ultimate Cycle which is located on the Midlothian Turnpike just outside of Richmond, Va. Nice bike shop with friendly people. Found out some things about this Aprilia RS125. It is not street legal in the US I believe; it is overseas though. The engine is by Rotax. They make a number of motorcycle engines as well as aircraft engines, and this one is a water-cooled 124.8 cc single. I used to ride two-cycles in my early motorcycle days, and I loved them. Not sure about that not street legal, there is a guy at work who has one, and he got it licensed, though I think that (according to what I was told) that he had to make a few mods to make it so.
Bike in the photos below is a Schwinn Scooter. Apparently in doing the research, Schwinn makes four 50cc scooters, three 150cc scooters, one 200cc scooter, and one 300cc scooter. Doubt it is the original bicycle company, which I believe went out of business. I do know that original company was the owner of the Excelsior-Henderson company. I had seen in a show that the day after what became known as the Great Depression, they shut the company down. Interested in these bikes, and am sure with the rising price of fuel that they and other such vehicles will be a whole lot more popular. Liked the look of this model, and also the neat (for a moped) gauges on the machine.
Finally at the very bottom is the reason I came by Ultimate Cycle. Really liked this Eddie Lawson Replica Kawasaki, also known by its fan as "Z-Rex". Officially they were the ZRX-1200R (earlier versions had engines growing from 1000cc-1100, and finally the 1200). Kawasaki ended production of this bike a few years ago, but good models can still be found. The bike has a big fan following, and was a popular bike in its day. One of what came to be known among the type as "Universal Japanese Motorcycles" with an upright sitting position and really good power, plus with out fairings easy access to the engine and other important parts.

Random Thoughts and VA News

Enjoying a rainy but restful Saturday in Richmond. Read this week about a new program in Virginia called "Rider Alert". Its based on a British/European program used by 250,000 on the other side of the ocean. A card, which contains contact information and medical information (such as blood type I would assume) is put in the helmet, and then on the helmet is a sticker with news that the card is in there. There is also a note that in the event of an accident, for only trained personal to remove the helmet from the riders head. There are plans to expand the program nationally; to me this is a very good idea. No one wants something to happen, but its a good idea to take efforts before it does. I know a lot of people put their contact number under "ICE" (In Case of Emergency") in their cell phones, many emergency providers look for that. I think that could be a good idea either on a motorcycle, or just in case.
Still looking for new model motorcycles out at dealers. I have seen (and have posted here) some interesting bikes over the last few weeks, but the two I have most wanted to see, (both from Honda) the CB1000R and the new Honda 250 I have yet to see. There is also an interesting model from Victory (which has ape hanger bars) and of course new models from Triumph and Ducati that I would be interested in seeing.
When in Richmond, I do not get to ride (I keep and ride my bike in North Carolina; just have an apartment here in Richmond, and it has to be one place or the other) but like to go to bike shows and events here in the area. Can be difficult to find either, but occasionally I come across something locally. When I do in the upcoming months I will be posting photos and news of it here.

Ultimate Cycle; on a Sunny February Day

Went by Ultimate Cycle on a Sunny, but a little cool February 23 day. Getting close to riding time in Carolina this weekend, and ready for that. In the meantime though, a good time to check out some 2011 motorcycles. Though these are previous models (which is to say they are basically the same bikes as in 2010) nice to see some of the new motorcycles. There are a few new models coming out, and I plan to bring them soon. I like Ultimate Cycle, seems to be a fine and very friendly shop. Bike at left is a Kawasaki Ninja 250. It is one of Kawasaki's best sellers, and I have a feeling with the big uptick in fuel prices, that won't change.

Seen here is a 2011 Suzuki DL-650. Stronger than the Ninja seen above, but like it is a twin (though the DL-650 is a V-twin) it has a real good reputation for reliability and is said to be a really fun bike to ride. Being tall, I like the size of this bike, and has one of the most comfortable motorcycle seats I have had the pleasure to sit on. The 650 V-twin is also the motor on the SV-650, which is also said to be a very fun bike. The bike appeals both to beginners, and is also said to be a great motorcycle for the more seasoned motorcyclist. There is also a larger Suzuki DL-1000 for those who need a bit more horsepower.
As far as Suzuki cruisers, they do not get any bigger then the 2011 M-109. That is in 109 Cubic inches, or for those of us with a metric bent that would be 2000cc's. Suzuki was in a partnership for a while (not sure if it is still going on) and the engine is the same basic engine as you would find in the Kawasaki Vulcan 2000. Amazingly this is the second largest production motorcycle engine (from a major manufacturer) with the largest being the 2300 cc (or thereabouts) in the Triumph Rocket III.
If you are in the market for a new motorcycle in the Richmond area, be sure to check out Ultimate Cycle. They are friendly people to visit.

Richmond Motorcycle Events (a few anyhow)

Enjoying a good post ride day in NC while relaxing in Richmond (previous post), and also enjoyed the new bikes I saw (next post) also in Concord. That was a great time, I am soooo ready for Spring which will offer some of the best riding of 2011. I have been looking for some upcoming events in the Richmond area, though I am far from my motorcycle when here, motorcycling is not far from my thoughts. Stumbled across some fine events in 2010; enjoyed the ChildSavers Ride by the Tuskegee Motorcycle Club of Richmond, Va...but as of yet I have not been able to find any info on the 2011 edition of that ride. Sure that Bike Nights will start soon in the Richmond area, but as of now, not a lot of information on them. Charlotte area events and rides are a lot easier to locate, with a lot more information.
However, I like to bring what I can; and did find a couple of upcoming events. April 2-3 Virginia Motorsports Park will host the 2011 Virginia Bike Fest. Found there will be some drag races, a poker run, and a host of other events; I also think there is a admission fee...think because other than the fact the event will be held, there is little information out there. Will be checking out a local bike shop this week, maybe there will be more information there.
Also on April 3, The Richmond Riders will be hosting a Poker Run which will leave from The Shoppes of Bellgrade Mall which is located in Midlothian, VA. I went to see them off last year; nice group and they ride a variety of motorcycles which is pretty cool. I was once in a club like that in Concord, NC, and we had a lot of fun (broke up when the factory closed, but at one time had over 200 members). Richmond Riders have a facebook page, and I decided to "join" that.
Many of the bike shows that I found last year I stumbled across; two of which were at Hooters. They seem to have problems updating their sites (one in Richmond had events and specials from 2009 and a note that none of the specials and events were current); but a surprise is a lot of fun. Will keep looking, and as I find anything of interest in Virginia motorcycling will keep you posted!

Reflections on a Rainy Saturday (February 5, 2011)

While I was enjoying my visit to Velocity Motorcycles (which by the way is doing some painting on the inside of the business, sprucing up for the upcoming riding season), I picked up a couple of "free" motorcycle publications. The first was the January/February 2011 edition of Motorcycle Times (calls itself "The Mid-Atlantic Motorcycle Magazine"). Nice publication, and has some good stuff in it. Good amount of interesting news on motorcycling and upcoming shows (magazine is regional but the majority of items seems to be in the Maryland area), riding calendar, a Biker Billy cooking article (love those), and a really good article on a ride from Weston, VA to some points in West Virginia. It was a great article and saw some really unique places in that article. Those two pages alone were well worth the "price".
The second magazine was Fast Lane Biker, January 2011, Issue 1 (and also free). Again, a nice magazine; articles, a ride calendar, and though not "Biker Billy" a cooking article (one thing I have learned from riding...bikers love to eat!).
Always like to pickup the free magazines in a local bike shop, where you can learn what the local community of riders is thinking/riding, and some of the places they go. Plus it makes for something motorcycle related to do on a rainy and cold winters day.
On this rainy and cold winters day, the Charlotte Vulcan Riders had their monthly meeting. As I noted, it is held monthly at a local restaurant (this one was at Jakes Good Eats in Charlotte, NC). As with Richmond, it was a rainy morning in Charlotte, but cleared out around noon (later in the afternoon here) and from what I read on their facebook page, they had a great time. I got an invite, but was here this weekend, and don't get to ride with them as often as I would like, but have in the past, will in the future, and have found them to be an outstanding group of guys and gals. You need to have a Kawasaki Vulcan to be a member, but not sure at all they would not welcome you to ride if you don't. Group is just around two years old, but is growing like a weed.
As for me, enjoyed my non-riding day of motorcycle culture Virginia style. This is an interesting place with a very fun motorcycle community and some fine shops and events. I am sure I will be visiting more shops (and some of the old favorites as I did with Velocity) and some fun events in 2011 here in Virginia, as well as many great rides and events in North and South Carolina. Won't be long till Spring is here, and the riding will be even better.

Day at Velocity (February 5, 2010)

Been visiting some motorcycle shops this winter to see some of the new 2011 motorcycles. Those have been (mostly) Harley-Davidson's as the other brands new bikes are not out yet. Today, visited Velocity Motorcycles at 1202 N. Boulevard in Richmond, VA. One of my favorite shops in Richmond, they sell new Royal Enfield, Bajaj, Ural and Hysung motorcycles, but also some really great classic bikes. Seen at right is a Honda CB1000, I think dating to 2004 if I remember right. The engine was an in-line water cooled four. Honda has a much updated version, the CB1000R coming out this year. This is basically an early version.
The motorcycle seen at left is a BMW motorcycle, and I believe it is an older model. It is one of the famed "Boxer" twins, though they now make a number of great motorcycles including an in-line six touring model, and even a couple of in-line fours (including one howling sport bike). Known for technical innovation, the company started building aircraft engines (the company emblem is designed to represent an aircraft propeller) and built its first motorcycle in 1923. That bike, the R32 is the basis for many of the motorcycles they are still building today. BMW motorcycles are popular in a number of applications, and said to be very reliable.
Ducati is a Italian manufacturer, and makes some of the fastest motorcycles on the road today. They have a great racing history and use a lot of that technology in their motorcycle designs. Among their bikes are the Monster line, Multistrada line, the new Diavel sport cruiser, and the 1198 among others. Ducati started in 1926 though it did not build motorcycles until around 1950, but it has a number of racing championships in that time period. Richmond does not have an actual Ducati dealership, but a number can be found at Velocity at any given time. I am looking forward to seeing some of the new 2011 models in the near future.
Finally, this is a very interesting model from Bimota. With some research was able to find this is a Bimota DB3 Mantra. It was a very rare motorcycle and was only made for a very few years. Like Ducati it is an Italian company, though with a much shorter history which began in 1973. This bike uses a Ducati 900SS engine; most of the models used engines from Ducati or a number of Japanese manufacturers. The company went out of business, but has in recent years began production again. I checked out their web site, but its mostly in Italian, but features a number of new bikes.
I enjoyed my visit to Velocity, and have also put a few more photos, plus larger versions of these on my Photo Page which is one of the links to this site. There is always something interesting to be seen there, and some very friendly people to help you. They also rent motorcycles at the shop, something I may take advantage of later this year, as my bike is in North Carolina and I have never ridden in Virginia on a motorcycle.