Arnold, The AMA, Loud Bikes, and News (January 16, 2011)

Back in Carolina, though won't be riding this trip, though the day is sunny, and relatively warm. Problem is that there are still patches of ice on the roads from the big winter storm last week, and a ton of salt and sand on the roads. Just washed the bike after the last salty ride, been cold for the last couple of weeks in Richmond, and frankly will wait till the next trip to ride. I will be putting the bike in the trickle charger; to give the battery a charge, and will start it up tomorrow to run some fluids though the engine, but the ride will have to wait.
That is not to say that motorcycling is far from my mind. I made a visit to Davis Harley-Davidson in Burlington, NC; got some nice photos and those will be in the next post here in a few days. I also watched a bit of Supercross live last night before bed from Phoenix, AZ. A big treat has been the American Motorcyclist Magazine that came yesterday. The February 2011 edition had (as always) a lot of good articles. Liked the one on Bob "Hurricane" Hannah, who was a great motocross/supercross racer. Always enjoy watching those motorcyclists "fly", and Bob was also a very good air racer...who flew P-51 warbirds at Reno among other places, and has a successful aircraft business. He still rides (though a Harley-Davidson now) and is also a big fan of dogs. I think I would really like this guy. It also had a great article on Jorma Kaukonen, who was one of the founders of the Jefferson Airplane, Hot Tuna (the latter still tours), and lives in Southeast Ohio where he rides motorcycles. Jorma has also been on some interesting cross country motorcycle rides. I also learned that I get a free motorcycle rental (its in the magazine) on my birthday this year with EagleRider. The magazine is published by the American Motorcyclist Association, and is a great group to belong to. It protects rights of bikers, you get great discounts though a number of benefits (have gotten some good hotel discounts through the AMA, also some good deals on parts), and being a member gives me a discount on my motorcycle insurance...so its a win win sort of thing.
However...a bit of disagreement between me and them has come up. Minor but worth a few words. Arnold Schwarzenegger (whew) was made the 2010 Motorcyclist of the Year by the AMA due to his "negative" impact on the sport by signing a law that would require an EPA stamp on aftermarket exhausts on bikes sold after 2013 in California. This law was passed by the legislature, and would cut down on the noise from loud pipes. I know the argument "loud pipes save lives". Loud pipes also piss off other citizens, and I know from rides with a few bikers who had "loud pipes" that they get attention as well from citizens who drive in cars with uniforms on, and have colored lights on their state, county and city cars! Before leaving Richmond, read an opinion letter in the Richmond paper on a persons problems with loud motorcycles. The AMA seems to feel that we can "self police" but that does not seem to be working well. I am all for freedom, but loud bikes impact our freedom to ride. I agree with people who want to replace stock systems with aftermarket (and I am among those who have done it) but either for performance or for cost (they are a whole lot cheaper, as a rule, than stock systems). My point is that picking on Arnold (who has been a good friend to motorcycling; has ridden in many of his movies) for being the "first" is not fair. I think that unless the aftermarket industry makes some effort to control the noise of its pipes, that this is just the tip of what is coming. I think that limits on the noise stock pipes can make, coupled with increased enforcement is coming; the alternative will be bans on motorcycles in many areas such as parks and even neighborhoods (and that has happened in a lot of places already). Yeah I know its all about "Freedom" but freedom has a price in many directions. So in this case, I am not a fan of what they did to Arnold or why.
Still though, I will remain a member of the AMA. Like what it does in general, and like the magazine a great deal. Fun to keep up with races, and noted that the AMA Pro Superbike Championship will be rolling into Alton, VA August 12-14. They cover a lot of motorcycle races, and also other events in the states. So I enjoyed the issue, and am pleased with being an AMA member in general. Like any group, will always be some disagreement.
Motorcycling is a great sport, as well as one of the things I do that I most enjoy, and want to keep it viable for future generations to come. That is why the AMA is important, and is worth your attention. Ride safe, and see you on the open road!

Thoughts on 2011

Up this morning, day five of the new year, and thinking about the last ride, and the weekend. Took this photo on January 2 at the Charlotte Checkers Hockey game; they had a display of bikes (Honda's) from Ricky Hendrick Performance Honda. The last day of the year I had a really nice ride (previous post) and enjoyed being out on the bike on what turned out to be a fine day on a most interesting week (started with snow, ended with a motorcycle ride..got to love Carolina).
Looking forward to the rides coming up in 2011. Course it remains difficult with the two cities thing, but do the best I can. It is interesting to check out motorcycling (though as an outsider) in Richmond, and have seen some nice events and some fine motorcycles here over the past two years. Course, have had some great rides in North Carolina, and am looking for many more this year. Missed some of my favorite events there due to weather and work, but hopefully will get some of those in as well as some new ones in 2011.
I am also interested in seeing some of the new motorcycles coming out. Even in these difficult economic times, some fine bikes will be coming out including a number of brand new models. I am looking forward to hitting the bike shops both here and in Carolina.
Racing will also be cranking up, and I do enjoy motorcycle racing on tv. There is a big road racing event here in Virginia this summer, and would be fun to make that this year. Looking forward to some fine events, and some outstanding rides. I guess with winter, though lucky usually in Carolina weather wise, a bikers thoughts turn to Spring! If you are riding, ride safe, and if you are waiting to ride; winter is a good time to get your ride in shape for the upcoming year. Remember regular maintenance is really important both for your safety and the long term performance of your motorcycle.

Last Ride of 2010 (December 31, 2010)

What a week, a big snow on Christmas Day, some brutal cold, and just a feeling like winter for quite a few days. However, December 31 it got up to close to 60, though not when I first headed out, but bundled up; and wanting to get a ride in for sure, I headed out. Have to take advantage when the weather works out (sometimes even when it quite does not) when you are in my situation, but a great ride nonetheless. Last Christmas photo here at left, this is Jay Little's House in China Grove, NC. Used to work with him and this is something to see at night..but unfortunately something I did not get to see at night while home but even impressive in the day time.
Covered a lot of ground this ride. Went from China Grove to just outside of Salisbury, NC where the Rowan County Airport is located. I am a big fan of aircraft and like checking out aircraft. Ialso rode out to Kannapolis, NC where I got a photo of the NC Research Center there. Have always hoped that it would be a great place to work, but the economy has not cooperated with that, but some fine buildings, a major investment, and perhaps it will work in the future for many of the people here.

Last photo is of some Kannapolis fireman training on a building in Kannapolis, which I thought was pretty cool. They were going from the truck, up the ladder to the roof. A really great end of the year ride; weather was nice, traffic was light, and the sights were fun to see. I have to say, this is a remarkable place to go riding, and I do love riding here in North Carolina. This will be it for 2010, but will be doing some more in 2011 for sure, have a great motorcycle to do it on. For this ride, got in a hair over 75 miles, and that was a very fine ride indeed. Looking forward to my next adventures on the Vulcan; hope you all have a great 2011!

Visit to RideNow (December 28,2010)

Over Christmas, has been a most interesting holiday...got a bit of snow here as part of the virtually national blizzard. Been a good week so far to enjoy "American Chopper" reruns, and to also catch up on Sons of Anarchy on Hulu. Temperature outside is rising, the snow is melting, and a ride is coming up this Friday on the Vulcan. Did get out in the car for a bit to check out some of the bikes at RideNow in Concord, NC. Under new management, the store had some really good deals. Motorcycle sales I have read have taken a real pounding during the recession, plus some other factors have come into play as well from what I am reading.
This is a look at some of the sales floor, and that is a nice looking Yamaha cruiser in the foreground. I am a big fan of the cruiser style of bikes, course there is a lot of variety in types of motorcycles, and that is one of them. Size and power are the big deal in American motorcycling. Most cruisers (with some exceptions) are down on power (big on torque though); my Vulcan with its 1500 cc engine puts out a little over 50 hp, many sportbikes get close to (or at) 200 hp. I like the room and the weight of the big bikes, but with size and power costs rise both to service, insure, and even to fuel the big motors. Course have not even mentioned the purchase prices!
Been reading that gas prices are back at $3 a gallon (and that for regular, many of the high performance bikes, and even my Vulcan require Super) and these bikes seen here (Kawasaki Ninja 250's) will probably make a big comeback this year if that is so. Already a huge seller for Kawasaki the Ninja 250 gets remarkable fuel mileage, and can run at a top speed of close to 100mph. Sure does not have neck snapping horsepower, but cheap to buy (MSRP $3999), cheap to maintain, and a fun bike to ride. Plus, you can get a lot of riding in while riding past a whole lot of gas pumps. Honda is joining the 250 ranks, with a new bike this year, and looking forward to checking that out, will have photos here this Spring when it reaches the sales floor. Unlike the Ninja 250 (which is a twin) the Honda will be a single.
As for me, got a ride coming up in just a few days. The temperature is rising, the snow is melting, and the road is calling me out. That will be the subject of my next post here soon!

Cold Ride to Harrisburg (December 11, 2010)

Back in North Carolina for the weekend, got the bike out on December 11 for a one hour ride to "rotate the tires". Rolled down Flowes Store Road and took a ride down some backroads. Two reasons for that: one is that I like riding the backroads, and two on a day like that was, nice not to roll any faster than needed. Wind chill is a combination of temperature and wind speed, and wanted to keep my generation of wind speed down as much as possible. Did enjoy the ride though, always nice to get out, and when you spend so much time far away, any ride is a good ride. The photo at left was taken in Harrisburg, NC and is a recreated cabin under construction.
Also at the same site is this old building. I believe it is a Post Office/General Store; both the cabin and the store have been a work in progress for some time. Went back basically the same way I came to the house with a few different turns. I did stop and see the site of a bad house fire I heard about last week at Zion Church/Central Heights; house was well and truly burned to the foundation for the most part, had to be a really bad fire. I had read about it, seeing it was something else. Got back in an hour, which frankly even though I was well dressed for the conditions was a good enough ride. Rain on Sunday ended any chance of another twist of the throttle for the weekend, but the ride was good, and enjoyed the time on the bike.

December Motorcycle News

First off want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas! Photo was taken in my front yard in Carolina. Santa rides this time of year, and often in Carolina we do too. Big ride was held on December 4; the Gaston County Toy Run. The Charlotte VRA rode in that (I unfortunately was here in Richmond) along with a huge number of riders. The video of the group heading out was 11 minutes long...a few hundred riders in all, and on a cold and wintry like day. There was even some sleet at the end of the ride. Well done guys, wish I could have been there! A great group of bikers out for a good cause, the need is real this year and people appreciate your riding for a good cause.
Much of the fall has been a combination of some really nice warm days, followed by some damn cool ones. Now with winter which officially starts on December 21 near, the cold days are here. Still some good riding, but requires some bundling up. Cover that exposed skin, watch out for leaves which can be really slick on the roads, and especially watch out for the other guys out there out on Christmas shopping expeditions. Their minds are often elsewhere, not on the motorcycle in the next lane!
Some interesting news on the Honda front; Honda has pricing on its CBR1000 (a very nice looking bike) and its (also nice looking) CB1000R at $10,999, and its CBR250R at $3,999. This matches the price of the Kawasaki Ninja 250R. Will be interesting to see what happens with these two manufacturers on the 250 front. The Ninja 250 is a very fun, and very popular motorcycle. Frankly, I would like to see more being done toward smaller motorcycles, had some great times back in the day on my 250 and 350cc bikes. Good combination of power and price can be had if the development is there.
Read that Harley-Davidson got $2.3 billion in loans from the US Government in 2008-2009. I also read that it has been paid back. There was a lot of grief from the right wingers over the bailouts, but glad that it was done to help out this iconic brand which along with Victory is the only remaining American manufacturers (though many foreign bikes are assembled in the USA). My only problem with Harley is that, being over 6 foot tall many of their more affordable bikes (such as the Sportster) are built for smaller people. They don't make a smaller bike that fits a tall person. Heck the Japanese do a better job in that regard with their Ninja 250R. I have sat on it, and have more room than on a Sportster. Be nice also if they could get the prices down a bit; they make some really pricey motorcycles imho. Beautiful bikes and I love the sound, but the wallet does not want to take that sort of hit.
Oh well, looking forward to some great riding at the end of the year, and a very good year of events and rides in 2011. Merry Christmas to everyone, and a Happy New Year to you all!

Brrrr......Late Fall Ride (November 28, 2010)

Got out around 12:30pm on a Sunday, on a cool and crisp day in Carolina for a motorcycle ride. Went to Onemor on Union Street, and waited there for Phil. He and I worked together at the factory in Concord, now he is retired and I am working at the other factory in Richmond, VA. We don't get to ride as much as we would like, but we do get out from time to time. Even though it was cold, as the riding opportunities are not as good as they used to be (with me being there, and the bike being here) you do the best you can with the weather that is handed to you. So bundled up and we got out on the road for a very good ride. Any ride is good when it is a rare treat.
Phil and I rode out to Concord/Salisbury Road and rolled out under the blue skies to NC-152. That took us out toward China Grove, nice place with a house there (though have not seen it yet this year) with a great Christmas display (I have a few Christmas photos on my "Richmond and Me" page taken this weekend in Concord and Kannapolis, with more to come). From China Grove we made some back road rides to Enochville, and though Kannapolis via the Kannapolis Parkway. That last is a fairly new road and is really nice; I can see that being a great development route in the years to come. It is really nice out there.
We came back to Concord and we split on NC-29. I had the fuel light shining brightly, and stopped at the BP for some $3.01 Super Unleaded for the bike. Got back to the house, where I got a cup of coffee (made by my wife Patty), and unthawed after a good ride. It was short, but a nice run down some great roads, with a good friend,and had a very fine time. Can be tough riding this time of year, but with the right equipment (and the occasional stop) riding can be not only possible, but pleasurable as well. I had a really good time and was glad I got out for a while. Better to ride then to think about riding; do enough of that in Richmond anyhow!