Category: Motorcycling

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What the …? Did I really see that?

It was a fleeting moment that passed only a few feet from me, so there was absolutely no time for a photo. Let me draw you a picture.

It’s a beautiful November day. The 70 degrees is unusual, but perfect for running errands on the motorcycle. Color is still on the trees, but fading. The sky is a gorgeous blue, the kind of sky that begs outside activities.

I motorcycle through Loveland, and decide to go straight east on Obannonville Road, which turns into Dallasburg Road so that I can catch one of my favorite two laners, Grog Run Road. Generally, there is little traffic, the road is narrow with quick twists and turns and hills—perfect for the motorcycle.

Just after running down the hill, and crossing the creek and roughest set of railroad tracks in the area, the road narrows just a little. There is no centerline and the twists prevent you from looking down the road very far.

Suddenly, around the curve, heading in the opposite direction, comes another motorcyclist. He’s riding a Harley, not wearing a helmet, and he has his left hand up to the side of his face.

OH MY GOD! He’s talking on the phone! This guy is speeding through the twists with one hand on the throttle and one hand on his phone! I can’t believe it! How stupid is that?

We could spend time talking about riding with or without helmets. We could also discuss ATGATT (All The Gear All The Time). But, I don’t think we should really have to have a serious discussion about riding a motorcycle while talking on the phone.

I wonder if this guy complains about stupid cagers talking on the phone when he’s near them on his motorcycle? I bet he does.

See you on the highway.

Brent

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Kicking some more motorcycle tires

I think it might be unreasonable to own two adventure motorcycles. Which one would I ride? No, I think something completely different is in order.

I have looked at the Triumph Bonnevilles and Scramblers for a long time. Perhaps they remind me of my youth. Maybe it’s just the old school nostalgia. For some reason, I keep coming back to them as a potential second bike. So I went to Joe’s Cycle in Dayton to throw a leg over a classic motorcycle.

There was one Bonneville T100 on the floor in a black and grey paint scheme. The other Bonnevilles were an SE and a standard—these do not have quite the appointments of the T100. They have cast wheels with a 17” wheel on the front. The T100 has a lot more chrome and wire-spoke wheels with a 19” wheel in front. The T100 looks nice, and there is also a cranberry and white paint scheme.

Also available is the Jet Black T100, and it’s not quite as much chrome. If you have not used the Create My Triumph feature on the Triumph Motorcycles web site, you are in for a treat. You can change the colors and add options or accessories to see exactly what your motorcycle will look like. Here is my fantasy:

Bonneville T100 Black

I know. You’re looking at that Triumph Bonneville T100 with a solo seat and asking, “Where is the passenger gonna sit?” My response is, “What passenger?” Smile Does that look cool or what? I can dream, can’t I?

See you on the highway.

Brent

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Kicking some motorcycle tires

The past couple of days, I have found myself looking at other motorcycles. It’s not that I’m dissatisfied with what I have, but that I am wondering what else is out there. Is there a second motorcycle in my future?

Brad, Clinton County Motorsports, called me to say, “Hey! We’ve got a new Yamaha Super Tenere’ sitting on the floor. They’ve discontinued the deposit program. Come on out and take a look.”

So I did.

Yamaha_Super-Tenere

Standing next to the bike, it looks big. Astride the bike, the tank and fairings look massive. It weighs 90 lbs. more than my V-Strom 650, but that 1200cc parallel twin will really get up and go.

Clinton County Motorsports is also a KTM dealer, and of course, they had a 990 Adventure sitting on the floor.

KTM_990-Adventure-1

The Adventure is not as large as the Yamaha, but it’s V-twin engine will provide all the power needed for long distance dual sport riding. Frankly, I liked this better than the Super Tenere.

Whenever I visit Indianapolis on a Saturday morning, it’s usually to have breakfast with my brother with the BMW club and then a trip to the Indy BMW/Triumph dealer. The dealer’s inventory was full. It did not seem like there was anymore room for another bike on the showroom floor. Every model was represented including the one I really wanted to see. No … not a 1200GS, but rather the BMW G650GS—a thumper.

BMW_G650GS-1

The 650 GS is approximately 30 lbs. lighter than my V-Strom 650, and is probably more of an enduro bike than mine. This bike is meant for back roads, gravel and fire trails. Can you picture this bike loaded with camping equipment headed to some remote wilderness campground? I can. And, oh yes. It comes in white.

See you on the highway.

Brent