WOW! It’s a beautiful December day in Springfield! Today’s temperatures are expected to be near 50 degrees. The RT couldn’t wait to get out of the garage and begin her morning commute. I am normally off on Wednesday’s, but my wife is in Wisconsin this week, and most of my household chores are done, so I decided to work.
Plans for my June trip are coming along nicely. This year I will be touring the Northeastern portion of the United States, and will stop by the big event in Laconia.
My sons will be stationed in Dallas until July, and I am going to visit them at least once, also a group of friends are traveling to the West coast, and want me to meet up with them in Sturgis, in August. With all this travel in 2009, you now know the real reason I am working today! 
In Tuesday’s post I listed 13 Maxims mostly dealing with motorcycles and riding. Today I will list a few more. Hope you enjoy! If you have any to share please feel free!
- No such thing as bad weather just bad gear.
- Slow in the straights fast in the corners.
- Too much power is always enough.
- Experience is the ability to recognize a mistake when you make it again!
- There is no replacement for displacement!
- Keep the big one out of the ditches and the small one in the britches.
- Gravity always wins!
- Don’t dress for the ride, ride for the fall.
- I’d rather be riding my bike and thinking about God, than sitting in church and thinking about my bike.
- Ride often, Ride Well.
- The bike is more capable than you are, trust it!
- If everything suddenly goes quiet don’t take off your helmet, you’re probably still in the air.
- If loud pipes saves lives, imagine what learning to ride that thing could do!
For some time I have been collecting maxims. Maxims are defined as…
1 : a general truth, fundamental principle, or rule of conduct.
2 : a proverbial saying.
Over the next couple of posts I will share a few maxims I have collected regarding motorcycles/riding etc. These aren’t original to me, and frankly I don’t know who said most of them, but if I know the author I will give the proper credit. I also realize my list isn’t exhaustive, so I would love to hear some of the ones you have heard. Feel free to chime in, should be fun!
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ATGATT
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You go where you look, so look where you’re going!
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When in doubt, gas it!
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You can always corner harder than you believe.
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The only time you have too much gas is when you’re on fire.
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You meet the nicest people on a Honda.
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If your brakes fail it’s OK to hit a moose!
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Never test ride a bike you can’t afford.
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Keep the rubber side down and the shiny side up.
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SIPDE (Scan, Identify, Predict, Decide, Execute)
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I ain’t lost if I still have gas.
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Don’t sweat the petty things and don’t pet the sweaty things!
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Everything is a road.
Part 2 on Wednesday.
Tags: , maxims, motorcycle sayings
Ohio is a “conceal carry” state. I am scheduled to take the required course shortly and will be packing, my son has already completed it and carries a 40 caliber. Any of you ever pack heat while on a trip?
The light snow falling today, signaled it’s time to get myself, and the RT, ready for cold weather riding. Here’s what I did…
I am now ready to hit the roads in comfort and warmth this winter. Bring it on!
Tags: cold weather riding, gear
When stopped at a traffic light, do you put your bike in neutral, or do you leave it in first gear?
A bone chilling cold front moved into Springfield this week, acompannied by a chilling drizzle. Making residents turn their furnaces on, and build their first fires of the season. Many of my riding buddies have stabilized the fuel in their bikes, given them a good wax, and put them to bed for the winter. Too bad really, there’s still a lot of great riding to do.
I am the only motorcyclist in the world without a GPS?
The past three summers have found me traveling extensively without the aid of a Garmin, or TomTom, and I really didn’t miss it, but then again, how would I know if I missed it or not, having never owned one? I regress.
Let me say right out of the shoot; I am not against technology in the slightest, I embrace gadgets! It’s just I have never felt the need to use GPS. I know it would make some situations easier, but sometimes I enjoy finding my own way.
For me, one of the pleasures of touring is stopping for lunch at a local watering hole with my trusty map and engaging the locals about points of interest in their area. This is not to say I will never purchase a GPS. I’m just not certain they are for me.
I would welcome any comments about why I need one, their benefits to you, and which GPS you recommend.
Tags: , Garmin, GPS, TomTom
Remember as a kid when you got your first pair of PF Flyers? You just knew if your mom would buy these for you they would make you the fastest kid in the neighborhood. You were confident you could “run faster and jump higher“, than anyone one else. After weeks of begging, and pleaded, you finally got your wish. Full of excitement, you hurriedly laced the shoes and away you went, running like the wind. Remember that? Well, I had that feeling today.
It was the early morning hours when I decided to take a ride, but before doing so, I chose to unladen my beast of burden by removing the side and top bags. Although she looked a little odd, I fired her up, pointed her East, and away we went; running like the wind. And I swear, if only for a moment, she really did “run faster and jumped higher!” Really she did!
The RT without the bags.
Tags: , PF Fliers
When a novice rider gets a few miles under his/her belt, it is interesting to see how casual many become about riding and safety. Over the summer I have had many occasions to ride with some motorcyclist who fit in this category. Initially, they where cautious and alert to the many dangers a motorcyclist faces. Then somewhere along the way, that cautiousness gave way to a false sense of security. They seemed to take safety for granted, pay less attention to what is happening around them, and over estimate their ability. This combination equals one thing; TROUBLE! This is not to say one shouldn’t grow in their confidence as a rider, of course that should happen, but I am speaking of the mindset some riders experience where they feel they are invincible. No matter your experience or riding ability, let this post serve as a reminder that this wonderful hobby we enjoy can also be quite dangerous, and we should always do our best to ride with soberness of thought, and vigilance.
Sermon over, time for the offering!
Tags: , Motorcycle safety, novice riders
Today’s motorcycle seats certainly have come a long way. Updates in technology have made them stylish, durable, and comfortable. Still, after logging many miles in the saddle the best of these seats become uncomfortable, which is why thousands of cyclist turn to “add on’s” for extra softness. The most popular types are: gel pads, beaded seats, and sheepskin.
A quick Internet search of these options pulls up thousands of manufacturers declaring their product is the very best when it comes to dispersing the pressure points, and ventilating the riders rear. Prices for these products range from $20.00 to $200. I personally use the Sheep skin pad, it is soft, and keeps the seat cool on hot days, but it also retains a great deal of moisture from the early morning dew, or when that surprising thunderstorm occurs.
The beaded seat by Bead Rider is extremely popular on many of the BMW forums, as well as the one made by Sampson. I have never used a beaded seat so really can’t comment intelligently. When looking for a seat pad keep these things in mind;
1. Durability.
2. Easy on and off. (some are easier to put on, and take off, than others)
3. Price. (expensive doesn’t necessarily mean better)
I would also advise you to ask around, see what others riders in your area are using, and how it is working out for them. What type of add on cushion do you use? Wondering minds want to know!
Tags: Bead Rider, BMW, Sampson Motorcycle seats
