The Moment Collector is an anthology of short stories from motorcyclists traveling the world. The collector of these stories is Sam Manicom, himself a world traveler on two wheels.

Sam collected twenty tales from intrepid motorcycling travelers. As with all anthologies some stories are more engrossing than others, some writers are better than others. Yet overall, I enjoyed the book greatly.

I was familiar with a few of the authors, Tim Notier for example, but most were new to me. Mr. Manicom provided each writer’s social media information with their stories. A subtle but impactful touch that allowed me to see more about each of them.

As noted above, it is difficult for any collection of stories, or moments, to have every tale a hit. I am giving this book a 4-Star review because it is an anthology and not all the stories were great.

However…. It should be part of your motorcycle book library!

Ride On, Ride Safe

Other books of Sam Manicom I have reviewed: Tortillas and Totems

Full disclosure Sam authored a guest post on this blog, and I paid for this book and was not paid for the review.

ijustwant2ride.com

Down Shift – National Motorcycle Museum is closing.

Sadly, the National Motorcycle Museum will close its doors in September. The museum in Anamosa, Iowa, was opened 22 years ago by the owners of J&P Cycle John and Jill Parham. John passed away in 2017.

Their notification stated, “We have struggled for several years to cover wages and utilities partly due to low visitations.”

The museum states that it will auction its collections to pay outstanding bills. This auction will include both motorcycles and memorabilia that the Parham’s collected over their many years in the motorcycle industry.

My Take Just another sad note reflecting both the results of the pandemic and the state of the motorcycle industry in America.  Also, I am not sure that Anamosa, Iowa is a destination for a lot of folks. I would not be surprised if more “niche” museums closed their doors in the near future.

*****

Up Shift – Moto Guzzi Experience

Moto Guzzi motorcycles are sponsoring 3 events around the USA.  The first up is in Bozeman, MT (June 28th-July3rd 2023).  The second is in the Smoky Mountains starting in Knoxville, TN (August 30th-September 4th). The third Moto Guzzi Experience runs October 18th – 23rd in the Ozark Mountains around Bentonville AK.

All these events include tour leaders and support vehicles, and you can rent a Moto Guzzi if you do not want to ride yours to the event. Base costs? $2,500 if you rent a motorcycle, $1,500 if you bring your own and passengers cost $1,000. That cost includes hotels, full board (minus alcohol), the tour leader and support vehicle.

Folks who attend the event will get a discount on a new V100 Mandello or a V85TT afterwards.  Discounts of up to $1,250 on a new bike is never a bad thing.

My Take: I am assuming these events are going to be similar to what the Harley Owners Group does with their annual rallies If that is the case it should be a lot of fun. In fact, we were at one of the HOG rallies last year in the Smokey Mountains. If you attend of these Moto Guzzi events let me know I would like to hear how it turned out.

*****

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.

Also, 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.

*****

NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V088000

Manufacturer Suzuki Motor USA, LLC

Components SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Summary Suzuki Motor USA, LLC (Suzuki) is recalling certain 2022 GSX1300RRQ/ZM2 (Hayabusa) motorcycles. An incorrect position of the front brake master cylinder primary port could cause the port to become blocked, and result in a gap between the front brake pad and discs. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 122, “Motorcycle Brake Systems.”

Remedy Dealers will replace the front brake master cylinder body, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 1, 2023. Owners may contact Suzuki’s customer service at 1-800-934-0934. Suzuki’s number for this recall is 2A99.

*****

Manufacturer Bombardier Recreational Products, Inc. (Can-Am Spyder)

Components VISIBILITY

Summary Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP) is recalling certain 2022 Cam-Am Spyder F3 and F3-S motorcycles. The rearview mirror lens may detach from the housing.

Remedy Dealers will install new mirror assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 9, 2023. Owners may contact BRP customer service at 1-888-272-9222.

*****

NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V051000

Manufacturer BMW of North America, LLC

Components ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Summary BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2022-2023 S 1000R and 2020-2023 S 1000XR motorcycles. During a software update performed at a dealership, the “Dynamic Pro” riding mode feature “front wheel lift-off assistant” may have been inadvertently deactivated without alerting the rider.

*****

Ride On, Ride Safe

BEST WEIRD motorcycles of 2022! This year I started with a list of 26 really off the wall, weird and strange motorcycles. I had a hard time knocking them down to just the 9 best. I could very easily have 9 runner up’s that could have made it to this list.

Just a quick note, these motorcycles may have been around for a few years, but I first noticed them this past year.

Which is your favorite weird motorcycle for 2022?

I think these motorcycle helmets qualify as weird or strange for 2022!

This year I started with 13 candidate helmets but as always, I strike them down to 9.  Why 9?  Because everyone does 10 and 11 is too much work!

So, which one is your fav-o-rite? Do you have any suggestions for 2023 put them in the comments below.

Maybe one way to judge if we are returning to something approaching normal is the number of motorcycle events around the world. I started with the over 20 motorcycle themed posters, many of which were for events in 2022. However, come on guys, put a little more effort into your designs and PLEASE put something about the location on the poster too!

Below are the top 9 motorcycle posters for 2022. My personal favorite is the flat-track motorcycle rider on the moon by Ryan Roadkill. Which one do you like best!

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.

Also, 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.

*****

NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V006000

Manufacturer Triumph Motorcycles America, Ltd.

Components ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Summary Triumph Motorcycles America, Ltd. (Triumph) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Speed Triple RS and Speed Triple RR motorcycles. The radiator fan may overheat, causing the fan motor to fail.

Remedy Dealers will install an additional heatshield, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 1, 2023. Owners may contact Triumph’s customer service at 1-678-854-2010. Triumph’s number for this recall is SRAN 605.

*****

NHTSA Campaign Number: 23E004000

Manufacturer Comoto Holdings, Inc.

Components EQUIPMENT

Summary Comoto Holdings, Inc. (Comoto Holdings) is recalling certain Bilt Vertex BLH133, Bilt Vertex Parabola BLH141, and Bilt Vertex Stripes BLH134 helmets, in sizes SM, MD, LG, and XL. The helmets may lack retention system integrity and adequate penetration protection. As such, these helmets fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 218, “Motorcycle Helmets.”

Remedy Comoto Holdings will either provide a credit or replace the helmet, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 1, 2023. Owners may contact Comoto Holdings’ customer service at 1-888-258-9530.

*****

NHTSA Campaign Number: 23E003000

Manufacturer Comoto Holdings, Inc.

Components EQUIPMENT

Summary Comoto Holdings, Inc. (Comoto Holdings) is recalling certain Bilt Route BLH100, Bilt Route Retro Womens BLH118, and Bilt Route Journey BLH109 helmets, in sizes MD, XL, and XXL. The helmets may lack adequate penetration protection. As such, these helmets fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 218, “Motorcycle Helmets.”

Remedy Dealers will either provide a credit or replace the helmets, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 1, 2023. Owners may contact Comoto Holdings’ customer service at 1-888-258-9530.

*****

NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V957000

Manufacturer Indian Motorcycle Company

Components STRUCTURE

Summary Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain 2022 Chief, Chief Bobber, Chief Bobber Darkhorse, Chief Darkhorse, Super Chief, and Super Chief Limited motorcycles. The kickstand may not properly retract upon ground contact when left extended while riding. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 123, “Motorcycle Controls and Displays.”

Remedy The remedy is currently under development. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed January 25, 2023. A second notice will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Indian customer service at 1-877-204-3697. Indian’s number for this recall is I-23-01.

*****

Ride On, Ride Safe

This year I started with 15 wonderfully designed or painted motorcycle tanks, just pieces of art!  It was difficult to get down to the 9 best of 2022.

These motorcycle tanks may have been around for a while but, 2022 was the first time I have seen them.  I hope you like them as much as I do.

Which is your fav-o-rite!

Ride On, Ride Safe

Saint Florian – the Patron Saint of Firefighters

By the title of the movie, you can guess this is a film about a firefighter motorcycle club.  You would be right, but there is a lot more to it than just a motorcycle club movie.

This is a movie more about the mental health aspects of first responders and what they bring home after years of service.  How PTSD is impacting their lives and that of their families and the fact that they find it difficult to deal with the issues while on duty.

That said…. This is a difficult film to watch.

The Florian Knights were formed in 2017 in Vancouver, Canada by an active firefighter. It was his attempt to create a group of motorcyclists to ride with and to talk about the hard stuff, away from work. Each of the members of this chapter had a reason, beyond riding, to join the club.

A year or so later, in New York City, another firefighter was starting a riding club with the same name, Florian Knights. When he found out that there was already a firefighter motorcycle club by that name, they decided to open a new chapter to help fulfill the same purpose.

My motorcycle is my medicine.

Many of the Florian Knights, throughout the movie, comment that motorcycling helps cope with their stress and PTSD. This is where the first twist in the movie occurs.

The film switches from a documentary of the two clubs to an actual scientific study of motorcycling on the brain.  A Doctor of Psychology wants to track brain patterns and uses many members of the clubs as test subjects.  Putting on wired caps under their helmets to track how their brains worked while riding.

No surprise to us, motorcycling reduces stress by 28% according to the study.

Right after this segment the movie takes a second, harsher, twist.  This twist I am not going to describe as I will leave it to you to create your own take away. I am also not going to rate this motorcycle move as I don’t think it can judge it on a normal scale, it is just so different.

What do you think of how this motorcycle movie ends? Let me know in the comments.

2022 was an OK year for motorcycle memes. The internet though up a lot of recycled, older memes and a bunch of really dumb motorcycle themed memes. Yet, I found 12 decent and/or funny memes and narrowed that down to best 9 motorcycle memes for 2022.

Why nine? Because everyone does 10 and 11 is too much work!