The Future

Source: brand.bmw-motorrad.com

 

 

Recently, I linked a video about a BMW concept motorcycle on the KLK Cycles Facebook page. This thing is radically different than any motorcycle ever conceived (from what I've read/seen anyway). A bike that cannot fall over and that claims to be so safe that the rider does not need a helmet. A nearly autonomous motorcycle. However, it is noted that a motorcycle like this probably won't be available for another thirty years.

At first I was not a huge fan of this bike. Don't get me wrong, I think it looks awesome! In fact it kind of reminds me of Batman's Batpod (see here for my thoughts on that bike). I don't like the idea of taking the danger away from motorcycling. Part of the allure of riding is the inherent danger that goes along with it and removing that would, for lack of a better way to say it, suck!

Then I thought of my dad. He is sixty years old and still rides like a madman, but I notice that he can't recover from a long ride like he used to. He has issues with his back, shoulders, knees, and feet and there is a very real possibility that he may not be able to hold up a motorcycle in the future. If this did happen, the BMW concept would be a great alternative for him. I just hope he lives long enough to see it.

In thirty years I'll be sixty-six, so who's to say I won't be in the same situation as my dad. I'd love to still be able to ride, so I'd get that BMW in a heartbeat. Maybe this new and safer technology is a good thing.

"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." - Arthur C. Clarke



Project Bike

 

I've mentioned a few times that I've hoped to start a KLK Cycles project bike to detail in this blog. It hasn't happened yet, but my partner here at KLK just started buying parts to turn his Harley Davidson Sportster into a bobber. I think we can officially call this the first KLK bike project.

I have no idea how this will entirely shape up or how long it will take to complete, but I'll post updates as soon as we make them. Hopefully, I'll be able to post both pictures and overall cost of each modification.

Also, I'd like to note that I keep saying "we" for all this build stuff, but chances are it'll be my partner doing most of the real hands-on work. I'll probably be taking pictures, drinking beer, and talking shit while he does the work. I might swing a wrench here and there, or cut and grind some metal, but this is his bike and he's an actual motorcycle technician. Not that I'm incapable of doing a lot of this stuff, he's just WAY better at it.

So, what I'm really trying to say is tune in for future updates on the KLK Bobber Project. Thanks for reading and keep riding!

"It does not take much strength to do things, but it requires a great deal of strength to decide what to do." - Elbert Hubbard

Moto Ego

This past weekend I had a great ride. The weather was beautiful, especially for October. The leaves were starting to change color (not close to peak color, but they were definitely nice), traffic wasn't bad, and some great friends came along. I also felt that my cornering skills were nearly the best they have ever been.

Nearly the entire tour was on twisty roads and I didn't hold back very much while carving through the corners. With fresh tires, my bike performed perfectly every time I dipped a knee toward the pavement. At times my friends had a difficult time keeping up and this only pushed me to take corners a little faster. My wife was on the back of my bike, but she is such a seasoned passenger that I barely could tell she was there. I felt like I was "in the zone."

Let's just say my ego may have been a little too big and I was feeling pretty proud of myself. Then, when our ride was nearly over, I didn't downshift to first gear as I approached a stoplight. As I tried to take off, easing my grip on the clutch lever, the bike stalled. Sigh...this brought my ego back down to earth. My friend who was behind me rode around my stalled motorcycle as I was trying to get it started.

I caught up to him and all he could do was look over and shake his head, totally shaming me. Hey, I deserved it. You'd figure that after 25 years of motorcycling that this wouldn't happen anymore, but I guess that'd be wrong. I guess it serves me right for letting my ego get a little too big.

"The ego is a fascinating monster." - Alanis Morissette

Fall Priorities

 

I've mentioned before that Autumn may be my favorite season. I love the weather, the colors, and football. The bad thing about this season that every biker is familiar with is that Winter is coming soon. It's time to take advantage of the last couple of months of motorcycling before the white stuff falls.

Another problem I tend to have in Autumn is that it usually is the busiest time of year for me. My job usually gets extremely busy from September to December, my wife returns to her teaching job, and both of my kids' birthdays are in Autumn (actually both in October). On top of all these things, Autumn is usually a wet and rainy season where I live. With all of these factors added up I have very little time to do any riding in beside my daily commute.

My solution to this is to schedule a ride. Make it a priority to enjoy an evening, Saturday, or Sunday on your motorcycle. This does take some effort, seeing as you need to squeeze time out of your busy schedule on top of watching the forecast to see if weather will cooperate, but it's definitely possible. This is what my wife and I are doing this Saturday, we planned a ride and invited friends (this'll keep us from backing out). It seems silly, but I'm basically forcing myself to get out and have fun. I recommend you do the same!

"The key is not to prioritize what's on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities." - Stephen Covey

I Could Be Batman

 

If you've read this blog post, you know that I'm a nerd at heart, especially when it comes to comics in general and Batman specifically. I just read that the actual batpod (Batman's motorcycle) from the films The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises is up for auction (see that article here). Oh how I wish I was a millionaire!

How awesome would it be to have Batman's motorcycle?!! I'm super excited about it and I know that there's no way I will ever have it, unless someone wants to invest $100,000 in the KLK batpod fund. It's an investment in my nerdy fantasy!

This wouldn't be a good investment, though. There would be no way that I wouldn't ride this thing, so I'm sure the value would definitely decrease with time. However, I did read that the battery and fuel tank have been removed and the throttle control has been disconnected to prevent people from riding this bike. There's no way that'd stop me though...I'd make this thing run!

Since we all know that none of this will ever happen, maybe I'll take a ride on my motorcycle with my Batman mask (yes, I have a Batman mask). There's more than one way to pretend to be a superhero!

"The gift of fantasy has meant more to me than my talent for absorbing positive knowledge." - Albert Einstein



Lessons Learned and Taking My Own Advice

 

Last year we posted a couple of articles about motorcycle tires (See them here and here). Both of them give some advice on changing your tires to stay safe while getting the most out of each tire. Let's just say I need to follow my own advice.

I have been needing to replace both the front and rear tires on my bike for nearly a month. I actually purchased tires right when I noticed that I needed them, but I haven't replaced them yet. Tires for my current bike are so expensive that I try to get every last mile out of them. Last night I got a sudden reminder that I should quit compromising safety for money savings.

After dinner, my wife asked if I could run to town to pick up a couple of things. These would fit in my backpack, so I could take the bike (always an awesome realization). I made the trip into town without any incident, completed my errand, and headed home. On the way home I passed a slow moving car. After I passed, I felt my rear tire give out, like I was spinning it. I knew this feeling, the tire had been punctured.

I pulled in the clutch and coasted to a stop on the shoulder of the road. While nothing really bad happened, it could have been disastrous. Luckily, I remained calm and got off of the road quickly and safely. I was also lucky that a friend was driving by in his truck soon after the tire blew, so I and my bike had a ride home.

So, I think I learned my lesson with this one. I'm taking my own advice and I'll be replacing my tires much sooner next time. Hopefully you'll listen to my advice too, for your own safety.

"Wise men don't need advice. Fools won't take it." - Benjamin Franklin



Motorcycle Parking Paradox

You ride in to a giant box store parking lot on your motorcycle. Where do you park? What is the proper etiquette in this situation? I'm not sure what the correct answers to these questions are, but I'll give you some of my opinions on motorcycle parking.

My first piece of advice is to NEVER park in a handicapped loading/unloading area. If you do this, you're being a douchebag. Also, you make the rest of us bikers look bad, so knock it off!

Ok, I'll get off of my soapbox. I do think that all other (non-handicapped) areas between the first parking spot and the driving lane (see picture for clarification) are fair game. However, some motorists may disagree because this technically is not a parking spot.

Source: www.hdherd.com

It is also just fine to use a normal parking spot. If you do this, make sure you park in a place that'll be visible to all approaching vehicles. This will prevent people from thinking they're pulling in to an empty parking spot and running your bike over. Again, there are motorists who would disagree with using a car's parking spot as you need way less space for your bike.

In conclusion, no matter where you park, there'll be some cager that'll be pissed off by your decision. Park in the place that seems the most logical for your situation. If someone confronts you about your choice, explain your logic and hopefully they will see your side. If they don't, move on. Haters gonna hate!

"Haters don't really hate you, they hate themselves; because you're a reflection of what they wish to be." - Yaira N