Musings on a Winter Day (and new bike news)

Got some absolute bitter cold here; noticed the last few days as the mornings have gotten into the single digits that even the two wheeled diehards (and I salute you all!) have put the motorcycles and scooters in the garage. We don't see temperatures this low in the Piedmont very often, even in winter, but we do from time to time...and now is the time.
During cold like this, fun to do some research on the internet; a good time to explore some of the motorcycle sites out there. Today in fact, I not only discovered, but Honda also released the new Honda Fury. Had read some rumors about it, but saw today the first photos. Its a chopper of all things, very clean looking bike. The Fury uses the Honda VTX-1300 engine, has a shaft drive (Honda has no belt drive bikes) and despite appearances it is water cooled. Interesting time to release a chopper styled bike (but then again Harley-Davidson did it with the Rocker series of motorcycles) but got to admit its a very cool looking motorcycle.
Another bike I am really looking forward to seeing is the new Triumph Thunderbird. It also is brand new (like the Fury, this will be year one for the bike) and unlike most of the cruisers out there, it uses a vertical twin engine. The 1600 cc bike has a really nice look to it. Triumph really breaks the mold when it comes to motorcycles; not only do they have that bike, but they also make the remarkable (and biggest motorcycle factory motor in a motorcycle) in the Rocket III.
While it will be difficult with the Richmond transfer coming up in a few weeks, I do hope to make my annual ride out to the BMW/Triumph/Ducati dealer in Charlotte. Seems like every year one of those three come out with something really remarkable...getting to be a fun late/winter early spring ride. Got a feeling this year will be no exception. That dealer is also one of the nicest and cleanest motorcycle shops I have ever been in.
Course, sure to be dealers for those three (though they may not be together in one place there) in Richmond, Va. Getting ever closer to exploring the motorcycle scene in Richmond, and am looking forward to what I will find.
Hope this cold snap finds you (wherever you are) warm and toasty. Hang in there...spring is coming (and maybe some warmer weather soon for those of us in the South!). Ride safe!

2009 Star V-Max (My first look)

Interesting motorcycle ride yesterday, got a good day to get out in Concord. Sure do enjoy riding in the winter in the Carolinas (was a lot more difficult to use the term "enjoy winter" during my days in the Louisville, KY area). Near the end of the ride went by RideNow in Concord, and saw this surprise there. This is the 2009 Star V-Max. It is the newest version of the Yamaha (same company, sells cruisers and the V-Max under the Star name) V-Max which was in production since the 1980's. That bike (which sold for $10,899 in 04) had a 1200cc engine, 4 carbs, a 150 rear tire, shaft drive, and a weight of 580 pounds. It put out 133 hp, and 86.8 foot pounds of torque. The V-Max was a master of "stoplight to stoplight" transportation. The 2009 V-Max as seen above and below, has a number of changes. One is the cockpit, which is updated with a lot of digital instruments. The gas tank is still under the seat (and holds 4 gallons like the old one). The V-boost system though is now functional, those silver air scoops on the side of the tank actually work.

The new V-Max is now 1679cc's, and puts out a claimed 197 hp, with 122 foot pounds of torque. The new bikes weight is 683 pounds. Like the old bike is has a shaft drive, but a lot of the items have been upgraded. I have ridden an older V-Max some years ago, and it did have a very 1980's feel. The suspension, and other items were certainly dated. While great in a straight line, it was not a great bike on a twisty road. However, Star has put a lot into improving the whole motorcycle with a better frame, suspension, and tires. The front tire is a 120, while the rear is a 200.

Only 2500 of the 2009 Star V-Max will be made, and the MSRP is $17,990. It will be interesting to see how well the bike sells this year with the economy (see my previous article on used bikes is this price gets too depressing) . In fact along those lines, the old V-Max was in production over many years; some good versions of the bike are still around. Other bikes to check out if this type interests you is the Suzuki B-King which follows much of the same concept design as the V-Max.
It was good to see the bike first hand, have read a great deal about it, and think it is certainly one of the most interesting bikes of 2009. Nice to see Star do an upgrade on a bike that has been a big part of the companies history, and filled a role that few bikes can hope to match. For the fans of the V-Max, your bike is here at last!

The Value of Used Motorcycles

Let's face it; the economy is in the toilet, jobs are tough to get and to keep, and its not getting better soon. A new bike may well be out of the question, but many people ride used motorcycles, and they can be the very best values out there. While often not as shiny as the latest and greatest out there, or quite as fast, they can still get you there quickly (if that is your goal) or with a great deal of reliability and fun. Many people don't put a lot of miles on a bike per year, and often they get used and then parked for long periods.
I have gotten some of my best motorcycles used. There are a lot of good points to a used bike. Of course at the top is the lower price.....you don't have to eat the depreciation. It can also be (if you are at all mechanically inclined) a good chance to learn to do much of the work yourself (with shop labor costs getting into the $70-75 an hour range I suggest that).
So what are good points in buying used? First, look the bike over well. Look for obvious signs of damage; dents, different colored parts, scrapes, etc. Look at oil color (has it been changed), cable wear and also the condition of brake pads and tires. Start the bike, and look for smoke from the tailpipe, leaks (also from the radiator if water cooled), and hopefully take a ride on the bike if you can. If possible, have a mechanic take a look at the bike; you will probably have a relationship with a bike shop and this is a good chance to start building one. A look by an expert eye is not a bad thing.
Remember that motorcycle parts can be amazingly expensive. However you can also save money on them via on-line auctions, e-bay and some of the on-line retailers of parts. Go used on parts whenever you can; the idea is to save money here. Do go with quality though.
One vital item is the factory service manual. This helps a great deal on a bike; if you are going to do the work, this is the book to have! Also check your brand on 0n-line sites, and also there are some motorcycle specific books to your "new" bike out there as well at on-line booksellers. Get the right tools and equipment to work on the bike; metric tools for Japanese bikes, standard for your Harley and Victory motorcycles.
As far as repairs to your used bike...even if just a year or two old I would suggest changing oil, anti-freeze, brake fluid, and lubing cables. If the bike is pretty high in mileage, and it has not been done (and does not have hydraulic lifters), a valve adjustment is a good idea.
Above all, if the tires are old, or worn DO NOT ride the bike with bad tires. Nothing in my opinion is more critical on a motorcycle, your safety depends on tires. If in doubt on their condition, replace them.
There are some great bikes out there. They might be a little bit older, but many brands do not change much from year to year. Some motorcycles have been in production for decades with only minor changes. Those can be some of the best values out there, with a wealth of information on them, used parts and also lots of riders and maintenance information. Watch out for long out of production bikes, expensive brands for parts (BMW, Ducati, and some other Italian bikes can be expensive when having work done, or getting parts), or long not produced bikes (such as older two cycle models) though in the latter case there are a lot of aftermarket suppliers that can get you running again.
With a little bit of money, and some elbow grease, it is possible to get a good reliable motorcycle at a fraction of the cost of new.

Tilley Harley-Davidson, Salisbury, NC

Took a couple of motorcycle rides last week, finally got a change in the weather here. Usually winter here in the Carolinas is pretty moderate, but been colder than usual, with a fair amount of rain (luckily this year, only rain...no ice or snow). However the 30th was remarkable with temps in the upper 60s and some clear blue skies. I rode to Salisbury, NC to see the National Cemetery, to the NC Transportation Museum, and to High Rock Lake. All said some 90 miles of some really great riding, most of the route via backroads.

I also took a visit to Tilley Harley-Davidson in Salisbury, NC.

Tilley has two stores; the one in Salisbury, and the other is located in Statesville, NC. I have been to both often enough to have an opinion. I like going there, enjoy looking around. They are real good at answering questions about the bikes, but low pressure as far as sales. The shops have both been updated from other previous locations; I believe Harley has been requiring that for a number of years. Don Tilley has been involved for years in motorcycle racing (both drag and also road racing) and made quite a name for himself in those sports. In fact, I visited his Statesville store last summer for an open house, and saw some of his racebikes on display there. I am told they are really good price wise (considering that they are selling Harley's) and I also hear good things about their service department. I know people who drive to deal with them some distance, which says a lot (bypassing more local dealers).

As for Harley-Davidson in general I like them. I liked this bike a great deal; has the springer front end, the Screaming Eagle engine package, tons of chrome, and a fine looking paint job. Harley makes some remarkable motorcycles. Being a long time rider of Japanese motorcycles my favorite types of bike they make is the V-Rod with the water cooled motor. However, I hear and read that V-Rod owners are not always accepted as riders of "real" Harleys. My biggest problem with Harley-Davidson is price. They are very expensive overall, the Sportsters are not, but also are not a good fit if you are 6'2" (as I am). I do however find them to be some impressive motorcycles and you have to love the sound of a Harley.....there is nothing quite like it (and I believe they have a patent on the "potato potato potato" sound their bikes make).

I went on a event this year (the Toy Run) which was basically a HOG (Harley Owners Group) ride, and found them to be a good bunch of people. Though I don't ride a Harley, they are always good to me at least....of course many bikers start out on Japanese (or other countries) motorcycles. HOG does know how to put on a great ride.....there were some 500+ bikes in the ride last month, we never stopped for a light.

Anyhow, hope you all had a Happy New Year, and have a year of safe rides. Certainly I am in for some huge changes in my motorcycle riding in 2009....as I will be both working in Richmond, VA and riding on trips home (hopefully most weekends and during weeks of vacation) here in Concord, NC. It ought to be real interesting. Still have six more weeks here (as of today) and hopefully more weather like December 30. As always, ride safe!

A look Back and Moving Forward!

Over the Christmas holiday (which has been nothing short of wonderful) have been fortunate to get some good rides in with some very unseasonable temperatures many of the days that I was off work. During some of those rides have thought back on many of the great rides of 2008 that I have enjoyed both riding solo, and also in the company of my friends.

The photo seen here was taken at the 2008 Hog Happenin, which is held in Lincolnton, NC. This event is always a blast (even in 08 when temperatures soared to nearly 100!). A combination motorcycle event/bbq cookoff it always brings in a huge crowd of motorcycles and motorcyclists. In fact, only motorcycles are allowed to park in town. As far as events go, it is always at the top of my list (and that is where it sits for 2009 as well!). I also greatly enjoyed the "ride to the sea" this year with Bill and Ed. In July, the three of us rode our bikes to Wilmington, NC to check out the battleship USS North Carolina, as well as the beaches there. It was a remarkable (and long) day in the saddle; a very fun one day trip which I will long remember. I made also this year a solo trip to the mountains of North Carolina, and rode the remarkable Blue Ridge Parkway which was all decked out in its Fall splender. Riding the Parkway is some of the best riding (I believe) to be found in America. Along with these rides, were many great rides all over the Carolina area. I rode to a number of aviation events to see some historic aircraft including B-17's, a B-24, P-51 Mustangs, and even a Ford Tri-Motor. Of special note was the ride to the Winston-Salem Air Show. That event has not been held for a few years, and was quite remarkable and a fantastic time. I also have that on my list for 2009.

2009 will be a most interesting year for me though. I will be working in Richmond, VA (due to a job transfer) while still keeping my house here in Concord, NC. So I will be in two worlds. This site is going to be mostly "about" motorcycling, for the bike will remain here in the Carolinas where I will ride it on weekends and on vacation. However, I plan to explore motorcycling in Virginia as well, and will bring some of the sights to be found there. I hope to attend the motorcycle races at VIR in 2009, and am looking forward to that. I also expect to hit some great and interesting events here. It ought to be a very interesting year.

A quick note as I close my posts for 2008. Got a very nice Christmas present among many; the Kawasaki Service Manual for my bike. This will be especially helpful for many of the service projects I have planned. I do much of the work on my bike (and with shop costs locally of some $75 an hour, that list is growing) and enjoy working on the bike. I am also blessed in that the bike is stone cold reliable, but maintenance to prevent problems is a big part of that reliability. If you do not have a good service manual for your bike, I strongly suggest you get one. Much of the work is easier then you might expect, and it is always a lot of fun and a great idea to keep your bike maintained.

Looking forward to a very, very interesting and different 2009. As always ride safe!

The Bikes of Concord...and beyond

Interesting day today, spent some time with a good friend, and a former riding buddy at that. We share a passion for guitars and motorcycles (he though does not still ride, while I still do), but on a cold December 22nd day we headed out in his truck to Matthews Fun Machine in (of all places) Matthews, NC. Amazingly I have not been there all these years, but did enjoy the visit. A nice motorcycle shop with an interesting bunch of motorcycles. They had some Aprilia, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Yamaha (and Star), as well as some other interesting brands. The motorcycle at left is the rather new Star 1300. I had not seen one in person, and liked this bike a great deal. It is watercooled, with a belt drive, and of course a V-Twin engine. Yamaha is doing quite a bit with the Star line, some very interesting motorcycles in that brand.

Outside I saw the Can-Am Spyder. Very interesting machine (can't really call it a bike) and its certainly a different sort of "trike". It is powered also by a v-twin of 990cc's made by Rotax (known for making aircraft engines, but also engines for Aprilia and BMW) the machine is totally unconventional. I have seen one in operation, and seems like it would be a great deal of fun.It looks to be a very unique ride, and I believe they sell in the $14,000 range.

Greatly enjoyed the visit to the dealership, friendly people without being pushy, seems to have a large service department, and was a nice place to visit. I think I will be returning to Matthews Fun Machine.

On Sunday, Patty and I went out to breakfast at Punchy's Diner. Kind of an interesting Carolina thing, many of the places to eat here have displays of cars, and a few (such as Punchy's) have motorcycles from time to time. The photo below was taken at Punchy's which is a good place to eat. I like the food there, as well as the sights in the area.

Punchy's is also motorcycle friendly and many of us often gather there either for a meal before, or after a ride. They do change the displays from time to time, and fun to see some of the motorcycles they have on display.

Speaking of motorcycles, did read today that the Honda Hoot for 2009 has been cancelled (another loss from the economy of late). For the last few years it has been held in the Knoxville, TN area, though just a few years ago it was held in Asheville, NC. I hope this event returns soon, it was a fun gathering, and a well put on event. While a Honda event, anyone riding was welcome to attend.

Once again, Merry Christmas to all of you, and best wishes for a Happy 2009!

Toy Run ! (November 23,2008)

A really neat day today, went on the 6th Annual Speedway Harley-Davidson Toy Run. As you can see from the photos, nice clear sky, though the temperature was only 55 today. However, that did not stop a crowd estimated at 400 motorcycles from going on the ride. I was there with my Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Classic, and people were friendly which is always nice. Actually, have never had any real problems with any of the Harley crowd (although a few comments from time to time do come out) but overall a good bunch. The ride was really neat, kicked off at 1pm on the dot. The sound of 400 motorcycles firing up is really a beautiful noise. We headed out under police escort, and they did a fantastic job. In fact they had a really good ride; they got to shoot past us from time to time to block intersections. We never had to stop the entire ride. Most of the ride was on backroads and there were motorcycles as far as you could see. I was somewhere around the middle, with a long line in front of me, and a long line of headlights behind me. As far as I know there were few problems during the ride. I did hear of a bike going down, and a possible broken wrist, and also word of a flat tire. Of the latter, did hear a chase vehicle picked him up. We also rode through Mt. Pleasant, Concord, and Harrisburg. We ended up at Speedway Harley-Davidson. We piled up all the presents, and had barbecue from R+R Barbecue .

This was the largest (in terms of numbers of motorcycles) ride I have ever been on. I think everyone involved from the police, to the people who put on the ride did an outstanding job. The route was fun and interesting, and enjoyed it a great deal. It is also great to be able to do something for the kids out there, and I am sure there will be a lot of smiles this holiday season from the gifts the local motorcycle community left for them. Getting to do this ride was a real treat!