Almost a foot of snow fell yesterday around my Pacific Northwest home. My motorcycles are all parked around the 1966 Ford Mustang convertible, hibernating, tethered to their battery tender umbilicals for the winter. About a month ago was the last time any of their engines spun, Mustang included, replaced by the monotonous drone of a snowblower. Staring at them makes me reflect on the things I am most thankful for from the riding year past.
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The only way to scientifically compare the mileage of one motorcycle tire versus another and finally put the mileage question to rest forever is to completely control for every single variable: bike, rider, terrain, weight, speed, inflation pressure, etc..which is impossible for an average rider.
Unless you work for Road Dirt Motorcycle Media. Because we do those things.
A motorcycle race suit is a substantial investment from your wallet towards your well-being and proper fit is crucial to safety. Comfortable race suits are more likely to get worn, while poorly fitting suits tend to stay on the hanger. Fit and flexibility also make the difference between feeling fresh or quickly reaching fatigue. Fresh riders are fast riders, fatigued riders make mistakes. I know this all too well.
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We never saw the storm coming, a Colorado squall that stalked us from behind, waiting to sucker punch us until we had our backs turned. A few hours before on this idyllic August day during the Colorado 500 we were enjoying perfect weather. Our fast group of five were Colorado 500 board member Hutch Collier, his wife Dawn, his son Currie, his riding companion Phil Weida and me, and we ripped through the narrow canyon lands leading to Gateway, smooth red rocks and polished boulders doing their best southern Utah impersonation. I couldn’t believe our luck to get these roads with such stunning scenery and perfect weather, one of those days on the motorcycle you wish you could bottle. We had no idea we were riding on borrowed time.
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The Sedici Chicane glove is an under $80 sport offering from Cycle Gear’s in-house brand. Aimed at the sport rider, the Chicane has full gauntlet goat leather construction with ample accommodations for comfort.
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Sedici’s Corsa is a one piece, track focused set of leathers with an attractive price tag. Costs for one piece race suits can easily reach four figures, scaring away customers looking to head to the track or who want the full protection a one piece suit offers for any aggressive riding situation. The Corsa addresses that problem with a $599.99 price tag and substantial protection and features, but that price comes with a disclaimer. More on that later.
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The Wild Rose Squad’s annual motorcycle pilgrimage to Nelson, BC is sacred. Nothing keeps us from Nelson, except however, border guards. I found that one out the hard way last year, but that is a story for another time. If I do somehow manage this year to not be asked very politely to make an immediate u-turn and Leave Canada Right Now Sir, my next conundrum is which bike to take. I have three compelling choices with reasons for and against. Help me decide.
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Give me the Pacific Ocean. You can have the rest of the country, just hand me her blue waters. Take Beartooth Pass, Tail Of The Dragon, Going To The Sun Road and Million Dollar Highway. I’ve done them all, just leave me the Pacific, a road that runs alongside her and an old motorcycle beneath me. Sailors know the Pacific’s pull, her captivating blue rollers have a way of getting under your skin like a seaman recruit’s poorly chosen tattoo. Ride her shore once and you understand.
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As I pushed wide into the oncoming lane of the right hand turn, two thoughts ran through my head. First, I am a better rider than this. Second, I was amazed that I needed this much bar pressure to steer Dave’s bike. Thousands of miles and countless curves had trained my muscle memory for my 5th generation Honda VFR800 and its Dunlop tires, so when I jumped on Dave Wensveen’s identical VFR and his Pirelli tires, I almost immediately ran wide on the tight right hand corner. I tried correcting my line. It was too late.
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