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I’m in the latest Aerostich catalog
The 2011 annual Aerostich catalog came in the mail today. It’s kind of like the Cabelas catalog but for motorcyclists. I was reading it cover to cover as I usually do, and was pleased to see Neil Peart sporting their new leather Transit suit on page 5. I always figured one of his quotes would appear in the catalog, not a full picture. Page after page, I kept turning. When I came to page 152 I saw something very familiar. On the bottom half of the page was a photo of yours truly standing over Kiger Gorge on Steens Mountain,
A shameless plug…
… Spark plugs, that is. Friday after work I rode over to Yamaha Sports Plaza for some scheduled maintenance work on my 2007 V-Strom. After 35,000 miles, it was time for a new air filter element and spark plugs. I went with the touted K&N air filter and the NGK spark plugs recommended by the service manager, Steve. While there I had them grease the speedometer sensor in the front axle. After a while it can dry out and make an odd chirping noise. I rode home before the rain started. To anyone that isn’t aware of what’s been going
Cold and foggy with a full moon
I rode into work for the second day in a row today. It’s been foggy both days, but today was colder — 28°. We had a full moon last night and it was setting in front of me as I rode toward town. My bike has over 34,000 miles now and although I commute a lot, usually once a week or more year round, the majority of those miles are from the big trips I take. During the summer I also take a lot of weekend day trips of 100 to 200 miles each. When I see my bike parked
Describing the experience
I am conflicted when it comes to writing about my bike trips. Part of me wants to describe every detail and every experience and provide photos of the entire trip. When I’m standing atop an amazing viewpoint, looking down on a remote river valley or gazing up at a majestic mountain, I think of my friends and family and wish they could be there to experience it and see it as well. There is another part of me, however, that has a different view of the issue. Sometimes I even hold a slight resentment for those that didn’t make the
Chilly ride through the Willamette Valley
It was dry but cold and windy Saturday morning. Riding opportunities are rare this time of year so I bundled up and rode despite the chilly conditions. I headed south on a very familiar route through Estacada, to Mollala, then to Silverton and Sublimity where I turned around and retraced my steps back home. At one point a woman driving a mini-van with a Christmas tree strapped to the roof pulled out in front of me. Fortunately I was able to go around her via the oncoming lane, otherwise I would have been faced with the choice of slamming into
Fork brace
I installed a fork brace on my V-Strom last night. It’s a flat piece of metal with two holes on either side that attaches to the front forks just below the boundary between the inner and outer bars. It provides stability and keeps the forks from flexing in or out during turns or when riding in windy conditions. Although I didn’t notice a difference when riding to work this morning, it’s supposed to improve turning and cornering performance and stability. The biggest benefit I hope to gain from it is stability when riding with heavy cross winds. From everything I
To fish or ride?
I just got back from a fishing trip to Central Oregon. When driving through Redmond I saw BMW after BMW riding around town. Once I was south of town I saw them riding north on Highway 97, obviously part of the annual BMW MOA rally. Back when I was self employed I went fishing a lot. I didn’t have a motorcycle and taking the boat out to catch trout or kokanee was my biggest form of summer-time recreation. Once I started working full-time and got into riding motorcycles, my fishing activities got cut back dramatically. This year I’m trying to
I dropped my bike
It’s supposed to be hot today. I wanted to move my bike into a spot where it gets shady in mid-afternoon so the seat wouldn’t be screaming hot when I leave at the end of the day. I hopped on and engaged the clutch, then started scooting it forward with my feet. The problem is, I forgot to disengage the steering lock and the bike kept curving to the left. When it did that it leaned to the right and I was unable to stop it in time. It fell to the right onto the pavement and dumped me onto
Annual Ride to Work Day
Today is the annual Ride to Work Day. The third Monday of every June has been set aside to highlight the value and benefits of riding a motorcycle or scooter to work. The day is also intended to get those driving cars and trucks to become aware of motorcycles, to see them, and to share the road safely and courteously with them. I rode to work today. I had two different vehicles pull out in front of me, even though both looked directly at me. That’s why I ride as if I’m invisible (sometimes I think I really am). I
Spiders
I was taking a shower this morning before work when I happened to glance upward. In the corner of the wall and ceiling I saw a very long-legged spider presumably doing some web work. I’ve been to many campgrounds and have taken showers where spiders were present, but never in a position to drop down on me and do its best Little Miss Muffit impression. It made me nervous. I’m not normally afraid of spiders, although I do have a healthy respect for their ability to ruin an otherwise good day. I once walked face-first into an orb weaver’s lair
