Moto Tech

 

Recently, I discussed BMW's future motorcycle concept and implications it may have to the future of motorcycling. Now, I read this article detailing BMW's vision of technology we might be using in the near future. One item detailed is the HUD (heads up display) which is pretty cool, but that technology has already been created, well kind of (you know what I'm talking about if you've heard of the disaster that was Skully Helmets).

The technology that interests me the most is laser headlights. With the ability to illuminate double the distance of conventional headlights, this will make night time riding much safer. As a rider who has had an accident at night, this is a greatly welcomed advancement.

If you read some of the posts I made while I was searching for a new motorcycle, you'd know that a BMW was one of the bikes I was interested in (specifically the R9T). With all of this technology, I might have to purchase one for my next motorcycle!

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity." - Albert Einstein

Gifts for a Picky Biker

 

Every year I go through a similar issue during the holidays. My relatives usually are fairly clueless on what to get me as a gift. My initial reaction is that no one has to get me anything, but that never works and it usually leads to me getting a gift that I don't want and will never use. Motorcycle gear is always a great thing to get, but it tends to be expensive and without any guidance, your well meaning aunt could buy you a leather jacket with tassels and some embroidery (no offense if this is your style, it's just not mine).

I've found over the years that it pays to be specific with the gifts you tell people that you want. There is still the issue that gifts geared toward motorcycle riders tend to cost more than I'd like anyone to spend on me. For the last couple of years, I've made a conscious effort to browse motorcycle parts and apparel websites for their close-out deals and note all of the stuff that I like. I give the list to my wife, who shares it with our relatives.

I no longer get gifts that collect dust in my closet and I can kind of dictate how much everyone spends on me. Although this does still seem like an odd process to me, searching for my own gifts, it has actually made my family quit spending money on useless gifts. Well, at least they're not wasting money on me.

"As we struggle with shopping lists and invitations, compounded by December's bad weather, it is good to be reminded that there are people in our lives who are worth this aggravation, and people to whom we are worth the same." - Donald E. Westlake

Blizzard Focus

 

A topic I've mentioned multiple times is the stress relief you can get from motorcycling. I attribute this to the fact that all of your focus must be in the present while you are riding, which causes you to let go of other thoughts. Yesterday, I did something else that forced all of my focus on the task at hand. This was driving my car in a snowstorm.

My question is, why I was so stressed out about driving in the storm, when I feel so relaxed while riding my motorcycle? Both can be inherently dangerous, both can cause you an exhilarating feeling, but only motorcycling will relieve my stress instead of adding to it.

I guess I'd theorize that I choose to ride motorcycles while I am forced to drive in a storm. However, I don't feel that really explains it. Maybe it's the unpredictability of a winter storm, or the other drivers that make driving miserable. Then again, drivers can be unpredictable at any time. I guess I really don't know the answer, but I do know that winter driving sucks!

"The blizzard doesn't last forever; it just seems so." - Ray Bradbury

Writing Relief

 

I recently listened to a Joe Rogan podcast in which the guest was Dr. Jordan Peterson. This podcast was outstanding and Dr. Peterson has an extremely informed and interesting outlook on multiple topics and I recommend that everyone should listen. One comment he made resonated with me more than the others. He was mentioning his self authoring program and said that if you think of a personal memory and it gives you an emotional response, than writing about it can help remedy that.

I instantly thought about my motorcycle accident. Before I began writing this blog, the shear thought of what happened, or what could have happened sent a shiver down my spine. After recalling those memories and writing about them, I no longer feel that way. I can think back to when it happened, realize what mistakes I made, and think about what I could do differently if I was faced with a similar situation in the future. I think a huge part of the success of doing this is that writing forces you to be honest with yourself.

I think that writing a blog can have multiple benefits, but this may be the best one. Now if I could only relate the story of my embarrassing myself with my attempt at flirting with a girl in junior high or the time I almost drowned to motorcycles, so I could include them in this blog. Those memories still give me a bit of an emotional response (the flirting one was mortifying back when I was thirteen). Maybe I should start another blog just to air out my personal shit, but I doubt anyone would want to read that.

"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside of you." - Maya Angelou