My riding season is about to hit 6th gear!  Throughout the month of May I have been working on several projects around the house and this has left little time to ride.

• Trees trimmed
• Shed painted
• Garage painted
• Driveways sealed
• New fencing
• Concrete repair

Oh, that’s not to say say I haven’t been on the RT, I just haven’t been on her much!  I guess you could say I have been riding like a Harley dude, you know; from the bar, to the Union club, to another bar, to the garage.  But now that most of my projects are completed, and the contractors all lined up, I will  be able to hit the road, BMW style.

June’s riding schedule, will include the Saddle Sore 1000, A full day at the AMA Museum on June 6th, and a quick trip to Pittsburgh.  Just to name a few.  I will be adding approximately 2000 miles to the RT’s odometer in June.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I realize “miles don’t make the rider”, and I really do like Harley guys, they definitely know how to look good.   I just don’t want to ride like them!

 This just in from dealer news…

 J.D. Power rates Arai best helmet

Arai ranks highest in satisfying motorcycle helmetowners for an 11th consecutive year, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Motorcycle Helmet Satisfaction Study released today.

Aprilia To Unveil RSV4 At Miller WSBK Round 

 The RSV4 is powered by a 999cc 65-degree V four engine — the most powerful engine ever developed by the Italian OEM. The new powerplant uses multi-mapping ride-by-wire technology — a solution that offers virtually infinite opportunities for power delivery and traction control — and the bike is further defined by an aluminum frame and swingarm, Öhlins fork, rear monoshock, a cassette type gearbox, slipper clutch, steering damper, Brembo monobloc brake calipers and forged aluminum wheels. Plus, a range of chassis adjustments allows switching up headstock angle (thanks to interchangeable steering bushings), swingarm and engine position.

Three days had passed since the RT had rolled out of her stall, and three days was simply too long!  It was time to ride.  The afternoon’s weather had been filled with severe thunder storms rolling in, like waves of the sea hitting the shoreline, but it didn’t matter to me, we were hitting the road.  It was early evening when I departed Springfield, heading north, to destinations unknown.

Soon the miles were unfolding before me, and I settled in for few hours of sheer riding pleasure.   At some point along the journey, darkness had imperceptibly settled in, so as I approached the next town, I stopped to change my glasses, and grab a hot cup of joe.  Sitting next to the RT in the dimly lit parking lot, a slight breeze gentle brushed up against me, and the fresh smell of rain was thick in the air,  Man, I love riding at night!

Riding at night is one of my favorite times, but it is also one of the most dangerous times to be on your motorcycle.  If you find yourself on the road after dark here’s a few things to keep in mind…

1.  Be Visible.

• This is not a time for all black.  Make certain you can be seen.
• Make certain your bike has proper lighting as well.

2.   Wear a helmet.

• enough said.

3.  Slow Down.

• Deer and other critters are out in force during the hours of darkness. Slowing down gives you more time to react should the need arise.

4.  Leave more space between you and other vehicles.

5. Keep your visor clean.

• I keep mine waxed for easy splat removal.

6.  Don’t look directly into on coming headlights.

7.  Don’t ride an unfamiliar bike.

Night riding has many benefits, but it certainly requires a little more diligence, adhering to these tips will go a long way in ensuring your safety.  Have a great ride and….

Keep the rubber side down!

Micah Maziar, from Lucas County Choppers is sponsoring a great event on Saturday.  The “Ride for Alexandra’s Heart“  will begin this Saturday, May 30,  at 10 a.m.  If you live in the Ohio, Indiana, or Michigan, area why not ride over and participate in a great cause.

In 1971 a new motorcycle magazine emerged on the scene and an ad was placed in the back pages for an artist. That ad was answered by an artist from Kansas City by the name of Dave Mann. The magazine was Easyriders and as they say…the rest is history. Although pertinent, his work in Easyrider magazine was just a portion of his Legacy.  READ MORE HERE! Read the rest of this entry »

Hope you had a fantastic Memorial Day weekend! My wife and I spent our weekend working on several household projects and getting on another’s nerves.

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Below are the program notes for “Keep The Rubber Side Down Podcast Show #3″.

Trip On A Tank

1. Hocking Hills State Park, Logan, Ohio.
2. Whitewater Memorial State Park, Liberty, Ind.
3. Caesar Creek State Park, Waynesville, Ohio.
4. Carter Caves State Resort Park, Olive Hill, Ky.
5. Shawnee State Park, Portsmouth, Ohio.
6. Grand Lake ST. Marys State Park, ST. Mary’s, Ohio.
7. Eagle Creek State Recreation Area, Indianapolis, Ind.
8. Hueston Woods State Park, College Corner, Ohio.
9. Germantown Metro Park, Germantown, Ohio.
10. East Fork State Park, Bethel, Ohio.

A Look Back

I made a mistake here, did you catch it? That’s what you get for too many beers before a podcast taping!

My weekend is filled with a lot’s of yard work, painting, and a little riding.  Here’s a few links you should check out, especially the Motorcycle.com  article on drinking and riding!

Keep The Rubber Side Down!

• The truth about drinking a riding.

• Nevada HOG rally not well attended.

• BK Superbike World Championship at Miller on SpeedTV

Catch all the action of the upcoming WSBK at our home turf at Miller Motorsports Park in Salt Lake City, UT, featuring BMW Motorrad Motorsport racers Ruben Xaus and Troy Corser on the SpeedTV channel.  Speed will be showing both race 1 and 2 (with a repeat showing for race 2).  Don’t miss a moment of BMW’s historic and exiting entry in the world’s most important motorcycle race.

Salt Lake City - Race 1
May 31, 2009 • 5:00pm ET
FIM World Superbike

Salt Lake City - Race 2
May 31, 2009 • 6:00pm ET
FIM World Superbike

Salt Lake City - Race 2
June 2, 2009 • 4:00pm ET
FIM World Superbike

F 800 GS Wins 2009 Rider Magazine “Motorcycle of the Year?

• Rider magazine has picked the BMW F 800 GS for its prestigious 2009 MOTY award.

It’s not often that Rider chooses an adventure bike – but the F 800 GS is that good.

Hey gang thanks for coming out to Legends last night for week two of Keep The Rubber Side Down’s “Bike Night”  The weather was amazing, the food was outstanding, and the music rocked (Thanks Darren, and “Hard 2 Handle”)! We had a blast.

Heather and Janey!

CHECK OUT MORE PICS HERE!

See you next Thursday!

Wednesday Jackass Flats kicked off their 2009 “Bike Night” in a huge way!  An anticipated a crowd of 6,000 showed up to enjoy music, food, bikes, beer, and perfect weather.  If you have never been to this bar you need to come at least once. Here’s 3 tips to make it more enjoyable.

1.  Come early!  

Arriving at 4:30 p.m. will allow you a good parking spot on the black top.  This will be a great vantage point to watch all the bikes roll in a little later in the evening.

Coming early also allows you to sit down in the bar for dinner.  The pizza is great!

2.  Sight See!

By the time you have finished dinner, the once barren parking lot will be filled with bikes and the large field will be filling up fast.  Walk around and check out the bikes and vendors.

3.  Go back to your bike.

By this time the band is playing, and the bikes are pouring in the front gate.   You don’t want to miss this!  Go back to your bike, relax and enjoy the show!

If you decide to stop by Jackass Flats, let me know and perhaps we can meet up.

Keep the rubber side down!

Most of the time I am a law abiding citizen.  However, if all officers of the law looked like these paddock girls, my behavior may be altered.