Posts Tagged ‘Royal Enfield’

Motorcycle News – South Pole and not so Super Superbikes

Posted: January 18, 2022 in Motorcycle, Motorcycle advocacy, Motorcycle news, Motorcycle racing, motorcycle safety
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ijustwant2ride.com

This is my take on motorcycle news that grabbed my attention. There is a whole lot more out there, but this is the news that I want to discuss. Drop me a note if you disagree with my take.

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Up Shift – Royal Enfield’s Tour of the South Pole – A month or so ago I mentioned that Royal Enfield was going to ride to motorcycles to the South Pole.  On December 16, 2021, Santhosh Vijay Kumar and Dean Coxson reached the South Pole on board their Royal Enfield Himalayan.  It took them 15 days, a bit longer then expected due to a blizzard that forced a detour.

My Take – No world records involved just the bragging rights that the Himalayan motorcycle can take you on any adventure.  Congrats to the riders and Royal Enfield!  Oh and yes, it is summer at the South Pole, with temps getting to a balmy -22F.   

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Hitting Neutral – Motorcycles with Speed Limiters – Are motorcycles to fast? Whether or not you agree some motorcycle manufacturers are going to limit the top speed of their bikes. Those top end motorcycles, or superbikes, are going to be limited to 300KPH or 186MPH.

This is an attempt to appease politicians and safety activists ahead of any legal action taken by those politicians at the behest of the safety activists. So, the next batch of superbikes will be slower than the current models. Not sure that has ever happened before.

My Take – Is 200MPH to fast on a motorcycle, other then on a track?  Well yes, of course it is.  But, I do not like that we have to be forced to do something in the hopes that the politicians and activists will be appeased because they will NEVER BE APPEASED.

I have said it often in this blog, the end goal of safety activists, like the Vision Zero zealots, is to end motorcycling completely.

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Ride on, Ride Safe

Motorcycle News: A trip to the South Pole and a Ducati record.

Posted: November 16, 2021 in Motorcycle, Motorcycle advocacy, Motorcycle news
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ijustwant2ride.com

This is my take on motorcycle news that grabbed my attention. There is a whole lot more out there but this is the news that I want to discuss. Drop me a note if you disagree with my take.

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Up Shift – Royal Enfield at the South Pole – How do you celebrate 120 years making motorcycles? You take a ride to the South Pole! Starting November 26th Royal Enfield is taking two modified Himalayans on a 39-day, 480-mile adventure to the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station.

The motorcycles, ridden by Royal Enfield worker Santhosh Vijay and Dean Coxson, will ride in the tracks of the support vehicles. The bikes have been tested in Iceland to make sure they are capable for this tour of the real down under.

My Take – This is pretty cool (LOL get it)!  Some purest have poo-pooed the fact that they are riding in the competed tracks of the support vehicles, but I don’t have a problem with that. I guess that they are riding to the pole in the summer is an issue as well.  No, Royal Enfield is stepping up their game.

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Up Shift – Ducati has record sales – Ducati is claiming that 1 in 4 superbikes sold is a Ducati Panigale. Not only that but they passed last year’s sales in the first 9 months of 2021. 2021 has been their best year ever with 49,693 motorcycles sold before the fourth quarter even began. The Multistrada was the best seller followed by the Scrambler 800, Streetfighter V4 and then the Monster.

My Take – 4,475 of that record setting number were sold in the US so we are doing our part! Congratulations to not only Ducati but to the industry!  Maybe, just maybe we are on the upswing of a new peak in motorcycling.

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Ride on, Ride Safe

The International Motorcycle Show 2021

Posted: October 10, 2021 in custom motorcycle, Motorcycle, Motorcycle news, motorcycle show, Rally
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I am just now getting around to writing about our trip to the 2021 International Motorcycle Show. Life and work have been pushing against riding and writing for a couple months now thus the reason for fewer posts.  I hope that is changing for the better, fingers crossed.

For us this year’s show was held at the Carlisle, Pennsylvania Fairgrounds, which is about a two-hour trip for us.  That was not much more than the trip into Washington, DC.  The trip into the city, while 100 miles closer, could often take hours as well.

The fairground was mostly flat with only a small hill to get to the Kawasaki display I had no issues with the choice of the venue. It was easy to get to food and product vendors as you walk around taking in the sights.  Parking was ample with separate areas and entry points for car and motorcycles.

The fact that the International Motorcycle Show was outdoors, was a surprise. While there I meet a member of the show team and spoke to her about why they moved outdoors.  I will write a separate post on her response to that question, it was interesting.

As far as the show and motorcycles went it was pretty much on par with the indoor show with one major exception, there were a lot of test rides available.  Every major manufacture had something on hand for a test ride! This was not the case with the indoor DC show typically held in January. DC in January is not an opportune time to test ride a motorcycle.

This year, as I noted in earlier post, the motorcycle show folks had the Direction Wide Open team there to talk about traveling the RV/Caravan lifestyle with motorcycles. Lucinda and Will Belden provided an interesting and lively discussion on how you can take your motorcycling in a different direction with the use of an RV. It was quite fun listening to their stories and answers to the attendees’ questions.

J&P Cycle was again sponsoring the custom motorcycle show and contest next to the tent holding the vintage bikers’ rides.  Walking between the two was like a time travel event! But, in each tent there were fabulous motorcycles that made me want to hit the lottery so I could have my own set of tents.

So, all in all I would deem the Outdoor International Motorcycle Show a hit.  Would I go if it were raining?  Well, if you have read this blog for very long you know the answer to that question, of course I would.  But would the attendance be as great, of that I am not sure.

Motorcycle News: Lane-filtering, Supercharged Harley and Royal Enfield Racing

Posted: March 5, 2021 in Motorcycle, Motorcycle news, Motorcycle racing
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ijustwant2ride.com

Up Shift – The State of Montana is now the third state to have legal motorcycle lane-filtering. 

Motorcyclists in the Big Sky State can overtake slow or stopped traffic by filtering between the lanes of traffic. But they have to stay at 20 MPH or below while doing so.

My Take – While I tremendously applaud the efforts of the motorcycle community in Montana for making this happen, was there much need for it? There are so few people in Montana how often will conditions allow lane-filtering?

ON THE PLUS SIDE…Other, vastly more populated, states (Oregon and Virginia for example) are also looking at legalization of motorcycle lane-filtering. Maybe the momentum is building for more states to pass the law.

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Up Shift – Harley Davidson my soon offer a bolt on supercharger for its V-Twin motorcycles. Cycle World is reporting that the Motor Company is working on the supercharger as part of it’s Screamin’ Eagle performance line. If you are not familiar with the Screamin’ Eagle line it is their in-house performance division that develops products (cams, exhausts, engines, etc.) to “hop-up” your motorcycle horsepower and torque. 

My Take – With the retraction going on at Harley Davidson I am a bit surprised with this development.  Harley has killed many new bikes designs, dropped out of racing and closed production lines so this new part is more the exception along the lines of the Pan American adventure motorcycle.

It will be interesting to see if it makes it into the parts catalog.

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Up Shift – Over the last few years American Flat Track racing has made quite a comeback, at least until Covid.  With the racing season to start soon Royal Enfield is joining the series with a factory sponsored team.

Johnny Lewis will be riding for Royal Enfield and the company is expecting good things to come from their involvement with American Flat Track.

My Take – This is great for the sport! More factory team involved means a greater chance for success.  But with American Flat Track on NBC and tape delayed how many fans are going to get to see Johnny and the other racers.

I don’t think that I am to different from the other fans in that if I know the outcome I am not going to watch the event.

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Ride on, Ride Safe

Motorcycle Recall February 2021: Yamaha, Royal Enfield, Ducati

Posted: March 1, 2021 in Motorcycle, Motorcycle advocacy, motorcycle safety
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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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Manufacturer Ducati North America

Components STRUCTURE

Summary Ducati North America (Ducati) is recalling certain 2016-2018 XDiavel S and XDiavel STD motorcycles. The side stand bracket may fatigue under load, resulting in failure of the side stand assembly and a potential for the motorcycle to fall when stationary on the stand.

Remedy Ducati will notify owners, and dealers will install a new side stand bracket, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 15, 2021. Owners may contact Ducati customer service at 1-888-391-5446. Ducati’s number for this recall is SRV-RCL-21-001.

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Manufacturer Royal Enfield North America Limited

Components SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Summary Royal Enfield North America Limited (Royal Enfield) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Continental GT 650 and Interceptor 650 motorcycles. Road salt may cause corrosion on the brake calipers.

Remedy Royal Enfield will notify owners, and dealers will replace front and rear calipers, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 22, 2021. Owners may contact Royal Enfield customer service at 1-414-502-1214.

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Manufacturer Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA

Components EQUIPMENT

Summary Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA (Yamaha) is recalling certain 2019-2021 YZF-R3 motorcycles, 2019-2020 XMAX (CDZ300) scooters, and 2020 MT03 motorcycles. The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) printed on the Federal Certification label may not match the VIN stamped on the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, “Certification.”

Remedy Yamaha will notify owners, and dealers will install a correct certification label, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 16, 2021. Owners may contact Yamaha customer service at 1-800-962-7926. Yamaha’s number for this recall is 990144.

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RIDE ON, RIDE SAFE

Click here to see the January 2021 Motorcycle Recall list

Taking a 14 year-old on a motorcycle ride.

Posted: July 6, 2020 in Motorcycle, Motorcycle advocacy, motorcycle show, Rally
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The July Bikes & Breakfast, for Poolesville, MD gathering occurred over the weekend. The 1st Sunday morning of each month motorcyclist collect in a Poolesville parking lot for a meet and greet.

Click for the website

This month my grandsons are in town, so I took the older one with me to the event.  Taking the blue Harley Davidson, we rode the motorcycle the long route to Poolesville, on a beautiful bright day but very humid morning.  We arrived about mid-morning and there were not a lot of bikes in the parking lot.  At first, I thought maybe it was Covid-cancelled but we hung around to see what would happen.

By about 10AM the parking lot was getting full, I would guess there was at least 70 motorcycle on display.  Besides the ubiquitous Harley Davidsons, there were the standard Triumphs, Hondas, etc. There were a bunch of custom bikes from café racers to bobbers.

The one motorcycle that stood out for me was a 1967 Moto Guzzi.  A two-owner bike that is in remarkable shape for a very well ridden bike.  Of course, it helps if the owner runs a vintage European Motorcycle garage.

When we left, we took the White’s Ferry across the Potomac river and head for the house.  My grandson said he had a good time, but 14 year-olds…does one really know?

Work to Ride Day is June 15th

Posted: June 4, 2020 in Motorcycle, Motorcycle advocacy
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r2w

The 3rd Monday in June is International Ride Your Motorcycle/Scooter to Workday.  This year that is the 15th of June for the calendar challenged out there. 😊

Assuming you are allowed to ride, or you have work to actually ride to.

I have been working from home, so my plan is to ride around the neighborhood a few times before I start my day.

Ride on, Ride Safe

Still bored at home? How about a Royal Enfield motorcycle quiz?

Posted: April 6, 2020 in Motorcycle
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RE

CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE QUIZ!

Bored, can’t go for a motorcycle ride because of the stupid COVAD-krap?  Already colored in the Yamaha motorcycle coloring book?

The folks over at Royal Enfield have put up a 10 question quiz to challenge your motorcycle history skills.  Some were easy like “When did Royal Enfield first make a motorcycle?”, and some were not easy but you will need to take the quiz to find out.

I scored 8 out of 10.  Not to bad.

Let us know how well you scored (but no cheating)!

 

 

Upshift or Downshift: Motorcycle News

Posted: January 6, 2020 in Motorcycle, Motorcycle news, Motorcycle racing
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I have started a new type of post to replace the “5 Things That Caught My Eye” articles. I am going to “Up Shift” and quickly discuss motorcycle news articles that I thought was cool or good and “Down Shift” on those that are not. So bear with me as this evolves over the next few months. Feel free to comment or even suggest news articles for discussion.

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Upshift: Royal Enfield “Build Train Race” – Royal Enfield has challenged four women to Build Train and Race Flat Track motorcycles based on their new Interceptor 650.

The participants are: Melissa Paris, professional road racer, Lana McNaughton founder of the Women’s Moto BuildTrainRace_WHT-300x271Exhibit, Motorcycle enthusiast Jillian Deschenes and DIY shop owner Andrea Lothorp. Each has already received their Royal Enfield Interceptor motorcycles and are building their bikes now.

After some training they will race their Royal Enfield Flat Trackers during this year’s Milwaukee Mama Tried event. Check out the Royal Enfield Build Train Race website.

My take: I think this is great for a first year and hope it is not a one off!  In fact, while American Flat Track is a co-ed racing series, it might make sense for Royal Enfield to work with AFT on an amateur “spec” series for women. Run it on the same weekend with the Flat Track races. The pro series might just become even more co-ed in a few years.

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Downshift: Yamaha & Suzuki Leave MotoAmerica – Looks like the old racing statement of “Win on Sunday Sell on Monday” is no longer true. Sales at both Yamaha and Suzuki motorcycles are down and the companies are just not willing to spend the money on factory road racing in America.

motoamerica-logoBoth manufacturers are keeping their fingers in MotoAmerica supporting, for Yamaha, Estenson Racing and Team Hammer getting Suzuki support. But that does not lessen the sting of no direct factory teams in America’s premier motorcycle racing league.

My take: This news really hurts after the 2019 racing season. MotoAmerica was the best racing in the world with any of six teams capable of winning.  On top of that bad news, we know that a MotoAmerica fan favorite JD Beach has moved to American Flat Track (he ran both last year). We still have not heard what is going to happen with Josh Herrin or Tony Elias.

It is going to be interesting to see how things play out this MotoAmerica season maybe some fresh blood will rise to the top.

Motorcycle TV: Oil in the Blood

Posted: December 24, 2019 in custom motorcycle, Motorcycle, Motorcycle TV, Uncategorized
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ob 2

A feature length documentary released in 2019 covering the “contemporary motorcycle culture”. The film attempts, and I think accomplishes, to show how individualism is embedded into our culture. “This is not a film about motorcycles, its about motorcycle people.”

This was a very ambitious undertaking. According to their website they interviewed nearly 300 custom motorcycle builders, riders, racers, artists, etc. from the US, Japan, Europe, Australia, and Africa. They also talked with representatives from Harley Davidson, BMW, Yamaha, Ducati and Royal Enfield. ON TOP of all that how about attending events at the Bike Shed in London and Paris, The Trip Out, The Brooklyn Invitational, The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, Dirt Quake, Snow Quake, Mama Tried, and Mooneyes among many others.

So, with all that, is this motorcycle film any good, is it worth your time? Yes and yes. Theob 1 only negative was that they had so much content that some will think it is a bit too long at 2 hours. Now don’t get me wrong, it was a lot of fun to watch and it will be on my winter 2020 motorcycle movie list! I like the interviews and discussion around why people are doing the things they are doing. I really loved seeing myself or someone I know in nearly every person they talked with.

I do have one additional negative; they went back to one guy multiple times who did nothing but lambast people who “customize” via bolt on and manufactures who sell limited addition motorcycle. That guy really pissed me off. Not all of us are a wiz welders and have hundreds of hours to create our personal masterpieces.

I am giving this film 5 stars. I know some will think that this is a bit long, but I enjoyed seeing that motorcycle people, around the world, are pretty much the same. The “Oil in the Blood” documentary is available on Apple, Google, Amazon and other streaming services.

5 star

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