It's been a while since I've posted. Considering that I'm selling my bike and my riding career has an uncertain future, you may understand why I've been a bit quiet lately.
That said, I've had a few quick thoughts I wanted to share:
I just had lunch for less than one gallon of gas. The dollar menu at Wendy's is awesome, but I don't ever remember having to pay less than $1 for a whole meal back in the day!
I'm precariously close that that $20 fillup. I used to get mad when I had to pay more than $10 at the pump to fill up - on premium. A $20 weekend went a long, long way just a few years ago. Now, motor sports has become much more expensive and I'm less likely to "blow away" so much money to go for a ride.
Road rage lives on. I rarely get so upset at another driver for driving recklessly that I feel something needs to be done. When I saw a Jeep Wrangler consistently endanger another rider, I knew I had to take action. I got a good look at the driver and memorized the license plate. I reported the @#$% to the local police department and filed a complaint. One of the people (read: the driver) in the vehicle was using a cell phone and didn't seem to notice that he was driving 20+ mph over the speed limit and tailgating everyone.
Having to sell the FJR got me riding this week. I've enjoyed every moment of it (even though I got very upset at the aforementioned incident). Riding for the sake of commuting really is fun, even if the temperature isn't regulated. It's nice to just be "out there." And getting more miles for the money is a good feeling, too.
Not that'd I'd be opposed to a smaller bike with even better mileage!
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Sentiments
As I've been preparing the FJR for selling, my neighbor has dropped by occasionally to check on my progress.
He told me recently that if he won the lottery, he'd buy my FJR. He'd even keep it in my garage. He just didn't want to loose his riding partner.
That was very nice of him to say.
But I replied with, "If you were a true friend, you'd buy me a new KTM Adventure."
Good thing we're friends since I was just kidding! What a great guy!
He told me recently that if he won the lottery, he'd buy my FJR. He'd even keep it in my garage. He just didn't want to loose his riding partner.
That was very nice of him to say.
But I replied with, "If you were a true friend, you'd buy me a new KTM Adventure."
Good thing we're friends since I was just kidding! What a great guy!
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Getting Ready: The first step
So I've decided to sell the FJR. Yes, it's come to this, but I know that it's the right thing to do and for once I feel good about it. In the best case scenario, I get to keep the bike, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen.
But before I sell, I need to accomplish a number of tasks that all boil down to one simple concept: bring the bike back to as close to stock as possible.
So all the blue fairings have to go. The glove box has to go. I get to keep the PIAA 4000's! (Yay!) The handguards and bar ends have to go. The heated grips will probably have to stay. The custom wiring with the battery monitor, cigarette lighter and controls for accessory lighting will probably have to stay (because it will be very difficult and time consuming to remove). The car horns have to go. (Now, that was a blast!)
The FJR has no clothes!
It wasn't easy, but I managed to leave the radiator
on and still have access to the headers.
I had recently acquired a replacement exhaust, so I'm adding that to the bike. The old set is dented, scratched and worn. This new set will make this six year old bike with 60,000 miles look much newer. (I brought the old gal home in October of 2002!)
Aren't those new pipes pretty?
I removed most of the plastic last weekend. I couldn't stay in bed this morning, so I decided to "get productive." I removed the old exhaust and replaced the headers. I had to drain the coolant (I'll have to replace it; It was old anyway. Besides, recommended replacement is every two years!) My father taught me that if something is worth doing, it's worth doing right. So I replaced the exhaust gaskets, too. But I did manage to save myself some work by leaving the radiator on the bike.
With the new exhaust on the bike (okay, it's actually "low mileage") and a solid cleaning, the FJR will look her best since a long, long time. Only one more thing to make her perfect: the right saddlebag needs to be "touched up." A bit of road rash has taken its toll cosmetically. Next paycheck may get this painted.
I wrapped the headers a few years ago, which really
cut down on the heat cooking my legs.
Yeah, there's some discoloration there.
Riding in the rain has worn some of that wrap, too.
Soon she can stroll onto Craigslist and I'll finally get my asking price.
But before I sell, I need to accomplish a number of tasks that all boil down to one simple concept: bring the bike back to as close to stock as possible.
So all the blue fairings have to go. The glove box has to go. I get to keep the PIAA 4000's! (Yay!) The handguards and bar ends have to go. The heated grips will probably have to stay. The custom wiring with the battery monitor, cigarette lighter and controls for accessory lighting will probably have to stay (because it will be very difficult and time consuming to remove). The car horns have to go. (Now, that was a blast!)
The FJR has no clothes!
It wasn't easy, but I managed to leave the radiatoron and still have access to the headers.
I had recently acquired a replacement exhaust, so I'm adding that to the bike. The old set is dented, scratched and worn. This new set will make this six year old bike with 60,000 miles look much newer. (I brought the old gal home in October of 2002!)
Aren't those new pipes pretty?I removed most of the plastic last weekend. I couldn't stay in bed this morning, so I decided to "get productive." I removed the old exhaust and replaced the headers. I had to drain the coolant (I'll have to replace it; It was old anyway. Besides, recommended replacement is every two years!) My father taught me that if something is worth doing, it's worth doing right. So I replaced the exhaust gaskets, too. But I did manage to save myself some work by leaving the radiator on the bike.
With the new exhaust on the bike (okay, it's actually "low mileage") and a solid cleaning, the FJR will look her best since a long, long time. Only one more thing to make her perfect: the right saddlebag needs to be "touched up." A bit of road rash has taken its toll cosmetically. Next paycheck may get this painted.
I wrapped the headers a few years ago, which reallycut down on the heat cooking my legs.
Yeah, there's some discoloration there.Riding in the rain has worn some of that wrap, too.
Soon she can stroll onto Craigslist and I'll finally get my asking price.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
A Monday Ride
One of the nice things about working at a motorcycle shop is having Mondays off. You get a weekend day and a week day to do... well, those things that need to be done.
For me, Sundays are still Sundays. But Monday is my Saturday. This Monday, I took my first real ride in over a month. So much for the chronic rider, eh?
I started off taking Loop 1604 to Bandera Road. (After seeing the terrible traffic there, I'm a bit surprised that I took that same path to school for 3 1/2 years...) Bandera West dead ends into Scenic Loop Road. A left onto Toutant Beauregard drops you off at Tx 46 and I-10, next to Starbucks.
Taking 46 west to 16 north, I took a quick break Bandera. A little farther north, I caught 470 west, which I don't take very often. It's a pretty ride with a semi-technical turn or two, but it has a few straightaways that are good for... stretching my legs.
I passed Tarpley and turned south on 187 and dropped into Lost Maples Cafe for lunch. The place was full of locals. They all stopped talking to turn and stare. Though it was somewhat awkward, I went and found a table and relaxed a bit for lunch.
Once I was ready for the ride home, I headed back up 187 to catch 337 east. My brother and I caught this road once and spent some time taking pictures. Even with the greyness of winter upon the hill country, this road was scenic as ever.
I caught 16 south, passing through Medina and the apple orchard. Pretty soon an apple festival will be under way. It seems in Texas, all kinds of festivals are held for all kinds of food. (We just had the rodeo in San Antonio. The strawberry festival is coming up, too.)
I detoured and took 2828 east and 173 back into Bandera. 173 really is highway, even though it goes to two lanes near Bandera. Taking 16 back to loop 1604, it alternated between two and three lanes until it finally settled upon four. Naturally, I caught 1604 to return home.
I had the odd feeling that there was a certain lack of "special" in the ride itself. It was nice to get out and get some sunshine (which is a rarity in and of itself). But, the roads we so very familiar. It struck me how I used to be filled with awe every time I rode highway 16 into the Hill Country and see the hills unfold before me. I used to marvel at the sweepers and tight turns of those back roads. I appreciated how lightly traveled those roads are during the week.
I did appreciate the light traffic this time. But the ride itself fell a little flat. I didn't really enjoy the scenery so much this time. There was a spot or two that felt really good to concentrate on the technical parts. But for the whole, it was lacking something.
Perhaps the wonder of the ride is gone. The mystery of unexplored places left. My favorite stops no longer had familiar faces. The $15 in gas seemed a little less worth it. The best part of the ride was feeling my lower back straighten itself out; it felt better after the ride than before it.
I've determined to sell the FJR. It will cover expenses when my beautiful wife is unable to work when she has our baby girl. I will miss the sportiness of this ride, but not the expense.
I'll probably pick up another bike - a small dual-sport - when time and money permits. The economy and fun factor of those bikes still amazes me. I am NOT giving up riding... just putting a little time aside for more important things.
The past month or two has shown me that I can live without riding all the time. In some ways it's even better. (Air conditioning is a good start!) The motorcycle has been a way of life for me for... at least seven years. I will still support organizations like the AMA, even when I'm not riding. I think perhaps it's time for me to grow up a little and reorganize my priorities.
Has the bike become an idol for me? Perhaps. Has it allowed an emotional escape for me? Surely. Are there other, healthier pastimes I can take up? Yes.
I'm thinking I should get into better shape so I can do more hiking. And on a side note, it's a lot easier to transport backpacks, hiking boots and walking sticks in a car than a motorcycle!
For me, Sundays are still Sundays. But Monday is my Saturday. This Monday, I took my first real ride in over a month. So much for the chronic rider, eh?
I started off taking Loop 1604 to Bandera Road. (After seeing the terrible traffic there, I'm a bit surprised that I took that same path to school for 3 1/2 years...) Bandera West dead ends into Scenic Loop Road. A left onto Toutant Beauregard drops you off at Tx 46 and I-10, next to Starbucks.
Taking 46 west to 16 north, I took a quick break Bandera. A little farther north, I caught 470 west, which I don't take very often. It's a pretty ride with a semi-technical turn or two, but it has a few straightaways that are good for... stretching my legs.
I passed Tarpley and turned south on 187 and dropped into Lost Maples Cafe for lunch. The place was full of locals. They all stopped talking to turn and stare. Though it was somewhat awkward, I went and found a table and relaxed a bit for lunch.
Once I was ready for the ride home, I headed back up 187 to catch 337 east. My brother and I caught this road once and spent some time taking pictures. Even with the greyness of winter upon the hill country, this road was scenic as ever.
I caught 16 south, passing through Medina and the apple orchard. Pretty soon an apple festival will be under way. It seems in Texas, all kinds of festivals are held for all kinds of food. (We just had the rodeo in San Antonio. The strawberry festival is coming up, too.)
I detoured and took 2828 east and 173 back into Bandera. 173 really is highway, even though it goes to two lanes near Bandera. Taking 16 back to loop 1604, it alternated between two and three lanes until it finally settled upon four. Naturally, I caught 1604 to return home.
I had the odd feeling that there was a certain lack of "special" in the ride itself. It was nice to get out and get some sunshine (which is a rarity in and of itself). But, the roads we so very familiar. It struck me how I used to be filled with awe every time I rode highway 16 into the Hill Country and see the hills unfold before me. I used to marvel at the sweepers and tight turns of those back roads. I appreciated how lightly traveled those roads are during the week.
I did appreciate the light traffic this time. But the ride itself fell a little flat. I didn't really enjoy the scenery so much this time. There was a spot or two that felt really good to concentrate on the technical parts. But for the whole, it was lacking something.
Perhaps the wonder of the ride is gone. The mystery of unexplored places left. My favorite stops no longer had familiar faces. The $15 in gas seemed a little less worth it. The best part of the ride was feeling my lower back straighten itself out; it felt better after the ride than before it.
I've determined to sell the FJR. It will cover expenses when my beautiful wife is unable to work when she has our baby girl. I will miss the sportiness of this ride, but not the expense.
I'll probably pick up another bike - a small dual-sport - when time and money permits. The economy and fun factor of those bikes still amazes me. I am NOT giving up riding... just putting a little time aside for more important things.
The past month or two has shown me that I can live without riding all the time. In some ways it's even better. (Air conditioning is a good start!) The motorcycle has been a way of life for me for... at least seven years. I will still support organizations like the AMA, even when I'm not riding. I think perhaps it's time for me to grow up a little and reorganize my priorities.
Has the bike become an idol for me? Perhaps. Has it allowed an emotional escape for me? Surely. Are there other, healthier pastimes I can take up? Yes.
I'm thinking I should get into better shape so I can do more hiking. And on a side note, it's a lot easier to transport backpacks, hiking boots and walking sticks in a car than a motorcycle!
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Riding Pants
Riders start out with two or three basic articles of protective gear: the helmet, jacket and gloves. The additional "coverage" comes from shoes or boots and blue jeans, which are considered par for the course.
However, riding pants and boots tend to arrive much farther down the line. They require a much more specific fit, cost a lot more than their non-riding counterparts and may not be used much by a casual rider. These items just aren't justified to many people.
Most non-riders will notice the "spaceman" - a biker with a helmet and a textile jacket. But only another rider will really pay attention to riding pants and boots.
I called up my neighbor today. "Have you looked outside? Isn't it gorgeous!" He agreed to a short ride after work. We just tooled around town, visiting a couple stores he works with. Afterwards, we parted and I headed to a non-remarkable fast food joint, hoping to grab a taste of their "Big Deal."
I pulled in to discover a BMW 1200 GS parked out front. Among my circles, BMW riders are an odd lot, and supposedly the GS riders are the quirkiest.
I came in and ordered my sandwich. The other rider was sitting in a corner, talking on a cell phone. I let him ignore me; It was the polite thing to do. After he hung up, he called across the room, "Hey! What are you riding?" This spurred a friendly conversation that lasted much longer than either of us anticipated. He told me of how his desire to leave cruisers behind led him to the big dual sport, of some of his off-road adventures, and how he lusted after the new KTM's - but was disappointed in the short supply of quality dealers. I shared the story of the older gentleman who traveled all over on his old BMW R-bike, logging hundreds of thousands of miles, yet never had the desire to draw attention to himself by writing a book, posting on the internet or even bragging about it.
Eventually, he pointed out that I was wearing riding pants. I told him, "Might as well be comfortable." I noticed his riding pants and boots as I passed him in the restaurant; we were both decked-out in full riding gear. It gave a certain measure of validity to each of our stories and added to our respect for one-another. We both admitted to our hooligan sides, but we weren't squids. After a while, we both headed our own way, edified by the company of a civilized rider.
We notice the little things that separate or unite us. This time, the riding pants were more important than the ride.
However, riding pants and boots tend to arrive much farther down the line. They require a much more specific fit, cost a lot more than their non-riding counterparts and may not be used much by a casual rider. These items just aren't justified to many people.
Most non-riders will notice the "spaceman" - a biker with a helmet and a textile jacket. But only another rider will really pay attention to riding pants and boots.
I called up my neighbor today. "Have you looked outside? Isn't it gorgeous!" He agreed to a short ride after work. We just tooled around town, visiting a couple stores he works with. Afterwards, we parted and I headed to a non-remarkable fast food joint, hoping to grab a taste of their "Big Deal."
I pulled in to discover a BMW 1200 GS parked out front. Among my circles, BMW riders are an odd lot, and supposedly the GS riders are the quirkiest.
I came in and ordered my sandwich. The other rider was sitting in a corner, talking on a cell phone. I let him ignore me; It was the polite thing to do. After he hung up, he called across the room, "Hey! What are you riding?" This spurred a friendly conversation that lasted much longer than either of us anticipated. He told me of how his desire to leave cruisers behind led him to the big dual sport, of some of his off-road adventures, and how he lusted after the new KTM's - but was disappointed in the short supply of quality dealers. I shared the story of the older gentleman who traveled all over on his old BMW R-bike, logging hundreds of thousands of miles, yet never had the desire to draw attention to himself by writing a book, posting on the internet or even bragging about it.
Eventually, he pointed out that I was wearing riding pants. I told him, "Might as well be comfortable." I noticed his riding pants and boots as I passed him in the restaurant; we were both decked-out in full riding gear. It gave a certain measure of validity to each of our stories and added to our respect for one-another. We both admitted to our hooligan sides, but we weren't squids. After a while, we both headed our own way, edified by the company of a civilized rider.
We notice the little things that separate or unite us. This time, the riding pants were more important than the ride.
Friday, February 1, 2008
A Balanced Approach
Should I keep riding or sell the bike? This choice bothered me for months. I found my answer where I least expected it.
I could use these excuses to quit:
People tend to tell me one of two things:
I said, "I struggle with the thought that riding may have become an idol in my life."
He replied, "It is good that you struggle."
Finally, someone demonstrated genuine insight without passing judgment! He reaffirmed my passion for motorcycles and my commitment to family. For the first time, someone provided a response - not a reaction - to my riding.
When the time comes, I will make the decision - one way or the other - to keep or sell the bike.
In the meantime, I will ride conservatively, enjoy my commute and take smaller rides. After all, a balanced approach will avoid the trappings of judgmental reactions.
I could use these excuses to quit:
- Deer. They want to get me.
- Money. I spend a lot just to ride.
- Time. Riding keeps me from other responsibilities.
- Pain. I don't want to die or get injured.
- Family. My family should come before riding.
People tend to tell me one of two things:
- I should sell the bike and quit riding. I hear this all the time. This knee-jerk reaction really gets old. These people don't care what I do - they just hate motorcycles!
- I should keep the bike. They say I deserve to indulge myself occasionally. This approach ignores the fact that I must meet my family's needs before my personal entertainment.
I said, "I struggle with the thought that riding may have become an idol in my life."
He replied, "It is good that you struggle."
Finally, someone demonstrated genuine insight without passing judgment! He reaffirmed my passion for motorcycles and my commitment to family. For the first time, someone provided a response - not a reaction - to my riding.
When the time comes, I will make the decision - one way or the other - to keep or sell the bike.
In the meantime, I will ride conservatively, enjoy my commute and take smaller rides. After all, a balanced approach will avoid the trappings of judgmental reactions.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Fortune Cookie
"You will step on the soil of many countries."
I really don't know what to say about this one. Perhaps it should have read:
"You will ride the backroads of many counties."
Yeah, that's more like it!
I really don't know what to say about this one. Perhaps it should have read:
"You will ride the backroads of many counties."
Yeah, that's more like it!
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