Ever ride just to blow off steam?  Yea, me too!  In fact, last night was one of those rides.  It had been an unbearable day.  The kind of day that falls apart in the morning and goes downhill from there.  I couldn’t wait to out of the office.  I left the dealership around 6 p.m. and immediately headed for the fastest ribbon of road I could find.  I have a favorite section of roads in northeast Clark County that are rarely traveled. I glean great pleasure in riding them as they have the perfect blend of hills, curves, and straight a ways. 

Within ten minutes of leaving work, I was full bore, and totally engaged in the adventure.  Each roll of the throttle seemed to release the strains and aggravations from nagging customers and never ending phone calls.  The crisp fall air, the smell of leaves, and the sounds of a lazy, rippling, stream, all worked in chorus to settle my mind, as well as my blood pressure.   

The RT was quick and stable as I dove into each curve a little hotter than normal, then rolled out with the throttle hammered.  The straights were ridden hard and full out, an absolute blast! 

As darkness fell, my pace slowed and my attention peaked, for this is deer season around here, and the bucks and does are everywhere.  In fact, earlier in the day, an eight point buck, crashed through the showroom window of a dealership not more than a block from ours.  So extra caution is needed when riding this time of year.

Before I knew it, two hours had passed, and it was time to turn the RT toward the stable.  The ride home was slow and steady as I contemplated how much I enjoy this trip, thankful to be heading home a much calmer man! 

“Any object when dropped will fall to the place least accessible.”

The past three weeks have afforded me some fabulous time in the saddle.  As I often mention, I love riding in the fall.  The temperatures are cool, the smells are pungent, and the landscape’s pallet leaves me awestruck.  On these most recent rides I have grabbed my camera and headed to the country side, normally leaving late afternoon or early evening.

With no particular destination in mind, I soon find myself meandering narrow county roads in search of the perfect picture.  Perhaps an old structure, a hidden pond, an oddly placed tree, or anything which peaks my interest.  I simply become lost in my search.  Often several hours pass until autumn’s chill taps me on the shoulder and reminds me it’s time to head home. Where a delicious home cooked meal, and a strong cup of coffee are often waiting.

See more pics here…

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How far into the future do you think?  A day?  A week?  Well, designer Miguel Cotto, was thinking 10 years into the future when he designed his Harley Davidson concept motorcycle. 

Earlier this month Honda announced the production of a new motorcycle, the 2010 VFR 1200F.  Defined as a futuristic sportbike, an automatic tranny will be be available.

Here’s a few stats.

• a light-and-compact 1237cc liquid-cooled 76-degree V-4 that pumps out “amazing levels of power”;
• throttle by wire;
• a lightweight-and-compact Unicam valvetrain allowing for significantly smaller cylinder heads;
• an optional Dual Clutch Automatic Transmission with manual mode and automatic mode with two D/S modes and paddle-style shifters;
• a slipper clutch in the manual-shift VFR1200F;
• GP technology layer-concept aero fairing for better air management and futuristic style; and
• a next-generation shaft drive system with offset pivot point and sliding constant-velocity joint for “a new level of shaft-drive performance and control.”

Specifications:

• Model: VFR1200F / VFR1200F with Dual Clutch Automatic Transmission
• Engine Type: 1237cc liquid-cooled 76-degree V-4
• Bore and Stroke: 81mm x 60mm
• Compression Ratio: 12.0:1
• Valve Train: SOHC; four valves per cylinder
• Induction: PGM-FI with automatic enrichment circuit, 44mm throttle bodies and 12-hole injectors
• Ignition: Digital transistorized with electronic advance
• Transmission: Six-speed (VFR1200F)/Six-speed automatic with two modes and manual mode (VFR1200F with Dual Clutch Automatic Transmission)
• Final Drive: Shaft
• Suspension: Front: 43mm cartridge fork with spring preload adjustability; 4.7 inches travel. Rear: Pro Arm single-side swing arm with Pro-Link single gas-charged shock with remote spring preload adjustability and rebound damping adjustability; 5.1 inches travel
• Brakes: Front: Dual full-floating 320mm discs with CBS six-piston calipers with ABS. Rear: Single 276mm disc with CBS two-piston caliper with ABS
• Tires: Front: 120/70 ZR17 radial. Rear: 190/55 ZR17 radial
• Wheelbase: 60.8 inches (1545mm)
• Rake (Caster angle): 25°30’
• Trail: 101.0mm (4.0 inches)
• Seat Height: 32.1 inches (815mm)
• Fuel Capacity: 4.9 gallons
• Color: Red
• Curb Weight: 591 lbs. (VFR1200F)/613 pounds (VFR1200F with Dual Clutch Automatic Transmission)

Honda’s Bill Savino states ““This is one of the most exciting motorcycles in Honda’s history,” The VFR1200F establishes a whole new definition of performance motorcycling, one that taps into Honda’s rich V-4 VFR heritage and extends it into the future of Honda motorcycling. The new technology within this motorcycle is flat-out amazing, and it all works together in a manner that takes the VFR1200F strides forward in how a high-end machine looks, works and feels.”

With only one round remaining in this years World Superbike Championships, the BMW team is looking forward to the 2010 season.  Most insiders would agree that BMW’s racing team has faired well in their rookie season, gaining valuable experience and data that will enable them to compete even more aggressively in upcoming Championships.

BMW has had no podiums in 2009, as their best finishes were a fifth and sixth place by Troy Corser.  Both BMW riders, Corser, and Ruben Xaus, have one more year remaining in their current contracts, and Berti Hauser, Director of Motorsports for BMW Motorrad, says he is pleased with the spirit and enthusiasm both men bring to the team.  Hauser also states he is anticipating further progression with the entire BMW racing operations.

Today I will decide where I am going to store the bikes for the winter.  I ride the RT all winter, but the others will soon be stored away.

Today is a big Toy Run in our community.  I participated in it 2 years ago and a few riders went down right behind me.  I decided right then and there I would never ride in a group like that again.   I will mail in my donation.

Have a great Sunday!

With the recent occurrences at Harley Davidson, one may assume this ship is taking on water, and those assumptions are probably right.  Evidenced by the missteps Harley Davidson has made, it is easy to surmise this company is sailing without a compass, or any strategic plan.

First you had the Buell debacle.  Last week Erik Buell, owner of Buell motorcycles,  announced the end of the Buell Blast with an aggressive media blitz, complete with a You Tube video.  Erik seemed genuinely excited about the new direction his company was taking.  Fast forward a couple of days and Erik is making another video, only on this one he’s proclaiming Harley Davidson has decided to dissolve the entire Buell company.  The decision to end this brand of 25 years, seemed hasty and ill thought out, and if you watch the video of the eulogy, you will see Erik Buell is devastated.

Second, is the 2008 purchase of the Italian bike manufacturer, MV Agusta.  What the hell was Harley thinking here?  Answer.  They weren’t!  Now with sales of the super sport-bikes way off,  they are ready to dump the brand they should never have purchased in the first place.

Navigating the sea of business in these difficult times take skillful navigation and a steady hand.  Harley Davidson’s leadership seems to have none of these traits.  This company looks as if they are drifting along with no plan or purpose, just hoping everything works out.  I hope for all of our sakes, it does.

Listen to Erik Buell tell the story.