I've been doing some more pondering on the subject of Naming A Motorcycle.
Why do we name our bikes?
Surely, beneath it all is a universal truth. Something which rings true within your heart because of your own experiences, not necessarily because some teacher told you so, or some leader, or some dead poet in a book on the shelf.
But am convinced of the fact nonetheless: That which has a soul must also have a name.
This is why we name our bikes.
This is why we name our pets.
Those who identify most strongly with what I'm saying tip their heads in agreement, and think upon their own experiences. "That's right!" they say.
The counter argument, the stoic, logical, scientific view, would say: Soul's don't exist in these things. Certainly not in a dog or a motorcycle. Soul?! Bah!
If you'd like to stir up some conversation, next time you're grabbing lunch with your motorcycle buddies, toss out a casual question.
What is the name of your bike?
The Motorcycle Name Game
I'm contemplating buying a different bike -- a Honda ST1100 to replace my Honda Magna.
This leads me to want to try on possible names for the bike.
I think there's more at work here than simply what appears. I think "trying on the name" is part of the decision-making process. Think of the enamoured high-school sweetheart who just got asked to the prom by the high school basketball star.
She is infatuated with him, and writes his name on her english notebook. She also experiments with the combination of his name and hers. "Mrs. Fiona Charming". She tries it on, and sees how it fits.
It's not just the name, it's everything that goes with it. Do I want to be a part of this life? Does this name, this look, this bike, this lifestyle suit me?
I chose Raven as the name of my bike. It was black. But I also took the name from a legend I heard from during a trip to London. The legend of the Tower Ravens. Ravens surround the base of the Tower of London, and according to legend, cannot be removed from the tower, or the tower will collapse.
As a bike name it suggested something black and light-weight, able to fly. And also, part of the "foundation"; the foundation of my riding career. That bike launched me into the world of motorcycles.
My second bike was a 1982 Honda GL1100 I "Gold Wing Interstate". Riding this 770 pound bike in a steep crosswind, in the evening, her name came to me:
"Oh Black Betty, bam ba lam, she's so rock steady, and she's always ready"
What would I name an ST?
I don't know other bike naming rules, but convention is very strong in the ST Owners Community, that an ST should have "S" and "T" in the name, and preferably, have "ST" in the name contiguously .
I employed this humorous ST naming convention when I test drove one (see "My First Taste Of ST") and dubbed it "STinky Turd".
My ST owning friends have names for their bikes like "STargazer", "STiletto".
I was toying with the potential names for ST1300's for me; some adhering to the "ST naming convention" and some not.
a. Remy. Sure , that violates the ST rule, but does make a pop culture allusion to the TV Show"House", and the beautiful doctor whom he has given the nickname "13",
b. The ST1100 is known in Europe as the "Pan-European". I've seen "Pan-American" stencilled on a few state-side ST1100's. Fans of Douglas Adams "Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy" might recognize the name "Pan Galactic Freeway Blaster" as a tip of the hat to the "Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster" referenced in his books.
c. STormcrow ... ideal for a gray ST of the 1100 or 1300 variety. This name was one of the nicknames given to the the great Wizard in "Lord Of The Rings" -- Gandalf The Grey".
d. MiSTy .... nicely feminine name, also suitable for a gray bike.
This leads me to want to try on possible names for the bike.
I think there's more at work here than simply what appears. I think "trying on the name" is part of the decision-making process. Think of the enamoured high-school sweetheart who just got asked to the prom by the high school basketball star.
She is infatuated with him, and writes his name on her english notebook. She also experiments with the combination of his name and hers. "Mrs. Fiona Charming". She tries it on, and sees how it fits.
It's not just the name, it's everything that goes with it. Do I want to be a part of this life? Does this name, this look, this bike, this lifestyle suit me?
I chose Raven as the name of my bike. It was black. But I also took the name from a legend I heard from during a trip to London. The legend of the Tower Ravens. Ravens surround the base of the Tower of London, and according to legend, cannot be removed from the tower, or the tower will collapse.
As a bike name it suggested something black and light-weight, able to fly. And also, part of the "foundation"; the foundation of my riding career. That bike launched me into the world of motorcycles.
My second bike was a 1982 Honda GL1100 I "Gold Wing Interstate". Riding this 770 pound bike in a steep crosswind, in the evening, her name came to me:
"Oh Black Betty, bam ba lam, she's so rock steady, and she's always ready"
What would I name an ST?
I don't know other bike naming rules, but convention is very strong in the ST Owners Community, that an ST should have "S" and "T" in the name, and preferably, have "ST" in the name contiguously .
I employed this humorous ST naming convention when I test drove one (see "My First Taste Of ST") and dubbed it "STinky Turd".
My ST owning friends have names for their bikes like "STargazer", "STiletto".
I was toying with the potential names for ST1300's for me; some adhering to the "ST naming convention" and some not.
a. Remy. Sure , that violates the ST rule, but does make a pop culture allusion to the TV Show"House", and the beautiful doctor whom he has given the nickname "13",
b. The ST1100 is known in Europe as the "Pan-European". I've seen "Pan-American" stencilled on a few state-side ST1100's. Fans of Douglas Adams "Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy" might recognize the name "Pan Galactic Freeway Blaster" as a tip of the hat to the "Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster" referenced in his books.
c. STormcrow ... ideal for a gray ST of the 1100 or 1300 variety. This name was one of the nicknames given to the the great Wizard in "Lord Of The Rings" -- Gandalf The Grey".
d. MiSTy .... nicely feminine name, also suitable for a gray bike.
Practicality And Style
"And I didn't even have to bungee it down!" said Mrs. Rat.
Mrs. Rat ran a few errands on her Harley Davidson Super Glide today, and was thankful for the deceptively capacious rigid saddlebags I had installed for her earlier this year.
She was able to fit two dozen donuts in one saddlebag, not having to resort to strapping cargo on the pillion seat.
Some folks feel bags detract from cruiser aesthetics. We Rats are passed that . . . we embrace the aesthetic of usability.
2010 Oddball Sport-Touring Motorcycle Shootout: Ducati vs Honda vs Kawasaki
Just when I was doubting my choice of next motorcycle, I spy this with my little eye.
Hot and Heavy Motorcycles
I remember the moment I decided to sell the Goldwing. I was sitting in traffic, sweltering atop a large engine behind a large fairing which blocked all wind.
Lately as you know I've been toying with the idea of buying a sport touring motorcycle.
As much as I loved the bike for touring, it was hell for commuting.
I watched a guy, older than me, riding a FZ1 -- I think it was. It was lightweight. He seemed to be having fun.
I realized that I was not.
I sold the bike and bought a Magna. It was naked as opposed to fully faired. It was lightweight by comparison.
And it was much more fun.
Lately as you know I've been toying with the idea of buying a sport touring motorcycle. Today I go for a hot ride on a hot afternoon and wonder -- will I be happy if I sit atop a large engine behind a large fairing? What will make the heavy sport tourer better than the heavy luxury tourer. The seating position? I mean, that's a big deal, but will it make a big enough difference.
It's cause for pause as I consider my next major purpose.
A Buell Ulysses -- not the touring variety -- goes by. Sporty in looks, relaxed in seating. Lighter weight than even my Magna, with as much horsepower as the ST1100.
Am I headed down the wrong road?
The Universal Conspiracy
About the time I decided I was in the market for an ST, about the time that I decided I would head to my local Honda dealer at my next opportunity for a test drive, about the time that I started combing classified ads looking for used ST's for sale
... the universe began to conspire against me to ensure that I would have no time to do any bike shopping.
With the exception of my "First Test of ST" test drive, I've been thwarted at every turn. Work schedule keeps me chained to the office until the dealership has closed. Except for Saturdays, when I'm usually off.
Then out of town trips, prior engagements ... and work, calling me in to work on a Saturday ... have kept me out of those dealerships the past three Saturdays.
I keep thinking things will change. I'll take off work early to hit the dealership before they close.
Fat chance.
The current project I'm working on at work, the one that's keeping me busy with lots of overtime, will probably keep me busy until ... at this rate, the first snow of the season.
... the universe began to conspire against me to ensure that I would have no time to do any bike shopping.
With the exception of my "First Test of ST" test drive, I've been thwarted at every turn. Work schedule keeps me chained to the office until the dealership has closed. Except for Saturdays, when I'm usually off.
Then out of town trips, prior engagements ... and work, calling me in to work on a Saturday ... have kept me out of those dealerships the past three Saturdays.
I keep thinking things will change. I'll take off work early to hit the dealership before they close.
Fat chance.
The current project I'm working on at work, the one that's keeping me busy with lots of overtime, will probably keep me busy until ... at this rate, the first snow of the season.
My First Taste Of ST
As you know, I've been jonesing for an ST, despite the fact that I've never ridden one. I'm drawn to the touring abilities of the bike; obviously a more natural tourer than a 750 Magna.
I've been trolling eBay and Craigslist for ST's of both varieties, and saw a downright cheap ST1100 on Craiglist on the south side of Indianapolis.
The listing was terse: 1993 ST1100, 20,000 miles, no mechanical problems, runs and rides great.
I called the owner and chatted about the bike, and decided to go see it after work on Monday.
When I arrived at 7 pm the ST1100 was sitting in the driveway, and the owner emerged before I dismounted the Magna. I started sniffing around the bike as he began a folksy spiel about his adventures with the bike.
I should've known by the absence of any description of its appearance in the listing that it would have a few warts.
First thing I found was a poorly fitting saddlebag, which had obviously been split like a melon, and then puttied back together. Poorly.
On to the dash, which was held together with liberal amounts of bondo, painted gloss black.
"What happened here?"
"Oh, I had a bunch of lumber fall from an overhead rack onto the bike when it was in the garage."
Then to the cracked right valve cover. "That must've happened when my wife backed into it and knocked it over," he supplied.
Scuffs on the right mirror stem, and bags. Closer inspection showed swirled scuffs on the right saddlebag. "I lost that saddlebag at about 40 mph because I didn't have it fastened in properly."
I told him I had just seen a pair of Honda Maroon ST1100 saddlebags on Craigslist.
"Oh, this isn't the original color. I had the bike repainted Mustang Red to match the repainted saddlebag."
This was getting comical.
I've been trolling eBay and Craigslist for ST's of both varieties, and saw a downright cheap ST1100 on Craiglist on the south side of Indianapolis.
The listing was terse: 1993 ST1100, 20,000 miles, no mechanical problems, runs and rides great.
I called the owner and chatted about the bike, and decided to go see it after work on Monday.
When I arrived at 7 pm the ST1100 was sitting in the driveway, and the owner emerged before I dismounted the Magna. I started sniffing around the bike as he began a folksy spiel about his adventures with the bike.
I should've known by the absence of any description of its appearance in the listing that it would have a few warts.
First thing I found was a poorly fitting saddlebag, which had obviously been split like a melon, and then puttied back together. Poorly.
On to the dash, which was held together with liberal amounts of bondo, painted gloss black.
"What happened here?"
"Oh, I had a bunch of lumber fall from an overhead rack onto the bike when it was in the garage."
Then to the cracked right valve cover. "That must've happened when my wife backed into it and knocked it over," he supplied.
Scuffs on the right mirror stem, and bags. Closer inspection showed swirled scuffs on the right saddlebag. "I lost that saddlebag at about 40 mph because I didn't have it fastened in properly."
I told him I had just seen a pair of Honda Maroon ST1100 saddlebags on Craigslist.
"Oh, this isn't the original color. I had the bike repainted Mustang Red to match the repainted saddlebag."
This was getting comical.
I noticed the front fender was floating - the mounting bolts had disappeared.
He noticed that I noticed. "I must not have tightened the fender bolts tight enough after I had the fender repainted. But the fender doesn't rattle or nothin'."
The fender bolts weren't the only thing missing; about half of the bolts and fasteners which fastened the body panels to the bike were missing. Many of the ones remaining were stripped or mismatched.
"I did have to push it about 3/4 of a mile when I ran out of gas one time. The previous owner had installed power mirrors, and he had a loose wire that shorted out and took the fuel gauge with it."
He supplied some additional testimonial: "The bike's real solid going down the road, and the windshield blocks the wind just great. I can even take my hands off the handlebar, light a cigarette, and smoke it."
After all this, I was ready to walk away, when he said, "Well, you're obviously bike savvy. Would you like to take it for a spin?"
"Sure," I replied.
My first time riding an ST, and I was very tentative, despite the fact that I probably could have dropped the bike, picked it up and returned it to him and he wouldn't have been able to tell.
Plenty of power, and a comfortable, natural seating position. I should've taken advantage of his generous offer and driven it for half an hour, but instead, I returned the bike to him after a brief spin around the neighborhood.
I told him there were a few more cosmetic issues on the bike than I was looking for, and I wished him good luck. He apologized. I think he felt guilty for leaving out those important details from his listing. He confessed the bike had been for sale for a long time and he hadn't had any luck selling it.
"I wonder why," I said to my self, sarcastically.
It was worth my trip, even if the bike was a turd, because I got to ride an ST for the first time, and confirmed that the seating position was comfortable.
"I did have to push it about 3/4 of a mile when I ran out of gas one time. The previous owner had installed power mirrors, and he had a loose wire that shorted out and took the fuel gauge with it."
He supplied some additional testimonial: "The bike's real solid going down the road, and the windshield blocks the wind just great. I can even take my hands off the handlebar, light a cigarette, and smoke it."
After all this, I was ready to walk away, when he said, "Well, you're obviously bike savvy. Would you like to take it for a spin?"
"Sure," I replied.
My first time riding an ST, and I was very tentative, despite the fact that I probably could have dropped the bike, picked it up and returned it to him and he wouldn't have been able to tell.
Plenty of power, and a comfortable, natural seating position. I should've taken advantage of his generous offer and driven it for half an hour, but instead, I returned the bike to him after a brief spin around the neighborhood.
I told him there were a few more cosmetic issues on the bike than I was looking for, and I wished him good luck. He apologized. I think he felt guilty for leaving out those important details from his listing. He confessed the bike had been for sale for a long time and he hadn't had any luck selling it.
"I wonder why," I said to my self, sarcastically.
It was worth my trip, even if the bike was a turd, because I got to ride an ST for the first time, and confirmed that the seating position was comfortable.
I think I'm on the right track with this quest. I think an ST is what I want, though it'll take longer than a few minutes of riding time to feel comfortable enough to push the bike, and see what it can do.
From what I saw, and all that I've heard, I don't think I'll be disappointed.
Rider On The Storm
One of the most memorable rides of the summer found me an hour west of home, watching an approaching line of storm clouds. The storm front was to the north, heading south east. It was a race against nature in all its fury - our paths converged. Would I make it home before the lightning storm and torrential rains hit?
The raw power of this storm was amazing. The temperature difference between the hot muggy summer afternoon air, and the (seemingly) icy blast of air of the storm front was staggering. I rode through alternating pockets of still, hot, muggy air, and whirling, dust-filled "ice cold" air. I would never have felt these dramatic shifts in a car.
A mile from home the wind picked up with gusts up to 30 mph, and the street lights switched on beneath the dark clouds.
I rolled into my garage - safe and dry - not one minute too soon. The rain began in earnest behind me even as I closed the garage door.
I made it.
ST1100 Good, ST1300 Bad?
When I declared my intent to buy an ST, I had some feedback from fellow riders that they had heard "vanilla handling" and "excessive engine heat" as complaints about the 1300.
I've not heard these before, from any of the moto press, but I did some research and asked the ST riders that I knew.
More obvious differences, from the specs:
- "I had an 1100 and now have a 1300. Both wonderful bikes."
- "The ST gets a little hot in stop n go traffic, especially when the fuel level is low. It is unbearable? No. would I recommend the machine? Yes. "
- "I own and ride daily my 1300. Yes there is heat. No it does not bother me while moving. Keep the Screen low and you have air flow, raise the windshield and you don't."
- "Heat has never been an issue and I'm sensitive to heat."
- "The ST1300 definitely is not a "vanilla" handling bike. With a much shorter wheelbase and steeper steering angle than the 1100 it begs to be ridden like a sport bike."
- "The 1100 is a better touring bike and the 1300 is a better SPORT-touring bike"
- "I like my ST1100. It doesn't handle like a sport bike, but it handles curves and twisties without an issue, and can run all day at above legal speed limits"
- "Buy either, you won't regret it."
More obvious differences, from the specs:
| Model Number | ST1100 | ST1300 | Displacement | 1100 | 1300 | Fuel System | Carburetor | Fuel Injection | Drive | Final Drive | Shaft |
|---|
Keeping Up With Bob
Followers of this blog know Bob as the creator of the Magnaceptor, a Honda Magna with an Interceptor engine.
Bob recently sold his creation and bought a Harley Davidson Night Rod.
This gave me the idea; maybe it's time to change bikes myself.
Keeping up with Bob doesn't refer to riding. I'll never be able to keep up with Bob on the street, no matter what I'm riding. Though younger than me, he has been riding decades longer than I have.
Bob recently sold his creation and bought a Harley Davidson Night Rod.
This gave me the idea; maybe it's time to change bikes myself.
Keeping up with Bob doesn't refer to riding. I'll never be able to keep up with Bob on the street, no matter what I'm riding. Though younger than me, he has been riding decades longer than I have.
I'm talking about "keeping up with Bob" in a "keep up with the Joneses" sort of way. Now that Bob has sold his Magna and bought new bike, I'm seriously thinking of following him into the ranks of new bike ownership.
My purchase won't be a Harley, though.
I've already floated this past my wife, and she didn't freak out. That's the first step in a new bike purchase.
Bikes under consideration
- Used Honda ST1100
- New Honda ST1300 ABS
- New or Used Triumph Tiger ST
I'm gonna test drive an ST1300 at the local Honda dealer, and a Tiger at the local Triumph dealer.
Caution is the best safety gear
'Are you awake?!' I asked her.
'Yeah,' she replied. Was she groggy, or was it my imagination?
I slowed down anyway. A moment later my wife signalled me from behind to pull over.
'I think you and she had better wait at this McDonald's. She can barely hold her head up.'
My wife and son continued their ride home, where they retrieved my car and came back to pick my very sleepy daughter up. I then rode my bike home.
Lessons Learned:
- Safety gear can only take you so far. You must also exercise caution.
- Be willing to change your plans in order to be safe.
- Fatigue . . . in a rider or pillion . . . can be dangerous.
- Ice cream after a busy day makes my daughter sleepy! We will avoid sugary sweets on family motorcycle trips from now on.
Honda Gold Wing Interstate (GL1100I)
The Honda Gold Wing Interstate GL1100 was produced from 1981 to 1984.
Fully dressed with fairing, saddlebags and top trunk, it weighs 770 lbs. Even as heavy as that, it has incredibly solid handling.
Fully dressed with fairing, saddlebags and top trunk, it weighs 770 lbs. Even as heavy as that, it has incredibly solid handling.
Honda Magna VF750C
The Magna has a V4 engine, instead of the common cruiser power plant, a V-Twin. A distinguishing characteristic is the four-into-four exhaust, with balanced pipes -- two on each side of the bike.
This particular specimen has some after-market upgrades. Drag bars, VTX-style headlight, and forward controls.
Also note the chrome radiator cover. Unlike many V-Twin cruisers, the Magna is liquid-cooled.
This particular specimen has some after-market upgrades. Drag bars, VTX-style headlight, and forward controls.
Also note the chrome radiator cover. Unlike many V-Twin cruisers, the Magna is liquid-cooled.
Honda CBR1000RR
The under-tail exhaust and hideaway license plate holder are aftermarket items added to this bike.
I wonder how comfortable it is to lie down on that gas tank. Because that's what you'd have to do to ride this bike.
I like the paint scheme.
I wonder how comfortable it is to lie down on that gas tank. Because that's what you'd have to do to ride this bike.
Honda CM400T
I see this bike frequently on my way to work. Its owner works in the office building across the street from my own.
I finally captured it here. It's a CM400T -- it says so proudly on the side cover. I don't know much about the bike, but a few things are obvious. 400cc -- just by the naming convention of the bike. Two cylinders. No radiator.
It has the UJM look of the late seventies / early eighties.
And a single downtube on the frame, ending at the engine block. Likewise the swingarm doesn't mount to the frame, but begins at a point on the rear of the engine/transmission assembly. From this configuration, I can see that it was an early Honda experiment into "engine-as-stressed-member" frame design.
Sic Transit Gloria: Magnaceptor For Sale
I'm sad to report that Bob's putting his Magnaceptor up for sale.
Sadder still because it's an end of an era. Bob will cease to be a Honda owner, and will join the ranks of Harley riders. He's buying a 2011 Night Rod Special, which is what pushes the Magnaceptor out of the garage (figuratively) and onto the auction block.
For those unfamiliar with his creation, he transplanted a VFR750 motor into the frame of a 3rd gen magna. Consequently he has a one-of-a-kind Magna, with gear-driven cams, 6 speed transmission, and 95 rwhp, dyno tested.
This was his winter project a few years ago. He spent an entire month of evenings after work soldering the wiring harness from the VFR with the Magna's connectors. It runs flawlessly. And noticeably faster than the stock Magna. You can hear the difference in the sound of the engine - mechanics smarter than me can explain why.
The body is a 96 Magna. It was professionally painted mustang blue. The odometer has 53,000 but the engine has 15,000. He put on Vance+Hines pipes, mustang two-up seat, VTX style headlight, and custom grips.
Sadder still because it's an end of an era. Bob will cease to be a Honda owner, and will join the ranks of Harley riders. He's buying a 2011 Night Rod Special, which is what pushes the Magnaceptor out of the garage (figuratively) and onto the auction block.
For those unfamiliar with his creation, he transplanted a VFR750 motor into the frame of a 3rd gen magna. Consequently he has a one-of-a-kind Magna, with gear-driven cams, 6 speed transmission, and 95 rwhp, dyno tested.
This was his winter project a few years ago. He spent an entire month of evenings after work soldering the wiring harness from the VFR with the Magna's connectors. It runs flawlessly. And noticeably faster than the stock Magna. You can hear the difference in the sound of the engine - mechanics smarter than me can explain why.
The body is a 96 Magna. It was professionally painted mustang blue. The odometer has 53,000 but the engine has 15,000. He put on Vance+Hines pipes, mustang two-up seat, VTX style headlight, and custom grips.
Note: The bike was sold on eBay.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)