I’m back after a very long absence.  Sometimes life just dictates priorities other than blogging about my motorcycle.  However, now, with a few minutes at hand, I’m thinking about the fact that the weather is getting ready to change here in Idaho, and that most likely means 2-3 months of no riding, or at least very little riding.  While we don’t get pounded with snow here, it does get quite cold and turns “generally nasty”.  I don’t have a heated riding suit or even heated gloves like my BMW riding brethren, so for me that means it is time to winterize.

The last few years I have kept winterizing pretty simple:  fuel stabilizer in the tank and trickle charger on the battery.  This year I’ll do the same thing.  Not an elaborate process…an oil change can wait till February.  I’m curious what others do to winterize their bikes.  I have read about some pretty elaborate rituals on motorcycle messages boards but just can’t bring myself to believe that all that is necessary.

I’ll keep it simple for now, and be ready to hit the road again when a sunny day hits sometime in February.

Take a look guys.  Get that old (or new) cafe out and ride with some very nice guys.  I’m not a member of the Idaho Vintage Motorcycle Club, but by all acounts they put on first class events.   Mark your calendars for June 28th for the Retro Rocket Rally.  For details see the flyer below.

Motorcyclebloggers.com has a very interesting post regarding the the rise of Chinese motorcycles and ATV’s in the United States market and the parallels to the overall “Walmartization” of our economy. The article is quite evenhanded, recognizing the benefits to be gained by overseas manufacturing, but also noting some of the tough questions that are right under the surface. You can read the full text of the post at “The Rise of the Chinese Motorcycle/ATV Business“.

These sentiments probably all sound quite familiar to owners and prospective buyers of new Triumph motorcycles as online discussions and arguments have been ongoing for quite sometime regarding the manufacture of Triumph motorcycles in Thailand. While I personally haven’t had the opportunity to examine a Thai Triumph yet, I’m sure that the quality is up to snuff, as Triumph has been manufacturing individual components there for years. However, I think if you ask the average Triumph owner, this transition speaks to something more emotional than just product quality and somehow, in an almost indescribable way, tears at the soul of their decision to buy a “Brit Bike”.

Last weekend’s Idaho Vintage Motorcycle Show and Rally appeared to be a big success with greater than 100 bikes on the show floor and hundreds, if not thousands, in attendance. There were many absolutely gorgeous show bikes on display, but also a fare share of very interesting project rides, and a number of daily drivers. The number of bikes on the floor appeared to be quite similar to previous years, but variety was a bit lacking this year, with the Vincents, Ariel Square Fours, and some of the more exotic bikes missing. My favorite of the show? Surprisingly, not any of the old, rare Triumphs or BMWs, but rather a pristine 1989 Honda GB 500 Cafe. You will find a picture of that bike as well as some of my other favorites in the gallery below. To see a photo larger, just click on one of the thumbnails. You can then navigate the the next photo by clicking in the upper right hand corner of the displayed photo. Enjoy!

My day wasn’t going anything like I had planned and I was getting more frustrated by the minute.  The local Triumph dealer had been hinting at a RAT (Riders Association of Triumph) organizational meeting and ride on their website for weeks, but when I called for information, I seemed to end up in a black hole every time.  Voicemail. hang-ups. endless holds.  You get the picture. (more…)

It appears that the long awaited documentary of the Brit motorcycle subculture of Southern California is now shipping.  You can pick up a copy at the Brittown website, or if you happen to be in San Francisco tomorrow, you can catch the Nor Cal premier at the Roxie Theater.  Here is the latest trailer:

If you own a Triumph Modern Classic, chances are that you have been bitten by the mod bug.  Wait, Rockers hate Mods you say.  No, we’re talking about modifications here.  It’s not that the Bonneville family isn’t near perfect already considering the chosen technologies and accessible price point, but the bikes just seem to lend themselves wrenching and modding.  Maybe it’s the styling. Maybe it’s the fact that many of the subsystems are not all that different from the bikes of the 60’s and 70’s.  Whatever it is, it’s spreading.  Just take a look sites like TriumphRAT.net.  The message boards there are full of uniqe and creative mods.

When I purchased my 2004 Thuxton, it took me all of a month to get rid of the stock mirrors and go to bar ends, ditch my stock silencers for British Customs Preadators, and pull the AI and airbox.  I have been modding ever since and have a number of projects planned including a cut down of the rear fender, new brake light and indicators, and fork boots.  What makes any of this different from the bolted on chrome of our HD bretheren?  Well for one thing a lot of these mods are home grown, born out of trail and error and a lot of elbow grease.  Want an example?  Take a look at this video.  You will learn something (I did), and have fun while you are at it.  Lot’s of inspiration and a little bit of craziness from Thunzie:

Motoring, an online South African publication, has a new review of the Triumph Rocket III Touring here.   Overall, they really like the bike, noting its comfortable touring ergonomics, and a power curve that puts an emphasis on low end torque.  What didn’t they like?  Well the bike is a bit too big to be nimble, and the fairing/windscreen that you don’t get any airflow behind it, which could make warm day riding a bit uncomfortable.  Click through the link above to read the entire article.

Any Rocket III riders out there?  What drew you to the bike and what is your overall impression?

Clutch and Chrome is reporting that Triumph has decided to enter the Qatar market, partnering with a local company that is “a premium provider of top luxury products in Qatar”.  Also noted is the fact that Triumph has largely avoided a sales downturn as the world economy has slowed.  This would seem to be an expected but notable move by Triumph, as Qatar and other Petro Kingdoms in the region are flush with hard currency and seem to have a voracious appetite for luxury goods.  Would be very interesting to take a look at this at the end of year one, and see what models have sold well.  Will buyers be drawn to the Rocket III and its over the top size, styling, and power?  Or maybe the dual sport Tiger to get around in the sand?

If you live anywhere near Boise, Idaho, mark your calendars for March 29 and 30. The Idaho Vintage Motorcycle club will be hosting their annual Rally and Show. This show is a real treat, usually drawing between 150 and 200 beautiful classic bikes. You will see anything from concourse queens to rough projects and a huge variety of brands including Triumph, BSA, Norton, Ariel, Vincent, Moto Guzzi, etc. You get the picture. There is also a swap meet, and if you register to participate in the event, a ride and a banquet. You can find a lot more information (registration forms, directions, etc.) at the IVMC web site.

(more…)