NorthRaven's Adventures from the Road, Track and Trail

A few days late, but figured would finish it up

2010-03-28T16:50:00.002-05:00

Day 18

Total trip miles 3100

Well I got home in about 4.5 hours from Concord. When I left it was below freezing, not sure how much as I purposely refuse to keep a temp gauge (demoralizing). I was also quite sick so that made riding fun!! Not having my easy pass required me to go all backroads, though as the wind was intense, and the cold very bad was very much welcome. I did have heated gloves and a jacket not to mention 6 layers so the cold really was not an issue.

When sick, don't you notice that everything seems more difficult? Well, I just wanted to ride and seemed to hit EVERY red light. In the end I was beginning to just ride through as I didn't feel like stopping for an extended yellow.

I finally got home about 12:30pm and the first thing I did was strip the layers and veg in front of the wood stove for 45min with some tea!!! THe next thing I did was strip the bike of all the travel gear and make a big list of the things that need fixed/replaced. only 300-400 bucks worth...but although a lot of money, not really too bad considering.

So now, I am home, It's two days after I got home and as I'm recovering a bit more I'm looking forward to riding her on some familiar roads.

Till the next trip....

Day 17, long run, but airborn

2010-03-25T18:51:00.002-05:00

Day 17

Concord NH

Miles 520

TTL miles 2386

I got up today to clouds and showers, although not really looking forward to riding in the dampness as I had the bad experience on the way to see Autumn in KC, I still decided to push through and go. If I did not, the my departure would have been delayed another 4 days till next week as I would have preferred to hang out with my father in law.

In any case, I suited up complete with heated jacket and pushed on. I was nearly hit twice on I81 the traffic was heavy and the trucks as obnoxious as usual. To stay safe in such conditions require travelling at a rate of speed just faster than the traffic, to counter any aggressiveness. Unfortunatly this required me to travel in the high 70s....although the bike can go that fast, I choose not to. I went as far as Hazelton, and cut off onto I80, a quieter interstate that really goes no where special. I was able to give Ms. Garmin a workout as she routed me through some of the prettiest areas I could believe. It was quite funny seeing the old catskill vacation places, now sadly in ruins as the city folk go further north to Maine and Cape Cod.

My goal today was Albany, NY. In part because it would A. break up the distance to maine equally, and B. provide a good source of cheaper hotels. Well, as you can see, if you follow my SPOT I am sitting in Concord NH. When I got to Albany it was 4:00, I was doing OK and two factors were against me, actually three if you count the weather twice. 1. I am sick, I feel dizzy and generally not well, it will get worse, the sooner I can get home the better. 2. Rain and snow are forecasted on my route. I learned my lesson in the Rockies with that stuff, and would like to avoid it if possible. Also, with it comes salt, and I would REALLY like to avoid getting that stuff on this bike. 3. Tomorrow will be horrible COLD, like in the 20s cold. I figured I would take advantage of the warmer weather and get as close to home as possible as to minimize the cold riding and of course avoid making number 1 any worse.

The bike is running beautifully, the rear main seal has stopped leaking completely so she must be broken in, the charging system is stellar with the new brushes, etc etc., My new Oil sender is nice and dry, and about the only leak I have now is my shift seal and final drive.

Mileage today was about 50mpg...and I believe the MPG is due to the massive fairing that streamlines everything.

The bike is safely covered under my window, locked up and asleep. That is where I am hopefully heading now.....

Ready to go....well not really

2010-03-24T15:07:00.002-05:00

Well,

Today was a restful day. It was spent reading, dozing and surfing the web. Had tomato soup that I made up with swiss and parmesan cheese. I loaded up the bike in the afternoon, tested to make sure that my heated jacket was up to snuff for the cold final push into the arctic that is Maine.

The only downside I can see at the moment is that I am fighting the beginning phases of a cold. I took some Dayquil, but it really did nothing. Will probably enjoy several Halls on the way home. Anticipate a full on cold when I return to Maine as the day riding in the cold temps will take it's effect.

Tomorrow I will be heading generally northward to Albany NY, probably only making about 100miles eastwards so the weather will catch me....not like out west where I can head east for a day and get two days ahead of any weather :) Depending on how I feel, I may push as far easterly as possibly as to avoid riding in the cold as much as possible...who knows....I may get home tomorrow night, but doubtful as it's 800miles. Now if I had my EasyPass toll doohicky, things would be different and I would be home.

I do hate leaving, I am quite comfortable here, but have been away long enough, almost 3 weeks.

Day 15, up and running

2010-03-23T18:20:00.002-05:00

Well today was spent wasting time in the morning, the weather was poor so enjoyed the shelter. The mail can at 1:00pm and with it was a bunch of parts. A new Diode Board, Alternator Brushes, and a Voltage Regulator. The Diode board was a surprise as it was an old style upgrade. and I was expecting an OEM version. NOT COMPLAINING upgrades are always a good thing. So having already unsoldered the old brushes from the stator housing and polishing the slip rings I was able to solder the new rings on, and slip in back on the bike with minimal issue. The diode board was a bit more of an issue as the upgrade was wired a bit different, but did not add to the job and actually gave me a chance to clean the bike a bit more. The voltage regulator went on easily, and once everything was together The bike started right up and was charging PERFECTLY. Took a ride, but as it was pouring, cut it short after 10 miles.

I always feel good when I am able to solve a problem by myself with the resources at hand.

I was also able to obtain a nice snap-on torque-o-meter today so repairs will be made perfectly in the future.

Although the bike is running now, I will probably still leave on thursday. One day to truly rest, and pack the bike up

Day???

2010-03-22T17:54:00.001-05:00

Well today was spent drinking coffee, talking martial arts and playing video games with my nephew. Some time was spent on the bike, enough to figure out that the charging issue all along was probably a 3.50 carbon brush on the rotor.....so prior to finding this out, I put in a 75 dollar order for all the parts I "thought" I would need, as well as a set of the 3.50 dollar brushes "good thing". In any case, the stuff will be arriving tomorrow and hopefully the bike will be running stellar once I get it installed!!!!!

Itouch post

Getting rid of the lazy ass ache

2010-03-21T16:17:00.000-05:00

Well as I've been spending so much time riding, my ass has got to hurting, my legs cramping and my back twinging. I figured that I needed some real physical labor to get me straight again. So that's what I did!!!
After spending the morning finalizing my diagnosis of the charging issue (voltage regulator), topping up the fluids, adjusting the fairing, tightening bolts, and remounting a few things. I grabbed a shovel and spent the afternoon cutting roots, prying rocks and installing 150' of edging with my father in law. I figured that a bit of physical labor never hurt anyone, and it was the least I could do as they are letting me spill oil in thier garage, eat thier food, use thier utilities, drive thier cars, and spend several days here while I fix my bike. So I am tired, sore, and feeling quite good

Itouch post

2010-03-20T20:40:00.001-05:00

I love advrider
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=538257&highlight=charging

2010-03-20T20:22:00.002-05:00

Day 12
Miles 482
TTL Miles :1858
Location: Waynesboro, PA

Well I made it to my east coast safehouse where I can address any issues that have occured and prepare for the final push north. Good thing too, beause 40 miles before here my charging system decided it wanted to stay south...so at this point I am out of commission until I diagnose and fix this problem. To any naysayers out there; this is a good thing, rather it happen here than in the middle of nowhere. Karma and fate are usually on my side, so good will come of this too. Besides, I had planned on something like this as it is a common failure with these bikes. Now to decide which upgrade charging system to install :)

From ADVRIDER.com
never mind...read for yourself...the greatness that is Windows 7 won't allow something as simple as cut and paste...I hate microsoft

2010-03-19T19:53:00.002-05:00

Day 11

Mileage 506

TTL Miles 1371

Location: Greenfield, IN

Today I got up, said goodbye to my loving wife in KC and headed east. I initially stopped at Engle BMW in KC for some pre-ordered parts. Very nice people who gave me a kickstand plate. The ride across Missouri was pleasant. I had one guy warn me about the cops in the "Land of Lincoln" but also got a cold reception by some creepy lady at a gas station west of St. Louis.

Illinois and Indiana were pretty much the same except the the speed limits...pretty farms and flat fields....DAMN the Mississippi is HUGE!!!! Actually for the matter the Missouri was nothing to sneeze at either. I had one truck driver with an eastern european accent look at my bike like it was a hover bike for about 15 minutes...he couldn't get over them knobby tires...HEH HEH :) Then shortly after I was approached my a gentleman and his son asking for gas money to get to indianapolis. I only had a 20 so did want to give him that...felt kind of bad, but in looking at him and his son, he obviously had some source of money and he was kind of indirect in asking.....I got the hackles going and found him kind of suspect. By this time of day I was in tough shape....then I ate the food of champions...on old tankbag bagle, Ibuprofin, and a mocha Starbucks espresso double shot.....I was buzzin all afternoon. I ended up running till dusk when common sense took place and decided to get a room as I can't for the life of me ride at night.

Dinner was a bunch of fried crap at Bob Evans, and I'm currently staying at a nice Comfort Inn...I've found the more expensive the place, the more secure the bike is. The room is a great king size bed, and Im watching the weather channel and seeing the snow fall where I was this morning..calling for 6-8 inches.

Tomorrow will be another haul...514miles to Waynesboro PA and hopefully will be rolling in the late afternoon for a couple days rest to let the bad weather that has been chasing me down to pass over.

Kansas City

2010-03-18T15:34:00.003-05:00

Day 10

No new mileage

Just much sleep

Last night was lovely, went to a microbrew had garlic fries, and a pizza had fun watching the St Pattys day kids get arrested for drunk and disorderly, came back took a shower and went to sleep....BTW mom&dad, happy anniversary!!!

So my bike is currently sitting locked and covered in the hotel parking garage right under a light on the ground floor right next to a sign that says "smile you are on camera. I got my cold weather gear from my wife, but really only grabbed my heated jacket and some underarmor. I am sending more stuff back with her than taking. I called up Engle Motors BMW and they had some spare parts. I'm getting some grommets for my side cover that has been living in the side case, so I can mount it. Getting some rubber inserts for the foot pegs as the bare metal vibration is killing my feet. The oil pressure switch, and the rubber piece for the shifter. It amazes me that dealers still carry these parts in stock. On my KLR, I could not even get the proper sized valve shims without an order. BMW on the other had..has obscure grommets for a 1980s bike on hand. I know I joke about dealers being stealers...but seriously, to have parts on hand when needed is A+ in my book

In any case, lunch was enjoyed with my wife on the steps, take out veggie Chinese. Tonight will be another microbrew irish pub type place. I know bass ackwards should have gone irish last night, but hey I never make sense.

Tomorrow will be leaving mid morning, visiting the dealer to grab those parts, and hoping to get to Indianapolis by 6-7pm 450mi away.

Day 9-10--Kansas City

2010-03-17T15:37:00.002-05:00

Second day on the road, was uneventful. Bike ran well at a sustained 75mph and 40 mpg. She is a bit cold blooded, but even still she starts after a bit.
Ended up showering with the final drive vent plug and the extended hot water and soap cleaned most of it out so the least is not nearly as bad. and actually vents.

Day 9 and 10(tomorrow)

Location, Kansas City, MO...STATE NUMBER 5

Miles 272

TTL Miles 865

A repost from ADvrider.com...but is accurate and no sense typing the same thing twice

HOLY CRAP was I cold today, shivering horribly, getting sleepy, not thinking straight. I had to stop half way between Wichita and KC at a rest stop on the Rangelands...really nifty environment. Had some hot chocolate and fries at McDonalds (haven't given them business for three years..but had no choice today...freeze or be fed.) I did have a blast with the bathroom hand dryers....such a great way to regain warmth...get some odd looks though when you go through three cycles of heat Glad my wife brought along my heated jacket. I can deal with cold...but dampness sucks...today was low 40s and drizzle. I had silk thermals, poly-sports shirt, techwick liner, army surplus thick wool shirt, a darien jacket and my neon vest...that and a neck gaitor and silk scarf...still cold. I think I should have had a better breakfast

Well ended up making it to KC, 280 miles away and Im glad to be seeing my wife. No updates will be forthcoming till Friday evening.

Oh yeah, I found that my website tracking is not working as expected....damn thing. Here is a direct link to spots page to find me

http://share.findmespot.com/shared/f...nuD8Lih2Qh 3a

Day 8...first day on the road

2010-03-16T20:36:00.002-05:00

Day 8

Location: Pratt, Kansas

Miles 498

TTL Miles 593

Well, today I left at 0600 from Albuquerque and ended up 500 miles away in Pratt, Kansas at 1900. The bike ran very well with a couple minor issues, but nothing major ( I think, hoping for the best :)) I have a few oil leaks, but again very minor, but have consulted my resources at advrider.com for advice. I will be picking up a oil pressure sensor tomorrow at NAPA..just in case.

Now: New mexico was beautiful in every sense except for the lack of water, Texas...well, if southeast MA is the armpit of the east coast..Texas is the asshole...sorry if too blunt...but the northwestern corner royally SUCKED. I got to see a Cargill Confined Animal Feeding Operation..CAFO and witnessed firsthand the cruelty that those poor cows endure...I saw sick and injured cows laying on their side in their own manure, noses in the slop, others climbing giant piles of crap to get out of the mess below, a massive liquid manure pit in the middle. I have seen photos, videos, and read about CAFOs, but until I saw one in person I never realized the severity of how bad they are......very sad and I am glad I do not eat meat.

Now, once I left the asshole of the US, and got into OK...it was OK except for one very small cafo...but not as bad as Cargill's. The state was non-descript, but nothing bad. Kansas was much better so far, nice and green, pastoral with farmhouses and windmills aplenty. Will get to see more tomorrow as I make my way to KC

Last day.....7

2010-03-16T20:35:00.000-05:00

3/16/10
Miles 0
Ttl miles 96
Lbr 65hrs
Location: KABQ

Today was spent in Santa Fe looking around, got myself a raven fetish statuette so very happy.
Came back to abq and mounted the giant fairings, bags and loaded up the bike for the trip. Still very nervous and will continue to be for the next couple days until the bike proves reliable. Will be attempting to reach Liberal KS tomorrow. A 300 mile day

Itouch post

Adventure thread

2010-03-15T21:17:00.002-05:00

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=545597
I am THE_RAVEN

Day 5....lessons to learn

2010-03-15T15:17:00.001-05:00

03/14/10
Miles 10
Ttl miles 10
Hrs labor 47

I have spent my entire life depending on others to fix my problems, and then a time came that I had to stand on my own two feet and deal with what happens in good nature. Such was the case today.
Earlier today was spent buttoning up the bike, and getting into on piece. I figured I had made great progress so I decided to take a much needed break, and read up on Advrider.com and see the comments on some photos I uploaded yesturday. Well, amongst the well wishing there was a small post from an individual mechanic in VA who mentioned the seal I installed was in backwards.....SHIT......so the rest of the day was spent pulling the motor apart, pulling the transmission, removing the rear swingarm, adjusting the valves(only to find a stripped bolt!!!)...reinstalling the fng seal properly and mostly reassembling the bike. I came very close to shipping the bike today....but held fast to my plan.
There is a deeper reason for these difficulties, though have not discovered them yet. I do know this bike VERY well at this point though so that in itself is a absolute advantage.
I recenty soaked in the hottub, and am sitting by the fire drinking great tea. At least I can retire in peace.
Dinner was veggie pizza, lunch was not had as the seal issue caused instant nausea.....

Life is interesting, though with struggle comes humility.....

Itouch post

Day 4....defined progress

2010-03-15T15:16:00.001-05:00

Date 3/13/10
Miles 0
Ttl miles 10
Hrs working on bike 34

I write this after a Sam Adams and a fine Scotch tasting by the fire...so please excuse any misspellings of grammical issues as I am quite toted and mellow.

Today was spent gathering ordered parts from Sandia BMW (I will miss them) and reassembling Gretchen. The repaired speedo was installed sucessfully, though the true task of the day was the installation of the dreaded rear main seal, which required the employment of a drill, price of wood, metal screw, slide hammer, wire snips, buffer wheel mount, some plastic pipe, and a couple various sized hammers as I lacked the proper BMW install tool
the question still remains however, did it work? Every one of the three reference books I have, the two dealers I spoke with, and the several websites I consulted I never did get a definative answer as to the proper install method of the damn seal. In any case.....I went with a combination and hopefully it will work OK.
Once the seal was situated the clutch was installed, the transmission was remounted, the engine was reinstalled. I made a minor, yet stupid error tonight with a small part and said enough for today. Tomorrow the bike should be ready to ride, and if so we will be going to Madrid for a coffee.

I was given some Gonash today...chocolate coating for those who do not know.....an entire bowl of it and I was in heaven....shaking like a leaf as the gonash was served with a cappachino but still in sheer bliss. Dinner was the best mac and cheese ever, as it has smoked cheese. I cannot forget lunch though...we went to a restaurent called Los Cuatros, where I got a egg and potato burrito, refried beans, spectacular sopopeas and a HUGE GLASS of MILK!!!!! Oddly the waitress spent most of the meal talking about my non-meat diet. Very friendly girl, though most people here are very open and friendly

So yet for a fourth day my bike is in only a few pieces, yet life is good.....I unfortunatly see an end to my time with Cordell and his family and though life is still very good....like the chocolate cake covered in gonash in front of me....it is bittersweet.

Itouch post

Day 3, revenge of the oil seal

2010-03-15T15:16:00.000-05:00

Day 3
3/11/10
Miles 0
Ttl miles 10

Did you know BMW Motorrad carries more maintenance parts for an old airhead than a new r1200GSA???? I didn't either until I had to go there three times to get bolts and other misc parts.
So yes day 3 was spent still working on Gretchen. The prior seal that I had hoped was the failed part, unfortunatly was fine. The issue lies with the rear main seal and today was spent gaining access to it. It is not out...but very close and will be so removed tomorrow.
Additional work was performed in the formation of a set of wiring harnesses and signals for the parabellum fairing. The speedo broke again so another repair was performed. Much grease and dirt was cleaned with a cool product called Goof Off......though it hurt like hell if it hits your eyes....:(
For you naysayers, this is the fun of owning an old airhead BMW, stuff breaks, oil leaks, crap happens, and like life you take it apart and deal with it.

Now, other than the maintenance stuff, today allowed me to see yet many other interesting stores( like one dedicated to just nuts and bolts) as well as the natural beauty of the state(it snowed all morning, only to end the day in warm sun). Dinner was Asparagus rocutto with salad, lunch was a delicious buritto, veggie chili, and pear apple sauce.
I also have found a new thing to enjoy, good Scotch. Never knew what I was missing. Now to try a Cuban cigar and I will be living the dream!!!!

Again, motorcycle in pieces, leaking oil, yet drinking fine scotch...life is indeed still good

Hoping to hit the road very soon....

Itouch post

Day 6 , does it always snow in the Rockies in the spring?

2010-03-14T23:14:00.000-05:00

3/15/10
Miles 84
Ttl miles 94
Lbr hours 56
Location: KABQ

Well, I finally got Gretchen buttoned up and ready to ride. One thing that every bike that has major service needs to have done is a checkout ride. Cordell and I figured today would be a good day and we headed to Madrid (Movie: Wild Hogs).
Cool little town, but unfortunatly it started snowing when we arrived. By the time we finished our coffee, it was really coming down badly. The roads looked ok in town, but as we left, the roads took a significant turn for the worse. Wet, turned to slush, slush to mush, mush to white snow, white snow to very slick white snow....3 inches worth. Although it does not sound like much, on a bike it was absolute hell. I almost lost it once, but saved it due to experience. Cordell had a hell of a time on a bigger gs (R1200gs) similar to my old 1100, and fogging glasses. I had him just not wear them and follow my red coat...it worked and we were able to get out of the mountains relativly unscathed, though very unnerved. This experience now ranks first in my adventure dangerious stories file.

Got to base, Gretchen ran top notch, had dinner; oriental odurves, mounted the saddle bags and started getting ready for the trip to KC

Life was tough today...but gretchan ran....so some good came

Itouch post

Day 1..new mexico

2010-03-10T23:41:00.000-05:00

Miles 10
Ttl miles 10

After a seriously interesting series of flights from Maine I finally arrived in NM. It was amazing how very quiet the airport was. No typical bells, whistles, or adverts, just peaceful. Favorite airport domestically, Saba takes the prize for best international airport.
Anyways, Cordell, the bike's prior owner picked me up, took me back to his REALLY cool mud house introduced me to his very nice lovely wife Clair and cook Kaira. We then went and got to meet Gretchen, my r80g/s.

Very cool bike, more and better than expected. We decided to do a test ride to make sure the bike is in fine order for the trip. We decided to head for Santa Fe. We managed to get 10 miles in and stopped to check for leaks.....there was one, a BIG one. Park the bike, ride pillion back to abq(experience in itself) and get the truck to pick her up.
Back at the shop, we proceeded to put her on a lift, and completly disassemble her into about 60 pieces including the transmission, exhaust, and carbs. Very disheartening, but it's best to hit rock bottom and build from there.

Dinner was great, excellent Sam Adams, lasagna, spinach, and garlic bread!!!!!

Itouch post

Day 2-still in New Mexico

2010-03-10T23:40:00.000-05:00

Miles 0
Ttl miles 10

Day 2 was spent figuring out what parts may be needed and ordering them rush delivery from Max BMW in Nashua NH.
for those who are interested it is one of two seals, the more serious and time consuming main seal....or the oil pump o-ring gasket which is a 10 minute job, my feeling is the latter concidering the history of the bike and no recorded history of it ever being replaced in 28 years....rubber degrades.
The rest of the day was spent rebuilding a non respondant speedo...not hard if you have time on your hands, wiring up my gps and heated gear harness, as well as fixing some minor wiring issues.
We went to an actual Harbor Freight store, oh WOW that was cool, too bad I was not picking up a truck or I would be bringing a lot more junk back. Did get a chamois cloth to use as fork gaitors till I can replace the dry rotted rubber ones that I removed.

Dinner tonight was a pre-dinner ale by the fire, followed by very good veggie chili, chips, blueberry pie and chased by a bit of Jaegermeister(will be getting some for the bar.) at the end.

Dinner was followed by a soak in the jacuzzi and then to bed.

Life is good, even if your bike is in pieces :)

Itouch post

On the plane

2010-03-09T14:35:00.001-05:00

BGR: Well, I am on the plane!!! After having to check BOTH bags and getting an additional pat down before boarding they finally let me get on board. My only worry now....will my luggage arrive, and if not.....I still have my jacket and laptop....all I need!!!

JFK: Got through the flight, and had to walk a VERY nervous lady through EVERY sound the plane made. Almost..well did forget my jacket, but recovered it.
Sitting here now with a 1:45hr layover....too bad no wifi.
I did find a free orange juice on the floor......RESULT!!!!! Went good with a egg and cheese!

Salt Lake: Great flight, met a nice girl on board who worked for a non-profit educating people about water quality aboard a 109 foot sloop on the Hudson river. Here: www.clearwater.org
The long flight was at least enjoyable..
.........1 other thing. I love the mountains.
Don't know if I'll be able to post at the destination, so this should be it for now. One more 1.5hr flight and I am free of commercial airlines!!!!!

Itouch post

1 day

2010-03-08T07:12:00.000-05:00

One day till I leave. I will be staying up in Bangor tonight to catch my 6:00am flight and should be in New Mexico by 4:00pm mountain time.
The updates on the bike have been forthcoming, it was found to be quite interesting to ride in the rain with cooler temps and wet roads on the new tires.
Also learned that the hard bags may be an issue to mount..I guess nothing some bailing wire and 100mph tape can't solve!!
The forecast is calling for snow and rain showers on one of my proposed routes up in Santa Fe, so may have to address that as I go.
My mantra on the trip is; "Head generally eastward, let everything else fall into place...hopefully"
Yup, the Adapt and Overcome mentality has always served me well :)

Itouch post

Updated the website a bit

2010-03-05T18:01:00.000-05:00

Just did some stuff to the website like adding a HAM section and a basic location page, though as I write this I don't know where it went???!!??
Hopefully things will align and get back in order...hopefully!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iTouch

iPod test post

2010-03-03T20:10:00.000-05:00

I just set up some software on the iPod touch so I can keep the blog going better. So here it is

The idle issue was solved by switching out another carb and replacing a plug wire...all is good now. If I can't fix the origional carb, then I will keep the replacement and send it back once I get home

- Posted using BlogPress from my iTouch

The emails

2010-03-03T19:46:00.001-05:00

Adam,

Just a short update.

I seem to have solved the leaky carb problem with a set of new bowl seals and careful adjustment of the float levels. I started Gretchen and let her run for about 15 minutes on the lift. She ran very well but she doesn't idle well at all. I think she needs her idle screw adjusted and maybe the carb idle circuit cleaned.

I put her in 2nd and let the rear wheel spin for a while--following the suggestions of those who have also gotten a g/s on the road after a year or more idle. I didn't change the fluids--I think I will wait for your arrival to do that.

I didn't find any massive leaks even with a warm engine, though I suspect there's a small leak in the oil pan gasket.

All lights work. All the electrical seems to be in fine shape. With a fresh fliuids change--all the needed fluids are right here waiting, a carb adjustment, valve adjustment (and retorquing of the heads), mounts/bags attached, and a general check of all fasteners, I think you are about good to go.

---------

This afternoon or tomorrow morning I will change the tranny, driveshaft, and FD fluids. I will save the tranny fluid so you can see what it looks like (though it has all of maybe 10 miles on it). The engine oil I will save for when you are here so we can torque the heads, adjust the valves, and whatever else. I will read up on all these procedures over the weekend.

The speedo is currently inop. I will check the new cable today--but if you have your GPS handy, you might be safer if you bring it.

I will probably do a bit more to the bike over the next few days.

---------

Adam,

Afternoon update:

I went for a little ride to warm up all the fluids. That bike sure performs well on the freeway. With no speedo I don't know how fast I was going, probably 70 mph, but it wanted to go faster. All that engine work apparently did some good--I do wish I had known it was the left carb that caused the problems years ago.

I changed the FD, driveshaft, and tranny fluids. I was going to leave the tranny fluid but I got on a roll and kept going. All the fluids were clean and free of water. There was just the merest bit of swarf on the magnetic plugs--exactly what I had hoped for.

The bike shifted fine.

Even the horn works.

Trip update

2010-03-03T19:28:00.003-05:00

This is the first post of hopefully many. It's being done as a test for the website as much as to provide an update to you, the website visitor.

I am actually going to post the emails from the seller as it's easier and works better

First off though. The bike when purchased was not running, it had not run since 2005, not registered since 1998. It was stored properly with fresh fluids, but never really ran. As one should know, a non-running engine is generally one that needs significant work. That being said, having researched this bike, engine type, and other factors I felt strongly that although it was stored, it was in fine shape and would take little to get road worthy again. This has been proven so far;

To the emails; only the important stuff covered,

Snowmobiling, the Winter Pastime of Motorcyclists

2007-03-30T17:31:00.001-05:00

Maine winters are long winters, especially when your true enjoyment comes from riding a motorbike. Fortunately, there are other comparable outdoor activities that can supplement this substantial loss. These activities can be sledding, ice sailing, skiing or ice skating. The only winter activity that I have found that fills a little bit of the void of my motorcycling desire is riding a snowmobile.

Snowmobiles are basically two skis and a long track for propulsion. They don’t have gears to shift, or a clutch. They don’t require much balance. Operation is fairly simple, as there is only the brake, throttle and handlebars. Although it does not sound much like a motorbike, it does satisfy, in part, the needs that a motorbike fulfills.

A snowmobile like a motorbike, not only is an economical machine and a way to go from one point to another. It is an escape from all stress. When you are on a bike, you are required to forget all about the stressors of daily life and concentrate solely on the operation of the machine. If you allow yourself the luxury of a wandering mind on the bike, you will soon have plenty of time to ponder while you are paralyzed, sitting in a chair because you did not see the major obstruction in your path in time

A snowmobile allows you to freely traverse the landscape. You are immersed in your environment. If it is snowing, you get covered, if it's very cold, you are cold. You must pay attention to your controls and the trails. Most sleds will easily exceed 100mph and the majority of trails are nothing more than widened deer paths only able to fit one sled at a time. With uneven pitches, large bumps, the occasional tree, and every once in a while a hungry bear or wolf that must be scared off with a few gunshots, snowmobiling, like motorcycling has it's necessary skills and essential abilities that need to be learned.

In Maine the popular sport has a major following with hundreds miles of interconnected regularly maintained trails, as well as many clubs available for group riding. The trail systems are not only limited to Maine however. They stretch across the entire northern half of the continent. If you had the time and desire, you would be able to travel from Nova Scotia, all the way to the west coast, then north into Alaska. You would have to be crazy and have extra fuel, but you may even be able to cross over into Asia via the ice bridge and continue the trek if you so desired.

Owning a snowmobile is a good method of averting the winter non-motorcycle riding blues. It allows for some semblances of riding, while getting you out of the house and enjoying the outdoors.

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Battle of the Snowbelt

2007-03-30T17:28:00.000-05:00

Well, I just finished shoveling out from a wet, ice crusted 30" snowstorm. It’s funny the things we take for granted. Growing up just east of Cape Cod I was used to shoveling wet snow. It was a common occurrence that a severe snowstorm would ultimately go too close to the coast and change to rain. Initially both parents would get out the shovels and start digging, then came what was termed the "popcorn machine" or a snowblower that resembled one as it shot rocks at my neighbors house, more than once breaking a window. Eventually, my uncle invested in a plow and digging out was just a call away. Moving away and especially to the northern climes of Maine, my wife and I have had a similar curve of snow removal.

In Maine, it is very common to get well over a foot of snow in every storm. Many people have plows, and just as many rent their services for plowing. However, being up to our eyeballs in debt and still in college we learned to do everything that needed to be done ourselves. This included snow removal. We started off shoveling out after every storm, then we learned that if we shoveled every few inches it would be easier. We eventually got a small snowblower that would only start in the fall equipment check, but not during any snowstorm. Eventually we got a tractor with a plow, but it was so heavy it actually would get stuck on any slippery surface...not good for plowing snow. The next attempt was equipping our lawnmower with a snowblower. This had worked the best so far, but between all the tires going flat, the choke and throttle cables freezing solid, the battery dying amongst other things it too was close to an utter failure. As a last attempt before just returning to the standard shovel method, we decided to buy an ATV.

An ATV or ORV is a piece of equipment that is the size of and operates similar to a motorbike, but has 4 fat tires and is used for recreation and for yard work. They range from very small 2 wheel drive speed machines, to 4wd 700lb truck like beasts. My machine is about in the middle, it's only about 250cc and 2wd. It's not very fast, not very powerful, it's over 25 years old, but it does do what I want it to do and that was to plow.
I bought it on Ebay for $800, jury rigged a small 36" plow to the front, tossed some weights on the back, put some chains on the tires and then went to plowing. The difference was night and day. It had traction we never before experienced, the pushing ability of my slippy tired tractor, and could plow my entire 150' driveway in the same amount of time it used to take me to just shovel a path to my garage.

Up until just recently I had not found a storm that this machine would not plow. With a combination of a half inch of ice, slush base, and several inches, the plow could not clear it as easily as usual. We resorted to just using it to push snow into piles, then hand shoveling it off the drive. Overall though, because it was able to still make the job a bit easier by making piles, it was not entirely defeated.

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The Clueless Rebel

2007-03-30T17:26:00.000-05:00

Years ago when living in the more northern part of Maine, I was given a motorcycle by my father. It was all beat up, didn't run right, and resembled something out of the cult classic film Mad Max. I didn't really have an inkling about owning a motorcycle, but it was free and I was up for anything.

Knowing nothing about motorcycles, having no gear, and no license, my first task was to get a learner's permit. The following week, I sat though the 8hr class, talked about motorcycling, took a test and was handed a learner's permit good for 6 months. That day, I went home, registered the bike, spent 10 minutes trying to start it, and finally fired it up. Pulling out of the driveway the first time was a great feeling. Having never been on a motorcycle before it was a fascinating experience. A feeling of freedom and relaxation overtook me. When the bee hit me in the face, I was brought back to reality! I guess I needed some gear.

Gear, like the bike, was out of my scope of understanding. Back then, I thought all I needed to be safe was a good pair of boots, a leather jacket, gloves and a helmet. Sure, many riders use less, but they are usually the ones you read about killing themselves on the highways. Having acquired a pair of construction boots, a snowmobile helmet, garden gloves and some old jeans I was ready to hit the road.

The first thing I noticed when I was on the road was that other riders waved and that cars were out to kill me. It always amazed me that even though I was riding a beastly mess of a bike, I was still able to instantly have the respect of other bikers. I also realized that no matter how fast I was going, it was still not fast enough for the cars. They always passed me.

Some of the funniest experiences I had while being on the bike were the reactions I got from various people. High school girls, for example, were always awestruck. If it was envy, desire, or disgust, I was never able to tell. Had it been desire, it was misplaced as I was usually covered in a combination of bug splat, oil, and sweat, with the occasional bird dropping mixed in. The elderly and the soccer moms usually looked at me is sheer disdain while everyone else just avoided me. It seemed as though the only people who would talk to me were the rough rugged bikers, or the average people who would tell me that I was leaking fuel. I remember one time while waiting to get my battery charged because of a failed alternator/regulator/do-hic-ulator I was approached by at least 15 different people telling me that I had fluid dripping out of my bike. "Yes, I know, it's the oil/fuel/battery acid, bug juice, blinker fluid, etc I got to fix that," I told them. It seemed as though I spent more time sitting on the side of the road than riding that first attempt at motor biking.

It goes without being said that the bike did not last much longer after that. Eventually, the shifter fell off, the charger failed even worse, the clutch let go putting me into the woods and the bike just stopped starting. I let my permit expire, and the bike was parked, still to this day in my garage. I did learn a few valuable lessons. They were to get a reliable bike, some good gear, and learn to ride properly with a Motorcycle Safety Foundation approved basic motorcycling and licensing course. Fortunatly today, I do have a good bike, good gear and proper training. I still miss riding that MadMax rebel bike at times, the reactions alone were worth that endless trouble.

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Traveling Quick, Light and Free

2007-03-30T17:24:00.000-05:00

Travel, escape and relaxing is what I will be doing for the next couple of weeks. Packing today, I began to think about what it takes to equip for travel. Not only the typical tourist travel, but for hiking and motorcycling as well. The requirements seem simple: take what you need, and pack it right. Why then do you always see people with two or three suitcases at the airport?

For a five day, six night trip, what is the most you will need? At the maximum you will only need three full changes of clothing including the clothes you wear on the trip. Everything else except for personal medications and perhaps a digital camera can be purchased at your destination or washed. The biggest benefit to this method of packing is that it will fit in a carry-on suitcase. No more lost luggage.

But what if you don't want to lug a small suitcase around with you? Fear not, there are suitcases that double as backpacks and if you only pack what you need it won't be tiring to carry. If you plan to purchase some souvenirs while away you can compact your luggage with compressible bags. These allow you to just roll up your clothing and squeeze the air out without the need of an external vacuum. Once your clothes are compressed, there will be plenty of room for other essentials.

Sounds interesting but how does this transfer to hiking and motorcycling? Simple, have you ever tried to carry a giant 50lb bag a mile while climbing 3000 feet? I have while tackling the White Mountains in New Hampshire and it is not fun. You begin to exhaust yourself a quarter mile past the trailhead It's a painful experience. Immediately after that trip I emptied my bag and asked myself what the hell did I need an ice axe, 4 water bottles, 4 changes of cloths and a spare pair of boots for on a 3 day hike? I also looked at what I was carrying and learned real quick that there were actually lighter and more compact versions of gear (like cookware for example.)

The philosophy easily transferred to motorcycling. On a bike you need to be light, and pack light, if not for the lack of storage but for your own safety. Motorcycles are inherently designed to be packed lightly because of their handling characteristics. The lower the center of gravity, the better the bike handles. Un-sprung weight (luggage) also severely affects motorcycle performance by limiting its acceleration and just as importantly, its braking. In general, the less you pack, the less weight you need to deal with and the safer you are on the road.

Basically, if you are packing for a trip of any kind, whether it is a trip on an airline to some warm local, over the presidential range in New Hampshire, or cross country on a motorbike, it will always be easier to travel as lightly, sparsely, and simply as possible. It will make the trip more enjoyable. Besides, if you absolutely must have that implement of beauty of convenience, you can buy it at your destination...something else that you can actually fit in the extra space left within your luggage.

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Operation Cornflake

2007-02-26T11:41:00.000-05:00

Operation Cornflake.

Mission Overview:

Due to recent reconnaissance in the kitchen cabinet and information provided by our Project Icarus informants it was known that the home base was absent of Corn Flakes. A mission was required using a light 2 wheeled land vehicle to infiltrate the city of Belfast Maine, and provide access to the grocery store. A secondary mission was agreed upon to recon the Penobscot Narrows bridge for future missions.

Weather: Partly Sunny, 33F, Wind: SW 10-15kts

Mission Time: 1000-1500

Total Miles: 125mi

Specialized Equipment:

BMW R1100GS

Joe Rocket Ballistic riding suit

Nolan N100e helmet

Olympia Leather gloves with Smartwool glove liners

Turtle Fur neck fleece

Izod fleece, Techwick fleece and silk under-liner

Sidi Boots with Smartwool socks

Icon Mil-Spec yellow Vest

Mission synopsis:

Leaving at 1000 the bike started great after have sat for a couple weeks due to ice on the roads. I headed east towards the coast from the interior. It was a very cold morning and I was thankful for my many windproof layers. If you can’t have heated gear, the next best thing is wind resistance. If you can’t have wind resistance, the next best thing after that is a hot cup of rum and hot chocolate, reading a motorcycle magazine in front of a fire, bike in the garage.

I fueled up at the Maritime farms gas station at Belmont Corner in Belmont on Rt 3. There is something about people when they see a bike in the winter, they pause like they want to say something, then shake their heads and continue walking. Perhaps it’s the bug splat green safety vest, Perhaps it’s because I’m the only bike they’ve seen in months, It could even be that it’s 33f out and they think I’m nuts. Who knows? It is good material for thinking on the road.

Shortly after departing I reach the crest of the Passagassawakeag river valley that enters out into Belfast bay. I stop to take a couple photos, and find it amusing that even people in their cars are viewing me with curiosity, slamming on their brakes when they crest a hill and see me, does a green vest REALLY have this sort of effect on people, I don’t understand, but do enjoy it.

I eventually reach Belfast and decide to complete phase 2 first and go and recon the big bridge. On the way out to the target I pass through the small town of Searsport. Hamilton Marine is located there and has a great selection of electrical and various other interesting doo-dads for the mechanically inclined biker.

Sears Island, is also located in Searsport. Although I don’t know the entire history of the island, I do know the government bought it in the past from all the residents, and built a giant causeway to it, paving a road clear over it. In recent years the state and special interest groups have been arguing about what will happen to it. The arguing has even come to blows recently when the overzealous local, state and county police ran a dragnet on a few Sierra Club members who were camping there for a couple of days.

On the Causeway to Sears Island

As I leave Searsport, it’s only a matter on minutes before I approach the new bridge. As I approach, I realize that a great photo opportunity was actually a half a mile back. Road is clear, and I start a powered u turn……AAAAAAAHHHHH I forgot to downshift, the bike stalls at an angle, somehow I’m able to kick it down to 1^st and restart it before this 500lb bike goes over in the middle of Rt 1. I get back down the road, snap the photo of the bridge and fell like an idiot…..how did I manage that one?….the shame. At least Phase 1 is complete

It’s getting to be noontime so I decide to check out a local diner on Verona Island, and I just had to cross this bridge the first time on my bike….it was just a given. Well, crossing the bridge was a bit of a challenge. The wind was unbelievable, I was actually nervous I was going to go through the railing and plunge the several hundred feet into the Penobscot river and test the R1100s submarine ability. I fortunately managed to make it to the other side and focused on the task at hand…..food.

I ended up stopping at a little diner called Seabreeze Pizza and Sub shop with breakfast all day in Verona. I go in, sit down, look at the menu, and realize; THEY HAVE GRITS!! I love grits, so I managed to order a big bowl of grits, eggs, toast, bacon, coffee, and juice. It was delicious and I was stuffed. The service was average but they had grits and I’m happy!!!.

I finish eating, hop on the bike and head to complete phase 2 of operation cornflake, kidnapping el box’o’cornflake. I get back on Rt 1 south, re-cross the windy big bridge, almost get blown off again and start heading back to Belfast. All was well until just northeast of Searsport. An 18 wheeler blasted by in the other lane. I was expecting the wind, but not the GIANT ROCK. SMACK!!!!! Right in the face…shield. I love that shield. Fortunatly, I was wearing full gear and a good helmet because this rock must have been at least 2 inches across. In the end, it just scared the hell out of me and gouged my shield. $30 is cheaper than an eye, face surgery or broken teeth.

Once I rolled into Belfast I located my target, infiltrated the grocery store and captured the mark. Once I had the mark in my possession I high tailed it home. 20min later I got home, mission complete.

Official Map…Link

Official Photos…Link

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Pre-Dawn Riding

2007-02-26T11:38:00.000-05:00

Day: Friday, January 12, 2007
Temperature:32F
Time: 0600
Like many people in the world, I enjoy milk. Where you get your milk depends on many factors including which country you hail from, your economic status, or your traditions. Some people can go to the local supermarket and grab a gallon. Others must take a trip to the local town center to get some. Some is powered, some is fresh. What holds true in all cases is the source of milk; It all comes from an animal. This story is about my personal milk getting adventure
Midcoast Maine, predawn hours. The frost is still on the grass and the smoke from my chimney hangs over the yard in the morning stillness. The horizon is just starting to show a small amount of light in the east, hinting at a hopefully clear day. I pull on my gear, disconnect my battery tender, give the bike a pre-ride safety check, and fire it up. This is the beginning of a cold ride.
I get on the bike, kick it down to first and as I pull away I hear the chirping of my cold clutch as it complains about having to move the bike. Pulling out onto the main road, I have to cross a patch of crunchy ice. Not a problem now, but coming back might result in a fall, a mental note is taken.
As I accelerate down the road, feeling my bike struggle with thick, cold oil, I think back to the balmy days of summer. It seems to me every ride that begins pre-dawn whether it is in the summer, spring, fall or winter always starts cold. Due to my experience in these conditions, I’ve learned to be well clothed. That wearing good long underwear, multiple layers, neck fleece, and making sure all my vents are closed is the best way to be prepared. I would love to use heated gear, though I have yet to use anything that didn't catch on fire. Such are the challenges of motorcycling.
After about 15min on the road my tires are warmed up so they are sticking a tad bit better to the frozen tarmac. My heated grips are working well and the temperature gauge on the bike is finally indicating a couple of bars. The heat coming off of the engine is soothing to my wind frozen legs. It’s about time to stop for a hot beverage and get my body temp up.
One of the two most important things that you can do on a bike is to keep yourself hydrated and to keep you body temperature regulated. A deficiency in either place can lead to a dangerous situation caused by decreased mental ability. I minimized both risks by getting a cup of tea at the Fraternity Village store in Searsmont Maine on Rt 131. This store is a general store built back in the early 1800s. It has a nice front porch and is even haunted.
Once refreshed, I get back on the bike and continue heading to get my milk. While riding down the road, dipping into valleys, cresting hills and sweeping around curves I begin thinking about another hazard faced by such early rides: ICE!!!. Riding so late in the year in the pre-dawn darkness is a recipe for disaster. In order to minimize my risk and fortunately avoid a couple incidents in this ride, I slow down quite a bit, avoid sharp maneuvers, and try to stick to the grey (dry) not black (wet/ice) pavement.
I finally get to the farm in Camden, meet with my farmer for about an hour and get two gallons of milk for the price of a half gallon at the grocery store. I put them in my saddle bags, and start to head home. By this time, all the roads are dry, the sun is up and providing warmth. The ride back is a complete reverse of the pre-dawn ride down.
I never did forget about that first patch of ice though. It’s in such a place that I need to hit it going pretty fast as to avoid getting hit by traffic. Will it be a problem? I eventually get to my road to face that horrid patch of ice. Fortunatly, because the sun has been shining on it for a while now, I realize that it has melted to slush and plow through it.
Home at last, up two gallons of milk, and a bit more experienced in pre-dawn riding

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Urban Combat, or So It Seems

2007-02-26T11:36:00.000-05:00

It’s a crisp morning, dew is still on the trees, but a slightly warm humidity blows through the trees. Today will not be like the typical everyday riding I’ve grown accustomed to. I’m going into the city. The city, unlike the country where I do most of my riding has more hazards in ¼ mile than I would see in 100miles in the country. Roads come together, blind alleys everywhere, pedestrians, multiple lanes, traffic lights, and worst of all, distracted, cell phone talking, fast food eating, impatient under-trained drivers who would rather run you down than let you pass them. Driving in the city is like urban combat.

Urban Combat is a term used to describe fighting in an urban environment like a city. In order to stay alive in such an environment you need to be alert, skilled, reactive, and most importantly; calm in the face of potential death. Riding a motorcycle in the city requires the same skills. You are basically a fragile being, covered with some anti abrasion clothing, a plastic helmet, and riding a 500lb two wheeled motorized contraption amongst a bunch of unskilled distracted and stressed drivers in 4000+lb steel boxes. If you let your guard down, you will not win the fight. Victory would be keeping your life.

In order to stay alive, drive offensively. Anticipate that all drivers WILL, not might pull out in front of you, run over you or merge into you. You need to drive different that the benign nature of driving a car. Instead, you must be aggressive, obnoxiously so at times, drift back and forth in a lane, stay a few MPH faster that the rest of the traffic, accelerate quickly, brake slowly. Always leave an escape open just in case. When driving a bike, you will get badly hurt if not killed if hit by some soccer mom, driving a giant SUV while talking on her cell phone.

Road rage is another major concern, not only for the rider but also the stressed out drivers. In California, it is legal to ride down the center line (lane splitting) in a traffic jam; riders nationwide also practice it although not legal. Unfortunately there have been many cases where drivers have committed violent acts like opening their door and even stabbing the motorcyclists because they decided that it was not fair that the bikers didn’t have to wait. There have also been situations where a motorcyclist has passed a vehicle legally, and the car actually then tries to run down the biker. All of these situations can be avoided and de-escalated using the skills of urban combat. Just remember, stay cool, calm and composed. A biker can and will outrun a car, even if it is necessary to ride through a pedestrian only area with limited access to save your life. Although illegal, there have been cases that it was a prudent decision because of the circumstances.

Riding in the city is a big step and should only be practiced by someone who is very comfortable with their bikes. My motorcycle will stop is 15’ from 45mph if I need to. I know this because I’ve had to stop that quickly when a old lady jacked her brakes on in front of me for no apparent reason the last time I practiced urban combat riding.

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Car Vs Bike...is it fair, why does it happen?

2007-02-19T13:11:00.002-05:00

Automobile:

You drive down Interstate 95 doing the speed limit, minding your own business and trying to get to your destination safely. You understand the laws, and you, like many enjoy the security provided to you by the designers of your car. As you ponder the benefits of this safety, you are passed at high speed by a series of brightly colored noisy motorcycles doing in excess of 175mph. The tail rider notices your panic and slows down to your speed, then pops a wheelie, accelerating again to catch up with his friends. Un-nerved, you decide to take the scenic way home, getting off of the highway. As you are driving the country roads, you start to hear a load racket coming from behind you. It isn’t until you get to a stop sign that you realize that the racket is a series of strait pipe, non-helmet wearing cruiser riders that are making all the noise. When you move from the stop sign and get beyond the intersection, the group behind you decides to pass. They roar by, deafening you as they pass. Now just aggravated, you finally get home and to relieve the stress from the ride home, decide to take a walk in the woods. You begin to unwind, listening to the birds, smelling the forest, and enjoying nature. Then, off in the distance, you hear the sound of an engine: Chainsaw? Mower? How odd. What is even more odd if that it seems to be getting closer, then, all of a sudden, out of the woods, comes a group of smoking, loud, dirt bikes. As they pass they kick up the mud on the trail and you get covered. That was the last straw. The next day you do not signal on the highway, or yield to the fast sport bikes, as a result they lose control and crash. You do not allow the cruisers to pass instead blocking their way. When they do pass they almost hit an oncoming car. You set spikes in the trails to blow the dirt bike tires. You have become a vigilante against bikers. You are not alone though. There are many people just like you who wage war against them, in California oil is poured on curves, sharp rocks are thrown, and neck-trip wires are strung on trails. Others, merely, enact legislation to restrict bikes. To an automobilist, the National Transportation Safety Board, and other traffic councils, motorcyclists are a scourge and a danger on public ways. Are they really or is it a few who ruin it for the rest?

The Bikers perspective of the Cage vs Bike

2007-02-19T13:11:00.001-05:00

Motorcyclist:

Riding down a curvy road on your completely stock motorcycle you enjoy the fresh spring air in your face. The bike is running beautiful. The roads are clear, and you’re looking forward to a fun day out in the country. While doing the speed limit you notice a truck in a parking lot ahead getting ready to pull out. You prepare for an emergency stop, although you may not need it. Against all common sense, the truck did end up pulling out in front of you. You fortunately were being able to avoid hitting him. Oddly the truck does not accelerate after pulling out. You decide to pass a mile later. You flash, then proceed with a safe pass. While passing the truck, he begins to merge into you and match your speed. Survival takes over and you downshift and out accelerate the truck. The driver must take offense to being passed and decides to chase you. You both are exceeding the speed limit, though you quickly bank onto a side road and the pursuing truck can’t make the corner going into a ditch. You wait to see if they are ok, they get out and start running towards you. You take off. Going home, you manage to almost get run over a few more times but fortunately not chased again. What are wrong with drivers? You do nothing wrong, exercise all precautions and still enrage them. Why?

The Reality of Car&Bike

2007-02-19T13:09:00.001-05:00

The Reality:

Many automobilists view motorcyclists as unsafe rogues that are going to get themselves killed. Motorcyclists view automobilists as incompetent, under trained, reckless and vengeful. Both viewpoints are correct in a sense. There are many motorcyclists on the road the do not operate as safely as they could. They travel too fast and too aggressively. Others like the cruiser crowd believe that “loud pipes save lives.” This is a ridiculous farce and only causes a bad image and loss of rights. Although there are many riders who set a negative image, the majority of bikers are some of the best and safest users of the roadways in the US. This caution and skill comes from the truth that any accident may be fatal. Automobilists on the other hand are, for the most part, well under trained, distracted, and have no clue what it is like to be on a motorcycle. Driver’s education in the US should be re-designed because there are way too many reckless drivers on the road. This argument has also come up in various car club discussions and other automobile related venues. In the end, motorcyclists must self regulate so that they do not insight vigilante justice upon themselves and only need to avoid getting run over by the poor driver putting makeup on and reading the paper.

All vehicle operators must learn to be attentive and use caution as well as follow the rules. Remember, it isn’t right to take out frustrations from a bad day or a prior bad experience on an innocent victim whether you are in a car or on a motorcycle.

The Reality of Car&Bike

2007-02-19T13:09:00.000-05:00

The Reality:

Some Sort of Holiday Tradition, I think?

2007-01-24T11:57:00.000-05:00

I ended up getting some cool motorcycling stuff this year, Touratech, FirstGear, Icon, etc etc . That gets me thinking about the holidays and how they last so long.

Like most people in the US, heck the world, my wife and I celebrate the holidays. We don’t really celebrate Christmas, Chanukah, or Kwanzaa. We actually developed our own personal celebration that incorporates the many different holiday traditions. It’s been deemed the 12 days of Yule. The celebration begins on the winter solstice, longest night of the year, traditional start of the new year by some of the pre-christians in Europe. It officially is supposed to end in 12 days but rarely ever does.

The celebration starts in the evening with a big German meal of dinner sausage, sauerkraut, spaetzel, potatoes and wine. All followed by a great, rich chocolate dessert. The night is capped by the exchanging of one present and the burning of a pre-selected Yule log. Each day, only one present is exchanged. We believe that by only exchanging one gift it will allow the recipient to appreciate each and every one. It also encourages the giver to be more thoughtful in gift selection as the appeal must last for 24 hours.

Like most households we also have a Christmas tree, or a Yule tree in our case. We try to make this an adventure in itself. In the past we have taken our Jeep Wrangler out into the great north woods of Maine and found just the right tree to bring home. Last year, we harnessed our two dogs to a sleigh and snow-shoed into the woods to find just the right tree. Once we found the right one, it was lashed to the sleigh and the hounds pulled it home. This year, due to my new found love of motorcycling I decided to affix my Snowe and Neally axe to my bike and traveled off into the woods. An hour later I returned with a tree tied to the bike and myself covered in tree sap.

Although our primary holiday is the solstice, we never fail to also celebrate the traditional holidays as well. Christmas day is yet another excuse to feast. We usually enjoy the traditional servings of turkey, potatoes, stuffing and cranberry sauce, eggnog with rum and a good read afterwards in front of the fireplace. New Years usually marks the end of our celebrations, though we never fail to take the token ride into Belfast Maine to watch a giant group of semi-naked crazy people run into the frost rimmed ocean for a new years winter swim.

I started this article with the intention of writing about Christmas shopping and other holiday errands on my motorcycle. Though, in order to understand why I’m riding 50 miles to Bangor to get a brush, 20 minutes in 15F cold to get a flour sifter, or why I take my Motorcycle instead of a truck to get a tree, I though I'd explain why the holidays are so important to my family. Actually thinking about it, I really don’t understand this tradition either: Yule, 12 days that turn into many more, German food on the solstice? I don’t really have a clue as to the background so I’ll let my wife explain.

---Autumn, could you please explain this weird holiday thing to the nice folks?---

Okay. Well we’ve been doing this, what, oh how long have we been married? I guess this is our sixth year now! How it really started is like this: our first Christmas together I discovered that he hated the holidays. I love them, of course. So being young, in love, and extremely stubborn, we sat down and listed what we (he) hated about Christmas and what we (I) liked. We came up a fairly short list in the end. Really, we both hated the rush and the materialism. Especially the huge pre-holiday build-up lasting weeks leading up to the big moment, which lasted about an hour and ended with a trash bag of colored paper and not being able to remember what you had received the next day at the office.

So we came up with the twelve days of Yule. I’ve always loved the solstice. It is something tangible. Something I can understand. The moment when the earth begins to spin once again towards the light and the far of spring. This is something I can celebrate. So we anchored our new holiday to the solstice. We won’t get into the whole history of how Christmas ended up on the 25^th, three to four days after the solstice if the first place. That is a whole different story!

The number twelve is something thrown around quite a bit this time of year as well: twelfth night, twelve days of Christmas, etc. So we centered on twelve days and one gift a day. That way the build up lasts for nearly two weeks rather than one hour and the paper is much easier to pick up. Conveniently, that left our new holiday spanning from the solstice to New Years day. That just seemed right somehow.

It puts added pressure on the gift giver and certainly a challenge when it comes to staying on a budget! You don’t want to give a lame gift that will leave your spouse sulking for twenty-four hours, but you certainly can’t buy something outrageously expensive for every day. We try to limit the “big” gifts to the solstice, Christmas and New Year’s Day. We are an equal opportunity holiday celebration family.

Adam is definitely correct though that food plays a large part of our celebrations! Food equaled love in my family growing up. Thank goodness I inherited a fast metabolism! And isn’t that what the holidays are really about? Sharing good thoughts, creating new memories, and spending time with those you love? He and I are simply gluttons for the good stuff wanting more than just one day to take the time to appreciate that over the holidays. Twelve days makes a better place to start.

Oh yeah, I did do some research the third year or so we were into this and it turns out that we not only didn’t make it up, but that he and I are actually traditionalist. As it turns out, many early European cultures had the same tradition. The Viking version is one of my favorites. They stopped the wars and cut down the biggest tree they could find: the first “Yule” log. The party started on the solstice and lasted as long as the tree burned, which was usually around twelve days if you were really good at choosing your tree. Gifts were typically exchanged each day. Of course, they were mainly for cementing alliances, but really, we haven’t come that far, have we?

---Back to you Adam----

Well, there you have it, our tradition: Vikings, wars, giant fires, tons of gifts, and plenty of food. Just the sound of it makes me want to sing Christmas carols. If you think our winter holiday is interesting, our thanksgiving holiday is just as much fun. Think palm trees, a warm Mexican coast, and of course don’t forget the turkey, Coco Loco’s, and Piña Colada’s!!!

If you liked this article and want to read some others check out

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Oil blows engine!!!!! well almost!

2007-01-19T18:52:00.000-05:00

Boy, it's been a while since I've been on a bike. It's actually depressing. Fortunately It's given me a chance to get my own business going. The site is www.blueravenmaine.com

Enough about non-motorcycle stuff as this is a motorcycle blog after all.

The other day I was outside staring longingly at my poor motorbikes. I noticed a bottle of oil next to the bike so I decided to put it away. For some reason I opened it and inside I saw something shocking. The oil was as thick as taffy because of the cold!!!! This is the same oil is in my BMW. Thank god I decided not to start my bike as this may have actually blown the engine.

Tip of the day, winter riding, or starting requires a lighter weight oil in the crankcase. the old 20w-50 WILL NOT WORK!!!!!

So hopefully the next time I ride, the oil will be thinner and be better up to the task

ICON Milspec safety Vest Review

2007-01-07T19:31:00.000-05:00

Next up is The ICON, Milspec vest. This vest was origionally designed so that military personnel could meet the DOD requirements of having a safety vest on base at all times while riding a motorcycle. It actually has all the regulation numbers imprinted on the right zipper pocket and a heavy duty, velcro attached Military ID holder on the left.

What does a non-military motorcyclist need one of these for? Simple, safety. I ride all the time, not just on the sunny days. There is no better way to say "LOOK AT ME" while riding on a foggy dark morning than a bright neon vest covered in reflective chevrons.

Another benefit is that if you do get into an accident that is not your fault, the person cannot use the typical excuse that they did not see you. If they can't see you, they must be legally blind. This gives you an excellent foundation to claim damages in civil court from the driver.

So, what are the negatives to this? It does make you stick out like a sore thumb Don't wear it while going into a grocery store ore people will look at you awfully weird (like they don't already looking like a storm trooper)

The good? You can be seen VERY well on the road. It's of really good quality. The ID holder can hold medical information, and an old license. It's fully adjustable. It's available in solid and vented models. It's only $50

FYI, this as well as other Icon jackets, have a St Christopher medal hidden on the inside. I'm not at all relgious, but being out on the bike I need all the help I can get.

To give you a good idea about the reactions to this vest, read "Operation Conflake" on my site

As always, a link to this vest is in the Amazon Store.

History of my bikes, Affording to travel

2007-01-03T13:16:00.000-05:00

Well, if you havent realized I've actually expanded from this blog to a real website. I'll still be using this blog as an outlet for moble communication though the website will be my primamry source of information.

Recent updates: The history of my Bikes...how I got them
How do you afford to travel by bike

Be Like the SWAT, Fire Fox Vanquish Throat Mic review

2007-01-02T19:41:00.000-05:00

Bravo alpha, do you copy? Affirmative Alpha Zulu, ready for deployment.

If you want to feel like the special forces, SWAT or a fighter pilot, or just want one cool intercom this VOX setup is for you.

My biggest complaint with mics on bikes is the unintended triggering of the mic by wind, and breath. Because these units operate on throat vibration, unless you say something it won't transmit anything.

Operating on the same principle as special forces and SWAT throat mics this unit allows for uninterrupted, clear, real voice transmission. Because the only thing under the helmet is the earbuds you don't have to worry about clearance. The mic fits comfortably around your neck reading throat vibrations.

For those who don't want to use thier radio VOX feature, there is also an included weatherproof VOX button.

The negatives: The price, it a bit pricy at around $80 per unit. Then again, you get what you pay for.

A+ ranking

It's available in my tried and trusted gear section Page 3 as usual

Can you hear me now? Motorola SX800r 2 way radios

2006-12-31T09:26:00.000-05:00

The next item that I picked up at Cabelas is a set of Motorola SX800r Radios. In the past I had used some 5mi Southwest bell GMRS radios but the Vox feature was rough at best plus the range held a lot to be desired.

These Motorola's sport a 16mi maximum range though as of yet I've only gotten about a mile and a half. Do keep in mind though that they were being used out of a house, through a forest and over a fairly significant change of topography. My old set didn't work an closer than 1/10 of a mile

The units also sport a large easy to read screen, a great lock feature, and NOAA weather band with spontaneous weather alerts so you don't get stuck on the bike in a tornado. If you do happen to get caught in a tornado hit area and can't charge up the radios, no fear they also take traditional AAA batteries.

The Cons: I'm not a big fan of the looks, though they have started to grow on me. With my law background, I feel as though radios should be small/black not yellow and rounded. The controls are also kind of difficult to use. You can't just skip through channels as in other radios. You need to actually enter the menu to change them.

Overall, this radio looks to be a solid, rugged radio that will be highly suited to use on a bike. at about $50 a set for a set of Motorola radios that comes with a charger and nicads and 16mi range It's a hell of a buy.

I have a link to these radios as well as a bunch of other stuff I use under Tried and True Gear section of this blog. It links to Amazon and I get 4% if you buy the stuff there.

Next time I will be reviewing some really cool VOX mics that actually work!!!

Cabelas gear review, Item 1, Miox Water purifier

2006-12-29T09:35:00.000-05:00

In a recent trip to Cabelas I figured that I would do a review of what could be gotten for motorcyclists. Over the next few days. I will be adding some of the things I got for myself as well as adding them to "My Gear" section of this blog.

First up, The MSR Miox water purifier. This little units sole purpose is to make water safe to drink. Basically what you do is you put about a 1/4 teaspoon of water in it, let it bubble for a few seconds then toss the resultant cocktail into the water that need purification, wait anywhere from 15min-4hours depending on how clean you want the water and enjoy.

It's battery powered, weighs absolutely nothing, on just one set of batteries it'll treat 50 liters of water. The only other thing it needs is any food grade salt

The negatives if they can be considered such:
The cocktail adds a slight chlorine flavor to the water, you should use the chlorine test strips (included) to make sure you've added enough solution, and the batteries are a fairly expensive ($7.99) although VERY light, lithium type. The batteries are however compatible with another item I also purchased.

Overall I believe this to be a great item for any motorcyclist who wishes to travel in any remote area and not have to worry about carrying in tons of water.

I purchased this item at Cabelas for $117. It's available through my gear section for around the same.

Autumn crossing a 30' x2'x 15' puddle on the KLR

2006-12-24T20:54:00.000-05:00

This puddle is huge, if the bike went down possible hydrolock and a crackedhead. Autumn at this point only had about 2 weeks road experience.....she is a fast learner

Women, Motorcycles and the Facts of Life aka The Fledgling Albatross By Autumn Birt (Pt 3 of 3)

2006-12-24T10:49:00.000-05:00

I wasn't sure if I was apprehensive or excited when the morning came for my course. I packed my lunch, kissed Adam goodbye leaving strict instructions he couldn't stop by the course, and off I went. It was forecast to rain all weekend, of course. At least it was a warm fall for Maine. He was correct though, out of the eight people in my course only two were men. The age group spanned from a young twenty something girl who had her permit and a Ninja to a married couple learning to ride now that their last child was off to college.
The course was held on a private lot on a variety of 250cc bikes, all cruiser types. For the life of me, I can't remember which bike I choose except it was green. I have always loved the looks of cruisers and really thought they would be my bike of preference. So I was excited about the opportunity to try one out. I found out it wasn't easy. I felt like I was trying to sit in a recliner without a back rest while trying to drive and balance. It wasn't easy and I never felt comfortable on the bike during the two day course. I always seemed to be just a hair off balance, never sure if I was pressing the rear brake enough, and laughed when they said to stand on the pegs to go over the 'obstacles'. Stand on what? I found it was physically impossible to stand on pegs when your feet are two feet in front of you. I could put my feet down on the ground though, which was very nice.
For me, the course was difficult though I didn't realize how much so during it. The book work and test were easy. The time on the tarmac quick paced. I seemed to just be establishing a concept when we would move on to the next skill. My self-made pressure with the added feeling that I was constantly playing catch-up was not a good mix. Still, I never made a really bad mistake. I was never pulled aside and chastised. Really, the teachers were excellent, always having positive advice and helpful tips. But they didn't know me the way my husband did. They could point out what I was doing wrong, but not why and how to correct it. Adam would become my best teacher, but that was after the course.
By the time we came to the road test on the end of the second day, I was strung out and tired. I made several really dumb mistakes and barely passed. But I did pass! I jumped up and down with the rest of the class, soaking wet from head to toe, my visor of my helmet duct taped to the perfect point of covering my eyes for legality but allowing in enough air I didn't steam up my helmet. No one was concerned about looks at that point.
So I went home, triumphant but a little dispirited. I had passed. I could ride, but my confidence level was somewhere in the mud at my feet. Riding was put aside until the next weekend. We had picked up a second bike over the summer, a rescue from a crash that Adam had put back together and was running. We rode down the gravel road as I worked on finding my rhythm and feeling connected to the bike in the way I always imagined. Adam had lowered the KLR so that I could put my feet down to almost the heel which helped my comfort. I quickly realized one important thing: I liked the riding position of hybrid bikes. I've ridden horses and bicycles and being able to keep my feet under me was very natural. I could shift, brake and stay upright without the struggle from the class.
Adam was patient and a great teacher. He had only recently overcome many of the lessons I was struggling with. His advice was succinct and right on target, so I advanced very quickly in riding techniques. My love of motorcycling really started from that first day on a gravel road with my husband, the fall colors overhead and under tires. We went to a gravel pit where I could practice everything I felt like I hadn't fully grasped at the course. That in itself was a huge help.
There is so much more to say. Like how I found I was rather natural in the mud, go figure, but it took a few trips to get used to paved roads and traffic. I spent a whole afternoon on my own learning to start on hills without stalling. For me, it came down to practicing skills over and over again until they became natural. My husband was born to riding. Me, I have to study. But the important thing is we both love it. I'm so glad I took the course, and took it in the fall where we were lured out every weekend to enjoy the crisp air and fall colors. Now we are planning road trips for the spring. I finally achieved a long put off dream and now it is a significant part of my life, adding adventure and bringing my husband and I even closer. Who knew that the little girl watching her brother with wide eyes as he tore up the yard would lead here? Who knows where it will lead from here?

Women, Motorcycles and the Facts of Life, aka The Fledgling Albatross by Autumn Birt (Part 2 of 3)

2006-12-23T21:07:00.000-05:00

Was I nervous? Yes, but maybe not for the reasons you think. How could I not be nervous when something you had waited so long to do was finally scheduled and before you? How could you not be nervous when the person you love wants to share a passion with you, but first you have to pass the test. Adam had assured me his course had been mostly women and the average was about my age: early 30s. He would give me hints and advice about the course: having to do a figure eight in a box the size of a parking space, mechanical problems on well used bikes, that it would be a mix of classroom and riding. Still, despite all of my interest, I had only ever ridden on the back of a bike twice and not knowing how to even start a bike made me nervous. Heck, I could change the serpentine belt of my jeep when I met Adam, but he had to show me how to start the lawn tractor. I have still never actually mowed the lawn. I'm a very confused Tom boy.
So, riding a motorcycle was just something I innately wanted to do. My desperate looks, as well as his desire to share, finally led Adam and I one afternoon deep into the woods on a logging trail. I had a helmet by this point and borrowed his jacket (I like being one size smaller than him! I can borrow his clothes but mine look too small on him.). He showed me how to start the bike, the emergency shut off switch, throttle control, the clutch and shifting. Now all of our cars are manual transmission, so the idea of shifting wasn't new. Just the idea of being in control of the motorcycle.
I can only imagine the faith he had that I wouldn't crash his bike, only a few months old at this point, and damage it. We played on the road for a few hours, both learning a few lessons. I discovered that when learning to turn you need a wide space and if things go wrong like the throttle sticking, pull the clutch in! I also learned that his bike was rather high and any drop in the road surface on one side will cause me to fall over when I put my foot down. I dropped the bike twice. Adam on the other hand learned that motorcycle boots are not comfortable for walking after spouses on your motorcycle.

Women, Motorcycles and the Facts of Life, aka The Fledgling Albatross by Autumn Birt (Part 1 of 3)

2006-12-22T13:39:00.000-05:00

I have wanted to learn to ride a motorcycle since I was very young. I usually claim the desire started the day my parents let my brother get a dirt bike but not me. Mainly because I was five years younger, but really, deep down, I knew it was because I was a girl. Sun dresses, flowers, and cooking were to be my lot, not muddy screaming bounding off of homemade jumps. I idolized my brother more than my parents ever knew. His best gift to me was his cast off legos and matchbox cars. I was a Tom boy from a very early age.

For such a deep desire though, it took many years to finally reach fulfillment. Most women I have met are very good at self denial, and I am no exception despite my love of mechanics and unladylike pursuits. Women will serve themselves last at a table. My gut feeling is this is because of some deep rooted fear there isn't enough to go around. Most mothers would rather do without then let loved ones starve. Mothers will spend hundreds of dollars for their children's clothes but nickel and dime over new clothes for themselves. It is a societal thing, our culture. Self denial is my forte.

I had several near brushes with learning to ride. An ex-boyfriend promised to pay for the into course as a birthday present when I was living in Virginia. We broke up before the promise was kept. Then I met husband, Adam. He was the spark that really got the fire going. His father gave him what was left of a 1973 Honda CB450. He spent countless hours putting it back together, mostly in the kitchen of our first house during the winter months in Maine. Mechanical components are forbidden from the kitchen of our new house. I'm not entirely unladylike.

Adam got his permit, road around on the Honda and constantly broke down. I got very good at helping him load it into the back of the truck from the side of the road. There was no way I wanted to learn on that thing! And then we moved to our new house. It has a two car garage and a long dirt road that leads to gravel pits and logging roads. He finally managed to enroll in the safety and licensing course in the spring. We had learned our lesson with the Honda and we choose the expense of a new KLR650. There is nothing that dampens enthusiasm more than a tool that doesn't work.

He passed the course top of the class and fell in love with motorcycling in a way that only the obsessed can appreciate. Suddenly, he was gone on afternoon rides and I was amazingly jealous. He and I are very close, and the pressure was on to participate. The goal was for me to take the course the next spring. But we managed to scrape every extra penny together and I put myself on the wait list for an opening in the course that fall. Lucky me, I got in for the two day course September 23^rd and 24^th.

Acadia Adventure

2006-12-21T11:28:00.000-05:00

Ride details, all in Maine

Augusta to Belfast--35mi
Belfast to Bucksport--10mi
Bucksport to Ellsworth--22mi
Ellsworth to Bar Harbor--12mi
All around Acadia and up Mt Cadillac--25mi
Bar Harbor to Bangor--37mi
Bangor to Bucksport via back roads--18mi

Bucksport to Winterport, Monroe, Unity, Albion, China---40mi

Total Trip mileage---199mi
Total Trip cost including Gas---$22

Temperature range--35-45F
Precipitation--------Scattered rain, some snow, some sleet.
Fun Factor--------7/10

Now with the details out of the way lets start, I left at daybreak on my r1100gs heading east, my Nolan N100e with the tinted visor helped cope with the sun considerably. The ride down Rt3 was quick and uneventful, with beautiful vistas and smooth flow of what traffic there was. I believe the only issue was some early morning black ice. I managed to get into Belfast and got some riding money, then head down towards Bucksport where they are building/replacing a massive bridge. Apparently the old bridge almost collapsed and they didn't realize it until they were doing some work to it.

Once down in Ellsworth I stopped by Friend and Friend motorcycle and looked at the fancy gear and some snowmobiles they had in stock. From there I went across the street to a small restaurant called Sylvia’s diner. I've been eating there for several years because the portions are big, the food is good, and best of all...the prices are rock bottom. $4 for a full breakfast cannot be beat!!!

After breakfast I went south into Bar Harbour as I had heard that over 1500ft there would be snow, Cadillac Mtn is just over 1500 so I might get lucky. I hit the park loop road and headed up, unfortunately I got behind a tourist bus so I took advantage of the situation, stopping frequently and shooting photos. I finally got to the top and wouldn't you know it....sleet and freezing rain. Oh well.

Back down the mountain I came, having fun keeping the bike under control on ice while maneuvering switchbacks and decreasing radius turns with sharp drop-offs on the edge of the road. Considering I'm writing this; I obviously made it. I putted around for a while then between the now steady rain and being followed by the police for too long(park loops only 25mph, sorry officer), I decided to book it out of Acadia.

I had three choices once I hit Ellsworth again. I could make a run towards Canada but would result in me taking the Airline route(deadly rt9) home in the dark and cold, Bangor, just for the hell of it and make the ride worthwhile, or Just call it quits and go home. I never quit, It was Bangor or bust.

I shot up Rt 1A to Bangor only doing about 60, but the combination of rain and wind froze me to the bone....and I had layers. There was no breeze touching my skin, I just got cold. By the time I got to Bangor I was frozen. I stopped at Fields pond Audubon Refuge and decided to take a break and warm up. It was a fruitless attempt, jogging, walking nothing would warm me, even resorted to using my engine for heat. I finally got smart and found a store to get some coffee and a burger...the fix worked and I was back.

Having lived in the Bangor area before, I knew the back roads fairly well. There is a road near Brewer Lake that parallels Rt 15 and is nicely paved with beautiful curves. I believe it's called the Back Bucksport Rd and ends up in downtown Bucksport. I shot down the road and it was a blast today, although guy in a Volvo decided to take 3/4 of my lane in a curve. Oh well, the risks of being on a bike. In any case I ended up in Bucksport and decided to take the north route through waldo county.

Overall it was a good ride and well worth the time. I also realized I need a heated vest, a thermos of coffee, and a better fitting pair of gloves.

Photos

Acadia Trip

The official Mapped route: MAP

If you like this article see more like it at SmartRemarx

Hogs, Choppers, and Adventure Tourer, The Hear, See and Speak No Evil of the Open Road

2006-12-20T14:41:00.000-05:00

Shiny chrome cruisers roll on by, pipes roaring, hair flying in the wind and polished black leather shining in the sun. As they pass me not one rider fails to have a baffled look on their face. You see, the reason I was the subject of such attention was that I was located not on a paved side street, driveway or lot. It was because I was located on the embankment of a dirt ATV trail coming out of the woods. Unlike them, I was wearing all black Kevlar a mat black full face helmet all the while straddling a completely muddy, not shiny, 500 pound knobby tired BMW motorcycle.

Many people look at motorcycling as a recreational sport with one bike being like another bike. The truth is that although some may prefer one style over another, each style is a completely different vehicle with different handling characteristics. A cruiser with its forward footing position and pulled back handlebars is very comfortable on the freeway and byways. A sport bike sometimes called a crotch rocket with its rear positioned pegs and forward seating style is better suited to sharp curves or twisties. The dual sport has the ability to do everything, including riding in dirt, mud, sand, road, and highway. Each type of bike appeals to a different type of rider, and requires a different set of skills

All bikes have the same basic equipment, a couple wheels, handlebars, engine, hopefully some brakes and a few lights. Same applies with people; most people have a couple legs, a head, 10 fingers and toes etc. People, like bikes, are also vastly different. You have the loud pipes, no helmet leather clad cruiser types who like to party, shine their bikes and go for Sunday rides with there wives or girlfriends on the back. Then there are the hardcore Harley outlaw types who are stereotypically the gang type. The chopper crowd is a reoccurring niche in the market which is still filled with those who can pay big money for a custom bike or have the skill set to create one. The sport bike riders ride in groups and prefer to carve the twisties, go fast and do stunts traveling mostly short distances. Then there is the recreational touring couple which usually has the giant touring bikes like the Honda Goldwing that are equipped with more gadgets than the space shuttle and travel the 50 states all year. Finally, the dual sport adventure touring group who travel the world on all sorts of terrain usually also traveling alone making their bikes follow function before form.

Those who ride bikes accept the risks associated with riding, some people accept more risk than others. This risk is the possibility of getting hurt or killed by an irresponsible driver, act of nature or act of personal stupidity. Risk can be limited by continued practice in parking lots, motorcycle safety courses, and protective gear such as Kevlar and most importantly, helmets. Either it be a veteran rider or a new rider, it’s the acceptance of the risks and an overall love of the freedom provided by this two wheeled motorized contraption that unites us all.

Read this article and others like it at www.smartremarx.com

Moosehead Maine ride

2006-12-19T18:01:00.000-05:00

Moosehead Run
Total Miles 280mi
Midcoast to Frenchtown (Kodajo) 140mi
Frenchtown to Midcoast 140mi
Start time 0730
End time 1500
Temperature26F-39F
Weather conditions—Sun to Clouds to SNOW. Snow showers in the afternoon
Road conditions.
Dry then wet snow covered, then wet salt covered, some ice in places

Moosehead lake is one of the many beautiful places in Maine. It is one of the largest lakes east of the Mississippi and is largely unspoiled by development. It does however have a unique past from log runs to world class, turn of the century resorts. Greenville, a town located at the most southern point of Moosehead Lake is the highlight town of the region. The town sports all types of activity from Float Plane charters in the summer to snowmobile rentals in the winter.

The ride today was one of the last “big rides” of the season as I just got hit with a $1000 car repair bill and my attempt at heated gear…well read on.

The day started off typical. I had the pre-ride heebee jeebies. Good thing as it keeps me alert and aware I’m not invincible. I managed to forget my wallet so I had to make a return trip home, finally I got underway. The roads were slightly icy so it was slow going at first until I got up into Unity, and Detroit. The roads by that point were dry and clear. I hit Rt100 through Newport and picked up an ATV trail up into Corinna from Newport (it is a BMW GS after all). While going down the ATV trail I realized I was flying through frozen puddles making a sound similar to breaking glass!!! Once in Corinna I hit the road again towards Dexter..remember Dexter Shoes?

It wasn’t until Guilford that things started to get interesting. For one, I felt like I was on fire……I WAS ON FIRE!!!!! Apparently the snowmobile grip heaters that I had stuffed into my riding gear shorted and started to catch on fire. Fortunatly I was able to pull the plug and get the fire out before any real damage occurred. Unfortunately the jacket still smells like melted plastic. In addition to the hot side I had been watching a cold squall line for about a half hour over Greenville and figured it would have moved out by the time I arrived……nope. I managed to hit the snow dead on, Being the first snow of the season I was mesmerized and paranoid at the same time. The snow was piling up on the roads; visibility was about 50’, the bike was handling loosely but confidently just as well. My body kept tightening up and I needed to consciously loosen up to maintain control. Eventually I made my way into Monson and got a cup of coffee.

I talked to the nice guys at the store for about 20min and enjoyed a hot coffee. They made it clear that they thought I was nuts but I just laughed it off and said that this was the best time of year to ride. No tourists, no lines, clear roads. Monson is an interesting town in that its biggest industry is slate/shale. No other town in the area uses it, only Monson. It seems like every driveway and side road if paved in crushed shale. To each their own I guess.

I managed to make it to Greenville shortly after leaving Monson. Initially I had figured I’d stop at Greenville, but decided to go all the way to the northern terminus of legal motorcycling…Frenchtown. The roads north of there are paper company owned and due to a lawsuit resulting from some moron who was following a logging truck on his bike with no helmet or face protection and got hit in the head by a rock that was thrown up.

I stopped at the terminus had the token cup of hot beverage. On the way back I decided to stop and take a look at a old military jet crash site that had been dedicated as a memorial. Unfortunately the road was well packed snow and ice. I started down the road but noticed that it was heading downhill…with ice. Having lived in Maine long enough, I realized quickly that it was not a good choice. Yeah I might have made it to the crash site, but I sure as hell would not have made it back home without help. I decided to turn around and on the way back to the road, I hit a iced incline doing about 5-6mph, the back of the bike spun around on me and we both ended up on the ground. The fun part was getting that pig upright while standing on ice!!!!. I managed to get going again and learned the advantage of outriggers on snow/ice. Once on pavement again I headed towards Greenville to get an actually HOT beverage to bring up my core body temperature. I got my coffee, a sticker and a shirt, and then headed home. It was an overall uneventful ride except when I decided to take the same ATV trail home, I hit a bump a bit too hard, bottoming out my shocks and giving me an oil shower as my fork seals blew out!!! I managed to get home anyways, and the seals are on order…….ap

Photos

mooshead trip

Official Map of this ride: MAP

Read this as well as other interesting articles at Smart Remarx

Beyond the Tarmac

2006-12-19T14:24:00.000-05:00

Beyond the Tarmac

By Adam P. Paul #123713
And his wife
Autumn Birt

Originally published by BMW Owners News, a publication of the BMW Owners association

“You ought to be ashamed of yourself, taking that BMW off road.” This is usually the response I get from my father on a regular basis when I show up with my off road modified R1100GS covered front fender to tail rack in mud, sand and silt.

For awhile, I started to think that he was right. Yeah, my first bike and my wife’s current bike; the Kawasaki KLR650 was designed for dual sport riding, but who in their right mind would want to ride a 550 pound travel equipped motorcycle off road? When I bought the bike, it even had sticky road tires mounted. Between those tires and the need to learn how the bike typically handled, I kept to paved roads for a while.

Many GS riders I've met have never ventured off road, even though BMW ships the Adventure series bikes from the factory with tires that are suitable for all terrain. They also run the grueling Dakar rally with their F650GS single cylinder. Why then could I not run my GS through anything any off road vehicle could tackle? Why could I not be running the same tough trails I had fallen in love with on the KLR? The fact is – I can!

Like I said before, my GS came with street tires. The prior owner admitted never taking the bike off road. Although the bike handled stellar on-road, I almost low-sided on a shallow curve on a gravel road when I finally started adventuring beyond the pavement. The following week I installed Continental TKC-80s, OEM for the BMW Adventure series bikes . The difference was instantly distinguishable, the knobby tires were nowhere near as smooth as the road tires but still stuck well enough for aggressive road riding! The real advantage became noticeable on my first excursion off of the tarmac.

At first, I was hesitant about trying the bike on loose gravel, but did so anyway. The bike responded loosely as predicted, but still was able to travel confidently over the loose surface. After my confidence increased, my curiosity in the capabilities of the GS increased as well. It seems as though on every ride I push myself and my GS into trying something new. I worked up from the loose gravel roads, to puddle crossings, then stream crossings and from gravel roads, to muddy logging roads, to finally wretched, rocky ATV trails. Since the initial attempt over loose gravel, I've learned that the GS is as capable as the rider piloting it.

Of course, it helps that I had been over many of these same roads with the little KLR. But that doesn't mean anyone can't learn to take their GS off road. It is what they were designed for, despite the culture that BMWs are only road bikes.

Is it too heavy to ride off road? That is your decision. If you maintain balance, the bike weighs next to nothing. That is one primary rule of riding off road – distribution of balance. If you thought riding was already a very interactive sport get ready for a whole new realm and a lot of standing up and transferring weight on the pegs, pulling back on the bars, and giving throttle when a road-only rider would be clamping down on the brakes as hard as they could.

In preparation of riding off road I did install crash bars on my GS and have been glad I did. Crash bars are as expensive as new valve covers, but a bent crash bar won’t leave you stranded in the middle of grizzly bear country squirting oil on the ground like a cracked valve cover! Just like there is safety gear you wear for riding a motorcycle, there is proper equipment for minimizing the risk of damage to your bike off road. However, you don't have to spend a ton of money just to learn a few off road techniques. I do recommend something other than road tires though. If you are at all interested in traveling back gravel and dirt roads, dirt capable road tires are worth the expense.

The best place to start to learn balance for off road riding is on a town maintained dirt road. Stand up on your pegs, shift your weight and see how the bike reacts. What about braking? Loose gravel on pavement is one of a road bikers worst nightmares. Well, remember that MSF course? The one where they said 70% front and 30% rear brakes. Forget that lesson while riding on dirt. 70% on front may result in a lockup or worse. The best all round is 40/60 favoring the rear brake. Also, disable the ABS, as it will inhibit stopping. Go out and do a few emergency stops on dirt to see how the bike reacts. Riding in dirt is more aggressive. You will feel your rear tire slide and you should know how to react when it does. The last thing you want to do is panic with this unfamiliar sensation as, believe it or not, it eventually becomes a steering mechanism.

Once you are comfortable with the balance and brake practice. Learn the grip of the tires. How long will they bite? A slightly less maintained road with lots of pot holes is just perfect for this! Practice swerves at various speeds and if you hit one, well that is good practice too. Aim for some rocky patches and get used to the bumps. Learn to travel a line through rough terrain, even if it is just a short section of pot holes and rocks. Stick to your confidence level but push the edge a little further each time you ride. My wife and I try to focus on either perfecting a skill or learning a new one each time we ride off road.

If you live near a gravel pit, then you just found the perfect place to practice off road riding skills. Ask permission first and find out when the gravel trucks won't be around, but consider the gravel pit the off road riders equivalent to a parking lot. Set up rock cairns and practice turns, stops, running through mud or wet gravel. Being able to stand and take tight turns is essential to riding on a rough trail.

As for learning puddle/stream crossings, well there is really only one way and I hate to say it, but it is to get wet! Start with a small puddle. If you don't mind getting your feet wet, walk through it and feel the bottom. Is it hard or slick mud? After you go through on foot and you are confident that it isn’t bottomless or there isn’t a 15 inch submerged log, get some speed up and lean back to get the weight off of the front tire because the water will slow you down naturally. Keep your stance loose and fluid. Yes, your rear tire will fishtail a bit in the mud. Yes, you might hit a big rock in the middle of the puddle. You have to be ready for anything and ready to react to it.

The nice thing about dirt and mud riding is that the conditions change incredibly with the weather. That nice dirt road that was no longer a challenge on dry days can teach you a whole new set of skills after a rainstorm. My wife's motto when going through puddles and long wet, muddy sections is to aim for the points of least resistance and roll on the throttle. If you fall down, don’t fret for you have just learned the cardinal rule of off road riding; falling off road causes less damage to you as well as the bike while instilling the knowledge of proper technique.

The biggest thing is to simply get out and give it a try. The GS is a capable bike and can handle off road conditions. When I pull up at a gas station with my bike, and myself, covered in mud and I get a complement about how the bike looks like it just got done going around the world, I'm proud to say that I can go places that many motorcyclists can only dream of going. Learn the above skill sets as they are the foundation of all off road riding. Most importantly, have fun and I'll see you on the trail, James Bay, or on the Dawson Highway!