Motorcycles and Riding.

Winter

2011-11-16T15:31:00.001-08:00

Winter is coming here in Reno, Nevada and it is getting time to put the motorcycle away. I have enjoyed riding the Katana but think I need a bike that allows me to be a little more upright. I'm not as young as I used to be. If I could swing it I would like to have a Ducati Multistrada but also enjoyed riding a Suszuki V Strom a few times this summer. At least I could ride down dirt roads. I rode the Katana down a dirt road and was that sporting.

Waiting for Spring....

New Ride

2011-08-29T21:08:00.000-07:00

Just a short post here. I am now owner of a 2001 Suzuki GSX650F also know as 'Katana". So far I am really liking it. Sure is different than riding a Harley Sporty 1200. Just need to get used to how it handles and it handles nice.

Been for a few short rides. One up to Lake Tahoe and back. Nice twisty road. Not happy with drivers in cars that ride your ass. Another ride up to Virginia City which is another fun road. Did some little rides when I first got it. Rode out around Washoe Lake and Frank Town Road. Fun Stuff!

Honda MR125

2010-11-09T15:12:00.000-08:00

I can't tell you what year my Honda MR 125 was but had to have been a late 70's bike. My Honda had belong to a rider by the name of Rick Munyon who was trying to qualify for the International Six Day Team representing the US. It had a 125 frame but the engine was from a 175cc bike. I rode that motorcycle for a few years and was a good race bike. Even after I got another bike the Honda was in the garage for awhile before we sold it. I have owned some fun bikes and this was one of them.

Check out my story about the Honda Elsinore.

My Penton Dirt Bike

2010-04-30T17:58:00.000-07:00

This is one bike that I still think about. My 1969, 125 Penton. It had the metal gas tank with the two tone paint job of green and white. I took that thing off of jumps, hill climbed, and raced that dirt bike all over southern California desert. I knew of only one other at the time, early 70's and it was riden by another girl who also happened to be in the same motorcycle club as me. After riding it for a few years it was sold to a neighbor who had a son who was getting into riding and racing. I often wonder what happened to my Penton. I still would like a Penton Jackpiner and maybe one day I can find me a nicely restored one that I can do some riding one.

Those were the days!!!

Check out John Penton, Son Jack Penton and the Penton Dirt Bikes.

Old Dirt Bikes

2010-04-25T09:18:00.000-07:00

Hodaka, Montessa, Ossa, Maico, Greeves, Bultaco, Penton, CZ, and a few others that have faided away being memories from my childhood. I have not lived in southern California for over 17 years and one thing is for certain I miss the days of being out in the desert. The smell of the desrt after if rains, the sounds of bikes being started before a race to get them warmed up. Glass of hot chocolate in your hand as you look outside hoping for the wind to stop blowing. The smoldering fire pit early Sunday morining as the smoke slowly drifts through the camp and you have to wipe the dew off you seat. The blueness of the sky and the stars that come out at night as you stare up into the night time. People standing around the fire pit talking about the days ride or talking about someone or something from long ago. The laughter and the friendship that is gathered in this spot, in the California desert. A little breeze sends sparks from the campfire into the air and you watch as they disappear. As with age somethings do seem to fade away while other memories are very vibrant. I can close my eyes and for a brief moment I breath in the desert air and around me I here converstions of old. And I smile! The glass is almost empty of the famous punch that is served every year on the Saturday evening before the race. Sound test being wrapped up for the evening as we settle down with our grilled steaks as the dogs watch wondering when they will get the bone. Someone puls up that you haven't seen for years and time flies as fast as the setting sun.

It's good to be out in the California desert.
Read, Vintage Dirt Bikes

Dirt Bikes Of The Past

2010-04-16T07:07:00.000-07:00

Someitmes I can not believe that I am amost fifty and will do so in a little over a year. This year I will officially have been riding a motorcycle for 40 years. It doesn't seem that long ago and sometimes it seems ages ago that I got my first dirt bike. I am not sure what year Yamaha I had for my first bike but believe it was failry new and may have been a 67. Yamaha are still around but many bikes that were being ridden back then have faded in the blowing desert wind. Remember Greeves, CZ, American Eagle or how about a Hodaka? Montessa's, Ossa, Maico, Bultaco or my favorite, the Penton motorcycle. Thinking of these old bikes reminds me of the days of bench racing, wrench turning, carburator issues, and no suspension but they are good memories.

I recently wrote a Hub about some of these old bikes and one that has a list of these old bikes is Vintage Dirt Bikes. Check it out and read some of my other motorcycle Hubs on Penton, Maico and Hodaka. Also did a piece on Steve McQeen and his racing days. He was more than just an actor.

Dream Machines

2010-02-27T09:54:00.000-08:00

Since I have been writing on Hubpages on some of the 2010 motorcycles that have come out it makes me wish I was able to go out and buy a new motorcycle. Maybe buy two since I would like to have a street bike and possibly a dual sport to run on the dirt roads here in Iowa. My dream street bike, as always would be a Ducati Monster and still undecided on what I would ride off-road. There is a motocrosser that I like that has a seat height were I can actually get my leg over but it is a 110cc bike. I haven't ridden anything that small since I was a kid, but seat heights were lower back them. The Kawasaki KLX110L thumper would be a fun ride and may be something I would get once back on the west coast were I can do some desert riding. Other than having a Ducati I really like the reviews of the Suzuki SZ650S and if I was low on money maybe the Hyosung GT650R which had mixed reviews but with a few changes could be a good bike. The price tag on that bike is resonable.

I will still dream of owning a Duc and hopefully one day there will be one sitting in my garage.

Maintenance

2009-11-24T09:04:00.000-08:00

Just something short since I am thinking of it.

Whether you ride a street bike, dual sport or dirt bike remember that after each ride go over that bike. What I have done for years which my Dad made us do. After each ride wash the bike and go over it as you clean it. This is a good time to make sure everything is in it place. After you are done wahing and drying it, lube the chain, clean the air filter, etc. I would especially do this if you have been out pounding the trails or the motocross track. Better to be safe than sorry. If you are racing there is nothing worse than getting out there and have something go wrong because you didn't go over the motorcycle. Save yourself from having a DNF after your name.

5KKSKJ6AKK8V

Dirt Bikes and Being a Female Rider.

2009-11-24T08:26:00.000-08:00

I just wrote a Hub about trying to find a dirt bike that we as women and short men can ride without needing a step ladder. Looking at bikes and doing research online is amazed at how tall bikes have gotten over the years. I have not ridden anything smaller that a 175cc for over 20 years but it seems that if you want a dirt bike a smaller engine would be the answer. It's not. There are thing that can be done to help shorten that seat height. Some of what you can do is easy; some would take some work and money. My big beef is why the manufacturers make it easier for shorter riders to have a dirt bike that fits. I would think that given that more females are interested in racing and riding that there would be a market for them. I would think in some ways this was and still is an untapped market. I do realize that it may not be cost effective to do this but it would be nice if in their lineup of bikes that there is one that is geared towards those of us with an inseam of 30 inches or smaller. I have also come to the conclusion that women still do not have any say in this market because there are very few working in the motorcycle industry were the decision are made. It would be nice to be able to go out and buy a 350cc or higher and have the bike not be 38 inches tall. Even after you get the suspension set up and trim the seat it would still be an ordeal to get your leg over. How about a limited production bike that gives you the power but is geared towards the shorter rider? I think with effective marketing it could be done. I do not know the statistics on the number of female riders but there would probably be more if they could find a dirt bike that didn’t take tons of effort to get ready to ride.

There is my beef with the motorcycle industry.

Just a word. If you cannot find a new bike or slightly used one, look to some of the older models for the bike you want. I know this is not the solution for all, but will help those that want to ride. I understand having been a former racer that riding the newest thing is the way to go.

To read my Hub Dirt Bikes for Short Riders, Click Here.

Buell Is Shut Down

2009-10-15T11:21:00.000-07:00

I never like to see a business fold. It is even more troubling since this involves a motorcycle manufacturer here in the US. With record job loss this is another chapter in our failing economy. Harley Davidson reports a profit loss of 84%. It seems that Buell is a weak link so they have to go.

To read more, Click Here.

2010 ISDE (International Six Day Enduro).

2009-10-07T12:43:00.000-07:00

For those that follow the ISDE every year the 2010 event will be held in Morelia, Mexico. This is one of the premier events for off road motorcycle races. The great actor Steve McQueen qualified in 1964 to represent the US that year. It was first held in 1913 in Carlisle, England and has been going strong since. Back then they called in "trials" and was later changed to "enduro". Having been a former enduro racer and our club for many years were one of the qualifying enduros; I have always had an interest in this event.

This years event starts Oct 12 -17 in Figueria da Foz, Portugal.

Read
Steve McQueen, Motorcycles and the ISDE.

Women and Motorcycles

2009-10-07T10:31:00.000-07:00

I know what some of you were thinking when you read the title. For some it was an attention getter. This blog is actually geared towards women that ride or are thinking of riding. Let's start off with there is no one bike for a woman. Women do have to think about things like seat height but so do the guys. Not all men are tall and not all women are short. Our experience levels are all different too. A man just starting out riding should be a little picky about his first bike, so should a woman. No one wants to go out a buy a bike that is intimidating. Make sure the bike fits you. The most important thing is can you plant your feet flat on the ground. Do not rush out and get something just because your buddy has one, or your girlfriend says it's the best bike she's ever seen. No one can tell you want is right for you. Being a beginner rider there are concerns not to bite off more than you can chew. I personally would not tell someone to go out and buy a Ducati 1098R Superbike, if they are a beginner.

As for safety, please wear a helmet. Some states do not require it but please make the choice and buy yourself a DOT rated helmet. Think of it as being responsible to yourself and your family. There is nothing more sad and frustrating than sitting in a hospital with a loved one that is hooked up to a machine. The bills, loss of work, rehab, and stress that plagues the family associated with that person being in the hospital. Worse yet, if you die because you didn't wear a helmet leaves a destroyed family in the wake of your death. Do not be one of those, which people say, "If he/she had only been wearing a helmet". I personally think if you have family, spouse and children it is very selfish of you to ride and not wear a helmet.

The most important thing is to have fun.

Happy Riding and Keep the Rubber Side Down.

For Further Reading:
Motorcycles For Women Riders.
Advice For Women Buying Their First Motorcycle.

Motorcycle Accessories Geared Towards Women Riders.

It used to be a man's world.

2009-10-06T13:55:00.000-07:00

I do have to say that when I started riding a motorcycle out in the California desert there weren't many female riders. When I started racing there were even fewer. I remember sitting on my bike during a rest stop in an enduro race and looking over there was a guy taking a pee. I couldn't see much but wondered doesn't he know there is a 9 year old girl here. After a few races the guys kept a lookout for the girl. I do remeber one time some guy was about to take a leak by a pucker bush and another guy said hey there's a girl here. For the most part I didn't get much grief for riding a dirt bike but I did here somethings that for a young kid was kind of mind boggling. One guy said if God had wanted women to ride motorcycles the would have been born with handlebars. I thought what a jerk and were are his handlebars. My Grandmother used to ask wouldn't you rather have ballet lessons. I used to think is she nuts why would I want to do that, it is much more fun riding. My other Grandmother loved motorcycles and even helped me by a dirt bike later on. We used to call it our dirt bike. Too bad I never got to take her for a ride on it she would have enjoyed it.

Times have slowly changed. By the time I was 16 I had the number one plate for women riders. I would do this a few more times during my racing days. I even had one that for sure cheated to try and beat me. another was suspected of it but never caught red handed. It was a shame because that year that rider beat me out of first and stopped my streak. I often wonder if she ever felt guilty. See, in enduros you went by a roll chart, set up with mileage and speed. It's hard for me to exclaim but you were on a schedule. This particular rider didn't know squat about staying on time. I am now 48 and there is a lot of water under that perverbial bridge. Many that came after me got a lot of glory. For me I will never forget the few women I know that raced. Bonnie is one that always comes to mind and so does Celeste. Bonnie was racing when I was 8 years old and how long she had been doing it I am not sure. Celeste was the first female that I know of to try and ride the Greenhorn Enduro which is 2 days long. I tried but my poor 125 just had an awful time with some of the hills. I was tired of wrestling the damn thing up and down the hills.

I have not been out to the California desert to ride in about 14 years but there isn't a week that goes by that I do not think about it. There were great rides, and friends that will in my memory always be with me.

This is dedicated to those that have gone on to the desert in the sky. And to Bandit the dog that loved to camp and be out in the desert with his friends.