What's a technical hold and why did Kawasaki impose one?

Perhaps to avoid public humiliation, Kawasaki has termed their recent recall of the "ZX-10R" a "technical hold."

The terms of the "hold" are actually more stringent than any ordinary recall. Rather than recalling the bikes for repair, they are recalling the US-spec ZX-10R for a refund. Owners will be given dibs on a replacement bike once the technical hold is released.

What could be the root cause of this? Something more serious than a faulty starter or failure-prone rectifier. Must be something catastrophic to prompt the manufacturer to issue refunds to the buyers...

Motorcyclenews.com has the details.

I've done Three Sisters on a motorcycle

I took the day off work, and rode with my wife to have lunch at the Three Sisters Cafe in Broad Ripple. It's is a great place to eat. Everything on the menu is fresh and home-made. The sauces are delicious. It started as a vegetarian restaurant, but they quickly added fish and poultry items to the menu. I recommend the fish tacos.



If you're passing through Indianapolis, take a detour to Broad Ripple to visit the Three Sisters. Here's the route my wife and I took. It's not the most direct route, but it's an enjoyable, winding road which follows Fall Creek from where I-465 crosses the creek on the city's east side.

View Larger Map

The route follows Fall Creek Road just a few hundred feet west of I-465 to Fall Creek Parkway. Left on Fall Creek Parkway to Kessler Boulevard. Right on Kessler Boulevard to Guildford avenue. Right on Guilford Avenue all the way to The Three Sisters Cafe. It's ten miles off the highway, but worth the detour.



Parking is free, but scarce.



View Larger Map

Honda Is On A Roll

I love seeing new models of bikes being introduced.  Particularly when they are actually, you know, new.

Harley may repackage the same engine and frame into a dozen variations with cool (or lame -- depending on your persuasion) names.  HD has a fairly short list of powerplants and frames, and a broad list of "bike names."   That doesn't excite me as much as a brand new entry  ... a new class of bike for a manufacturer.

Honda is entering the adventure touring space with the recently announced V4 Crosstourer Concept.

Check out the press release at honda.com.

Also, for 2011--  an actual production bike -- Honda announced the V4
Crossrunner.

Visordown.com has the scoop.  


Better pics, and better writing, are found at motorcycle.com.

At The Corner Of Fashion and Safety

I wear my gear for protection, not for fashion.  So I am always bemused by riders who put such a high emphasis on fashion.

I know one Harley Rider who wouldn't ride to work except on Fridays because blue jeans weren't allowed Monday through Thursday, and things just didn't "look right" when he rode wearing anything but blue jeans.

I would never have this problem; I can commute any day ... my blue jeans never show anyway, as I'm always wearing my trusty pair of Alpinestars Mesh Tech 2.0 overpants.  They cover dockers as well as they cover blue jeans.

So when a friend sent me this link, I had to laugh.  Apparently faux motorcycle jackets are making a comeback in the world of fashion.

Most of which, the article deftly notes, seem suited  "for men that couldn't find themselves on a motorcycle if one ran them over."

Wear your gear.  Make it stylish if you want.  Just make sure you are protected!

(( Check out the fine product pictured, here ))

Michigan State Police Bike article objectively proves Hell For Leather sucks

Hell For Leather recently posted an article entitled, "Michigan State Police objectively prove Harley's Suck". 

I have to give them points for an attention-grabbing headline. But that's really all it was.

The Hell For Leather article summarizes the findings of the Michigan State Police vehicle evaluation for police motorcycles. Their summary pulled a few statistics into a table, and concluded that Harley's suck, apparently based on their 0-100 mph performance compared to other bikes.

So, by what subjective criteria did Hell For Leather determine that "suckiness" equated to "lackluster acceleration at speeds above 80 mph".

If this were truly an objective analysis on HFL's part, the selection criteria of the bike would be established in the article. Without knowing what the criteria were for the test, we can't choose a winner.

For example, the Harley's beat all competitors in the zero-to-30 mph acceleration test.

How do we know, and how does HFL know, that acceleration 0-30 is more important than acceleration 80-100 mph, in which the Harley's drew dead last.  Which is more important?  Which do police bikes do most often?  Do police motorcycles really get involved in high speed chases? 

What do we really know about the selection criteria for police motorcycles?

Don't mistake this for a defense of Harley Davidson. That's not my point. What really at stake here is the definition of "objectivity", and the concept of fairness and accuracy in reporting.

Included in the HFL article is an unrelated, but probably similar, evaluation report from the LAPD. 

The Los Angleles Police Department article makes for an interesting read. In fact, if you have time for reading only one more article, skip HFL, and jump right to the  report...

Shamu 2, the revenge of the whale

There sure is a lot of hatred in the Moto Press for Honda's VFR1200 -- dubbed "Shamu". Reading "Hell For Leather's" reviews makes me worry about the future of Honda...if this bike is any example of what we can expect from them.

Now, there are rumors of "Shamu 2 -- the sequel" -- a V4 adventure bike. Honda apparently is taking aim at the BMW's GS.

Shamu 2, the revenge of the whale | Hell for Leather

No Moto Guzzi For Me! « Cool Cycle Dude

Cool Cycle Dude deftly describes his first, and probably last, ride on a Moto Guzzi.

No Moto Guzzi For Me! « Cool Cycle Dude

I follow him on Twitter @CoolCycleDude.

Best Dressed Biker

A cow-orker of mine, who isn't a rider himself, commented on my riding apparel today.  He said I was the "best dressed biker" ... a commentary on the fact that I always wear my gear. 

I overlooked the fact that I consider myself a "rider" and not a "biker", and I took it as a compliment.  

I wear my gear, and come into the office dressed in my get-up every day.  Folks have gotten used to it.  Out of the two dozen motorcyclists in my office building (who have ever commuted to work) I'm the only one who wears protective over-pants and protective boots.  Most wear helmets, a few wear jackets and / or gloves.  

I get questions sometimes.  What's it made of? Aren't you hot in the summer?  

Some mistake it for rain gear.  Some say, "Good for you!"  Some roll their eyes.  

I enjoy the full protection, and the anonymity, of the full faced helmet.  I change personas when I'm on the bike.  

I've been made fun of.  "What are you -- some sort of superhero?  Is that your super-suit?"  

To which I reply, "Yes, I am, and yes it is."

Consumer Reports Hog tied: Consumer Reports rides the latest Harleys - Night Rod Special and XR 1200X

Consumer Reports Cars Blog: Hog tied: Consumer Reports rides the latest Harleys - Night Rod Special and XR 1200X

From ATGATT To ASSSHATT

 If you're readying this blog, you  ATGATT stands for "All The Gear All The Time"


But have you considered ATGATT's lesser known siblings:  They are:

HOTGATT-Half Of The Gear All The Time

HOGSATT-Helmet Only Gear Some Of The Time

NOTGATTNAB-None Of The Gear All The Time No Apparent Brain

And my favorite:

ASSSHATT-All Safety Stuff Sits Home All The Time

Fellow Magna owner Brent put together this gem.  

Spanish Moto Mag Announces Honda ST1200F

2011 Pan European -- Exclusive!

It cracks me up that Yahoo's Babelfish website translates the Pan European as the "Bread".  Makes sense of course, "Pan" is Spanish for bread.

There are also some perfectly recognizable Spanish words that Babelfish fails to translate, and leaves in their original Spanish form.

Razor MX350

Sure, it's not made by one of the Japanese Big Four.

And it's not gasoline powered.

But the Razor MX350 is a great first dirt-bike for a child.

Clutchless operation; chain drive.

Not street legal; no headlights or turn signals. 

Quiet operation; won't annoy the neighbors.

Nobby, tubeless tires.

Single, rear, drum brake.  The brake and throttle are interlocked; squeezing the brake lever turns off the throttle.  

Kawasaki Ninja 500R

Not really a Ninja, they say. Began its life as a GPZ500, before being renamed under the Ninja badge to leverage the brand recognition of the "Ninja" name.

Bulletproof parallel twin powerplant and good fuel economy keep this one going and going.

Kawasaki Ninja 500R

Not really a Ninja, they say. Began its life as a GPZ500, before being renamed under the Ninja badge to take leverage the familiar name.
Bulletproof parallel twin powerplant and good fuel economy keep this one going and going.

Is Harley-Davidson Cruising for a Crash?

Is Harley-Davidson Cruising for a Crash?

Loyal but aging customer base, and a continued failure to attract younger buyers spells an impending lowside for the Motor Company.

2010 Honda CB Unicorn Dazzler Review - Motorcycle.com

2010 Honda CB Unicorn Dazzler Review - Motorcycle.com



Aside from the horrifyingly "gay" name, this little Honda motorcycle for India seems pretty cool.

A Trip Report In Haiku

Cause I'm too tired to type a complete report, here's one in Haiku...

French Lick, Indiana
150 miles to the south
Through Hoosier National Forest

Weather was perfect
Five riders together
The road less travelled

DR650 and KLR650 outperform Magna
On gravel-strewn twisty roads
Oh, my aching pride.

Fellow rider traded Magna
For a loud-piped Harley
Do not ride behind him.

300 miles of fun
Whether Honda, Kawi, or HD
Each man smiled and returned home

Fans of the form recognize this doesn't conform to Haiku 5/7/5 syllable rules. Oh well, call it free verse then.


I'll try again, with some more verses, these in strict Haiku form:

Five Of Us Set Out
For French Lick, Indiana
No two bikes alike

Twisty roads we chose
May not have been the fastest
But were the most fun

Weather was perfect
Five riders rode together
The road less traveled

One rider's bald tires
brought trip to a sudden end
without incident

Dual sports proven
To outperform the Magna
Oh, my aching pride.

Fork-mounted windshield
adversely affects steering
good for crushing bugs

He trades his Magna
for a Harley with loud pipes
Do not ride behind

Bike Shopping

My buddy Steve is a hard core bicyclist, but has recently expressed an interest in motorcycles. Here we study a dual sport Suzuki DR 650.

If only we knew someone who owned one, we could ask them all our questions!

Steve is one of those people who seems to know everybody; an outgoing and personable guy. These are some very handy traits in a motorcycle-shopping companion. At one dealership, we got a guided tour of the owner's private warehouse, with some old Honda's, Triumph's and BSA's on display.

I've been there many times before and have never been offered the private tour.

I'm gonna bring Steve bike-shopping with me more often.

It was fun to have some vicarious enjoyment of Steve's newbie experiences. He was learning a lot, sitting on bikes, picking them up off their kickstand and feeling their weight, seating position, and controls. Those are some good memories for me. As one who fell into motorcycling late in life, it was being around them, feeling them and moving them around, that hooked me. I hope Steve gets hooked, too, as I'd love to have him join me on some local jaunts.

Steve was interested in dual-sport bikes, and checked out the KLR650, KLX250, the Honda CRF230L, and the Suzuki DR400 and DR650.

While Steve was checking out dual-sports, I was checking out Sport Touring bikes. I got a chance to sit on a Yamaha FJR1300, a Suzuki DL650, an FZ6, a Kawasaki Concourse 14, a Z1000, and a Honda ST1300.

I was impressed with the comfort and style of the FJR, it was lower and sleeker looking than the Connie. The dealers had used FJR's coming out of their ears. I saw four or five FJR's on showroom floors; at least one at each of the three dealerships we visited. During this time I only saw one ST1300. When I saw it, I exclaimed happily, "Oh -- finally!"

When we were done with our dealer visits, Steve confessed to me: "I couldn't tell the bikes you were looking at apart. The one you were all excited about finding looked exactly the same to me as the ones you weren't interested in."

I laughed. To the uninitiated, they do look alike. Even to the Harley rider, I'm sure, all sport tourers look alike. Just like to the sport bike rider, all Harley's look alike.

I smiled at him and said, "Yeah, and I couldn't tell the dual sports apart either. They all look the same to me."

Sport Touring Highway Pegs?

I've seen highway pegs on cruisers, but I've never seen nor heard of them on a sport tourer.

I snapped some photos of these, on a Honda ST1300 at a dealership today.

They fold back into a retracted position, hidden within the "tip over wing".

Being somewhat of a purist, I objected to the fact that the "tip over wing" had to be cut and modified in order to accommodate this after-market footpeg. However, I thought it was an ingenious design.

Are these really necessary on an ST1300?

They certainly don't go with the motif.

Uniform Measures

I've been thinking about uniform measuring criteria for motorcycles, since I posted my last entry, "How does the ST stack up?"

It was eye opening to me when I first discovered that displacement was a fairly meaningless measure. Displacement is used in the motoring world -- whether two or four wheel variety -- as a rough measure of power.

It's misleading, however. In the four wheeled world, as well as two, there are beasts with large displacement with relatively small power. I remember this from the days when I owned a Ford Explorer. The Ford SOHC V6 generates almost as much power as the Ford V8.

Cylinder count, and displacement, isn't a good indicator of power.

If not displacement, and not cylinder count, then what shall we use as a measure?

Why, horsepower, of course!

Except horsepower itself is only part of the equation. A hundred horsepower in a 400 pound bike, or a 600 pound bike would render a different rider experience.

So what do you call it then, this weight-adjusted horsepower factor? Take the weight, and divide it by the horsepower, and you get a figure which can be used to compare one bike to another.

How many pounds does each pony have to move?

The same could be done for torque. How many foot-pounds of torque does the engine generate? How does that compare to the weight that the engine must move?

Of course, we could find some numerical formula to express, in scientific terms, every aspect of the bike, and we would still fall short of describing the bike.

It's not a mere machine, and it's not a mere science. There is no formula for the perfect bike. Each of us, as humans, will have our own preferences, and will interface with a bike in our own individual way. No formula can predict which bike will bring maximum enjoyment to which rider.

There is no substitute for a test drive.

How does the ST stack up?

Here are the stats for the ST1100, compared to the Magna VF750C, the Gold Wing 1100 Interstate, and the Harley Davidson FXD Dyna Super Glide.

	ST1100	VF750C	GL1100	FXD
Displacement	1100	750	1100	1574
Peak HP	100	84	64	61
Peak Torque	82	50	41	77
Dry Weight	634	505	718	666
Weight/Horsepower	6.3	6.0	11.2	10.9
Weight/Torque	7.7	10.1	17.5	8.6

I'm surprised to see how much more power the ST1100 has compared to the GL1100, with the same displacement and number of cylinders.

I'm aware that "not all displacement is created equal"; for example Harley's with their large displacement twin cylinders, don't compare in horsepower to a sport bike with half the displacement. But I'm still surprised that the V4, compared to the flat four, has such a disparity.

No wonder I love V4's.

I've added two metrics which I don't usually see discussed in the trade magazines, but which seem to me to offer a basis of comparison.

Weight divided by Horsepower, or what I call "Pounds per horse". How much weight does each of those horses have to carry. Seems like a way of leveling the horsepower playing field by factoring in the effect of weight.

Weight divided by Torque. This is similar to the "Pounds Per Horse" measurement, except this one blows my mind when I attempt to do dimensional analysis on it. If torque is measured in foot-pounds, and weight is measured in pounds, then pounds divided by foot-pounds equals what? The inverse of feet? 1/foot? I need to consult a physics textbook to figure this one out.

Compressed Air Dent Removal

When I bought the Magna 3 years ago, it had a small (less than 2 inch diameter) dent in the upper right hand corner of the tank.

I've lived with it for three years. Occasionally when bored, I've done research on motorcycle dent removal.

I've seen YouTube videos of guys removing dents in motorcycle tanks using bent rods and a hammer, and essentially hammering out the dent from the inside. That seems a little dangerous for an amateur like me to try. The inside of the tank is pristine, with no rust. I fear misuse of a hammer and a rod might scratch the inside liner of the tank, leaving it prone to rust.



Then I saw this technique of removing dents from car doors and motorcycle tanks called the "Compressed Air" method.

By the name of it, I had visions of sealing up the tank and blowing air into the tank until the dents popped out.

But that's not how it works. It uses rapid changes in temperature to draw the dent out.

First heat the dent with a hair dryer, for about a minute.

Then spray the dent with a can of compressed air, like the kind sold at office supply stores for cleaning schmutz out of computer keyboards.

The rapid expansion of the compressed air sucks the heat out of the surroundings. There are warnings all over the can not to spray your flesh, or be prepared to get treatment for frost bite.

I saw this demonstrated successfully online for a car body panel with a dent.



I also saw someone attempt it on a motorcycle tank -- and it didn't work.



But a can of compressed air is $3.00. I figured I would give it a shot.


My results were the same as the Ducati owner in the video. No luck.

I'll find a Paintless Dent Repair place that'll do it for me.

Naming A Motorcycle

I mentioned earlier, (see "The Motorcycle Name Game") that I've been thinking about ST names before I actually own a bike.

I've been stuck at work, working lots of overtime, and keeping myself entertained by daydreaming about the bike I would buy.

I mentioned to some riding friends that I was thinking about names for my non-existent bike, and they gave me a hard time.

Some thought I was losing my mind. "Geez, just wait," said Carl. "The bike will tell you its name very soon after you buy it."

Some reject the whole idea of naming a bike. "The closest I come to anthropomorphizing the bike is to call it a "she" occasionally," said Pete. "I confess I just don't get the whole idea of naming one's bike."

Another said, "My policy is, don't name anything that doesn't come when you call it."

I said, "By that line of reasoning, my kids should be nameless."

Tradition among Honda ST owners dictates that the bike names have "ST" in them. I'm not aware of any other makes or models that have such a tradition. They may exist, I'm just don't know of any.

My FJR-riding friend, who has changed engines in his bike more times that I have changed oil in my Honda, quipped that if he were obliged to use the letters F, J and R in the name, it would be something like "F-ing Jury Rigged", or "F-ing Just Replaced". Not a happy bike owner!

I wonder what percentage of the bike riding population have names for their bikes?

WOW?

Has anyone worked with a place in Marietta, GA, called "WOW Motorsports"?

They appear to have a large selection.

What has a name must surely have a soul

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.

Motorcycle Fashion & Safety

Enjoy!

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.

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.

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 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 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.

Each stop light I would glance apprehensively to the north, seeing how much closer the lightning storm had grown.

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.

• "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.

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

Out for a family ride on a pleasant summer evening, we stopped for ice cream before heading home. Back on the bikes, touching 50 Mph on a secondary country highway, i suddenly felt my daughter's helmet bump into my back.

'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:

1. Safety gear can only take you so far. You must also exercise caution.
2. Be willing to change your plans in order to be safe.
3. Fatigue . . . in a rider or pillion . . . can be dangerous.
4. 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.

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.

Honda CBR1000RR

The under-tail exhaust and hideaway license plate holder are aftermarket items added to 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.

The passenger perch doesn't look very comfortable.

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.

Note: The bike was sold on eBay.

The right way to sell accessories

Cycle Outfitters in Indianapolis does it right. I can't tell you how many bike shops have their accessories blister packed and hanging on the wall. I much prefer this type of display, where you can touch and see the merchandise. I'm sure the merchant didn't invent the display . . . But merely agreed to give up floor space to host it. I wish more moto gear was sold this way.

Wish I had known about this display before I bought footpegs for my bike. It would've taken the guesswork out of it.

Motorcycle Safety and ATGATT

This article from "Arrive Alive South Africa" is a great, concise, accurate review of ATGATT -- what it is, and why we choose it as a way of life.


Arrive Alive South Africa | Motorcycle Safety and ATGATT

Honda PC 800

Every one of these I've ever seen in the wild . . . and there have been a few . . . has had the "Body By Tupperware" wording. The first time I thought it was a joke, but since it seems universal, I wonder if it's for real.

Honda CB750

I spied this Honda CB750 in a parking lot over lunch hour. I parked next to it but never got to meet the rider. It's well preserved for a 30 year old bike (or so) -- and for one which is obviously ridden.

Yamaha Virago

I was pulling into the parking garage at work, and I heard another bike approaching. It wasn't a familiar sound. The rider parked and took off his beany helmet.

"What do you have there?" I asked.

"A Yamaha Virago," he replied, beaming. "It's my first bike, I've only been riding about a week."

"Very nice," I said. "Shaft drive. Great starter bike."

"Thanks!" He replied.

The front fender is sun faded. The kick stand lets the bike lean pretty far over.