Lots of news from Milan, a little from Pennsylvania and a whole heapin’ healpin’ of e-mail.
Shoei
Episode 75 – That’s NEVER a good idea.
Episode 75 – That’s NEVER a good idea.
May 22, 2011
Technical note: this week we’ve encoded the MP3 with slightly higher compression in mono format to provide a smaller overall file size. Please be sure to let us know how the audio quality is on your player. Thanks!
James has habits an tics, and talks about some turn signal woes. He also loves his Sena headset , but needs to check out some hearing protection options. James will check back after he’s tried some of the choices in a sample pack. It beats buying a new helmet! Zero doesn’t have zero recalls, but if this is worst they need to deal with, then that’s Zero stress! Yamaha is building some machines in the US… is the market better? Is it a “build ‘em where you sell ‘em” thing? Time will tell. The guys talk about an editorial from Motorcycle USA where sport bike enthusiasts thrash a Zumo 50 and have fun doing it! Did Harley really mean to use Brando’s name without permission, or was it just an oversight? Who knows? Not the guys, but that doesn’t stop them from floating some ideas. Fortunately, there’s a new Kawasaki to talk about, and KTM and Bajaj continue to get closer and closer. They wrap up the show with some feedback and some discussion about possibilities of disabled and afflicted riders still enjoying the road and their machines.
And the guys promise to have the 2nd winner of the signed, updated edition of David Hough’s Proficient Riding picked for next week’s show.
- Ear plug discussion
- Zero recalls some bikes
- http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/recall/2009-2010-zero-motorcycles-ds-s-recall/
- Honestly if this is all that’s wrong with them, win!
- From Yamaha’s Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/yamahamotorusa
- Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., (YMUS) and Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America (YMMC) announced today that the first production run of new all-terrain vehicle (ATV) models transferred to the U.S. from overseas facilities will take place this month at Yamaha’s state-of-the-art factory in Newnan, Ga.
- The start of new ATV production in Newnan is a major step forward in the companies’ long-term strategy to transfer the majority of Yamaha’s worldwide ATV manufacturing to the United States. When complete, the production transfer could add 200 or more American jobs at Yamaha’s U.S. factory as well as additional jobs at the 125 North American parts supplier companies. The specific ATV models will be announced on June 8 as part of Yamaha’s worldwide unveiling of select 2012 model year products.
- Cool article about small-bore scooters from an enthusiast’s point of view
- http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/291/9981/Motorcycle-Article/Backroad-Ramblings–Small-Bore-Scoots.aspx
- “Tires squealing, at the very edge of control, for a brief moment I was Ben Bostrom with Tommy Hayden in hot pursuit. Then I looked at the speedometer: 34 mph. But perhaps most importantly, a mere few drops of gasoline consumed. ”
- Harley gets sued – over Marlon Brando’s name on boots!
- 2012 Kawi KLX450F with launch control
- Bajaj buys more KTM
- Check disabled riders clubs, special mods, etc. Inability to use the brake lever might be very similar to amputees’ concerns and certainly bears investigation.
Episode 61: If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere!
Episode 61 – January 30, 2011
We open up the show with some email feedback about recent topics. We discuss what we saw at the NYC IMS and field a question from voice mail about the show, then wrap up with some news and information. Oh, and my computer lost power early in the recording session. A brief public service tech note: when the power cord comes out and your battery is 6 years old, you’ll lose power pretty quickly.
Frankie boy sang about it. Its skyline is magnificent. Millions of people live, work and flock there all the year through. It’s New York, my friends. And we were there again this year to immerse ourselves in the motorcycle awesomeness that is the International Motorcycle Show.
We saw lots of interesting accessories and gear choices, including new additions to the textile riding suit market, a cool Schuberth comms system, and the newer models of helmets. Oh and polishing compounds. Lots and lots of polishing compounds. Everyone wants to be shiny, right?
Kawasaki seems to really have a hit on their hands with the Ninja 1000. People seem to love the bike, and also seem to like its versatility. Time will tell, but so far it’s gaining attention.
Triumph has hit it so far out of the park with the Tiger 800 family, that even the view from high above The Big Apple isn’t enough to see it. Their Sprint GT seems to be a great freshening of a beloved sport-tourer. The Tiger’s torque curve is nothing short of amazing!
BMW’s R1000 is STILL drawing dense crowds and lots of attention. They really seem to have gotten it right.
When talking about the Yamaha Super Tenere we looked at, we also discuss an email from Ryan with his impressions of the bike as seen at another show. I also give my impressions of the FZ8, completely from an aesthetic point of view. James won this round. I fully agree; the looks are… interesting.
The Shoei Qwest seems to be a great entry in the street helmet market and we look forward to hearing more about it. Anyone have on yet?
James buys some gear and gives us his impression of the CBR250R, and ROK Straps helps us get into the show.
After the IMS discussion, we talk about a news item or two, including the fact that electric motorcycle manufacturer, Zero Motors, is building a new assembly plant.
Scott Bolton takes us out with a preview of the upcoming MotoGP racing season. Thanks, Scott!
Opening music, No Way by Kunk.
Episode 55: What are you getting me for Christmas?
Ep 55 for Dec 5th, 2010
Happy Holidays!!!
With a visit and a little help from Prubert Claus, James & I bring you some selections from our Holiday Gift List. We highlight some things that we have and can recommend, as well as make some suggestions that we… er… your loved ones would like to see under the tree. With our… uh… the listeners’ best interests in mind, we try to offer some suggestions that span the range of usefulness and silly, and at all the typical price points. Just for the record, I’m going to need tires by spring and I’m thinking a nice set of Pilot Road 2s in your standard 120/180 pairing would be great. Ya know… as an example.
We also bring you some suggestions from the listeners by way of email and voice mail, and Prubert weighs in with some great additional ideas.
- James
- Pinlock – $40
- Pinlock Inserts – $27 – $32
- Lee Parks Deer Tour Gloves – $85
- White Horse Gear “Winter Sucks” mug – $10
- Sunglasses with interchangeable lenses – $30 and up
- Geotagging app for smartphone – $1 – $10
- Geotagging Data Logger – $54
- National Park Pass – $80
- Thermos – $20 – $35
- Chris:
- do-rags. They really can help increase in-helmet comfort.
- Go/No-Go feeler gauges for valve checks
- MSR fuel bottle
- Tour Master deerskin touring gloves. I use these all summer and down to about 50-degrees. Flexible, comfortable and maintain good tactile feel.
- Tinted or smoked face shield for your love one’s favorite helmet.
- Motorcycle cover. While it’s not something many riders buy for themselves, it’s still a “nice to have” product.
- Joe Rocket Atomic 4.0 all-season jacket. This is proving to be a very versatile, well-designed all-season jacket.
- Garage door opener with remote. Seems such a simple thing, but can really make the end of a ride a “welcome home” kind of thing.
- TIRES! Find out what tires and sizes your loved one uses and order a spare set to keep on hand.
- Amazon Kindle for off-bike reading on the road
- Garmin Zumo (or similar) GPS with Bluetooth and MP3. I use this for audio entertainment, GPS (of course) and for screening incoming calls before deciding to pull over and talk or return the call. It’s been a great piece of gear.
- Fold up bike trailer, inexpensive ones from Harbor Freight, or more upscale units from Kendon, etc.. If your loved one does track days or likes the idea of taking a bike along on family trips, this could make all the difference.
- Prubert
- Shoei Qwest Helmet
- Transitions Shield – SolFlex and others
- Roadcrafter refurb
- Heated Gloves TCX Air Tech
- Roadgear hi tec Digital tire gauge
- TechSox
- Sokz
- Base Layer
- Gary Adams suggests the Battery Tender with the Powerlet plug in
- Glen Allison suggests heated gear. Any heated gear.
- “No matter what it is, my wife bought me a heated jacket and it’s the greatest gift ever (rivals the birth of my son) I vote any heated gear.”
- Beth Clark – audio
- Scott Bolton has a few suggestions…
- Dan K Audio suggesting a multi-output Battery Tender for those who have several bikes
Music is by The Legendary O’Lantern Brothers and Twisted Sister, and is provided by MusicAlley.com.
Episode 49: Triumphantly Honda!
Episode 49 - Oct 17, 2010
Ok, this is the last week we rag on the VFR. Really. I mean… we’ll try. But seriously, the VFR is rumored to be getting a big trailie sibling. That’ll be interesting to see. Right?
We talk about how the EPA nerfs bench racing the ZX-10R, but the good news is no one will notice. I mean… who’s gonna wind that thing up that high, right?
Triumph continues to be Triumph, and this time they’re doing it with a cruiser – giving away thousands of dollars worth of touring upgrades to the Bonne America. Speaking of Triumph, James talks about his test ride on the Sprint GT and by the sounds of it, one is headed for his garage soon
Suzuki gets tricky with pricing on the GZ250, their entry level cruiser-esque bike. Looks like they’re blowing out old stock.
Did we mention Triumph? ‘cause we get to see pictures of the upcoming 800 twin in its dirty clothes. Look out F800… The Tiger’s got its eye on your lunch!
Guzzi updates the Norge/GT with suspenders and an engine update. Is this the first of the “full line revamp” we talked about a few weeks ago? Or is this maybe Guzzi parts-binning some updates on it before a big change…? Stay tuned. Great things could be headed our way from Carlo’s legacy.
We’ll depress you with crappy sales numbers, then lighten the mood with helmets, pictures and contests. We’re like your cranky bipolar uncle, like that.
Colleen gets the nod for the tool kit contest, with Sara getting a runner up mention. Rock on Sara! Craig… loved your kit, but hey… Barbie box. ‘nuff said.
Stay tuned for more contest news, product reviews and more news about the upcoming video offerings. Big things in store!
- Seasonal RF1100 update
- It’s Official. ZX-10R gets HP decrease for the US market
- 2011 America Classic Touring
- Sprint ST vs. Sprint GT
- James discusses his Sprint GT test ride
- weight difference (st – 530, gt – 590)
- It appears the GT fully replaces the ST for 2011-
- Suzuki drops the price of the GZ250 a full $1000 dollars, bringing it under $3k!
- First official pic of the Tiger 800
- Rumored big trailie from Honda based on the VFR1200
- Guzzi appears to be updating the Norge quite nicely
- Web Bike World reports that Q1/Q2 of 2010 roughly 17% down from Q1/Q2 of 2009
- http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-news/statistics/motorcycle-sales-statistics.htm
- Harley’s numbers are roughly 15% down, same article. The US’s “Heavyweight” sales are down 14.7% overall.
- HJC releases the RPS-10 which seems to slot in nicely to compete with the new Shoei Qwest
Tool kit pictures.
Colleen’s winning kit:
Colleen's Barbie Box toolkit
Colleen's Barbie Box tool kit opened up
Colleen's Barbie Box tool kit ready to use
Sara’s runner up tool kit, rock hammer and all!
Sara's joke entry, complete with rock hammer!
Episode 45: Contests, trailies, mascots and Jeopardy.
Episode 45
Sept 19, 2010
Sept 19, 2010
This week we announce the winners of our first contest; best “must have” gear item. We opine away on the Z750R and we talk about Harley-Davidson agreeing to stay in the home of Public Enemies. Speaking of bike makers, we link you to an interview with Stuart Garner, CEO of Norton. Is Norton the next Triumph? Continuing the opining, we (o)pine away for the Dorsoduro from Aprilia. Price is as yet unannounced, but being the experts on all things Aprilia (snerk!), we haven’t a clue on the pricing but guess it’ll be in line with the other big($) trailies. In gear talk James gives us some info on Shoei helmets including a new model to replace a long-standing favorite. Chris explains how when your Angel ST tires tell you it’s time to park it, you really should listen. Some feedback and follow up, the contest announcements, and we exit with a quick tease of next week’s Female Riders show.
Linkeedinks:
- Bluepoof’s rear brake pad replacement guide for the Gen 1 SV650
- Return of the Kawi Z750R?
- HD agrees to stay in Wisconsin
- Great Motorcycle-USA interview with Stuart Garner, CEO of Norton.
- http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2010/09/2011-aprilia-dorsoduro-1200-official-photo/
- Shoei replaces the TZ-R with the Qwest for 2011.
- http://www.agv.com/dyn_prod.php?p=MIGLIA_BLU&k=97818
- Let me tell you about my weekend… And how the Angel STs die a quick death
- Feedback:
- Listener Chad informs us that ABS is available on all of the 1300 Honda cruisers – Except the Interstate. WTF?
- Just wanted to let you know that ABS is available on all the Honda 1300 custom cruisers except the Interstate. ( $1000 price bump for the ABS option according to http://powersports.honda.com/2010/stateline/build.aspx )
- Paul : “Did the Ninja 250R survey today. Was kind of blown away by one of the items they may be thinking about. See attachment.”
- Text message display on dash
- Listener Chad informs us that ABS is available on all of the 1300 Honda cruisers – Except the Interstate. WTF?
- Contest winners
- Chad – Winner
- Dawn – Honorable Mention
Chad’s gear entry:
Dawn’s gear entry:
Episode 31: Only Because We Care
- News and Rumors
- Gear
- Chris’ new top box from Coocase
- RF1100 review from James
- Music provided by Music Alley
Episode 30: My word, man! It requires a tool!
- Special Guest: Steve Jones from http://RideToEat.com
- Enter your own Ride To Eat destinations at http://ridetoeat.com/rte/add/
- Steve can be reached by email at steve@ridetoeat.com
- James’ helmet news – Shoei RF1100
- Chris’ tire review – Pirelli Angel STs
- Theme music – No Way by Kunk
- Additional music courtesy of Harvey Danger from their farewell EP, Little by Little