Ken "Hawkeye" Glassman

Gear Review: Peak Design Motorcycle Bar Mounts, Part 2

Posted by Ken "Hawkeye" Glassman | Dec 2, 2024 | Bikes & Gear |

In my 71 years of life, I have almost always found that spending a few more dollars on buying a quality product is cheaper in the long run, because the product usually lasts longer and will offer conveniences and features that lesser quality products do not. That goes for many items, like large and small household appliances, tools, furniture, and almost anything you view as non-disposable. I seldom regret buying a high quality item. So when a company called Peak Design contacted us about sampling and reviewing their all-new cell phone mounts for motorcycles, we of course were willing to try them out.

Ken’s Op-Ed: Riding the Tail of the Dragon, Pt. 2

Posted by Ken "Hawkeye" Glassman | Sep 19, 2024 | Ride Life, Rides & Roads |

It seems that while riding on the fabulous roads that lead to and from the Dragon, some of the riders in the group got separated from each other, which is not unusual. It was before GPS, but they all had maps, and the route was not very complicated. But one guy (I’ll call him Jack . . . short for Jackass) fell quite a bit behind, whether intentional or accidentally. At some point he decided to catch up to the group. So he began to speed up and got frustrated by the slower moving traffic on the two lane roads. “Jack” began to pass cars and other traffic by crossing the double yellow lines and passing on the left and right at breakneck speeds. Apparently, some of the folks he blew past were startled and other drivers got the crap scared out of them. Someone among them called the police on Jack for riding like a crazy man.

Ken’s Op-Ed: Riding the Tail of the Dragon

Posted by Ken "Hawkeye" Glassman | Sep 12, 2024 | Ride Life, Rides & Roads |

I first rode the Dragon way back in 2007 when they referred to that area as Deals Gap, and it boasted a small 1-story motel with a place to stop for some refreshments and food, and of course a souvenir shop. I took some photos, bought the t-shirt. It also had a huge old tree, with hundreds of pieces of motorcycle wreckage hanging ominously from it’s many branches recovered from the numerous crashes, (sometimes fatal) warning folks what had occurred on that road, and what may happen if ridden beyond one’s capabilities. The “tree of shame”, they call it.

Gear Review: Nelson-Rigg Weekender Motorcycle Tail Bag

Posted by Ken "Hawkeye" Glassman | Aug 13, 2024 | Bikes & Gear |

When I had my 2011 Triumph Bonneville America repainted last spring, the bike looked brand new. But the tail bag I’d used since the bike was new was looking a bit shabby and quite faded, and just didn’t look worthy of the rest of the motorcycle. So, I began the arduous search for a new bag.

Motorcycle Gear: Alpinestars SP-2 Vented Boots

Posted by Ken "Hawkeye" Glassman | Jul 12, 2024 | Bikes & Gear |

Three decades ago, when I first began to ride motorcycles, I rode V-Twin cruiser bikes. And not knowing much, I dressed in the clothing I saw other cruiser riders wear . . . leather jacket, jeans, cowboy boots, fingerless gloves, and a helmet. A few months later, a car turned left in front of me, and I skidded to a near stop before gently hitting the car’s front bumper. But I fell over, and my left foot got caught under the bike as it tipped over, causing my ankle to twist inside the boot and I got a severe sprained ankle with stretched ligaments and muscles, keeping me off my foot for about 6 weeks. It was then that I started to research better protective gear.
That’s when I discovered Alpinestars.

2024 Polaris Slingshot- A Fresh Take

Posted by Ken "Hawkeye" Glassman | Jun 20, 2024 | Bikes & Gear |

Here’s what is most important about the Slingshot: I’m grateful that there is a company out there THAT MAKES A VEHICLE LIKE THIS TODAY. I used to say that about Chrysler cars, with their incredible (if unnecessary) horsepower. And about Ford, and Chevy too, who made several performance models for everyday prices. But they don’t anymore. This isn’t a car, it isn’t a motorcycle, IT’S A FUN MACHINE. It’s loud, brash, unrefined, raw and industrial. It’s a bare knuckle, in your face roadster, and Polaris makes no attempt to apologize for it. It’s a vehicle that begs to be driven it like you stole it, every time you take it out. You have to drive this car, not be driven by it.

The Call We All Dread

Posted by Ken "Hawkeye" Glassman | May 8, 2024 | Ride Life |

The call came in early on a gray, wintry, February Monday morning. I was sitting at my desk preparing my activities for the day. It was the call that every motorcycle rider dreads getting- “Ken, it’s John.” Just the sound and tone of John’s voice told me this wasn’t going to be a happy chat. “Robert’s been in an motorcycle accident . . .it’s bad . . .real bad.” Those quiet words stabbed me like an icicle into my heart and sent a chill through my body that I can still replicate to this day.

National Veterans Awareness Ride

Posted by Ken "Hawkeye" Glassman | May 3, 2024 | Ride Life, Rides & Roads |

The National Veterans Awareness Ride takes place each May but its effects on the Veterans in the hospitals and on the participants on the ride last forever. The National Veterans Awareness Ride (NVAR) is the annual national event that is organized and executed by the National Veterans Awareness Organization. The ride begins in Auburn, CA, on May 14, 2024, just outside of Sacramento, and ends two weeks later in Washington, DC. on May 25. During those two weeks, several hundred motorcycle riding NVAR participants stop in veterans hospitals and veterans homes all along the way. They participate in local memorial services for veterans who have paid the ultimate price for America’s freedom. They speak in schools about service to our country, and the importance of appreciating and respecting the sacrifices of members of the military.

Rev Up Spring Maintenance

Posted by Ken "Hawkeye" Glassman | Apr 24, 2024 | Nuts & Bolts |

Spring is in the air! Or trying to get in the air, if you’re in the more northern latitudes. But we know we are close to warmer temperatures, and we’re going to want to get the motorcycle out and go for a ride. So it’s best to get started now and prepare yourself and your bike for the season. I know it may still be cold or rainy for some, but don’t procrastinate about getting ready now.