Plenty of Down Time Lately

It has been a pretty uneventful few weeks since my last post.

The weather has consistently been hot and rainy, but the mornings are starting out cooler (upper 60s) with slightly lower humidity.  It's still a bit too warm for taking the bike out, but it shouldn't be too long before the motorcycle becomes my daily driver once again!

Speaking of motorcycles, I just dropped mine off at the shop on Saturday to get it's first good tune up and inspection.  It's starting to become "motorcycle season" in Florida again, and I want to make sure the bike is good to go for those long weekend trips I plan on taking.  I also requested a quote for getting my rims powder coated.  I think the bike would look good with black rims instead of the factory silver.

Other than taking the bike to the shop, I haven't been doing much else other than putting in hours at the office.  Mid-late Summer tends to become like Groundhog Day for me as I look foward to Fall.

I should be hearing from my mechanic by the end of the week.  I told him to take as long as he needs, I'm not in a rush.  When I pick up the Versys, I'll have to ask him if he's willing to look at my '76 Triumph.  I look forward to taking that bike out on the road in the future.

I hope for a great riding season this Fall.  I can't wait to be on two wheels again!

-James

The Time Has Come --Inspection Time!

16,271. That's the number of miles on my 2008 Kawasaki Versys 650.  The time has finally come for the valve clearance inspection.  Not only that, I think the bike is due for a good once over.  It's safe to assume the previous owner never gave the bike it's first annual inspection.  Based on the condition of the front tire (bald), and the dead spark plugs when I purchased the bike, it's safe to say the previous owner didn't know what he was doing.  However, since I've owned the bike, it's become quite a wonderful ride.  I can't say that I've been looking forward to this occasion, but with the motor starting to tick and it's mileage building up, the bike needs the investment. 

Just seems that expenses outweigh income.  This is no exception.  The tremendous Florida heat has been a mixed blessing. While I can't take the bike out as often as I'd like, it also allowed the bike to stay in the garage, so I wouldn't have to spend the money earlier (which I didn't have).  In the next couple of weeks, I'll make sure the bike gets the attention it requires.  Hoping the weather begins to cool down soon, so that everything will fall into place, and the bike will be ready to ride as Fall hits the area. 

-James

Disney For Adults: The Coronado Springs Resort

When you think of Disney, it's easy to imagine animated characters, screaming children, bumbling tourists running around, once kid-friendly Disney stars gone insane (Miley Cyrus), and long lines at theme parks.

Most recently, Disney has been in the news over their acquisition of Lucas Films & Lucas Arts, thus granting Disney the rights to the most famous film franchise - and "nerd franchise" - of all time, Star Wars. But did you know that Disney also owns ABC and ESPN?  One of America's most watched networks, and the everyday sports fanatics favorite TV Channel are owned by the same company that places "Hidden Mickey's" in their theme park bathrooms.  May seem comical, but Disney Corporation is a powerhouse.

While it is true that Disney's target audience is children, the corporation understands that without the parents taking their kids to the parks and buying merchandise, their empire would crumble.  That being said, Disney places a ton of attention on the adults as well.  At Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, the argument can be made that there are more adult-oriented creations than what exists for children.

While most of the parks themselves are designed for kids (EPCOT being the primary exception), many of the resorts located on Disney property are almost exclusively designed for adults.  The Grand Floridian, Old Key West, Saratoga Springs, & Coronado Springs were designed with the parents in mind.  You don't have to have a kid to enjoy what Disney has to offer. In fact, it is suggested that you make a trip with a friend or loved one and really kick back and take it all in. 

Twice per year, usually around August-September, Disney offers 35% Florida Residence discounts as a way to boost revenue during the end of Summer (they consider this the beginning of the "slow season"). The areas aren't too crowded this time of year, as all of the kids have returned to school. It is the best time to visit Disney World.

My wife and I had the pleasure of staying at the Coronado Springs Resort this past weekend.  We are annual pass holders for the parks, but this was a weekend of firsts.  We had never stayed at this particular resort before, and we were most certainly impressed from the start. According to the Disney website, Coronado Springs Resort is influenced by Spanish-Colonial Mexico, and its layout is inspired by the adventures of explorer Don Francisco de Coronado.



Coronado Springs offers plenty of on-site amenities such as 2 swimming pools, hot tub, an open market cafe for breakfast & lunch, Maya Grill restaurant (dinner only. Reservations recommended), multiple outdoor bars, an indoor lounge (that doesn't allow persons under 21 after 9pm), a jogging trail, salon, La Vida Health Center, laundry center, & a childcare center (if you do bring your kids).  Disney also offers buses which can take you to Downtown Disney, where you can partake in great shopping, live shows, multiple restaurants, & much more.  The resort also has a nice sized shop that sells all things Disney related, along with the essentials, and an alcohol counter and cigar humidor.  This resort was truly designed with adults in mind.  Beautiful landscaping and water features, combined with Latin-inspired music really provide an excellent and entertaining environment. 

Coronado Springs is spaciously laid out, with the buildings (Casita's) wrapping around a lake.  Walking paths make any part of the resort easily accessible to each other and the main complex.  Vaulted ceilings, tile floors, & Spanish style architecture greet you as you enter the main building.

During our stay, we never visited a theme park.  There was so much to do outside of the parks that easily occupied our time.  Not too far down the road is a mini-golf course. Got pets? Not a problem, Disney offers a 5-star pet resort nearby as well!

There are so many ways to enjoy Disney World without having to fork out the $90 for a 1-day park pass.  Let your biggest expense be the resort of your choice, and partake in the incredible amenities that Disney offers.  You don't have to cram into a theme park and wait in 90-minute lines for rides just to have the "Disney Experience".  There's so much more to that, and most adults are looking for a nice getaway.  Resorts like Coronado Springs offer the perfect opportunity for that. 

  


This is of course a theme park based area.  Every resort will have children, but you'll have a much more relaxing time if you stay at places like Coronado Springs than you would the more kid-oriented resorts like the 3 All-Star Resorts, which are 100% child-oriented.  During our stay, we only encountered a handful of children.

The prices will be higher for 4+ Star resorts, but you'll most certainly be getting what you paid for, and Disney makes a great effort in making it worth your while. 

 If you're ever in the mood for a nice getaway in Orlando, I strongly recommend you treat yourself to a great place like Coronado Springs Resort.  You can always work off the extra money you spend here, because it will certainly be worth every penny.

For Disney's Coronado Springs Website, click here!

-James

How To Keep Your Ride Top Notch: My Products of Choice

Your motorcycle endures extreme environmental conditions throughout its life.  Snow, rain, dust, dirt, mud, salt, bugs...we all want our rides to look great and be protected, but with so many products out there, which do you choose?

 

 

The best product that I have found that cleans the body of your motorcycle is Pro Honda Spray Cleaner & Polish.  

 

 

Pro Honda acts as a cleaner and a protector.  You don't have to use it heavily, either.  Just a quick spritz on your bike and buff it with a clean, soft rag.  It is great for removing bugs, water stains, mud, and anything else your environment can throw at you.  Your ride will have a beautiful shine, and will also be protected from UV rays that can fade your paint over time! It's perfect for daily riders who leave their bikes in parking lots during the day.  You can use it to clean your windscreen and mirrors as well! Works perfectly and doesn't leave streaks.

 

Okay, well what about the rest of your bike? How do you clean your engine, chain guard, rims, frame, forks, (or even the chain itself!)? The best thing is WD-40.  Spray WD on a clean rag and wipe down your surfaces.  Your bike will look showroom quality, and will cost next to nothing! It's great at cutting through built up gunk, especially after a long trip, or if you've been slacking on maintenance.  If you take your front sprocket guard off, you'd be amazed at the amount of road debris, dirt, and grease that accumulates inside that guard.  Spray it with WD-40 and wipe it clean.  Your equipment will thank you for it!

 



 

Cleaning your chain is a great way to extend the life of your chain and sprockets.  I put the bike on a lift, and spray WD on a clean rag.  As I spin the rear tire, I run the chain through the rag and clean the face plates on the chain.  For in depth cleaning (especially around the rear sprocket), I use an old toothbrush and WD.  Constantly lubricating your chain without routinely cleaning it will result in heavy build up around your sprockets and engine.

 

 

For chain lubrication, my dad turned me on to a product called Chain Wax.  It lubricates and protects your chain from rain and dirt, and it also bonds to your chain so it doesn't sling everywhere when you start riding.  It is basically a wax, but it's loose enough to provide good lubrication and freedom of movement in your chain.  If you ride daily, it's good to lubricate your chain at least once a week.  Of course if you hit foul weather, go ahead and re-apply to protect your chain.  If you do that, it's also best to clean your chain once every couple of weeks.  I see motorcycles every where and they have dry, rusty chains and sprockets.  It blows my mind that people don't think to do BASIC maintenance.  Didn't we all lube our bicycle chains as kids?  It's the same principle, except your motorcycle chain is everything to your machine.  Don't be stupid, people.  Lubricate your chain, it's incredibly dangerous not to.

 

You can find Pro Honda at any motorcycle shop, WD-40 pretty much anywhere, but Chain Wax I'm starting to have difficulty tracking down.  You can order it online through Amazon, or if you find a local store that carries it, go ahead and stock up.  I did, so hopefully I won't have to worry about it for a while. 

 

Thanks for taking the time to read this, and if you liked it or have your own tips & tricks that you'd like to share, leave a comment and let me know!

 

-J

The Versys Generation

I recently went to my local Kawasaki dealership to burn some time on a Saturday.  I immediately noticed their Versys models.  I wasn't really dressed for a test drive, but I was certainly intrigued in the various models.  For the exception of headlight, front fender, and mirror design, I didn't really notice much difference in the overall construction of the bike. 

The first thing I noticed is the wide variety of color options that Kawasaki offers.  I have a 2008 Versys, and it's the first version, which only came in Passion Red. Along with these pictured, I've seen a maroon with matte black combination online.  I would have preferred to have my rims black instead of silver, I think it would look better with the red and black body.  I could get them painted, but I'm okay with it for now. I really like the Versys, and I look forward to the next generation.

Are there changes made between the models that riders like/don't like?  If you could change things on your Versys, what would it be? Let me know!

Ride safe.

-J

Cedar Key For My Birthday

For my birthday in April, my wife surprised me by suggesting we take the bike over to Cedar Key for a birthday lunch and a nice ride.  It was the first time the Versys had ever been to the coast, and also the first time my wife has ridden with me for a long period of time.  We had a great time! (though we both agree that the Versys is NOT a bike that's comfortably built for two, haha!)  It was a little warm outside, but we survived.  The last time I went to Cedar Key, I took my DRZ-400, which you can read about here.

We had lunch at the Pickled Pelican Restaurant, as I wanted my wife to try one of my favorite spots.  We stayed until the early afternoon and then headed back to Gainesville.  It was a really nice day, and we definitely enjoyed ourselves.

My next trip to Cedar Key, I hope to take my dad's Triumph, and I would like to spread some of his ashes, as I have fond memories of family trips there.  We loved Cedar Key, and I know he wouldn't mind being spread there.  I think of you always, dad. I love you.

-J

That's One Classy Lady

My dad owned a 1976 Triumph Tiger 750 that he had been fixing up for me.  Mechanically the bike is sound (only 11,735 miles!), but it needs new brakes, tires, cables, and new wiring couldn't hurt.  The previous owner added a secondary headlight and a tail light extension....just a bunch of crap.  But my plan is to remove all of the excess and get back to classic, vintage Triumph.  A few places need to be re-chromed, but the paint is in beautiful shape.
 

 

 

Since his passing, the bike has become mine.  I honestly can't wait to get started.  With vintage Triumph's, I'm not about to start turning wrenches on it.  It doesn't need engine work, but I'll let the professionals handle replacing parts.  My dad never liked taking his bikes in, he was able to fix everything.  My dad was a grease monkey who had the skill to fix anything.  But I do not posess the knowledge this bike deserves yet.  I'd much rather have a technician do it.  I plan on learning, but I do not want this Triumph to be the lab rat. 

The motorcycle is a classic kick-start, and I'm most certainly going to keep that, but unfortunately, my knees cannot handle too much kicking. I'm going to look into an electric ignition, so the bike will more or less be a single kick start.  Go ahead, give me a hard time about it, but it's my knees that are taking the beating, not yours haha.
 

 

Keep your eyes open for more updates coming soon! In the meantime, I'm posting a link to a short YouTube video on my channel for those who want to hear what this Triumph sounds like.  The shifter is a bit sticky, so it needs some TLC, and the video shows me trying to get the bike in neutral.  She sounds sweet. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIfTtOTSDF0&list=UUGjRWJNn0sbINLx8lM0TKCg

-J

Much Has Changed

Hello, everyone.

It's been about 8 months since my last blog post.

I stopped writing my blog because honestly, I was running out of stuff to write about.  I began this blog primarily as a way to share my Navy tavel experiences and my daily motorcycle riding adventures.  While I still have Navy stories to tell, I don't have as much time ride the motorcycle as I would like. I enjoy blogging, so therefore I will have to increase my variety of topics.

In January, I was hired full-time at my local Veterans Affairs hospital.  It could not have come at a better time.  While I can no longer wear the uniform to protect my country, I can do my best to take care of my brothers and sisters who have fought and lost limbs and lost hope.  I love my job.  While my direct interaction with patients is limited, my position in Human Resources allows me take care of VA employees, many who are veterans themselves.  It's a brotherhood that I have longed for since I got out of the Navy.  I feel at home, and I'm very happy.

My Kawasaki Versys is running very well.  This Florida summer has been incredibly hot and wet, so the motorcycle has been relegated to late evening trips around the neighborhood.  I don't mind breaking a sweat on the way home from work, but it sucks coming in to work dripping with sweat.  Not to mention risking getting caught in afternoon thunderstorms.  I think I'll pass. 

I plan on posting more frequently.  As far as content goes, it will be varied.  A few of my posts may be out of order to cover a few things that have happened the past 8 months.

Thanks for hanging in there, readers.  I hope to keep you entertained.

-J

Seeing Double??

I do apologize for the delay in posts, Midterm exams are coming up, so needless to say I've been occupied with that. Not to mention, Grand Theft Auto 5 came out, and I was one of those poor individuals who pre-ordered the game in September of 2012 in anticipation of a Spring 2013 release. Well that obviously didn't happen, so when it did finally come out, I had to play it to release a years worth of built up anticipation. Hey, a gamer has to get his game on, right?

Anyway.

The weather has not been very conducive for motorcycle riding for the past week. Unfortunately, I had to keep the bike in the garage all week because the rain wouldn't stop. Today however, the Sunshine State has begun to live up to its motto once again, the rains have stopped.  I decided to take the bike out today, and I'm glad I did. With a high of 86 and a 0% chance of rain, it is perfect riding weather. Clear blue skies and a light breeze. My DRZ's twin, a DRZ 400SM parked right beside me today. I probably looked like a would-be criminal because I was really checking out the SM. I've wanted to do a full SM conversion to mine for some time now, but the cost of doing so almost equates to the value of the bike itself. I do like the off road clearance/capabilities of my DRZ, because it allows me to go places I couldn't go with a bike that has standard street clearance.  I will try to stay on top of my blog, but it's going to be tough until after midterms. 

-J

An Afternoon Cruise

After my classes last Thursday, I decided to take the long way home and hit some back roads and open fields.  I wanted more content for the blog, but I also wanted to take a break from my normal routine and tear up some ground.  Since I do drive a Dual Sport, I am required by Man-Law to go off-road to make me and my motorcycle happy by tearing up some back country.  The weather called for 60% chance of severe thunderstorms in the afternoon (typical Florida), so I wore my heavy weather gear.  What happened instead, was clear blue skies with a high of 94 degrees and no rain whatsoever. The humidity was high, and it did rain later that night, but certainly not when The Weather Channel predicted.  A heavy leather jacket, rain proof steel-toed boots, and Wrangler jeans caused me to sweat horribly, but I was able to enjoy myself, despite the hot, heavy gear.  It was a beautiful day, perfect for taking the pictures I wanted, and the traffic also cooperated.  Along the way I decided to visit my parents and revisit the nearby fields and dirt roads I used to ride when I was kid.  I had a really great time, and I will definitely be doing this again soon!

-J

St. Augustine Beach

Good afternoon, readers!

I decided to take a ride to the beach with my dad for a mini family get together.  The weather cooperated beautifully for the 200 mile round trip adventure.  We stuck to the back roads (as any motorcyclist knows, that's the only way to do it!) and really enjoyed the drive.  This was the farthest trip I've ever taken on the DRZ and surprisingly, my ass didn't hurt until I got off the bike!  Putting 200 miles on a single cylinder motorcycle does indeed sound like quite a feat and truth be told, it really was!  But with brand new chain and sprockets, I really had a comfortable, smooth ride.  I was really enjoying myself and it felt great to share this experience with my dad.  My DRZ 400 did struggle with keeping up with his Triumph 675, but dual sports aren't built for speed.  The traffic was marginal until we hit Palatka, after that I really had to keep on my toes.  The most pleasurable part of the drive was A1A.  A great stretch of highway that runs along the coastline all down the Florida Atlantic Coast.  Speed limit wasn't more than 45 mph, but the setting of a coastal highway with all of its sunshine, coastal breeze, beach goers, and restaurants was really enjoyable.  We met up with family and friends and enjoyed a beautiful day in the surf.

After 4-5 hours at the beach, we decided to grab some lunch before heading back home.  This is Florida, and there's no guarantee that it won't rain on you.  Leaving the beach was quite an experience.  I was on a dual sport and even I struggled in some of the areas of soft sand.  My dad had an even more difficult time on his Triumph.  We never lost control, but the transit back to pavement seemed to take forever.  We had lunch at the World Famous Oasis Restaurant.  If you haven't been there, make it a point to!  Amazing food and a great menu selection.

The weather had turned sour, but luckily for us we managed to stay behind the storms as the passed through, so only the roads were wet.  We never got rained on directly.  Typical of Florida, once we returned home the sun began to shine again.  I stripped out of my sweaty, sand-filled clothes and proceeded to wash down the motorcycle (and myself).  So much sand everywhere but it was certainly worth it.  I forgot how much fun the beach can be, especially if you enjoy it on a motorcycle.  For me, the journey was just as enjoyable as the destination.  I will certainly be making that trip again.