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!

Bikes on view in Concord, NC

Got back to Concord the weekend of February 27-29 and had a great visit with my family. I was not able to get the bike started again (battery has for sure bit the dust) but did get out to Iron Thunder in Concord, NC and enjoyed hanging out with motorcycle people there while my bike is down. A friend from work here (Keith) and former riding buddy (he sold his bike last year) visited with me. Got a photo of Iron Thunder above. I also took a photo of the new Camaro (I used to have one of those a few years ago) and the bikes next to it from the Iron Thunder parking lot. Behind those is Pat Rogers Harley-Davidson in Concord, NC and we visited that for a little while.
Real fond of the V-Rod "line" which started with one bike, and has turned into a few. This version of the V-Rod has a 1250cc engine, and of course like all the V-Rods is water-cooled. I think it is one of the finest Harley's on the road, and a really neat design. Of course the purists are not big fans of the V-Rods but rather like the air cooled engines. To each their own, but all the Japanese motorcycles I have ridden the last couple of decades are water-cooled, and I love them (prior to that had Japanese air cooled bikes...a long line). Really like the look of the Harley's, but those price tags are pretty scary. For the price of this one, I would be able to get two of my 1500's (though the 1500's are no longer in production). Still it is a remarkable piece of engineering. Hopefully by the next visit home, I will be back on the road again, although my big Kawasaki is waiting for me to fire it up!

Valentines Day Weekend in NC

Pretty wild weekend in Carolina; though was the day after the snow fall on Saturday February 13 when I stopped in RideNow, Concord, NC to take these photos. The photo at left is a Honda Shadow, and as a former Honda Shadow owner I like that line of motorcycles. Had one (the VTX600) for eight years, and it was a great bike. I am not sure to be honest...think this might be a 2010 model (should have looked on the bike) but like the styling of it. Honda makes some real fine motorcycles, and I have been fortunate to have a few (though...knock on wood over the years have never really had a "bad" bike. This seems to be the new "bobber" style that I read about coming out this year.

As for this one, I do know for sure this is a brand new 2010 Honda NT700V. I think of it sort of as a pocket verson of the ST-1300. I have read that it has the same 700cc V-twin engine as the DN-01 Honda (the red bike) next to it; said to be a very good motor. For sure should give good fuel economy thanks to the fairing, and the size will also help. Has good storage for a day or overnight trip, and when I sat on it, seemed to have a lot of room for a taller rider (of which I am one). I liked this motorcycle when I read about it, liked it when I sat on it. Think this could be a real good econo-tourer and a fun motorcycle.
As for my Kawasaki Vulcan 1500, attempted to start it, but the battery is once again dead. I could recharge it again, but after almost five years, I think its time to invest in a new one which I plan to do soon. I might wait until early March; be nice to get it before the really cold weather of late can take a toll on it. Riding this weekend was out of the question anyhow thanks to the weekend snow in the Concord area. Many winters do little more than a short pause to the riding season (if that) but this has been an un-typical Carolina weather. I even got photos today of snow (and not just flakes, but actual measurable snow) from a friend in Charleston, SC. Good news though is Spring is just a few weeks away!