A Change In The Biker Community

Good afternoon!

I would like to address something I've noticed lately concerning the motorcycle community.  This of course is just my opinion.  I'd like to know how other riders feel about this, so be sure to let me know what you think.

A few weeks ago when my wife and I ventured to Daytona Beach, Florida for Biketoberfest, I couldn't help but notice that most bikers seem less friendly these days.  The respect and acknowledgement that bikers have for each other seems to be dwindling. 

In my opinion, it's protocol for a biker to nod their head or throw a wave to a fellow biker as they cross paths as a sign of acknowledgement and respect.  Driving a motorcycle sets you apart from other drivers on the road.  In a sense, it is a brotherhood.  Of course there are more distinguished groups of bikers in Motorcycle Clubs who have their own rules and regulations, but even for those MC members, is nodding to your fellow rider not a classic gesture?

On our Daytona trip, only a handful of the hundreds of bikers we encountered responded to our gestures.  I certainly understand everything is situational.  If it's not a safe time to take your hands off the controls, then of course don't do it, but I take issue with those bikers who act as if it's beneath them to return acknowledgement. 

My father used to avoid waving to other bikers on the highway, and one day I asked him why.  His answer was simple: 'Why should I risk my life by taking my hand off the controls at speed just to wave to someone? My life is more important.'  He certainly brought up a valid point, but I don't believe that is the mind set of every biker on the road, especially if you consider a large number of riders don't even wear basic protective gear.

I've also noticed an increase in wreckless and careless driving practices on the road.  If I'm at a stop light, I have no problem if another motorcyclist pulls up next to me and waits for the green light, but I have a huge problem with bikers who drive really close to me or directly beside me in the same lane. In my opinion, that is a blatant disreguard to my personal safety and to theirs as well.  What happens if I end up having to swerve or God forbid I lay down the bike?  I'm going to take out the other motorcycle as well.  Or if they have to make a quick adjustment, I could be killed or seriously injured.  There needs to be a basic understanding of the environment and riding conditions, and I don't feel many bikers have that.  Basic motorcycle etiquette is at an all time low.

My final argument derives from the type of motorcycles/motorcyclists I see on America's roadways.  Harley-Davidson.  I get it, they're America's classic motorcycle manufacturer and nothing screams red, white, and blue more than an American motorcycle.  I actually take issue with this. It isn't the fact that they ride a Harley, it's the manner in which they do it, and how they carry themselves.  I am annoyed by massive motorcycles covered in hundreds of dollars of chrome accessories on the road, being ridden by people who are more or less trying to create this "image" of what a motorcycle rider should look like.  No helmets, faux leather vests on 900 pound monster Harley's with massive body panels, sometimes blasting their music down the road. It's almost as if they're going for this "look", they all look the exact same, and don't have any regard for their personal safety, or for the safety of others (based on how they ride).  That, combined with how they present themselves on the road - arrogant, cocky, as my dad would say "king shit on turd island".  When in reality, they really look foolish, ignorant, and many of them are really assholes.

One of my best friends from my military days rides a Harley, and my father-in-law owns a Road King.  I've driven them, and I'm presenting my argument based off facts and experience.  I do see their appeal, especially for long rides or cross-country adventures.  But the attitude and personality of the bikers is changing for the worse.  The belief that a person must be a "bad ass" to ride because of chrome accessories on an enormous bike is incredibly elementary.  I own a 2008 Kawasaki Versys and a 1976 Triumph Tiger 750, but because I don't own a Sherman tank on 2 wheels, myself and others find ourselves looked down upon and shunned by these new upstart bikers who don't know the first thing about quality motorcycle sportsmanship.

I'm interested in hearing the opinions from other riders out there.  Is my view on this subject to be considered "old school"? Or does anyone else feel the same way? 


-James

 

Ready To Ride

I picked up the bike from the shop last Saturday -perfect timing.

The weather has been truly spectactular the past 3 days.  Low's in the upper 40's, reaching 80 degrees at mid day.  Fall seems to be kicking in earlier than usual here in the Sunshine State, and I'm perfectly happy with that!

I had a complete inspection and tune up done on the Versys.  It was due for it's first annual inspection, and it was in the shop for 2 weeks.  The valves weren't too bad, they needed a little adjusting, but barring any unforeseen issues, the bike should be good for another 12-20,000 miles. 

I did an oil change yesterday.  Even though the bike didn't need it, I had to do it.  The last time that oil was changed, my dad and I did it together, and it was the first time I've ever done an oil change.  Yesterday, I changed it to "get over the hump".  I wanted to prove to myself that I can move on after his death and take care of the basic maintenance a motorcycle requires.  I know he was watching me do it, and I hope I made him proud.  The truth is, I broke down in tears after I finished.  There's so much more I wanted to learn from him, I swear he knew everything.  But he gave me the tools (literally) and a good sense of direction to teach myself what I need to know.  I miss him terribly, but he's with me every time I put the helmet on.

The bike is ready to ride.  I look forward to taking it on a long ride some time soon.  The weather looks like it will cooperate this week, so if I'm able to ride to work, I'll be satisfied with that for now.


-James

2015 Kawasaki Versys 650 @ INTERMOT 2014

Good morning, everyone.

This news broke yesterday afternoon, so I apologize for the delay.  My source for the photos is asphaltandrubber.com, with the article link listed here.  They also have information on the new Kawasaki Ninja H2R, BMW R1200R & RS, along with many other models, so be sure to check them out!


That being said, let's get into it.


For those of you who don't know, INTERMOT is the International Motorcycle, Scooter & E-bike Show that takes place in Cologne, Germany every October.  Countries from all over the world come to show off their new models of two-wheeled machines.  For comparison, it's like the Detroit Auto Show, and the E3 Conference for the video gaming community, if not bigger. 

There have been a couple of "leaked" photos of the various 2015 Versys concepts over the past year, with some speculating that Kawasaki is making an 800cc variant, but they've all been identified as fakes.  While I can't say with absolute certainty that Kawasaki won't be making an 800cc Versys some time in the future, fans of the model were able to quickly identify this below image as nothing more than an "I wish" design.

 

The 650cc Versys is incredibly popular around the world, particularly in South East Asia & Western Europe. With such a huge following, it's hard to imagine Kawasaki introducing a model that very few people seem to be screaming for. Between the 650 and 1000cc models, Kawasaki seems to have a strong foothold on the market.  Introducing an 800cc could muddy the water.

 

The 2015 Kawasaki Versys 650 looks to be an incredible machine.  The most noticeable difference from previous models is the dual headlight configuration.  This certainly increases the aesthetics of the motorcycle, while improving visibility, so that other vehicles have a better chance of seeing the bike on the road. 



 

The second thing we notice from this picture is the addition of an adjustable windscreen.  I personally am intrigued by this because by adding that feature, it reduces the riders need to by a custom/aftermarket windscreen to fit their needs.  I applaud Kawasaki's desire to make the bike more rider friendly and customizable.  Also notice the angular mirrors that have carried over from the 2010 model.  It's a great look and I'm glad Kawasaki has continued that on the 2015.

Looking at the controls, not much seems different.  Horn, signals, hazards, and high/low beam controls on the left, electric starter and kill switch on the right.  The addition of what could be a fog light switch is on the right just below the mirror.  The display looks much cleaner than previous models, with the tachometer mounted above the digital spedometer and panel lights.  I'm curious to find out more about red circular display on the right of the main panel, and what looks to be an electrical port on the left.  Could it be an optional port for mounting GPS or other hardware?  They've also cleaned up the center point for the handle bars.  It used to be a large box in the middle, now it's a smoother, smaller rectangle.

To my understanding, Kawasaki kept the standard parallel twin 649cc motor from previous models.  They certainly aren't the most quiet motor, but they're popular with riders for their reliability and somewhat ease of maintenance.  Hopefully Kawasaki tweaked the design to reduce the noise.  The under carriage exhaust and the engine cover plastics have also carried over, albeit they've changed them somewhat.  Also, a larger 5.5 gallon tank was added, giving riders that extra distance they want for a good ride.

 Couldn't help but notice Kawasaki has continued to keep the excessively gaudy rear turn signal/plate mount.  In my opinion, there's no reason for that plastic guard to be so long.  Mount the reflector higher if you must.  I gave mine a clean cut just behind the plate and I think it looks great.

 Overall, I'm incredibly excited to see the new 2015 Kawasaki Versys 650.  I think they've done a great job re-imagining the design and bringing together all of the positive aspects of the 2008-2014 models. Dual headlights, adjustable windscreen, cleaner display, smoother lines, a larger fuel tank, and a few updates to the electrics & body.  While I don't see myself owning the new model any time soon, I'll certainly be sure to test drive it once my local dealer gets them in stock.

Let me know what you think! What's your opinion on the new Versys? Did Kawasaki knock one out of the park, or did they strike out? If you liked this post be sure to give it a +1 on Google, and press that follow button so you don't miss out on future postings. 

Also be sure to check me out on Twitter @FloriderRiderFL! and use the hashtag #TheFloridaRider for Twitter & Instagram!

Thanks!

-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

Update On The Triumph Tiger

Hello, riders.

As many of you know, I have a Triumph Tiger 750 that requires love.  I had stated in a previous post, which you can read here, that I don't want this bike to be a lab rat.  I wanted to take it to a technician who knows vintage Triumphs, and who I would feel comfortable with turning wrenches on it. 

Well, my first stop was my local dealership.  I figured if anyone would have knowledge, or even access to a parts guide, it would be them.  I've had multiple conversations with their head mechanic (who also owns a couple vintage Triumphs of his own) over the past few months about my Kawasaki Versys.  When I met up with him regarding the Tiger, he told me that Triumph Motorcycle Company does not work on, or keep tabs on parts, for motorcycles over 10 years old. 

Why? Today's Triumph Motorcycle isn't our dad's Triumph.  Some guy bought the rights to the name, but that's the only thing left in common with the old Triumphs.  It's sad.  He was genuine enough to tell me that even if they could work on it, he would strongly suggest against it because my Tiger 750 is older than all of the technicians who work for him.  He gave me a couple resources that he uses (British Only being his best recommendation), and offered to give me any help I need.  There are plenty of shops around Florida that claim to know vintage motorcycles, but I was warned about them as well (I won't name them here). 

So I thought that was the end of the road as far as technicians go.  If he wouldn't let his own shop turn wrenches on his bikes, then neither will I.

Going through my dads library of guides, manuals, and such, I found 4 amazing books on Triumphs published in the 60's-80's.  Speed tuning, repair, service, and, rebuilding manuals.  I even found the original owners manual for the Tiger.  I was so excited! That's a gold mine.  If I can get the part numbers off of what I need to replace, I know I can handle the rest.  It is going to be a long process, but that will give me plenty of time to educate myself.  I can't start working on it just yet.  I don't have the space.  But I'll be sure to document my work once I start!

-J

The Florida Summer

Reason number 367 why Florida is not a motorcycle-friendly...the rain.

 

Florida is unique in that when the weather forecast predicts "30% chance of rain", it doesn't mean "It might rain", it means "It's always raining, there's just a 30% chance that it'll be in your area."  Which of course means "you're going to get wet."  By default, it's always a 30% minimum chance of rain in Florida during the summer.  You'll almost never see it below that from mid June-September.

 

 

Florida doesn't have your average weather patterns.  Of course every state is going to have their own various versions of this proclamation, but seriously, unless you've lived or tried to vacation here, you won't understand just how accurate that statement is. 

 



 



Now sure, you may say "eh, it's just a little rain. Stop whining." But one thing you must understand, is that it isn't "just a little rain."  Florida is the lightning capital of the world.  More people are struck by lightning per-capita in the Sunshine State than anywhere else. When these storms hit, they spring up quickly, and even though they may not stay in the area for more than a few hours, they dump enormous amounts of water, standing water develops quickly on the roads, and many times the accompanying wind can topple trees and power poles.  Visibility drops pretty quickly as well. To make the issue worse, the cool water hitting hot surfaces such as roads causes enormous amounts of steam, which further lowers visibility.

 

 

What causes such powerful storms? The answer is simple: Florida's high heat and humidity, combined with being a peninsula, is a perfect recipe for powerful thunderstorms.  Native Floridians have learned to practically set our watches for the daily storms.  It's guaranteed to be raining by 3pm every day.  There are occasions when the storms roll through and cause a temporary lull in the high temperatures, but most of the time the sun will immediately burst through the cloud cover - turning the region into a sauna. 

  

The humidity level is unreal.  It causes the heat index to be 20-30 degrees higher than the actual temperature.  This is really the primary reason why it's practically impossible to ride your motorcycle in full gear during the summer.  You'll be dying before you leave your driveway.  If your only mode of transportation is a motorcycle, I strongly do not recommend living here.  Another issue to consider - Hurricanes.  But that's for a later post.

There are two sides to this, though.  Even though Summer is the worst time to ride a motorcycle in Florida, the development of these storms offer tremendous beauty.  One could literally watch the Thunder Heads build and turn dark as moisture builds.  Especially in my region of North Central Florida, locations such as Paines Prarie offer beautiful observation points for watching these giants form in the sky. 

 

(This video is NOT mine, credit goes to YT user 5.56NATO.)

Another great experience of these giants are heat lightning storms.  No thunder, no lightning strikes, just incredible shows of cloud lightning.  They happen very frequently during the summer nights. Massive amounts of built up static electricity is released in terrific light shows that stay in the clouds, but it's multiple times per second, and they'll last for many hours. It's really my favorite aspect of Florida, and I have fond memories of going with my dad to open fields at night and watching the lightning from the back of the truck. A magnificent demonstration of nature's power and beauty.

-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

Versys, Or A Cylon?

I've had people comment and question the stickers I have on my Kawasaki Versys.  People have caught me in the parking lot and asked what these stickers mean, or if it's a new logo that Kawasaki is putting on their bikes.

I personally believe that vehicles can have personality.  I'm not necessarily referring to "ghosts in the machine", or anything like Isaac Asimov wrote in his books, but it is possible, and it makes riding more fun to me.  Especially if you can occasionally talk to your bike, when it does something good or bad.  If you love and take care of your bike, it will take care of you.  It's a basic philosophy that I live by.

If any of you recall, when I first bought my Versys, I was calling her Vanessa.  She's a firey redhead, and I just thought it was fitting.  However, my wife got me watching a totally awesome TV show that used to be on ScyFy Channel a few years ago called Battlestar Galactica.  It's a remake of the original from the 70's, but if you haven't even heard of BSG, I pity you and your children (haha).  But that show got me thinking...the ignition sequence on my Versys sounds very robotic (my wife says it sounds like a printer, but I digress). It's red, fast, and looks beautiful.  So I decided to rename my bike after Tricia Helfer's character, Caprica-6.  She wore a red dress, and was the 6th Cylon-Human model.  But I just refer to my bike as Caprica.  I really love it and think it's fitting.

 

So I searched online and found Battlestar Galactica vehicle stickers for my bike and my wife's GMC Terrain.  The cowlings have Cylon Raider fighters on either side, and I have Starbuck's (Katee Sackhoff) symbol (which basically became the symbol for the entire show in the later seasons), on the front fender.

 



 I've decided that the Triumph Tiger will be named Galactica.  Why?  Because just like the warship Galactica, she's old, simple, antequated, but still a classic fighter, and has beauty in her simplistic design.  But don't expect to see any stickers on her.  That bike will remain original.

So what do you drive?

-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

Custom Versys?

Over the past few months, I have been playing around with my Versys' bodywork.  I had removed the windscreen in an attempt to clean up the lines.  I really liked it, but the red cowlings stopped where the windscreen sits, and it was obvious that something was missing from the bike.  I debated going to a fabrication shop to get a piece made that will fill that gap, but nothing really came of it.  I'm still undecided.

Along with the windscreen, I also considered smaller mirrors, I'm still looking for a nice pair, but most of them have really distasteful designs, or are too small to be useful.  I'm still in the market for a rear fender eliminator.  I know which one I need, but it's not a priority purchase right now.  It's a luxury that one day I will indulge myself in. 

The Versys also has mounts for a rear storage box.  Normally, there are small handles that mount to the bike whenever you don't have the box installed.  My dad tried to convince me last year that the rear looks better without the box or handles.  I didn't agree, but I decided to give it a try, and he was right afterall. Dad is always right! haha.

For now, I'll keep the windscreen on the bike.  I didn't notice a difference a difference in milage, but it does help to have the windscreen during the summer months as bugs are ridiculous. Removing the windscreen certainly gives the Versys a more sporty look, and I fee that it also makes the bike seem more "aggressive".  What do you think? 

-J

A Beautiful Weekend

On Saturday, my wife and I spent the day with my mom.  Since my dad passed, it hasn't been easy for her to be alone.  We can't always go out there, but if we can spend a day, we will.  The weather cooperated long enough on Sunday for me to take my wife on a nice little motorcycle ride.  It was terribly hot, but it didn't rain. 

We took a nice ride through Paynes Prarie, Micanopy, and McIntosh, before returning home to Gainesville. There are few really nice County Roads that have nice curves in them.  Really nice farms and farmlands.  Really is a hidden gem.  With the wife on board, I didn't stop to take pictures, but I will return soon and do so.  The bike really needed a good long run.  It has been sitting in the garage for about a month.  It felt good to open the throttle and burn through some gas.

 Also, I apologize for my blog constantly having different layouts.  I can't find one that I like, and it's driving me crazy.  I'll keep working on it!

-J





Rest In Peace, Dad. You Are Why I Ride!

My dad is the reason why I ride motorcycles.  He got me on a bike when I was 10 years old, and introduced me to a wonderful lifestyle that I cherish.  Riding was his passion and I can't thank him enough for sharing that with me. 

My dad was a motorcycle racer.  Competing for years in the Daytona 200 Circuit in the 80's-90's.  To us, he was known as Dad.  On the track, he was known as 56X.  My dad raced Ducati's, BSA's, and Triumphs.  He was a rockstar.  He raced for fun, but would always ride within his skill level.  I always ride with gear, and I never drive beyond my limits.  Experience and time allows our limits to grow, and that's what I rely on.  Simply being on a motorcycle has enough risks, why drive like a fool?

I regret not spending more time with him on the weekends back when I lived at home. But I am thankful for the time and knowledge I gained after I got out of the Navy.  He taught me things about motorcycles and how to take care of basic maintenance.  There's so much more I wanted him to teach me, but I never had the chance.  But I don't sit and dwell on what I missed, I cherish what I had. 

Now, he's on the greatest ride he could ever have.  He was a great man who loved his country, and his countrymen.  Our community lost a great man, but he's still with us.  With every ride I take, I know he's with me.  I feel him.

D.J.M. 1947-2014.  I love you dad!

-J

Welcome home, Versys

After almost a week of delays and frustrations, I can finally say I was able to drive the Versys home last night! Of course today is non-stop rain (go figure), but at least the bike is home now.  

The good news? The bike is now home and I can drive it (weather permitting).

The bad news? My professors thought Thanksgiving is the best time to slam me with hundreds of review questions (literally), with 2 papers, 2 tests, 2 speeches, AND the final exams. 

So I won't be blogging or riding for the next week and a half. Thank you, SFC. 

-J

Cedar Key Sunday

Midnight Sunday morning (or Saturday night for the average person), I randomly became inspired to take a trip.  I spent two hours in the garage in preparation for an almost two hour drive to the Gulf Coast.  The weather was in the mid 40's, so a cold weather prep was a must.  If you aren't familiar with cold weather motorcycle preparation, read about it here! 

I woke up at 8:30 and was on the road by 9:45.  It was a balmy 47 degrees as I headed towards Cedar Key.  For those of you who aren't familiar, Cedar Key is not part of The Florida Keys or associated with Key West.  The Florida Keys are located in the Florida Straits, with Key West being 90 miles north of Cuba.  However, Cedar Key is located on the Florida Gulf Coast and is mostly a fishing and boating community.  There are restaurants and touristy shops.   

The drive down to the coast was great.  I passed by the grave of legendary blues artist Bo Diddley in the town of Bronson.  I knew he was buried nearby, but to casually turn my head and to see it at just the right moment was quite a treat.  Definitely owe plenty of American culture to men like B.B. King and Bo Diddley!

The last time I visited Cedar Key was prior to 2003.  I cannot remember exactly when, but my grandfather was still alive and I remember him patting a Pelican on the head. I'll never forget that.  Cedar Key is not the same as it used to be.  Tourism is the mainstay of the local economy, so when the economy tanked in 2007-2008, Cedar Key was hit hard.  Many of the restaurants closed as tourism declined.  

I had lunch at the Pickled Pelican restaurant.  I sat outside and had a great view of the Gulf of Mexico and the nearby islands.  The menu was great, as was the pricing.  I certainly recommend it!

 The area is really beautiful and, in my opinion, really epitomizes what the Florida coast is all about.  Shrubbery, coastal inlets, and beautifully flat terrain.

I ended up putting 156.8 miles on the bike.  The weather was incredible, as was the ride.  Very little traffic and I was able to average a speed of about 70mph.  If you live in the Sunshine State and haven't made a trip to Cedar Key, I do recommend it.  It is a fun day trip and there is a large pier to go fishing from.  The food, scenery, atmosphere, and the people are wonderful.  Unfortunately, I won't be able to spend as much time on the road in the future as I would like.  I recently was hired by Veteran's Affairs on top of being a college student.  I'm going to be busy, but it is for all the right reasons.  Stay safe out on the road, fellow riders! Happy Halloween!

-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.

Beauty is Only Skin Deep

Good morning, bloggers!
I plan on posting a couple of times today, I have a ton of content I want to catch up on.
Before the semester started, I was hell bent on either buying a new body kit for my DRZ, or painting the one I have. The flashy yellow, white, and blue just screamed "dirt bike", and since my dizzer had become my daily driver around town, I wanted the bike to not be so "loud". So one Sunday I decided to remove every body panel from the motorcycle to see about changing the color....and I must say that the title of this post explains it perfectly: Beauty is only skin deep. It looked like something you see in a post-apocalyptic world, just thrown together like a rat rod.
My ambitions turned out to be larger than my budget at the time, so I kept the current body kit (Ebay/ Amazon had a few listings but quality was lacking) and I've pretty much accepted the bike as is. I wanted to make it as "super motard" as I could, but the cost of a proper conversion is way more than I want to invest.
**The bike still has the radiator shrouds on in this picture, I failed to get a complete "naked pic" haha.**

First Time for Everything!

Hello, any and all future followers-

I never believed I would start a blog, but a friend inspired me to start one.  She is a world traveler who loves to share her experiences (follow her at thetravelinggator.blogspot.com).  For quality food critique, along with traveling tips and tricks, she is the best I've seen!

I'd like to tell you a little bit about myself, and what I plan to share in my blog.

I spent four years active duty in the U.S. Navy, stationed in Norfolk/Virginia Beach, Virginia.  From 2008-2012 I deployed twice in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom with Assault Craft Unit 2 (embarked aboard USS Gunston Hall, LSD-44) and as a Logistics Specialist in charge of HSL-46 Det 4 embarked on USS Anzio (CG-68).  I have visited over 30 countries, some better than others, and I will post plenty of pictures with descriptions as I go.   I had an amazing tour of duty, and I wouldn't have traded it for anything.   But when my contract was up in June 2012, we moved back home to Florida.

I am a full time college student now, but I've been an avid motorcyclist for the past ten years.  My father used to be a professional motorcycle racer.  He used to race on Ducati's, Triumph's, and BSA's.  He's retired from the track, but he's always working on motorcycles and making sure his kids know their way around them.  In 2007, my dad bought me a 2006 Suzuki DRZ400, which I currently drive.  I love this motorcycle (plenty of pictures to be posted in the future).  The DRZ will be the featured motorcycle for my blog.  I love the dualsport/enduro/supermotard motorcycle style.

I'm also learning how to cook on a charcoal grill, and I appreciate the occasional cigar, so I'm sure I'll post about those topics as well.

-J