Choice is a Fickle Bitch

In A Monster Decision, I told the story about selling my Ducati Monster. Now I have the dilemma of choosing a bike to buy (not a bad problem to have). It's basically three bikes that I'm thinking about. They are all Ducati's because, at the end of the day, I'll always be a Ducati guy (not saying I won't have other bikes for my 2nd and 3rd option). They are the 2015 Monster 821, the 2015 Scrambler, and a used Monster 696.

Last year I first started having the idea of upgrading when I read about the Monster 821 in Cycle World. I saw big performance (112 hp), throttle by wire, and an overall gorgeous motorcycle. I was set on selling both my current bikes and buying that one. Then, I saw an online video of the scrambler. Shit! Now I wanted that one.

After months of trying to pick one, cool heads prevailed and I decided to buy a used 696. I found a few on cycletrader.com with hardly any miles and very reasonably priced. Hell, I could use the money from selling both my bikes and not have to spend another dime! This was the smart choice.

A couple weekends ago at the International Motorcycle Show, I saw the Scrambler in person and let me tell you, it was a game changer! Financially sound decisions be damned, I'm getting that bike! I made my decision. However, this week I feel myself leaning back toward the Monster 821. F@&$! The struggle is real, people.

 

“In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing. The worst thing you can do is nothing." – Theodore Roosevelt

Off Road Ride on an On Road Bike

 

I'm just getting back from the Chicago International Motorcycle Show. This year, a big theme amongst many of the manufacturers was the scramblers. I for one, love them! I know the trendy thing lately is to call them hipster bikes (read any piece on the Ducati Scrambler and you'll see what I'm talking about), but I say bullshit! These bikes are gorgeous! So, in honor of these quasi-off road motorcycles, I'll tell a little story about an off road ride on a bike that shouldn't go off road.

This ride was on my Yamaha TX500 (see here for another story about this bike). My friends and I were hanging out at my family's cottage one summer day and decided to go for a ride on the nearby trails. The only problem was that I didn't have a dirtbike at the time. I could have hopped on the back of one of my buddy's bikes, but I was way too cool for that. I took the TX. What could go wrong, right?

Keep in mind that not only did this bike have street tires, but they were pretty bald. However, everything was good for the first mile. Then I came up to a decent sized mud puddle. The second the back tire touched mud it spun out, throwing the bike into a swerve and ultimately on its side. I was lying with my leg under the bike and started to smell something burning. I looked down and saw the muffler sitting on my ankle. It was me that was burning!

I was wearing wind pants that rode right up my leg when I fell. I yanked my leg from under the bike and assessed the situation. My ankle was starting to blister pretty badly, but there weren't any third degree burns. It could have been a lot worse. The lesson here is to never ride a street bike on a muddy trail and if you do, wear more than wind pants! Actually, never wear wind pants anyway, unless you’re competing in a track and field event!

“You pray for rain, you gotta deal with the mud too. That's a part of it.” -  Denzel Washington

Best Adventurous Motorcycle Roads in the US

Every rider knows the joy that a great ride brings; the unexplainable feeling of flying. Now just imagine the experience you would get by the fascinating or sheer beauty of the landscape of the best wonders of nature in the US. A good road is a good road, but when you are riding your motorcycle, you will want something special, and this means turnouts, vista, and of course that amazing stretch of smooth tarmac. Well, here are best adventurous motorcycle roads in the US that will guarantee you unforgettable experience.

Cherohala Skyway in Tennessee and North Carolina

Also known as Overhill Skyway, this route is a National Scenic Byway that stretches all the way from Tellico Plains to Robinville. You will have that rare opportunity to experience great ride through the very best of Mother Nature, with the road stretching 43 miles through both Nantahala National Forest and Cherokee National Forest. The best thing is that it reaches amazing heights of over 5,400 feet, in addition to numerous sweeping curves. It also has very little traffic and probably a few vehicles, especially at night. You will enjoy access to a number of viewpoints, vistas, and recreational areas.

 Tail of Dragon in Tennessee

Also in Tennessee there is another amazing byway that’s considered to be one of the best motorcycle routes in America. You will enjoy riding an 11-mile stretch of the US route 129, swivel over 300 curves for a better riding experience. The road resembles a dragon trail, and has one of the sharpest curves known as Copperhead corner and Gravity Cavity. This challenging two-lane stretch will bring you through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
 

Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia and North Carolina

It’s 460 miles in length and offers many sharp corners, as well as elevation changes. The Blue Ridge Parkway stretches through the counties of Virginia and North Carolina. You can ride the entire stretch within one day, but two days are recommended because of the 45 mph speed limit. As the elevation changes, as you ride through, you will notice trees changing from conifers to hickory, to oak, and most of them are contoured permanently because of the constant winds that rock several regions around the passes and ridges. 

Twisted Sisters In Texas

Now these ones are a grouping of motorcycle roads that have been nicknamed the twisted sisters. They include Ranch road 335, 336, and 337, all found in the Texas Hill country. The roads are meant for all riders, be it armatures or experienced ones. It will take you through a 100-mile loop of valleys, ranches, and hills of Texas, providing you with panoramic views as you curve around rises and canyons with few guardrails. Imagine going for a ride in a 15-mile stretch that has around 65 curves? Better still, within the nearby loops you will enjoy a number of roadside attractions, such as Lone Star Motorcycle Museum, Frio Canyon Motorcycle Stop, Stone Age II, and lots of Nature other areas.

Beartooth Highway in Montana and Wyoming

This road stretches between Cooke City, Montana, and Red Lodge. It’s very steep and consists of numerous switchbacks and zigzags, bringing you as a rider to elevation of 10,947 ft. The highway is 69 miles and typically opens from mid-May to around mid-October. Along the route you will enjoy twists through the Rocky Mountains, wildflower alpine meadows, and glaciers.

These are some of the best adventurous motorcycle roads in the US that guarantees you an amazing experience. Some however have speed limits probably because of the contours, and others are especially suited for armature riders. Just make sure you properly plan out your ride once you opt any road trip. Listing down all the essential gear you might need is important and of course make sure you have right mix of luggage options to carry your belongings safe and protected from various elements.

 

About the Author

AniaHYPERLINK "https://twitter.com/ania_todua" HYPERLINK "https://twitter.com/ania_todua"Todua is a motorcycle enthusiast and trying to describe the ‘Best Adventurous Motorcycle Roads in the US”. You can also find her on facebook.

A Monster Decision

In October 1999, I was a 19 year old college student with money burning a hole in my pocket. I happened to receive a bunch of scholarship money for the upcoming semester, so school was paid for. During the summer I saved quite a bit of money from my lumber piling job. I decided I needed a new bike.

That same year, my grandfather had become terminally ill. He was sent to a veteran's hospital about 250 miles away to get treatment. My family made the trip pretty often and as sad as this time was, I always looked forward to stopping at a small motorcycle shop on the way that dealt in exotic bikes. They had Triumphs, Moto Guzzis, BMW's, Aprilias, Benellis, and of course Ducatis.

Every time I stopped in I was drawn to one bike, the Ducati Monster 750 Dark. It was the perfect color, matte black (my favorite then and now) and I’d loved the look of the Monster since I saw a picture in Cycle World. Now, I had money saved up, but it wasn’t enough for a brand new Ducati. My dad, seeing me drool over this bike, said he’d pay for the rest. Did I mention that I have the world’s coolest dad?

I drove there in my dad's van with a friend on a Friday after school. We arrived right before the shop closed, paid for the bike in cash, loaded it up, and drove home. On the way back it snowed pretty heavy and I put the van in the ditch after losing control on about 6 inches of slush. The ditch was a really deep one and when we reached the bottom, the van rocked, almost tipping over. Right when the van was at the point of rolling, the momentum stopped and it dropped back onto its wheels. If the bike wasn't in the van, it would have rolled for sure. Let's just say, that this Ducati has always been my good luck charm.

Now fifteen plus years later, I have sold the Monster. Why? I guess it's time for an upgrade. Am I sad to see it go? Absolutely! There are countless memories I've made on this bike (I'll probably write about at least some of them). I am sure that the only reason my wife started dating me was that she loved the bike (she adamantly denies this, but I know the truth). Wait! Do you think she's gonna leave now that I’m getting rid of the bike?!! Shit!

“May good luck be your friend in whatever you do and may trouble be always a stranger to you.” – Irish Blessing