It is that time of year again, IJustWant2Ride’s BEST OF SERIES!! First up are the best memes of 2023. There were a lot of great memes this year, but these are the memes that I like the best.
I started with 18 memes, collected though out the year, and had to cut that into half to get to the 9 best. Why 9? Because everyone does ten and 11 is too much work!
Weather, snow, ice or freezing rain permitting the wife and I like to go out for a motorcycle ride each New Year’s Day. It has been a 50/50 proposition most years for these rides, but this year the forecast looked cold but ridable. Good weather for Polar Bears and nut cases like us.
At about 11AM we set out with our friend and neighbor Mark for a 90-mile ride. The sky was dark and overcast and looked heavy with moisture but, the weather folks reported that there was only a very low chance of precipitation. The temperature was 39F degrees, a very wet, damp feeling 39 degrees.
Leaving Front Royal, VA we headed east towards the town of Warrenton, which is not named after me sadly. I was quickly reminded of one of the failings of my Sena Outrush (Harley version) motorcycle helmet, the visor is not pinlock ready and I had, yet again, not ordered the replacement. Because of that I had to The Sena communication package worked well the entire ride as all three of us were paired and could talk as we rode.
About 30 minutes into the ride, it started snowing! Soon snow was swirling in tiny tornados across the pavement. It was not sticking to the pavement so onward we rode our iron horses into the cold and snow! 😊
At the halfway point the temperatures had not improved but the snow had slowed to just random flakes here and there. However, the cold was starting to penetrate, making us feel a little like the polar bears of this namesake ride. This ride, during a warmer time, is a great one for those that wish to visit Civil War historical site. There are many road markers directing you to those sites along the way.
Arriving back home it was a bit of a struggle to get off the motorcycle. Instead of just swinging my leg over the back rest and off the bike, I had to slide it across the seat and off. I had tightened in the cold and was quite stiff. Plus, it did not help that I had multiple layers of clothing and leather chaps in hopes to stay warm.
If you have been reading this blog for a long you might recall that I had called these rides “Frosty Balls” rides. I can no longer do that as the new motorcycle has a heated seat! LOL Between the heated seats and the heated hand grips all I need is a heated body!
If you would like some tips for cold weather riding check this post out “9 Cold Weather Riding Tips”
For those of you that ride Harley Davidson models with the “Boom Box” system you can download our ride here “2024 Front Royal Polar Bear Ride“
Ride On, Ride Safe!
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Be aware that this motorcycle recall list is for the United States for the last 30 days, there is no way I could cover the entire world. But in the world of global manufacturing, if a motorcycle is being recalled in one country there is a good chance it is under recall in others. So, safety first.
Also, (DISCLAIMER) this should not be considered a definitive list, check for yourself if you have any questions.
If you are US based, use the NHTSA website http://www.safercar.gov. Enter your VIN number to see if your motorcycle is affected by the recall.
If you are based outside the USA, use the appropriate website to locate recalls that may impact you.
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NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V856000
Manufacturer Bombardier Recreational Products, Inc.
Components VISIBILITY
Summary Bombardier Recreational Products, Inc. (Bombardier) is recalling certain 2023 Can-Am F3 and F3-S motorcycles. The rearview mirror lens may dislodge from the housing.
Remedy Dealers will install new mirror assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 22, 2024. Owners may contact BRP customer service at 1-888-272-9222. Bombardier’s number for this recall is Bulletin 2023-9. This recall is an expansion of Recall 23V-053.
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NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V855000
Manufacturer Bombardier Recreational Products, Inc.
Components FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Potential Number of Units Affected 10,969
Summary Bombardier Recreational Products, Inc. (Bombardier) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Can-Am Ryker motorcycles. The impeller may swell, causing the high-pressure fuel pump to fail.
Remedy Dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pump as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed January 22, 2024. Owners may contact Bombardier customer service at 1-888-272-9222. Bombardier’s number for this recall is Bulletin 2023-10
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NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V836000
Manufacturer Harley-Davidson Motor Company
Components ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, STRUCTURE
Summary Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain 2023 FLHXSE (Street Glide CVO) motorcycles. The motorcycle may react unexpectedly and become difficult to control when traveling at certain high speeds, especially on rough roads or through wind gusts.
Remedy Dealers will update the engine control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 22, 2023. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson’s number for this recall is 0185.
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NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V829000
Manufacturer Indian Motorcycle Company
Components ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Summary Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain 2023 Chieftain Elite, 2023-2024 Chieftain Dark Horse, Chieftain Dark Horse Icon, Chieftain Limited, Chieftain, Roadmaster Limited, Roadmaster Dark Horse, Roadmaster, Springfield, Springfield Dark Horse, and 2024 Roadmaster Elite motorcycles. The crankshaft position sensor may have been routed improperly, which can result in an engine stall.
Remedy Dealers will inspect and reroute, or replace the crankshaft position sensor as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 28, 2023. Owners may contact Indian customer service at 1-877-204-3697. Indian’s number for this recall is I-23-07.
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NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V820000
Manufacturer Ducati North America
Components SEATS
Summary Ducati North America (Ducati) is recalling certain 2016-2023 XDiavel S and XDiavel STD motorcycles. The passenger backrest may break if it is installed incorrectly or used incorrectly by the passenger.
Remedy Dealers will inspect the passenger backrest installation, tighten the screws as necessary, and also apply a warning sticker on the component, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed January 9, 2024. Owners may contact Ducati customer service at 1-888-391-5446. Ducati’s number for this recall is SRV-RCL-23-005.
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Ride On, Ride Safe
DOWN Shift – Vehicle Kill Switches
Nothing has changed except that National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has published it preliminary report on the Biden Infrastructure mandate regariding vehicle kill switches. The NHTSA is looking for public feedback on this issue. One of the areas that they are looking for input is on false positives.
My Take – False positives shutting your car/motorcycle off is one major area of concern I have with this proposed legislation. Even with 99.9% success rate that would leave millions of vehicles shutdown every day. Another major area of concern for me, can the police or OTHER government officials shut down your car remotely? Just because they say that it will not happen does not mean it will not happen. You can supply that feedback and make your voice heard on this new regulation by going to regualtions.gov and searching for the docket number, NHTSA-2022-0079.
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UP Shift – Bently and Ducati team up for a luxury motorcycle
The Ducati Diavel V4 motorcycle is getting the Bently Batur treatment.
The Bently Batur with a twin-turbo 12-cylinder 730HP engine is the most powerful Bentley ever to leave the production line. The Batur was limited to a run of just 18 but Ducati can let you get a taste of that exclusivity.
The Ducati is painted a Scarab Green color that pulls from the Bentley Mulliner palette. The lines of the motorcycle are being updated to reflect the Bently’s characteristics. Featuring forged rims that reflect the shapes of the car. The bike’s two-tone grille comes directly from the Batur while the triangular exhaust pulls from the sports car and front mudguard, fairing and upper view of the tank are meant to look like Batur’s hood.
Even with the Bently treatment buyers have option:
Two-seat or single-seater tail configuration. The rider’s seat is covered in black Alcantara and red fabric that matches the look of Batur’s seats. The Bentley logo is embroidered on the rear pad.
A “jet” helmet
A matching jacket
Ducati will sell only 550 of these luxury motorcycles. Fifty examples are reserved exclusively for Bentley owners, who can add even more custom elements.
Each bike comes with a certificate of authenticity, a passenger seat and motorcycle cover, delivered in a personalized wooden case.
My Take – WOW. No pricing was available when I wrote this post, but I expect it will be out of my tax bracket. I put this as an upshift as it draws attention to the motorcycle industry. If a Bently Batur owner gets a matching motorcycle, maybe just maybe they might buy a bike that they will actually ride.
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Ride on, Ride Safe
Winter in the northern hemisphere is approaching fast, maybe faster then you can ride your motorcycle south, chasing the sun! On top of that there is great concern that the winter in the Unites States may be worse than normal because of an El Nino jet stream pulling damp air and turning it into snow. Just look a few post in the past to see we had a winter ride already this year.
If you want or “need” to ride in winter here are some tips to help you prepare for the conditions. However, always look at the level of risk to reward before you ride out.
It is possible to ride your motorcycle in winter and even with there is snow and ice on the ground. You just have to be very careful as you only have two wheels to handle the conditions. As I mentioned above always weigh the risk vice the reward before heading out on a cold winter day.
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Ride On, Ride Safe! 🏍️
Be aware that this motorcycle recall list is for the United States for the last 30 days, there is no way I could cover the entire world. But in the world of global manufacturing, if a motorcycle is being recalled in one country there is a good chance it is under recall in others. So safety first.
Also, (DISCLAIMER) this should not be considered a definitive list, check for yourself if you have any questions.
If you are US based, use the NHTSA website http://www.safercar.gov. Enter your VIN number to see if your motorcycle is affected by the recall.
If you are based outside the USA, use the appropriate website to locate recalls that may impact you.
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Components SERVICE BRAKES, AIR, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Summary CFMOTO POWERSPORTS, INC. (CFMOTO) is recalling certain 2022-2023 700CL-X motorcycles. The ABS control module software settings may delay braking when the hand brake lever is squeezed two or more times, and therefore lengthen the distance required to stop the motorcycle.
Remedy Dealers will update the ABS software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 27, 2023. Owners may contact CFMOTO customer service Toll Free at (888) 8-CFMOTO (283-6686) or at 1-763-398-2690; or via email at info@cfmotousa.com. CFMOTO’s number for this recall is WAR-2023-07 and is available online at www.cfmotousa.com.
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Components SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Summary Triumph Motorcycles America, Ltd. (Triumph) is recalling certain 2020 Rocket 3 TFC, 2020-2024 Rocket 3 R, Rocket 3 GT, 2022 Rocket 3 GT Triple Black, and Rocket 3 R Black motorcycles. The rear brake master cylinder may fail to move fluid through the system properly, requiring an extended distance to stop.
Remedy Dealers will replace the rear brake master cylinder, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 20, 2023. Owners may contact Triumph’s customer service at 1-678-854-2010. Triumph’s number for this recall is SRAN 611.
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Ride On, Ride Safe
I am always looking at motorcycle news. Sometimes it is good news, sometimes it is not so good news. Here I give you a quick synopsis of the news story that caught my eye and then my take on that story.
Down Shift – Vehicle Kill Switches
Under the Biden Infrastructure Bill “provision requires such technology to “passively monitor the performance of a driver” and “prevent or limit motor vehicle operation if an impairment is detected.” That “this needs to be developed and rules given to manufactures by 2026”. We could see this as a “new feature”, for which we will be paying, by 2027.
My Take – Some are arguing that this is not a kill switch, but from the way I read the language it is a kill switch. Whether or not it will stop a moving vehicle is a different question. But, the way government bureaucracies work, if it does not cover stopping a moving vehicle at first, it soon will.
We do not need this level of government interference in our lives. While the provision states “impaired driver” now what prevents the standard from changing to something different in the future.
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Down Shift – Using Technology to limit vehicle speed.
To prevent deaths from speeding, the NTSB has recommended limiting the speed of cars via technology, if necessary. This proposed action is another part of the Biden Infrastructure Plan. This effort is modeled from the European Union legislation requiring all new vehicles to have “intelligent speed assistance” systems as standard equipment, which can be temporarily overridden by the driver. The limiting technology, known as Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA), doesn’t force drivers to obey the speed limit.
My Take – I am sure that Vision Zero has their smelly little hands on both these rules that were slide into the Biden Infrastructure Plan. Yes, I do not like the Vision Zero folks. IMHO they are nothing but little totalitarians who what to eliminate motorcycles from the road. I am sure their unwritten manifesto is “The best way to save lives in the transportation system is to have no transportation”.
They state that the ISA will not force drivers/riders to obey the speed limit but, like the above proposal, if it does not at the start it will in a few years.
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Ride on, Ride Safe
Why just 9 ideas for your motorcyclist? Because 10 is too much work!! LOL
Your biker/motorcyclist, deep down, wants some motorcycle related stuff. Any parts or accessories for the bike or new gear for them will likely work, but here are a few other items to think about. If you have some different ideas include them in the comments!
9 – Communication Gear – There are several options out there that will allow your motorcycle rider to talk to a group of other riders, listen to music or answer your phone call. Sena and Cardio are two of the more popular brands.
8 – Battery Tender – Winter is coming and if your rider has to lock away the motorcycle a battery tender will keep the battery fresh all winter. preparing motorcycle for winter | I JUST WANT 2 RIDE!!.
7 – Cleaning equipment – Take a look at your riders cleaning equipment. Does it look worn and tattered? Consider replacing their current equipment for new cleaning equipment. For those times you just want to clean the bike quickly between rides I use and recommend Bugslide. I am not paid by, but I do endorse Bugslide.
6 – Recording equipment – A GoPro or similar type of device to record their rides.
5 – New riding gear – Do their riding gloves look ratty? What about their boots or jackets? Now might be a good time to gift them with new motorcycle riding gear.
4 – Motorcycle related books – There are a lot of them out there. I just finished reading the memoir of Willie G. Davidson, grandson of the founders of Harley Davison. You can read my review here.
3 – Their bike on something – and I am not talking about crack or meth. There are a lot of companies that will take a photo of their motorcycle and put it on mugs, pillows, t-shirts and even make it into a 3d Christmas ornament.
2 – Custom Dynamics Motorcycle Lights – Custom Dynamics makes SUPER BRIGHT, eye catching lights for many motorcycle models. I suggest their ProBeam LED Motorcycle Turn Signals! I have had them on 3 motorcycles and highly recommend them. As before, I am not getting paid to promote these motorcycle lights, I just believe in them.
1 – Membership – Motorcyclist need to make sure their rights are not trampled upon. There are two good groups that help preserve those rights. Sign your rider up for either or both!
American Motorcycle Association – Membership does not only help in the political arena but also include discounts on products and emergency towing. The AMA is the largest motorcycle lobbyist group.
Motorcycle Rider Foundation – In addition to their pro-motorcycle lobbying efforts membership will get you a $4000 AD&D insurance policy and regular weekly/monthly updates on what is going on in Washington DC.
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Ride On, Ride Safe
“Ride Free” is a memoir by Willie G. Davidson, the grandson of one of the founders of Harley-Davidson. The book is a personal history of Harley-Davidson and a man who poured his life force into it. It is more than an autobiography, as it also provides insight into the company’s history, told from Davidson’s unique perspective. He does a wonderful job recounting his memories of family and events that shaped his life and the Harley Davidson motorcycles and the company.
Ride Free is an intimate, personal history of Harley-Davidson and a man who poured his life force into it. The first-person account of how the motorcycles evolved and how the company survived and thrived are riveting at times. His role in changing how the company designed and built motorcycles and his role in advancing the technology of the company.
His point of view tale of how Harley Davidson survived under AMF and how they bought the company away from AMF provided a version of the story I had not heard before. That alongside stories of the development of iconic motorcycles like the “Wide Glide” and “Fat Boy” make the book a page turner.
Whether or not you are a fan of Harley Davison this is an enjoyable read. The story of a man that dedicated his life to his family business, started by his grandfather and uncle, and sustained by his father, is worth your time.
Motorcycles have been a part of the military from the start of the motorcycle era. Used to scout, carry dispatches and even as machine gun platforms, motorcycles have been a tool of war. There are a lot of veterans that have ridden those motorcycles. Here is a quick short look of those veterans and their motorcycles.
I JUST WANT 2 RIDE!! 