The Wave

 

Do you wave when you see other bikes on the road? Everyone who's ever ridden a motorcycle knows that it's proper etiquette to wave to other motorcyclists. There're times that it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to do so, such as a bike rally. If you waved to every biker at a rally, you'd never be able to put your left hand down. Also, when you have multiple lanes separating you, it's not in your best interest to focus on anything that's not right in front or on either side of you.

 

Back in my younger days (old man talk) I would only wave to someone if they waved to me first. I would always return a wave, but I'd never initiate one. Then, when the other rider wouldn't wave I'd think he/she was an asshole. If I was on my Ducati, I’d instantly think that the people on Harleys who didn’t wave were biased dickheads and when I rode my Harley, I’d think the same about foreign bike riders who didn’t wave. It didn't register to me that the other person could be waiting for me to wave and I could be the asshole.

 

Now I wave to every bike I meet. If they don't wave back, it's their loss. My advice to all bikers is to wave to any rider, no matter what motorcycle they’re on. Hell, even wave to scooters. We're all out in the open on two wheels, so we should acknowledge each other and quit being assholes, like I used to be.

 

"Whil Wheaton says - Don't be a dick." - Whil Wheaton



Talking Tires

 

There’s a rumor I hear about a lot of motorcycle technicians. Allegedly, they never have to buy new tires for their bikes. This isn't because their shop gives tires to the employees or because they steal them. They get their tires from people who bring in motorcycles for a yearly service and decide that since the bike is already in the shop, they might as well buy some new tires too. Now this seems like a logical plan, make the most of one visit to a dealership, except for the fact that they only put 500 miles on these tires! The techs would be wasteful if they didn't take advantage of this!
 

I'm not trying to pick on anyone for not riding enough. I'm happy that anyone is riding and I understand that life can get in the way of doing it as much as you'd like. However, if you're only logging that many miles in a year, chances are that the tires will dry-rot before they're worn!
 

There are also riders on the other side of the coin (I tend to fall in this category) who put far too many miles on each set of tires. When your touring tires look like racing slicks, it not only makes for a less desirable ride, it's pretty damn dangerous! Any rock or piece of glass is sure to puncture your tire and heaven forbid there's any moisture on the road! Traction can be nearly nonexistent with no tread on your tires.
 

So how do you know when to change your tires? We will be posting a how-to blog on checking tread depth on a tire in the very near future. This way you can measure how much money you're wasting by doing all those burnouts! Hey, the fun is worth it right? It looks pretty badass too!
 

As I lay rubber down to the street,
I pray for traction that I can keep,
But if I spin and begin to slide,
Please Dear God,
Protect my ride.
Amen

The Racer’s Prayer

Sons and Fathers

 

Are those of us that love motorcycles born to love them or was it something that was brought on by our experiences? I can’t remember a time that I didn't think it would be the greatest thing ever to throw my leg over a bike and be able to ride. With this knowledge you’d think that I must've been born this way, right? Maybe not...Growing up, my dad (who was my idol) always had a bike. To this day, I don't know a single person who puts more miles on their bike per year then he does (especially when you factor in the 5+ month winters we have here). Basically, I always wanted to be just like my dad, so of course I became a motorcycle fanatic. I guess it's the old "nature vs. nurture" argument that can be used for a lot of different aspects about a human.
 

The thing that really got me to ponder this was my son. I've mentioned his like for motorcycles before (here) and I don't feel that I consciously push him into liking them, so maybe was born this way. However, his life is constantly filled with bikes. I ride, a lot of my friends ride, and both of his grandfathers ride, so it can go without saying that he sees multiple motorcycles in any given day. Also, he sees me staring at every single motorcycle that crosses my path; this definitely has to make an impact on him. He actually notices them before I do nowadays, yelling "cycle" whenever he sees one.
 

So what's the answer? I honestly don't know. It would be awesome if my son was as into bikes as much as I am or my dad is, but as long as he finds something he's passionate about, I'll be happy. It would be all kinds of awesome if he rides motorcycles, plays football, lifts weights, and listens to metal though...just saying.
 

“You will make my strength your own. You will see my life through your eyes, as your life will be seen through mine. The son becomes the father and the father the son.” – JorEl from Superman: The Movie

Luck of the Ride

Do you know what one of the greatest things about riding a motorcycle is? It’s the solitude. While you're riding, there is only you, the bike, and the road. It's a time where you can let all the other bullshit in your life go and just focus on your surroundings. It can also be a great time for a little self-reflection (not too much, you still need to focus on the damn road!).

 

On my ride home from work yesterday, I had a realization come over me while I was doing some self-reflection. I'm a lucky guy! First of all, I live in a place that getting my next meal will likely never be an issue (we may not be able to say that 100 years ago). Besides that, I have a great family who I love dearly and a good job that keeps us living comfortably. Lastly I've chosen the greatest hobby ever, motorcycling.

  

I ride my bike to and from work, so even workdays will always be fun. I don’t ever have to trailer my bike like I would a boat or four-wheeler. Also, there is really no feeling that can match going fast on a motorcycle. I know I have a biased opinion on this, but I guess I'm lucky in that too, I like something enough to be passionate about it. I guess the point in all this rambling is that everyone should find something that they’re this passionate about and then they can be lucky too. Stay lucky my friends. 

 

“You live more for five minutes going fast on a bike than other people do in all their life.” – Marco Simoncelli



Biker's Lift

I recently read an article that mentioned that leg and core strength were important factors in a motorcyclist’s ability to ride (here). After the ride I had this weekend, I'd say grip strength could be nearly as important.

I scheduled the break-in service on my new bike and the shop is almost 200 miles away from my house. I was excited to get out on the new bike for a longer ride. About 20 miles in, the trip took me on the shore of Lake Superior. Here the temperature dropped from a below average 55°F to a frigid 41°! Even with a heated vest, this was cold! It stayed that temperature for about 15 miles and it finally started to warm up. This was just about the time it started to rain, actually it was pouring. However, I was prepared; I pulled over and put on my rain gear. The good news was that the temperature warmed up considerably to around 70. However, this is when the wind picked up.

This was a huge south wind, which warmed up the air even more, up to 82°. It also was coming straight at me. I don't know if you've ever rode into a strong headwind, but it's definitely a struggle! Riding at 70 mph felt like 120! I had to keep a death grip on the handlebars just to stay on the bike. I bet it looked pretty hilarious seeing a guy in a full racing tuck only going 70 mph!

There is an exercise that strengthens legs, core, and grip. It's the barbell deadlift. Also, in my opinion, no other exercise increases lower back strength than the deadlift, which will really help reduce low back fatigue on long bike rides. I honestly think that the deadlift has really improved my riding ability and I get less drained on long rides. I'm not a personal trainer and I don't pretend to be one, so if you want to learn how to properly perform the barbell deadlift, YouTube has tons of how to videos. Ride and lift safe!

“When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it ....” ― Henry Ford

 

The Work Ride

It's Tuesday morning, after the long Memorial Day weekend. It always seems a lot tougher to go back to work from a three day weekend. Getting out of bed was tougher than usual, it took much more time to get showered, eat breakfast, and to make my lunch and I moped around the house until I knew that if I waited one more second, I’d be late for work.

Then I started my bike. I wasn’t in slow motion anymore! Actually, I was probably going too fast (it’s always tough for me not to speed on a motorcycle). Riding to work in the morning really makes every day start out pretty well and if I have a bad day, the ride home definitely is a huge stress reliever. My new bike has riding modes, so after a stressful day at work, I switch it to sport mode and take the long way home, basically riding like an asshole the entire way (not really an asshole, but let's just say I break a few traffic laws).

So, I saw this meme on Twitter and instantly retweeted it because it really is true, even if it is a little cliché. That's the thing about cliché sayings; they usually are pretty universally true.

“It is a cliché that most clichés are true, but then like most clichés, that cliché is untrue.”
― Stephen Fry

Biker Beatdown



If you haven't already heard, there was a violent altercation between rival motorcycle clubs this past weekend in Waco, TX. I just read an article pointing out that the FX show Sons of Anarchy lead people toward this violent lifestyle. I call bullshit!!

Ok...I don't call complete bullshit, because there may be a few cases where a person who would have led a completely nonviolent, crime free life entered the outlaw lifestyle because of that show, but they're a huge minority. Most of the men in these clubs would have been criminals anyway and just pick the biker club as their avenue to pursue that life. I'd also like to note that not all one percent bikers are violent career criminals. I've met a few who led perfectly (ok maybe not perfect) clean lives and did not commit violent crimes.

I have witnessed an example of a guy who was a criminal who happened to be in an MC. It was at a small rally a few years ago. A pretty big, well known club had a campsite there and a noticeably intoxicated man stumbled over to a little stand with some bike parts for sale. A club member was standing a 50 feet away when all of a sudden, he charged the inebriated guy. I'm pretty sure the guy flipped him off, which was a dumb move, but it did not warrant the beating he took. The club member not only knocked him down and out with a barrage of punches, but he laid about ten kicks to the guy's head and body after he was unconscious.

When it was finally over, the club member noticed that people had saw the whole thing and he got into an escalade (not even on a motorcycle) and sped away. After witnessing that, I can tell you that this man was a violent criminal and would have been one whether he was in the club or not. I think we should view the men in the Waco shootout in the same way.

Please don’t let tragedies like this keep you from enjoying movies and TV shows about outlaw bikers. I for one find them very entertaining (that’s what they are, entertainment).

 

''I have no problem with screen violence at all, but I have a big problem with real-life violence.'' – Quentin Tarantino