The Vulture's Chronicles

Blog Moved

2011-01-04T20:49:00.000-08:00

I shut this blog down temporarily, in favor of this: NEW BLOG

Later,

Web site updates

2010-12-27T17:11:00.001-08:00

Retirement is good as it gives me time to make updates to my web site. www.martyrides.com

Later

The Vulture

High Vis Garment

2010-12-23T19:25:00.000-08:00

I've resisted the movement to the high visibility garments until recently. I always thought the Neon Roadcrafter just looked hideous and likewise the other brands who jumped on the bandwagon in recent years. I sometimes want to ride onto a military installation as I'm retired and like to take advantage of the offerings. Lately, one has to be wearing high vis garments to be granted access if riding a motorcycle. I had no choice.

I understand the military's current point of view as military members returning from war sometimes buy motorcycles and do dumb things on them - and in the age of the distracted motorist get hit by the "I didn't see him" crowd with some regularity. We all want these prized professionals to live out their lives to a happy old age so what do you do? If you run the Armed Forces you require motorcycle safety training and require the wearing of anything that increases the motorcyclist's visibility. Enter the era.

I've worn traditional black for over 40 years of motorcycling and am reasonably comfortable wearing it. I keep an eye out for idiots and manage my position in traffic accordingly. I noticed a weird thing after starting to wear a bright neon yellow jacket. I have become, paradoxically, a target as never before. People do notice me, but it seems they steer directly towards me when their cell phone rings and they grab for it (just one example), or they tend to tailgate more aggressively. I hate on ramp merges - they see me and close the gap as never before - so I can't get onto the freeway. And I've adjusted my riding accordingly. I don't wear the damned jacket except for trips to the base.

It makes sense really, as people are attracted to bright colors. They hit police officers at roadside traffic stops, they hit workers in construction zones, they even hit police cars running code. Fire trucks and ambulances are not immune either - I witnessed an intersection near miss tonight.

One of my riding partners wears high vis all the time - "If they hit and kill me they ought to get a manslaughter charge 'cause they can't say they didn't see me if I'm wearing all this shit". It is an interesting point but I'm not going to subscribe to it as I think the stuff just makes a motorcyclist a better target for the single digit IQ populating our roads today.

Later

Terrorism

2010-12-23T19:24:00.000-08:00

I can't tell you how many times I've planned an IBA ride and had intestinal terror. Don't know how else to say it. This is a problem if the ride is more than one 24 hour day. If you aspire to Long Distance, Iron Butt type riding be advised.

You have been at work all week getting ready for the ride by eating lightly and, conscious of the need to crap, drinking lots of fluid. You eat a mix of grains and leafy greens and load the tank bag with trail mix and jerky and protein bars cut into convenient squares. The plumbing is working smoothly. The night before departure you get a wee bit tense with anticipation, and your asshole slams shut.

It's now Zero dark thirty and you get your witness form signed and get the first gas receipt. Log it in the book and off you go. Your gut feels a little full.

You are maintaining above the needed moving average as traffic is light and you begin to sip from your hydration device and by the first gas stop you feel the urge to urinate so you have a few minutes in the restroom - and piss. Your gut still feels full as you roll onto the freeway for your next waypoint. The sun is coming up and the natural cue stimulates a little hunger so you gnaw on some jerky and wash the saltiness down with some water. In an hour the jerky has expanded in your gut and you are no longer hungry; you are uncomfortable.

Of course the commuters in the town you have ridden into are fired up and sensing you are from out of town gang up on you. And you get a little more tense. Knowing tension will wear you out, you force yourself to relax and make time out of the congestion and away from the city. You sip on more water and surveying your self decide all is well, the ride is going better than planned, and you settle in for the slog.

About the time you hit your first steep mountain pass with tight twisty bits and trucks almost stopped in the slow lane you feel a gas bubble. You'd like to lift a cheek and let it blow but the demands of riding this section require physical control of your bike more than normal so you hang onto the gas and hope for a straight bit. It does not come for two miles and by that time the gas has retreated into your intestine. All is forgotten. You colon feels more full but your belly begins to ask for some nourishment so you pop in a square of protein bar and soften it with some water.

At the next gas stop you take time for a piss and to reload your hydration bag. Your gut is rumbling as you have your piss so you stop mid stream and dive for the stall that just came vacant, doff your Roadcrafter, and hope for the best. The only thing that escapes is the fart you stuffed back inside 50 miles ago - and it reeks.

Back on the road and you start nibbling jerky - you are feeing hungry, real hungry, and kind of stuffed at the same time. Matter of fact your riding gear feels a tad bit tight and it is getting warmer as the sun has risen fully. You sip on some water. Checking your GPS you note that the ride is going well as your moving average is better than needed, and your stopped time is minimal. You really want to have a crap.

Out on the open road, with time to spare, you take a break in a rest area. Sip water, eat some trail mix, have a piss and blow another fart strong enough to crack porcelain. Good thing they use stainless steel, you say to yourself, as you try to avoid the stare of the 6 year old who watches you escape the restroom. You stretch out on a picnic table top to relax for 5 minutes but you can't because your gut aches. So, back on the bike - check the averages, and head out for the next waypoint.

In 30 minutes you are heading into the rush of a large city and it has begun to rain moderately. The strategy is to ride the HOV lane through town and get gas on the far side, but somebody has wrecked up ahead and the traffic has slowed to a clutch hand numbing crawl. Motorists are lane changing in desperation for some forward momentum, and then it happens. You get that clammy feeling, and begin to sweat, and your bowel begins to spasm.

You have just been given the 2 minute warning and there is nowhere to go. Intestinal terrorism.

Later

Tailgaters

2010-12-23T19:21:00.000-08:00

Moving some content off my web site into the blog so I have room on the web site for other stuff. This is an old post on tailgaters.

Pulled over several times tonight to let the inbred go by. It may seem paranoid - and maybe it is, but for the moment it makes me feel safer.

Washington state does nothing to stop tailgaters and I've been wondering why that might be. Circular analysis usually leads to what causes tailgating. I have after much deliberation on the tailgating thing concluded, from direct observation, that the issue is directly correlated with the increased number of gapers.

A gaper is a clueless soul; one who uses his or her car or pickup truck to obstruct the expected flow of traffic. Here's the scenario: It is rush hour - it is raining, or not - and everybody expects to do the speed limit of let's say 45 mph. The gaper is up front doing 39 mph. Everybody behind the gaper is tailgating the guy immediately in front of them thinking this will cause them to do the Marty move and bail for the shoulder to let them past. Only Marty does the Marty move so they are screwed, and one little gaper stab on a brake pedal away from a multiple vehicle pile up.

In Washington state, gapers seem to set up shop in the left most lane and if there is a car load of gapers they will occupy the HOV lane. If you want to make time on Washington freeways you should be in the right most lane - which is completely ass backwards of most of the other states in the union except Oregon and Missouri.

As a clinician, I have wondered how one becomes a gaper. I think, from overhearing a gaper who was defending their behavior, that they have a need to make everybody drive safer which to this one gaper meant doing a little less than the speed limit. "It isn't a speed requirement you know - it is a speed limit". Hmmm. I think some have an oppositional defiant personality disorder. For others maybe, their wife does strange and painful things to them in the bedroom and they cover this inferiority by being a dick out in public.

For most though, it seems pure simpleton behavior. These creatures are dull, unaware of their surroundings, and maifestly cluelsss about how their actions affect others. Unfortunately, based on the rapid growth of gapers, it seems they reproduce with abandon.

Later

Ahhh

2010-12-21T12:53:00.000-08:00

Got my Mac running again, feet don't hurt, cold has gone away, sent my Garmin 665 back to Garmin to be replaced, working out my ride plan for 2011 - looks like I won't have to go back to work after all :)

Later

OMG

2010-12-20T19:36:00.000-08:00

Well, I worked in the store - sort of helping do the annual year end inventory. That was basically done by 9:30 and I was able to leave without a lot of drama, which I appreciated. Slept in on Sunday and nursed the beginnings of a cold - dizzy, congested, and my feet hurt from all the standing the night before. Nice start to retirement.

Monday and I'm still light headed, less congested, feet hurt less, but my garage door opener is now owned by a demon, and my loyal Mac decided to not boot up like it always does. I also went to the store to get some last minute Xmas stuff for Laurie and they didn't have what I needed - have to go the the other store I'm told - but they don't have it either. Nice and helpful and damned stupid - you have to go there but they don't have any - what kind of assistance is that?

Now I'm pissed off as a bonus. I sure hope it gets better or I'm going back to work somewhere.

Later,

No rain today - for a while

2010-12-13T19:46:00.000-08:00

Went for a ride in the sun - nice change from all the rain we have had this past few days. Noting much to report other than it was a ride, and it was fun to do it dry.

Later

Rapidweaver Upgrade

2010-12-03T19:16:00.000-08:00

Nothing special just a note to check out upgraded software

Counting Down

2010-12-01T12:53:00.000-08:00

Last month on the job begins today! Stoked to have reached this milestone.

Later

Snow

2010-11-23T14:32:00.000-08:00

Glad I got the snow tires on - it really did snow, about 6 inches where I live and more or less elsewhere. Typical of Washington State news folk, the term "snowmageddon" was tossed out for the masses to consume.

For some of the people who had the nightmare of all commutes home, I suppose it did seem like the end of days - but not for me. The Blizzak snow tires made an evening fun run in the snow a trip down memory lane. I would go out with my school mates and drive around in the snow storms of Massachusetts - just for the sheer hell of it - and that's what Laurie and I did last night.

Of course the carnage of the morning commute was left on display as I headed to work - shame. People still tailgate though and that is a joy unto its own for the observer. Saw more than one rear ender on the way in which added to the red plastic littering every intersection.

Very cool - can't wait for a more compelling snow event.

Later

Snow Tires

2010-11-21T15:17:00.001-08:00

Nothing to do with motorcycles - just two wasted hours getting snow tires mounted on the car. Maybe a good thing this year as snow seems to be more in the forecast. Was a complete waste of time last year though.

Later

P-47

2010-11-16T16:38:00.001-08:00

First time I saw one up close - way bigger than I expected, even knowing it was a big machine.

The Vulture

Location: Oregon

Home

2010-11-15T12:07:00.001-08:00

Made it home - putting a trip report on my web site.

Later

Wow!

2010-11-14T06:56:00.001-08:00

Woke up to 60 degree temp and sun. Found a Starbucks for breakfast and then headed for the coast on 299. No traffic.

Love the twisty road and the Big Red Truck did OK however it does require some muscle to make it change lines if going at speed. Trees have just started to turn color - it's November! Very enjoyable.

Got to the coast and proceeded north. Got into some drizzle and then fog - real dense fog. I have to say it was the most enjoyable experience. Quiet, warm, relaxing even though I could not see much except the fog lines.

Motel 6 in Coos Bay is excellent!

Later

The Vulture

Location:Coos Bay,United States

Riding

2010-11-12T20:24:00.001-08:00

Got a few days off and out riding with Bob. Forgot my SPOT Tracker so you can't follow. In Redding, CA tonight. Cold when we left, rain, fog, and basically miserable south of Olympia WA. Sun came out in southern Oregon and it warmed up nicely. Never seen Mt Shasta so beautiful covered in snow - spectacular!

Off to the coast in the morning.

Later,

The Vulture

Location:Twin View Blvd,Redding,United States

One of those days

2010-11-10T15:10:00.000-08:00

Been one of those days where everything I touch turns to crap. Woke up late. Forgot to take my meds so returned home after ten minutes on the road to take care of that, left my reading glasses at home, went to the cash machine to get $40 but in my blindness hit the $400 button, went to find my office pair of readers and remembered I took them home, went to find a drug store but the closest was 30 minutes away. Went to use the restroom - no TP, out of coffee when I went to get some, and the day ain't over yet.

Later,

Nice November Day

2010-11-08T14:43:00.000-08:00

Took a short ride on the Big Red Truck today - thinking I'll use it for a ride at the end of next week and just wanted to get the feel of the bike after so much time on the GS. Lovely crisp air, some sunshine, some intense rain showers, all nice November weather in the North Wet. I kinda dig the big bike.

Later,

56 and counting

2010-11-05T12:09:00.000-07:00

Only 56 days left on the job. Thought it might be a slow ending to my work life but its anything but. Bringing in new software, and getting people trained to use it - cultural shifts always present challenges. Will have a few days off to ride next week and then I have to chill for a while. Fixed income blues :)

Later,

Chicken

2010-10-25T17:24:00.000-07:00

Was going to ride to the coast and camp for the weekend but chickened out. Been a while since I used camping gear and some of my stuff just didn't seem up to the challenge of serious rain and high winds. So, went shopping today, which turned into just looking - stuff is expensive - realized I need to research a tad bit more before I drop the coin. Need a good motorcycle friendly tent and sleeping pad for sure.

Later,

Retirement

2010-09-28T19:39:00.000-07:00

I've been working through my plans for the future, how work fits into this, as well as considering my health - which is currently very good. I am fortunate to work in a good business but I'm ornery. I've analyzed the situation and I think it is akin to being a teenager desperate to be on their own and away from their parents. So, today I gave notice that I would retire on December 31, 2010.

It wasn't easy as I was unsure of the reaction nor of giving 3 months notice. Received well, and the advanced notice appreciated. A great weight has been lifted - self imposed in large measure - and I like there is finality to my world of full time work. There is interest in me doing some part time work for the dealership so some discussion to be had on that, but I now have the time to actually do some long deferred rides - and I'm pretty stoked about that.

Later,

Been Riding

2010-09-14T18:02:00.001-07:00

Spent the day in Yellowstone NP looking at stuff. Always impressive.

The Vulture

Location:Cody,United States

Monday Ride

2010-08-31T16:40:00.000-07:00

Not much to report other than beed adding minor farkle to the Adventure. Everything works as intended but I'm a bit unhappy with the performance of the Adaptiv Radar Detector. Though it suits a motorcycle well it is less than stellar detecting LEOs with radar.

Anyway, a nice ride over to Ellensburg then along the Yakima Canyon and home via Chinook Pass - pretty cold up there @ about 47 degrees. Didn't Iron Butt the ride - just loafed along at the speed limit, which was a good thing given the weak performance of the detector.

So, looks like the bike is set up and ready for my September ride. Can't wait!

Later

Site update

2010-08-24T21:53:00.000-07:00

Made a few updates to the site in Farkles and Clothing. Had some outdated material to replace with new material.

Later

Travelling

2010-08-10T17:13:00.000-07:00

Been on the road....

Awesome biscuits and gravy in Ferndale, CA. Then took off down the Lost Coast Highway

Saw all kind of neat stuff including a bunch of vultures.

The Big Red Truck is now an honorary GS as the road is torn up severely.

Of course we rode it anyway

and it shows!

Later

The Vulture

Location:Fir Ln,Garberville,United States

GS Adventure Update

2010-08-01T17:32:00.000-07:00

I suppose I love every bike I get but I'm truly amazed by this big machine. 400+ miles on the first tank of gas, and it handles surprisingly well. I shouldn't be caught out by that as many customers have told me the same thing, but I'm truly stunned with the performance.

Installed a StarCom1 Advance system today. I'd had it dry fit in my tank bag for a while and decided it was a keeper so went to the shop and installed it more permanently. Though I don't use a phone I was interested in how it would work with my iPhone via the Garmin GPS. It works.

Now I just have to install a radar detector and I'm good to go for the September trip. Really looking forward to that as well.

Later

Trip Coming Up

2010-08-01T17:24:00.000-07:00

Laurie and I headed out August 8th with friends to go look at big trees and flower sniff.

Will be using the Big Red Truck - should be fun as the trip takes in some nasty twist bits - hope the big bike (or me) can handle it. Not into flower sniffing, but the recent work environment would make any self respecting motorcyclist devolve to a state of actually wanting to flower sniff.

So, I'm ready :)

Later

Changes

2010-07-30T10:01:00.000-07:00

Rode the RT to Windy Ridge with the boys and enjoyed the ride. RT ran sort of OK at first, but perfectly after a gas stop at Randall, WA. Thereafter, not so good. The issue is becoming more minor but puzzling for the technical side and I had a decision to move upon. So I did.

RT is gone and replaced with a 30th Anniversary GS Adventure. It runs correctly, is surprisingly fun to ride for a bike that looks as big as the Titanic, and eliminates the need for an extra fuel cell. I'll live without a fairing and go do the rides I have planned.

First shakedown ride in September after I get break in miles accrued, first service done, and enough additional miles and heat cycles to be ready for a ten day ride.

Later

Not So Fast

2010-07-18T17:41:00.000-07:00

Rode the RT today and it still has the sickness - will put a bunch of miles on it tomorrow and see if it improves - doubt it; but at least I'm riding with the Service Manager and he can have a go at it to really understand what it does.

Later - disappointed!

Turned a corner

2010-07-17T21:31:00.000-07:00

The techs in my shop have been working on my new RT for a while and slowly working down to a resolution to the rough running engine. I think they finally nailed it. Seems the valve timing on the left cylinder was off a tad perhaps accounting for the off and on again run-ability issues. Will pound a few miles on Monday and see how we do. Pretty excited as the engine runs so much better and I really like this motorcycle.

Later

RT running well

2010-07-15T14:33:00.000-07:00

Still an occasional rough running but the boys are drilling down to the solution. Man I like this bike; handles like a dream and thrifty with gas. All I really need to do is get the saddle done by Rick Mayer and I should be good to go.

I'm about to put some miles on the bike to determine its real fuel range. Once I have that dialed in I can work the timing for some long delayed Iron Butt rides. Looking forward to September ride with friends as well.

Later

All About Business running again

2010-07-12T13:23:00.000-07:00

Got my RT back from the shop. Main problem seems to have been a bad sensor. Power is up and throttle pick-up is much better. Still a bit intermittent as sometimes it runs rough - so not fully sorted but we re moving in the right direction. Hope it gets fully resolved soon.

Later

Shop Ride

2010-06-29T17:06:00.001-07:00

Took a short ride with the boys in the shop. Amazing how well the War Piglet did with air in the tires.

One of the guys got hungry

Monday Ride

2010-06-21T18:46:00.000-07:00

Laurie and I took the Big Red Truck to Port Gamble for lunch and then down the Hood Canal to end the day. Fun to ride with my woman, but am sure tired of the cold overcast days we have had lately. Beginning to think this will be one of those cold wet summers we get every now and then.

Hope for better in the weeks to come.

Later

Raining

2010-06-20T14:29:00.001-07:00

The Vulture is tired of rain - just wanted you to know.

Later

Hmmm

2010-06-17T21:17:00.000-07:00

Well, the RT is still sick. Had an updated cam timing trigger installed but it still runs rough - not as it should run, and as I've experienced the bike to run. The issue is an intermittent thing - probably the toughest to troubleshoot and often results in throwing parts at the problem till something works.

Frustrating, but I'll hang in with the technicians for a good while to see if they can sort it out as I have a lot of future riding invested in this particular motorcycle. I'm curious too - like what causes this - I have theories and want to see how far off my diagnosis is.

Later

Home

2010-06-07T19:20:00.000-07:00

Got home Tuesday after a night in Twin Falls, ID. Mostly dry - a few showers, and reasonably comfortable riding temperatures. Bike runs weird. Sometimes after starting, it runs perfectly - other times rough like the throttle bodies are out of sync.

The boys in the shop redid the cam trigger adjustment, installed new software, and reset adaptive values - and asked me to go ride it, which I did this weekend. It runs better in the crappy dimension but still rough and unacceptably so. When it decides to run correctly it is the best motorcycle I have been on in years.

Not sure if anybody has a solution - theories abound - but those don't make the bike run right. I think I'm done with BMW bikes. This makes three in a row with issues right out of the box.

Later

Can't Sleep

2010-05-28T21:29:00.001-07:00

I bailed at Mountain Home,ID. Called home - ate a meal - was sleepy, so went to bed.

It is 10:00pm and I'm wide awake, sort of. The movie in the next room sounds interesting so I might just turn it on to see how it ends - better than the Gay lover spat that awakened me during my last trip.

Duane is following in his car - does not want to miss the race but is stiffening up as he drives. Tomorrow will be tough on him methinks as one's body usually hurts the day after an off on a bike, or getting beat up in a bar fight - same differance.

Some observations on the new RT: the new and improved windshield isn't. The fine engineering applied to the design of the saddle resulted in a wonderful shape, fluid lines, more ease in getting your feet on the ground if you don't have legs, and no support for your ass beyond Yakima.

I thought I read there was a fuel economy bump with the new overhead cam head - might be. Alex and the boys did some work on the engine before I left and at first I wasn't sure about the outcome - still not sure. Pulling Snoqualmie Pass on a boxer is way different than a 4 banger that I'm used to plus it was hideously wet which was distracting. Anyway I see 42 mpg registering on the computer thing and that's what it was in Prosser where I got gas. Stayed like that into Idaho and with a tank full of Sinclair - the stuff with the dinosaur on the label -I begin to see 58.9 mpg. WTF?

Then it dawned on me - riding into a 50 mph headwind is bad for gas mileage. Having the same wind at your back is much better - and as a bonus, your bike goes real fast a lot faster. +1 for a big hp engine; the boxer is going to take some getting used to. +1 for dino gas too.

Oh, it wasn't a movie - just an old episode of NCIS.

Tooele tomorrow.

The Vulture

Ouch

2010-05-28T06:01:00.001-07:00

Waited at meeting point for the guy riding with me to Utah. Called after 20 minutes. Bike slid out from under him at low speed and broke shift lever. He's OK thankfully.

Solo ride from here on. Raining pretty hard. Nice!

Later

The Vulture

Better

2010-05-27T20:51:00.000-07:00

OK the RT is running better - still a couple minor issues but I think it just needs to be run hard for a few days to be reminded it is a motorcycle. Off the Utah 0430 tomorrow.

Later

Bummer

2010-05-26T21:50:00.000-07:00

New RT is acting up. Had 1st service done and tonight throttle bodies synced but bike runs rough. Techs worked on it a while after closing - not the stick coils - not this - not that, but a pleasure to watch the pros do their diagnostic thing.

Leaving Friday AM for Utah - so hope they get it fixed tomorrow. If not will ride the Big red Truck.

Later

Zumo 665 Test

2010-05-25T10:11:00.001-07:00

Took a ride down the Hood Canal Monday to check out the Zumo 665 and G4 setup.

A few minor bugs, sorted after a trip to the web.

Ready for WSBK.

The Vulture

Zumo 665

2010-05-21T15:27:00.000-07:00

Just added a Zumo 665 to my new RT. Love it. Had the BMW Navigator 4, which is a Zumo 660 and hated the thing - couldn't read the data and it was limited. The 665 adds XM Weather, Traffic, and Radio and the data elements are larger and easy to read. Cool!

Later

Gear

2010-05-16T14:26:00.000-07:00

New RT is breaking nicely and gets its 1st service Wednesday. Got a Garmin 665 coming in and bought a Scala G4 unit to compliment - if one is going to have the odd moment of music while riding it is best to be in stereo.

At any rate have to get it all installed and running right before the trip to Utah. Really looking forward to that and the time off work.

Later

Sunday Ride

2010-05-10T13:52:00.000-07:00

Went for short ride yesterday with Laurie. Nice and warm, sunny, and relaxing. Sure a lot of fun being with her today. Look forward to doing more as the summer advances.

Getting ready to go to the super bike race in Utah. The S1000RR grabbed a podium finally with Corser in 3rd; hope they do well with it end of the month.

Later

RT

2010-05-07T16:37:00.000-07:00

Sold my 2008 K1200GT and acquired a 2010 R1200RT. Had a love/hate thing going with the GT and decided the downside was bigger than the upside, however have you ever noticed that once you make a decision to sell off a bike that it begins to behave very well? Damned if the GT picked up on the impending divorce because it began to ride without the little faults and I started to think maybe I was nuts.

I have had friends say the same thing with impending divorce - the offending partner begins to be good, and the other thinks maybe the marriage can be saved. I didn't buy into that however, and onto the new bike I went. Now the RT boxer engine does not have the stinking power of a GT and I confess I might miss that but it is lighter and still goes fast if I want it to. Handling is a lot lighter too and the throttle management is WAY better. So I'm happy.

Setting the bike up to do some long postponed Iron Butt rides - I sense a retirement in my imminent future and want the bike to be set up to take immediate advantage of that happy scenario.

Later

Whew!

2010-05-03T11:48:00.000-07:00

Taking the day off to do absolutely nothing. One of the most hectic months at work in a long time, and one of the most successful, but it comes at a cost - my energy level is a tad bit lower than I like. Did ride the War Piglet on Sunday and that was fun, and then got a call from a relative who wants to buy it. Probably let it go to a good home and cause.

Getting ready to make the ride to Miller MotorSports Park in Utah at the end of the month. Have to get ready now as it seems the months go by a lot faster than they used to. Really looking forward to the break from work and the first long ride of the season - not to mention seeing the BMW S1000RR in action.

Later

Rode today

2010-04-24T08:57:00.000-07:00

Took a short ride down the Hood Canal on the RT to sort out the new GPS and G4 Bluetooth gizmo.

Came home and jumped onto the web to sort out a couple things. Should be good to go for WSBK next weekend.

Will see.

The Vulture

Ahh

2010-04-07T17:17:00.000-07:00

Decided the drugs the Doc had me taking to deal with my cold/allergy symptoms were making me feel more ill than the virus so I quit taking all that stuff. Feel 100% better, been riding the bike to work, and getting ready for some spring rides. Life is good again.

Update

2010-04-03T12:22:00.000-07:00

Planned for a ride over spring break but came down with some kind of nasty bug that made my nose run like a fountain and made me cough so hard I would get dizzy. My wife convinced me it was a bad thing to try and ride a bike in that condition, especially with her on the back, and suggested a day's delay to see if I felt better. Cancelled a reservation in Coos Bay and let the others who were on the planned ride know what I was doing.

A day's rest did no good. I could not cancel the reservation at the hot springs so we decided to take my car, on a motorcycle trip. In this way, if I lost control while coughing up a lung, we would at least be in a cage. The logic was validated a couple times when I got really light headed - and especially so as the rain was brutal. The last time I had been in rain like that was on my 50CC ride along the Gulf Coast. Our friends, Bob and Susan, had been riding through this nasty stuff for two days now and I kind of felt badly as I organized the ride.

In any event we got to our destination and connected with Bob and Susan - hot soak was all I wanted it to be. Fortunately we had the car so we could go in search of dinner in the dry. Unfortunately, the restaurant we expected to dine in was closed for the evening, and the only alternative was simply awful.

We awoke to about 3 inches of wet snow in the morning, and the snowfall continued.....Susan rode in the car with us while Bob slithered out to the main road. Road conditions were slushy at best almost all the way to Eugene, and it was cold. Glad to have Susan aboard for the ride north and home. Pretty tough gal to ride through nasty rain for two days but best to make sure she was comfy for the last of it.

Maybe next year - if I can get this damned cold to go away. Been in bed most of the week.

Frap

2010-03-22T13:00:00.000-07:00

Picked up a chunk of car wreck in the rear tire on my Wing - was out making sure all was OK with it before out trip begins on Sunday - now it is a new tire. Frap!

Getting ready to ride

2010-03-21T19:11:00.000-07:00

Looks like the winter slow season has departed in the store. Friday and Saturday were really busy, and it felt good to be in a motorcycle store again. Only have this week left before Laurie and I take off for a week long ride. Both of us have been looking forward to it and I just hope the rain holds off till we are through. March April around here can be an unpredictable 70 degrees one day and cold rain the next with maybe some snow in the higher elevations. Either way, need the break before it gets really busy at work.

Relief Times Two

2010-03-10T15:58:00.000-08:00

Amazingly, I passed a huge kidney stone last night that surfaced almost 9 months ago. It bothered me during my ride last September and then relented. On occasion, after that, I'd feel some discomfort but put it out of my mind. Well last night it evacuated my body - and it is a trophy! Sadly, I'll have to part with it to have it analyzed by the medics.

On the other side of things, my spouse had a scare with apparent lesions on her brain. Turned out to be nothing of concern. I know she is happy but I am ecstatic - we have been together a long time and I could not stand the thought of her being scared and maybe needing medical intervention.

Sunday Ride

2010-02-28T18:25:00.001-08:00

Had a badly needed ride on the GS today, accompanied by Steve Young demo riding an F800GS. Nothing spectacular just a ride down the Hood Canal. Stopped at Dosewallips State Park to drain the lizard and Steve asked if I had seen his brother's art work under the bridge connecting the two sections of the park. No I had not - been by here a million times and been unaware. Pictures enclosed - simply stunning bronze work reflecting the life of the Pacific salmon.

Rode on afterward to have a late brunch. Crab and cheddar omelete. Pretty good with lots of crab meat.

Finished the ride home. GS did well at 50 mpg and gets to 90 mph real fast - more smooth as it breaks in. Saddle really sucks hard though.

The Vulture

MRI

2010-02-22T10:49:00.001-08:00

Waiting in the lobby while my bride gets an MRI of her head. Potential tumor causing vision problems. Hope it's just the doc performing defensive medicine.

Hate waiting, but tougher on her.

The Vulture

Hmph

2010-02-12T13:09:00.000-08:00

Where do they come from? Customers who demand huge discounts and get all pissed off when you say no. When asked if they discount their products the answer is either "No" or outrage you would even push back.

Venting

'Nother day @ Work

2010-02-10T16:50:00.000-08:00

Interviewed a couple good candidates for our receptionist position - will call them both back for a second look see and make a decision. Attended to a ton of administrivia, and some Insurance stuff. Busy for a change and that's good.

S1000RR Ride Report

2010-02-09T11:42:00.000-08:00

Went to Florida to ride the new Superbike - here's the writeup I did for the shop:

Ride Report

Ride Today

2010-02-08T20:35:00.000-08:00

Plenty of fog when I left in the morning, but it cleared mid day and became one of those glorious motorcycle days. 55 degrees, all by myself with my thoughts, and not much in the way of traffic. Looking forward to another year of great riding and seeing new things from the perspective of the motorcycle.

'South Sound Motorcycles Newsletter - February Presentations'

2010-02-05T14:53:00.000-08:00

'South Sound Motorcycles Newsletter - February Presentations'

Still got It

2010-02-04T21:51:00.000-08:00

Laryngitis - can't talk, kind of funny but a pain in the ass as well.

Frustrated.

Sick

2010-02-03T16:33:00.000-08:00

It really bites to be laid up with a virus - and that's me at the moment. Can't talk with Laryngitis, nasal drip that has the potential to drown my ass, and a funky attitude to go with it. Should not complain too much though as it has been about 4 years since last off from work because of a cold. Anyway, affords time to catch up on some housework and get on with some trip planning for this year.

Thinking about retirement too. Just don't know if I have the stamina to hold out till I'm 67 which is the age the government now says I have to work to to get full benefits. I think they expect me to die shortly after that so their payout isn't so great. With that morbid thought in hand, I'm figuring the better strategy for me is to retire early with a reduced monthly, but have more months with a payout.

Decisions, decisions.

S1000RR - Got to Ride it

2010-01-30T12:05:00.000-08:00

I've been on a track, on a motorcycle, twice in my riding life and I enjoyed it both times - and I've ridden Honda liter class sport bikes and a GSX-R 1000 once. I preferred the twins, so I owned a Suzuki SV-1000 and was quite content with that bikes's performance and how it worked for me on a track day. Truth be told, I found the big sport bikes a handful to ride either with twitchy handling or two stroke type power and I basically lost interest in the category.

BMW comes out with their S1000RR and representing my dealership, I get sent to Florida to ride the bike. I'm amazed. It is fun to screw with the BMW executives who excitedly ask how you like the bike and you simply say "Its OK". The non-verbals are fun to note, but you also have to take the guy off the hook and tell him you are just screwing with him.

Rode the bike for about an hour on the Palm Beach International Raceway in Florida. Start out in Rain Mode and hold in 4th gear for a lap or two then run in Sport Mode holding in 4th, the Race Mode and use all the gears. Rain mode is just that - excellent for the rain and will keep a lot of riders from crashing. Sport mode gives you all 193 hp and exiting the corner before the long straight on simply twists the go thing and 145 mph is in your face instantly. More speed if you are 30 years younger than me and have experience on race bikes.

Brakes work awesome, haul you down from where you were, and then the chassis/suspension holds the corners at speed till you turn the go faster thing. Traction control, ABS, all of it works as explained. Most fun I've had a corporate function - ever!

If you are in the market for a sport bike, get the BMW. The current Japanese offerings don't hold up.

Sleep Racing

2010-01-28T04:43:00.001-08:00

Didn't sleep much due to head cold and that I couldn't stop the video of the day's track time from playing in my head.

Maybe sleep on the plane.

The Vulture

Location:N M St,Lake Worth,United States

S1000RR

2010-01-27T13:05:00.001-08:00

Just got off the BMW S1000RR - 4 words put together describe the experience: "Oh shit, oh dear!"

Going to take a shower now.

The Vulture

Location:Florida A1A,West Palm Beach,United States

red-headed_vulture.jpg

2010-01-25T17:46:00.000-08:00

Packing

2010-01-24T12:53:00.000-08:00

Leave Tuesday AM, zero dark 30, for Florida and a ride on the BMW S1000RR. Of course I catch a head cold after being cold free for three years, and am all stuffed up and feeling yucky. May not ride after all if I don't feel better by Wednesday.

Not a huge deal as we have the demo bike in the store now and I'll put a bunch of miles on that machine in the next few weeks anyway - just prefer my first ride to be on the track and some place warm.

Oh well...

Still free of tobacco and my weight is down about 6 lbs resulting in better blood pressure numbers. Have to keep up with this.

No Tobacco

2010-01-11T11:36:00.000-08:00

Well, tobacco has been a part of my life since birth; at least is seems I smoked from birth till 25 years ago when I quit. I continued to chew however and I enjoy a good wad of Red Man but I figured I should move away from that too. So, as of the new year - yes a resolution - I've not used.

I also resolved to lose some weight and get into a more fit state of condition. I noticed my BP has crept upward along with my weight, so I'm doing something about that too.

Why? Well, besides being a good thing to do in general according to medical types, I noticed last year that my endurance on motorcycle rides was not what it used to be. Part of the solution is conditioning. I discovered I could put out the miles if I rode like I meant it; but it took a week of riding to get there. I have a few long distance endurance type rides set for the year so I need to ride more for conditioning (obviously) and also manage my body in the right direction while I still can.

I ride motorcycles - not fair to the rest of the motoring public if I'm doing that in an unmaintained body.

Tony Ride

2009-12-31T11:20:00.000-08:00

Had to work but Tony took the GS out for a ride - says he thinks it is as perfect a bike as he could think of. Glad he likes it.

Short ride

2009-12-29T17:07:00.000-08:00

Went for a short ride yesterday with visiting son-in-law. Plenty ice on roads around the homestead so waited till the sun did its thing - then we took off. Not bad on main roads where the sun could melt said ice, but big pucker factor on the back roads - especially in the sady spots. Called it short and went home, alive and unhurt. Spring needs to get here soon!

Back to Work

2009-12-26T13:52:00.001-08:00

Xmas was awesome - family and friends of family - too cool! But, all good things come to an end, so back to work. That's good too.

Awesome Xmas Present

2009-12-25T13:26:00.001-08:00

Eat your heart out boys - I got the gift!

Shopping

2009-12-21T13:37:00.001-08:00

Finished Xmas shopping - it is very hard to do when she is on you like a bird dog on a grouse.

But, I am skilled :)

Store Inventory

2009-12-20T13:10:00.000-08:00

Finished the inventory today - lot of nuts and bolts to count, and misplaced stuff to find. Now have a day off before back to work and close out the year.

It's Over

2009-12-16T15:48:00.001-08:00

Training is finished and so am I. Pretty productive event; and I didn't expect it to be so. Getting some sleep and fly home tomorrow.

Weather Babe

2009-12-15T08:31:00.000-08:00

Holy Cow! The weather babe on channel 4 down here in the Ontario area......AWESOME!

Training Day 1

2009-12-14T19:01:00.000-08:00

Day 1 was worth the price of admission - one student got pissed off and left - that was cool. Apart from the drama the content was good and I learned some stuff. Looking forward to the remaining time. Then fly home; ugh - no like air travel.

Flying to CA

2009-12-13T11:23:00.001-08:00

Have to attend a BMW school so flying to Ontario, CA today. I dislike flying but the weather is good at my departure point, and the flight is relatively short.

I did have to give up a small pocket knife I forgot I had in my medical kit. TSA just doing their job and a small victory for terrorists - I'm now disarmed.

Later

Cold

2009-12-05T12:47:00.001-08:00

Cold today - ice all over the roads - idiots everywhere; body shop guys are loving it no doubt.

Blog Editor from Flock

2009-12-04T21:47:00.001-08:00

Interesting web browser for the Mac called Flock. Thought I'd try it out and see if it added anything worthwhile. This editor seems like it could have value. Anyway just fooling around

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Bored

2009-12-04T15:00:00.000-08:00

Just sitting here waiting for the day to get moving - sometimes I really hate the retail sales thing. Time to retire I think.

iPhone test

2009-12-03T22:01:00.000-08:00

Just testing the upgraded iPhone app

Let's see if stuff works

2009-12-03T21:02:00.001-08:00

test message

Bad behavior

2009-12-01T16:14:00.001-08:00

This is how trucks do things in Fife, WA. They don't give a damn about other motorists. Tired of their rudeness.

Year end

2009-12-01T14:22:00.001-08:00

December is here. The sun is out in Washington State, and it warm - nice riding weather. I'm only doing day rides as I'm out of vacation but conditions like these have me thinking.

2009 has been a great year with about 25K piled up on my collection of bikes and an adjustment in that collection that suits me. So, day rides it will be until spring, and planning 2010 rides to yet unvisited places and roads.

I could very easily take off today though and say to Hell with it all.

Marty

Move Completed

2009-11-30T18:14:00.000-08:00

Well, I moved my site to a new host and changed the domain. Now I have a lot of work to do to update it and move forward with some things I wanted to do like experimenting with and adding video, for example. The fun begins, but not for a while as I'm working on another project that needs completing first

Site will move

2009-11-20T13:23:00.001-08:00

All set up on new host. This site will eventually be replaced with something else I'm working on.

Built a site for the shop www.southsoundmotorcycles.info Still some work to do with that but it is up and running

Chnged ISP

2009-11-17T10:00:00.001-08:00

Needed more storage and bandwidth so moved
to a different host. Faster and unlimited storage with no bandwidth issues. Makes sense to shop around. Building a site for the store so needed the extra capacity.

Bikes all clean, batteries on trickle charge - just need a dry day or two to get some other chores done.

K1300S

2009-10-22T15:14:00.000-07:00

K1300S is gone, to be replaced with an F800GS. My R1150GS Adventure was known as "The War Pig" - the F800GS will be known as "The War Piglet".

About right.

Server Space

2009-10-13T23:07:00.000-07:00

Well, I ran out of space on my server so I had to reduce content untill I can figure out how to acquire more capacity. Deleted some large files and may bring them back - or not.

Marty

Back Home

2009-10-06T18:14:00.000-07:00

Finished my ride to the Trinity Site in New Mexico - posted a report in my touring section. Had a good time and relearned some stuff.

Marty

Weather Window

2009-09-27T21:14:00.000-07:00

Looks like I'm leaving just after the first fall weather system moves in off the pacific. Cold temperatures, and snow in the higher elevations. Will have to keep an eye on that and may have to alter my route plans accordingly.

Got my electric jacket set up on the GoldWing so I should be warm enough. Breaking out my cold weather riding gear as well.

Getting Ready Again

2009-09-25T11:11:00.001-07:00

Leave Wed morning for another road trip - solo this time - for some helmet time. Headed for the Trinity A Bomb site in New Mexico. Getting the bike ready and my head ready for some late season fun. Still have not passed the kidney stone but it isn't making life too unmanageable, so I should be able to do the ride safely.

Can't wait!

End of Trip

2009-09-21T11:10:00.000-07:00

The motel in Lewiston offered really great delivery options for food. As the truck stop next door didn't have anything other than a microwave menu we ordered Italian and ate it in the motel lobby. Very tasty. Next morning we headed home via Starbuck, Othello, and onto the freeway. Ate breakfast in Starbuck, had a butt break in Othello, and coffee in Ellensburg. Steve and I stopped in North Bend assuming Rick was behind us but he wasn't and we didn't find him, so headed home.

Chose route 167 to get home, but that was a mistake as the Puyallup Fair is in full swing. Endured stop and go for 15 miles. UGH! We eventually found a way out of the mess and made it home. Text from Rick; he's home safe and sound. Likewise for Steve.

This has been quite the adventure in that neither of my companions were in on the design of the route and that meant some long, challenging, and unexpected days. It was tough on Rick as he recently had surgery and though healed enough to ride, his conclusion was another week on the mend would have been better. Regardless, he's a tough guy and sailored on, and we made some modifications to the trip plan so he had more off saddle time. We all enjoyed the adjustment. Steve's in for next year.

My kidney stone got out of control after I got home resulting in a trip to the ER. Nice IV drugs and I finally get a good night's sleep. I don't recommend riding with one of those things barking in your guts, but when you are 4 days from home what do you do? Eat Tylenol and twist the throttle.

I'll assemble a detailed trip report and post it in the Touring section in a few days.

Dead Zone

2009-09-18T20:28:00.000-07:00

We were in a dead zone last night - no cell coverage and no Internet in the motel - so this is a catch-up. We left Torrey in a rather cool 42 degrees and rode about 40 miles for gas and breakfast. I've been working toward passing a kidney stone; a smallish one thankfully, but was in a pit of pain as we left. Of course riding a BMW motorcycle cures all, and I was able to tolerate the discomfort till we got to a place that sold Tylenol. That took the edge off. I have a new Garmin 660 GPS and really don't like it - but that is another story. The point is the loaded maps - the latest - are out of date for the area of the country we are riding in and we got misdirected.

The good news is to recover we went over highway 50 from I-15 all the way in to Ely, NV. I like barren, desolate, and colorful places and all three dimensions were afforded on this bit of highway 50. The other good news is you can haul ass, which we have been doing a fair bit of. Some fellow on an RT blasted past us making a superb rabbit and we followed at an accelerated pace :) His license plate frame says he's from Marin county.

One downside to hauling the mail on the straight sections is getting accustomed to that speed - and then you get the twisty sections and wonder why things are tougher; oh yeah - taking a 50 mph corner at 90 is different!

We arrived in Ely, our destination a lot earlier than expected, because of the accelerated pace, so over lunch decide to press on for Eureka; which was the dead zone. Short day mileage wise, but it is tiring to ride fast. We had a short day planned for Friday so slept in, leaving this morning at 0900.

Today is mainly a slog with some superb twisty bits thrown in. Problem is toss the bike into corner #2 and right up on the ass of an SUV going 25 mph. Takes while for the guy to give us room to pass. In any event the route to Mountain Home is fast and we stop for gas. I comment that one of the bikes has some serious wear on the rear tire. The rider says it's OK. As we pull up at our motel the rider is encouraged to reexamine said rear tire.

It's OK

We will be getting a new tire in the morning. Said rider will remain nameless but I assure all who read this that the nameless soul has been catching serious grief all evening :)

Short day tomorrow up highway 83 to Lewiston. Then home Sunday.

Catch Up - Change in plans

2009-09-16T16:13:00.000-07:00

Our ride on Day 1 was easy if confined to the freeway. Day 2 was another thing - I planned this trip around a specific motorcycle I intended to ride. That bike is unserviceable so I took my GT which is bigger and heavier. Day 2 then, included about 480 miles of the most twisty Northern CA roads I could find. That was also designed for friends who expressed a desire for that type of ride. Cool, satisfies me and them.

As it turned out none of those riders are on the trip and if they had been would have been dog tired as we were. The roads were as expected; twisty and demanding. What I didn't know was the last 80 miles was on the toughest of them and we were beat, and it was raining lightly. ABS is a good thing, but spooky when you invoke it simply to make a very tight 15 mph corner. We each had that experience. I also got into the ABS avoiding deer. What a thrill that was!

So by Day 3 we were down on the energy level a tad with a long day planned and to meet friends along the way. To get to the meeting place required more twisty, tight, and wet roads. A couple of us had the front wash out a couple times so we had to go slow. We waited a little while for Jen and Luca, who also had reservations at the Clown Motel in Tonopah, NV - said our hellos and set off for that destination.

Luca decided how we should get there and we rode some very interesting roads which consumed time and a lunch stop consumed more time. The freeway to Reno helped make some up but by Fallon, NV it was pretty evident that long demanding ride was taking its toll. I suggested we dine in Hawthorne as there is not much in Tonopah for fine dining. That stop put us about 100 miles from the motel with a high speed ride in the dark. I liked the ride and happy that it was over. Good to spend some time chatting with friends before bed.

That is the old Tonopah cemetery, not the Motel accomodations.

I decided, after consulting the weather map that we would only go as far as Ruby's Inn by Bryce Canyon the next day and let the rain clear out. That would leave a short ride to Torrey the next day with time to rest and relax.

I simply love riding in Nevada with the colors and open vistas. I also like to ride fast there as police intervention is different than other places - at least there are places to ride where going fast is likely to go undetected. We were riding in one of those places - very fast :)

Stopping every hour helped with sore butts, and made the ride less of an endurance thing. Unfortunately Ruby's Inn was full requiring a slight backtrack for lodging. As always the ride to Torrey was fabulous except for the idiots driving around cyclists. There were lots of folk on bikes riding down hill and motorists would pass them when they saw us on motorcycles - I guess figuring we didn't take up much space in our lane so they could use it even if we wanted it all to ourselves. Nearly taken out head on a couple of times.

The Cappuccino at the coffee shop is great, as always and our motel is right next door. Got booked in and went picture taking. I have never stopped to see the petroglyphs in Capital Reef and made it a point to see them this time. Mission accomplished.

Click on the picture to enlarge

I think I have the Public Spot Tracker site working again as well. I'll post a more detailed report on my web site when I get home.

Tomorrow we begin the ride home and make for Ely, NV.

Day 3

2009-09-14T21:04:00.001-07:00

Another stellar and long day. Twisty roads from the coast and then met Jen and Luca who accompany us to Tonopah - world famous Clown Motel. They head for home tomorrow, and we make for Torrey UT.

Tired so post more tomorrow.

Day 2

2009-09-13T22:11:00.000-07:00

480 miles of sick twisty. Pretty tired so won't write much tonight. CA 96 is a must ride road, and of course CA 36 is the best of the best. Raine real hard on the last 40 miles of CA 36 and almost all the way on down to Fort Bragg. Got into the motel at dark.

Some deer and I actually invoked ABS front and rear avoiding a collision with one on a wet road. Nobody better ever tell me ABS is no good on a motorcycle! F**ing scary; but I'm alive and well - so is the deer.

Leave at 0700 in the morning for Nevada.

Day 1

2009-09-12T18:05:00.000-07:00

Left early and met Rick, then collected Steve by DuPont. Made way south through Portland without incident, stopping for food and gas. Made it to the motel mid afternoon. Hot, around 100 degrees in places and high 90s mainly.

My butt hurts due to the antibiotic I was taking to keep infection down after my tooth extraction - killed the little microbes in my colon, so I start the trip with monkey butt. Rick explained to me that I was supposed to take the antibiotic orally and with food. Live and learn :)

Went for a swim in the pool - ice cold water! Anyway the trip is under way and having fun.

You do meet the nicest people on a Honda

Packed

2009-09-11T20:57:00.000-07:00

Bike is packed, tires full of air, just have to climb aboard and head out - 0500 in the morning.