tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48314787301558872802024-03-13T06:20:30.482-04:00TwowheelsforeverTwowheelsforeverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03153937613821719762noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4831478730155887280.post-56042056501332420422011-07-29T15:45:00.001-04:002011-07-29T15:46:56.730-04:00Why do people keep ripping off Falcon Motorcycles?<p>First, Paul Jr. of OCC infamy blatantly stole one of their designs and tried to sell it on his T-shirts, and now Troy Lee Designs:</p> <p>Here’s a picture of the “<a title="Troy Lee Designs T-shirt ripoff from Falcon Motorcycles" href="http://www.troyleedesigns.com/products_results.php?searchQ=bleed&search.x=0&search.y=0" target="_blank">Bleed Slim Fit Tee</a>” from Troy Lee Designs:</p> <p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="troy_lee_designs_bleed_falcon_ripoff" border="0" alt="troy_lee_designs_bleed_falcon_ripoff" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZVnKz-PPrdQ/TjMN6-9akTI/AAAAAAAAABU/C_JWLGoJ-uU/troy_lee_designs_bleed_falcon_ripoff%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="604" height="604"> </p> <p>Now here’s a picture of “<a title="The Bullet from Falcon Motorcycles" href="http://www.falconmotorcycles.com/gallery/1-The%20Bullet.html#1" target="_blank">The Bullet</a>” from Falcon Motorcycles:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NZGiAH-6Wa4/TjMN7GJcEAI/AAAAAAAAABk/2s4o4v0oo-Y/s1600-h/falcon_motorycles_bullet%25255B8%25255D.png"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="falcon_motorycles_bullet" border="0" alt="falcon_motorycles_bullet" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DdQ2X0_ploQ/TjMN7vtf8oI/AAAAAAAAABo/EJAAFvQe_E0/falcon_motorycles_bullet_thumb%25255B6%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="604" height="304"></a> </p> <p>Hmmm, look familiar?</p> Twowheelsforeverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02236613458595363809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4831478730155887280.post-14604629619171029582011-05-22T14:25:00.000-04:002011-10-17T18:00:19.790-04:00Good Motorcycles and Bad Market ResearchEquipment manufacturers, software companies, and motorcycle dealers alike can benefit from quality market research. No matter what you're selling, customer input can help you improve your business and your products. I've been thinking about this recently after my experience at a local motorcycle dealer.<br />
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<h3>A little background</h3><h3> </h3><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vPq2KSy8unE/TpykrG9FQ7I/AAAAAAAAABw/0EoLWQ3IdKM/s1600-h/please_do_not_sit_on_the_bike2.jpg"><img align="left" alt="Please do not sit on the bike" border="0" height="121" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8QgXSeMmbRU/TpykrZ5IjbI/AAAAAAAAAB4/MD-N2XrQtVM/please_do_not_sit_on_the_bike_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; margin: 5px 7px 0px 0px;" title="Please do not sit on the bike" width="184" /></a>Shopping for a motorcycle is totally different than shopping for a car. Most motorcycle dealers don’t allow test rides. In fact, some motorcycle dealers don’t even let potential buyers sit on new bikes (crazy!). So even though I’m not in the market for a new bike, whenever there’s an opportunity to try out different motorcycles I usually take advantage of it.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lizyVybeLzY/TpykrkBqRqI/AAAAAAAAACA/kGXC66b4-9k/s1600-h/triumph_thruxton1.jpg"><img align="right" alt="2011 Triumph Thruxton" border="0" height="150" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gTnUXOc4Vqw/TpykrwD6aFI/AAAAAAAAACI/_xNl5SCoCFE/triumph_thruxton_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; margin: 5px 0px 0px 7px;" title="2011 Triumph Thruxton" width="244" /></a>One of the motorcycle dealers in my area recently offered <a href="http://www.triumph.co.uk/usa/" target="_blank" title="Triumph Motorcycles">Triumph</a> demo rides. For demo rides, a motorcycle manufacturer will send a truckload of 15 or 20 new models to an event for the day. After hearing a description of the ride route and specific safety instructions, demo riders are taken out in a group with guides at the front and rear (to make sure everyone obeys the rules and doesn’t “accidentally get lost” with a new $10,000+ motorcycle).<br />
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The Saturday of the demo rides was a gorgeous 75 degree day, and I chose a <a href="http://www.triumph.co.uk/usa/12993_13014.aspx" target="_blank" title="Triumph Bonneville SE">Bonneville SE</a> to ride. It had a totally different seating position, handling, and even exhaust note from the motorcycles I normally ride. With a little more time in the saddle, I might have fallen in love! (Hmm, maybe I am in the market for a new motorcycle after all…) While the Bonneville was great, there were things I didn’t like about the experience, but no one was around collecting feedback. Fast forward to last Monday night:<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oQ6ISFH6X2E/Tpykr6Ra9sI/AAAAAAAAACQ/PUNQ3l4IJiU/s1600-h/market_research_caller7.jpg"><img align="left" alt="Market research caller" border="0" height="163" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mA2bIRXTefM/TpyksXnc3UI/AAAAAAAAACY/Qflz-KqWbu4/market_research_caller_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; margin: 5px 7px 0px 0px;" title="Market research caller" width="244" /></a> My phone rang shortly after I got home from work. It was a representative from the dealer that hosted the demo rides and she wanted to ask me a few questions about the event. Aha – <b>now was my chance to provide some valuable feedback</b>! Now don’t get me wrong - normally I don’t do phone surveys and say “I’M NOT INTERESTED” more rudely than I should (mostly because I don’t like being interrupted right after I sit down to dinner) – but I was actually <b>happy to get the call</b> because I had an opinion and feedback to give. She asked me just a few brief questions:<br />
<ul><li>Which bike(s) did you ride or were you interested in?<br />
</li>
<li>On a scale of 1 to 5 how would you rate your overall experience?<br />
</li>
<li>On the same scale, how would you rate your interest in Triumph?<br />
</li>
<li>Do you currently own a motorcycle? If so, what make/model? </li>
</ul>That was it! I was shocked that I wasn’t asked any open-ended or qualitative questions. When I rated the overall experience just a “3,” I couldn’t believe that <b>I wasn’t asked why</b>. There were no questions about what I liked, what I didn’t like, or what I would change about the event. There weren’t even any questions about how soon I would be looking to purchase a new motorcycle. I’m still trying to figure out <b>what they were hoping to learn</b> from the questions asked.<br />
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<h3>Here’s what I took away from the experience:</h3><h4> </h4><h4>Determine what you want to measure</h4><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4opOcDFA9FU/Tpyks2QmzBI/AAAAAAAAACg/hw6BOWTYArE/s1600-h/ruler3.jpg"><img align="right" alt="Make your measurements meaningful" border="0" height="152" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6-4JByCwI9I/TpyktAYXyQI/AAAAAAAAACo/fmcd_KAiaTk/ruler_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline; margin: 5px 0px 0px 7px;" title="Make your measurements meaningful" width="244" /></a><br />
Before forming the questions you're going to ask, identify what you want to learn, and then make sure the questions (and potential answers) support those objectives. From the few questions I was asked, I had no idea what they were hoping to find out. If they wanted to identify what Triumph models might be popular to have in stock, they should have asked follow up questions about whether or not I liked the bike I rode. If they wanted to target potential customers, they should have asked how soon I’d be making a purchase decision.<br />
<h4> </h4><h4>Ask questions that give you actionable information</h4><br />
Make sure the questions you ask identify areas where you can take action. I was asked to rate the overall experience, but when I rated it poorly I wasn’t asked why. If after doing all the research, they learn that the demo rides got poor ratings, they’ll have no insight on what people disliked, and no direction on what to fix first.<br />
<h4> </h4><h4>When you find people that are passionate about your product, keep them engaged</h4><h4> </h4><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KRPYHZ7vm_Y/TpyktcxLUHI/AAAAAAAAACw/w2y-LHYy8kc/s1600-h/engaged4.jpg"><img align="left" alt="Engage passionate people. But not quite like this. " border="0" height="141" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FiE5XhcZYuY/TpyktimgY3I/AAAAAAAAAC4/J84qMI_5YH4/engaged_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline; margin: 5px 7px 0px 0px;" title="Engage passionate people. But not quite like this. " width="156" /></a> Customer advocates are invaluable to knowing your market and shaping your products. When you do get someone who is interested and engaged, take advantage of all the time they’re willing to give. I would have gladly answered more questions, and if asked would have made myself available for a follow-up conversation or even a focus group.<br />
For more information on the topic of market research, check out Mike Sweeney’s post on the Marketing Trenches Blog: <a href="http://www.marketingtrenches.com/marketing-strategy/market-research-without-an-action-plan-worthless-market-research/" target="_blank" title="Market Research Without an Action Plan = Worthless Market Research">Market Research Without an Action Plan = Worthless Market Research</a>.<br />
<br />
How about you? Had any good (or bad) experiences with market research lately? How do you get feedback from the market about your products?<br />
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Photo credits:<br />
<ol><li><a href="http://motoaus.com/pictorials/events/2010-melbourne-motorcycle-expo-pictorial-two.html" target="_blank">http://motoaus.com/pictorials/events/2010-melbourne-motorcycle-expo-pictorial-two.html</a><br />
</li>
<li><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/officialtriumph/5178871018/in/set-72157625391764564/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/officialtriumph/5178871018/in/set-72157625391764564/</a><br />
</li>
<li><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/alanclarkdesign/2486090836/in/photostream/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/alanclarkdesign/2486090836/in/photostream/</a><br />
</li>
<li><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sterlic/4299631538/in/photostream/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/sterlic/4299631538/in/photostream/</a><br />
</li>
<li><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/eyermonkey/2839963443/in/photostream/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/eyermonkey/2839963443/in/photostream/</a> </li>
</ol>Twowheelsforeverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02236613458595363809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4831478730155887280.post-38388582877831567232011-04-11T13:07:00.000-04:002011-04-11T13:07:08.427-04:00New Zero Engineering® Springer ForkCheck out this new springer front end from <a href="http://zero-eng.com/shop/index.php/parts-2/springer-fork/zero-engineeringr-springer-fork.html" target="_blank" title="Zero Engineering® Springer Fork">Zero Engineering®</a>:<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UMfnSHeymyA/TaM0mxSVFNI/AAAAAAAAAUU/UxgCnVSrbLo/s1600-h/zero_engineering_springer_1%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="zero_engineering_springer_1" border="0" height="484" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UMfnSHeymyA/TaM0nS4mlhI/AAAAAAAAAUY/HfnvUPRz70s/zero_engineering_springer_1_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="zero_engineering_springer_1" width="595" /></a> <br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UMfnSHeymyA/TaM0natUT1I/AAAAAAAAAUc/AHAG65044N4/s1600-h/zero_engineering_springer_3%5B5%5D.jpg"><img alt="zero_engineering_springer_3" border="0" height="484" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UMfnSHeymyA/TaM0nonSRTI/AAAAAAAAAUg/WGkOSl0oyAw/zero_engineering_springer_3_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="zero_engineering_springer_3" width="324" /></a> <br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UMfnSHeymyA/TaM0nwQtWCI/AAAAAAAAAUk/9t791rVu7Rk/s1600-h/zero_engineering_springer_2%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="zero_engineering_springer_2" border="0" height="430" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UMfnSHeymyA/TaM0oHuuaTI/AAAAAAAAAUo/53eDog36EmQ/zero_engineering_springer_2_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="zero_engineering_springer_2" width="644" /></a><br />
A little pricey at $1,545, but I’m sure it’s worth it. I want one!Twowheelsforeverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03153937613821719762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4831478730155887280.post-65500648541844971232011-03-29T17:46:00.004-04:002014-07-07T14:18:05.817-04:00Motorcycles and Startups: Wild RidesBetween having two young kids at home and all the cold and snow we’ve had this winter, it had been far too long since I fired up a bike and felt the wind in my face. This past weekend, I finally had the opportunity to get out on my motorcycle for the first time this year. When I left the house the temperature was in the mid-fifties, which seemed nice and warm sitting still, but on country roads at 50+ mph it was on the refreshing side!<br />
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While I was riding around for a few hours, I was reminded of all of the things I like about motorcycles. I’ve also been thinking lately about how much I enjoy working for startup companies. Surprisingly, the two have a lot in common:<br />
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<h3>
Roads less traveled </h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOZtb-8wcrTuCNm7DMfe0AhnruV6in7viYTRp56SFD8CYYGJ5msEbRh4WgmFBi4RNo2NAkyTbNFAdWN_t5ozDS3vsp6Da1DiStP56iZtXX3w5-2MQXL1Ym-l6TX8s5z6wH_UTWDuCJqlap/s1600/motorcycle-road-less-traveled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Motorcycle on a road less traveled" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOZtb-8wcrTuCNm7DMfe0AhnruV6in7viYTRp56SFD8CYYGJ5msEbRh4WgmFBi4RNo2NAkyTbNFAdWN_t5ozDS3vsp6Da1DiStP56iZtXX3w5-2MQXL1Ym-l6TX8s5z6wH_UTWDuCJqlap/s1600/motorcycle-road-less-traveled.jpg" height="180" title="Motorcycle on a road less traveled" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.jupitalia.com/" target="_blank" title="The World of Ted Simon and Jupiter's Travels"></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Simon" target="_blank" title="About Ted Simon">Ted Simon</a> summed it up well when he said, <i>“Hooray for the motorcycle! It seduces you into getting off the freeways and onto smaller roads and doing things the harder way and being aware of the countryside.”</i><br />
My motorcycle takes me on roads I wouldn’t otherwise travel. When I’ve got a free afternoon, it’s fun to hop on the bike and try to find some undiscovered routes. When I turn down a new road, I don’t know where I’ll end up. Sometimes, it’s a dead end. Sometimes it takes me right back where I started. But sometimes, I find a great road with smooth pavement, little traffic, and lots of curves. Other times I find a beautiful scenic overlook or a tucked away pit beef stand with the best sandwiches in the area.<br />
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Similarly, the roads ahead of a startup company are largely unknown. When new products are launched or different methods are tested, the outcome is often uncertain. Sometimes the new ideas don’t work. Sometimes new products fail spectacularly! But sometimes, the road leads to a discovery that changes the face of the industry.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><h3>
Engaged senses</h3>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwpmuBYGGiiBl1uqn7-d6OIoTr65lUi3SOzswmtWLhqt2InB2WL0l6CjVo84CoDdOdGnzez8-TknU4wUKqkgiSTH2dGQsgmcMvK96llfceYqe4Js-Q6tqOUV7vMHWhO9Qtg-whxgzhkk8i/s1600/riding-a-motorcycle-in-the-rain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Motorcyclists in the rain" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwpmuBYGGiiBl1uqn7-d6OIoTr65lUi3SOzswmtWLhqt2InB2WL0l6CjVo84CoDdOdGnzez8-TknU4wUKqkgiSTH2dGQsgmcMvK96llfceYqe4Js-Q6tqOUV7vMHWhO9Qtg-whxgzhkk8i/s1600/riding-a-motorcycle-in-the-rain.jpg" height="145" title="Motorcyclists in the rain" width="200" /></a></div>
When I’m riding my motorcycle, all of my senses are active. I can <b>smell</b> recently cut grass or the scent of the new air freshener from the car in front of me. I can <b>feel</b> the temperature drop when riding into a forest or the moisture in the air from rain in the distance. I can <b>hear</b> the wind rushing over my helmet and the sound of the motor chugging smoothly along. I can <b>see</b> an unobstructed view on all sides, with no roof over my head and no windshield to frame the horizon. I can even <b>taste</b> a few bugs that get caught in my teeth because I can’t stop smiling.<br />
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In the work environment, I equate physical senses to skills or talents. Startups often afford the opportunity to engage multiple skills and even develop new ones. It’s rare that any one employee is isolated to just doing one task. In the companies I’ve worked for, I’m always challenged to take on responsibilities that are outside my “job description” or core competencies, but that are necessary to the success of the business. When I'm fully engaged, the experience is so much more rewarding.<br />
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<h3>
Camaraderie</h3>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7bWlxtT9z3wulc4Qu-fHvNTlfFRyRuPHdvCr7qCbITWhnYMMPIFquXJP-FGkJB0hwuhTgjC4ztsoE8DTe-1RyhXJS8Dh4Iqf-YLIP9uWPUhJ3tz9KWa_eVfaSQ_f8ipVWg3sSVGo6plmH/s1600/the_biker_wave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The biker wave" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7bWlxtT9z3wulc4Qu-fHvNTlfFRyRuPHdvCr7qCbITWhnYMMPIFquXJP-FGkJB0hwuhTgjC4ztsoE8DTe-1RyhXJS8Dh4Iqf-YLIP9uWPUhJ3tz9KWa_eVfaSQ_f8ipVWg3sSVGo6plmH/s1600/the_biker_wave.jpg" height="143" title="The biker wave" width="320" /></a></div>
The first time I rode a motorcycle, I suddenly started noticing that all the other bikers were waving at me. My initial thought was that something was wrong. Eventually I realized that they were just acknowledging the shared love of the sport.<br />
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Startup companies, and really most small companies in general, typically have a close-knit group of employees. Rather than just being a number or an unfamiliar face, each person knows every co-worker by name.The countless hours spent together striving for a common goal forge strong relationships and solid friendships.<br />
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
Acceleration and maneuverability</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkwtBRrd3jl6SRuKCSXgmsFGV0E5i-hOio5qyAJ_TcoBjJTP5yMA3wSqhNif3F9GxRA7nAXOYZi1dI7R4Ik2-3GuXs3EO-Oagcstuk7JRxcWY16HFfQVEJxndRoX7pOufYs2f5zqeDBaxs/s1600/motorcycle_vs_car.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Motorcycle outperforming a car" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkwtBRrd3jl6SRuKCSXgmsFGV0E5i-hOio5qyAJ_TcoBjJTP5yMA3wSqhNif3F9GxRA7nAXOYZi1dI7R4Ik2-3GuXs3EO-Oagcstuk7JRxcWY16HFfQVEJxndRoX7pOufYs2f5zqeDBaxs/s1600/motorcycle_vs_car.jpg" height="177" title="Motorcycle outperforming a car" width="320" /></a></div>
I’ve never owned any particularly fast bikes, but the motorcycles I have owned are capable of beating the average car off the line when the light turns green. I have a big power-to-weight ratio advantage because I'm only moving a couple hundred pounds from a stop instead of a couple thousand. Motorcycles can also fit through small spaces (especially in California where lane-splitting is legal) and don’t take up nearly as much parking space.<br />
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Startup companies are the same way. They can bring new products to market quickly because there aren’t layers of bureaucracy to navigate or committees to convene. When the situation calls for it, small nimble companies can make decisions quickly and turn on a dime to pursue a new direction. Often a large determinant in success is simply getting there first.<br />
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
Building something </h3>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsni8ZxhtcOxN0PyZUSEDnnCaGBfsHhtnl0VNUGSb8b7SNqtzpgfdEkL9Z-H-L7_il_YqDa1SpV98GIywQzh3n0Xx9yWgtQ1nv-swgxsZ2NIVdku_R8aV5G1qZyh0t6iPo4qS95osgv2r4/s1600/building_a_motorcycle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Building a motorcycle" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsni8ZxhtcOxN0PyZUSEDnnCaGBfsHhtnl0VNUGSb8b7SNqtzpgfdEkL9Z-H-L7_il_YqDa1SpV98GIywQzh3n0Xx9yWgtQ1nv-swgxsZ2NIVdku_R8aV5G1qZyh0t6iPo4qS95osgv2r4/s1600/building_a_motorcycle.jpg" height="178" title="Building a motorcycle" width="320" /></a></div>
I enjoy working on motorcycles almost as much as I enjoy riding them. There’s a certain satisfaction that comes from re-jetting the carburetor to gain a few more horsepower or figuring out why a bike won’t start. I’ve also had the gratification of taking a bare frame, adding a motor, wheels, front end, and other key components and transforming it into a working motorcycle. It even started on the first try!<br />
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Startup companies present the opportunity to transform concepts into reality. It’s extremely rewarding to take the thoughts and ideas of each member of the team and work together to build those ideas into actual products. There’s a satisfaction that comes from identifying needs in the market, and finding ways to meet those needs.<br />
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Some people will say that motorcycles are dangerous, and indeed, there’s an element of risk involved. But there’s also a huge upside, and the same could be said for startup companies. There’s always the risk of failure, and the uncertainty of the unknown. But many times the journey is much more enjoyable, and the reward and the end of the trip is worth it.<br />
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So if you’ve never ridden a motorcycle and you get the chance, even if only as a passenger, why not give it a try? And if you have the opportunity to work for a startup company for the first time, why not take it? Both will change your perspective, and you might have the ride of your life.Twowheelsforeverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02236613458595363809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4831478730155887280.post-59212393956938200712011-03-23T12:37:00.001-04:002011-03-23T12:37:00.466-04:00So bummedWhat is it with people selling motorcycles without titles? The owner of the CL350 I was trying to buy refused to take a deposit or lower his price while he "tried" to track down the title from the previous owner. Looks like he sold it to someone else yesterday. Bummer.<br />
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Oh well, I'll continue to scour craigslist for the next project candidate.Twowheelsforeverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03153937613821719762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4831478730155887280.post-8283084247009863012011-03-17T17:56:00.002-04:002011-03-17T17:57:33.870-04:00Honda CL350 Cafe RacersLately it seems like I’ve been running across numerous pictures of sweet little Honda CL 350s and CL 360s that the owners have either restored, or completely redone.<br />
<h3>Woody’s CL350 Brat Tracker</h3>More pictures can be found <a href="http://www.chopcult.com/news/blogs/woodys-cl350-brat-tracker08-24-10-08-00-12.html" target="_blank">here</a>, and the full build story can be found <a href="http://www.hondatwins.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=4155" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UMfnSHeymyA/TYKDYV9N66I/AAAAAAAAATQ/SOAnxuE3Alc/s1600-h/woodys_cl350_brat_tracker%5B13%5D.jpg"><img alt="woodys_cl350_brat_tracker" border="0" height="420" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UMfnSHeymyA/TYKDYrefSkI/AAAAAAAAATU/qX3yE8xxnI8/woodys_cl350_brat_tracker_thumb%5B11%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="woodys_cl350_brat_tracker" width="626" /></a> <br />
<h3>MotoFiaccone 1969 Honda CL350</h3>More pictures can be found <a href="http://www.motofiaccone.com/new-cl350-test/40-cl350-cafe-racer/129-cl350-scafe-racer-alt-flats" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<h3></h3><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UMfnSHeymyA/TYKDY1G5FrI/AAAAAAAAATY/WrwzFrEcY6k/s1600-h/1969_honda_cl350_motofiaccone%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="1969_honda_cl350_motofiaccone" border="0" height="392" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UMfnSHeymyA/TYKDZG0VhwI/AAAAAAAAATc/7gqf_4VXW0c/1969_honda_cl350_motofiaccone_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="1969_honda_cl350_motofiaccone" width="624" /></a> <br />
<h3>Joshua Hoffmans’s CL350 Cafe Racer</h3>Picture found on BIKEEXIF <a href="http://www.bikeexif.com/honda-cl350-cafe-racer-2" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UMfnSHeymyA/TYKDZY48H9I/AAAAAAAAATg/Qp7hOXMMTO4/s1600-h/honda_cl350_cafe_racer%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="honda_cl350_cafe_racer" border="0" height="418" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UMfnSHeymyA/TYKDZ34v4QI/AAAAAAAAATk/A9Bqdh_neyM/honda_cl350_cafe_racer_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="honda_cl350_cafe_racer" width="624" /></a> <br />
<h3>Rocket Garage Honda CL350 Cafe Racer</h3>More pictures and information can be found <a href="http://rocket-garage.blogspot.com/2009/10/honda-cl-350.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UMfnSHeymyA/TYKDaGQnCnI/AAAAAAAAATo/Vk2BGiIUCpo/s1600-h/honda_cl350_custom%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="honda_cl350_custom" border="0" height="416" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UMfnSHeymyA/TYKDaQe8ynI/AAAAAAAAATs/qi636PAj_uk/honda_cl350_custom_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="honda_cl350_custom" width="624" /></a> <br />
<h3>Rocket Garage Honda CL360</h3>More information and pictures can be found <a href="http://rocket-garage.blogspot.com/2009/05/sleek-sexy-cl360.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UMfnSHeymyA/TYKDao_TaGI/AAAAAAAAATw/OfaHP0BFRzI/s1600-h/honda_cl360%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="honda_cl360" border="0" height="417" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UMfnSHeymyA/TYKDa-1FNiI/AAAAAAAAAT0/W3Hg78Sjvas/honda_cl360_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="honda_cl360" width="624" /></a> <br />
<h3>Guy Bolton’s Honda CL360 Custom</h3>More pictures and info <a href="http://www.bikeexif.com/honda-cl360-2" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UMfnSHeymyA/TYKDbEeguTI/AAAAAAAAAT4/LGCV50oabkA/s1600-h/honda-cl360-1%5B6%5D.jpg"><img alt="honda-cl360-1" border="0" height="418" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UMfnSHeymyA/TYKDcGvBRYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/o8_6qjCeM2k/honda-cl360-1_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="honda-cl360-1" width="624" /></a> <br />
I’ve been jonesing for a new bike project, and this popped up on craigslist in my area a few days ago for a good price. If the owner can track down the title, I’m hoping to pick it up in the next few days:<br />
<div align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UMfnSHeymyA/TYKDcQcX0aI/AAAAAAAAAUA/53zZwRbvUQc/s1600-h/honda_cl350_scrambler_2%5B2%5D.jpg"><img alt="honda_cl350_scrambler_2" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UMfnSHeymyA/TYKDcqeiyxI/AAAAAAAAAUE/LsDqH6gIuu4/honda_cl350_scrambler_2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="honda_cl350_scrambler_2" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UMfnSHeymyA/TYKDdCPhG0I/AAAAAAAAAUI/cnxshIJKY1E/s1600-h/honda_cl350_scrambler_1%5B2%5D.jpg"><img alt="honda_cl350_scrambler_1" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UMfnSHeymyA/TYKDdTG5ipI/AAAAAAAAAUM/L7dbCNqwup0/honda_cl350_scrambler_1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="honda_cl350_scrambler_1" width="244" /></a> </div>Who knows when it last ran, and it’s missing some parts, but it should be a good challenge. I just love the look of those high pipes with the perforated heat shields. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.Twowheelsforeverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03153937613821719762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4831478730155887280.post-705720587997372072011-02-01T14:28:00.000-05:002011-02-02T17:42:36.581-05:00Tachibana HelmetsRan across <a href="http://www.tachibana-helmet.com/">Tachibana Helmets</a> the other day, man I wish these were available in the US:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOrwx5Q4po8lOQbEQAec1_Ww2yBzbVcUYhPx1pjY9FERlkN0wkJLR74Ibdy_ZFFg__52InDYgLVhMPSC0LcfhDCzqp4Enbjrm4MpkSexcqmoe9f6ndLiswDo4jgLsWuECl4HljcUhqxWDX/s1600/tachibana_helmets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOrwx5Q4po8lOQbEQAec1_Ww2yBzbVcUYhPx1pjY9FERlkN0wkJLR74Ibdy_ZFFg__52InDYgLVhMPSC0LcfhDCzqp4Enbjrm4MpkSexcqmoe9f6ndLiswDo4jgLsWuECl4HljcUhqxWDX/s1600/tachibana_helmets.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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For anyone not fluent in Japanese, <a href="http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tachibana-helmet.com%2F">here's a link to Tachibana translated into English through Google Translate</a>. I'm seriously jonesing for a new helmet. Anyone have any suggestions on how to get one of these (without giving an arm and a leg) or any other similar helmets?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfMnmc7OwW33psCfagNChar3JHjQiarikdj6hFiQ1L5buNXrEC5oSr2PfIVM-JxdDUNF4X5ESIZdq5Be44cywu455QOL0vVCEZMcpFxFs2q6jIGsB6ILZOCnXshVklMB4kK1Tzbwa4eawA/s1600/tachibana_sunburst3_bomb_flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfMnmc7OwW33psCfagNChar3JHjQiarikdj6hFiQ1L5buNXrEC5oSr2PfIVM-JxdDUNF4X5ESIZdq5Be44cywu455QOL0vVCEZMcpFxFs2q6jIGsB6ILZOCnXshVklMB4kK1Tzbwa4eawA/s320/tachibana_sunburst3_bomb_flowers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Twowheelsforeverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03153937613821719762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4831478730155887280.post-39409888231399842912011-01-28T15:32:00.000-05:002011-01-28T15:32:36.469-05:00Five good motorcycle blogs for the weekend<div>Here's a quick partial list of a few of the motorcycle blogs I enjoy reading:</div><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://biltwellok.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Biltwell Inc.</a></span></div><div>The blog by the fellas over at <a href="http://www.biltwellinc.com/" target="_blank">Biltwell</a>, makers of simple, honest, high-quality motorcycle parts and accessories that anyone can afford, and that everyone would be proud to use and own. Their motto is <b>Quality Counts</b>, and you can see it in their <a href="http://www.biltwellinc.com/bars.php" target="_blank">handlebars</a>, <a href="http://www.biltwellinc.com/risers.php" target="_blank">risers</a>, <a href="http://www.biltwellinc.com/novelty_helmets.php" target="_blank">novelty helmets</a> and everything else they make.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://biltwellok.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGl3WYjpKVqGEodNweUJiLq7vqf0uBlPfMThQCjgSuAbRQDd0Ov1MWoHqo_verLXmayMrygx_7-zZRSw2iaC_b0hVwVZ1tbesgSphMH5x2jjeZsHleK3ihZoyqOsueZRj0UkZddgYRswHS/s400/biltwell_blog.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://dicemagazine.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Dice Magazine</a></span></div><div>The blog by Dean and Matt, creators of <a href="http://www.dicemagazine.com/" target="_blank">Dice Magazine</a>, a quarterly mag about legit custom choppers and bobbers based on old Triumphs, BSAs, Norton's, and Knuckleheads (not the chromed out <a href="http://www.jbgrafix.com/christmas.htm" target="_blank">theme bike crap</a> that is so prevalent today).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://dicemagazine.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqe-_pGS-rvQeQjNoALE5rv3xUAkGjYemJO-li1H7yDh-s7hBSDoMObl_TCs_Bxk5oo45zIN8whJDL1sKNFzpwPGiu9nxYdyrwh86mTb09t6EAEwhiCeLGd93LAxWaP6g99W_b76KOanu8/s400/dice_magazine_blog.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />
</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://iconmotosports.net/category/all/" target="_blank">ICON Limiter</a></span></div><div>A daily dose of <a href="http://www.rideicon.com/" target="_blank">ICON</a> lifestyle, including new product info, crash stories, bikes, and videos.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://iconmotosports.net/category/all/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JhsXyzhs031jt1hzCd0NzV7yv78daVr3zVLF92IAyl_bR3Bn2eCPerx3u994_QXytNBnNr57iT-fU2f3hp_oyeKxbX4ZXcHFsjD22EJtdZGe0omFSYvpO0VhGG2etxBCfcGdokAv8Dbp/s400/icon_limiter_blog.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />
</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://oldbikesinsd.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Matt Olsen's Blog</a></span></div><div>Matt restores old motorcycles with his dad at <a href="http://www.carlscyclesupply.com/" target="_blank">Carl's Cycle Supply</a> in South Dakota. They shoot to have all of their restorations 95+ out of 100 points on the <a href="http://www.antiquemotorcycle.org/" target="_blank">Antique Motorcycle Club of America</a> scale. His blog has a ton of photos and info about repairing and restoring old parts and vintage bikes to better-than-new condition.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://oldbikesinsd.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnt-ffJwQlTq7G5HtpuhLz7eGu_lTKDNrBVOxEKiR2WFIgAODBt00zQ4CDuFPVuMBRrA7gSpvqR5QeFobNQayFtpljkGFqRKe9fsT3KZpiOweuGuzAkZhpHfSh9CNkAJP2w7enji5z7OhP/s400/matt_olsens_blog.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />
</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://vintagebikeaddiction.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Vintage Bike Addiction</a></span></div><div>The blog of Kevin Baas, <a href="http://www.baasmetalcraft.com/" target="_blank">metal worker</a>, teacher of <a href="http://www.kennedychopperclass.com/" target="_blank">Kennedy Chopper Class</a>, and author of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1929133243?ie=UTF8&tag=twowh04-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1929133243" target="_blank">How To Build An Old Skool Bobber (Biker Basics)</a>. I would have killed to have a class (and a teacher) like this growing up.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://vintagebikeaddiction.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_4keoW9Bse5ma87uBuScm30mGSD0BbZh9Qu8JPrO9Y2dLHGzOoQZJBF-96OvdQVjd3VqXUw49PIDYdvALocGPvhEo6XFZ8L2yEHtE2ocnjHGaDtWjRNU-jCxOH3t2ggcFWMptwDQWBqW/s400/vintage_bike_addiction_blog.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />
</div>Twowheelsforeverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03153937613821719762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4831478730155887280.post-27778848087626796932011-01-27T09:28:00.000-05:002011-01-27T09:28:03.894-05:00I'd rather be riding<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPsTqBQlpOdXT14-_Zh60ivwnZeDMIkgq_CXzTS_XW4n975uCSKIkw-3Qs2sY6ADDqrnHhR-HnZOqk6QP3MBHDkKGimDd9hK9kCHgyzn09t5vxjmU1x0sIhTAV_RCB8Na6JdIuP2tZ9gd/s1600/id_rather_be_riding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="116" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPsTqBQlpOdXT14-_Zh60ivwnZeDMIkgq_CXzTS_XW4n975uCSKIkw-3Qs2sY6ADDqrnHhR-HnZOqk6QP3MBHDkKGimDd9hK9kCHgyzn09t5vxjmU1x0sIhTAV_RCB8Na6JdIuP2tZ9gd/s320/id_rather_be_riding.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
but the weather isn't exactly cooperating:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQy9OtB35qx82zpw8Y0umkepolaCCqoyYJdnsJoWNVfh39ZaK0U6uiqqXrcWHSocfo3nOb1PiLakhN30fkgec8n0hqFSgJIcsxQlJjG1qRhBo6H38qfUXECBhumr4k9rBzprplqUbpjc2/s1600/snowy_day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQy9OtB35qx82zpw8Y0umkepolaCCqoyYJdnsJoWNVfh39ZaK0U6uiqqXrcWHSocfo3nOb1PiLakhN30fkgec8n0hqFSgJIcsxQlJjG1qRhBo6H38qfUXECBhumr4k9rBzprplqUbpjc2/s320/snowy_day.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Twowheelsforeverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03153937613821719762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4831478730155887280.post-76985352978728818322011-01-26T11:23:00.001-05:002011-01-27T17:05:00.857-05:00Art of the Bike<div>If you're like me, you're always on the lookout for cool motorcycle t-shirts. And when I say cool, I'm not talking about the run of the mill Harley dealership shirts or the Sons of Anarchy wannabe t-shirts I saw over the weekend. I'm talking about shirts that support small businesses, local builders, etc. I typically try to stay away from black (because 99% of motorcycle t-shirts are black), but I really like this <a target="_blank" href="http://www.artofthebike.com/store.php?crn=216&rn=427&action=show_detail">Enjoy the Ride </a>design from <a target="_blank" href="http://www.artofthebike.com/">Art of the Bike</a>:<br />
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<div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566267398406253026" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-CcC04kMUwp-tXcN4ylr8-wbA3xerpkgWVTwc8rb0_VnzgdGH-FCMUxJyTnJ1DdKRtaF-A5JJoqwxlgQhVFrtusYUo-hrSBFeCIIpHlZ8ptTfOg_07tueq9GRbBK3zUqF00U3kdxtZsv/s320/enjoy_the_ride_t-shirt.jpg" style="display: block; height: 214px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></div></div>Twowheelsforeverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03153937613821719762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4831478730155887280.post-46381715488856127832011-01-25T11:07:00.001-05:002011-01-27T17:06:53.347-05:00New Falcon Motorcycles online store<a href="http://www.falconmotorcycles.com/">Falcon Motorcycles</a> just updated their website and added a new online store.<br />
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<p align="center"><a target="_blank" href="http://shop.falconmotorcycles.com/"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 247px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566157953734772018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP1EE-ptmoBhLkzW8OdqtGtbUP2hL3oKJyeDxtJgzrAmG9I2M5-iFiy14OevgcoY9Yj6FcTca5BZWj0CdsO9FagjCX1KiMTdxv7rl1YsQ8v3wK5QqJGfdYxlZOj_QQm9I6O00qfof0PQ6r/s320/facon_motorcycles_store.png" /></a></p><br />
If you haven't heard of Falcon Motorcycles, they build some sweet, very clean bikes. They're also the company that <a target="_blank" href="http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2010/10/01/senior-vs-junior-vs-falcon-motorcycles/">Paul Jr. of American Chopper infamy completely plagiarized</a>. He basically ripped off a picture of one of their bikes from their website, put it on one of his t-shirts, and sold it under the pretense that the bike was his own design.<br />
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It's worth sending a few bucks Falcon's way, just to make up for that atrocity. Use code <strong>FMCLOYALTY</strong> for 10% off your order. I've really got my eye on the <a target="_blank" href="http://shop.falconmotorcycles.com/products/mooneyes-kestrel-print">Mooneyes Kestrel Serigraph</a>:<br />
<br />
<p align="center"><a target="_blank" href="http://shop.falconmotorcycles.com/products/mooneyes-kestrel-print"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 246px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566160024030685298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNGK9bFZjb1t9H8rzn8eXtVmUZtzJFSas7a9Bt5lPiZH_oKEYJ80TCjkAErH347cauuvcHzo8-gHZ1bz8Db0eI59TnS7brcXwPPbqzBS6zIY4eRWLBVeZDPJkdyJJLo3kzNG7gk5AhIg7m/s320/kestrel_mooneyes_serigraph.png" /></a></p>Twowheelsforeverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03153937613821719762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4831478730155887280.post-39380432033331614572009-10-02T12:48:00.000-04:002009-10-02T12:57:07.903-04:00A Date With Ducati<a href="http://www.peer2.com/hQjtMh"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388046846655600130" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 358px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8NB5UnGvJMsGVPL8EkNOLr8cpnXXsoivf3-Q7qMYZQevbgFHjcSgSxLYD8iKZcfa0yyj2uAkTrQuZYFSPa9_LIz80KUIPEU92tDrTMCwljhtoa8q_Z5GlNmPkNvhP6tlGsG_UNZnJW6Ic/s400/duc.png" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div>Pretty <a href="http://www.peer2.com/hQjtMh">neat little app </a>to find out which Ducati is most compatible with your personality (mine was the Monster).</div>Twowheelsforeverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03153937613821719762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4831478730155887280.post-41582574868338956012009-09-30T09:17:00.000-04:002011-01-25T18:33:43.348-05:00Jupiter's Travels<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGVBExyWELevb2OCE55MYHhPYeXSnLDMlLd0VuGVaNCCGMkNjLNKRMNO7uG0xsoXtWNpJabKHXT51hlt5qzzU-f8I1osv3AvnzrXVL234IHic35MK5sGYtGOfalfz4EALqn_P8kVw3Bpge/s1600-h/jupiter.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387249652401308242" style="WIDTH: 256px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGVBExyWELevb2OCE55MYHhPYeXSnLDMlLd0VuGVaNCCGMkNjLNKRMNO7uG0xsoXtWNpJabKHXT51hlt5qzzU-f8I1osv3AvnzrXVL234IHic35MK5sGYtGOfalfz4EALqn_P8kVw3Bpge/s400/jupiter.png" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I just started reading <em>Jupiter's Travels</em> by Ted Simon - interesting and very well written so far. Four years on a motorcycle is one heck of a road trip!</div>Twowheelsforeverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03153937613821719762noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4831478730155887280.post-32524528692626901502009-07-20T09:28:00.000-04:002011-01-25T18:33:20.165-05:00Slimline RisersCheck out these beauties from <a href="http://www.biltwellinc.com/Risers.html">Biltwell</a>:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQkhPxeDhyphenhyphenSHBp7WoQJ4Zw-bo7-x0sCIzhwfVE5LG5ovxRLic0UnPPm68QGeJl-1XOBUow4CmNOpCxGrQowv2DDSzFZ235VTRFJVrDwfNlaZUTr6hUVVIeVio6fOevWJduJkZoe5AMzoWO/s1600-h/biltwellstainlessrisers.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360533962556573282" style="WIDTH: 340px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 258px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQkhPxeDhyphenhyphenSHBp7WoQJ4Zw-bo7-x0sCIzhwfVE5LG5ovxRLic0UnPPm68QGeJl-1XOBUow4CmNOpCxGrQowv2DDSzFZ235VTRFJVrDwfNlaZUTr6hUVVIeVio6fOevWJduJkZoe5AMzoWO/s400/biltwellstainlessrisers.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />They also make sweet open face <a href="http://www.biltwellinc.com/helmets.html">helmets</a> and real high quality <a href="http://www.biltwellinc.com/Bars.html">handlebars</a>.Twowheelsforeverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03153937613821719762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4831478730155887280.post-8016357836573920512009-06-15T09:46:00.001-04:002009-06-15T09:48:33.489-04:00Ride to work<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjumYDpDl5t0sXcktk5Rg5Cn0GtPnlxth3bhQmB-PpstxAL6Djl3FMwNI8_jP8G0v7JO5ZiqLoAf-nVxF6ctY_wxhzUmfKAluSnm2W0yckF3QfL3IyrmgtRPTU7ltuLDoggTCNnsv-wNvXQ/s1600-h/RTW_Logo_bw_3inch.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347550436281410338" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjumYDpDl5t0sXcktk5Rg5Cn0GtPnlxth3bhQmB-PpstxAL6Djl3FMwNI8_jP8G0v7JO5ZiqLoAf-nVxF6ctY_wxhzUmfKAluSnm2W0yckF3QfL3IyrmgtRPTU7ltuLDoggTCNnsv-wNvXQ/s400/RTW_Logo_bw_3inch.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />In case you need an excuse... <a href="http://www.ridetowork.org/">Ride to Work Day</a>.Twowheelsforeverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03153937613821719762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4831478730155887280.post-11310643820909076102009-06-03T09:32:00.001-04:002009-06-03T09:36:48.913-04:00Graham Tool<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-gmiITvgPKHb6_P4QZDHVMnCAKDrlt8LpG0MnfU9bFvkDIlmTvW1kJvDZ2xpkSzqYMS7YwzT6QpdKOnz8zKqANrFDFG_hVqzJSOw7ejZboSu7JlkSfuCl_D2H5tqjR_LENsdFvKuzX0S1/s1600-h/graham_tool.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343093772934372050" style="WIDTH: 370px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-gmiITvgPKHb6_P4QZDHVMnCAKDrlt8LpG0MnfU9bFvkDIlmTvW1kJvDZ2xpkSzqYMS7YwzT6QpdKOnz8zKqANrFDFG_hVqzJSOw7ejZboSu7JlkSfuCl_D2H5tqjR_LENsdFvKuzX0S1/s400/graham_tool.png" border="0" /></a><br /><br />For specialty tools for Fabricators, Machinists, Painters, etc. and even cooler artwork, check out <a href="http://www.grahamtool.com/">Graham Tool</a>.Twowheelsforeverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03153937613821719762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4831478730155887280.post-25189742550526421952009-05-28T09:30:00.000-04:002011-01-25T18:33:43.348-05:00Shop Class as Soulcraft<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ceh6AFN7a2sFIGcCkPQrGA11DW-J3hdDUrvz8IFVSxxo2jdGmOur9yLnz50q7Rd1nPpega7unNGb3OYhFMC_LYHi9VfDceWABvqUNUesw6MfFubVdtc35LUbAnc4CROMsP0WCZpOjhwI/s1600-h/shop_class.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340868075067580514" style="WIDTH: 262px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ceh6AFN7a2sFIGcCkPQrGA11DW-J3hdDUrvz8IFVSxxo2jdGmOur9yLnz50q7Rd1nPpega7unNGb3OYhFMC_LYHi9VfDceWABvqUNUesw6MfFubVdtc35LUbAnc4CROMsP0WCZpOjhwI/s400/shop_class.png" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Ran across an <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/24/magazine/24labor-t.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2">excellent article</a> by Matthew B. Crawford, which was adapted from his book “<em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Shop-Class-Soulcraft-Inquiry-Value/dp/1594202230/">Shop Class as Soulcraft: An Inquiry Into the Value of Work</a></em>”:</div><div></div><br /><div></div><em><blockquote><em>"Seeing a motorcycle about to leave my shop under its own power, several days after arriving in the back of a pickup truck, I don’t feel tired even though I’ve been standing on a concrete floor all day. Peering into the portal of his helmet, I think I can make out the edges of a grin on the face of a guy who hasn’t ridden his bike in a while. I give him a wave. With one of his hands on the throttle and the other on the clutch, I know he can’t wave back. But I can hear his salute in the exuberant “bwaaAAAAP!” of a crisp throttle, gratuitously revved. That sound pleases me, as I know it does him. It’s a ventriloquist conversation in one mechanical voice, and the gist of it is “Yeah!”"<br /></em></blockquote></em><div> </div>Twowheelsforeverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03153937613821719762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4831478730155887280.post-63949000144910770472009-05-21T10:01:00.001-04:002009-05-21T10:04:50.471-04:00TWIST<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpM6XWTF7TW7FNWP6lApNdZHf-YxlZK3wR5b2Kpo64PwxDk7Tg7pD4Z0EHuQwoZD2vbj7eDKxX7mNHgk9ZwJlLfEMQx5DJI2FXhUJ6czVReRcDjgz5kzd3pCjHEEsC44a10lutE3BX1WU9/s1600-h/TWIST.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338277415060676898" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 372px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpM6XWTF7TW7FNWP6lApNdZHf-YxlZK3wR5b2Kpo64PwxDk7Tg7pD4Z0EHuQwoZD2vbj7eDKxX7mNHgk9ZwJlLfEMQx5DJI2FXhUJ6czVReRcDjgz5kzd3pCjHEEsC44a10lutE3BX1WU9/s400/TWIST.png" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.cycleworld.com/twist">TWIST</a> - Two-Wheel Inspired Secondary Transportation from Cycle WorldTwowheelsforeverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03153937613821719762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4831478730155887280.post-79563669763396722002009-05-15T13:38:00.000-04:002011-01-25T18:30:31.196-05:00Long Way DownJust finished watching <em>Long Way Down</em> on DVD:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPxUHxyx3sS9j9rU66lUYPleP91PtSn7JcF8Q98-Kc-wQ3ymi4zZGBbTVk6xyhbYFC4u5CJFPyA_i_h-9_axWRlFHZ1_sXBpWyE2yD74Idrp_bmXReh_bJC79ySY2lNzNmI1par-yoRf8/s1600-h/long_way_down.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336107216723492546" style="WIDTH: 282px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPxUHxyx3sS9j9rU66lUYPleP91PtSn7JcF8Q98-Kc-wQ3ymi4zZGBbTVk6xyhbYFC4u5CJFPyA_i_h-9_axWRlFHZ1_sXBpWyE2yD74Idrp_bmXReh_bJC79ySY2lNzNmI1par-yoRf8/s400/long_way_down.png" border="0" /></a><br /><br />While a lot of the sense of adventure is definitely compromised by the camera crew and support team following in SUVs, this renewed my desire to take another long distance motorcycle trip. Definitely worth viewing.Twowheelsforeverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03153937613821719762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4831478730155887280.post-10472167671068406782009-05-12T11:01:00.001-04:002009-05-12T11:02:16.750-04:00If I ever get a van...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4uVZGe5iWPaLDGBdtnPUe_5URFYvuy8B7B2D7V7xqx3Vse0BNdWYVaEp2-_rXkhqvYz-TfBRALitEaPqDJUGhztzVtjAaZf55AkAm8yudzI_gl1FpNX7CToCq8963gAsTbtY1ttu9VBbQ/s1600-h/motorcylepaintjobvan.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334952950149344738" style="WIDTH: 302px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 185px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4uVZGe5iWPaLDGBdtnPUe_5URFYvuy8B7B2D7V7xqx3Vse0BNdWYVaEp2-_rXkhqvYz-TfBRALitEaPqDJUGhztzVtjAaZf55AkAm8yudzI_gl1FpNX7CToCq8963gAsTbtY1ttu9VBbQ/s400/motorcylepaintjobvan.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Twowheelsforeverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03153937613821719762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4831478730155887280.post-62656336627522723042009-05-07T11:55:00.000-04:002009-05-12T09:58:56.119-04:00Brand Snobs<div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;">I ran across the quote below a few days ago:</span><br /><br /><em><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote><em><span style="font-family:arial;">"...even though we boast of our "good fellowship" spirit, there still seems to be a tendency among a good many motorcyclist to slight the fellow riding another kind of machine. Motorcyclist are all bound together by a brotherhood tie through their love of the sport, and what difference does it make what make of machine he rides as long as he belongs to the clan?" </span></em><br /><em><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">- Walter Davidson, December 1920 edition of the H-D Enthusiast</span></em> </blockquote></span></em><span style="font-family:Arial;">I found it particularly ironic, considering I've found Harley owners more often guilty of this "exclusivity" than any other brand owners... </span></div>Twowheelsforeverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03153937613821719762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4831478730155887280.post-14145258136215914802009-05-04T10:11:00.000-04:002011-01-25T18:33:43.348-05:00Motorcycle Song<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1zONaoxf-fdBW5-zIIN0MkBPcGAOa6hj55JI8N5J3VMkNB6TyWJc9X7YmDe_Vrtav92Zm2TFbcDtz9i0HBbytkb4pKCi0c6e-h9UoH4ht_RQdotI2XI3JnUzw5tbIWDBtw5wo7c6Bwcfh/s1600-h/m_song.jpg"></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Great book for kids:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQHckcdTFDMFPhXRXtKd4IaKA2-q6Jq-iJQ2V7ObZgbN2HnA6j5D80CjR3qYyFXcEvhe9Sz12eUHKiCgcmROJBbqL0l0yD7jdr7hrivlsuCIIT-KVpnL0BnI6WdsOSzVO4UYY9EBhDNyn/s1600-h/m_song.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331972697684765378" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 312px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQHckcdTFDMFPhXRXtKd4IaKA2-q6Jq-iJQ2V7ObZgbN2HnA6j5D80CjR3qYyFXcEvhe9Sz12eUHKiCgcmROJBbqL0l0yD7jdr7hrivlsuCIIT-KVpnL0BnI6WdsOSzVO4UYY9EBhDNyn/s400/m_song.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><p><span style="font-family:arial;">It's tough to find since it's no longer in print, but I had good luck at <a href="http://www.alibris.com/" target="_blank">Alibris</a>.</span></p>Twowheelsforeverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03153937613821719762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4831478730155887280.post-10819332570484771962009-05-01T16:02:00.000-04:002009-05-12T09:58:03.036-04:00Season of the Bike<p class="first"><span style="font-family:arial;">One of my favorite writings on the topic of motorcycles:</span></p><p class="first"><span style="font-family:arial;"><em>There is cold, and there is cold on a motorcycle. Cold on a motorcycle is like being beaten with coldhammers while being kicked with cold boots, a bone bruising cold. The wind's big hands squeeze the heat out of my body and whisk it away; caught in a cold October rain, the drops don't even feel like water. They feel like shards of bone fallen from the skies of Hell to pock my face. I expect to arrive with my cheeks and forehead streaked with blood, but that's just an illusion, just the misery of nerves not designed for highway speeds.</em></span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;"><em>Despite this, it's hard to give up my motorcycle in the fall and I rush to get it on the road again in the spring; lapses of sanity like this are common among motorcyclists. When you let a motorcycle into your life you're changed forever. The letters "MC" are stamped on your driver's license right next to your sex and height as if "motorcycle" was just another of your physical characteristics, or maybe a mental condition.</em></span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;"><em>But when warm weather finally does come around all those cold snaps and rainstorms are paid in full because a motorcycle summer is worth any price. A motorcycle is not just a two-wheeled car; the difference between driving a car and climbing onto a motorcycle is the difference between watching TV and actually living your life. We spend all our time sealed in boxes and cars are just the rolling boxes that shuffle us languidly from home-box to work-box to store-box and back, the whole time entombed in stale air, temperature regulated, sound insulated, and smelling of carpets.</em></span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;"><em>On a motorcycle I know I'm alive. When I ride, even the familiar seems strange and glorious. The air has weight and substance as I push through it and its touch is as intimate as water to a swimmer. I feel the cool wells of air that pool under trees and the warm spokes of sunlight that fall through them. I can see everything in a sweeping 360 degrees, up, down and around, wider than PanaVision and higher than IMAX and unrestricted by ceiling or dashboard.</em></span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;"><em>Sometimes I even hear music. It's like hearing phantom telephones in the shower or false doorbells when vacuuming; the pattern-loving brain, seeking signals in the noise, raises acoustic ghosts out of the wind's roar. But on a motorcycle I hear whole songs: rock 'n roll, dark orchestras, women's voices, all hidden in the air and released by speed.</em></span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;"><em>At 30 miles an hour and up, smells become uncannily vivid. All the individual tree-smells and flower-smells and grass-smells flit by like chemical notes in a great plant symphony. Sometimes the smells evoke memories so strongly that it's as though the past hangs invisible in the air around me, wanting only the most casual of rumbling time machines to unlock it. A ride on a summer afternoon can border on the rapturous. The sheer volume and variety of stimuli is like a bath for my nervous system, an electrical massage for my brain, a systems check for my soul. It tears smiles out of me: a minute ago I was dour, depressed, apathetic, numb, but now, on two wheels, big, ragged, windy smiles flap against the side of my face, billowing out of me like air from a decompressing plane. Transportation is only a secondary function. A motorcycle is a joy machine. It's a machine of wonders, a metal bird, a motorized prosthetic. It's light and dark and shiny and dirty and warm and cold lapping over each other; it's a conduit of grace, it's a catalyst for bonding the gritty and the holy.</em></span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;"><em>I still think of myself as a motorcycle amateur, but by now I've had a handful of bikes over a half dozen years and slept under my share of bridges. I wouldn't trade one second of either the good times or the misery. Learning to ride was one of the best things I've done.</em></span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;"><em>Cars lie to us and tell us we're safe, powerful, and in control. The air-conditioning fans murmur empty assurances and whisper, "Sleep, sleep." Motorcycles tell us a more useful truth: we are small and exposed, and probably moving too fast for our own good, but that's no reason not to enjoy every minute of the ride.</em></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;"><em>-by Dave Karlotski</em></span></p>Twowheelsforeverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03153937613821719762noreply@blogger.com0