Posts Tagged ‘sport bike’

6 Things to consider in choosing a motorcycle Jacket!

Posted: September 20, 2015 in motorcycle safety, Product Reviews
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BY: Ania Todua

After helmets, biker jackets are the essential accessories for the motorcyclists’ safety. Thankfully, while protecting you, these armors accentuate your style quotient as well. Of course, like most other niches, the biker jackets market is also swarming with immense styles and designs. Making a buying decision is often very confusing. Here are some basic things you should ensure about your jacket:

  • Material: This is the first thing you need to check in a jacket. Leather – genuine or synthetic – is the most common material used to make these jackets. Cowhide leather is the most popular choice and lasts long. Your region of travel is the decisive factor here. In a hot climate, a leather jacket can be quite uncomfortable. Breathable fabrics like synthetic (Tri-Tex Fabric, polyester mesh, etc.) have nearly all the qualities of leather.
  • Protection: Do not compromise quality for cost. Your biker jackets should provide weather and injury protection to you. Apart from insulating you from the weather, a good biker jacket prevents you from getting the scratches, drags, and any other injury in case of an accident while riding. The jacket should have a detachable quilted lining and elbow & shoulder padding. Though they add to the weight of the jacket, but are greater protections for your very important joints. And, anyway, they are removable.
  • Size: Try to pick a size bigger. This helps facilitate the body movement comfortably and covers your upper body properly. You can even wear more clothes inside you plan to drive through a cold zone. Make sure the cuffs of your jacket end at your wrist and your palms are free from any hindrance.
  • Comfort Feel: It is essential that you are comfortable in your jacket. It should impart a soft, cushiony feel, while freely allowing your hands movement. The biker jackets should not be heavy, as they tire the biker. Removable armors, lining, sleeves, etc. are a great relief when not needed. Also, see that the fabric has good absorption. Basically, do not compromise on comfort and safety.
  • Waist Band: It should be adjustable. The Velcro or the belted ones work out the best here.
  • Style: Look for a style and color of your biker jackets complementing your personality. Whatever you choose make sure you are visible to the other drivers at night when you wear your biker jackets.

Some of Ania’s other works:

Rattle the Runway 2015 – Motorcycle Charity Ride for 9/11

Posted: September 7, 2015 in Motorcycle, Motorcycle Rides
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It was a great day for a motorcycle ride like this, a cool but not crisp morning. Large puffy clouds in the blue sky and large passenger jets taking off and landing at Dulles Airport serving as a poignant reminder to why we were gathering. An awesome day to Rattle the Runway. 

It was a morning, not to unlike this, that terrorist commandeered Flight 77 and crashed it into the Pentagon. There were a couple of men I knew killed that day in the Pentagon. 

This ride indirectly follows the flight path of Flight 77 from the airport to the side of the Pentagon impacted by the airliner. It stages behind the Udvar-Hazy Air & Space Museum and runs down to the Pentagon 9/11 Memorial. Proceeds from the memorabilia sold at the staging area (the ride is free) is given to the Pentagon Memorial fund. 

This year the turnout was quite low in comparison to previous years. Normally there is five to six thousands bikes lined up eight across for hundreds of yards. I would guess that this year there might have been half or less than normal. The ride coinciding with the National Labor Day holiday most likely affected the turnout. 

As usual, the ride itself was broken into groups with a few minutes between each. This is an unescorted ride once you leave the airport police jurisdiction. The groups, of about 200 bikes, is an attempt to alleviate the traffic issues that a ride of thousands would engender in one of the most congested cites in America.

Overall, I had a good time and would gladly recommend that you ride in this event if you are able.

My motorcycle ride to Shanghai…or HOW in the heck do you lose one glove??

Posted: August 18, 2015 in Motorcycle Rides, motorcycle touring
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The view of the Shanghai skyline.

I have always been interested in going to Shanghai but a trip to China is not in my future. So a motorcycle ride to Shanghai West Virginia would have to do.

Leaving the house the early cool air hid the fact that it was going to be hot, the mid 90sF according to the weatherman. I headed west toward Martinsburg, WV where I stopped for a quick breakfast.

SOMEWHERE between getting off the bike and getting back on the bike I lost a glove. I back tracked into the restaurant and searched all the places I had walked and sat and then back out to the bike but, NO GLOVE…what the heck?!?! There was only so many place the glove could be and it was nowhere to be found. Dang. This made no sense, how do I lose one glove!

Giving up on ever finding my glove in the Bermuda Parking Lot of missing gloves, I rode out of Martinsburg on US Route 9 looking for WV Route 7. Somehow I missed the turn onto Route 7, maybe it was the awesome rolling road and wonderful scenic vistas. But no worries…….it is the journey not the destination, right?

Route 9 took me into Berkley Springs, WV were I turned onto several different roads ending up on WV 13 which was also Shanghai Road. Shanghai Road climbs up the and over the steep mountainside with a lotof switchbacks.

If the pavement had been in better condition this would have been an INCREABLE ride. Shanghai Road has MULTIPLE 150-170 degree turns with serious elevation changes, both up and down the mountain, and almost no traffic! The tarmac on Shanghai Road was so poor that that a good bit of fun was sucked out of the ride, some but not all.  A better conditioned road and this would be a sport bike heaven.

Dropping down the other side of the mountain you end up at the cross roads of Black Creek Valley Road and Tuscarora Pike which is also SHANGHAI, WV. Not too much in Shanghai other than a small scrap yard, a Mom and Pop country store and farms. I stopped at the store for some water and a snack. Back on the road I rolled back through Martinsburg and on to home.

A couple notes of interest. First is, part of this ride was on the George Washington Heritage Trail (an American Byway) and second I went past the Morgan County Observatory. The Observatory was closed but it looked very cool way out in the middle of nowhere.

There is not a lot of pictures from this ride as my wife/photographer was out of town. After this 175 mile ride I can now claim I have been to Shanghai….. Shanghai, West Virginia.

Motorcycle Product Review: Newfacelook Kevlar Riding Pants

Posted: August 15, 2015 in motorcycle touring, Product Reviews
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Kevlar Motorcycle Riding Pants

I was in the market for a new pair of riding pants. I have one pair of Bilt “Iron Worker’s” Kevlar riding pants but camo is not something you can wear everywhere. I know that Kevlar/Aramid pants range from $300 and down, I was looking for something in the under $100 range.

Scanning Amazon I ran across Newfacelook and their line of jeans and cargo pants. The price was right and the reviews were more favorable than not so I decided to give them a chance. I did notice that a lot of the reviews stated that the pants ran small so I ordered a size up. Boy those reviews were right, they run very small. I normally were 36 and I ordered 38s, my best guess is that these are closer to 32s… no way I was getting them on. I had no issues returning the pants.

Even though they did not fit, they did look well made. I took a close look at the seams and how the Kevlar was attached to the pants, based on my impression of the build quality I decided to give them another chance. This time I ordered size 40 (wow) and they fit like a normal size 36, imagine that.

I wore the pants on a bunch of local day rides and then during our 1700 mile motorcycle vacation. I like them, they have held up well in the heat and the rain. They are comfortable and I do not even notice the armor.

I have not had a chance to try out the Kevlar and armor, thank God, but both seem to be of quality, not that I am an expert on either. I “FEEL” that I would have some protection if/when I go down.

Now of course they are not perfect. A couple of the downsides, besides the sizing, they wrinkle to easy and the Velcro for the armor pouches gives me the impression that it might not hold up for the long run, I will have to wait to see on that.

Without testing the protection I have to give the pants 4 out of 5 stars. For the price I really like them enough that I will likely buy another pair.

4 out 5 stars

Well, what do you know… I have a “Most Popular” on ALLTOP

Posted: August 4, 2015 in Motorcycle, Motorcycle news
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alltop

ALLTOP is a news/blog aggregation type of site.  Today, on the ALLTOP MOTORCYCLE page, one of my “5 Things” posts has made it to the “Most Popular Stories” section. COOL

Motorcycle Recalls: A BUNCH in the last month or so…

Posted: August 2, 2015 in Motorcycle, motorcycle safety
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Pills

Not sure if there is a season for recalls but an awful lot of motorcycles have been affected in the last 40 days (give or take).  Here are the ones that I am aware of, check the link at the bottom to find our if your bike has an open recall (any recall not just these).

185,000 – Harley-Davidson is recalling more than 185,000 motorcycles in the U.S. because the saddle bags can come loose and fall off, increasing the risk of a crash. Models affected are: certain 2014 and 2015 Road King, Street Glide, Electra Glide Ultra Classic, Ultra Limited, Police Road King, Police Electra Glide and CVO Ultra Limited bikes. Also affected are 2014 CVO Road King and the 2015 Electra Glide Ultra Classic Low, Ultra Limited Low, Road Glide, CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide Ultra motorcycles.

45,000 – Honda recalls more than 45,000 motorcycles A product flaw that could result in engine stalling and increased crash risks led Honda to recall certain motorcycle models dating back to 2013. The model affected are: 2013 through 2015 are ST1300PA, CB500, CBR500, CRF250L, CBR650, CTX700, NSS300, VT750, VT1300, 2015 CB300F, CBR300 and CBR600. The recall also affects NC700 models from the years 2014 through 2016.

12,700 – Yamaha recalls 12,721 Motorcycles the insulation on the stator coil, a component of the alternator, may become damaged and short circuit to due insufficient heat resistance. Models affected are: 2008-2011 WR250X motorcycles manufactured June 1, 2008, to June 1, 2011 and 2008-2015 WR250R motorcycles manufactured June 1, 2008, to June 1, 2015.

308 – Suzuki recalls 308  Accessory Backrest Mounting Hardware kits, part numbers 990A0-75148 and 990A0-75148-BLK, manufactured March 1, 2012, to April 21, 2015. The supplied bolts are to long and my rub the tire.

248 – KTM recalls Super Duke R motorcycle for an issue related to a fuel tank leak.  Models affected 2014 and later 1290 Super Duke R motorcycle

 

That is a lot of bikes that need to be checked… my Ultra Limited is one of them.

If you have one of these model motorcycles (in the US) please check one of the US Governments websites that actually works SAFERCAR.GOV to see if you are affected.

 

How is this LOGO for a Motorcycle Blog?

Posted: July 31, 2015 in Motorcycle
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So what do you think?  Do you like it?

Motorcycle Product Review: Viking Bags Sport Tail Bag

Posted: July 12, 2015 in Motorcycle, motorcycle touring, Product Reviews
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First I have to say that I am a bit late on this motorcycle product review. I have had the bag for a few months but I wanted to wait until we could really put the Viking Bag Sport Tail Bag through a real test. (Also available at Motorcycle House)

If you follow this blog you know we just finished a 1700 mile tour from our home in northern Virginia to Myrtle Beach, SC then to the North Carolina and Tennessee mountains before heading home. This bag (their model AXE-23) was strapped to the top of our tour-pak for every mile of the trip.

We gave this bag a real work out. We experienced conditions of 100+F degree heat, multiple rain and thunderstorms, twisty mountain roads and this bag hung right in there.

OK, so what do I think about the bag. While the video will give you better details here are some of the major + and – of the bag.

+ It fits the Harley Davidson Air Wing Tour-Pak Chrome Luggage Rack really nicely.

+ The bungee cord tie downs really gave the bag a snug fit to the luggage rack. I NEVER had concerns of it coming loose.

+ The hooks for the bungee cords are coated, which provides added protection against scrapes and scuffs to chrome or paint.

+ It holds a LOT more than it would appear to hold. The design of the expansion sides gives the bag an extra 6 inches of space. Look at the video and you will see why their design is better than any other expansion side that I have seen.

+ The rain cover works well and did not come off in 70+ MPH wind.

+ The no-mar, anti-skid bottom did not scuff the chrome and helped hold it in place.

– The clips to add soft saddle bags. I would have liked to have had a female connector to use them as a secondary tie down or the ability to remove them completely.

– The side pocket zippers had tuck in spots to prevent wind “tinkle” but none of the others had that option.

– The bungee cords had little caps to protect the ends of the hooks and thus your paint and chrome, it think that was a great touch for protecting our bikes. But, two of the four tips came off during the ride.

During our ride I was considering giving the bag a 4 star rating. But, after we got home and I had time to reflect on the bag AND get my wife’s input I have no problem at all giving the Sport Tail Bag (AXE-23) a 5 out 5 rating.

That extra star came about when I realized that I was thinking of giving the bag away before the ride began and after it was over we decided that we are going to keep it for our future rides!

5 star

You can checkout some of their other products (like sissy bar bags) here.

Hancock Visitor Center: C and O Canal Motorcycle Ride

Posted: June 11, 2015 in C&O Canal, motorcycle touring
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Location – Hancock Visitor Center

Mile Marker –123

Historical Comments – The Hancock Visitors Center is located in the Bowles House.  Construction of the home began in the mid 1700s and thus pre-dates construction of the canal. The house sits near Lock 52 and after this part of the canal was opened the residents would sell/trade with the canal boats as they transited through the lock.  Passing through several hands over the next century it remained private property until the 1980s.

Hancock is one of the oldest settlements in western Maryland.  George Washington stayed here several times while he was surveying the area as a young man.  During the Civil War Hancock was held for ransom by the Confederate Army, but no one paid ransom.

Ride to Site – The Hancock Visitors Center is not easy to find and is poorly signed. If you are approaching from the east you are riding on I70, the visitor’s center is almost immediately on the left side of road (Main Street/MD 144) as you reach the bottom of the exit.  It is hidden between guardrails and trees as you ride down the interstate exit. I rode past the entrance, the fact it was there never registered.

Coming from the west you might see the sign for the visitor’s center if it is not hidden by tree branches.  It is located between the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) building and the ramp to I70.

Amenities – Visitors Center, public restrooms, parking, all normal amenities in the town of Hancock.

Road Conditions (from main road) – rough pavement with loose gravel.  The entrance/exit is on a somewhat sharp incline please pay attention to your line of travel for the gravel that has been kicked onto the pavement.

Railway Situation – none

Parking Lot Conditions –Pea gravel and dirt with a bit of pavement.

Main Attraction – The first floor of the Bowles house has been converted in to the visitor’s center.  There are several artifacts of the construction period of the canal as well as photographs of the area during the period the canal was open.  Lock #52 is also on the grounds of the visitor’s center and is in good shape.

My Thoughts – This visitor center does not have amount of information on the canal as does the nearby Williamsport visitor’s center.  It is difficult to find and is only open Memorial Day thorough Labor Day.

Map

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Difficult to find!

 

 

Motorcycle Show: Finish the Race Car and Bike Show

Posted: April 14, 2015 in custom motorcycle, Motorcycle
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This past weekend I rode my “Army Motorcycle” to the “Finish the Race Ministries” car and bike show. The show was held in the parking lot of the Calvary Temple Church in Sterling, Virginia. The day was wonderful for a car and motorcycle show! Warm and sunny with a bit of a breeze. But as I used the remains of last year’s sun block I did get a mild sunburn hanging out in the parking lot.

There was over 100 cars and at least 35 bikes entered in the show. The cars ranged from the hopped up, rusty patina shop trucks to Bentley’s. There were a lot of Corvettes ranging from the 1950s to the new Stingray’s. And there was everything in between including a Studebaker pickup, something I have never seen before.

In the bike category there was also a large gamut of entries. Sport bikes, a couple of vintage bikes, third generation Indians, choppers and of course Harley Davidson’s. All the bikes in the show were nice and well keep motorcycles. The winners were selected by judges and attendees of the show and I was fortunate to win the People’s Choice award for the show!

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