Took a little jaunt down south to meet up with a few friends to go ride Palomar Mountain. At least that was the plan. The weather turned out to be perfect, conditions were clear, traffic was light, and I was riding the ‘sleeper’ – couldn’t have asked for more. Of course there were seven of us that met up, and as the day rolled one, that number whittled down to three, but for those of us with the energy and desire to continue, we squeezed about as much out of the daylight hours as we could.
All told, at least for my part of the trip – from my house, I ended up riding just shy of 375 miles.
And that ride looked a little something like this…
SoCal ride
What a great day!
Palomar Mountain
Tags: Daylight Hours, Desire, Jaunt, Palomar Mountain, Traffic, Weather
Talk about a Homer Simpson moment…
Maybe I didn’t read/understand the instructions properly, and maybe the poor quality pictures didn’t help, but seems I didn’t install the 02 eliminators 
Also, for some reason, TPS was set a WOT – which explains why the AT kept modify the map at 100%
Anyway, Mickey of Cohen Motorsports sorted it all out and the built a custom map for both the front and rear cylinders.
Not sure how the results stack up, but it sure does run a whole lot better – no more hiccups, surging, backfire, or pinging. Runs like a champ now! 
Tags: Champ, Eliminators, Hiccups, Homer Simpson, Map, Mickey, Poor Quality, Rear Cylinders, Stack, Tps, Whole Lot, Wot
Often the question asked when it comes time to buy a new lid.
I grew up in a country where helmets were mandatory (as they are in California), and wouldn’t dream of riding without wearing one. I currently have a 3/4 helmet, a couple of full face helmets (getting old) and have had, in the past, a modular (flip up style) helmet. I always buy safety certified (DOT/Snell), but not always the most expensive kind (expensive doesn’t necessarily mean safer).
Ask anyone who knows and cares about quality safety gear, which is their favorite helmet manufacturer, chances are they’re going to say either Shoei or Arai – both great helmets, both (at least in the full face graphic version) generally pretty pricey. Luckily there’s a ‘fashion’ statement to the designs, and style which means, unless you’ve gotta have the newest model, you can often find deals on the web for closeouts of certain models. Case in point, Shoei just came out with their new X-12 helmet. However, the X-11 is still an excellent model (provided it fits your head shape). Is the X-12 really THAT much better than the X-11? If, like me, you don’t really think so, then good deals can be found on the ‘older’ x-11 models. Also, Arai just came out with their new RX-Q. Better than the ‘Profile’ model that fits my head shape?
Shoei X-Eleven K2
My point here is that I’m not one for spending top dollar for a helmet, although I do care that it has the appropriate safety ratings. But when it comes time to shop – albeit for a helmet or anything else – I like to shop for deals/bargains. I’ve been properly fitted for Shoei’s and Arai’s at vendor booths, and while I like their style, quality and looks, I just struggled with forking over $800 for one (I think I see helmets in the same class as good sunglasses – seems I’m prone to break/loose a good pair of expensive sunglass and fear the same of an expensive helmet).
So my bargain hunting paid off in the past when I scored a great deal on this Shoei X-Eleven Kagayama 2 TC-5 - in the colour and style that I really liked/wanted. It’s a great looking helmet (better in person) that fits me really well and I managed to buy it new, for approx 60% of retail value.
That’s a Shoei in my kit, now I just need (want) the elusive Arai – and here it is. It’s a (Hiroshi) Aoyama racer replica. Not necessarily the colour/graphic style I would have picked, but it’s growing on me (and the deal was too good to pass up).
Aoyama racer replica
And here is Hiroshi Aoyama aboard a 250cc KTM in the 2007 Japanese Grand Prix. Aoyama made his MotoGP debut this year Emmi Caffé Latte Team Honda aboard a RC212V. And as you can probably guess, a new Aoyama Race Replica has been released in recognition of the ride - one which I wouldn’t mind buying when the dust settles and the price drops 
Hiroshi Aoyama
Tags: Arai, Bargain, Bargains, C2, Case In Point, Closeouts, Fashion Statement, Full Face Helmets, Good Deals, Head Shape, Helmet, Helmet Manufacturer, Hunting, K2, Quality Safety, Safety Gear, Safety Ratings, Shoei, Snell, Sunglass, Sunglasses, Tc, Top Dollar, Vendor Booths
Unlike cars, where you can adjust the seat position, mirrors and steering column, bikes are rarely one size-fits-all. Okay, so that’s one excuse for modifying a bike, and in this case it applies to the Beemer. Having ridden the bike over long distances already, I’m able to recognize a couple of areas of adjustment that would help make the ride position more comfortable for me:
Issue #1: wrist pain
Proposed solutions: Grip puppies, bar risers, cruise control device (manual), strengthen (focus) more on supporting the upper body through the core
Related comments: The riding position, while not as aggressive as a true sport bike, still has me leaning forward more than I’ve been used to. I’ve installed a set of Grip Puppies, which help with dampening vibrations more than anything, and have ordered a set of IDI adjustable handlebar risers which I hope will help solve the problem (I’ll give an update once I have them installed). I’m also considering a set of rearsets, but will wait and see how the other changes work out. If you scour the net for reviews regarding, in particular, the K1200s and K1300s models, you’ll often come across discussions about specific techniques for riding theses bikes. The suggestions generally follow a theme of using your mid section to help support the weight of your upper body while riding. I’m not sure if there are similar discussions along these lines with other sport/sport touring bikes, but it seems somewhat common when talking about the later model KS bikes. I have tried the methods described by others, and it does indeed provide relief and improve the comfort level. However, it is – at least for me – quite an effort to maintain and sustain. Ehh, maybe I need to stop being such a weakling – do my sit ups in the morning and eat my weeties.
Issue #2: wind protection
Proposed solution: aftermarket windscreen.
Related comments: Several windshield options available for this bike, but I hate that it can be such a crapshoot-expensive-trial-and-error exercise. I spent a bunch of time reading reviews and posting questions to help identify which particular windscreen would work best for someone of my height (5’11″). Finally decided on the MRA DB Racing shield. Given that you don’t really look through this shield to see, I went ahead and ordered the smoke/tinted version. As an added bonus, with the windshield installed, looks like the tinted version will also provide better visibility for the instrument cluster. Again, I haven’t had a chance to ride with the new shield, but will report back when I have.
Additional convenience, protection and usability items added include: triple tree base RAM mount for the GPS, and a very nice billet fuel cap made by SlingShot racing (cause we don’t need no stinkin’ factory key lock gas cap), and frame, fork and swing arm sliders from R-G Racing .
The weather for this weekend is looking perfect for riding.
Tags: Beemer, Cra, Cruise Control, Handlebar Risers, Issue 1, K1200s, Long Distances, Mid Section, Rearsets, Riding Position, Seat Position, Sit Ups, Sport Bike, Sport Touring Bikes, Steering Column, True Sport, Vibrations, Weakling, Wind Protection, Windshield, Wrist Pain
It was 3 years ago that I found Roxi on the bed of rocks in front of our house. He was a blob of pink – featherless and sightless, just hatched from a nest above our porch.
5 days old
His feet were not right, which is probably why he was banished from his nest (mom and pop sparrows don’t like imperfections). I quickly took action to get him fed and hydrated (something I had learned from a childhood friend, she was a young Dr. Doolittle). Then I turned to the internet to see the care and feeding thereafter.Roxi had to come with me to work in my vanpool for the first few weeks, as feeding was required about every ½ hour at first, then every hour. Once he learned to feed himself, he was good to stay home and settle into his condo. He sings whistles and chirps up a storm…especially during action movies, and when friends call the house, they often ask, “are you outside?…sounds like you’re outside”…
Gonna put an extra mealworm on his birthday cake!
-Cindy
All grown up
Tags: 3 Years, Birthday Cake, Blob, Childhood Friend, Chirps, Cindy, Dr Doolittle, Happy Bird Day, Imperfections, Mealworm, Mom, Porch, Rocks, Sparrows, Vanpool, Whistles
Denver Colorado to Long Beach California – 1156 miles in roughly two days, with temperatures ranging from 52 to 117 degrees. I’d do it again in a heart-beat.
I’m too tired to write a long post this evening so I’ll just post a pic instead;
BMW K1300S
Awesome ride, spectacular country, and the bike’s not too shaby
Few more pictures posted over in the gallery
Tags: Bmw, Denver Colorado, Half Days, Heart, Long Beach California, Pictures Gallery, Spectacular Country, Temperatures
Some may know, others may not, but I’ve got my XR up for sale. First off, let me just say, it was a long and thought out decision. I had a specific vision for the XR, even before I bought it, and for the most part, I believe I finished what I set out to do. Unbeknownst to me this was more of a project than an adventure.
XR 1200 Custom
I’ve been riding for many years, and during that time I’ve come to recognize in myself, what it is that most excites me about riding. Sure I like to go fast, and yes I like to carve it up, but what really gets me – and for those who know me personally, you’d understand – is the open road, way, way outside of the city. I know it probably sounds a bit like a cliché, but I don’t mind my own company. I love the feeling and endurance of being in the middle of nowhere, lost in my own thoughts about anything and everything.
Taking this into consideration, and applying it to riding, it makes sense then that the right type of bike for me, is, and has been for a long time, the type of bike that can eat up the miles. The XR is not that bike.
Part of this process then once the decision was made, was deciding on which bike. I know I’m not quite ready for a full out touring bike – I know guys with better skills than me can throw a Gold Wing like it’s a sport bike, but that sounds like too much work for me. Besides, I don’t necessarily want to be too comfortable, if you know what I mean.
Combining my interest and experiences in off-road riding together with my love for distance riding, I initially focused my attention on the multi purpose bikes, the big traillies, the urban SUV’s of motorcycles (think BMW GS, KTM SM-T, Moto Guzzi Stelvio). Of course the bike that got mine, and a lot of other people’s attention, the Ducati MS1200S, easily made it quickly to the top of my list. Unfortunately, it was/is the price that ended up keeping it out of reach, but don’t think I didn’t try… Motorcycling is a hobby, and can be an expensive one at that, and while I think myself extremely lucky that I have a wife who stands behind me in support of what sometimes seems to others to be a completely impulsive desire to change bikes every few years, I can’t for the life of me justify spending over 20k on a motorcycle – not given our lifestyle and other priorities.
The bug had bitten. I was already thinking about what and where I wanted to ride and I know the XR was not going to get me there. So the next class of bike on my radar – sport-touring (think Kawasaki C-14, Yamaha FJR, BMW R1200RT).
Sport-touring — the name says it all.
In my usual, obsessive fashion, I start researching the hell out of the current line up, taking into account: reliability, price, aftermarket, looks, performance, functionality, etcetera.
Okay, so here we are. I had decided on a model/marquee, found a contender, and had been working on a deal the past couple of weeks that finally got the green light. The bike is in Denver CO. I’ve purchased my one-way ticket to fly out there this Saturday, and have taken Monday off as I plan to ride it home.
With the help of a good friend (Dan), I’ve planned a scenic route that’ll take me east along the 70, south on the 24 just out of Green River to Torrey Pines, through Dixie National Forrest on the 12 on to Bryce Canyon, and the Zion National Park. From there I’ll probably just take the 15 through Las Vegas and back to LA – totaling just over 1200 miles.
Let me tell you, I’ve got a grin from ear-to-ear as I write about the trip – if that isn’t confirmation enough to know that I’m doing what’s right for me, then I don’t know what is.
Oh, so you want to know what bike I bought? Guess you’re just gonna have to wait until I get back…
Tags: Bikes, Bmw, Bmw Gs, Ducati, Endurance, Experiences, Gold Wing, Ktm, Long Time, Moto Guzzi, Motorcycles, Motorcycles Bmw, Multi Purpose, Sm, Sport Bike, Stelvio, Suv, Taking This Into Consideration, Top Of My List, Touring Bike
June 21, 2010 is National Ride To Work day. Time to check the oil, tire pressure, and battery on the scoot. If you don’t ride, make sure you keep an eye out while in your cage – remember (at least in in Calfirornia) lane sharing is legal
From the RTW site:
Ride your motorcycle or scooter on this day to demonstrate:
- The number of motorcyclists to the general public and to politicians.
- That motorcyclists are from all occupations and all walks of life.
- That motorcyclists can reduce traffic and parking congestion in large cities.
- That motorcycles are for transportation as well as recreation.
- That motorcycling is a social good.
For more information about RTW and the event check out the RideToWork site
Tags: Congestion, Day Time, June 21, Motorcycle, Motorcycles, Motorcyclists, National Ride To Work Day, Occupations, Politicians, Ride To Work Day, Scooter, Tire Pressure, Traffic, Walks Of Life
and the weather is finally starting to improve. Time to suit up a go for a ride…
Destination unknown
OMG what a PITA!
Not that it was particularly difficult, but the tight spaces together with the length of certain wires and trying to get the velcro to stick – sheeesh! Anyway, I got it installed, uploaded the map and initialized the Auto Tune (AT). Seems like it was idling okay, but rain prevented me from taking it out for a spin – hopefully tomorrow.
A little background: I recently changed from a ThunderMax (TMax) to the Power Commander V (PCV) with AT. The details are complicated but I recently discovered, through a chain of events, that my XR1200 wasn’t running as well as it should be in its current configuration. To confirm; I have a friend who rides the same bike, his in stock form – we did a roll on test and sure enough, I struggled to keep up. Not what I was expecting.
Installing the TMax
One of the inherent problems with getting a brand new model bike is that the aftermarket guys take a while to catch up. This then was the problem with the TMax – they (Zippers) originally suggested using the Big Twin version of the TMax (309-360), but it was later discovered that the XR runs cooler. Like the impatient fool I am, I went ahead and bought a used TMax – no wonder the bike never ran quite right.
One of the other issues I discovered – Zippers is an east coast company – it was tough for me to find tuner shops on the west coast that supported the TMax.
PCV & AT
I get a little anxious and frustrated when things don’t work the way they’re supposed to, so I took the plunge and bought the PCV and AT, and outside of the struggles with installing it, and a small glitch upgrading the firmware, all seems to be good.
It’s been about a week since I’ve installed the PCV/AT and work and weather have prevented me from taking it out for a ride, but comparing the two products with regards to the software UI and configuration, I’m liking the PCV/AT a lot more; easier to hook up, reads instantly, uses native USB connection, UI and menu system is easy to use.
Hopefully this weekend I’ll get to take it out for a spin, hook it back up to the computer, review the AFR tables, and tweak the map – then I think it’ll be time to do our roll on test again.
Stay tuned (pun intended ) for more…
Tags: Auto Tune, East Coast, Firmware, Glitch, Model Bike, New Model, Pcv, Power Commander, Tmax, Ui, Velcro, Weather, West Coast, Xr1200
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