Sunday, March 19, 2017
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Things I Need to Say
So, this post is mainly addressed to my mother. I know she worries about all of us kids, but there seems to be one special piece (I think she probably has one special piece apiece for each of her kids) just for me that I would like to talk about.
When I first started riding a motorcycle (yes, another post about them. Get over it), I did not tell my mother. If I bothered to narrow down the reasons why, I invariably arrived at the conclusion that it would cause her quite a bit of worry. I mean, motorcycle accident can be a lot to deal with. However, I won't try to justify the numbers at the moment, because they do little to help allay fears. A number is just a number, they are very hard to take comfort in.
That said, my mother (indeed, my family) has been nothing but supportive of me and my decision to ride. They all know that I don't get on a bike without gear and that I do my best to ride as safe as I can whenever I am out. If there is one thing that has been made readily apparent in my life, my family (anyone I call family) has always been there for me. It makes it even better when they understand that riding makes me happy and keeps the shadows away.
So, I want to say this to mom (and all those others in my family who worry). I promise you that I will never get on one of my bikes without wearing my helmet. I will wear gear appropriate for riding. I will do everything I can to keep the rubber side down and the shiny side up.
I also found a prayer for you to say, if you feel you need to ask specifically (I have adapted it from it's original form):
Dear Lord, as Rory gets ready to get on his bike
keep him safe from harm and let
the other drivers see him as he rides by.
Keep him alert and watchful, don't let him ever fail
to stop and help out one of his own.
Keep his eyes focused in front of him,
show him the signs along the way,
and give him the wisdom to take the right road.
May the angels of his fellow bikers who
have gone before him guard his travels,
for they know the perils of the road ahead of him.
Amen.
Thank you for understanding, mom.
When I first started riding a motorcycle (yes, another post about them. Get over it), I did not tell my mother. If I bothered to narrow down the reasons why, I invariably arrived at the conclusion that it would cause her quite a bit of worry. I mean, motorcycle accident can be a lot to deal with. However, I won't try to justify the numbers at the moment, because they do little to help allay fears. A number is just a number, they are very hard to take comfort in.
That said, my mother (indeed, my family) has been nothing but supportive of me and my decision to ride. They all know that I don't get on a bike without gear and that I do my best to ride as safe as I can whenever I am out. If there is one thing that has been made readily apparent in my life, my family (anyone I call family) has always been there for me. It makes it even better when they understand that riding makes me happy and keeps the shadows away.
So, I want to say this to mom (and all those others in my family who worry). I promise you that I will never get on one of my bikes without wearing my helmet. I will wear gear appropriate for riding. I will do everything I can to keep the rubber side down and the shiny side up.
I also found a prayer for you to say, if you feel you need to ask specifically (I have adapted it from it's original form):
Dear Lord, as Rory gets ready to get on his bike
keep him safe from harm and let
the other drivers see him as he rides by.
Keep him alert and watchful, don't let him ever fail
to stop and help out one of his own.
Keep his eyes focused in front of him,
show him the signs along the way,
and give him the wisdom to take the right road.
May the angels of his fellow bikers who
have gone before him guard his travels,
for they know the perils of the road ahead of him.
Amen.
Thank you for understanding, mom.
Friday, October 4, 2013
Dolls
It was an uneventful sort of street; the type that was usually found in the outskirts of any city. House followed house down both sides of Apple Street in the mostly quiet neighborhood in suburban Hampton. And yet, there was, in the past few years, a growing shadow on this particular street. No one was exactly sure, upon reflection, when the pall seemed to settle over the area, but they did know that it had focused on a house that has since been labeled the "Jarvela place" and had definitely started sometime after that couple had moved in.
"At the beginning," one of the long-term residents remarked, "it was a fairly normal house, you know. They seemed a cute couple," she recalled with a slight shiver, "but they was definitely stranger than the rest."
The house, for all of the portents, seems like any other on the street. The garden in the front yard was never out of the ordinary. A flag flew from its place on the front of the house. Most weekends the lawn was trimmed, although, when pressed, no one seems to recall seeing anyone do the mowing, but most people are dismissive of such things. Cars were regularly parked in the driveway, except during the day when, obviously, the couple were at work. In truth, most couldn't exactly place why the house became such a source of dread.
They do know that it certainly became much more pronounced after the 4th of July celebrations in the year of our Lord two-thousand and twelve.
With summer in full swing by then, most of the time the streets were regular thoroughfares of neighborhood children on bikes. In the days leading up to the fourth, there seemed to be a growing murmur amongst them about the Jarvela place. Mostly spoken of in whispers while a safe distance away, most of the kids remarked that they had never seen the couple that inhabited the house. And, as children's imaginations are wont to do, the reasons for this began to take on mythic proportions as more chose to ride by and see for themselves, dredging up new and fantastic tales as to why the house seemed out of sorts.
The man, whom they referred to as Old Man Jarvela, had been spotted a few times, for sure. His large, almost misshapen figure hidden beneath an ankle-length coat, his head obscured by the wide-brimmed hat he always wore. Whether he wore glasses, or could see at all, was a matter of some debate, as some of the kids could have sworn to have seen the odd glint of glass inside the hooded visage.
As strange as Mr. Jarvela was, the imagined image of the even more rarely seen Mrs. Jarvela was expounded to near nightmarish proportion. Almost all thoughts on the matter claimed she was disfigured in some fashion; however whether it was due to some grotesque accident at birth, or due to later dark dealings in a trade not spoken of since ancient times, no one was truly certain, although the stories were readily swapped and all were taken as true at various times.
Several days before the fourth, several of the older kids were massed on the other side of the street, several houses down, talking in hushed, conspiratorial tones.
"Listen, everyone want to know what's really going on in there," one of the older kids said, apparently reiterating himself. "As the new kids in the area, you two need to prove you're cool enough to hang with us."
The two new bloods looked at each other. "I'm not so sure about this..." one of them started.
"Can it, Derek," the other one said, getting his hackles up. "If these assholes want us to do this, then we'll do it." The older kid smiled triumphantly as Derek lowered his eyes.
"I just don't think it's a good idea, Mark," Derek said, his voice small, "It's trespassing and..." his voice was drowned out by the heckling of the other kids, Mark included. Finally nodding, Derek turned his bike around and began to peddle towards the house. Mark quickly began following.
He caught up to the other kid. "Listen, it'll be easy. We look in the front window, see nothing, then come back and add to the stories," Mark said, adding a small flourish at the end. "It'll be easy."
The two began to slow down as they approached the house. Only one of the cars was visible in the driveway and, as Derek saw it, slowed to a stop. "There's someone home, Mark," he said, the fear obvious in his voice. "I think we should leave."
Mark stopped his bike and turned to the other kid. "Fine, you cry baby, go home," Mark exclaimed, bravado clearly in his voice as he continued, "then I will get all the credit."
Meekly, Derek started following again. The two dropped their bikes on the street, just at the edge of the property. Sounds seemed to become muted as the two made their way to the front stairs. Derek's heart pounded in his chest, the sound thumping in his ears. Both kids, side-by-side began to climb the few short steps to the porch, and both ground to a halt when one of the boards creaked.
They looked at each other briefly, fear springing unbidden to both. Soon, however, determining that no one had heard them, having heard nothing from the house themselves, they continued on. As they approached the heavy lace-curtained window, they could clearly begin to see inside the front room. Nothing seemed out of place, at least at first. With a quick glance at each other, they leaned in more, to try and get a clearer view.
If anything, the front room seemed like any other the boys had seen. Derek couldn't quite put his finger on it, but the colors seemed muted, somehow, as if they were staring at an old, worn photo. But the one thing that drew Derek's attention, and held onto him, was splayed out on the coffee table.
7 porcelain dolls, their legs missing, had been seemingly thrown carelessly onto the table. As he stared at the scene though, Derek began to sense a feeling of unease, as if the dolls had not been placed carelessly, but that there had been some purpose to their placement. They also seemed to be waiting, as if, at any moment, they would spring to life and wonder what had happened to them.
As they stared into the front window, they were startled by a face suddenly appearing in front of them. The two screamed and scrambled over each other to get off the porch. Hearing the door latch behind them, the two sprinted to their bikes and took off, hoping to get back to the safety of the other boys down the street.
Stay tuned for next week's installment of this story.
"At the beginning," one of the long-term residents remarked, "it was a fairly normal house, you know. They seemed a cute couple," she recalled with a slight shiver, "but they was definitely stranger than the rest."
The house, for all of the portents, seems like any other on the street. The garden in the front yard was never out of the ordinary. A flag flew from its place on the front of the house. Most weekends the lawn was trimmed, although, when pressed, no one seems to recall seeing anyone do the mowing, but most people are dismissive of such things. Cars were regularly parked in the driveway, except during the day when, obviously, the couple were at work. In truth, most couldn't exactly place why the house became such a source of dread.
They do know that it certainly became much more pronounced after the 4th of July celebrations in the year of our Lord two-thousand and twelve.
With summer in full swing by then, most of the time the streets were regular thoroughfares of neighborhood children on bikes. In the days leading up to the fourth, there seemed to be a growing murmur amongst them about the Jarvela place. Mostly spoken of in whispers while a safe distance away, most of the kids remarked that they had never seen the couple that inhabited the house. And, as children's imaginations are wont to do, the reasons for this began to take on mythic proportions as more chose to ride by and see for themselves, dredging up new and fantastic tales as to why the house seemed out of sorts.
The man, whom they referred to as Old Man Jarvela, had been spotted a few times, for sure. His large, almost misshapen figure hidden beneath an ankle-length coat, his head obscured by the wide-brimmed hat he always wore. Whether he wore glasses, or could see at all, was a matter of some debate, as some of the kids could have sworn to have seen the odd glint of glass inside the hooded visage.
As strange as Mr. Jarvela was, the imagined image of the even more rarely seen Mrs. Jarvela was expounded to near nightmarish proportion. Almost all thoughts on the matter claimed she was disfigured in some fashion; however whether it was due to some grotesque accident at birth, or due to later dark dealings in a trade not spoken of since ancient times, no one was truly certain, although the stories were readily swapped and all were taken as true at various times.
Several days before the fourth, several of the older kids were massed on the other side of the street, several houses down, talking in hushed, conspiratorial tones.
"Listen, everyone want to know what's really going on in there," one of the older kids said, apparently reiterating himself. "As the new kids in the area, you two need to prove you're cool enough to hang with us."
The two new bloods looked at each other. "I'm not so sure about this..." one of them started.
"Can it, Derek," the other one said, getting his hackles up. "If these assholes want us to do this, then we'll do it." The older kid smiled triumphantly as Derek lowered his eyes.
"I just don't think it's a good idea, Mark," Derek said, his voice small, "It's trespassing and..." his voice was drowned out by the heckling of the other kids, Mark included. Finally nodding, Derek turned his bike around and began to peddle towards the house. Mark quickly began following.
He caught up to the other kid. "Listen, it'll be easy. We look in the front window, see nothing, then come back and add to the stories," Mark said, adding a small flourish at the end. "It'll be easy."
The two began to slow down as they approached the house. Only one of the cars was visible in the driveway and, as Derek saw it, slowed to a stop. "There's someone home, Mark," he said, the fear obvious in his voice. "I think we should leave."
Mark stopped his bike and turned to the other kid. "Fine, you cry baby, go home," Mark exclaimed, bravado clearly in his voice as he continued, "then I will get all the credit."
Meekly, Derek started following again. The two dropped their bikes on the street, just at the edge of the property. Sounds seemed to become muted as the two made their way to the front stairs. Derek's heart pounded in his chest, the sound thumping in his ears. Both kids, side-by-side began to climb the few short steps to the porch, and both ground to a halt when one of the boards creaked.
They looked at each other briefly, fear springing unbidden to both. Soon, however, determining that no one had heard them, having heard nothing from the house themselves, they continued on. As they approached the heavy lace-curtained window, they could clearly begin to see inside the front room. Nothing seemed out of place, at least at first. With a quick glance at each other, they leaned in more, to try and get a clearer view.
If anything, the front room seemed like any other the boys had seen. Derek couldn't quite put his finger on it, but the colors seemed muted, somehow, as if they were staring at an old, worn photo. But the one thing that drew Derek's attention, and held onto him, was splayed out on the coffee table.
7 porcelain dolls, their legs missing, had been seemingly thrown carelessly onto the table. As he stared at the scene though, Derek began to sense a feeling of unease, as if the dolls had not been placed carelessly, but that there had been some purpose to their placement. They also seemed to be waiting, as if, at any moment, they would spring to life and wonder what had happened to them.
As they stared into the front window, they were startled by a face suddenly appearing in front of them. The two screamed and scrambled over each other to get off the porch. Hearing the door latch behind them, the two sprinted to their bikes and took off, hoping to get back to the safety of the other boys down the street.
Stay tuned for next week's installment of this story.
Friday, September 13, 2013
Certainly won't win me any motorcycling friends
Jihad: "To Struggle" - it refers to struggle against those who do not believe in Allah, or to protect against the enemies of Islam, or armed struggle against persecution, or the inner struggle of a believer to fulfill his religious duties (Wikipedia. Jihad).
Herem: "Devote" or "Destroy" - a mode of secluding, and rendering harmless, anything imperilling the religious life of the nation, or the uncompromising consecration of property and dedication of the property to God without possibility of recall or redemption, or the total destruction of the enemy and his goods at the conclusion of a campaign (Wikipedia. Herem).
The above vocabulary words will be important later on.
I don't often feel like posting political blogs; not unless they irk me to the point where I feel the need to clarify a few things in the face of ongoing, and compulsive, ignorance. And, it just so happens that this blog post relates to motorcycles as well. Why? Because of the "2 Million Motorcycle" Ride to Washington D.C. on Sept. 11th, and their obvious goal of countering the "Million Muslim March" that they felt was an affront to everything sacred in Good Ol' 'Murica!
You do realize the same laws that allowed those bikers to assemble are the same that allows the groups you disagree with to assemble as well, right? Spelled out very clearly in the 1st Amendment to the Constitution. Does anyone get the point I'm trying to make? You can't, out of one side of your mouth, spout a love of this country and out the other side spit on the very freedoms that you so espouse, just because someone who disagrees with you wants to use those same freedoms.
What hit me the most, though, had nothing to do with the motorcyclists. (I sort of knew, going into it, that most of the riders of American-style cruisers (and yes, I'm pointing a finger at the majority of Harley owners on this one) were an incestuous-style group of jingoistic chest-pounders who ride around with some sort of mandate to drink the Far-right, or alt-right, Republican Kool-aid.) What struck me was the ignorance of some of the counter-protesters that showed up in opposition to a rally whose stated purpose was to bring to light the ongoing injustice leveled at Muslim Americans (whether that's what they actually talked about is another matter. The stated purpose of the 2 Million Bikers to DC was to remember the event of September 11th, 2001).
One particularly ignorant sign said "One Nation under God." Setting aside the fact that the founders of this country did not found this country as a Christian nation, this rather asinine sign fails to take into account one major point: The God of Isaac and Ishmael (the sons of Abraham) is one and the same. What that means, boys and girls, is that the Jews, Christians, and Muslims are, in fact, worshiping the same God.
I can understand the need to honor those who died on Sept. 11, 2001. It was a horrible day for this country. But, we can not let ourselves forget the foundations of this country; the Freedoms of Speech and Religion among them. Even if Muslims worshiped a different God, this fact would still hold true and they should never be marginalized for it. Part of the problem was the media dubbing their rally as the "Million Muslim March," and insisting that their entire purpose was to, somehow, negate the involvement of Islamic Terrorists in the attack. Fewer than 200 showed up. Yeah, that's one heck of an onslaught, 150 semi-delusional conspiracy theorists vs. around 800,000 bikers.
Let's not forget, folks, that the word that we should be focusing on is "Terrorist" and not "Muslim" or "Islamic." Terrorists come from every religion (KKK, anyone?).
To let prejudices cloud our actions against fellow Americans in inexcusable, no matter what the subject matter (unless they are supporting mass genocide. Still can't get behind that one).
And for those who think that the Koran is alone in providing a justification for such terrorist acts, via Jihad, I return your attention to the word Herem above. This word is Jewish, and is "justified" several times in the Old Testament, most notably with the destruction of Jericho. In fact, the Israelites were punished by God if they didn't kill every living thing in the city (but, what am I saying? Right-wing religious nut-jobs love hand-picking only the passages that suit them).
The majority of Muslim scholars refer to two types of Jihad. The "lesser jihad" refers to physical struggles against those who attempt to oppress them and their beliefs. The "greater jihad" refers to an inner struggle to live a devout and religious life.
So, given just the basic above information, jihad is typically less violent than the Jewish alternative.
If there is any piece of motorcycling that I do not enjoy it's the seemingly endless association of motorcycling, particularly of Harley-Davidsons (and, by extension, cruiser riders), with less of the spirit of what America is supposed to be and more of what the Christian Right-Wing wants it to be.
Herem: "Devote" or "Destroy" - a mode of secluding, and rendering harmless, anything imperilling the religious life of the nation, or the uncompromising consecration of property and dedication of the property to God without possibility of recall or redemption, or the total destruction of the enemy and his goods at the conclusion of a campaign (Wikipedia. Herem).
The above vocabulary words will be important later on.
I don't often feel like posting political blogs; not unless they irk me to the point where I feel the need to clarify a few things in the face of ongoing, and compulsive, ignorance. And, it just so happens that this blog post relates to motorcycles as well. Why? Because of the "2 Million Motorcycle" Ride to Washington D.C. on Sept. 11th, and their obvious goal of countering the "Million Muslim March" that they felt was an affront to everything sacred in Good Ol' 'Murica!
You do realize the same laws that allowed those bikers to assemble are the same that allows the groups you disagree with to assemble as well, right? Spelled out very clearly in the 1st Amendment to the Constitution. Does anyone get the point I'm trying to make? You can't, out of one side of your mouth, spout a love of this country and out the other side spit on the very freedoms that you so espouse, just because someone who disagrees with you wants to use those same freedoms.
What hit me the most, though, had nothing to do with the motorcyclists. (I sort of knew, going into it, that most of the riders of American-style cruisers (and yes, I'm pointing a finger at the majority of Harley owners on this one) were an incestuous-style group of jingoistic chest-pounders who ride around with some sort of mandate to drink the Far-right, or alt-right, Republican Kool-aid.) What struck me was the ignorance of some of the counter-protesters that showed up in opposition to a rally whose stated purpose was to bring to light the ongoing injustice leveled at Muslim Americans (whether that's what they actually talked about is another matter. The stated purpose of the 2 Million Bikers to DC was to remember the event of September 11th, 2001).
One particularly ignorant sign said "One Nation under God." Setting aside the fact that the founders of this country did not found this country as a Christian nation, this rather asinine sign fails to take into account one major point: The God of Isaac and Ishmael (the sons of Abraham) is one and the same. What that means, boys and girls, is that the Jews, Christians, and Muslims are, in fact, worshiping the same God.
I can understand the need to honor those who died on Sept. 11, 2001. It was a horrible day for this country. But, we can not let ourselves forget the foundations of this country; the Freedoms of Speech and Religion among them. Even if Muslims worshiped a different God, this fact would still hold true and they should never be marginalized for it. Part of the problem was the media dubbing their rally as the "Million Muslim March," and insisting that their entire purpose was to, somehow, negate the involvement of Islamic Terrorists in the attack. Fewer than 200 showed up. Yeah, that's one heck of an onslaught, 150 semi-delusional conspiracy theorists vs. around 800,000 bikers.
Let's not forget, folks, that the word that we should be focusing on is "Terrorist" and not "Muslim" or "Islamic." Terrorists come from every religion (KKK, anyone?).
To let prejudices cloud our actions against fellow Americans in inexcusable, no matter what the subject matter (unless they are supporting mass genocide. Still can't get behind that one).
And for those who think that the Koran is alone in providing a justification for such terrorist acts, via Jihad, I return your attention to the word Herem above. This word is Jewish, and is "justified" several times in the Old Testament, most notably with the destruction of Jericho. In fact, the Israelites were punished by God if they didn't kill every living thing in the city (but, what am I saying? Right-wing religious nut-jobs love hand-picking only the passages that suit them).
The majority of Muslim scholars refer to two types of Jihad. The "lesser jihad" refers to physical struggles against those who attempt to oppress them and their beliefs. The "greater jihad" refers to an inner struggle to live a devout and religious life.
So, given just the basic above information, jihad is typically less violent than the Jewish alternative.
If there is any piece of motorcycling that I do not enjoy it's the seemingly endless association of motorcycling, particularly of Harley-Davidsons (and, by extension, cruiser riders), with less of the spirit of what America is supposed to be and more of what the Christian Right-Wing wants it to be.
Friday, August 23, 2013
School's coming...
You know, when I first went to college my dreams were grandiose in nature. I wanted to be a college professor; ostensibly to keep from having to live completely in the real world for my entire life. Well, as it turns out, that didn't exactly happen. When the dust settled on my undergrad career I was in a rough place, hauling myself back up out of the hole I had dug myself into with the help of family, friends, and an incredibly awesome therapist (Seriously, the dude helped me with my clinical depression twice and I will love him forever for it).
So, now, 7 years later, I am embarking on my graduate studies. Finally.
It hasn't quite sunken in yet.
...
...
...
Nope, not yet.
While I am looking forward to going back to school, I just haven't wrapped my head around it. I have my books ordered, I have my classes set up, and I'm getting that itch to buy fresh school supplies (despite generally hating school, except college, I always enjoyed back-to-school shopping). Despite all of that, it still doesn't feel real yet. I imagine that my first day of class will finally slam it home, but, who knows?
The most frustrating part, for me, is not having a clue as to what to expect. My sisters have mentioned what I can look forward to, as far as what the classes are like, but there is no correlation I can see between studying to get my Masters in Library Science and the studies I did for my History degree. Apart from the fact that there are papers and tests and reading (the basics, as all classes have), I'm not sure what to expect.
I also am having the hardest goddamn time trying to express what I'm talking about.
Let's look at it this way. When you tell someone that you are getting a history degree, there are certain assumptions made; the most prominent of which is that your studies include the understanding not only of the events that took place, but what transpired to cause those events. It involved sifting through historical texts, some archaeological evidence at times, and putting the pieces together to construct an plausible interpretation of events.
When I tell people I'm getting a Masters in Library Science, it seems to conjure up the idea of taking classes on how to shush people and check out books.
Now, from a purely academic standpoint, I understand that pursuing an MLS focuses on the retrieval of information and presenting that information in a form that should be, more or less, usable by anyone with a brain in their head. What I'm failing to grasp is how's. It seems, at least to me, that I'm getting a Masters degree in the proper methodology of learning how to study.
If that makes any sense, which I will assume it doesn't. Not really, anyway.
I guess I'll just have to wait and see.
All of my worrying aside, I'm very excited to be getting back into an academic environment.
Catch you all later!
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Why not talk about all gear? Bikes Count!
So, in the spirit of keeping a running blog, I'm going to keep writing blog posts as the ideas come to me. That, and it's good practice for me; helps keep my writing skills from getting rusty.
A few posts ago I talked about helmets. Specifically, I talked about my helmets and why I preferred it over others. I figure I stumbled upon an interesting topic that way: taking a look at the various motorcycle purchases made to support my addiction to riding.
What better to start with than with the bike itself?
A 2005 Yamaha Star Motorcycles XV1700AMTC Road Star Midnight.
A few stats (for the true gearheads, in-depth stats below):
1670cc 48° V-twin (It gets very warm if you sit in traffic. Kinda like having an open oven sitting very close to your gibbly bits)
Belt final drive
5-speed transmission (Could use one more, but she loves running at highway speeds)
hydraulic brakes (So, yes, mom, I can stop very quickly if I need to)
Softtail frame (don't let that name fool you, this bike is built to hug the road, so you feel everything)
A few stats (for the true gearheads, in-depth stats below):
1670cc 48° V-twin (It gets very warm if you sit in traffic. Kinda like having an open oven sitting very close to your gibbly bits)
Belt final drive
5-speed transmission (Could use one more, but she loves running at highway speeds)
hydraulic brakes (So, yes, mom, I can stop very quickly if I need to)
Softtail frame (don't let that name fool you, this bike is built to hug the road, so you feel everything)
The original Road Star motorcycle was released in 1999 and was originally the XV1600 ('cause obviously you identify motorcycles by engine displacement. It's like institutionalized pen... never mind...). Yamaha, knowing the American market, originally created Star Motorcycles specifically for the American market and the Road Star was their entry into the large cruiser field (to compete with bikes such as the HD Fat Boy). In 2004, they increased the engine displacement to its current size, but kept the rest of the bike untouched. It still uses the same brakes, suspension, electrical system, and carburetor.
What else did they change? They offered the bike with three different styling packages. The basic Road Star, the Road Star Silverado (which has more chrome than you can shake a stick at), and the Road Star Midnight (which is stripped down a little more and has blacked-out components). Now, apart from the paint and chrome, there is no change to the actual functionality of the bike.
While I enjoyed my first motorcycle, it did have one glaring drawback: it was much too small for me. Don't get me wrong, it was a fantastic bike, just not the one for me (sounds like an excuse a jerk uses to break it off with a girlfriend, "It's not you, it's me"). The first one was a Suzuki Marauder VZ800 (See, told you...) However, I was able to get a really good deal for a trade in and I was able to get a bike that was substantially better for someone my size. There were a number of different bikes I looked at the second time around.
After two hours, I had it narrowed down to the XV1700 and a Honda VTX1300. I got a better deal on the Road Star (even better, it turns out, than I thought at the time). For a brief period of time, I road it without any extras on it at all. However, I had received a lovely set of saddlebags for Christmas (thanks, ma!) and I had the tool bag from my previous bike. They got me through quite a long period of time (until a crash basically took out the saddlebags). The only other thing I needed was a windscreen to help with wind on the highway. I found a simple one online and stuck that on as well.
I distinctly remember that my first test of the bike was to ride around the Wachusett Reservoir. I figured it would take a fair amount of time to get used to the size difference between the Marauder and this one, but it proved to be less of an issue than I thought. In fact, the Road Star, if anything, handles just as well as the Marauder ever did.
Through the months I made various changes to her. Shifted things around, bought new parts. The next big thing was the engine guard:
It was in the first few months of owning this bike that I had my second crash. This time, unlike the crash with the Marauder, I was attempting to take a turn at 35 mph (or so) and dumped the bike. As with the first crash, if I hadn't gotten back on the bike shortly thereafter, I probably would have had a much harder time bringing myself to ride again. But, I had to get home, so I rode back from Danbury, CT to Watertown, MA with an injured knee and damaged ribs.
Let's call that a learning experience. Even now, I still get a twinge when going through corners. But, that crashed forced me to not take for granted certain riding techniques. The biggest one being to look through corners (stupid target fixation). It worked like a charm on my most recent ride, that's for damn sure.
Almost as important as having good riding gear for protection is having a bike that is comfortable enough to allow you to focus on doing things like looking through corners. So, the next thing to get an upgrade was my seat. Again, I scoured for the best deals I could get and wound up getting a Mustang touring seat:
Then, thanks again to my mother, I was able to add a light bar to the front of the bike:
After all was said and done, most of the changes I've made are simple seat configuration changes.
The last thing I really need for the bike is a new fairing. The windscreen I have is on its last legs. I've patched it several times over. It was a cheap, readily available fix for what I needed at the time, but, going forward, I would love something more long-term.
So, here she is as of my last day ride:
There is a new set of saddlebags on her. She is in her "day trip" setup, which means that I don't have the pillion seat backrest attached, and I'm using my tank bag. I also have my iPhone holder on my RAM mount, and a set of 12-volt sockets for recharging it and my helmet headset. It makes it a lot easier to travel all day when I don't have to worry about my cellphone running out of juice towards the end of the day.
Catch you all later!
P.S. Now, for the gearheads, the specs I mentioned above.
Tech Specs:
Engine: 1670cc 48° aircooled v-twin; OHV pushrod, 4 valves per cylinder
97mm x 113mm bore x stroke; 8.3:1 compression ratio
Mikuni 40mm carburetor
Primary Drive: Belt
Final Drive: Belt
Transmission: Wide ratio 5-speed multiplate wet clutch
Front Brakes: Hydraulic Dual 298mm front rotors with dual 4-piston calipers
Rear Brakes: Hydraulic Single 320mm rear rotor with single 2-piston caliper
Front Suspension: 43mm Telescopic front forks with 5.5 inches of travel
Rear Suspension: Single-shock, link type rear suspension with 4.3 inches of travel
Front Tire: 130/90-16
Rear Tire: 150/80-16
Dry Weight: 679 lbs
Fuel Capacity: 5.3 gallons (includes reserve tank)
Oil Capacity: 5.3 quarts
Wet Weight: 749 lbs
What else did they change? They offered the bike with three different styling packages. The basic Road Star, the Road Star Silverado (which has more chrome than you can shake a stick at), and the Road Star Midnight (which is stripped down a little more and has blacked-out components). Now, apart from the paint and chrome, there is no change to the actual functionality of the bike.
While I enjoyed my first motorcycle, it did have one glaring drawback: it was much too small for me. Don't get me wrong, it was a fantastic bike, just not the one for me (sounds like an excuse a jerk uses to break it off with a girlfriend, "It's not you, it's me"). The first one was a Suzuki Marauder VZ800 (See, told you...) However, I was able to get a really good deal for a trade in and I was able to get a bike that was substantially better for someone my size. There were a number of different bikes I looked at the second time around.
After two hours, I had it narrowed down to the XV1700 and a Honda VTX1300. I got a better deal on the Road Star (even better, it turns out, than I thought at the time). For a brief period of time, I road it without any extras on it at all. However, I had received a lovely set of saddlebags for Christmas (thanks, ma!) and I had the tool bag from my previous bike. They got me through quite a long period of time (until a crash basically took out the saddlebags). The only other thing I needed was a windscreen to help with wind on the highway. I found a simple one online and stuck that on as well.
 |
| Ah, those were the days! |
I distinctly remember that my first test of the bike was to ride around the Wachusett Reservoir. I figured it would take a fair amount of time to get used to the size difference between the Marauder and this one, but it proved to be less of an issue than I thought. In fact, the Road Star, if anything, handles just as well as the Marauder ever did.
Through the months I made various changes to her. Shifted things around, bought new parts. The next big thing was the engine guard:
It was in the first few months of owning this bike that I had my second crash. This time, unlike the crash with the Marauder, I was attempting to take a turn at 35 mph (or so) and dumped the bike. As with the first crash, if I hadn't gotten back on the bike shortly thereafter, I probably would have had a much harder time bringing myself to ride again. But, I had to get home, so I rode back from Danbury, CT to Watertown, MA with an injured knee and damaged ribs.
Let's call that a learning experience. Even now, I still get a twinge when going through corners. But, that crashed forced me to not take for granted certain riding techniques. The biggest one being to look through corners (stupid target fixation). It worked like a charm on my most recent ride, that's for damn sure.
Almost as important as having good riding gear for protection is having a bike that is comfortable enough to allow you to focus on doing things like looking through corners. So, the next thing to get an upgrade was my seat. Again, I scoured for the best deals I could get and wound up getting a Mustang touring seat:
 | |
| Note the Engine-Gibbly bits proximity clearly visible here. |
Then, thanks again to my mother, I was able to add a light bar to the front of the bike:
After all was said and done, most of the changes I've made are simple seat configuration changes.
The last thing I really need for the bike is a new fairing. The windscreen I have is on its last legs. I've patched it several times over. It was a cheap, readily available fix for what I needed at the time, but, going forward, I would love something more long-term.
So, here she is as of my last day ride:
There is a new set of saddlebags on her. She is in her "day trip" setup, which means that I don't have the pillion seat backrest attached, and I'm using my tank bag. I also have my iPhone holder on my RAM mount, and a set of 12-volt sockets for recharging it and my helmet headset. It makes it a lot easier to travel all day when I don't have to worry about my cellphone running out of juice towards the end of the day.
Catch you all later!
P.S. Now, for the gearheads, the specs I mentioned above.
Tech Specs:
Engine: 1670cc 48° aircooled v-twin; OHV pushrod, 4 valves per cylinder
97mm x 113mm bore x stroke; 8.3:1 compression ratio
Mikuni 40mm carburetor
Primary Drive: Belt
Final Drive: Belt
Transmission: Wide ratio 5-speed multiplate wet clutch
Front Brakes: Hydraulic Dual 298mm front rotors with dual 4-piston calipers
Rear Brakes: Hydraulic Single 320mm rear rotor with single 2-piston caliper
Front Suspension: 43mm Telescopic front forks with 5.5 inches of travel
Rear Suspension: Single-shock, link type rear suspension with 4.3 inches of travel
Front Tire: 130/90-16
Rear Tire: 150/80-16
Dry Weight: 679 lbs
Fuel Capacity: 5.3 gallons (includes reserve tank)
Oil Capacity: 5.3 quarts
Wet Weight: 749 lbs
Saturday, August 17, 2013
Some times you just need a really long day in the saddle...
One of the problems I've become all too aware of since buying a motorcycle is that I tend to get very antsy the longer I go between long motorcycle rides. Not just antsy, either; moody, depressed, just off. The hardest part about this year was the fact that I got a very part-time job (Saturdays only) at my local motorcycle shop, helping out in the parts department. While working in a motorcycle store is awesome, it seriously cut into my riding time this year. I really started to feel it going into the beginning of August.
That said, I was also told that, as of August, I was not to assume that I should be coming in on Saturdays at the store anymore.
Which meant that, today, Saturday August 17th, there was a perfect alignment of a completely open Saturday with absolutely fantastic weather. And how did I choose to spend this day? Riding up VT Route 100.
11 hours, ~450 miles, 10 gallons of gasoline.
And what do I get in return? Stress relief, stunning views of the Green Mountains, and various sore body parts. All told, the soreness is a fair trade for everything else.
I started out by heading west on Route 2 to get to Shelburne Falls, MA to take 112 north. It runs right into VT 100 in the very bottom of the state. From there, I just followed VT 100 north. Granted, there came a point were I was having way too much fun and I completely missed the turn I needed to continue on VT 100 and found myself on VT 30. It was a mistake that was easily corrected by heading east on VT 11 towards Londonderry, VT.
It also afforded me a chance to get a snapshot:
Unfortunately, I didn't get many more pictures since I was, as I said, really enjoying the twisties.
Anyway, once I hit Waterbury, VT, I figured I had gone about as far north as I could for the day, so I headed back via I-89 and I-93. That part alone was almost 4 hours. That said, I-89 through VT is some of the prettiest Interstate in New England, if not the North East. It cuts through the mountains all the way until Lebanon, NH.
I'm definitely going to do it again, but I really want to get to the Canadian border next time. This will probably necessitate a camping trip to make it worthwhile.
Anyone up for a camping trip to northern Vermont?
Catch you later!
P.S. Because I have to do this every time I go out:
That said, I was also told that, as of August, I was not to assume that I should be coming in on Saturdays at the store anymore.
Which meant that, today, Saturday August 17th, there was a perfect alignment of a completely open Saturday with absolutely fantastic weather. And how did I choose to spend this day? Riding up VT Route 100.
11 hours, ~450 miles, 10 gallons of gasoline.
And what do I get in return? Stress relief, stunning views of the Green Mountains, and various sore body parts. All told, the soreness is a fair trade for everything else.
I started out by heading west on Route 2 to get to Shelburne Falls, MA to take 112 north. It runs right into VT 100 in the very bottom of the state. From there, I just followed VT 100 north. Granted, there came a point were I was having way too much fun and I completely missed the turn I needed to continue on VT 100 and found myself on VT 30. It was a mistake that was easily corrected by heading east on VT 11 towards Londonderry, VT.
It also afforded me a chance to get a snapshot:
Unfortunately, I didn't get many more pictures since I was, as I said, really enjoying the twisties.
Anyway, once I hit Waterbury, VT, I figured I had gone about as far north as I could for the day, so I headed back via I-89 and I-93. That part alone was almost 4 hours. That said, I-89 through VT is some of the prettiest Interstate in New England, if not the North East. It cuts through the mountains all the way until Lebanon, NH.
I'm definitely going to do it again, but I really want to get to the Canadian border next time. This will probably necessitate a camping trip to make it worthwhile.
Anyone up for a camping trip to northern Vermont?
Catch you later!
P.S. Because I have to do this every time I go out:
Saturday, August 3, 2013
A Preferable Kind of Madness
I gave up any hope of living a "normal" life many years ago. Chance are, I never had a hope like that to begin with. So, when I talk about the random goings-on in my life, the preferable bias in any given situation is that most normal people wouldn't approach it the same way. Take, as an example, the dessert I prefer for my birthday. Cake is good, pie is good, but what I really want is the mashed sweet potato with streusel topping my mother usually reserves for Thanksgiving and Christmas. If you've ever had it, you'd agree with me.
On to the topic at hand. Over the last few weekends the weather has not been entirely conducive to going out on motorcycle rides. Given that I rely on these rides as a significant piece of the foundation of my mental health, one can readily imagine that I was close to snapping. Well, as luck would have it, the forecast for this weekend was looking OK. Not fantastic, mind you, but passable. And for reasons beyond my understanding, my brain decided that it absolutely had to watch a sunrise.
(It probably has to do with this video.)
So, I did exactly what my brain told me to do. I planned on riding out to the Cape to watch the sunrise. I picked a spot (that was not open), and set my alarm clock to wake up with enough time to get there (I overslept).
I wanted to see the sunrise from the Nauset Light Beach. It's right on the water. However, the area is closed from Midnight to 6am (curses!).
Still, despite leaving 40 minutes later than I wanted, I still made good time, so I was able to find a secondary location; Fort Hill, just down the road from the Nauset Light. I arrived around 4:30 or so to this view:
It gradually lightened over the next 45 minutes to give this view:
I stayed to watch the sunrise. Despite the haze (calling it "humid" would be a disservice. "Damp" works better), and the clouds, the view was gorgeous. I tried to take a picture or two, but because I lacked a decent camera at the moment (a digital SLR, or film for my 35mm SLR), they were horrible. Believe me, though, it was a sight, and well worth the hour-and-a-half nap I took when I got home. I left just after the sun came up. On the ride home, as I got off of the Cape, the clouds started to roll back in, so it was pretty grey when I pulled back up in front of my apartment. Still, I enjoyed the trip.
I just have to remember to plan better next time so that I do more than just see a sunrise then brow-beat myself back home to take a nap.
Anyway, here's a picture of Meliora in her "day trip" configuration in as picturesque a setting as I can get with an iPhone's camera:
Catch you on the flip side!
On to the topic at hand. Over the last few weekends the weather has not been entirely conducive to going out on motorcycle rides. Given that I rely on these rides as a significant piece of the foundation of my mental health, one can readily imagine that I was close to snapping. Well, as luck would have it, the forecast for this weekend was looking OK. Not fantastic, mind you, but passable. And for reasons beyond my understanding, my brain decided that it absolutely had to watch a sunrise.
(It probably has to do with this video.)
So, I did exactly what my brain told me to do. I planned on riding out to the Cape to watch the sunrise. I picked a spot (that was not open), and set my alarm clock to wake up with enough time to get there (I overslept).
I wanted to see the sunrise from the Nauset Light Beach. It's right on the water. However, the area is closed from Midnight to 6am (curses!).
Still, despite leaving 40 minutes later than I wanted, I still made good time, so I was able to find a secondary location; Fort Hill, just down the road from the Nauset Light. I arrived around 4:30 or so to this view:
It gradually lightened over the next 45 minutes to give this view:
I stayed to watch the sunrise. Despite the haze (calling it "humid" would be a disservice. "Damp" works better), and the clouds, the view was gorgeous. I tried to take a picture or two, but because I lacked a decent camera at the moment (a digital SLR, or film for my 35mm SLR), they were horrible. Believe me, though, it was a sight, and well worth the hour-and-a-half nap I took when I got home. I left just after the sun came up. On the ride home, as I got off of the Cape, the clouds started to roll back in, so it was pretty grey when I pulled back up in front of my apartment. Still, I enjoyed the trip.
I just have to remember to plan better next time so that I do more than just see a sunrise then brow-beat myself back home to take a nap.
Anyway, here's a picture of Meliora in her "day trip" configuration in as picturesque a setting as I can get with an iPhone's camera:
Catch you on the flip side!
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Ode to Helmets
It has been too long since I’ve posted something purely motorcycle related (not in terms of the number of blog posts, but just passage of time). And today, I would like to talk to you all about one of my favorite topics: Helmets. Why helmets? Because they are, hands down, one of the most visible, straightforward, and important pieces of equipment for riding (apart from the motorcycle itself). In my case, the preferred helmet is a Shoei RF-1100.
First, a little bit about the helmet. The RF-1100 is Shoei’s sport-touring helmet. Constructed of fiberglass and tested to the new Snell m2010 standard, this one clocks in at a retail of $550. That said, the old adage about “if you have a $50 head, buy a $50 helmet” springs to mind. While the two I have purchased were purchased for far less than that, I would have no problem paying the full amount for one of these. Fit-and-finish on this helmet is spot on, as one would expect from one of the top two helmet manufacturers in the world.
In typical Shoei fashion, there is a certain head shape that fits these helmets. I happen to have such a head, so there is no gripe there. For those who don’t have a “Shoei head,” but would still like the same level of protection, Arai helmets offer multiple head forms (and you will never hear me knock Arai helmets, those dudes over there know what they are doing. I just don’t fit in them as well). Apart from that, though, the rest of the manufacturing is spot on as well. Vents are easy to open while riding, the latch for the visor is easy to use.
Air flow through the vents is refreshing. Compared to the rather simple helmets I have used in the past, the vents in this helmet actually work. Noise level is another important point. While no helmet will completely shut out noise, this is, by far, one of the quietest I have used (granted, I haven’t used an enormous number of different types of helmets). Also, turning my head at highway speeds to check for traffic is not a problem; especially after I have used a supermoto helmet in the past.
After those major points, one small point I would like to make is that there is plenty of space for my mouth. This may seem a little odd, but one of the reasons I originally went with a supermoto for a time was to give my mouth a little more space. With the RF-1100, it has never been an issue.
I’ve mentioned, in the past, a preference for DOT helmets. I originally based this argument on an article I read that bashed the Snell approval as unnecessary for the average rider. That 90% of all accidents don’t require the stronger shells that are required by Snell. So, when I bought my original helmet (a Z1R Venom), I patted myself on the back for getting a good helmet at a great price ($150). Well, I often try to pride myself on my ability to change my mind when presented with the right argument, or evidence, of my faulty thinking. In this matter, I most certainly have.
The argument can be broken down into two separate points: Cost and Level of Protection.
Cost: My least favorite of the two, talking about the cost of a helmet makes my skin crawl. Really, when it comes down to it, how much do you value your head? I tend to value my head quite a bit, so I am perfectly willing to shell out big bucks for the best protection I can. Other people, not so much. The opposition likes to throw this out there sometimes, “the Snell label is used just as a reason to charge more for their helmets.” Actually, when you read up on Shoei and Arai, that is quickly laid to rest. When most helmet producers say “We need to build a $300 helmet that passes the Snell certification,” Shoei and Arai tend to say, “Let’s build the best helmet we can and price it after.” When you compare a handmade helmet (Shoei and Arai) to any of the production helmets (off an assembly line), it becomes apparent that the justification for the cost is in the production values and attention to construction and not the fact that they have a Snell sticker.
Level of Protection: I could go on for days about this topic. But, in the interests of this article, I will narrow it down to the Snell vs. DOT arguments. The supporters of the basic DOT certification rally around research done by Harry Hurt. His company, the Head Protection Research Laboratory, supported the argument that a typical DOT, polycarbonate shelled, $150 helmet was preferable for the everyday rider. The basis of this comes from a study that they did showing that the layered construction of a plastic helmet actually dissipated energy better than the hard shells of fiberglass and carbon fiber helmets. They then go on to say that the DOT helmets are more suitable for the vast majority (>90%) of motorcycle accidents, which tend to take place at lower speeds, with the impact never being more than a head hitting the ground once. There was an article in Motorcyclist magazine about it called "Blowing the Lid Off" (Here is the article, And Snell's Response).
Snell, or more properly, the Snell Memorial Foundation, tests helmets to a much more exacting set of specifications. The testing process is very comprehensive (In-depth Description Here), and I will summarize the bit that is most important to the argument at hand. If you take a standard plastic, DOT, non-Snell (there are Snell-certified plastic helmets) helmet and smash it against the ground with your head inside, the helmet will, indeed, take the impact. However, should the impact happen a second time (heads do, indeed, bounce) and hit the same area again, well, the DOT helmet won’t really help (some Icon helmets being an exception, since they don’t submit their helmets for testing).
What it boils down to, in the end, is whether you want to be protected against the worst possible scenario, or the most common ones. I would never presume to tell anyone, or force them in any way, to purchase one helmet over another. I prefer to give them the facts (as I hope I have done here) and let them make the decision for themselves.
For most people, cost is always going to be a factor. Shelling out even $350 for a Snell-approved helmet (HJC’s RPHA series, for example) can be a little hard to swallow, especially if you are aware of a much cheaper alternative staring you in the face. Truth is, as Harry Hurt once said, *any* helmet is better than no helmet at all (and, no, I don’t count those stupid novelty skid lid things as helmets, nor did Harry Hurt when he made that statement), even those stupid DOT half-helmets. Me, personally, I’m willing to pay the price, now, for the best protection I can get.
I also happen to be a helmet snob and the fit of the Shoei is perfect for me.
First, a little bit about the helmet. The RF-1100 is Shoei’s sport-touring helmet. Constructed of fiberglass and tested to the new Snell m2010 standard, this one clocks in at a retail of $550. That said, the old adage about “if you have a $50 head, buy a $50 helmet” springs to mind. While the two I have purchased were purchased for far less than that, I would have no problem paying the full amount for one of these. Fit-and-finish on this helmet is spot on, as one would expect from one of the top two helmet manufacturers in the world.
In typical Shoei fashion, there is a certain head shape that fits these helmets. I happen to have such a head, so there is no gripe there. For those who don’t have a “Shoei head,” but would still like the same level of protection, Arai helmets offer multiple head forms (and you will never hear me knock Arai helmets, those dudes over there know what they are doing. I just don’t fit in them as well). Apart from that, though, the rest of the manufacturing is spot on as well. Vents are easy to open while riding, the latch for the visor is easy to use.
Air flow through the vents is refreshing. Compared to the rather simple helmets I have used in the past, the vents in this helmet actually work. Noise level is another important point. While no helmet will completely shut out noise, this is, by far, one of the quietest I have used (granted, I haven’t used an enormous number of different types of helmets). Also, turning my head at highway speeds to check for traffic is not a problem; especially after I have used a supermoto helmet in the past.
After those major points, one small point I would like to make is that there is plenty of space for my mouth. This may seem a little odd, but one of the reasons I originally went with a supermoto for a time was to give my mouth a little more space. With the RF-1100, it has never been an issue.
I’ve mentioned, in the past, a preference for DOT helmets. I originally based this argument on an article I read that bashed the Snell approval as unnecessary for the average rider. That 90% of all accidents don’t require the stronger shells that are required by Snell. So, when I bought my original helmet (a Z1R Venom), I patted myself on the back for getting a good helmet at a great price ($150). Well, I often try to pride myself on my ability to change my mind when presented with the right argument, or evidence, of my faulty thinking. In this matter, I most certainly have.
The argument can be broken down into two separate points: Cost and Level of Protection.
Cost: My least favorite of the two, talking about the cost of a helmet makes my skin crawl. Really, when it comes down to it, how much do you value your head? I tend to value my head quite a bit, so I am perfectly willing to shell out big bucks for the best protection I can. Other people, not so much. The opposition likes to throw this out there sometimes, “the Snell label is used just as a reason to charge more for their helmets.” Actually, when you read up on Shoei and Arai, that is quickly laid to rest. When most helmet producers say “We need to build a $300 helmet that passes the Snell certification,” Shoei and Arai tend to say, “Let’s build the best helmet we can and price it after.” When you compare a handmade helmet (Shoei and Arai) to any of the production helmets (off an assembly line), it becomes apparent that the justification for the cost is in the production values and attention to construction and not the fact that they have a Snell sticker.
Level of Protection: I could go on for days about this topic. But, in the interests of this article, I will narrow it down to the Snell vs. DOT arguments. The supporters of the basic DOT certification rally around research done by Harry Hurt. His company, the Head Protection Research Laboratory, supported the argument that a typical DOT, polycarbonate shelled, $150 helmet was preferable for the everyday rider. The basis of this comes from a study that they did showing that the layered construction of a plastic helmet actually dissipated energy better than the hard shells of fiberglass and carbon fiber helmets. They then go on to say that the DOT helmets are more suitable for the vast majority (>90%) of motorcycle accidents, which tend to take place at lower speeds, with the impact never being more than a head hitting the ground once. There was an article in Motorcyclist magazine about it called "Blowing the Lid Off" (Here is the article, And Snell's Response).
Snell, or more properly, the Snell Memorial Foundation, tests helmets to a much more exacting set of specifications. The testing process is very comprehensive (In-depth Description Here), and I will summarize the bit that is most important to the argument at hand. If you take a standard plastic, DOT, non-Snell (there are Snell-certified plastic helmets) helmet and smash it against the ground with your head inside, the helmet will, indeed, take the impact. However, should the impact happen a second time (heads do, indeed, bounce) and hit the same area again, well, the DOT helmet won’t really help (some Icon helmets being an exception, since they don’t submit their helmets for testing).
What it boils down to, in the end, is whether you want to be protected against the worst possible scenario, or the most common ones. I would never presume to tell anyone, or force them in any way, to purchase one helmet over another. I prefer to give them the facts (as I hope I have done here) and let them make the decision for themselves.
For most people, cost is always going to be a factor. Shelling out even $350 for a Snell-approved helmet (HJC’s RPHA series, for example) can be a little hard to swallow, especially if you are aware of a much cheaper alternative staring you in the face. Truth is, as Harry Hurt once said, *any* helmet is better than no helmet at all (and, no, I don’t count those stupid novelty skid lid things as helmets, nor did Harry Hurt when he made that statement), even those stupid DOT half-helmets. Me, personally, I’m willing to pay the price, now, for the best protection I can get.
I also happen to be a helmet snob and the fit of the Shoei is perfect for me.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Pet Peeve Time!
Now, I'm a fairly understanding sort. With regards to most view points and beliefs I try and be open to the possibility that they may have valid points (execpt the Nazis. I really can't get behind that). However, with social media, the online catalogs I subscribe to, and the various and sundry blogs I peruse, I have compiled a rather long list of pet peeves throughout my internet travelings. They can pretty much be broken down into two basic categories: Grammar and Everything Else.
Grammar:
Grammar mistakes, apart from weird or convoluted sentence structure (not punctuation), drive me up the wall. Mostly, I'll stick to my top three, though. No sense using up all of my material now. In no particular order (except for the first one):
1) Using "should of" or "could of" instead of "should have" or "could have." Seriously, people, the way you talk really should not translate across directly. What you are thinking of is "should've" and "could've." These are contractions, and should be written as thus if you really need to do so. Let's use them in a sentence, shall we?
"I should've gone to the market, then I could've purchased those motorcycle gloves I wanted."
Stop using "of" to completely butcher a contraction.
2) Periods go inside of quotation marks. Holy. God. People. This is very simple. Even if you don't think the period should go inside quotation marks, do it anyway. Why? Because it's pretty goddamn easy. To illustrate, I will provide the same sentence the internet moron way, and the right way:
Wrong way: When starting any project of note, I always remember my Marcus Aurelius, "Nothing that is to be undertaken is to be undertaken without purpose".
Right way: When starting any project of note, I always remember my Marcus Aurelius, "Nothing that is to be undertaken is to be undertaken without purpose."
Now, I can see why people could possibly think this is the right way, because, as I said, I'm fairly open-minded. People think that, because the full sentence is not a quotation (see below for next pet peeve), then the period should not be included in the quotation portion of the sentence. This is wrong thinking. Unfortunately compounded by games like Mass Effect, where I have often seen this crop up.
3) Using "quote" instead of "quotation." This isn't as big as the previous two, but irritating nonetheless. It really comes down to a very simple misunderstanding. "Quote" is a verb and "Quotation" is a noun. Therefore, when you are quoting someone you can say:
He told me, quote, "That's the wrong way to do that, shithead."
But, if you are referring to it as an object:
He gave me this great quotation. He said, "That's the wrong way to do that, shithead."
As you can see, it is a very simple matter to make sure this is correct. Please do so.
Everything Else:
Seriously speaking, there are so many things in this category that I would be here for hours writing them all down. So, in the interest of my sanity (although, that's been in question for ages), I will, as above, limit it to three of them. Again, these are not necessarily the biggest, just the ones foremost on my mind at the moment.
1) Stop calling scantily clad women near motorcycles "motorcycle babes." Apart from the ridiculousness of such a thing in the first place, when I am searching for motorcycle pictures the last thing I want to see some half-naked chic (and yes, in this instance I use the word "chic" because I feel that if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, I will call it a duck) languidly lounging on top of one. Why? Because if I want to see pictures of women on motorcycles, it is far sexier to see a woman in full (and proper) motorcycle leathers (not fashion leathers). In addition, when I'm searching for pictures of motorcycles, I'm really looking for pictures of motorcycles (I hoard them. Especially if they are like these: Sweet... or Sweetness...).
2) For the love of all things holy, stop with the "you're a genius if..." math questions on Facebook. Really? I mean, really? Anyone who has half a brain in their head, and is capable of simple math, can figure almost every single one of them out. And don't add a time limit. That just makes me even more ornery (Standarized testing sucks!). In fact, stop with all of those idiotic questions, math based or not. Just because it made you feel good about yourself, doesn't mean that everyone on your friends list needs to know you're a step or two above a basic parochial education.
3) Please, I'm begging you, stop with the partisan hack-job posts. I'm all for raising debate in this country; it is something that is completely and utterly needed, but posting vindictive or inflammatory pictures and claiming that you have now won the argument just pisses me off. Also, don't attack me personally if I happen to disagree with you're most agregious of posts. That whole thing I said about raising the level of dialogue? I meant it. I'm willing to converse and argue with you. If I've added you to my friends list, it means that I respect you. Please show me the same courteousy and debate me civilly. I'm not attacking you by stating an opposing view point.
Well, there you have (some of) it. Catch you all later!
Grammar:
Grammar mistakes, apart from weird or convoluted sentence structure (not punctuation), drive me up the wall. Mostly, I'll stick to my top three, though. No sense using up all of my material now. In no particular order (except for the first one):
1) Using "should of" or "could of" instead of "should have" or "could have." Seriously, people, the way you talk really should not translate across directly. What you are thinking of is "should've" and "could've." These are contractions, and should be written as thus if you really need to do so. Let's use them in a sentence, shall we?
"I should've gone to the market, then I could've purchased those motorcycle gloves I wanted."
Stop using "of" to completely butcher a contraction.
2) Periods go inside of quotation marks. Holy. God. People. This is very simple. Even if you don't think the period should go inside quotation marks, do it anyway. Why? Because it's pretty goddamn easy. To illustrate, I will provide the same sentence the internet moron way, and the right way:
Wrong way: When starting any project of note, I always remember my Marcus Aurelius, "Nothing that is to be undertaken is to be undertaken without purpose".
Right way: When starting any project of note, I always remember my Marcus Aurelius, "Nothing that is to be undertaken is to be undertaken without purpose."
Now, I can see why people could possibly think this is the right way, because, as I said, I'm fairly open-minded. People think that, because the full sentence is not a quotation (see below for next pet peeve), then the period should not be included in the quotation portion of the sentence. This is wrong thinking. Unfortunately compounded by games like Mass Effect, where I have often seen this crop up.
3) Using "quote" instead of "quotation." This isn't as big as the previous two, but irritating nonetheless. It really comes down to a very simple misunderstanding. "Quote" is a verb and "Quotation" is a noun. Therefore, when you are quoting someone you can say:
He told me, quote, "That's the wrong way to do that, shithead."
But, if you are referring to it as an object:
He gave me this great quotation. He said, "That's the wrong way to do that, shithead."
As you can see, it is a very simple matter to make sure this is correct. Please do so.
Everything Else:
Seriously speaking, there are so many things in this category that I would be here for hours writing them all down. So, in the interest of my sanity (although, that's been in question for ages), I will, as above, limit it to three of them. Again, these are not necessarily the biggest, just the ones foremost on my mind at the moment.
1) Stop calling scantily clad women near motorcycles "motorcycle babes." Apart from the ridiculousness of such a thing in the first place, when I am searching for motorcycle pictures the last thing I want to see some half-naked chic (and yes, in this instance I use the word "chic" because I feel that if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, I will call it a duck) languidly lounging on top of one. Why? Because if I want to see pictures of women on motorcycles, it is far sexier to see a woman in full (and proper) motorcycle leathers (not fashion leathers). In addition, when I'm searching for pictures of motorcycles, I'm really looking for pictures of motorcycles (I hoard them. Especially if they are like these: Sweet... or Sweetness...).
2) For the love of all things holy, stop with the "you're a genius if..." math questions on Facebook. Really? I mean, really? Anyone who has half a brain in their head, and is capable of simple math, can figure almost every single one of them out. And don't add a time limit. That just makes me even more ornery (Standarized testing sucks!). In fact, stop with all of those idiotic questions, math based or not. Just because it made you feel good about yourself, doesn't mean that everyone on your friends list needs to know you're a step or two above a basic parochial education.
3) Please, I'm begging you, stop with the partisan hack-job posts. I'm all for raising debate in this country; it is something that is completely and utterly needed, but posting vindictive or inflammatory pictures and claiming that you have now won the argument just pisses me off. Also, don't attack me personally if I happen to disagree with you're most agregious of posts. That whole thing I said about raising the level of dialogue? I meant it. I'm willing to converse and argue with you. If I've added you to my friends list, it means that I respect you. Please show me the same courteousy and debate me civilly. I'm not attacking you by stating an opposing view point.
Well, there you have (some of) it. Catch you all later!
Thursday, January 31, 2013
A Quick Questionnaire
What’s your Passion? Questionnaire
What is your passion?
Motorcycles
What makes it a passion?
There isn't a day that goes by where I don't think about them in some way, shape, or form. I feel the most at peace, the most calm, whenever I'm riding.
How long have you been doing it?
Just over two years.
What first got you into it?
I needed to do something that wasn't computer related. I had always had a dream of riding, but never did anything about it for various reasons. However, it was so far outside of what I was used to, I figured it would be at least something of an adventure to try it out. Whatever happened, it unlocked a hidden passion I never knew I had.
Do you need a particular location, equipment, people (eg teacher, partner/s) to practice it?
All I need is my Road Star, an open road, and a full tank of gas.
How do you incorporate it into your life?
I ride to work whenever I can. And any weekend I can get the time, I'm out riding. Even if it's only for an hour or two, I get on and go.
How does it affect your life emotionally or physically?
It is the single biggest stress reducer I have. Whenever I'm on that bike, the stresses and troubles of the world are left behind me. The less stress in my life, the better I feel, emotionally, mentally, and physically.
Do you share it with anyone?
I have some riding friends that I do group rides with. And I can share my passion with my family (even though none of them ride... yet), especially my brother-in-law. He seems to really understand the passion and the drive behind it. But, in the end, I ride for me.
How would your life be without it?
Stressful, and dangling perilously close to a resurgence of clinical depression. I've lived through what my life is like without a true passion, and it isn't a good thing.
What is your best memory or achievement attached to it?
The first time I road all day, I went down to my sister's place in Danbury, CT. I left in the morning and took as many back roads as I could to get down there. It was a great time, and I loved the sense of accomplishment that accompanied it.
What do you want to do with it in the future?
I intend to ride for as long as I am able.
What is your passion?
Motorcycles
What makes it a passion?
There isn't a day that goes by where I don't think about them in some way, shape, or form. I feel the most at peace, the most calm, whenever I'm riding.
How long have you been doing it?
Just over two years.
What first got you into it?
I needed to do something that wasn't computer related. I had always had a dream of riding, but never did anything about it for various reasons. However, it was so far outside of what I was used to, I figured it would be at least something of an adventure to try it out. Whatever happened, it unlocked a hidden passion I never knew I had.
Do you need a particular location, equipment, people (eg teacher, partner/s) to practice it?
All I need is my Road Star, an open road, and a full tank of gas.
How do you incorporate it into your life?
I ride to work whenever I can. And any weekend I can get the time, I'm out riding. Even if it's only for an hour or two, I get on and go.
How does it affect your life emotionally or physically?
It is the single biggest stress reducer I have. Whenever I'm on that bike, the stresses and troubles of the world are left behind me. The less stress in my life, the better I feel, emotionally, mentally, and physically.
Do you share it with anyone?
I have some riding friends that I do group rides with. And I can share my passion with my family (even though none of them ride... yet), especially my brother-in-law. He seems to really understand the passion and the drive behind it. But, in the end, I ride for me.
How would your life be without it?
Stressful, and dangling perilously close to a resurgence of clinical depression. I've lived through what my life is like without a true passion, and it isn't a good thing.
What is your best memory or achievement attached to it?
The first time I road all day, I went down to my sister's place in Danbury, CT. I left in the morning and took as many back roads as I could to get down there. It was a great time, and I loved the sense of accomplishment that accompanied it.
What do you want to do with it in the future?
I intend to ride for as long as I am able.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Don't be sore, stock saddle...
Wow, been a while since I've posted anything. And I can't think of a better post to kick things off with than to say my ass doesn't hurt all that much...
Still with me? I hope so.
If there's one thing that makes all the difference on a long ride, it's rider comfort. Until recently, the best I had to work with was a Saddlemen seat on my previous motorcycle. And, all things considered, that saddle was not really ideal for me, despite the fact that it was better than the stock seat on the Marauder (truth be told, a block of concrete would have been about as comfortable as the stock seat), since it was a very narrow seat.
Move forward a year and with the purchase of a new bike, I was hoping the stock saddle, being wider and with (seemingly) more padding, would be better for long days of riding. Sort of. It was more comfortable, but that's like saying being hit in the head with a two-by-four is better than being hit in the head with a brick. Sure, it's technically true, but in the end, you don't really care how you got the massive headache and associated concussion.
After saving my pennies for a few months, I was able to find a deal online for a replacement saddle that, according to every review, is the saddle to have if you are spending long days riding. The company, Mustang Seats, is located in Connecticut (I shall have to pay them a visit when next I visit the Connecticut O'Briens). The seats are not cheap, but you do get what you pay for.
I planned a ride with my riding group to head out to North Adams, MA and ride up to the top of Mt. Greylock. After 4 failed, or aborted, attempts to get there, I was finally able to pull it off; and with the biggest group of bikes that I have ever led (22, give or take).
Now, I purchased the new saddle back on Aug. 3rd, in hopes that it would arrive before the trip. When I purchased it, I was told it was a special order item (which it is, since Mustang generally only builds the seats for Road Stars in a two-up formation) and would take 10 days before it would be shipped. Four days after I ordered it, I was sent an email saying it was actually closer to 20 days.
Resigned to having to ride out to Greylock on my stock saddle, I prepped for the trip as best as I was able. Lo and behold, a few days before the trip, I received an email saying the saddle had shipped. As one might imagine, I was thrilled by this news. I mean, if you learned that you butt had just been given a stay of execution, you'd be excited too.
Anyway, the saddle arrived the day that my father and I headed up to Loudon, NH to watch the vintage motorcycle races that are held monthly at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway (it was an amazing day. I had a great time with my dad and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves). As soon as I got home, I installed it and went for a brief ride. It was in place and ready for its big debut today.
Sure enough, the saddle performed spectacularly. With a few minor... observations... to be had:
1. Despite the extra comfort, it slides me further forward in the seat, so my legs are tucked up a little tighter. Not a deal breaker, but around hour 9 or so, my hips were beginning to complain.
2. It doesn't completely save my butt from pain. It just greatly delays the onset of it. And, trust me, that makes all the difference.
3. All I need now is a backrest, and the setup will be perfect.
It is fair to say that I had a phenomenal weekend.
Still with me? I hope so.
If there's one thing that makes all the difference on a long ride, it's rider comfort. Until recently, the best I had to work with was a Saddlemen seat on my previous motorcycle. And, all things considered, that saddle was not really ideal for me, despite the fact that it was better than the stock seat on the Marauder (truth be told, a block of concrete would have been about as comfortable as the stock seat), since it was a very narrow seat.
Move forward a year and with the purchase of a new bike, I was hoping the stock saddle, being wider and with (seemingly) more padding, would be better for long days of riding. Sort of. It was more comfortable, but that's like saying being hit in the head with a two-by-four is better than being hit in the head with a brick. Sure, it's technically true, but in the end, you don't really care how you got the massive headache and associated concussion.
After saving my pennies for a few months, I was able to find a deal online for a replacement saddle that, according to every review, is the saddle to have if you are spending long days riding. The company, Mustang Seats, is located in Connecticut (I shall have to pay them a visit when next I visit the Connecticut O'Briens). The seats are not cheap, but you do get what you pay for.
I planned a ride with my riding group to head out to North Adams, MA and ride up to the top of Mt. Greylock. After 4 failed, or aborted, attempts to get there, I was finally able to pull it off; and with the biggest group of bikes that I have ever led (22, give or take).
Now, I purchased the new saddle back on Aug. 3rd, in hopes that it would arrive before the trip. When I purchased it, I was told it was a special order item (which it is, since Mustang generally only builds the seats for Road Stars in a two-up formation) and would take 10 days before it would be shipped. Four days after I ordered it, I was sent an email saying it was actually closer to 20 days.
Resigned to having to ride out to Greylock on my stock saddle, I prepped for the trip as best as I was able. Lo and behold, a few days before the trip, I received an email saying the saddle had shipped. As one might imagine, I was thrilled by this news. I mean, if you learned that you butt had just been given a stay of execution, you'd be excited too.
Anyway, the saddle arrived the day that my father and I headed up to Loudon, NH to watch the vintage motorcycle races that are held monthly at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway (it was an amazing day. I had a great time with my dad and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves). As soon as I got home, I installed it and went for a brief ride. It was in place and ready for its big debut today.
Sure enough, the saddle performed spectacularly. With a few minor... observations... to be had:
1. Despite the extra comfort, it slides me further forward in the seat, so my legs are tucked up a little tighter. Not a deal breaker, but around hour 9 or so, my hips were beginning to complain.
2. It doesn't completely save my butt from pain. It just greatly delays the onset of it. And, trust me, that makes all the difference.
3. All I need now is a backrest, and the setup will be perfect.
It is fair to say that I had a phenomenal weekend.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
It's Official
The time has come when I have put more accessories on my new bike than I did on my first bike. Truth be told, it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. The other part of this feat is the fact that I did it in three weeks as opposed to an entire summer.
Part the First: The Saddlebag Odyssey
So, I knew I wanted saddlebags on my bike. I've know that since I bought my first one. They just make things easier when dealing with carrying stuff around (as one would expect). I thought I could beat Murphy by going to the Star Motorcycle website and actually finding the correct part number before I placed the order. Lo-and-behold, they were, indeed, available.
After they arrived I had to wait a good two weeks before I could even think about putting them on the bike. When I finally got around to it, Murphy laughed in my face as the spacers that were supplied with the supports were too big. Curses and other such words.
Well, I wasn't about to let that beat me. After spending a whopping $2.20 on some washers, I got them attached with absolutely zero fuss. And, truly, nobody will really see the washers as the saddlebags are in the way.
Here's the end product:
Not too shabby...
Part the Second: The Windshield of Destiny
After some of my longer trips last year, I sorely started to miss the windshield (albeit damaged) that my old bike came with. The best part of the whole thing was taking the brunt of the wind's force that I would, otherwise, have to defeat with my arms alone.
That said, motorcycle windshields are freakin' expensive! A full kit (Windshield and mounts) costs on the order of $400. Well, that's if you want a large one. I didn't want one that was too big, so I started digging, and found a decent setup for around $80 with the mounting equipment included. Granted, this is most likely a stop-gap windshield until I can save up for a larger one.
All things considered, she doesn't look too bad with it:
It's her best angle, really.
Part the Third: The Aegis of the Freeway Bars
The most recent (i.e. today) installation I've finished is to add a set of freeway bars to the bike. There really isn't much to say about this except 1) I found them for significantly cheaper online and 2) they were a lot easier to install than I thought they would be.
And they look pretty sweet, too:
Aww Yeah!
Part the First: The Saddlebag Odyssey
So, I knew I wanted saddlebags on my bike. I've know that since I bought my first one. They just make things easier when dealing with carrying stuff around (as one would expect). I thought I could beat Murphy by going to the Star Motorcycle website and actually finding the correct part number before I placed the order. Lo-and-behold, they were, indeed, available.
After they arrived I had to wait a good two weeks before I could even think about putting them on the bike. When I finally got around to it, Murphy laughed in my face as the spacers that were supplied with the supports were too big. Curses and other such words.
Well, I wasn't about to let that beat me. After spending a whopping $2.20 on some washers, I got them attached with absolutely zero fuss. And, truly, nobody will really see the washers as the saddlebags are in the way.
Here's the end product:
Not too shabby...
Part the Second: The Windshield of Destiny
After some of my longer trips last year, I sorely started to miss the windshield (albeit damaged) that my old bike came with. The best part of the whole thing was taking the brunt of the wind's force that I would, otherwise, have to defeat with my arms alone.
That said, motorcycle windshields are freakin' expensive! A full kit (Windshield and mounts) costs on the order of $400. Well, that's if you want a large one. I didn't want one that was too big, so I started digging, and found a decent setup for around $80 with the mounting equipment included. Granted, this is most likely a stop-gap windshield until I can save up for a larger one.
All things considered, she doesn't look too bad with it:
It's her best angle, really.
Part the Third: The Aegis of the Freeway Bars
The most recent (i.e. today) installation I've finished is to add a set of freeway bars to the bike. There really isn't much to say about this except 1) I found them for significantly cheaper online and 2) they were a lot easier to install than I thought they would be.
And they look pretty sweet, too:
Aww Yeah!
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Oh man, the things I've done and seen
First off, it's good to be back. After taking a hiatus over the winter (because, really, what would I have truly written about? Being mopey, that's what. And nobody wants to read that) I'm back and with high hopes for the coming spring and summer. Indeed, the spring is shaping up to be completely awesome. First and foremost, it's March and we're already experiencing 70 degree temperatures. Arguably, for someone like me, that's a bit of a two-edged sword, as I hate sweating like Munchkins hate the Wicked Witch, but it also affords ample riding opportunities; and that's always a good thing.
I also want this to act as a formal introduction, of sorts. I picked up my new bike two weeks ago and she is an absolute dream to ride. She handles the highway (and rain) like a champ. And she's a lot more comfortable on long rides than the Marauder ever was. I've named her Ad Meliora (I generally just refer to her as Meliora); Latin for "Towards better things." Works for me, at least.
Here she is (in a suitably picturesque location near the Wachusett reservoir):
Why Wachusett? Well, it was the first ride of any decent length that I went on when I got my first bike. It was a long ride back then, and it was nerve wracking the first time I did it. Now it seems almost old-hat, but it still has a personal significance for me as the first "real" ride I went on.
I know I mentioned this before, but since purchasing the new bike, I've had a chance to read up on and learn a lot of things about it. First, it's a 2005 Yamaha Road Star Midnight XV1700AMTC. It has a 1690cc engine (1700cc), hydraulic front and rear brakes, and (most important) has rearview mirrors I can actually use! Let me tell you, I like the drag bar look (that my Marauder had), but when all you see when you look in the mirrors is your own shoulders, it's a bit of a pain in the ass.
However, the longest trip so far was my ride down to my sister's place in Danbury, CT. Unlike my first ride down there, this time I took the highway (I-90 to I-84). The trip down was lightly drizzling for most of it. I did hit rain in Hartford, but after that it stopped and things dried up quite a bit. Even in the rain, I had no real problems. I have, however, learned of the great hatred for 18-wheelers. Oh, but I do hate being stuck behind them. (They basically force you into doing your best bobblehead impersonation. It sucks.)
Anyway, this summer looks like it going to be one hell of good time. Here's to hoping it stays nice and dry!
I also want this to act as a formal introduction, of sorts. I picked up my new bike two weeks ago and she is an absolute dream to ride. She handles the highway (and rain) like a champ. And she's a lot more comfortable on long rides than the Marauder ever was. I've named her Ad Meliora (I generally just refer to her as Meliora); Latin for "Towards better things." Works for me, at least.
Here she is (in a suitably picturesque location near the Wachusett reservoir):
Why Wachusett? Well, it was the first ride of any decent length that I went on when I got my first bike. It was a long ride back then, and it was nerve wracking the first time I did it. Now it seems almost old-hat, but it still has a personal significance for me as the first "real" ride I went on.
I know I mentioned this before, but since purchasing the new bike, I've had a chance to read up on and learn a lot of things about it. First, it's a 2005 Yamaha Road Star Midnight XV1700AMTC. It has a 1690cc engine (1700cc), hydraulic front and rear brakes, and (most important) has rearview mirrors I can actually use! Let me tell you, I like the drag bar look (that my Marauder had), but when all you see when you look in the mirrors is your own shoulders, it's a bit of a pain in the ass.
However, the longest trip so far was my ride down to my sister's place in Danbury, CT. Unlike my first ride down there, this time I took the highway (I-90 to I-84). The trip down was lightly drizzling for most of it. I did hit rain in Hartford, but after that it stopped and things dried up quite a bit. Even in the rain, I had no real problems. I have, however, learned of the great hatred for 18-wheelers. Oh, but I do hate being stuck behind them. (They basically force you into doing your best bobblehead impersonation. It sucks.)
Anyway, this summer looks like it going to be one hell of good time. Here's to hoping it stays nice and dry!
Monday, February 13, 2012
I just can't help myself
Ok, I got this image from one of the emails I receive from the Motorcycle Superstore (so, hopefully, they won't take too much offense). I photoshopped it a little to spruce it up, but it is largely intact. The thought of it made me giggle for several minutes (in fact, I'm still giggling about it).
So, yeah. :-D
So, yeah. :-D
Friday, January 20, 2012
The Strangest Thing...
In my quest to get equipment for my new motorcycle, the biggest obstacle is, as one would imagine, the cost of parts and gear. To that end, being a motorcyclist requires a great deal of patience when it comes to getting the look you want for your bike. And, as a motorcyclist, it seems to be a requirement to customize your motorcycle to be exactly what you want it to be. Granted, this isn't a requirement that others tell you about, oh no. This particular part of owning a motorcycle is almost as inevitable as breathing, and comes about just as naturally. None of us get into motorcycling for the express purpose of buying a bike just to customize it... well, maybe some do, but most of us don't, it just happens as soon as you hop on the bike the first time.
Usually, it starts like this, "What can I do to make this a better ride?"
As soon as that thought crosses your mind, you're already infected and there is no cure for this, and the only treatment is to start modifying the small things. It quickly gets out of hand.
Seriously, not a day goes by that I don't spend at least a few hours thinking about motorcycles. It's a problem, sort of.
A few weeks ago, my mother asked me to help out with the religious education course at the parish she works at. Seeing it as a nice thing to do, I agreed to help. Mom was a bit excited to introduce me to one of the other teachers for the program, as he is a fellow rider. Last Tuesday, I went to Pelham for a brief orientation for the teachers and I got a chance to meet Chuck.
Chuck is a very nice guy. It turns out that his current bike is a Road King that took him at least a season to get used to. All things considered, it does not surprise me, as the Road King is a beast of a bike (kind of like a barcalounger on wheels) and would probably take anyone a while to get used to. In the course of our conversation, we got to talking about his previous bike, which was a Yamaha Road Star for which he had purchased a custom seat and saddlebags. He then asked what bike I had (and while I don't have it yet, I will soon) and I told him that it was a Yamaha Road Star.
It was shortly after that we got to talking about the modifications he had for his Road Star. He had a custom ostrich leather seat made with a gel pad (which, as anyone who has ridden all day can attest to, is a Godsend; the gel pad, not necessarily the ostrich leather) and a custom set of ostrich leather saddlebags. Those are not cheap, but that just serves to reinforce my point. When it comes down to modifying a bike to suit you, it is understood that you will have to work for it.
Then the damndest thing happened, he also offered me a bed to stay in at his cabin on Lake Winnipesaukee for the Laconia Motorcycle Rally. Granted, I won't be there for the whole week, but to offer someone you just met a place to stay, that's pretty cool. It is not the first time I have heard of this kind of generosity between riders, but it is the first time it has happened to me.
Usually, it starts like this, "What can I do to make this a better ride?"
As soon as that thought crosses your mind, you're already infected and there is no cure for this, and the only treatment is to start modifying the small things. It quickly gets out of hand.
Seriously, not a day goes by that I don't spend at least a few hours thinking about motorcycles. It's a problem, sort of.
A few weeks ago, my mother asked me to help out with the religious education course at the parish she works at. Seeing it as a nice thing to do, I agreed to help. Mom was a bit excited to introduce me to one of the other teachers for the program, as he is a fellow rider. Last Tuesday, I went to Pelham for a brief orientation for the teachers and I got a chance to meet Chuck.
Chuck is a very nice guy. It turns out that his current bike is a Road King that took him at least a season to get used to. All things considered, it does not surprise me, as the Road King is a beast of a bike (kind of like a barcalounger on wheels) and would probably take anyone a while to get used to. In the course of our conversation, we got to talking about his previous bike, which was a Yamaha Road Star for which he had purchased a custom seat and saddlebags. He then asked what bike I had (and while I don't have it yet, I will soon) and I told him that it was a Yamaha Road Star.
It was shortly after that we got to talking about the modifications he had for his Road Star. He had a custom ostrich leather seat made with a gel pad (which, as anyone who has ridden all day can attest to, is a Godsend; the gel pad, not necessarily the ostrich leather) and a custom set of ostrich leather saddlebags. Those are not cheap, but that just serves to reinforce my point. When it comes down to modifying a bike to suit you, it is understood that you will have to work for it.
Then the damndest thing happened, he also offered me a bed to stay in at his cabin on Lake Winnipesaukee for the Laconia Motorcycle Rally. Granted, I won't be there for the whole week, but to offer someone you just met a place to stay, that's pretty cool. It is not the first time I have heard of this kind of generosity between riders, but it is the first time it has happened to me.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
I felt I needed to say this
So, I'm not much for making a big fuss over current political issues. Most of the time I just feel depressed when I think about politics. However, there is one issue that I take very seriously. I've always taken it very seriously because it is the basis upon which every other freedom in the United States rests. I am, of course, talking about the First Amendment. The freedoms espoused in the First Amendment make it possible for those of us who live in the US to be ourselves without fear of reprisal (at least, it should be doing that. In practice, there are many who would rather forget the uncomfortable fact that the First Amendment means everyone has this right).
My reason for this post today is to discuss two bills currently in the US Legislature: the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and PROTECT IP Act (PIPA). These two bills are not just an infringement on the rights of a free and open Internet, but also a horrible violation of the First Amendment right to Free Speech. What appalls me the most is the number of Legislators who have decided to back these bills. They will do nothing to curtail those activities they say they are supposed to try and stop; instead, they will do the most harm to the internet culture as a whole, not just in the US, but abroad as well.
(Not to mention the whole mess that would come about if they actually decided to alter the static DNS routing tables used to keep the Internet infrastructure actually functioning properly.)
I stand by and support those websites that have decided to blackout on the 18th. This is me, throwing my voice in with theirs as they protest these two bills.
Side note: I do want to thank my lucky stars that both of my Senators (Kerry and Brown) are not among those backing Senators for PIPA. It is also a relief to know that the President sees these bills as dangerous and has voiced opposition to them.
I'll be posting a far less political post soon, but I felt that I had to say something about this issue.
Wikipedia Article on PIPA
Wikipedia Article on SOPA
Wikipedia Blackout
My reason for this post today is to discuss two bills currently in the US Legislature: the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and PROTECT IP Act (PIPA). These two bills are not just an infringement on the rights of a free and open Internet, but also a horrible violation of the First Amendment right to Free Speech. What appalls me the most is the number of Legislators who have decided to back these bills. They will do nothing to curtail those activities they say they are supposed to try and stop; instead, they will do the most harm to the internet culture as a whole, not just in the US, but abroad as well.
(Not to mention the whole mess that would come about if they actually decided to alter the static DNS routing tables used to keep the Internet infrastructure actually functioning properly.)
I stand by and support those websites that have decided to blackout on the 18th. This is me, throwing my voice in with theirs as they protest these two bills.
Side note: I do want to thank my lucky stars that both of my Senators (Kerry and Brown) are not among those backing Senators for PIPA. It is also a relief to know that the President sees these bills as dangerous and has voiced opposition to them.
I'll be posting a far less political post soon, but I felt that I had to say something about this issue.
Wikipedia Article on PIPA
Wikipedia Article on SOPA
Wikipedia Blackout
Thursday, December 29, 2011
New adventures in Planning Madness
And if you can make any sense out of that title, you're doing better than I am.
I started another blog ("Another one!? What are you thinking?") in an effort to do two things: 1) Keep track of my preparations for my motorcycle trip this year and 2) to have some guidelines of all the preparations and supplies needed in case I decide to try this lunacy again in the years hence.
It also helps me sort things through. When I first decided to go on this trip to the Beartooth Highway, I didn't really have all of the logistics in my head. Mostly what I was thinking, if I was really thinking at all ("How is that different than normal?" Shut up, brain), was how cool it would be to ride across country and see the Rocky Mountains; logistics, planning, and all of the "boring" aspects didn't really enter my head until I started actually looking at the map and how long it would take to get there. It was shortly thereafter that I figured two weeks worth of vacation would be plenty of time to see the multiple locations I wanted to visit (Seriously, trying to go down the Blue Ridge Parkway, then over to the Beartooth Highway, then around to the Utah Patchwork Highway in 14 days is doable, right? Over 6,000 miles should be a cake walk!). Given that I've never actually done this kind of thing before, and assuming I could ride 10+ hours a day, that seemed reasonable.
Then I received a jolt. I decided during the summer to try and see exactly what I could handle on a motorcycle. 6 hours on an uncomfortable seat just about did me in. I was sore for a day or so afterwards. I knew then that I needed to change my thinking a little bit.
First off, I decided that such a trip should not be attempted by someone like me on an 800cc cruiser. Not necessarily because the engine isn't up to the task, but because a bike that small would be challenging to deal with riding all day. Secondly, having to quickly ride through areas without being able to really enjoy them didn't seem all that appealing, and I wanted to be able to savor this experience. Thirdly, coming to grips with what would actually be required to pull this off smacked me upside the head when I roughly calculated just the cost for fuel alone.
In the end, I discarded every other location I had set for myself so that I could focus on the one place I really wanted to see. I've dreamed of seeing the Rocky Mountains (I've seen them from the air, but that really doesn't count) and this has become part of that. The fact that I want to do it on a motorcycle? That, in my mind, seems to be a given.
As I mentioned to one of my friends, if it wasn't a challenge, it wouldn't be as rewarding an experience. To quote one of my favorite movies, out of context, "if it was easy, everyone would do it. Being hard is what makes it great."
I started another blog ("Another one!? What are you thinking?") in an effort to do two things: 1) Keep track of my preparations for my motorcycle trip this year and 2) to have some guidelines of all the preparations and supplies needed in case I decide to try this lunacy again in the years hence.
It also helps me sort things through. When I first decided to go on this trip to the Beartooth Highway, I didn't really have all of the logistics in my head. Mostly what I was thinking, if I was really thinking at all ("How is that different than normal?" Shut up, brain), was how cool it would be to ride across country and see the Rocky Mountains; logistics, planning, and all of the "boring" aspects didn't really enter my head until I started actually looking at the map and how long it would take to get there. It was shortly thereafter that I figured two weeks worth of vacation would be plenty of time to see the multiple locations I wanted to visit (Seriously, trying to go down the Blue Ridge Parkway, then over to the Beartooth Highway, then around to the Utah Patchwork Highway in 14 days is doable, right? Over 6,000 miles should be a cake walk!). Given that I've never actually done this kind of thing before, and assuming I could ride 10+ hours a day, that seemed reasonable.
Then I received a jolt. I decided during the summer to try and see exactly what I could handle on a motorcycle. 6 hours on an uncomfortable seat just about did me in. I was sore for a day or so afterwards. I knew then that I needed to change my thinking a little bit.
First off, I decided that such a trip should not be attempted by someone like me on an 800cc cruiser. Not necessarily because the engine isn't up to the task, but because a bike that small would be challenging to deal with riding all day. Secondly, having to quickly ride through areas without being able to really enjoy them didn't seem all that appealing, and I wanted to be able to savor this experience. Thirdly, coming to grips with what would actually be required to pull this off smacked me upside the head when I roughly calculated just the cost for fuel alone.
In the end, I discarded every other location I had set for myself so that I could focus on the one place I really wanted to see. I've dreamed of seeing the Rocky Mountains (I've seen them from the air, but that really doesn't count) and this has become part of that. The fact that I want to do it on a motorcycle? That, in my mind, seems to be a given.
As I mentioned to one of my friends, if it wasn't a challenge, it wouldn't be as rewarding an experience. To quote one of my favorite movies, out of context, "if it was easy, everyone would do it. Being hard is what makes it great."
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
My to-do list for 2012
Now, before you get your hopes up that I may, in fact, be talking about something other than motorcycles, you should know that you're only half-right. There will be some items on this list that will have absolutely nothing to do with motorcycles, motorcycling, motorcycle trips, anything vaguely motorcycle-ish, or dealing with (and I'll put this in terms Plato would have liked) the concept of "motorcycle." Mostly, however, this post is about what I'm going to do once I actually get two wheels back on the road.
The list will mostly be fun things I want to do, but it will also include a few mundane items. If this is supposed to be a blog about my adventures, why would I include the mundane? Well, all things must balance out, eventually, and in order to enjoy the fun things, sometimes the mundane just need to get done.
That, and:
Generally speaking, I'm somewhat stuck at the moment. My head is being pulled in two very strange directions. On the one hand, I just got access to Star Wars: The Old Republic, which I've been drooling about for years; and on the other hand, I don't have a motorcycle to ride, which is causing me to go insane ("go" insane? I probably passed that mile marker a good while back). I suppose one could argue that neither activity is anything to get excited about, but not everyone is a video gaming motorcyclist... I just hurt my own brain with that, I do apologize.
Anyway, the list that follows is probably going to be long-winded and meandering (like most of my conversations in general), so you'll just have to brace yourself as best you can. Which, really, shouldn't be that hard since you are, assumedly, sitting in front of a computer and not really going anywhere at all. Still, it is what it is (told you, and I'm not even into the list yet).
1. Clean my room: Seriously, the place is a mess. But, unfortunately, I don't have much space available to sort everything (or do I?) the way I would like to sort it (clothes notwithstanding). That said, I just have to knuckle down and do it; before it takes over my entire living space.
2. Visit the Northeast Motorcycle Expo: January 28th and 29th this year are the two dates that this show will be in Boston. I missed it last year. Granted, I wasn't quite as frothingly desperate for anything related to motorcycles then as I am now, but it should be a good time nonetheless. There is, possibly, another, secret reason for me going to the show. Everyone and their dog keeps telling me I need to "get out more" and "meet like-minded people" so that I'm "not so much of a crazy, loud-mouthed, obsessive shut-in" (okay, so that last part may have been the dogs in my head, but they've generally been accurate in their assessments so far). Honestly, it would be nice to be able to have a real conversation with someone who shares my passion for motorcycles and won't roll their eyes and mutter "oh God, not again" under their breath.
3. Get back to Boxing: I'm not really sure why I stopped in the first place. Boxing is a lot of fun, and I was able to purchase my own heavy bag for my apartment. While I doubt it will be as efficient as going to the boxing gym, it will be a lot more convenient and I will be able to listen to my own music while I work out (seriously, who can box while contemporary pop music is playing on the radio?). Now I just have to get the heavy bag and the correct size boxing gloves and I'll be good to go.
4. Visit family more often: I became kind of lax about this in the latter half of 2011. It always seemed like I had other things to do. Most often, the weekends that I wasn't busy doing something else, I generally wanted to myself. And, while it is nice to hang out with family, sometimes I just really want time to myself. And it seemed I needed more of that this passed year than usual. That said, with my new motorcycle I'll be able to make the longer trips easier, as the bike will be better able to handle longer rides (I certainly hope so, at least), so I will be able to combine riding and visiting family.
5. Visit friends in far-off lands: Can I truly refer to "Virginia" as a far-off land when it's on the same coast as Massachusetts? Certainly can! I have some friends in Virginia I haven't seen in a while and it would be nice to visit them. Again, it will also be a good chance to try out how the new bike will fair when it comes to slabbing it for a day. I also know for a fact that one of my friends down there may possibly maim me if I don't show up on the bike at least once.
6. Laconia Motorcycle Rally: I wanted to go to this passed year's event, but as a newcomer to motorcycles, and having just purchased my first motorcycle less than a month and a half before the rally, I figured it wasn't such good timing to try that ride, particularly when I hadn't really been riding on a highway before. The 2012 rally? That should be a fun time, now that I'm a little more seasoned and can handle a bike better. Also, it will help with that whole "crazy shut-in" thing I apparently have going on.
7. Motorcycle Road Trip: This is the big one. My feelings on this event are so split, I am kind of surprised I can talk about it coherently (are "wild ramblings filled with gibberish" considered coherent?). I am looking forward to this, without question. I still have dreams about it. However, there is another part of me that is a mixture of abject fear and anxiety about it. Most of the anxiety is really focused around how I'm actually going to pull it off, and will probably be allayed by careful and precise planning. Still, I would be lying if I said that the anxiety didn't add to the excitement of the whole venture. I just hope I can find someone to go with me. That would help a great deal. Current Route
8. Gain writing fodder around the New England Area: Actually, this is really more a continuation of what I was doing last year: riding around to various parts of New England, taking in the sites, then coming back home and blogging about it. However, the additional piece of this is to actually try writing articles to send to publishers. I realize that just jumping in and sending unsolicited articles to magazines and periodicals really doesn't work as much as it may have in the past, but I have to start somewhere. I would love for this to be the first steps in beginning a career shift to something I would actually enjoy doing for a living. Here's to hoping!
So, that's it for now. I didn't ramble quite as much as I thought I would, but some ramblings did occur, I'm not going to lie. All things considered, I am definitely looking forward to 2012 and what it has to offer. And, because I want to end this on a classy note, here is a small piece of advice from yours truly:
Memento Vivere
The list will mostly be fun things I want to do, but it will also include a few mundane items. If this is supposed to be a blog about my adventures, why would I include the mundane? Well, all things must balance out, eventually, and in order to enjoy the fun things, sometimes the mundane just need to get done.
That, and:
Generally speaking, I'm somewhat stuck at the moment. My head is being pulled in two very strange directions. On the one hand, I just got access to Star Wars: The Old Republic, which I've been drooling about for years; and on the other hand, I don't have a motorcycle to ride, which is causing me to go insane ("go" insane? I probably passed that mile marker a good while back). I suppose one could argue that neither activity is anything to get excited about, but not everyone is a video gaming motorcyclist... I just hurt my own brain with that, I do apologize.
Anyway, the list that follows is probably going to be long-winded and meandering (like most of my conversations in general), so you'll just have to brace yourself as best you can. Which, really, shouldn't be that hard since you are, assumedly, sitting in front of a computer and not really going anywhere at all. Still, it is what it is (told you, and I'm not even into the list yet).
1. Clean my room: Seriously, the place is a mess. But, unfortunately, I don't have much space available to sort everything (or do I?) the way I would like to sort it (clothes notwithstanding). That said, I just have to knuckle down and do it; before it takes over my entire living space.
2. Visit the Northeast Motorcycle Expo: January 28th and 29th this year are the two dates that this show will be in Boston. I missed it last year. Granted, I wasn't quite as frothingly desperate for anything related to motorcycles then as I am now, but it should be a good time nonetheless. There is, possibly, another, secret reason for me going to the show. Everyone and their dog keeps telling me I need to "get out more" and "meet like-minded people" so that I'm "not so much of a crazy, loud-mouthed, obsessive shut-in" (okay, so that last part may have been the dogs in my head, but they've generally been accurate in their assessments so far). Honestly, it would be nice to be able to have a real conversation with someone who shares my passion for motorcycles and won't roll their eyes and mutter "oh God, not again" under their breath.
3. Get back to Boxing: I'm not really sure why I stopped in the first place. Boxing is a lot of fun, and I was able to purchase my own heavy bag for my apartment. While I doubt it will be as efficient as going to the boxing gym, it will be a lot more convenient and I will be able to listen to my own music while I work out (seriously, who can box while contemporary pop music is playing on the radio?). Now I just have to get the heavy bag and the correct size boxing gloves and I'll be good to go.
4. Visit family more often: I became kind of lax about this in the latter half of 2011. It always seemed like I had other things to do. Most often, the weekends that I wasn't busy doing something else, I generally wanted to myself. And, while it is nice to hang out with family, sometimes I just really want time to myself. And it seemed I needed more of that this passed year than usual. That said, with my new motorcycle I'll be able to make the longer trips easier, as the bike will be better able to handle longer rides (I certainly hope so, at least), so I will be able to combine riding and visiting family.
5. Visit friends in far-off lands: Can I truly refer to "Virginia" as a far-off land when it's on the same coast as Massachusetts? Certainly can! I have some friends in Virginia I haven't seen in a while and it would be nice to visit them. Again, it will also be a good chance to try out how the new bike will fair when it comes to slabbing it for a day. I also know for a fact that one of my friends down there may possibly maim me if I don't show up on the bike at least once.
6. Laconia Motorcycle Rally: I wanted to go to this passed year's event, but as a newcomer to motorcycles, and having just purchased my first motorcycle less than a month and a half before the rally, I figured it wasn't such good timing to try that ride, particularly when I hadn't really been riding on a highway before. The 2012 rally? That should be a fun time, now that I'm a little more seasoned and can handle a bike better. Also, it will help with that whole "crazy shut-in" thing I apparently have going on.
7. Motorcycle Road Trip: This is the big one. My feelings on this event are so split, I am kind of surprised I can talk about it coherently (are "wild ramblings filled with gibberish" considered coherent?). I am looking forward to this, without question. I still have dreams about it. However, there is another part of me that is a mixture of abject fear and anxiety about it. Most of the anxiety is really focused around how I'm actually going to pull it off, and will probably be allayed by careful and precise planning. Still, I would be lying if I said that the anxiety didn't add to the excitement of the whole venture. I just hope I can find someone to go with me. That would help a great deal. Current Route
8. Gain writing fodder around the New England Area: Actually, this is really more a continuation of what I was doing last year: riding around to various parts of New England, taking in the sites, then coming back home and blogging about it. However, the additional piece of this is to actually try writing articles to send to publishers. I realize that just jumping in and sending unsolicited articles to magazines and periodicals really doesn't work as much as it may have in the past, but I have to start somewhere. I would love for this to be the first steps in beginning a career shift to something I would actually enjoy doing for a living. Here's to hoping!
So, that's it for now. I didn't ramble quite as much as I thought I would, but some ramblings did occur, I'm not going to lie. All things considered, I am definitely looking forward to 2012 and what it has to offer. And, because I want to end this on a classy note, here is a small piece of advice from yours truly:
Memento Vivere
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Awesome Gift
So, random package arrived at my house today. It was from motorcycle-superstore.com and was really lite. I was a little confused, as I had not placed any orders through them, not since I ordered a replacement set of front footpegs.
Anyway, I opened the box and there was a $50 gift card. Again, I was kind of confused until I checked the shipping receipt. My brother Brendan (and his family, I would imagine) had sent it.
Well, I did the only thing I could do; I ordered something I will need for my road trips next year: a magnetic tank bag. Useful for storing maps, phones, gloves, etc.
So, a big, heartfelt, "thank you" to my brother and his family for a great gift.
Now, I just need to think of something for them...
Anyway, I opened the box and there was a $50 gift card. Again, I was kind of confused until I checked the shipping receipt. My brother Brendan (and his family, I would imagine) had sent it.
Well, I did the only thing I could do; I ordered something I will need for my road trips next year: a magnetic tank bag. Useful for storing maps, phones, gloves, etc.
So, a big, heartfelt, "thank you" to my brother and his family for a great gift.
Now, I just need to think of something for them...
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