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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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
So, did we do something cool or crazy? Let us know in the comments.
Over the Columbus federal holiday weekend Debbie and I took our first long ride on the new motorcycle (I will be posting about the new motorcycle soon). The weather was supposed to be cool but not terrible. However, cool turned into cold and cold turned to a mix of rain and snow.
This was also likely the last overnight trip of the season as we head, quickly, into winter! Winter sucks!
Sunday morning, we pulled out and headed south to Staunton, Virginia. Our goal was to ride “The Raptor”, 88 miles across 8 mountains with sections of twisties that rival the Tail of the Dragon.
The Raptor lived up to its appearance on the map. Multiple up and down hill switchbacks, tight twisty turns many exceeding 90 degrees. In other words, it is a lot of fun for riders that like this type of road. This is also a road, like the Tail of the Dragon, that if you don’t pay attention, AND ride within your abilities, you could get yourself into trouble.
There’s nothing quite like riding US Route 250, the Raptor, on a motorcycle. It’s a thrilling experience that takes you through some of the most scenic and challenging roads in the country. You’ll encounter twists and turns, mountains and valleys, forests, and farms, as you cruise along this stretch of asphalt.
When we finished The Raptor, I wanted to turn around and head back to do it again. But the temperature had dropped, and Debbie wanted to head to the hotel. Alas, I was relying on the GPS and did not realize it was set to “Scenic” not fastest. OPPS! About an hour into what I thought was to be, at most, a 30 minute trip I realized my mistake. 20 minutes later we made it to the Corduroy Inn and Lodge at Snowshoe, WV, our stop for the night.
At this point I started to understand fully (not that I did not already know from being there multiple times) that we were at a ski resort. Debbie and I started laughing about our situation and quickly made for the Inn.
The next morning, I walked out to see how the weather impacted the bike and parking lot. There was some snow on the motorcycle, but the parking lot was good to go, with no ice or snow. Also, upon check out we were told we should have used the parking garage… thanks guys we will know for next time.
By the way, our room at the Corduroy Inn was genuinely nice, we would stay there again.
Pulling out we headed first to Senica Rocks for breakfast and the view. It was cooling off even more and starting to rain so we spent little time on the view.
Back on the road we headed to the house and made it home on a filthy and wet motorcycle and looking forward to warm showers!
A few years ago, I wrote about a website that the federal government did right. The Federal Highway Administration’s America’s Byways website is a good place to look for roads to ride. I use this website often to find interesting roads to travel while at or on the way to or from my destination.
The website has both roads designated as American Byways and All-American Roads. The homepage describes the differences between the two types of roads.
I am revisiting this website because they have added forty new roads to the list that now totals 184 byways for us to travel. You can discover the roads by clicking on the state you want to travel and see what National Bayway or All-American roads are there for you to explore.
The following are a few examples of the new roads added to list and might make my bucket list:
Cascade Loop, Washington – 440 miles
Newfound Gap Road Byway, Tennessee – 50 miles
Door County Costal Byway, Wisconsin – 67 miles
Trail of the Ancients, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico – 480 miles
Bayou Teche Scenic Byway, Louisiana – 296 miles
Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway, Nebraska – 438 miles
If you do not have National Scenic Byways & All-American Roads website in your riding toolbox… do it now!
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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.
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.
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NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V620000
Manufacturer Ducati North America
Components STRUCTURE
Summary Ducati North America (Ducati) is recalling certain 2018-2020 XDiavel S and XDiavel Standard motorcycles. The side stand bracket may fail, causing the side stand to open while riding and resulting in an unexpected engine shutdown.
Remedy Dealers will install a new side stand bracket, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 3, 2023. Owners may contact Ducati customer service at 1-888-391-5446. Ducati’s number for this recall is SRV-RCL-23-004.
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Ride On, Ride Safe
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I JUST WANT 2 RIDE!! 