Join me and my buddies Walt and Steve from Hog Radio at the Cycle World International Motorcycle Show presented by Toyota in Seattle on December 12-14 at the Qwest Field Event Center.

This year’s show will feature 19 major manufacturers, including: Aprilia, BMW, Buell, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Hyosung, Kawasaki, KTM, Kymco, Moto Guzzi, MV Agusta, Piaggio, Star, Suzuki, Ural, Vespa, Victory and Yamaha. There are also local manufacturers, custom bikes, various vintage clubs and so much more for the whole family to experience.

Walt, Steve and I will be on site Saturday to check out the latest bikes and gear and to interview lots of reps and exhibitors at the show. Look for us and stop and say hello.

Harley Davidson XR1200

The XR750 was the most dominating American dirt track racing motorcycle of all-time, earning the Number One plate in an unprecedented 26 AMA flat track seasons.  In fact, as a tribute to the XR750, there is a pre-sale of only 750 XR1200 models from 12/1 – 12/15.

Drawing significant design influences from the successful Harley-Davidson XR750 motorcycles that set new standards for dirt track racing success over the last 30 years, the XR1200 features technical innovation to provide potent street performance and handling. In fact, Harley-Davidson dirt track racing legends Scott Parker and Rich King participated in the XR1200 development, along with European GP racing champion Adrien Morillas.

The 1200cc Evolution V-Twin cranks out 90 hp with high torque. Rubber mounted to a new frame with a cast aluminum swingarm, the engine delivers exhilarating performance and responsive handling with less vibration. A unique upswept, high-volume 2-1-2 straight shot exhaust system includes dual mufflers and is finished in satin chrome.

Harley-Davidson XR1200

A sport-tuned Showa® suspension with inverted 43 mm front forks and twin preload adjustable shocks combines with lightweight black cast three-spoke wheels to make the XR1200 ride and corner with feeling. Specially designed Dunlop® Qualifier D209 tires connect the rider to the road, while Nissin® four-piston calipers and large dual disc front brakes provide stopping power.

B-King concept.

2008 Suzuki B-King.

From Concept - Suzuki first introduced the B-King as a concept bike in 2001 at the Tokyo Motor Show. In it’s original form, the B-King sported a Hayabusa 1300 engine equipped with a supercharger. At that time the Hayabusa engine produced 175 bhp. Brake Horse Power is the HP at the crank prior to loss that would come from the gearbox, exhaust etc. With the addition of the supercharger the engine muscled up an enormous 240 bhp. Some of the materials used in construction of the B-King were carbon fiber, stainless steel, aluminum and leather. The rear tire was a whopping 240mm wide. The B-King had an alarm system with on board audio so that the owner could contact the bike via cell phone and be heard over the audio system. I’m not sure what use this would be other than to beg the thief not to take it or if he did, to treat it right.

To Production - In 2007 Suzuki introduced the B-King to the world as their new production muscle bike. Over the years the B-King had a few changes. The original 1300 supercharged Hayabusa engine was replaced with the 2008 Hayabusa 1340cc engine. The engine was not left untouched. Suzuki changed the valve dimensions, intake and exhaust dropping the horsepower at the wheel by 9.4 hp. Torque was reduced by 6 ft. Lbs. as well. In the grand scheme of things these reductions are minor as the power plant still generates enormous torque and horsepower at the rear wheel. On the road, torque is king. The B-King produces approximately 70 ft. Lbs. of torque @ 2,500 RPM. This low end torque reduces the need for shifting and provides for quicker times off the line.

Suzuki didn’t stop at the power plant….

Cosmetics - Suzuki went way over the top with the bold futuristic design of the B-King. The body style and colors are very polarizing. This is evident if you stand around any show room or show long enough to listen to people’s reactions or read the forums for that matter. Bottom line is people either like the bold style or they hate it. I personally like it and found that the all black model seemed to draw me in.

Brakes - Suzuki gave the B-King radial-mount front brake calipers which feature an all new design built specifically for the B-King and work with 310mm brake rotors to provide superior braking performance. On the rear a lightweight single piston brake caliper works with a 260mm rear disc. The front brake master cylinder has its own reservoir tank as well as the clutch master cylinder. Both of these components were designed specifically for the the B-King.

Chassis - The B-King got an all new Twin-spar cast aluminum alloy frame that provides optimum rigidity balance and superb handling. The swing arm is made of cast aluminum alloy constructed of 3 main sections for minimal welding lines and a clean overall look. The front forks are new as well. The KYB inverted front forks are specifically designed for the B-King and are fully adjustable for compression, rebound damping and spring preload to suit rider preferences. As for the rear suspension, new aluminum alloy rear shock absorber features three-way adjustability with excellent damping characteristics of Suzuki’s super sport models. One really nice feature is the standard steering damper that sucks up any energy from the road and provides added stability.

Instruments - Suzuki gave the B-King an all new instrument cluster with an analog tachometer, digital speedometer, fuel gauge, water temperature gauge, twin trip meters, clock, maintenance interval, running time, average speed, gear position indicator, and a S-DMS mode indicator. The S-DMS mode switch allows the rider to select A or B mode. Each mode provides a different fuel and ignition mapping. A mode is the full mode and the default. B mode limits the Hp to approximately 114 Hp. This would be used in a wet pavement situation. As for the instrument cluster, it’s one of the nicest gauge cluster’s I have come across.

Ergonomics - The rider position is closer to upright with a slight lean into the bars. The rider position is similar to that of a sport touring bike. The pegs are a bit high for a rider with a 32″ + inseam but still comfortable. The bike is beautifully balanced. The B-King weighs in at 518 lbs. but feels as if it weighs much less. The bike is very easy to maneuver at low speeds and feels like it’s riding on rails in the turns. The wide cowls on each side of the tank actually play a positive role in reducing wind on the lower extremities. In fact the wind felt on the rider is from the mid chest up.

Specifications

Test Ride & Results

First of all I want to clarify the scope of riding during this test. This was a 100% road test. No riding was performed on tracks of any kind. If you’re looking for track test results please look to TopSpeed and MotorcycleUSA for their reviews.

Let’s get on with the test ride. To get the best of lower speed town riding, straight and sweeping freeway as well as high and low speed turns I decided to choose a route along the Tacoma waterfront and up through the Tacoma City center. The second phase of the test would be a straight shot eastbound on Highway 509. Phase three would be the back half of Highway 509 that has some nice sweeping turns as well as tight turns including one 10 mph hair pin.

I could have picked a better day for the ride as we had partly cloudy conditions with some nice sun breaks. The temperature was 62 degrees and the pavement was a combination of dry, wet and in some cases a mix of both with fall leaves introducing dicey conditions. If that wasn’t enough throw in 15 mph wind gusts. All this provided for a real life road test with conditions riders face throughout the seasons with the exception of Ice.

The ride along the water was nice. The bike seemed to purr along at 2,500 RPM in 3rd gear still delivering a lot of torque with a twist of the throttle. The ride was almost vibration free. The road had a lot of bad spots in the pavement as well as some holes. The B-king just sucked them up retaining a smooth ride. This surprised me because my first impression was the suspension felt a bit stiff.

As I entered the City Center I encountered several blocks of stop and go and on several occasions I had to maneuver around vehicles that were stopped waiting for parking. The B-King was agile at low speeds and easy to maneuver. I started to notice the exceptional braking power of the bike as well.

At my last red light I waited for the green to bring it up in the RPM range as I entered Highway 509. Looking at a straight run for several miles this was a great opportunity to let the engine loose. The only cars on the road were next to me and miles ahead. I left the light and let the engine wind to 7,000 RPM and shifted to 2nd, then 3rd, 4th, and 5th. The acceleration was unbelievable to say the least. I didn’t come close to redline as it’s still a fresh engine. By time I was at the end of the bridge (a few blocks) the speedometer was in triple digits.

The torque is monstrous as the bike approaches 6,500 and then the horsepower curve really comes on leaving the rider at the rear of the seat. At these speeds the B-King was extremely stable and the wind was not too bad. I expected a lot more instability and wind blast at those speeds. I think the large cowls, tank and front end design diverted air flow away from my lower extremities. Since I had my high speed run out of the way, I slowed to a comfortable 70 mph for the next few miles. The riding position was very comfortable although I do think the pegs are a bit too high for riders with a 32″+ inseam. That said, The riding position is comfortable unlike the 2008 Hayabusa I rode a couple months prior.

The back half of 509 parallels the east side of Commencement Bay and provides some nice sweeping turns. That bike transitioned through the turns effortlessly at speeds over 75 mph. Further up 509 the road turned away from the water and began to deliver tighter turns with very little transition time between them. At this point the road conditions were still dry and 40 mph through the turns was not an issue. Within a mile or so the riding conditions significantly changed as the turns became covered in wet leaves and the pavement was wet. My speed was reduced to the posted speed limit. B-King sucked up these poor riding conditions with ease. I had no sensations of the tires pushing out as the bike effortlessly maneuvered through the turns.

During this ride I was fortunate to encounter a diverse set of riding conditions. The B-King handled them all with ease. The traction in wet pavement conditions was exceptional as was stability at low and higher speeds. Low speed maneuvering was a pleasure. The braking system on the B-King out performs any bike I have ridden to date including the Hayabusa. The riding position is very comfortable and may allow the B-King to enter into the Sport Touring class. The gages were simple to use and easy to read even with the sun behind the rider. There’s no doubt the B-king produces enormous torque and horse power, yet the bike is very well behaved in the lower speed and RPM range making the B-King a great all around roadster. I didn’t test the S-DMS modes because I didn’t find the need to reduce the performance of the bike. The only application for this mode would be new riders and or slippery conditions. The exhaust is quiet but has a nice low rumble. The bike is said to get between 30 and 35 Mpg. The tank only holds 3.6 US gallons. This makes for a short riding range. The seat is flat and stiff but so far I have not had any discomfort to my backside.

Pros:

• Good Rider Ergonomics.
• Great wind deflection for lower extremities.
• Extremely stable in all conditions.
• Steering stabilizer comes standard.
• Well balanced and is easy to maneuver at low speeds.
• Handles exceptionally at higher speeds including transitioning from turn to turn.
• Instrument cluster is easy to use as well as see under direct sunlight.
• The Braking system is one of the best. (Non ABS used in test)
• Flat engine torque curve from 70 ft. lbs. @ 2,500 RPM to 97.9 ft. Lbs @ 7,000 RPM.
• Monstrous Horsepower weigh in at 161.4 hp @ 9,000 RPM.
• Over the top futuristic looks.
• Possesses most of the traits found in a sport touring bike with a gob of torque & Hp to boot!

Cons:

• Peg height is questionable. Riders with 33″+ inseam may feel a bit cramped.
• Fuel capacity is border line inadequate. Suzuki could have made the cowls smaller and taken on another gallon and a half. This would have added to weight but I doubt it would be that much difference in performance.
• The bars could have been raised another 2″ for a better rider position.

The looks of the bike are over the top by design. I found the two tone charcoal and silver B-King to appear wider and take on more of a transformer type look then the solid black. I also wish Suzuki would have stayed with the headlight bucket design on the original concept bike. To each his or her own.

Overall the Suzuki B-King is an exceptional roadster that allows the rider to enjoy a diverse set of riding. I plan to install a set of textile bags and the B-King will double as a street muscle bike and a Sport Touring bike. As for sport touring there is no doubt I will have to plan my rides carefully due to fuel capacity limitations.

Kawasaki is recalling 5,804 MY 2008 KL650E8F and KL650E8FL (California) motorcycles. The turn signal stalk(s) can break, resulting in the signal assembly hanging by the wire harness. This could create a possibility of a crash resulting in injury or death. Dealers will replace all four turn signal assemblies. The recall began on October 13, 2008. Owners may contact Kawasaki at 1-866-802-9381.

Piaggio is recalling 850 MY 2006-2008 Aprilia Scarabeo 500 motorcycles equipped with Bitron fuel pump/fuel filters. The fuel hose connecting the fuel filter to the fuel pump/fuel filter mounting flange may come loose. If this connection is loose, or has become completely disconnected, there will be a drop, or loss of, fuel pressure to the engine. A drop or loss of fuel pressure to the engine could cause the engine to stall increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will install hose clamps to secure the existing fuel hose at both ends to the fuel pump and fuel filter. The recall is expected to begin on or before November 17, 2008. These fuel pumps/fuel filters were manufactured in Italy. Owners may contact Piaggio/Aprilia at 1-212-380-4431. This recall was the subject of a Preliminary Evaluation, PE08-050, conducted by the Office of Defects Investigation.

Buell is recalling 624 MY 2008-2009 XB12XT and MY 2009 XB12XP motorcycles. The windshields may become dislodged and allow the windshield to either strike or distract the rider while the vehicle is being ridden at a high speed. This could result in a crash, which could cause injury or death to the rider. Dealers will remove the windshield’s two rubber mounted nuts and install two new fastener assemblies. The recall began on October 22, 2008. Owners may contact Buell at 1-414-342-4080.

Buell is recalling 140 MY 2009 1125CR motorcycles. These motorcycles can experience a premature failure of the rear cylinder cam chain tension guide (Part No. F0020.1AM). This failure can cause plastic debris to block the oil pump screen, possibly leading to oil starvation and engine seizure. This condition may allow the engine to seize, resulting in rear wheel lock-up. This could result in a crash, which could cause injury or death to the rider. Dealers will replace the rear cam chain tensioner. These tension guides were manufactured in Austria. The recall began on October 22, 2008. Owners may contact Buell at 1-414-342-4680.

Ducati is recalling 289 MY 2008 Desmosedici RR motorcycles. The fuel tank drain and breather hose clamps may be installed incorrectly. This nonconformity may cause the fuel lines to weaken and break. This can result in damage to the motorcycle and a potential hazard to the rider. Dealers will replace the fuel filler drain hose, the fuel breather hose, and the hose clamps will be replaced and repositioned free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during November 2008. Owners may contact Ducati at 1-800-231-6696.

BMW is recalling 365 MY 2005-2006 HP2 Enduro motorcycles. The front threaded fastener of the paralever link may not have been tightened to correct specifications. If the fastener was not tightened according to specifications, it could loosen. Over time, it is possible for the fastener to separate from its housing. If this were to occur, then the final drive of the motorcycle would not be properly supported. If that happened, motorcycle handling would be compromised increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will remove the front threaded fastener of the paralever link and replace it with an improved fastener. The recall is expected to begin during November 2008. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.

Photo by Michael Pierce.

I yawn and roll over. There’s a burr somewhere near my ankle that has been pestering the hell out of me for most of the night. I struggle to locate the little… aggravation and finally succeed. There’s a definite downside to these camping… aggravations. I can’t get back to sleep. After laying in the dark for an hour listening to the night critters, there’s no more sleep to be found. I have to admit the truth. I’m wide awake.

I poke my head out of my tent to find that it is indeed as dark as the inside of any large animal you’d care to ruminate about. A firm press on the side of my trusty Timex “IndiGlow” ($12.95 at Target) wristwatch reveals the worst. I’m not surprised to find the big hand pointing to 6 and the little hand pointing to… uh… I need to put my glasses on for this. Oh…crud, the little hand is pointing to that odious blurred gap between 3 and 4. With a sigh, I launch myself into the now routine packing up camp jig. Thankfully there’s nobody but me utilizing this wee campground. I don’t have to feel guilty about waking anyone else, so I don’t. Both my bike and I grumble our way onto the road.

Twenty minutes ago I was sleeping. Now, I’m boring a hole through the inky blackness of a twisted gem of a highway. I head to Eugene on Oregon Highway 242. The Old McKenzie Pass Highway is narrow, and twirls through volcanic outflows and old growth timber, like a demented hippy-dancer at a Grateful Dead concert. It may be dark but the super bright headlamp I fitted to the nose of my beloved Kawasaki shreds the night while I play a funky beat with my right hand.

My sense of unity with the road, and with my motorcycle brings certain clarity to my head. No longer do I have feelings of failure. I am successfully living once again.

With clear skies and a warm morning sun playing through the trees along the highway, I follow the McKenzie River the last few miles to my favorite town in all of Oregon. I’m about to ride into “The World Headquarters of All Things Tie-died”. Some Hippy Haters call Eugene – ”Blue Gene”. I shrug that silliness off and admire how Eugene celebrates the free spirit in all of us. Heck, I’ve worn tie-died t-shirts most of my life. I just haven’t told anyone about my hidden Hippy.

Besides, the growling from my belly reminds me I’m hungry, and the pounding in my head from lack of caffeine increases my craving for a quad mocha. A stop at a long established café in the heart of town lets me soak up some Hippy Funk. I sit on a groovy little bentwood chair at a groovy little glass topped table and my waitress is a groovy college chick with dreadlocks and armpit hair. Soaking up all this Hippy ambiance, I listen to a cd of primitive World Music and savor some fresh free range chicken fried steak and a couple of certified organic eggs on eleventy-billion grain fresh baked bread. Hand sliced of course.

Eugene is a special kind of place. Yes, it sure is. Oh! Look! I think I just rode past the largest collection of VW Micro busses on earth!

Cool!

With a glance skyward to thank Jerry Garcia and all the Keyseyian Merry Pranksters, I turn onto Territorial Highway and head for Corvallis. My meandering route today will take me off the beaten track and onto some amazing one lane paved forest service roads.

It’s possible to ride from end to end in Oregon and do so without spending more than a few miles at a time on a road with a centerline. I won’t be pulling that feat off today or tomorrow. Instead, I’ll enjoy a sampling of some of the best motorcycle roads in the US of A.

We all know, Northern California has some famous roads. In fact, Highway 1 is one of the most frequently named “Ten Best Roads in North America”. I’ve ridden the coast route between Los Angeles and Crescent City a bunch of times. I’d never argue that it’s not a great road.

Riding in Oregon on this trip causes my opinion of ‘the best’ to waver. What I’m currently experiencing passing under my wheels is a revelation. In all my years of driving and riding in the Northwest and California; nobody told me that Oregon has so many hidden roads that rival the fantastic roads of California. If all you ever do is drive the Interstate from one end of the state to the other, you’ll never know what you’ve missed.

I’m throwing my bike through corners on yet another unknown road that gallops, falls, swirls and swoops through a dense forest. I’ve been doing this moto-dance for hours and I haven’t passed a single car or truck. Focus man! There’s no cell phone service out here and you’re still fifty miles from civilization! Plunge, bark, scritch, wail and flog. I’m working up a sweat with an outside temperature in the low 60s. I love it.

As the sun heads towards the horizon, I am sitting in yet another great coastal restaurant. Panko breading coated line caught Halibut dressed with a spicy wasabi based sauce, and accompanied by a fresh spinach salad used to hold a place on my plate. Now, it’s a pleasant memory in my belly. A crisp Rogue Ale has found it’s way past my lips and over my tongue. Life is good. I could get used to this kind of traveling.

I pay my waitperson (who’ll be here all week!) and head back up the hill from the tourist heavy Old Town area of Newport. A snug and simple motel room makes a nice break from the last week of camping. A hot shower, a book and a cold beer results in a solid night of sleep. As I fade away, I realize - there’s no burr bugging my ankle.

Morning means I continue north along the coast.

Today I dawdle, I delay, and I drag my feet like a five year old being told to go to bed. I’m very much aware that my trip is winding down. I’ve been on the road for almost a full month. I’ve grown used to riding nearly every day. I don’t fumble into my gear or waver in my riding. I’m as tuned in to being a motorcyclist as I’ve ever been. My riding is sure, confident and smooth. Yet, I take double the normal amount of time to pack my luggage. I stretch out the pre-ride walk around. I take chunks of extra time when I really shouldn’t be doing so.

I’ve become accustomed to setting my own schedule, planning (or not) my day by a whim rather than a need. Today, I have a goal. I look at the map this day, not with a sense of ‘where to?’ but with a sense of ’I need to be at that point by this time’. Already I note the subtle change in my mindset.

By this time tomorrow my trip will be a memory. I don’t want to be riding today. I don’t want this ride to end.

I press on. Riding north with the slate waters of the Pacific comforting me.

Afternoon is marked by crossing the Columbia River into my home state. The closer I get to home, the more I notice the frantic pace of humanity surrounding me. By late afternoon I’m at the southern edges of Puget Sound. The towns are closer together. My world begins to morph from a world of one into a world of suburbs, towns and cities. Finally with a knot of congestion it all congeals into one huge stewpot of people, where all those metropolitan zones merge.

I’m on the freeway this afternoon for the first time in weeks. I’m threatened again by people in their cages. They blissfully sip on their lattes as if I’m not there. The always busy cell phones are pressed to their ears with more fervor than ever. I dodge the lane changers who can’t be bothered to use their turn signals. I hover ahead of devil spawned tail-gaters in a self created safe zone as huge trucks and mini-van driving soccer moms do everything they can to squash me.

Stopping in front of a familiar door I reach down, and with a gloved finger I reluctantly press on the button of the garage door opener that has hung on my tank bag, unused for a month. I can’t hear the door open, even though I know there’s a rumble and a couple of clunks from the electric garage lift. I add an adjustment of the opener hardware to my mental list of things to do, as I pull into the comforting space of my garage.

This ride is over. I’ve covered more than eight thousand miles of roads. I’ve shared meals with friends. I’ve healed, I’ve learned to forgive and I’ve had a ball doing it.

With one last reach for the key, my journey ends.

The garage is swallowed by silence.

Don Mason and his 2006 Buell Ulysses.

If it is possible for a machine at rest to appear restless, Don Mason’s Buell fits the bill. The machine, covered with the dust of many miles, looks like it should be moving instead of sitting in a parking spot. Equipped with two GPS units, a SPOT locator system, and lots of Touratech pieces, the bike has been modified by Mason to cover serious ground with minimal fuss.

As is so often the case, the machine is a reflection of the man. Don Mason gives off a restless energy that indicates that, like his bike, he is most comfortable when on the move. By day Mason works for Island County, Washington. In his off hours he raises and trains search and rescue dogs. And, he rides. A lot.

Mason was one of five riders to visit 120 Washington State Parks in the 2008 Washington 120 State Park Photo Tour. His elapsed time of 138 days was the shortest of the six, earning him the number one position in this year’s tour.

For the Tour, riders must visit as many state parks as possible from a list provided by the Tour organizer. At each park riders must get a photograph of the park sign along with their Tour placard and, if possible, their motorcycle.

Organized by John Davis, Editor and Publisher of NorthwestCycleReport.com, the tour was inspired by motorcycle trips Davis took with his father to state parks in California. “It was a great way to see the state and for my Dad and I to spend time together. I have many great memories of him and the places we visited,” said Davis. “With all the beautiful places here in Washington, I thought it would be good to give folks a reason to go places they might not ever go on their own.”

Mason figures he rode his 2006 Buell Ulysses over 4,000 miles to visit all of the parks on this year’s list. “I went places that I would have never had a reason go if not for the tour,” Mason said. Asked about his favorite park, Mason said, “I think I live in the most beautiful place, so my favorite park is the one closest to home, Deception Pass.”

Mason plans to participate in the Tour next year, saying “I think I can do it in much less time; perhaps less than 2 weeks. I’ll definitely be back next year.”

Registration for next year’s event will open in March of 2009. There are plans to create tours in other states.

Others who visited all 120 parks during the 2008 event are:

• Duane Lessard
• Lyle Lessard
• The Newlywed Team of Faye Stukey and Mike Doll

The Washington 120 State Park Tour is a self-guided, self-paced motorcycle tour of 120 Washington State Parks. Riders accumulate points by visiting the parks and taking photographs to document their visit. The event is organized by NorthwestCycleReport.com, a website focused on motorcycling in the Pacific Northwest. More information is available at http://www.washington120.com.

Update - Hours after my meeting with Don, he was involved in an accident with a truck on Highway 9. Thanks to quality gear and Don’s rule of “All the Gear, All the Time,” Don walked away. The Buell was less fortunate and sustained heavy damage.

Photo by CarbonNYC

For many, winter means parking the bike and waiting out the cold, wet, gray months that take over from November through February. For some, it just means putting on warmer clothing and getting out the heavy duty rain gear.

I have a few words to the wise for both camps.

1. Watch it out there. People in the Puget Sound who drive cars, trucks and RV’s will panic when the roads get wet. Many of the imports (people born outside the Puget Sound region) have no clue about driving in less than perfect conditions.
2. You’re invisible. When the dark moist days hit visibility in most cars drops by as much as 60%. Think about how many of us drive everyday in fogged up cars for the first few miles until our windows defrost. While this takes place you cannot see much around you; especially a small two wheeled vehicle like a motorcycle.
3. Night vision ain’t day vision, baby. Remember your visibility and clarity at night drops significantly for both cyclists and drivers. So please drive slower and look around you more often. Do not hug bumpers; the truck in front of you can’t see you.

Here are a few things that you can do to make the most out of the winter days.

1. Buy a reflective safety vest and wear it. Yes, you may look like a flagger, but your life is worth it.
2. You might think about an upgrade in the horn department. The louder the better. Many bikes come with horns that sound weak and can’t be heard in many of today’s sound proof vehicles. A truck style air horn just may save your life.
3. Make sure you have bright headlamps and tail lights. Older cycles may be in need of high tech riding lights, the brighter the better.
4. Make sure that your equipment is in top condition. Start with tire pressure and tread wear. There are some great aftermarket tires out there designed to offer riders exceptional handling. But follow the pressure guide on the new tires for proper inflation. Many of the aftermarket tires have a much higher tire pressure than the stock tires. The mistake by some riders is to keep the same air pressure in the new tires they did in the old ones. Bad move.
5. Enjoy the cold days. As an enthusiast I can say I’ve had some of my best short rides on crisp, clear Saturday afternoons. Not a lot of people out on a cold January day as most are in watching football or out at the mall shopping. This makes for some very open roads. Did I say open? You know what I mean.
6. Use the down time to fix and repair any thing that needs to be tended to or that you put off during the prime riding season. For some this may mean stripping the bike down and getting a new paint job. For others it may mean a complete engine overhaul or tune up and lube.
7. Catch up on your movie watching. Go to your favorite DVD/Video outlet and rent a few old 60’s or 70’s biker movies. Start with Electra Glide in Blue – not a true cycle movie but a pretty tough and gritty movie involving a cop on an Electra Glide. Another good one is On Any Sunday. Even the local library system has Easy Rider and the granddaddy of them all, The Wild One. Just keep in mind, most of these biker flicks are adult fair and not geared to the kiddies.

The bottom line, whether you are a year-round rider or a fair weather rider, remember to drive safely and make the most out of our Puget Sound winters.

Finally, we had Flash Gordon, MD, author of Blood, Sweat, and 2nd Gear, on Hog Radio for an interview. As part of our interview we went over various real-life scenarios bikers come into. You would do well to listen to this episode as he gives a lot of great advice. Flash is an MD and a long time rider; he owns and rides an Aprilia and a BMW.

Have a great November and make sure to listen to Hog Radio as we will keep you entertained all winter long.

Steve Johann

Picking up where I left off.

After leaving Craig Vetter’s shop in Carmel, CA, we made our way to Hollister to find lodging for the night and to meet up with another legend in the world of biking. After chatting with a local we searched the yellow pages and ended up staying at the Cinderella Motel (we even stayed in the Cinderella Suite). We paid out $55.00 that night for 2 beds and a swimming pool.

The next morning as I was packing the van I met Mike and Janet, a couple who had ridden their Harley from Wisconsin all the way to Hollister. They were making their way to Southern California to meet up with Route 66 and follow the route all the way back to the East coast. After handing them a Hog Radio card, we said farewell, and the family and I headed out to visit Craig’s friend Mike Corbin at the Corbin factory, hoping that Mike might be willing to meet with me.

Upon arriving at the factory at 9 a.m., my family sat in the van while I went in. After spotting the receptionist, I handed her my card and told her to tell Mike that Craig sent me. Less than 30 seconds later I was ushered into Mike’s office where he proceeded to share with me for 30 minutes or so at which point he asked if I would like to take a tour and I said my family was out in the van and he said, “bring them in.”

With family in tow Mike took us through his company and shared with us the various aspects of the manufacturing and fabricating they were doing. He, like Sugar Bear and Craig, took a shine to my boys and made sure to bring them into the conversation. After our walk through the factory, Mike asked us if we would like to eat at the Wizard Café, an on-premises eatery designed to be a place for riders to sit and wait while they have their custom seats fabricated on the spot. We said sure, thinking we would shell out some money. Well low and behold Mike footed the bill! (Thanks again Mike!)

Corbin is celebrating 40 years this year, quite a feat for any company much less a motorcycle related company. Hollister is considered by many to be the birth place of the American Motorcycle Rally. It became immortalized by the movie “The Wild Ones.” On a side note, we just did an interview with Mike on Hog Radio www.hogradio.net so make sure to listen to it.

After we said our goodbyes we headed north to Dublin to meet with our final Hog Radio related destination, the Arlen Ness company.

Having arrived at the Arlen Ness building we went in and I handed the receptionist my Hog Radio card and requested if we could take a short tour of the facilities. After conferring with their PR spokesperson we were given a brief tour of the facilities. The Ness complex not only houses the factory where the Ness bikes are built but also houses a full line service shop where certified techs work on motorcycles of various makes and brands. The show room consists of the Arlen Ness Custom lines and Arlen Ness Signature Victory line of bikes as well.

The tour ended up at the Arlen Ness Museum where the company showcases many of the bikes and works of Arlen along with walls full of photos and articles highlighting his many achievements. While we were “ooing and awing” over the various creations, in walked Arlen himself.

Arlen, a soft spoken man, took time to talk with me and let me get a picture with him. He truly enjoys his life as a builder and rider, and is grateful to have three generations of the Ness family participate in the family business. After we chatted for a few minutes it was time to go, so we shook hands and agreed to interview him on Hog Radio.

After we exited the building and loaded the van up we headed out of the parking lot to make our way over to Hwy 1 to begin the last leg of our trip which was to continue our way up the coast via Hwy 1 and 101.

For the next three days we drove, camped and explored the beautiful coasts of Northern California and Southern Oregon. From the craggy ocean cliffs and sandy beaches to the towering Redwoods and the wind swept dunes of Dunes National Recreation Area, this is one of the most scenic routes to grace our American landscape.

When you take this route make sure to give yourself a number of days to enjoy the road; you really don’t want to rush it if you don’t have to. If you are like us, you don’t make reservations but trust that you will find a place to lay your head at the end of your day. Yes, this makes for a bit of nail biting, but it also brings you in touch with what it might have been like when we lived in simpler harsher times prior to the automobile.

There are plenty of campsites both private and public that don’t require reservations, though many take them. There are also plenty of motels, hotels and even bed and breakfasts. And you’re never too far from a gas pump, eatery or a market that you can pick up groceries and a cup of coffee. Of course there’s a fair share of tourist traps to avoid unless you’re a sucker for these money pits. One that I would avoid, but didn’t, is the Sea Lion Caves (my wife insists the kids needed to see it).

Be prepared to pay a lot for Coastal Hotel/Motels at least $15 to $30 more for a room as compared to a similar motel further inland. Oregon offers the cheapest price for gas and California is by far the highest with prices .20 to .30 cents more per gal than Washington prices.

The wrap: Being on the road with your family or friends for 16 days brings you together, and it builds lasting memories that will go with you to the grave. Road trips are part of who we are as Americans. For that matter, I’ve met many Europeans over the years who had come to the states and rented a car or cycle and were touring our byways.

Next summer, why not take a week or two and head down the coast if you haven’t done so before, you won’t regret it. And although we avoided rain, I strongly suggest you bring along your rain gear, but hey I’m talking to my fellow Pacific Northwesterners so I know that is your second skin!

God bless, ride safe and we will see you out on the road.

Steve Johann