tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33101235659166955732024-02-20T17:16:41.678-08:00Red River BMW Riders ClubThe Red River Riders are a group bound by the common love of all things motorcycle, but especially the BMW brand, which we think is just way cool.
You don’t have to own a BMW bike to be part of our group, but you do have to love ‘em and like to talk about them. Our meetings at 11:00 a.m. on the first Saturday of each month at Shreveport Motor Sports, 750 Bert Kouns Industrial Loop, are open to anyone who would like to come and participate.Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15102436996622803957noreply@blogger.comBlogger87125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310123565916695573.post-88296878782579361352012-01-16T13:51:00.000-08:002012-01-16T14:36:59.118-08:00Steve Culp SCULPtor<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiNBj-fpyNt1v1ogHmcYLqeJ3OvRE7LVCl4y6tfFay93e1aXBH_9s8h9AEhm2-kliCS8gga87tgXwDFQqWWUuKbjyJ4BpuI4Rm-W4cRQHaL-7o6u-BRZdIvrNuZp30veiAALDOCGBLDoMi/s1600/blog_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiNBj-fpyNt1v1ogHmcYLqeJ3OvRE7LVCl4y6tfFay93e1aXBH_9s8h9AEhm2-kliCS8gga87tgXwDFQqWWUuKbjyJ4BpuI4Rm-W4cRQHaL-7o6u-BRZdIvrNuZp30veiAALDOCGBLDoMi/s320/blog_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Red River BMW Riders club member Steve Culp is known for his wizardry with all things mechanical. He is an award-winning motorcycle, car and airplane builder with a number of championship trophies under his belt. Culp is still involved in his airplane and motorcycle pursuits (Two antique Beemers sit in his shop, one awaiting finishing touches, the other - a bout of inspiration.)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Cybot</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>But recently, other creatures started moving into his workshop...strange metal beings who introduce themselves, go get a cup of coffee and take up residence. They come on strange feet that look ever so similar to things like connecting rods and ball bearings and antique motorcycle parts. Some come in flying, riding other creatures or astride a large wheel. All have names, stories and very distinct ---and somewhat unusual---personalities.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Tallyho</span></td></tr>
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Steve's creatures from a Mechanical Planet have spurred so much interest that Steve has been signed to show and sell them at the Gallery Fine Art, a Brunner Gallery affiliate. Steve's first art show will run from January 26 through March 30, with the reception January 26 from 5:30-8:30pm. The gallery is located at 2151 Airline Drive (next to 2Johns), Suite 200. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Dogfella</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Dogfella will be there, as will Tallyho and Cybot, 76 Trombones, Undue Risk and all the others. There will be food, fun and lots of heavy metal (with attitude). We hope that you are able to attend as well. <br />
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<a href="http://www.gfacla.com/main/">http://www.gfacla.com/main/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.culpscustoms.com/">www.culpscustoms.com</a><br />
<a href="http://www.culpsspecialties.com/">www.culpsspecialties.com</a><br />
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</div>Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15102436996622803957noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310123565916695573.post-50874824223124731112012-01-16T13:50:00.000-08:002012-01-16T14:36:07.217-08:00Hill Country Hoe-Down<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgttYG7Mk_QSdpfLFTuwY7Pzgo9N9V5YriXSa4DXxVoUXlmLoCIbZ-BXH3ZMznW9AS8SWbImzY6lquYua614PNIRUUug1FYFeIDIuyulr64vq8yCWpw7QS2Di8H0BAP6FB47_ZeWGHxrIu0/s1600/texas-hill-country-vacations.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgttYG7Mk_QSdpfLFTuwY7Pzgo9N9V5YriXSa4DXxVoUXlmLoCIbZ-BXH3ZMznW9AS8SWbImzY6lquYua614PNIRUUug1FYFeIDIuyulr64vq8yCWpw7QS2Di8H0BAP6FB47_ZeWGHxrIu0/s320/texas-hill-country-vacations.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Once again this spring, the RRBMWR Club will be returning to the reallyreally big and seriously purty state of Texas for the annual Hill Country Hoe-Down. While guessing when the wildflowers will be blooming is best left to the $1.99-a-minute Psychic Friends Network, it is fair to think that there should be some color in April. (Unless the drought hangs in and the only color is still brown). <br />
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However, rampant optimism abounds within the Red River BMW Riders that spring showers will produce April flowers, so the Hill Country weekend has been set for Thursday-Sunday April 19-22 in Ingram, Texas, about 7 miles west of Kerrville. Ingram, as you likely know, is home to renowned saddlemaker Don Adkinson. For some reason, when you google Adkinson, these images come up instead of a saddle. Don must be a diverse and happening guy.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don Adkinson Google #1</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiyEwlWcRaChPudux5u9iWWFlj2TUads_nv6TrouyXdlXOHWdzMJVa-JuhhSv7dxGdxI28ARl8qp62nfWOHJ-jF-hebA08fYstgWs0bk7J1UZGGFQ6XDVQOwx5YEzljzNQBvp-uZYxLNhC/s1600/ruthie-rol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiyEwlWcRaChPudux5u9iWWFlj2TUads_nv6TrouyXdlXOHWdzMJVa-JuhhSv7dxGdxI28ARl8qp62nfWOHJ-jF-hebA08fYstgWs0bk7J1UZGGFQ6XDVQOwx5YEzljzNQBvp-uZYxLNhC/s320/ruthie-rol.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don Adkinson Google #2</td></tr>
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Anyhoos, git yer reservations now at the <a href="http://www.waltonialodges.com/home.htm">Waltonia Lodge</a> along the Guadalupe River in beautiful Adkinsonville, er, Ingram. When you call make sure to tell the proprietor that you are with the BMW group out of Shreveport so that he can give you his "Shreveport Cousin" deal. (We don't think he really has a Shreveport cousin or if he did, that he liked him all that much.) <br />
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If you chose to go the low tech way, the phone number there is: 1-800-EAT-DUNG. Nah, we're just kidding, it's 830-367-5613. The Hill Country trip is always a LOT of fun, rain or shine. It's a great time to talk bikes, ride bikes, and just generally chill in an area that is slap full of fabulous riding, beautiful scenery and stick-to-your-ribs vittles. The new location of Ingram is closer to the fun of the Three Sisters while still within throw-a-rock distance to Kerrville and surrounding amenities. Make your reservations now and we'll see you in the Hill Country!<br />
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<a href="http://www.http//www.texashillcountry.com/">http://www.texashillcountry.com/</a></div>Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15102436996622803957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310123565916695573.post-16954354538060625172012-01-16T13:45:00.000-08:002012-01-16T13:48:26.993-08:00Waiting For Riding Weather<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN69RWhHgIAC9eZMQ1vWGVX2ij24bUOemECI7i-djolVuyidxEtYI_20dVaJG7nLw9pqHMvdL1wyWlKaK2thg4lKgtP7e9Vk71fZhh5e1NCEtP2NScdz0JrkibLZgT4k523yf7-AQ4FZka/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN69RWhHgIAC9eZMQ1vWGVX2ij24bUOemECI7i-djolVuyidxEtYI_20dVaJG7nLw9pqHMvdL1wyWlKaK2thg4lKgtP7e9Vk71fZhh5e1NCEtP2NScdz0JrkibLZgT4k523yf7-AQ4FZka/s320/photo.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Dan, David and Bruce take a load off in a Kawasaki Teriyaki while waiting for better motorcycling riding weather. Note the $499 human arm option on the driver's side. SMS will throw that in free throughout the month of January if you pay with newly printed $100 bills and don't haggle about the $35,000 price.</div>Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15102436996622803957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310123565916695573.post-37935258182573805062011-05-07T21:30:00.000-07:002011-05-08T05:42:03.042-07:00Six For the Road: BMW's New 1600 Redefines Sport TouringAnyone walking into Shreveport Motorsports one recent Saturday would have surely believed Gerard Butler or Jessica Biel was hanging out in the parts department, signing autographs and eyeballing lug nuts. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJx3EHZNm5C0rP974VhQC9vzG06vWqQAe8U0XpdRRdqKwaQ99VEk8Mf5lVWXPOB1HCm9P1a9G7tcV_zxzFShjWYI6MYv6ZD-P8zy7zzmnoxaOJT5kkVRQZBjOgoA-K2kl46rtg05xGNHX9/s1600/1600_crowd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJx3EHZNm5C0rP974VhQC9vzG06vWqQAe8U0XpdRRdqKwaQ99VEk8Mf5lVWXPOB1HCm9P1a9G7tcV_zxzFShjWYI6MYv6ZD-P8zy7zzmnoxaOJT5kkVRQZBjOgoA-K2kl46rtg05xGNHX9/s320/1600_crowd.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Is it unique in the universe of people who love motorcycles that a movie star of any variety would be unceremoniously elbowed out of the way if he or she was blocking the view of a cool bike? Such would surely have been the case with the Red River Riders who had gathered to ogle the new BMW 1600 GTL. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">Charles ogles the new BMW K1600GTL</span></td></tr>
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The bike, the newest in the BMW stable, is and isn't the replacement of the venerable BMW K1300 LT, aka "Luxury Touring", "Light Truck", Large Transit," or "Up, Simba!" It <strong>isn't</strong> the replacement because the 1600 GT has very little in common with the LT. It <strong>is </strong>the replacement because BMW has ended production on both the LT and the 1300GT, so the 1600 GT is the closest thing going. Confused? Just wait, it will get worse.<br />
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There are some among you who may say, "BMW 1600GT? New? What? I'm confused again!" You would have a right to be. The Bavarians, while wildly efficient in many ways, could use a little help in say, the creativity and naming departments. This is, in fact, the orignal BMW 1600GT, circa 1960s.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU2Biv5TaUw2jN0juwYfmNbbxlQiuSivqwOlPE6MW6apKD7qJOeaIfBBn5oTTq97RIJISKIXAmMcblmA6wHJE0QJai8vhbMhSM-G4J68OU8OkxJ7W2j63Xr_4C-p7_QMINnIOZiuBGNtjX/s1600/1600GT_1967car.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU2Biv5TaUw2jN0juwYfmNbbxlQiuSivqwOlPE6MW6apKD7qJOeaIfBBn5oTTq97RIJISKIXAmMcblmA6wHJE0QJai8vhbMhSM-G4J68OU8OkxJ7W2j63Xr_4C-p7_QMINnIOZiuBGNtjX/s320/1600GT_1967car.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">The (old) BMW 1600GT</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>The <strong>new</strong> BMW 1600GT is much more 2011 Bluetooth than 1960's rotary dial. The list of standards and options on the bike is impressive, running the gamut of ABS, Dynamic Traction Control, electronically adjustable suspension, tire pressure monitor, alarm, satellite radio, heated seats and grips, cruise control, power adjustable windshield, Bluetooth communications, and more. There are three nice new touches: an adaptive headlight that leans with the bike, a central locking system that locks and unlocks all the bags on the bike with one flick of the key, and LED turn signals guaranteed to put out a lot of lumens. <br />
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The 1600GTL is considered a Sport Touring Bike and despite it's 766-lb heft, it is amazingly nimble. The peppy inline-6 engine is responsible for just a small percentage of that weight and BMW has reconfigured the powerplant to make it the narrowest inline-6 ever mounted on a motorcycle. Because of that, The K1600GT/GTL manages a much sportier look than the LT and seemlessly displays its Bavarian racing lineage. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKYOOckXzxrHp3eKNPmK4cMtdJaZNsIUNArbcrrWiyJAiCHyWFk3O6By640sJqjimvjPudyl9mUz5Uj7SgaDeizYs43HF62rurshHyzK3LL2MbW3XoSHKW0jWTxfgEvdX2FQ1F796p6pzK/s1600/1600_cornering.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKYOOckXzxrHp3eKNPmK4cMtdJaZNsIUNArbcrrWiyJAiCHyWFk3O6By640sJqjimvjPudyl9mUz5Uj7SgaDeizYs43HF62rurshHyzK3LL2MbW3XoSHKW0jWTxfgEvdX2FQ1F796p6pzK/s320/1600_cornering.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
So, let's recap, shall we? Heavy? Yes. New? Yes. Looks better than an LT? Yes. Fun to drive? Well, let's see. SMS offered Shreveport bike builder Steve Culp and me a chance to take the GTL out for a spin and we obliged. I'll start with my observations and then turn it over to Steve, because the girl should always go first.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXbeQoODwZw9-vPMZ2tM8axNvDiVY-tjnu9fieAO8sKy5BBhnwuZpf4-wX_veu7tLWnuVcIDwsXq4MbOSCMe612qsL0rgZqehx2CM4qlmeUb_z4IXIx_fb7_0m8k7E2KXjwVbJFTa6SwuL/s1600/1600_lizjason.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXbeQoODwZw9-vPMZ2tM8axNvDiVY-tjnu9fieAO8sKy5BBhnwuZpf4-wX_veu7tLWnuVcIDwsXq4MbOSCMe612qsL0rgZqehx2CM4qlmeUb_z4IXIx_fb7_0m8k7E2KXjwVbJFTa6SwuL/s320/1600_lizjason.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Let me start by telling you something very important. I am not a Luxury Touring/Big Cruiser kind of gal. This is not the type of riding that I do and this segment of motorcycles has never, ever appealed to me.I believed my husband had suffered some type of mental collapse when he bought a Harley Big Wonker and I have made so many rude comments about the alleged ages of my Gold Wing-riding friends that I am banned from talking to them or about them. At Bike Week once when Steve and I test-rode a Gold Wing just to see what the big deal was, I covered my face for the entire ride and felt physically repulsed. So you can see that it was with great joy that I prepared for my ride on the GTL.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtjOUm6muKmtUrlrGf3PtCTSjqAR7scHNF86C5hun-sZfOV8uJGBuDN3u3TSRGITM7amCM4xZkCDzSCH3mF6BYtd1ODPEp9FN26zMOXpe2Lbauu-mRT8Hr1H-Pd8nj3EoWFfcbcaYVL_vm/s1600/1600_liz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="309" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtjOUm6muKmtUrlrGf3PtCTSjqAR7scHNF86C5hun-sZfOV8uJGBuDN3u3TSRGITM7amCM4xZkCDzSCH3mF6BYtd1ODPEp9FN26zMOXpe2Lbauu-mRT8Hr1H-Pd8nj3EoWFfcbcaYVL_vm/s320/1600_liz.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">Liz sitting very flat-footed.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table> It certainly did not help when SMS salesman Jason Kilpatrick told me that BMW set the standard seat height (31.9 inches) so that it would be same seat height as the Gold Wing. Bravo! Off to a good start. The seat height <strong>is </strong>immediately noticeable. One of the issues many BMW riders and rider-wannabe's discover is that these bikes tend to sit so high that only drivers with the longest legs feel like they are not on tip-toes. I do have long legs, so this standard GTL height was too cramped for me, but for many others, it will be a welcome change. Thankfully, seat height would be the only resemblance the GTL would have to a Gold Wing. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglquiIWY5DgtLMFLfSZYROLbQZBFdPQdpPZ1IArorlFMYzq5UcT3NnC9cX1bbjJyklJ2t9IzlPzdJ4My1RtYW0KtbajLbNHApV9z2Y3kCkTkjAhc6i9MD1xh8q2GBGidBW8lQv0nzoiOOn/s1600/1600_wheelie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglquiIWY5DgtLMFLfSZYROLbQZBFdPQdpPZ1IArorlFMYzq5UcT3NnC9cX1bbjJyklJ2t9IzlPzdJ4My1RtYW0KtbajLbNHApV9z2Y3kCkTkjAhc6i9MD1xh8q2GBGidBW8lQv0nzoiOOn/s320/1600_wheelie.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">I had enough time to ride to Arizona and do this wheelie!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Though heavy sitting still, the GTL is amazingly well balanced when moving, giving one the feeling of riding on rails at even extremely slow speeds. Once I rolled on the throttle, the BMW sport lineage became apparent. The bike's weight did not hamper either speed or quickness. The GTL leans easily into corners, accelerates with gusto, and its 50 more horsepower (which Kilpatrick believes is highly underrated) gives it the ability to climb into the three-figures without laboring at all. (I broke off not because of the bike, but because of a fear of a very large speeding ticket.) Like all BMWs, the GTL is quiet, but unlike many models, the GTL doesn't have an annoying engine whine, even at high speeds. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4WLSPw_J_zZUOjj3CeVn1xq_s0vTaJ1CHTU04e_SOZ1TKzwv8K8fWSkHm-rmU9c_NbjX3QDSKLSoTJPPfX-bjLkHKr6nFLntnlFTMRAYNuz4rvpzy3jYdz1YvB2Sm9lgabjfAAnfDRrrU/s1600/1600_panel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4WLSPw_J_zZUOjj3CeVn1xq_s0vTaJ1CHTU04e_SOZ1TKzwv8K8fWSkHm-rmU9c_NbjX3QDSKLSoTJPPfX-bjLkHKr6nFLntnlFTMRAYNuz4rvpzy3jYdz1YvB2Sm9lgabjfAAnfDRrrU/s320/1600_panel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Since there are enough buttons, nodules and nodes on the panel to distract any driver, the ABS brakes are important, and they do the trick, easily bringing the heavy motorbike to smooth stops. Though I am not the market audience for this bike, I would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone who is looking for a luxury sport touring machine. BMW should have a hit on their hands.<br />
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Now let's hear from Steve. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLi-f5UqFpAElNP8FmOdM7F-a9BP8zi_YGV6cDsu7pQ8R98DwJ9I7jk9C-H0_MsxTywvU3BvbP7lWlUPlgTcxGuRHDA0Q8QKAU6g2-KiNu-StLu0WwNtEExVwDly7UAujY1Dvhsp5gMO_h/s1600/1600_steve.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLi-f5UqFpAElNP8FmOdM7F-a9BP8zi_YGV6cDsu7pQ8R98DwJ9I7jk9C-H0_MsxTywvU3BvbP7lWlUPlgTcxGuRHDA0Q8QKAU6g2-KiNu-StLu0WwNtEExVwDly7UAujY1Dvhsp5gMO_h/s320/1600_steve.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I was cramped on the bike, too, so I would definitely choose the higher seat option that is available. The cornering and manuevering ability really belies the size and weight of this bike. It's smooth, nothing is twitchy, even when Liz jumped on to try out the back seat. Even when she was moving around to try to get the bike to behave badly, it never once wanted to turn in with the passenger. The acceleration was excellent, what I would expect from BMW. (Steve wasn't as worried about a ticket, and got the GTL up to 120 mph - in 5th gear-somewhere in Caddo Parish.) I kept the bike in 6th gear and slowed to 30 mph, and the engine didn't lug. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2OFxWNst64BcFX8Eyrhyphenhyphen4zEx2ubPgTu_PW_Dy97ekgNy6jGoITIIW_zTYLSqZ2i7LVGPGXPQiPGx0mCUVAl3mXbLJZsL93PXQWUP1p6T5H1u3gflyuXAGbmTuNR8JvNnWkiVmGbiMz4_o/s1600/1600_onback.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2OFxWNst64BcFX8Eyrhyphenhyphen4zEx2ubPgTu_PW_Dy97ekgNy6jGoITIIW_zTYLSqZ2i7LVGPGXPQiPGx0mCUVAl3mXbLJZsL93PXQWUP1p6T5H1u3gflyuXAGbmTuNR8JvNnWkiVmGbiMz4_o/s320/1600_onback.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>That is a wonderful inline-6. The brakes were solid, the seat was comfortable, the fabrication and paint are good. The price is about what you would expect for a big tourer or cruiser, so I am not uncomfortable with that. This is a much more refined bike than a Harley, it doesn't throw off as much heat, is light years smoother. BMW should find a very enthusiastic audience for this bike.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhYbO3P7viKdbStzuaKTFKw8bySlTOBBg0GF6-0ynlOENK8KVlN1bv9kNDPuQ2NOiZ7W5RulKaeageT3rvSiYNqYqgxYgMjvTGXrRRYyvwwEt07aC3QQjfYDqxqqwi6yInMf5dXHbzfBL_/s1600/1600_check.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhYbO3P7viKdbStzuaKTFKw8bySlTOBBg0GF6-0ynlOENK8KVlN1bv9kNDPuQ2NOiZ7W5RulKaeageT3rvSiYNqYqgxYgMjvTGXrRRYyvwwEt07aC3QQjfYDqxqqwi6yInMf5dXHbzfBL_/s200/1600_check.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br />
Lest you think we were all drools after our rides, we compared notes and did find that we had some issues. Neither Steve nor I could find a windshield setting that prevented buffeting or the vaccuum-effect at highway speeds. It was uncomfortable to me, Steve was more stoic about that than I. I sat in place for about 5 minutes fooling with some buttons and the bike started throwing off a lot more heat than I am used to with other BMW models. Steve discovered when we were riding 2-up that the cruise control causes a pronounced lurch when disconnected. He tried several ways of turning it off and could not smooth it out. I believe most new owners will throw the factory seat away asap, but Steve found it comfortable. These were small annoyances on an otherwise great bike.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZDM_O7soG5lrwe9VMPjz43UtfI3wbz_rygzJv28aMkEPL1rrhu1tz6xckCaWJ9OPeO01PXPeMViuDcoOUQ-WiNEOJgR9HC-jHGmirx6j65f3vkpoxxXJZm2Z2WrmBVIhuZZGrITjTwxDL/s1600/1600_loved+this+much.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZDM_O7soG5lrwe9VMPjz43UtfI3wbz_rygzJv28aMkEPL1rrhu1tz6xckCaWJ9OPeO01PXPeMViuDcoOUQ-WiNEOJgR9HC-jHGmirx6j65f3vkpoxxXJZm2Z2WrmBVIhuZZGrITjTwxDL/s320/1600_loved+this+much.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">Overall, we liked it THIS much.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table> "We believe BMW is creating a new market segment with this bike," Kilpatrick told us and quite possibly, he is right. Red River BMW Rider member Don Glover, a former LTowner, already has a GTL on order and is counting the days to delivery, whenever that will be. "This bike will make me look like a better rider than I am," he says, referring to the bike's easy handling and speed. <br />
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SMS will be getting 3 GTLs and 1 GT soon, they hope. If you're interested, put some money down. These Tourers could be shooting out the door at speeds normally reserved for sport bikes. <br />
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A Few Other Interesting GT/GTL Bits:<br />
<ul><li>The GT/GTL doesn't have the LT's hydraulic center stand or reverse. It's still a heavy bike, so the jury is out on this decision.</li>
<li>Base price for the GT is $20,900, for the GT- $23,200. Expect to add $3,000-$4,000 more for the stuff you want.</li>
<li>Bluetooth is standard on the GTL, but BMW suggests Schuberth C3 helmets if you want your wireless to work. Those helmets run about $700.</li>
<li>Since BMW expects most riders to listen to music wirelessly, there are no rear speakers for the back rider.</li>
<li>BMW is already offering a load of accessories such as Akrapovic exhausts, LED ground lighting, windshields, seats and bag liners. These accessories can be seen in BMW's new "Why We Love Bob Critcher" Catalog.</li>
</ul>Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15102436996622803957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310123565916695573.post-50464243957666092412011-03-12T20:55:00.000-08:002011-06-04T04:45:20.705-07:00Culp Street Fighting S1000RR Vs. Sport Bike: Ready to Rumble!<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwREWIOEh_tdq3xLUBCb168ff1bCsUMn82kb35m5uiPBk1eW15XHdaT0gbybhcXFCSEqIZLy2VvjVDTAaMvNoKGA61qnguk4iKvhh0jVjHURBFPNXTPyYVg1d4zM8DG2FcqHDYIZJspOIu/s1600/The_20Rats_20Hole_20Custom_20Bike_20Show_img_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwREWIOEh_tdq3xLUBCb168ff1bCsUMn82kb35m5uiPBk1eW15XHdaT0gbybhcXFCSEqIZLy2VvjVDTAaMvNoKGA61qnguk4iKvhh0jVjHURBFPNXTPyYVg1d4zM8DG2FcqHDYIZJspOIu/s320/The_20Rats_20Hole_20Custom_20Bike_20Show_img_0.jpg" width="262" /></a></div><br />
The last Saturday of Daytona Bike Week is traditionally the big Rat's Hole Bike Show, a place for bike builders to see and be seen. Rat's Hole has been good to Shreveport, La., bike builder Steve Culp in the past, handing him wins for every bike he has ever entered. But this year, Culp decided to bypass Rat's Hole to take his custom BMW Street Fighter to the home turf of a different biking community. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsg7O1LTMyyfCJPJuBkLUyRUZlWvkr8MdBIo_eTfUcKWYcMsLNgIMyWRjqGoy0j1jgIT2BJfNQz_0w-8uXEAILG2ldxbZHUXMT_d6pPT9GlWGFa04TjH179e0C2QyrVjaFT1p6-cFwU2v_/s1600/BMW+S1000RR+rac.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsg7O1LTMyyfCJPJuBkLUyRUZlWvkr8MdBIo_eTfUcKWYcMsLNgIMyWRjqGoy0j1jgIT2BJfNQz_0w-8uXEAILG2ldxbZHUXMT_d6pPT9GlWGFa04TjH179e0C2QyrVjaFT1p6-cFwU2v_/s320/BMW+S1000RR+rac.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
At its core, of course, the Culp Street Fighter is a BMW S1000RR sport bike, but in its transformation, the plastic bits have been stripped away, leaving less Rickey Roadracer and more of something completely different. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCzBJzDfb2RcAYk-Un9A3_qovbp4KfN_-ACKKAMI12_oq9TO0QVNMJj3G6FD36jOVlJnu3xu9K914qk5FsqilTvGC1BZSUMSOunTAUtX1MT0THbTPjDl9taqoc9bqZPVplGMzoPqO7zpOW/s1600/P1120093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCzBJzDfb2RcAYk-Un9A3_qovbp4KfN_-ACKKAMI12_oq9TO0QVNMJj3G6FD36jOVlJnu3xu9K914qk5FsqilTvGC1BZSUMSOunTAUtX1MT0THbTPjDl9taqoc9bqZPVplGMzoPqO7zpOW/s320/P1120093.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
How would the true and pure sport bike afficianados react? To find out, Steve decided to take the double-R to the heart of the competition, to the popular Maravilla Productions Sport Bike Fest in Daytona. It was a gamble, to be sure. To compete in the Sport Bike Fest, Steve would have to bypass Rat's Hole, on the heels of his Boardwalk win. It is a risk not many builders would take.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3uqBvKbVzHCATut6LCH82ynW8ZVwWoh0FLs4TRH6oyfgySi2Rk10v6aPO4_vxJkn41ulIyT2ba6tk6qNG0t2F4Ivvg4VGm9ynsN95JJw82I6lCwyVyOqqOHNHfhLgQ5m75xUuit3Jxja/s1600/P1120439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3uqBvKbVzHCATut6LCH82ynW8ZVwWoh0FLs4TRH6oyfgySi2Rk10v6aPO4_vxJkn41ulIyT2ba6tk6qNG0t2F4Ivvg4VGm9ynsN95JJw82I6lCwyVyOqqOHNHfhLgQ5m75xUuit3Jxja/s320/P1120439.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Sport Bike Fest is all about big. Big bikes done in big colors with big ideas and big bling. It is truly a place to go big or go home. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsmVKln-iceDsKVU-ouMguFfY2wJm1GXdSqsDSSyE28x9Wv8UfAgRhyphenhyphenYbfgYA4mmElrY0fEks8VsCtl3l8N6wDKLLiXeWJEqSSLLnMbmVfeXNrs0HCYWx9f8AMeo7WykUGHH02MbH3eGKE/s1600/P1120324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsmVKln-iceDsKVU-ouMguFfY2wJm1GXdSqsDSSyE28x9Wv8UfAgRhyphenhyphenYbfgYA4mmElrY0fEks8VsCtl3l8N6wDKLLiXeWJEqSSLLnMbmVfeXNrs0HCYWx9f8AMeo7WykUGHH02MbH3eGKE/s320/P1120324.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The themes transform the bikes into skeletons, sports teams, cartoon heroes, military operations. Swing arms are lengthened, bikes are lowered, lighting and chrome are added. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Z4ISv5EEV-YqINfcLRODj1QckeQhbdG6F_ujbQS9Xht24NvmXc_4MhVN7sZ18-7PyR14Mz_h2VP7Vb-GS0IQepQHITgBO1YyOMI_OYg7K9v0NGqrfu4uQ6bZIR3Y7YZ_qKqujT20VfaY/s1600/P1120450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Z4ISv5EEV-YqINfcLRODj1QckeQhbdG6F_ujbQS9Xht24NvmXc_4MhVN7sZ18-7PyR14Mz_h2VP7Vb-GS0IQepQHITgBO1YyOMI_OYg7K9v0NGqrfu4uQ6bZIR3Y7YZ_qKqujT20VfaY/s320/P1120450.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmu6vjloX9RzE8AAZRXCxFMnrEGJ79252ZfoMYIAdKzeMXfcD4sihtt9EIV0FCbnkxMwZllvMzQEc8DVkwew9v_KQV6nL6g4YnVOHBi0TPOKbkKnGVXCZvClhT5tsA9TZ0Kq1AqJBeGWiT/s1600/P1120430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmu6vjloX9RzE8AAZRXCxFMnrEGJ79252ZfoMYIAdKzeMXfcD4sihtt9EIV0FCbnkxMwZllvMzQEc8DVkwew9v_KQV6nL6g4YnVOHBi0TPOKbkKnGVXCZvClhT5tsA9TZ0Kq1AqJBeGWiT/s320/P1120430.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUShuay34zXjiKegiVGAakcAKI80t3K8Of5mUO5mNuWwjXDnkfL5Uog2Kn0ePx5wcsaz8qqJfASeJLYRSxaRnqmlS-lQBuPScRtBzqYzV5hiIYunZaDOx-0ig6jqjFqVyzgXXZz60FRwU3/s1600/P1120445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUShuay34zXjiKegiVGAakcAKI80t3K8Of5mUO5mNuWwjXDnkfL5Uog2Kn0ePx5wcsaz8qqJfASeJLYRSxaRnqmlS-lQBuPScRtBzqYzV5hiIYunZaDOx-0ig6jqjFqVyzgXXZz60FRwU3/s320/P1120445.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The bikes become highly individual and oftentimes, insanely expensive works of art. On the flip side, the Culp Street Fighter is understated, retro, muscular. Bling is in relatively short supply, but meticulous fabrication work is not. Would the Sport Bike Fest judges overlook lack of bling for concept, finish and execution? </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5udOMi1c_WI8OdJ_GKtCQxBcLoIk_b-rQMydN4Tyai0Wj9AANVWGsA5wMh8hE4FLqstUtutZTkNJjvJGHS6RRDh5vgh-cNZz8Z6U4PpgwrKQCXJDQoo2iGk_oEHUXU7K1-uRr-e3vy6jN/s1600/P1120440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5udOMi1c_WI8OdJ_GKtCQxBcLoIk_b-rQMydN4Tyai0Wj9AANVWGsA5wMh8hE4FLqstUtutZTkNJjvJGHS6RRDh5vgh-cNZz8Z6U4PpgwrKQCXJDQoo2iGk_oEHUXU7K1-uRr-e3vy6jN/s320/P1120440.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The answer came when the announcer called the name of the winner of the Hottest Bike. "I was amazed," said Steve. "When I heard my name, I just couldn't believe it. I'm still stunned. The crowd at the Sport Bike Fest is not the biking crowd I normally am around. I didn't know what they would like and whether I had any chance at winning." Now he knows. Biking people may like different styles of bikes, music and clothing, but the appreciation of a creative idea executed well seems to unite us all.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtR1g0q1kypMP7nSLyp52uvubUGyATF9KedLw-cLTJ_r1sRYSsLvuStawT2faQuC_TnaWIo05TLoQnKd2eZeaBRFUkH3qCjwcDnPVi8xgFDK8PKjC9VVyuP1J4QuuPgcxQhoEQ-SOROpr8/s1600/P1120436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtR1g0q1kypMP7nSLyp52uvubUGyATF9KedLw-cLTJ_r1sRYSsLvuStawT2faQuC_TnaWIo05TLoQnKd2eZeaBRFUkH3qCjwcDnPVi8xgFDK8PKjC9VVyuP1J4QuuPgcxQhoEQ-SOROpr8/s320/P1120436.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A photographer asks one of the models to pose with Steve's Street Fighter for some publicity photos.</span></td></tr>
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</div>Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15102436996622803957noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310123565916695573.post-89469736896727113222011-03-12T03:50:00.000-08:002011-06-04T04:46:07.262-07:00Culp S1000RR Blows Away the Boardwalk<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLLIitG3pwhu9SDc9MpcpM8jmCoq95N2VJqn2tbiOVpleLAb8yf-2OqlI5lSA4-KF1oOCiiYtGbi9Lyx7RA-CZrLZl0JHjCZlzl69hO-TC9XpSvFejFNJ6_0wDFXqBu6TfBbA3enWR_Br6/s1600/P1120362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLLIitG3pwhu9SDc9MpcpM8jmCoq95N2VJqn2tbiOVpleLAb8yf-2OqlI5lSA4-KF1oOCiiYtGbi9Lyx7RA-CZrLZl0JHjCZlzl69hO-TC9XpSvFejFNJ6_0wDFXqBu6TfBbA3enWR_Br6/s320/P1120362.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
In the more than 20 years that the Daytona, Fla., Boardwalk Custom Bike Show has been going on, it has gained the reputation as being a gathering place for top flight builders. 2011 was no different, drawing competitors from across the U.S. as well as Montreal and Ontario, Canada, and several European nations. The Boardwalk show also attracts international press to see the latest, greatest and most interesting...from antiques to radical customs. The show has a special charm, and is always held seaside along the historic Daytona Beach Boardwalk, near the beach where automobile and motorcycle racing history was made in the 1920s and 30s. It seems somehow fitting that daring and imaginative men (and women) would be drawn to this spot. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcsRMAmX3X5obIBC6qrwwmbZK74S0uYN0ab1r7uwfGiwks9YZlQR6aCjq27qtZQazobIPgDs80kYGHbGWQKQf5D645fLMEFDgnT4oimdwdZ4ZM_kn52o8wu7SjUlU6hu6AxTV7LxanvTcs/s1600/daytonaracing.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcsRMAmX3X5obIBC6qrwwmbZK74S0uYN0ab1r7uwfGiwks9YZlQR6aCjq27qtZQazobIPgDs80kYGHbGWQKQf5D645fLMEFDgnT4oimdwdZ4ZM_kn52o8wu7SjUlU6hu6AxTV7LxanvTcs/s320/daytonaracing.bmp" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The bikes entered in the Boardwalk Show, which is sponsored by Full Throttle magazine, come with a reputation of always interesting and meticulously executed. One of the competitors told us the judges at Boardwalk expect the best and always look for technical expertise. The bikes run the gamut, and no matter whether they are your cup of tea or not, they are unfailingly well-executed with amazing attention to detail. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjobnR6arSZLb224MXIINJ1M8CPoktU4OVC7KGx2FUVLbK1Zwhl83_JY7FqfyHeg1Rwm_xP3uZbqoQTelUcRteXC51sRUdqkVsabqdPfAxqhapPSE2h1H8Ko8djmMoahVaJkKd0IdkCSEVI/s1600/P1120322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjobnR6arSZLb224MXIINJ1M8CPoktU4OVC7KGx2FUVLbK1Zwhl83_JY7FqfyHeg1Rwm_xP3uZbqoQTelUcRteXC51sRUdqkVsabqdPfAxqhapPSE2h1H8Ko8djmMoahVaJkKd0IdkCSEVI/s320/P1120322.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjovNJ06ysLBJgnK_I-neakW5SMIn09B-L2ja5r9EwjjSUuAjmr4HZpJ-QSGI1byXg0-UNe3yVgA35oMXlsW8VCjRCkeHi3v_OM3BkjJLa3YO4uiEOLGKAOIH1U0UtMy0e4F4WdJrmX_Ork/s1600/P1120324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjovNJ06ysLBJgnK_I-neakW5SMIn09B-L2ja5r9EwjjSUuAjmr4HZpJ-QSGI1byXg0-UNe3yVgA35oMXlsW8VCjRCkeHi3v_OM3BkjJLa3YO4uiEOLGKAOIH1U0UtMy0e4F4WdJrmX_Ork/s320/P1120324.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCrXY8ERqoK_iNC2O23oePiWjax2kC4dvkejvJLx1_LS2VkyooS-C8Uz1TCeyOV2SRQbRxki28pgO6nxgj5Q9hxdfnmTXdKAmbdTcO5EiiZVtk0l3yKx0msGp5dQ8uIxHt2W8AMmeBDSle/s1600/P1120323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCrXY8ERqoK_iNC2O23oePiWjax2kC4dvkejvJLx1_LS2VkyooS-C8Uz1TCeyOV2SRQbRxki28pgO6nxgj5Q9hxdfnmTXdKAmbdTcO5EiiZVtk0l3yKx0msGp5dQ8uIxHt2W8AMmeBDSle/s320/P1120323.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>It was into this that Shreveport, La., builder Steve Culp brought his 1969 Suzuki T500 cafe racer, his antique 1966 T200 Suzuki and his newly-minted 2010 S1000RR Street Fighter. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge4m-en3zSC9RwB03HuB3xjr89V2wAk90aa1eSm8Rfxo8MhgF2FxYHsfmjxyalWTGhGZXC1FyirLkc1V3UqYf2VVAZLBbldkabZyeq4IvdSy1RyjkOdsu3LKiKObN6mNpfI9yYqtkTIXUf/s1600/P1120327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge4m-en3zSC9RwB03HuB3xjr89V2wAk90aa1eSm8Rfxo8MhgF2FxYHsfmjxyalWTGhGZXC1FyirLkc1V3UqYf2VVAZLBbldkabZyeq4IvdSy1RyjkOdsu3LKiKObN6mNpfI9yYqtkTIXUf/s320/P1120327.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Within moments after arriving, the S1000RR was surrounded by photographers and curious onlookers. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8nEZer4Yv77TlTKNp8v_PYf39rSMSVKRpx8oIwauyqgtigSLaxwqmiYF9OPSXxOZl4EoQO3AlO9UDa1IluJtDLAXKmy7aoTj_Nl-7n4pUL8g01QIIbkslaztgyS5s1C0XAbza0Y5YKM0O/s1600/P1120359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8nEZer4Yv77TlTKNp8v_PYf39rSMSVKRpx8oIwauyqgtigSLaxwqmiYF9OPSXxOZl4EoQO3AlO9UDa1IluJtDLAXKmy7aoTj_Nl-7n4pUL8g01QIIbkslaztgyS5s1C0XAbza0Y5YKM0O/s320/P1120359.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Boardwalk judges took special notice, too, giving Steve a one-two sweep in the hotly-contested Custom Metric division (S1000RR-1st, Cafe Racer-2nd), and a first in the Antiques class for his pretty little T200.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQaBBVPadnllyeB-pY8pS1TGxEIzc885D44igtC2JFWZ6o-3Vh09_98r5lB2oB5rpYa5o9hhVkjAsBy5k9uY4y_lH9bSRcTUve_3eWk6HsPuM_Mfq_dchxRyrCo-nJNLyliKSW9RsaYhV/s1600/P1120366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQaBBVPadnllyeB-pY8pS1TGxEIzc885D44igtC2JFWZ6o-3Vh09_98r5lB2oB5rpYa5o9hhVkjAsBy5k9uY4y_lH9bSRcTUve_3eWk6HsPuM_Mfq_dchxRyrCo-nJNLyliKSW9RsaYhV/s320/P1120366.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
But perhaps even better than the adulation of the pretty 'trophy girl' and the additional awards was the attention from Germany, in the form of a photo shoot for Custombike magazine. Custombike is a European publication constantly looking for the new and unique, both in the US and across the pond. Within moments of spotting Culp's Street Fighter, the editor and his photographer were making plans with Steve for a full-blown photo shoot for both the magazine and a soon-to-be-printed book on BMWs.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7FMrCGEHXBqTJfv5S8cmrrf2WsX44CBmQm6M-mVo1P2WnrEnQBbiPmZPy6e2XaK-WR-286zjMFbv-GVbi_zowUuoDq3LqgT8mppOP8ay5cpJy7QAFAb3gEpFaLLoTWDWH360x7fya32sl/s1600/photographer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7FMrCGEHXBqTJfv5S8cmrrf2WsX44CBmQm6M-mVo1P2WnrEnQBbiPmZPy6e2XaK-WR-286zjMFbv-GVbi_zowUuoDq3LqgT8mppOP8ay5cpJy7QAFAb3gEpFaLLoTWDWH360x7fya32sl/s320/photographer.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Photograph of the photograher taking a photograph. Not at all clever, but I was out of ideas and I was getting hungry. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">German photog's crack thoughtfully blacked out for your increased viewing pleasure.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs_4TNmYx9Ojw6Hggdl1Ats0DJSZaNxjVor48y9ts1X6wpZT3hSkQhwQGCzKv7DUrovyASRprt_eU7sjW-9ivvC4GHXcIhkJS2zWJb5jAEcbBOmDBvF993imkTlo5tRZAiI4bEJqm5T9VL/s1600/germanphotog2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="168" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs_4TNmYx9Ojw6Hggdl1Ats0DJSZaNxjVor48y9ts1X6wpZT3hSkQhwQGCzKv7DUrovyASRprt_eU7sjW-9ivvC4GHXcIhkJS2zWJb5jAEcbBOmDBvF993imkTlo5tRZAiI4bEJqm5T9VL/s320/germanphotog2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Magazine editor Heinrich said Steve's BMW was 'sick' and that his readers wouldn't believe it without photographic evidence, which Steve was happy to provide.</span> </td></tr>
</tbody></table> All in all, a good day in Daytona as Bike Week 2011 winds down. The fun times are not over, though, not by a long shot. Stay tuned for more!Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15102436996622803957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310123565916695573.post-57192936054562468282011-03-09T04:31:00.000-08:002011-03-09T04:31:25.759-08:00Bike Week Part II-Victory Is Ours!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghTZF6TpkBQUqBKD0WfOoClzvh_4BGOvCsVmq9gy242FwI768SjNe_SJT4Vt406WP7zgwi7OUNycQsWPCVtmZk9xBFYVaHlZ3gFNnvmxWVbUZejHjurHnYJ-gni2xdxDEWbANpRk-cWIqX/s1600/bikeweek_main.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghTZF6TpkBQUqBKD0WfOoClzvh_4BGOvCsVmq9gy242FwI768SjNe_SJT4Vt406WP7zgwi7OUNycQsWPCVtmZk9xBFYVaHlZ3gFNnvmxWVbUZejHjurHnYJ-gni2xdxDEWbANpRk-cWIqX/s400/bikeweek_main.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
In my last post, I mentioned that Main Street during Bike Week or Biketoberfest is an event that must be enjoyed at least once in life. Where else might you see a tubby and smiling Captain America--- mask, cape and all--- pull up on his equally decked-out Boss Hoss, read t-shirt sogans so gross you fear blindness or see a crusty old dude wandering the street wearing a handmade cardboard sign saying "Will Work for Sex or Filet Mignon"? Alas, the wonders and delights of Main Street are but one reason Daytona during a motorcycle event is so special. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir0xjbXMCGJg6x_C7KZvFGgB63BwrFQm_LcmJ6ImK3iHSXQGszAX31wQnhyphenhyphenQ20GjSQr4bYfRwwLGkgYReDjCqNFPRmqXRLQtJHf3CFOWUhwfbBNymyXQXhZ5VSQceTVYNLTelxrGNBQUlT/s1600/bikeweek_daytonaspeedway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir0xjbXMCGJg6x_C7KZvFGgB63BwrFQm_LcmJ6ImK3iHSXQGszAX31wQnhyphenhyphenQ20GjSQr4bYfRwwLGkgYReDjCqNFPRmqXRLQtJHf3CFOWUhwfbBNymyXQXhZ5VSQceTVYNLTelxrGNBQUlT/s320/bikeweek_daytonaspeedway.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Equally as enticing is the fact that during most Bike Weeks, Triumph, Harley Davidson, Victory, Boss Hoss, Yamaha, Can-Am, Suzuki, and Kawasaki spend millions to set up lavish tents and trailers and allow anyone with a motorcycle endorsement to ride anything they would like...for free, mostly. (Boss Hoss is the exception, but with gas nearing $4 a gallon, paying $10 to ride a big 13mpg V-8 Hoss is still a bargain.)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6-6vkzv9tEtNg4Mg8TqPkztg4ojjcxlTCwH8JdadC7mtOd4m6D1HaYRzT12KEoanBepz4QrBRX1YjhHF_ICUCHYZtwxlUydfWR9azSXZLVKwIIzBr0rPohx73yHZmieQqoQzZSa1DWNUF/s1600/bikeweek_triumphdemo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6-6vkzv9tEtNg4Mg8TqPkztg4ojjcxlTCwH8JdadC7mtOd4m6D1HaYRzT12KEoanBepz4QrBRX1YjhHF_ICUCHYZtwxlUydfWR9azSXZLVKwIIzBr0rPohx73yHZmieQqoQzZSa1DWNUF/s320/bikeweek_triumphdemo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>To anyone who loves motorcycles, this group dealer demonstration ride set-up is just one step removed from heaven. Once upon a time Moto Guzzi, Buell, and BMW also participated...but the cost of the event became daunting or the brand went away. Ducati also used to come, but never let you ride. Of all the major players, only Honda refuses to allow riding, claiming the liability is just too great. Oddly, Suzuki and the others do not seem to agree. In fact, one wag at Kawasaki told me several years ago that not being at the show does their reputation harm. It seems people are far too quick to jump to the conclusion that the brand is in trouble if it is not represented at Bike Week.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInQKFciKnWniAWIcV2fG-fvgCFBEM0HwmKGUdW37On3_RlBOFG1XC1x4vNRnLCqMywzFMdprM8SR9X7ecN6GKsAL2rTpG49fpFc1IGT810ys1vKnquys5HBJDm1UXEhPWOhjZ5Lz34yWf/s1600/bikeweek_nessvictory.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInQKFciKnWniAWIcV2fG-fvgCFBEM0HwmKGUdW37On3_RlBOFG1XC1x4vNRnLCqMywzFMdprM8SR9X7ecN6GKsAL2rTpG49fpFc1IGT810ys1vKnquys5HBJDm1UXEhPWOhjZ5Lz34yWf/s320/bikeweek_nessvictory.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
At 8:30ish each morning, the manufacturers start taking names for the days' rides. Plan well and get a bit lucky, and you can go from ride to ride for most of the day. Since Steve and I have ridden most of what is available, we now tend to be more choosy, and so today, started at Victory to ride the as-yet unobtainable High Ball, which comes standard with 6-speed overdrive, 97 horsepower 106 Freedom V-Twin, 16-inch laced wheels, and best of all, ape hangars. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw8_wo_7nw83DzXluubIlDBQR04oJdr_nl2IznOgqexNhzDnVWfNDKdkcKyI2t2X2Kbp820jwtF0XTmjgX9F2OJudaIfFt3Wq0dvfDq3J9zPtmrS4kcWMw25DFKPUH1q-4Xh829JdMjwzc/s1600/victory_highball_2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw8_wo_7nw83DzXluubIlDBQR04oJdr_nl2IznOgqexNhzDnVWfNDKdkcKyI2t2X2Kbp820jwtF0XTmjgX9F2OJudaIfFt3Wq0dvfDq3J9zPtmrS4kcWMw25DFKPUH1q-4Xh829JdMjwzc/s320/victory_highball_2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The 2012 High Ball, due out in April, just LOOKS cool, and it drives cool, too. I have never ridden with ape hangars before and wondered what the higher handlebars would do to the bike's handling. I've seen riders with high bars struggle with corners and tight spaces before, but Victory has this bike dialed in. My demo bike, outfitted with aftermarket pipes handled like a charm, cornered well, stopped on a dime, had power to spare and was ten tons of fun. I can always tell which bike I really love by the size of the smile plastered on my face when I return from the ride and this smile was larger than Boss Hoss' Bike Week gasoline bill.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2mIryrCs0hi7oCNcT-D_gsNGrZNmL_GKJwyfIdxfZ3b7PX9Pcg4_DlQLJ3ESYu9Zm4qqC7XOsO3gZeYSghb_v_0b1NpOvtjC5Uit_N228GyikBu9fc6T6_3b2FZmsgJHFuoDrDwGz9VSi/s1600/bikeweek_lizape.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2mIryrCs0hi7oCNcT-D_gsNGrZNmL_GKJwyfIdxfZ3b7PX9Pcg4_DlQLJ3ESYu9Zm4qqC7XOsO3gZeYSghb_v_0b1NpOvtjC5Uit_N228GyikBu9fc6T6_3b2FZmsgJHFuoDrDwGz9VSi/s320/bikeweek_lizape.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>I had high hopes, then, for the test ride of the new Triumph GS clone, the 800XC. The first thing we discovered is the price spotted on-line was low, and the new bike will be much closer in price to the BMW F800 than expected. Stay tuned for more!Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15102436996622803957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310123565916695573.post-67973680742019484622011-03-07T18:07:00.000-08:002011-03-07T18:34:29.762-08:00Daytona Bike Week 2011-Back With a Bang!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKjJUjY3wnreZxPXlIWZVsfZ0HFBnqtcCM64X1-MaY2LSKRtRtUEK6EALyDCT-MQhoY78-vEHHqvC0WmgOGi1omQIT5RQpetCjmmNbtH7jcVtcX-rU6qKP17hmr0qB630juaWPIJXFwDW7/s1600/Daytona+70th.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKjJUjY3wnreZxPXlIWZVsfZ0HFBnqtcCM64X1-MaY2LSKRtRtUEK6EALyDCT-MQhoY78-vEHHqvC0WmgOGi1omQIT5RQpetCjmmNbtH7jcVtcX-rU6qKP17hmr0qB630juaWPIJXFwDW7/s320/Daytona+70th.jpg" width="292" /></a><br />
Petrol nearing $4 a gallon and bad weather across much of the East Coast has not been enough to put a damper on the annual pilgrimage to central Florida beaches. Bike Week diehards starting arriving in late February and by the 'official' first day, Friday, March 4, the cities that comprise the greater-Daytona Beach- area were crawling with cycling crowds seeking sun and fun. They were not disappointed with either. Dire predictions of a wet and nasty first Sunday didn't materialize as the system that pummelled Shreveport on Saturday veered far north. A slight cool front blew through Sunday night but the Monday highs of mid-60s will be the coolest of the week.<br />
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As with every Bike Week, there are great motorcycles to gawk at, fun stuff to buy, good eats to uh, eat, scenic rides that include palm trees and sun!, daily calorie-free Dairy Queen hot fudge sundaes, and Florida lotteries to win, but the biggest fun comes from people-watching. Until you pull up a rail on Main Street in Daytona and spend a few hours watching the motorcycling world go by, you are a flat dud. D-u-d. This show is better than "Cats", it's better than anything your feverish brain could dream after a dinner of bad sushi, it's better than anything has the right to be. Add the Main Street experience to your bucket list. I beg you. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGLVDlWGugKrjO-82z91tLeTuFl-IPVj63rhANdWxh7FIx4qExeZ0phXejhJSk_xM-ybZExXHiOoWuwKCOJYbCZDlE5k7GTEGF3JhbIw0kEWdxIqW6UvDmSLAyqjQ9Rl6oJMsLP7GLTDO2/s1600/daytona-bike-week-2009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGLVDlWGugKrjO-82z91tLeTuFl-IPVj63rhANdWxh7FIx4qExeZ0phXejhJSk_xM-ybZExXHiOoWuwKCOJYbCZDlE5k7GTEGF3JhbIw0kEWdxIqW6UvDmSLAyqjQ9Rl6oJMsLP7GLTDO2/s320/daytona-bike-week-2009.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
But since you have obligations and jobs and can't miss a weekend of yard work, here is the next best thing. Bike Week according to me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkd-dQWXz4VnfhlKPiT3Ho52gQAnSg1swvmcvPn7ULAkwMbFfTzfh740nWKopDvJ5xRMkNhZ5QfXti4ssubxqvFtJhp1zSNYOdV8ncPBWQFv7OXm1Ic-KKbJJWDmoyNAWcgR6ozrpaUj5s/s1600/bikeweek_goth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkd-dQWXz4VnfhlKPiT3Ho52gQAnSg1swvmcvPn7ULAkwMbFfTzfh740nWKopDvJ5xRMkNhZ5QfXti4ssubxqvFtJhp1zSNYOdV8ncPBWQFv7OXm1Ic-KKbJJWDmoyNAWcgR6ozrpaUj5s/s400/bikeweek_goth.jpg" width="260" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The new star of a Goth reality show or one of the 'beer girls' at Destination Daytona? You be the judge.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsoWRLFOzVfNzv4KSbNBL9Fjag7SXmabnPUPE4Dw1hKmxui7CnkjYF5pdPulEih3z5TJWE0nRRo9d-1Pz3DNR1ihUMaAuyCSYhvlJ_9qTPssn4HashjGhDMXMEtwINqRdx8c_fHojUtxIn/s1600/BIKEWEEK_bacon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsoWRLFOzVfNzv4KSbNBL9Fjag7SXmabnPUPE4Dw1hKmxui7CnkjYF5pdPulEih3z5TJWE0nRRo9d-1Pz3DNR1ihUMaAuyCSYhvlJ_9qTPssn4HashjGhDMXMEtwINqRdx8c_fHojUtxIn/s320/BIKEWEEK_bacon.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Heaven help us, everyone.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMp1j4AIaHl6rzMKjF_R7BajhkL3kx0fVx5pZGvxNIZ4I031h1yql-YHReSTt7cQ6kJBaeff9236aCDf0A49UMUYtLSgsWHNlrEJ6ZP4G4Z3e9zO5nLrov-KdgX57skx6USawhCiSuxF6E/s1600/bikeweek_indian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMp1j4AIaHl6rzMKjF_R7BajhkL3kx0fVx5pZGvxNIZ4I031h1yql-YHReSTt7cQ6kJBaeff9236aCDf0A49UMUYtLSgsWHNlrEJ6ZP4G4Z3e9zO5nLrov-KdgX57skx6USawhCiSuxF6E/s320/bikeweek_indian.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The new 'Vintage Indian" just $37,000 less tax, title, license, transport and the new bachelor pad you will need to rent when you tell your spouse what you have done.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmMCz1PtJ0M1Fb9lEj2ZDn9TiVAsQ_PuWzsxgKuFrB1yn4YJK5k9XNiQWR1AvvsUZGGb9C0KM3CnJVAZbGtIlXINBruHCnB7CyJB5r1gR2HXvY2Ouk4BOFWrA4ZU293877lPt4gjx1BYjj/s1600/bikeweek_elderfest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmMCz1PtJ0M1Fb9lEj2ZDn9TiVAsQ_PuWzsxgKuFrB1yn4YJK5k9XNiQWR1AvvsUZGGb9C0KM3CnJVAZbGtIlXINBruHCnB7CyJB5r1gR2HXvY2Ouk4BOFWrA4ZU293877lPt4gjx1BYjj/s320/bikeweek_elderfest.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The first weekend of Bike Week the nearby town of Deland hosts its bike rally. While there, I asked Steve, 'Where are all the young people?' because there weren't any. The next day, the local newspaper reported the rally 'attracted the elderly.' Hahahaha.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_lJDoWO0VoBdAsyTsAj2xMjReaL-seIm-ZNTYvwlH6mrUqx2Vo_ufDaNQhGgtmxgxA7Vqigmz07lyTYlK41A9hy4Vk_xK7f0kh4f2vMXWkm93wMy-8oH2ufEmyGWby5osOAd98Gd76QgF/s1600/bikeweek_david1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_lJDoWO0VoBdAsyTsAj2xMjReaL-seIm-ZNTYvwlH6mrUqx2Vo_ufDaNQhGgtmxgxA7Vqigmz07lyTYlK41A9hy4Vk_xK7f0kh4f2vMXWkm93wMy-8oH2ufEmyGWby5osOAd98Gd76QgF/s320/bikeweek_david1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Steve's S1000RR StreetFighter was a huge hit at BMW of Daytona, and several of the employees there had already seen it on-line. The store emptied when the double-R pulled into the lot and Steve spent the better part of an hour answering questions. David from the Orlando BMW store tries the S-Fighter on for size.</span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNl1nh5-nubvoDfXuVGHMgyy0pYRNx7yXl8JawhhH-xRXDFkOIKfFAjTw0GdHuGGwW_SrW8rEuF91AXRzwqjAuaKjY-cjfMjmpTkGsgCQqL8KgTT8H5fJwZ_wiy6cnOonnD2dsqEE04XHa/s1600/bikeweek_triumphgs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNl1nh5-nubvoDfXuVGHMgyy0pYRNx7yXl8JawhhH-xRXDFkOIKfFAjTw0GdHuGGwW_SrW8rEuF91AXRzwqjAuaKjY-cjfMjmpTkGsgCQqL8KgTT8H5fJwZ_wiy6cnOonnD2dsqEE04XHa/s400/bikeweek_triumphgs.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This was spotted NOT at the BMW tent (there isn't one this year), but at the TRIUMPH demo display at the International Speedway. This is the 2011 Triumph</span> <span style="font-size: small;">Tiger 800XC, a GS-knockoff if ever there was one.</span> <span style="font-size: small;">The lines are similar, the luggage is similar...but apparently the price, and some say performance, is not. The price of the 2010 BMW F 800GS, is $11,395 according to the BMW website. The price of the Triumph is, according to one website, $7995! This beast could be serious competition to our favorite dual sport ride. Steve and I plan to put the 800 XC to the test tomorrow and will report back on what we find.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">So there you are, the first weekend of Bike Week condensed into an edible morsel. Check back often this week for more good eats.</div>Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15102436996622803957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310123565916695573.post-87314336792647172142011-01-23T14:08:00.000-08:002011-02-06T09:37:41.569-08:00Steve Culp's Street Fighting S1000RR: Thoroughly Modern MayhemIn the world of custom built motorcycles, a "Streetfighter" falls into the category somewhere between aggressive and "look at me once more, and I'll cut you." <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIAfDZGpRGKn7vt7oAA8Iahx7t9TZZMOQfyTt_Vo2_G_M1tFCLBAnCtvcWiVpsup6BFXrFEii1dVHGOZ29iBVts9xHN0N2EPKV9A_zLpVaj2e-X6Htx6TqS5p6qbodnp_LM-e3_4arD3dr/s1600/%25231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIAfDZGpRGKn7vt7oAA8Iahx7t9TZZMOQfyTt_Vo2_G_M1tFCLBAnCtvcWiVpsup6BFXrFEii1dVHGOZ29iBVts9xHN0N2EPKV9A_zLpVaj2e-X6Htx6TqS5p6qbodnp_LM-e3_4arD3dr/s320/%25231.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Not for the timid or weak of heart, Streetfighters exude speed, testosterone and swagger even while standing still. When Shreveport motorcycle builder Steve Culp first saw the BMW S1000RR sport bike, he knew its lineage and its claims of performance made it a perfect candidate for this most unusual category.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ30lbv34PahrbekpBxz8aFhyphenhyphenzBLHNGFwRykspOtzTu39B5PvVh-7_iadC_hzAImd1CxeyYYSxN-aN_vBjGwFK5BmFTydJiAdlefzgNfOxsi6GWWYpDbajTfQpBNm2P89JdxEV9vwIoaF8/s1600/BMW+S1000RR+rac.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ30lbv34PahrbekpBxz8aFhyphenhyphenzBLHNGFwRykspOtzTu39B5PvVh-7_iadC_hzAImd1CxeyYYSxN-aN_vBjGwFK5BmFTydJiAdlefzgNfOxsi6GWWYpDbajTfQpBNm2P89JdxEV9vwIoaF8/s320/BMW+S1000RR+rac.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Though Streetfighters come from the world of cafe racing and were made popular by European riders, the movement was very much inspired by the inexpensive and fast-for-their time Japanese bikes. In fact, at most of the bigger bike shows Streetfighters are almost exclusively of Japanese lineage. Culp believed the big, bad BMW could set the Streetfighting world on its ear and plans to debut his German goliath at Daytona Bike Week's Rat Hole and Boardwalk custom bike shows in early March. Culp himself is no stranger to Streetfighter swagger. The bike builder is a former air show pilot who regularly aimed straight at the ground at speeds exceeding 200mph, pulling up at the last minute and barrel-rolling his aircraft into the blue skies above. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzwwYbm4vGZga6TjOtg2OmRusoZm2v5e4J0yksbSkwQcJL0z5WftfM2riioX0pDclW3M9OCmxG3U2_taxdw_7-tdZvXL45mN_Rj7HOvsZgwStsCdebp4MriLhmS972QHKro835zcRoiaDy/s1600/Steve_pup.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzwwYbm4vGZga6TjOtg2OmRusoZm2v5e4J0yksbSkwQcJL0z5WftfM2riioX0pDclW3M9OCmxG3U2_taxdw_7-tdZvXL45mN_Rj7HOvsZgwStsCdebp4MriLhmS972QHKro835zcRoiaDy/s320/Steve_pup.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br />
Prior to flying and building airplanes of his own design, he was a race car driver for Mazda, Hyundai and Dodge during a rough and ready time in which he who could most intimidate his opponents, won. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju3yA2hk1cWegQYeuKMk4I6Z30NbTdJe3PVGthgp3yO9nuWQRi3ExHxXnQjpe8z-9klQXdtwiwzEAQ_9Dw7sVGzCRs4NahHK9p039fr1F0E5VrVPTMY8Khp5fG9mivCe-LhzHEiDuz83Z0/s1600/Steve-Racecar.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju3yA2hk1cWegQYeuKMk4I6Z30NbTdJe3PVGthgp3yO9nuWQRi3ExHxXnQjpe8z-9klQXdtwiwzEAQ_9Dw7sVGzCRs4NahHK9p039fr1F0E5VrVPTMY8Khp5fG9mivCe-LhzHEiDuz83Z0/s320/Steve-Racecar.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
It did not hurt that Culp was an extremely accomplished driver who could also repair the cars he broke while (mostly successfully) intimidating the other teams. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqExMKx5_ZKFgYTS-UCF7HGt4HeX6glMrWNHeLWmo7MQQWz0ClM48wiHFhA0iX5TKIwn100cPgovSdJIh7bsvwd8Th-oHeOR0IiRjYperVq8Ft2MGruimartzi6MrrCKuYxIkVIYtz-xxP/s1600/Steve-build.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqExMKx5_ZKFgYTS-UCF7HGt4HeX6glMrWNHeLWmo7MQQWz0ClM48wiHFhA0iX5TKIwn100cPgovSdJIh7bsvwd8Th-oHeOR0IiRjYperVq8Ft2MGruimartzi6MrrCKuYxIkVIYtz-xxP/s320/Steve-build.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>For Culp to be building a Streetfighter, then, seems only natural. The story of how it came to be a BMW is not. Steve has long loved vintage bikes---Harleys, BSAs, Indians, Japanese bikes and especially BMWs. He has owned nine antique BMW bikes and his current rider is a 1974 R-90. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdNaYsweORTx8Xl5sYR_1ZAhoA1dnWT8oeIEZa3_yX1Pfku6dfOfG_xj6eCf-PzizihkgFtGcJjIJKdTmqVgkjrh1mgIhTVEdo9dg9e50EYewZ7kgC3ukjgb4XZvtFoFtB15zIEk5slrng/s1600/steve_wbikesC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdNaYsweORTx8Xl5sYR_1ZAhoA1dnWT8oeIEZa3_yX1Pfku6dfOfG_xj6eCf-PzizihkgFtGcJjIJKdTmqVgkjrh1mgIhTVEdo9dg9e50EYewZ7kgC3ukjgb4XZvtFoFtB15zIEk5slrng/s320/steve_wbikesC.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> He admires not only their lines but their performance, and he regularly takes his 30-year-old bikes on cross-country treks that most would consider tackling only on a cruiser. A member of a Shreveport, Louisiana BMW motorcycle club, Steve knew about BMW's plans to debut a sport bike to compete with the hugely successful Suzuki Hayabusa, and he had heard the specs. The S1000RR wasn't only a liter bike, it was going to have the highest power-to-weight ratio in its class. It wasn't only going to be agile, it was going to have electronics components that included traction control, race ABS and a gearshift option that allowed full throttle upshifts without using the clutch. In other words, it was going to be a certified Bavarian bad ass. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqq_k7Khrn91nGmUhfRi0ImlSW5VryB3gWFsH9Ix8knJ0oZkj3dg_L7qBx-RB6oQOqg3rykYPkdOMQurAhUN_68JyenjVy0RrOrv8WIFHX9olgPHg2P97noBwrAPXkXcyhmmqHWxgMa7r/s1600/S10001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqq_k7Khrn91nGmUhfRi0ImlSW5VryB3gWFsH9Ix8knJ0oZkj3dg_L7qBx-RB6oQOqg3rykYPkdOMQurAhUN_68JyenjVy0RrOrv8WIFHX9olgPHg2P97noBwrAPXkXcyhmmqHWxgMa7r/s320/S10001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
In Culp's mind, the S1000-double R had Streetfighter written all over it. Believe it or not, one of the reasons behind the Streetfighter decision was practicality. Since Culp passed his 20s some years ago, he has found the crouched position of most sport bikes to be supremely uncomfortable. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijVSeOsQDQWTZkJ_quNrUQ2utEoZI1syg8Wz1EzIFtD_WkhwwZE1iTfp9h8uDLJCLxFcGijBij9pOVXsiqAu9jwRAdhZnh-HI3qXFO7f5ArCHjO8ZANtVQd-GXJNE1LZPHjxrj6H3GYB13/s1600/s10009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijVSeOsQDQWTZkJ_quNrUQ2utEoZI1syg8Wz1EzIFtD_WkhwwZE1iTfp9h8uDLJCLxFcGijBij9pOVXsiqAu9jwRAdhZnh-HI3qXFO7f5ArCHjO8ZANtVQd-GXJNE1LZPHjxrj6H3GYB13/s320/s10009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>He wanted a bike that would go fast, be agile but not cripple him to ride. As he tore the newly-purchased S1000RR down to its frame, he looked for a way to lower the seat by three inches to make it a more comfortable ride. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgITOoqFObp1Wp2JOWdKD00XWfBUEAIZfTXQdqHvl2_Fc5_1YrL03B49ybcLoFYTVGcyjlTlygu4LEVEgU9Jhq2Nsb2_plWO7I5hbG0qFnZpGUr6X5yx5sgvSolntiJfTRN7tcFLFK7Wj-4/s1600/%25233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgITOoqFObp1Wp2JOWdKD00XWfBUEAIZfTXQdqHvl2_Fc5_1YrL03B49ybcLoFYTVGcyjlTlygu4LEVEgU9Jhq2Nsb2_plWO7I5hbG0qFnZpGUr6X5yx5sgvSolntiJfTRN7tcFLFK7Wj-4/s320/%25233.JPG" width="307" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Though the superfast sport hottie has a thoroughly modern look, Culp saw its heritage and envisoned a way to bring the two together that would be instantly recognizable to any fan of vintage BMWs. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0BVqF96okp8AUDOeyYjpnJmcPmTQjIdsiSuJpc5te6wjwHI2QvsEba2fsQyvLQsBdHaoJWy4iN-OpIPsyHBIe1w8y03O9ld4ekbx_g0tTH7UAybYynrmz2freKqHD7iiCA1aCqthykIPN/s1600/P1120033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0BVqF96okp8AUDOeyYjpnJmcPmTQjIdsiSuJpc5te6wjwHI2QvsEba2fsQyvLQsBdHaoJWy4iN-OpIPsyHBIe1w8y03O9ld4ekbx_g0tTH7UAybYynrmz2freKqHD7iiCA1aCqthykIPN/s320/P1120033.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The black color and double white pinstripe harkens to the 1920s and 30s. Culp added diamond dust to the paint so that the bike glitters like a new dime. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnYbR3YxybaNF78faIDChOGN_EhGc60zELuKCfSpL6TL7BZApSw5Nv0g5KZuGa9aaaEAWbWFfMLFucBNA1R2J1blPFm0szmllDbI02FsnDys19qNUoGrWKgsceA5liwkzLLD0F3gU95Ndv/s1600/s100008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnYbR3YxybaNF78faIDChOGN_EhGc60zELuKCfSpL6TL7BZApSw5Nv0g5KZuGa9aaaEAWbWFfMLFucBNA1R2J1blPFm0szmllDbI02FsnDys19qNUoGrWKgsceA5liwkzLLD0F3gU95Ndv/s320/s100008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The solo saddle is consistent with the vintage BMW look, but the tractor seat with fringe and inlaid BMW-blue stones gives it a retro funky feel that becomes completely modern. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHvoG9SzbbeVLGaDZTCyab41n9mL70t7Q1VtVav7bVdwZT6IN00Ukw-2dogOnsawri9oY6Kz4pIfnvsT2tHagqt-2EoWAaw7sRZ_Ykxz8vYzfn6XNpkJOH63SdR9b78XKTTIG_7U5ckV2E/s1600/s10007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHvoG9SzbbeVLGaDZTCyab41n9mL70t7Q1VtVav7bVdwZT6IN00Ukw-2dogOnsawri9oY6Kz4pIfnvsT2tHagqt-2EoWAaw7sRZ_Ykxz8vYzfn6XNpkJOH63SdR9b78XKTTIG_7U5ckV2E/s320/s10007.JPG" width="156" /></a></div>Other vintage-look touches include the front and back fenders, fender braces, headlights, handlebars, bar end turn signals, megaphone exhaust, taillight frame, and a taillight off an early 20's Buick. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCSI5SmYUfkVhhRdE1HzJ85bH9MIg2dc8LWLBie5WPh71rNKDpgqhssqr6wbFhBuKpjBnZ8g8L6whkIVcjnUCyt9uXKgPaMnRVoTRwjjRD4WoSjfvUyI9CFttd2NQgs_tYGh5s9robD627/s1600/s100004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCSI5SmYUfkVhhRdE1HzJ85bH9MIg2dc8LWLBie5WPh71rNKDpgqhssqr6wbFhBuKpjBnZ8g8L6whkIVcjnUCyt9uXKgPaMnRVoTRwjjRD4WoSjfvUyI9CFttd2NQgs_tYGh5s9robD627/s320/s100004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Culp built by hand the fairings, the tank cover, the mount for the instrument cluster, the seatmount for the subframe. The grab bar behind the seat is a 1930s Indian rear fender guard and exists for more than esthetics. "Everyone who rides an S1000RR tends to wheelie it," says Culp. "The grab bar is to keep them on the seat." So much about this street-fighting S1000RR is custom that it is often easier to say what is not: the wheels and tires, frame, engine. Period. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOqZprfDKIGzTSm4tp2YJ8t5Kv0w1PsBfBkpJCySG7zmfbLt6SdZNTJlNqRkwBbM8e1mNUUQ0mkiRTxDzS1ejFbLrXGczTwY_pbSORreLaJpXwwsMcYlEEG2aAWl8Y0w0p0dO-orbjJPYu/s1600/P1110877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOqZprfDKIGzTSm4tp2YJ8t5Kv0w1PsBfBkpJCySG7zmfbLt6SdZNTJlNqRkwBbM8e1mNUUQ0mkiRTxDzS1ejFbLrXGczTwY_pbSORreLaJpXwwsMcYlEEG2aAWl8Y0w0p0dO-orbjJPYu/s320/P1110877.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
"I've taken the bike down to its essentials," says Culp. "This is basically what a chopper is supposed to be. I peeled all the plastic off and let it tell me what it needed to be." Culp has let bikes talk to him before and has walked away with the awards for his efforts. This is the next step up. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMpdz3ZNGRb38w1xiNlutLtBkyBY4L4E7MpjZwfrWWZ59i97CojEh0mlCL4XLjYyYymn73MLo3z69gC8ODJ17JFgUGN0AqteDUmxphviqtQ4LLDGT7ed8t_-XriayURgKYDYFRWc5IigdH/s1600/steve_rats_t500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMpdz3ZNGRb38w1xiNlutLtBkyBY4L4E7MpjZwfrWWZ59i97CojEh0mlCL4XLjYyYymn73MLo3z69gC8ODJ17JFgUGN0AqteDUmxphviqtQ4LLDGT7ed8t_-XriayURgKYDYFRWc5IigdH/s320/steve_rats_t500.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>His cafe racers took Bike Week '10 by storm, but he wanted to compete head-on with the big boys in a category that attracts worldwide attention. "There are a lot of things on this bike that aren't normal," says Culp. "But a BMW Streetfighter isn't normal, either, so I think it works." <br />
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"When people see this bike, I want them to have to stand there a moment and clear their minds. It's not an S1000RR, it's not a vintage BMW, it's something new and totally unique. But unlike many custom bikes, this one is going to perform well and be comfortable to ride...and I can't wait to let it rip!"<br />
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To find out more about Steve's background and his marvelous machines, go to:<br />
<a href="http://www.culpscustoms.com/">http://www.culpscustoms.com/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.culpsspecialties.com/">http://www.culpsspecialties.com/</a>Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15102436996622803957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310123565916695573.post-43295294577918777442011-01-16T13:10:00.000-08:002011-01-16T19:35:56.992-08:00Tubac or Not Tubac? There Really Is No QuestionOne of the first things you have to understand about Steve and me is that our travel decisions are often made on the basis of flimsy facts and scant consideration. A comment from a friend that the 'fish sticks in Peterboro were the best ever' might send us packing for Peterboro. Such was the case with our latest dual sport adventure in southern Arizona. We have an affinity for the landscape and the people there as both are interesting to look at, make for wonderful stories and cut a wide swath of rough and ready.<br />
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A couple of years ago, we had a fabulous adventure in Bisbee, an old copper mining town in the mountains of southeast Arizona. We were tempted to return there, but decided to broaden both our horizons and our listing of southcentral trails, and settled instead on a town called Tubac. We were joined by Florida friend Howard of the south Louisiana "Ham" clan.<br />
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As is usual, a comment from a friend led us to this small village some 60 miles south of Tucson and 30 miles north of Nogales. Tubac was purported by said friend to be a charming place, an artistically-inclined village with a historical ambience. I had visions of a colorful, cool, fun and funky town tucked into the craggy foothills of the Santa Rita Mountains. Unfortunately, the only adjective it could muster was 'funky', and not in that 'good funky' sort of way.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> Lots to choose from!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> Over the years, Tubac has tried to reinvent itself as the "Santa Fe" of southern Arizona. Sadly, it resembles not so much Santa Fe as Bonnie and Clyde Trade Days, south of the border-style. Though staying in a truly cool place is always a plus, the (lack of) art and ambience was not the reason for our trip. Riding was, and there, we were not disappointed.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGeUJawPQE-_c8Ux8r-H-p4Zf2kTkipTbEdThyphenhyphenUEb_BKQro7YjDdNpU-BW9-mhsmaoOMTZ43EWLL_70c6sx0_ZlCs90RoiHPNfHbi3cjzoXRFYdjTGu0-4h36g_7-enBKZQCgUR2b2zMwE/s1600/P1110032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGeUJawPQE-_c8Ux8r-H-p4Zf2kTkipTbEdThyphenhyphenUEb_BKQro7YjDdNpU-BW9-mhsmaoOMTZ43EWLL_70c6sx0_ZlCs90RoiHPNfHbi3cjzoXRFYdjTGu0-4h36g_7-enBKZQCgUR2b2zMwE/s320/P1110032.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Tubac sits in the middle of the Sonoran Desert, a wild, rugged landscape filled with many things that can hurt you. Even the pretty flowers come with skin-snagging barbs and often it seemed the entire landscape wanted us dead. That should not be surprising. The name "Tubac" is an English/Hispanic bastardization of a Tohono O'odham tribal word which means, roughly, "rotten." Established in 1795 as a Spanish Presidio, Tubac was on the famed Camino Real, a trail that led from Mexico to the Spanish settlements in California. The rough lifestyle so common in most of the southwest was also present here. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtV49QBoVoWYDQbJon1Vs6jcPzHSgrxt6uAhN-QTRDfW94RvapRb-vYOzginxk9-aAFXtaK64MUMNIDhWppp4J7YuwSz32bdBi_cUljvu_DD9g5KeX88T6FME4Rp7e7i6Pdo07sjfiVsH4/s1600/GentlemanJack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtV49QBoVoWYDQbJon1Vs6jcPzHSgrxt6uAhN-QTRDfW94RvapRb-vYOzginxk9-aAFXtaK64MUMNIDhWppp4J7YuwSz32bdBi_cUljvu_DD9g5KeX88T6FME4Rp7e7i6Pdo07sjfiVsH4/s400/GentlemanJack.jpg" width="270" /></a></div>One oft-remembered historical account is of California gambler and highwayman Jack Powers. Despite the literature of the day calling Powers a "gentlemen," Jack was a notorious highway robber and murderer, a bad man who met a violent end. He was murdered just south of Nogales in a fight over a woman, his body unceremoniously thrown into a pen of starving hogs. What little was left of Jack was buried just south of Tubac. It is stories such as these, and plenty of them, that no doubt makes the local Chamber of Commerce cringe.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3B36C8PHwHdBxoCh0o-VT3Tj9zzKaiaeR8e6A74M4Qw5jhWn1o8-4tSVR7i6ls-ag_EICChuXCkGH9T4Zto_dvdNnQRsIjfwMnVGug1oPCW2K6Z4MU6Ou5zRFixLArV_iAUFeMRqN3Kux/s1600/DSC02385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3B36C8PHwHdBxoCh0o-VT3Tj9zzKaiaeR8e6A74M4Qw5jhWn1o8-4tSVR7i6ls-ag_EICChuXCkGH9T4Zto_dvdNnQRsIjfwMnVGug1oPCW2K6Z4MU6Ou5zRFixLArV_iAUFeMRqN3Kux/s400/DSC02385.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Lawlessness is still an issue for the area near Tubac, and the southwest as a whole. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEND4biRIcYmi5L9B1XyQk6QGiOf8Dzo7Wfetm1yc8VieiAzXLM8yri28TeOpZiXj3WUKXrc77hQ6enoKqcUbro2sFzlFSWXZWi_1rDsCRXdT8GsoPDd58k7RGBS5H2CSKBtQXsLUfLu6U/s1600/P1110046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEND4biRIcYmi5L9B1XyQk6QGiOf8Dzo7Wfetm1yc8VieiAzXLM8yri28TeOpZiXj3WUKXrc77hQ6enoKqcUbro2sFzlFSWXZWi_1rDsCRXdT8GsoPDd58k7RGBS5H2CSKBtQXsLUfLu6U/s320/P1110046.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The desert trails south of the town skirt the Mexican border, and signs and your imagination provide ample warning of what might happen should you stumble onto a roving band of ill-tempered drug mules. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_CWqiqcRrk2ppZYdxvXpCE5nNp2WeY4N6PRsUa2oHfby_lIb-Zu5hSI80sujWIPgTHnBkv9tvovmnU-Vm7v143q5jVBF2bsc4DEmEfXkzeQ3aMXm5C6CBK1QoV467ToEc-H3YcTg_W6J/s1600/DSC02355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_CWqiqcRrk2ppZYdxvXpCE5nNp2WeY4N6PRsUa2oHfby_lIb-Zu5hSI80sujWIPgTHnBkv9tvovmnU-Vm7v143q5jVBF2bsc4DEmEfXkzeQ3aMXm5C6CBK1QoV467ToEc-H3YcTg_W6J/s320/DSC02355.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The U.S. is putting billions into the fight to secure these southwestern borders and evidence of that money is everywhere. Even on the most out-of-the-way and inaccessible trails we saw generally smiling and always diligent U.S. Border Patrol agents, a fact that made Steve, Howard and I very happy. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">What are the chances that a Border Patrol vehicle should drive into our frame just as we snap a joke pic?</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Don't ever depend on having the cavalry ride to your rescue, though. On our first trip to Arizona, Steve asked a border agent whether we should carry a gun on our backcountry excursions. The agent didn't hesitate. "I can never admit that I said this, but I would rather be judged by 12 than carried by six." We got his point.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2yljlR0x_A_oFe6uqb-DQF6zOmPWtWaU4XVlj9scibO3RipgZOirpSC_5TfLBs_0Btr3Pa9LlVWAcsd_l0NT04eKaPNBoMlDvo7M5447NJrzW_bcHdo0Pfh9mOmn_Bh0HuVA2VzDIAiU4/s1600/P1100857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2yljlR0x_A_oFe6uqb-DQF6zOmPWtWaU4XVlj9scibO3RipgZOirpSC_5TfLBs_0Btr3Pa9LlVWAcsd_l0NT04eKaPNBoMlDvo7M5447NJrzW_bcHdo0Pfh9mOmn_Bh0HuVA2VzDIAiU4/s320/P1100857.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>There are several things you need to know about riding offroad in Arizona that have nothing to do with immigration. Something(s) on your bike will break. <br />
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You will often be lost and find yourself on trails that cannot support human life. Getting Greek food in the middle of southern Arizona is not always a good idea. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-lR2l0K0c9m3rP34HQJXlx-Bn11X0OHpCmli5rSffWvLv_nvALs6gPl0tQZwg6wPNHLBtubZsidDCCDLqGPiaoJh6q86n6De3KMKn8nskUq-QujYTjRVq5pSdeKd_xOzMc6uIRWeKVld/s1600/cactusneedle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-lR2l0K0c9m3rP34HQJXlx-Bn11X0OHpCmli5rSffWvLv_nvALs6gPl0tQZwg6wPNHLBtubZsidDCCDLqGPiaoJh6q86n6De3KMKn8nskUq-QujYTjRVq5pSdeKd_xOzMc6uIRWeKVld/s320/cactusneedle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>If you jam a cactus needle into your shin bone, you will need pliers to get it out. I often thank my lucky stars that Steve is not only a skilled field mechanic, he is a former fire department paramedic, a crucial off-road twofer. But I digress.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKHitGydWLyzzacQm8bZGwZDbkWBAZamp0I4sHcHDTbRNUAIPCWX5Cqj8ZbToLPQeIRIWGOFqed0qpXx8Cl33uQzLqdJxDhDnx6bZkM-LjyHlFpUGIZNFewoN3-k87MyhQ5f1aSBh8Razh/s1600/P1100868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKHitGydWLyzzacQm8bZGwZDbkWBAZamp0I4sHcHDTbRNUAIPCWX5Cqj8ZbToLPQeIRIWGOFqed0qpXx8Cl33uQzLqdJxDhDnx6bZkM-LjyHlFpUGIZNFewoN3-k87MyhQ5f1aSBh8Razh/s400/P1100868.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Remember, in Arizona chickens ride for free!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>The landscape within a couple hundred miles around Tubac is amazingly beautiful and breath-takingly diverse. The descriptions run the gamut of dry and desolate scrub to undulating grassland, gnarled trees giving way to hidden lakes, kilometers of fields abloom in flowers and butterflies. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsHfGQqRr455hFYObUrqx0uHM-UfFdYUUVX2AE3WjPTnAS820g88hVvuENX4mRIhtUvVCgyhWwOtyjfM6aER-s2DA80zsFBeKt5YFwfYE3bv9nlZeg2I2yj56oz-b_UE6moVSGLj3JUH7/s1600/P1100860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsHfGQqRr455hFYObUrqx0uHM-UfFdYUUVX2AE3WjPTnAS820g88hVvuENX4mRIhtUvVCgyhWwOtyjfM6aER-s2DA80zsFBeKt5YFwfYE3bv9nlZeg2I2yj56oz-b_UE6moVSGLj3JUH7/s320/P1100860.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGN9sgOr1XYGwi5pT4UrTOzNsUmzx9ME-fHUaiKrdzJAUpipPLZfc_1zA4LEJIcft6lDuDLOKeb6NLA3F1BTD03KbUWAIb2MbPxCy0z4JyxpN8UCc27B37zq5N20YYM2x65wGurBrLuSF/s1600/DSC02366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGN9sgOr1XYGwi5pT4UrTOzNsUmzx9ME-fHUaiKrdzJAUpipPLZfc_1zA4LEJIcft6lDuDLOKeb6NLA3F1BTD03KbUWAIb2MbPxCy0z4JyxpN8UCc27B37zq5N20YYM2x65wGurBrLuSF/s320/DSC02366.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Many beautiful miles can be logged on dirt and gravel ranch roads, and on a series of what the state calls "Primitive Roads" that criss-cross the region. But most of the true trails in the area seem to attract far more four-wheelers than motorcycles and can be poorly marked. Maps that show unfettered access to open trails are often out of date, leading riders into fences that have apparently been constructed by ranchers laying claim to public land. Another consideration is that Arizona is a 'free range' state so ranchers need only build fences if they desire. Stock can otherwise wander when and where it would like.<br />
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There were three particularly enjoyable sets of trails within easy ride of Tubac. Almost due west is the small town of Arivaca. To get there on pavement involves hanging a left on Arivaca Road off Interstate 19 at the Cow Palace, a place you will wish to return for their delicious breakfast skillet concoctions again and again. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoh3oaUFM-nSJCSc8b7TEvmA8Kuoa8HJp7zT99K46sduNJDkmLv9NoQsVRSXwLavZ79uOx41ZPp6ixGIfaPb8mYafO4pE8X4giWh-q3R17yXi9qgYAQzhRZ0dnrh5ibyM0W_ijy4An6IhR/s1600/P1100877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoh3oaUFM-nSJCSc8b7TEvmA8Kuoa8HJp7zT99K46sduNJDkmLv9NoQsVRSXwLavZ79uOx41ZPp6ixGIfaPb8mYafO4pE8X4giWh-q3R17yXi9qgYAQzhRZ0dnrh5ibyM0W_ijy4An6IhR/s320/P1100877.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Arivaca Road is roughly 20 miles of beautiful. The lightly-traveled road twists, turns and meanders in and out of washes, ravines and hills. To the north are the Cerro Colorado mountains, to the south, the Tumacacori range. Just before you leave Arivaca is a road called "Ruby," who may or may not have taken her love to town. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-751T0mQzHJDeyMWQIWLbx3Bb1JPIUiw99cA0mv9EmiDzRlN2xanudQtK-bAJgo2ZkFSRM908aSAQbriTTzyplYR0u4r-pxAMx0uFKTzDBf_NqWP7HUKFP17cahtZb8IetZ36x7zJrGcn/s1600/map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-751T0mQzHJDeyMWQIWLbx3Bb1JPIUiw99cA0mv9EmiDzRlN2xanudQtK-bAJgo2ZkFSRM908aSAQbriTTzyplYR0u4r-pxAMx0uFKTzDBf_NqWP7HUKFP17cahtZb8IetZ36x7zJrGcn/s320/map.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Ruby Road runs through miles of US Forest Service land with offshoot trails that lead you past played-out mines, to the Mexican border, and to dead ends in obscure places. Less obscure but still lightly traveled is Forest Road 61, a trail along the border that connects Nogales to Bisbee. This stretch of trail runs the gamut from grassland to scrub, from forest to mountain, from easy to uh-oh. Until you reach the last ten miles of the trail near the Coronado National Forest last-nasty-bathroom stop, you will believe that you are the only living souls in the world. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSHdGQYsmKeVBTCOTuV9crvtu1uqROZ5lSo64qMj5pNf8tgClkpx3nctitiDnJCRAQco0LP_-Gl__SIsWvP1Khll0Ce-jQqf2fA-hIjPUbfQZa1w4jLTUGYBXJPxAz308QaclJsv3aecVq/s1600/Steve_howie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSHdGQYsmKeVBTCOTuV9crvtu1uqROZ5lSo64qMj5pNf8tgClkpx3nctitiDnJCRAQco0LP_-Gl__SIsWvP1Khll0Ce-jQqf2fA-hIjPUbfQZa1w4jLTUGYBXJPxAz308QaclJsv3aecVq/s320/Steve_howie.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This area is so remote that even the airline contrails don't hang around for long. Understand, however, that you will at some point see a Border Patrol agent, who are all unfailingly courteous in giving motorcycles the right-of-way.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ISQRc1IExj89kYp9CkemR6iUriuNPsqJAQFReUWRuXlYRuatG4fMQzHue0K2tcpg1GwAWzzJyv4FiKJ-O7l_BEV5v95F38zGNyv6AxxfdtvcssysulVaWmelVnE-j1eoobl0MoVUmUJW/s1600/empireranch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ISQRc1IExj89kYp9CkemR6iUriuNPsqJAQFReUWRuXlYRuatG4fMQzHue0K2tcpg1GwAWzzJyv4FiKJ-O7l_BEV5v95F38zGNyv6AxxfdtvcssysulVaWmelVnE-j1eoobl0MoVUmUJW/s320/empireranch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
If single-track trail is more your style, bust it up to the Empire Ranch just north of the wine country of Sonoita. Empire Ranch sits in the middle of a 42,000-acre tract of land managed by the US Bureau of Land Management. Originally a working cattle ranch, the facility once encompassed over one MILLION acres, but much of the remaining acreage is open to motorcyclists. Considering that the federal government is not especially friendly to off-roading, this property could become off-limits at any time, so ride it while you can. The trails that travel the expanse of the ranch are well-maintained and not at all technical, which means a lot of easy, non-life-threatening fun. Had our tummies not been urging us on, we would have spent far more time at historic Empire Ranch.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_BPPSCl91lEFOaBScswSAB_VNUL0pucSCe28QynHEYQv3SiMcefIckmPdPQyRWkk4Af5CY-r2WIlApc8ZbkRyBScoMRoYMX6KyinAQUsj0Jmz-LWQvrPY2GUduoKtb4wiot8x_HHt6iGn/s1600/bullsprings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_BPPSCl91lEFOaBScswSAB_VNUL0pucSCe28QynHEYQv3SiMcefIckmPdPQyRWkk4Af5CY-r2WIlApc8ZbkRyBScoMRoYMX6KyinAQUsj0Jmz-LWQvrPY2GUduoKtb4wiot8x_HHt6iGn/s1600/bullsprings.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">As seen on a trailriding website. Foreshadowing?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Those were our three most enjoyable sets of trails, but there was a fourth...a trail so craggy and nasty that it actually ate Howard's bike...twice. Bull Springs Trail. BST is just north of Tubac and heads east/west across the hinterlands to Patagonia. To get to Bull Springs, you turn onto Elephant Head Road and travel until you are nearly out of options. There, you will see a trail head that looks especially dangerous, strewn with large, sharp rocks. If you are committed to your course of action, you will discover that the dangerous beginning is only a tease---it gets far worse. After seeing the trail head, I opted to depart to the house with all my teeth intact and celebrate my lack of broken bones and lacerations.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrHiF2k8GGw-beB7i6pyBiBpz9sFYhhose3NdwCBeLCnT5GlaUksemqN7btd7_UYdiB4J1gdKYZ715lrJz9jeX8gyfn0rcpivm2IxpDjugyvUm1m40lAIPsM5iJNxW5I8SH5XZ9IB1227k/s1600/P1100878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrHiF2k8GGw-beB7i6pyBiBpz9sFYhhose3NdwCBeLCnT5GlaUksemqN7btd7_UYdiB4J1gdKYZ715lrJz9jeX8gyfn0rcpivm2IxpDjugyvUm1m40lAIPsM5iJNxW5I8SH5XZ9IB1227k/s320/P1100878.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Not long after, I got a call that Howard's rear tire had flatted, so I returned with the Ford rescue Raptor. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjedeNAyMqc7LoOy8IWBCzfHI_Cm5J4h4PzhEACrI9NtJhcKJBnb-Wo5d8SkY4FPGSrd90DYYigLaAMLcuZArF_wsxDsuyE5a3uMYGVsyXx8Sc7olIW28M6AO8Ph3ZyEMF94YdI4FHS7e2q/s1600/P1100880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjedeNAyMqc7LoOy8IWBCzfHI_Cm5J4h4PzhEACrI9NtJhcKJBnb-Wo5d8SkY4FPGSrd90DYYigLaAMLcuZArF_wsxDsuyE5a3uMYGVsyXx8Sc7olIW28M6AO8Ph3ZyEMF94YdI4FHS7e2q/s320/P1100880.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Howard wears a sad face while contemplating another tire purchase.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Perhaps this should have been taken as a sign, particularly as it had happened at a point in the trail where several burned-out cars had been left abandoned, but it was not.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaYO5_S-hF5mjwKk0rxtJAlPakJPtOBa_qQSrsNw3eWvx-wYiBEvgLX4SwBVpwuvb6SoQAH2T5P3mhMxXv-B6QORHZqaHYJqSYg5x0ZGT6pDDpbz6dHwIyL0c6dgFsUuDY8XMsgkXs57WI/s1600/DSC02361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaYO5_S-hF5mjwKk0rxtJAlPakJPtOBa_qQSrsNw3eWvx-wYiBEvgLX4SwBVpwuvb6SoQAH2T5P3mhMxXv-B6QORHZqaHYJqSYg5x0ZGT6pDDpbz6dHwIyL0c6dgFsUuDY8XMsgkXs57WI/s400/DSC02361.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Disappointed that they had been bested by the trail, Steve and Howard tried it again a few days later and had to administer even more field triage. A particurlarly entertaining spill ground a hole in the clutch cover of Howard's KTM 530. Luckily, a field fix allowed the adventurers to continue. Bull Springs Road was not a happy place for Howard. Though Steve made it out intact, it is not a place he particularly wishes to return.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyJYVKiDu5s2KmcxnMy_rQwFqxxx6jjCyu_1xmHwUPOdYP5sS5a8xpwavknIGdD9qpY2ZIq-jsazln8LrLXALEzh_SV9BuiQWQAlcoXsSHlUAtfSw-xfdxnp0V3j2VBdjHQjkEmiQEl080/s1600/P1100909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyJYVKiDu5s2KmcxnMy_rQwFqxxx6jjCyu_1xmHwUPOdYP5sS5a8xpwavknIGdD9qpY2ZIq-jsazln8LrLXALEzh_SV9BuiQWQAlcoXsSHlUAtfSw-xfdxnp0V3j2VBdjHQjkEmiQEl080/s320/P1100909.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
None of the trails were forgiving to equipment or bodies, inattention or lack of skill. A hard impact with the ground punched a hole the valve cover in my R1200GS, creating an oil leak.Miles from civilization on inaccessible single track trail would have been a very bad place to be broken down. Luckily, field tools and an epoxy stick patched us up enough to allow us to travel to find more oil. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8vvBvt2xl9cQVp2AcDnKf0MykhFiSl4QRoSBosyfmEG9OunRKxM5gqN97BmVem3x6xsN1qc22Yn8XQGp6jhSLFsX-WS05gEnKS8HvR7X-lNh9zajLnCW5rPjAq5R9KOP3yFIZkv-0sRB/s1600/P1100848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8vvBvt2xl9cQVp2AcDnKf0MykhFiSl4QRoSBosyfmEG9OunRKxM5gqN97BmVem3x6xsN1qc22Yn8XQGp6jhSLFsX-WS05gEnKS8HvR7X-lNh9zajLnCW5rPjAq5R9KOP3yFIZkv-0sRB/s320/P1100848.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Another encounter with a wet cattle guard sent me and my GX450 careening into a cactus thicket, also with painful results. Off-roading, like flying, is terribly unforgiving of carelessness, incapacity or neglect. Body armor protected all of us to a large extent, and the cylinders and boxes on my 1200 GS likely prevented a leg injury in my hard tumble. All told, I would prefer repairing scuffed paint than growing more skin or being out of action while waiting for bones to knit. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWrY1IrOm7kGYB4QaieXJVO0G9d6HP84f4aeAtnxaLGGSmaVU0n4Q9FpL1XvDQGIu2UbTBT9Hxrd8LYqs3Z9IWM8GDeB0DkRVqNXLWDqAz2GRnZUi8RNA0jTg0MnuOvO1FMnntOy6yPgZh/s1600/P1110056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWrY1IrOm7kGYB4QaieXJVO0G9d6HP84f4aeAtnxaLGGSmaVU0n4Q9FpL1XvDQGIu2UbTBT9Hxrd8LYqs3Z9IWM8GDeB0DkRVqNXLWDqAz2GRnZUi8RNA0jTg0MnuOvO1FMnntOy6yPgZh/s320/P1110056.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
All in all, though, the trip was another fabulous adventure filled with fun, interesting people, good food, beautiful sights, new experiences and great stories. Our bikes give us the opportunity to do many things and go many places that most people will never be able to experience. Truly, who could ask for more?<br />
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<em><strong>Additional Observations:</strong></em><br />
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<ul><li>Yes, you can hurt yourself off-roading in Arizona, so do not go alone. Also make sure that you have first-aid for both yourself and your bike. An epoxy stick saved us twice. Next time we will also carry a quart of oil.</li>
<li>Never assume that there will be water, gas or a bathroom where you think they should be. Plan ahead.</li>
<li>Information on maps regarding trails may or may not be correct. Be prepared to backtrack.</li>
<li>There are many, many absolutely gorgeous paved roads in southern Arizona if off-roading does not appeal. However, you will be missing out on some true and exquisite beauty if you avoid all unimproved roads.</li>
<li>There is a nice BMW dealership in Tucson that will repair your bike while asking you, "You took it WHERE?" </li>
<li>Beware brakes and wet cattle guards. Those two things hate each other.</li>
</ul><br />
<em><strong>Two more Interesting Things That Don't Really Go Anywhere Else</strong></em><br />
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During our time in Tubac, the desert was alive with locusts, thousands of them walking across roads and trails. We never figured out exactly what was happening with them but were heartened that no one used the word 'Biblical" in any conversation. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZXQUAbjzt7SDotseMq49cXh2hjZtn_V7rD1yh2xNdXHd8eqIOUV6cqtcHK0osJZmGTXRKv2QknwefMQCSz-vS6qrynaz4VTsndCjQOSyC9lZp3-YOQS9GzwbwXBFWvhCJy09tG0yPOLfv/s1600/P1100875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZXQUAbjzt7SDotseMq49cXh2hjZtn_V7rD1yh2xNdXHd8eqIOUV6cqtcHK0osJZmGTXRKv2QknwefMQCSz-vS6qrynaz4VTsndCjQOSyC9lZp3-YOQS9GzwbwXBFWvhCJy09tG0yPOLfv/s320/P1100875.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Kitt Peak Observatory is on the Tohono O'odham Reservation about 40 miles west of Tucson and offers nightly observing programs. GO! It will be the best $48 you have ever spent. There are very few places open to the public at which you can reach up and touch Andromeda. Be one who does!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj47fKCJhpNBfjLgK4Hif1C3H8JYvQOYO5Eu2rw_JoNnQaIhi5_yD910M4EyZQZgmhDvWqtLqEcJf2p8ckVlYSaqLJJ76QHhbVWcz4QcldJgV3vBRcpztvkNqcj_g2N0BI0Boh1PI8Pqlhy/s1600/andromeda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj47fKCJhpNBfjLgK4Hif1C3H8JYvQOYO5Eu2rw_JoNnQaIhi5_yD910M4EyZQZgmhDvWqtLqEcJf2p8ckVlYSaqLJJ76QHhbVWcz4QcldJgV3vBRcpztvkNqcj_g2N0BI0Boh1PI8Pqlhy/s320/andromeda.jpg" width="251" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Andromeda as seen at Kitt Peak. Go on, touch it!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Wr1PXJCU_u24p-zCS0vDvm6BhCwDsRTJ_LByXW63IbgnHvZb_cgyn5uloEZjyN517T1wxmu5_bZVAaXNq-0xP_WRq1KHoxdH4hnH-T-LiFhlnm18DM494wKaiZ6F-FKoCbNX_sccV2Od/s1600/P1110037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Wr1PXJCU_u24p-zCS0vDvm6BhCwDsRTJ_LByXW63IbgnHvZb_cgyn5uloEZjyN517T1wxmu5_bZVAaXNq-0xP_WRq1KHoxdH4hnH-T-LiFhlnm18DM494wKaiZ6F-FKoCbNX_sccV2Od/s320/P1110037.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfXog6ao6UKZwV1mJ0fhKEdTvyBm1ncWaYSEOY-y0_cbMzrX05mgqNQ-nTGyZ0r4DcwVUDNF_EFJ23xQ9UGxELsYnv92kZGRnxKRdpUJVPNbnVv-FrF9IZ9V4bdP3TG5MNxm9smlmn-4nG/s1600/P1110042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfXog6ao6UKZwV1mJ0fhKEdTvyBm1ncWaYSEOY-y0_cbMzrX05mgqNQ-nTGyZ0r4DcwVUDNF_EFJ23xQ9UGxELsYnv92kZGRnxKRdpUJVPNbnVv-FrF9IZ9V4bdP3TG5MNxm9smlmn-4nG/s400/P1110042.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15102436996622803957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310123565916695573.post-13392995342884139522011-01-02T13:45:00.000-08:002011-01-02T13:45:53.779-08:00Cruising the Smokies With Drew<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7ZQXzJIocSbmks51JaoCetdP0DGjObbxcu0agXAMyetsxGXxFn_7O34DVeuqsBOP9wGA8e0-N-f79k-65kIMLSp3Iauc7-TXuGcP9SV8pKk5vF2NKWFrl3xDRrfGUiOcsdrrgxuBnKEu/s1600/smokies4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7ZQXzJIocSbmks51JaoCetdP0DGjObbxcu0agXAMyetsxGXxFn_7O34DVeuqsBOP9wGA8e0-N-f79k-65kIMLSp3Iauc7-TXuGcP9SV8pKk5vF2NKWFrl3xDRrfGUiOcsdrrgxuBnKEu/s400/smokies4.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
by Drew T. Newcomer<br />
It has been over 11 years since I viewed the mountains and rode the twisties in Tennessee and North Carolina. So, several months ago I decided it might be nice to take a fall ride to this part of the country. It is not really all that far and I always try and take a ride when the weather starts to cooperate to some place different. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM0JEkNUmTUqi_sHhv-VcrrHcre_c9k8D5saGAMPlrUnh_A89aICdDW9Aa9qAwYiejxAscFTdlfLwERXNSdUZ__taYLZndtGzkrcTfyVXO2LirD1OBbF20FhCI5Zr27IKUvo0IuyFP6zQp/s1600/smokies.6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM0JEkNUmTUqi_sHhv-VcrrHcre_c9k8D5saGAMPlrUnh_A89aICdDW9Aa9qAwYiejxAscFTdlfLwERXNSdUZ__taYLZndtGzkrcTfyVXO2LirD1OBbF20FhCI5Zr27IKUvo0IuyFP6zQp/s320/smokies.6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
On the morning of October 2 I headed east on I-20 before the sun came up. North of Jackson I turned onto the Natchez Trace Parkway as daylight began to filter through the trees. Now, the “Trace” has a 50 mph speed limit but there is no commercial traffic and I was on the cruiser and wasn’t in a hurry. I enjoyed the scenic ride, with very little traffic in either direction. After a pleasant ride for 100 miles or so, I turned east on MS 41 to Amory, MS where I refueled (no gasoline on the Trace!) and continued east on US 278 to Cullman, AL. A few miles east of Cullman, I found AL 69, which is a nice country road, to my stopping point at Guntersville. I had ridden 450 miles and was ready to stop - the temperature had warmed considerably by that time. I found a Best Western that had a restaurant and bar so figured I couldn’t do much better than that. I checked in my room and watched LSU play Tennessee. I was very upset when LSU couldn’t manage the clock and when the snap went right by the quarterback and LSU lost, I disgustedly turned off the tv and went to the bar. Surprise, surprise!!! By the time I got to the bar LSU had somehow won the game. I walked in and saw the fans in the stadium cheering like crazy and had to ask the guy at the end of the bar, “just what the hell happened?” He filled me in on the “too many defensive players on the field” phenomena and we watched the replay about a dozen times. I had a nice meal of tuna with a good Riesling and rested very well.<br />
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I left Guntersville on Sunday morning heading northeast on highway 79 which parallels Guntersville Lake. I continued northeast on US 72 north of Scottsboro and on into Tennessee. The plan was to avoid Chattanooga and I certainly did that. I got lost somehow (and this is with map and GPS!!!) and DID avoid Chattanooga. Somehow I ended up on TN 28 to Powell’s Crossroads where I headed north on 283 till I turned east on 111 that took me to US 27 which is where I was supposed to be anyway. 27 runs from southwest to northeast and I was headed in the right direction. All was not lost. My little detour proved to be quite scenic with plenty of twists and turns and ups and downs. <br />
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I headed east on TN 68 a few miles south of Ten Mile, TN. 68 took me to US 411 and Madisonville, TN. Clouds were starting to gather at this point and I was concerned that I might encounter some rain, which was not supposed to be part of this vacation. I continued north on 411 through Maryville and on into Sevierville. In Sevierville, I turned south on US 441 and headed to Pigeon Forge, where my rental cabin awaited. Problem was the rain started to come down and I had been given the wrong directions for my cabin. After riding into the mountains in the rain and finally getting someone on the phone I learned (my friend Nancy was in a rental car, having flown into Knoxville) that we were in the wrong place!! So, after extracting the proper location we were able to find where we were actually going to spend the next six nights. I was glad to stop. It had not been that long of a day, mileage wise, but riding into a high traffic area in the rain and trying to find something that was not there had tried my patience. We did manage to reach our destination safely, so I suppose I had nothing to complain or whine about.<br />
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We woke up to continued rain on Monday so Nancy and I utilized her rental car to explore the area. Same thing happened on Tuesday. Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg is a very “touristy” area and traffic can be a nightmare. And, October is the most popular month. <br />
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While the area is nice, souvenir shops and go cart tracks were not what brought us here. <br />
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Sun dawned brilliantly on Wednesday morning. After breakfast and letting things warm up a little, it was time to ride. 321 took us south to Townsend, TN and Smoky Mountains National Park. Cades Cove is a historic area and we enjoyed the 11 mile loop that meanders through this historic place. From Cades Cove, TN 73 (very nice road for bikes!) took us back to 441 and Gatlinburg and on to Pigeon Forge. <br />
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Thursday woke up like Tuesday and it was time to head to another area of the park. 441 heads southeast to Newfound Gap and Clingman’s Dome, the highest point in Tennessee. We had dressed warmly and it was a good thing. Temperatures were very brisk at this elevation, but the ride and scenery did not disappoint. <br />
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After stopping several times and climbing to the observation tower (it is a half mile walk up a steep grade which warmed us up considerably!!) we continued southeast to Cherokee, NC. I had visited Cherokee over 40 years ago, but can’t say I remembered much about it. We visited the Cherokee Indian Museum and walked through town and noticed the economy was suffering as several “going out of business” signs were evident. We headed back over the mountain and enjoyed the view from a different perspective. <br />
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Friday, the sun was out and calling. The plan was to “do the Dragon.” We rode south to Townsend again and the Foothills Parkway. Fog did slow us down and hold us up. Foothills is like the Trace in that there is no commercial traffic and no services. It is a beautiful ride, though, and well worth the effort. When we arrived at the intersection on 129, time had escaped us and we turned north instead of south. We would have to slay the Dragon another time. North on 129 was most enjoyable. I had not been this route on my previous Smoky Mountain visit. It leisurely finds its way to Maryville where it turned back east to Townsend and 321 which took us back to our cabin. <br />
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Saturday it was time to head home and Nancy had to be at the Knoxville airport for an 8am flight. I waited for the sun to come up and rode back to Townsend and Maryville where 411 now headed in a southwest direction back to Madisonville and 68 which now would take me to I-75. In an effort to knock down some miles, it would be an interstate trip home from here. I rode 75 to Chattanooga then I-24 through town to I-59 to Birmingham. As much as I enjoy riding motorcycles I absolutely HATE riding them on the interstate through large metropolitan areas and I was very glad to get Chattanooga and Birmingham behind me. After about 430 miles I stopped in Meridian for the night and enjoyed watching LSU defeat Florida in Gainesville. <br />
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For those who have never visited and rode the Smoky Mountains I highly recommend it. However, be forewarned that the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area is very busy at times and if your visit is to enjoy the great motorcycling in this area you may want to consider lodging in Townsend, or Tallassee TN, or even Cherokee, NC.Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15102436996622803957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310123565916695573.post-55206755335295216862011-01-02T10:49:00.000-08:002011-01-02T10:49:06.671-08:00Doin' the D: Drew Travels to IMS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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By: Drew T. Newcomer<br />
For the 30th year, the International Motorcycle Show began its’ 12 city tour at the Dallas Convention Center in downtown Dallas, Texas. Having attended this show several times in the past, I have found it convenient to leave the motorcycle at home and take the I-20 west drive in the pick-up. So it was as I headed out about 6am on November 13 to the great state of Texas to see what was new in the motorcycle world. I had a room reservation at the ALOFT Motel, which was the host location for vendors and attendees alike. <br />
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After checking into my “ultra-modern” room in the very eclectic ALOFT, I headed to the Convention Center which was about a five minute walk from the motel. Lots of bikes rested in the bright Texas sun and a ride up the escalator brought me to the main entrance to the show after paying the $15.00 entrance fee. <br />
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Progressive Insurance, the largest sponsor for the show, greeted you with pretty girls and some large plastic bags with some “freebies.” The first noticeable thing was not what was there, but what wasn’t. BMW and Triumph were conspicuously missing from the show. This was the second year of absence for BMW, though it is my understanding that BMW will make a presence in a few of this year’s locations. The English marquee was missing for the first time that I remember having perused their display last year. Kawasaki, Suzuki, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Yamaha, and Ducati all had impressive displays. As in years past, there seemed to be more of a crowd, and more of a general interest, in the Italian area. Ducati had several of their bikes on display with the Multi Strada receiving a lot of “looksies.” Of course Ducatis look fast even when parked and a good number of photos were being taken of the various bikes. <br />
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After walking through the entire area of the show it seemed to me that the number of apparel, luggage, and accessories vendors were down as well. I made a stop and a purchase at the Gerbing’s display, having fried my control unit a couple days before. I also purchased a new microfiber top. I am cold-natured and have enjoyed my Gerbings when the temperature drops. <br />
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The show was well attended at the time I was there (of course, Saturday being the busiest of the three days.) Also different this year was a number of locations had speakers discussing everything from properly fitting motorcycle clothing to suspensions in small theater-like arrangements. Every one I passed seemed to have an interested audience and the various programs were repeated on a scheduled basis. <br />
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I have been known to spend a good deal of money at this event, but I was proud of myself as I had some cash left in my pocket when leaving the Convention Center. My reason for frugality was not so much a function of the national economy but the fact that I traded in my trusty ole R1150R for an 09 K1300GT demo bike. Having a monthly note is something I haven’t had to worry about for a while. And with thoughts of top cases and Corbin seats dancing in my head, I thought it prudent to try and be fiscally responsible. <br />
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The motorcycle show has always been enjoyable for me and Dallas is an easy day trip from West Monroe. The national economy’s effect on the motorcycle industry (and the various support industries) is very evident. The number of motorcycle dealers nationwide has dropped and no brand has gone unaffected. Hopefully, this trend will reverse itself and we’ll have shows like this one to attend for years to come. <br />
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((Editor's Note: As of this posting, the IMS website lists 2011 tour dates only through March. Check back at <a href="http://www.motorcycleshows.com/">http://www.motorcycleshows.com/</a> to get the latest on tour stops closer to home.))<br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAfbxmME8hTHifEDcg6TPnVJrbMrJkIYm2vSg7o44ywKUUfTkUoA1nlOMIIH2pfi46ZCmnOyjIJTsKtkUpa7ehRqKKvRrKk-dGJNtJ7lgVIReV5yI3yRz0I9VtYMqOOWCrbdbD1fguPUl6/s1600/newsletter1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15102436996622803957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310123565916695573.post-55317746346142147492010-07-25T09:24:00.000-07:002010-07-25T09:25:37.235-07:00Ken Travels to Salt Lake City World Superbike Meet((May 29-31 Red River BMW member Ken Paulovich got to do something many will just talk about. He traveled to a world superbike meet at Miller Motorsports Park in Salt Lake City, Utah. It was everything you would expect world superbike to be, with a little extra included. Here is Ken's account of his weekend with some of the fastest riders on the planet.))<br />
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by Ken Paulovich<br />
Sue and I had a wonderful opportunity to join Dr. and Mrs. Bill Steen and Rich Horstman, our co-pilot, over Memorial Day weekend and travel to Salt Lake City to attend the World SBK race weekend package sponsored by BMW Motorrad. We arrived in Salt Lake around lunch and after a hair-raising moment trying to land with major cross winds and literally last second runway changes, we all needed a drink.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbJtNcwawj5Q7_TS740SEytqZ8A6Gbhw30LudGEL13g1uhzS5FSKp3fgmuOi3SV12-Q3T-audXSuAfU6wXXLWNnjTMUXt_xCJUin_j7M_kL6Ep4qZEWWnr8t25cX6FMxhMFuQeSxNQ-mYU/s1600/SLC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbJtNcwawj5Q7_TS740SEytqZ8A6Gbhw30LudGEL13g1uhzS5FSKp3fgmuOi3SV12-Q3T-audXSuAfU6wXXLWNnjTMUXt_xCJUin_j7M_kL6Ep4qZEWWnr8t25cX6FMxhMFuQeSxNQ-mYU/s320/SLC.jpg" /></a><br />
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Diane (Steen) had done some homework on “local favorite” eating establishments and numero ono was the RED IGUANA , an authentic Mexican dining extravaganza that lived up to its reputation. In fact, we read in an SLC Dining Review that the owners decided to open a 2nd location due to popularity and did so only about 100 yards away from the original!<br />
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We then left for the hotel and I must say BMW really knows how to pick and negotiate pricing on pretty fine “DIGS. It was a 5-star downtown establishment called “Little America Hotel” and each room came complete with living room area with workstation/Ithernet/etc., queen bedroom w/48” wall mounted plasma tv; closet/transitional dressing area; full bath/shower/jaccuzi tub that could seat 4-5. BMW negotiated a weekend rate of $105/night...I was impressed!<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Next morning we awoke to hunger pangs again and all met in one of the hotel’s restaurants to have breakfast and then head to Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, UT about 30 mi away. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It was cloudy and about 45 degrees when we arrived there with gusty breezes, probably left over from the day before! This was my first visit to Miller Motorsports Park and my first “live” superbike race as well so I had a lot to learn. We went straight to the BMW Motorrad tent and exhibit to get our “gift packages” which consisted of BMW logoed water bottle, S1000RR hat and jacket. What a nice surprise and all became immediately useful. We wandered around visiting the many vendors and a variety of manufacturers in attendance. (APRILIA, BMW, DUCATI, HONDA, KAWASAKI, SUZUKI, AND YAMAHA) BMW had the largest venue complete with MOA and RA well represented. We got to meet Ray Zimmerman and Becky Weber from MOA headquarters. </div><br />
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Stunt rider Chris Pfeiffer was on hand with his BMW F800R demonstrating the skills and techniques that earned him four World Stunt Riding Championships as well as a 2006 victory in the prestigious “Stuntwars” in Florida. His ability really expanded the boundaries of what you would think possible on a motorcycle! As a World Superbike Rookie FAN, this entire experience was a learning adventure for me so I will share my mental notes with those that are interested:<br />
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Classes: The weekend exhibited 4 different classes of bikes battling it out on the track. World Superbike is a world championship class comprised of highly modified production MCs from 1000cc to 1200cc, with riders from all over the world. These are the very fastest production MCs, though each one started life as a bike that can be purchased from a dealership. The World Supersport class is similar in structure, though restricted to middleweight MCs. The Lucas Oil Superbike Challenge featured 2 support classes, GTO and GTU in the 1000cc and up, and campaigned mainly by Americans. World Superbikes are mostly piloted by Europeans, Australians, and Asians.<br />
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Practice: This allows the racers to find and memorize landmarks around the track to aid in braking and turning. Additionally, practice laps are used to set the bike up for a particular track’s characteristics, as the teams make small changes to the motorcycle’s geometry, suspension, and engine management systems. These minor tweaks have a huge effect on how quickly a rider can complete a lap. The practice laps are as exciting as the race because the fastest time is used to determine the starting-grid position for the actual races so as you can imagine, the competition is on.<br />
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Superpole system:: This is the system World Superbike uses to decide where on the grid riders start the race and is similar to Formula One. Superpole is divided into 3 sessions. The top twenty riders from qualifying take to the track for the 14 minute Superpole 1, at the end of which the four slowest riders are eliminated. In Superpole 2, only 12 minutes long, an additional 8 riders are cut. Superpole3, which is only 10 minutes long, decides the starting positions of the top 8 riders. The Superpole 3, was the event in which Troy Corser highsided off the track then got up and “highjacked” a photographer’s Yamaha 250 and screamed back to his pit to get his other S1000. He made it back on the track in time to qualify with the 2nd bike but was fined by FIM for his “commando methods”.<br />
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Race length: The World Superbike races consist of 21 laps around the outer track at Miller (3.048miles) with no pit stops . A new track record was set by Carlos Checa on a Ducati 1198R screaming around in just 1 min:47.387sec. during practice breaking Ben Spies '09 record of 1:48.768. <br />
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Each day, as part of our ticket package, BMW provided lunch, cold beverages, snacks, etc. in a large tent. The package also allowed us access into the pits for observing the teams in between the practice laps as they tweaked each bike to enhance performance. The MC s were completely dismantled in between events. Cowlings were racked out front and the tires were refreshed, transmissions adjusted or changed, engines adjusted or totally changed out, all based on data that was downloaded and reviewed by engineers hovering around computers. Technicians then reassembled and torque everything to specs. Riders came out for a few minutes to sign autographs and meet their fans. At the Ducati pit, while Michel Fabrizio signed a poster, I told him I had a friend named Beau Andrews in our Louisiana BMW club that was sort of a “motorcycle cross-dresser” and had a Ducati also. He smiled (in Italian of course!) and gave Beau his autograph. I was really amazed at the number of fans from all over the world that were there. Motorcycle racing and Superbike specifically is as popular if not more than Football/Baseball combined here in the States.<br />
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The only atrocity we witnessed the entire weekend was while leaving the track on Sunday afternoon, we came up on the sight of emergency vehicles off in the distance and slowing traffic to a bumper to bumper crawl on the 2-lane state highway we were on. We all assumed the worst, a probable MC accident due to the thousands present for the weekend. As we got closer to the entanglement, we realized that MCs were involved but as victims of the UTAH STATE POLICE! Seems as though the USP decided to perform “safety checks” just on MOTORCYCLES that afternoon as about 2000 people were leaving the Superbike weekend. Every bike on that stretch was pulled over, and riders were having to show all registrations, licenses, and demo the bike’s brake lights, turn signals, etc. Not only was this a harassment to the motorcyclists but a very stupid and unsafe location for anyone traveling along this stretch of narrow road packed with fans leaving the track. We later spoke to reps Miller Motorsports and they too were appalled by the tactics chosen by their local law enforcement and planned on contacting the governor.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQ0RTHobm8q2bfZe-33sbAZmGpKOCzOwEA_49zvO52Vf8r6KGehst2al0NTEwsF8e0i0O0usqsFKn8lBi4TUczGqA25dnxvFg9MC6oTdAIBcvZ523wTjvKQXuiGf_0fHuzEVJqK3FLQKP/s1600/Miller-Motorsports-Park-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQ0RTHobm8q2bfZe-33sbAZmGpKOCzOwEA_49zvO52Vf8r6KGehst2al0NTEwsF8e0i0O0usqsFKn8lBi4TUczGqA25dnxvFg9MC6oTdAIBcvZ523wTjvKQXuiGf_0fHuzEVJqK3FLQKP/s320/Miller-Motorsports-Park-logo.jpg" /></a></div>Race Day was perfect. The weather could not have been better. The weekend practice sessions had seen some slide offs but due to gear and track design, no serious injuries occurred. Miller Motorsport Park was designed with safety in mind with plenty of “sandy real estate” in place to abate rider velocities when they disconnect from their mounts in tricky maneuvers gone bad. All major turns were staffed by highly trained and equipped medical personnel, rider evacuation carts and track maintenance crews equipped with brooms to sweep all the tire rubber off the turns between each practice session or race. Additionally, the main complex facility houses an injury diagnostic and stabilization center complete with a medical evacuation helicopter and crew to “whisk” any serious injuries to nearby Salt Lake City. After lunch in BMW’s hospitality tent, I went straight to the pit area to get Troy Corser’s autograph, then hurried back to grandstand to prepare for Race 1 of Superbikes. Our plan was to just view Race 1, then head out for the airport ahead of traffic and to get back to Shreveport in the late afternoon as we all had to return to work on Tuesday. We had a nice flight home and I actually watched the SBK Race 2 at home. A memorable experience was had by all and I am assuming RRBMW Riders will sponsor your “trackside reporter” for Round 8 in Misano Adriatico, Italy on the 27th of June?? <br />
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((Ed-Negative on the Italy trip, Ken, as I held your post long enough to lobby to be sent to Italy myself. Sadly, I was told "lei è una donna pazza" which translates roughly into, "you are one crazy lady.")<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15102436996622803957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310123565916695573.post-53131084316408558682010-07-10T14:27:00.000-07:002010-07-10T14:27:31.246-07:00Toasting Through Texas to Taos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy-c4-zdKU5VmEb7Z_zvLvE0RYt8iIyhGLe1OnZSEy88q67PFrorXdmNeUTSTwe3q_FG83IKbVp309opATbh-wHx_Ks67UW3hOFNHJbWa-v9IvEW6YqKm2xsI3gPq5c62ZLnQAnTMBIqtH/s1600/Taos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy-c4-zdKU5VmEb7Z_zvLvE0RYt8iIyhGLe1OnZSEy88q67PFrorXdmNeUTSTwe3q_FG83IKbVp309opATbh-wHx_Ks67UW3hOFNHJbWa-v9IvEW6YqKm2xsI3gPq5c62ZLnQAnTMBIqtH/s320/Taos.jpg" /></a></div><br />
by Drew T. Newcomer<br />
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According to the paperwork, I have been a member of the Motorcycle Sport Touring Association (formally known as the Honda Sport Touring Association) for almost 12 years. While I have attended a good number of local rallies during that time I have never made it to the national event known as STAR (Sport Touring Annual Rendezvous.) This year the planets must have aligned correctly as I pulled out of the driveway on June 18 headed to this year’s meeting point, Taos, New Mexico. <br />
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Being June in Louisiana it was somewhat warm that Friday morning as I headed west on I-20 where I picked up US 69 just north of Tyler, Texas. I rode 69 to US 82 and turned west until I turned northwest on US 287 to Wichita Falls. I didn’t plan on going the 450 miles to Wichita Falls, but seems there was a lack of anyplace to stay till I got there. I had planned to meet some fellow MSTA members from Louisiana at the Big Texan in Amarillo on the 19th which left me a short ride on Saturday morning. <br />
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The dawn came early and I headed to Amarillo. Not wanting to take the easy way by just riding up 287, I quickly got lost (well, you are never really lost till you run out of gasoline!) and found myself in Oklahoma. After consulting a map I found US 70 near Randlett, Oklahoma and turned west taking 70 to Matador, Texas where I turned north on TX 70 to Turkey, Texas – home of Bob Wills (you do know who Bob Wills is, don’t you?) <br />
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I headed north until rejoining 287 in Clarendon and then on into Amarillo. Problem was, I got to the Big Texan too early and my room was not ready. Fortunately, there is a bar there and I consumed a pitcher of raspberry ice tea while my bike and luggage cooked in the hot Texas sun. Let me tell you – it was HOT in Amarillo and the tea was a welcome relief. Finally the room was ready and I unpacked my gear (my granola bars had melted.) The MSTA members arrived and we met for a great steak dinner later that afternoon. <br />
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The Big Texan is known for giving away a 72 ounce steak if you can eat it, and the trimmings, within one hour. There was one big ole Texas farm boy (stated weight 320#) who gave it a try, but I don’t know if he made it or not as we left before his hour was up. He was giving it his best shot, however.<br />
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In an effort to beat the heat, I was on I-40 west the next morning at 6:15. Heat was not a factor and I was actually cool in my Olympia perforated riding suit. Very soon into New Mexico I turned on NM 392 till NM 489 took me northwest to Logan and breakfast. In Logan, I continued northwest to Roy, where I turned more westerly on NM 120. I should say these are lonely roads and a breakdown out here would be somewhat troublesome as I am sure there is no cell phone coverage for miles and miles. Still, there is solace being on roads like this and the R1150R was running like a champ. 120 was a good road till the pavement ran out. (If I would have squinted a bit more, I would have noticed that the pavement ran out, but I didn’t pay any attention till I rode up to the end of the pavement!) So, I turned around and found NM 442 in Ocate which took me south La Cueva, New Mexico. NM 518 took me west and then north to my destination of Taos. I had ridden 328 miles and some of that was out-of-the-way, but my room was ready when I arrived at the Sagebrush Inn. <br />
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My friend Nancy arrived later Sunday evening and we were up early Monday morning as our bodies were still on central time. The 46 degree temperatures, with a humidity of 15%, were a welcome relief to what we’d been experiencing back at home. After things warmed up a bit, we headed up NM 522 to Questa and the ski town of Red River. We continued making a loop on NM 38 to Elizabethtown and Eagle Nest stopping at the Viet Nam Memorial near Angel Fire. The only Viet Nam Memorial that is also a state shrine evokes quite a bit of emotion as you walk through the grounds and view the photos and stories inside. From Angel Fire to US 64 we headed back to Taos with a stiff breeze coming from the west. The ride had only been a little over 100 miles, but the scenery did not disappoint and this was to be an indication of things to come.<br />
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Tuesday came as early as Monday and Nancy and I headed west on US 64 to Tierra Amarilla. We had come prepared and brought long sleeve shirts and pants but I didn’t think we’d need them as we didn’t need them on Monday. Was I wrong! Heading up over 10,000 feet in the Tusas Mountains things were a bit chilly. I had not seen sky this blue in a long time. We had passed from desert to forest and warmed up as we descended into Chama. After lunch it was time to head to Colorado on Highway 17. 17 took us upwards of 11,000 feet and we met hundreds and hundreds of bicyclists coming into Chama from somewhere. Chama was expecting in the neighborhood of 2000 folks for lunch, but I can tell you at the rate some were making progress, they would have been lucky to get there for breakfast the next morning. Had to take my hat off to them, as some of the inclines they were peddling were quite steep and you could see exhaustion in many faces. 17 flattened a bit as we approached Antonito, Colorado and turned south for Taos on US 285. Not much to 285 except a stiff crosswind but we managed to get back to Taos without any problems. <br />
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With only one day left I decided to head south on Wednesday. Taking the once-traveled 518 south we turned southwest on NM 68 on to Dixon and Velarde where we continued south on NM 68 to Espanola. In Espanola, an easterly turn on NM 98 took us to Chimayo, the home of a very old mission whose soil is purportedly known to have “healing” properties. This was an interesting stop and we found a good number of our motorcycle friends there when we arrived. Taking the “high road to Taos” we headed north on NM 76 until 518 took us the final 16 miles back to Taos. <br />
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Wednesday night was the MSTA banquet and the 386 attendees enjoyed enchiladas, beans, rice, and salad as we discussed the previous three days. As usual, I did not win any of the door prizes (including a Triumph motorcycle) but I couldn’t complain. This rally was full of great roads, great people, and great food. <br />
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Nancy and I left Thursday morning for Santa Fe where we explored the downtown area on foot. There is much history here dating back to the 1600s. We enjoyed time off of the bike and topped it off with a great Italian meal (we had had enough enchiladas by that time!) <br />
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I headed east on Friday morning taking I-25 to US 84 which took me to Santa Rosa and on to Fort Sumner. (Nancy returned to Albuquerque for her flight home.) I had lunch in Muleshoe, Texas where I found my old friend highway 70 to Plainview and on to Floydada. I turned south for 22 miles on US 62 and then back east on US 82. Texas had not cooled off in the four days I was gone and I was soaking my t-shirt in water about once an hour. I was “complaining” about the heat when I noticed a lightning bolt to my left. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGF9IKxKpcESF9PqqOk1ngJ0auvMUYs9z7X3xeRjH7tA_0xodkgdBsjc5a7Mp0hX-rPSiE9FGaC1nUW3uoW-_2ExO1RnJJ94k9Nri2fauJMW0WhSjPkBYiWF7PVBN0V_oA3F6i6ma_BqXa/s1600/taos8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGF9IKxKpcESF9PqqOk1ngJ0auvMUYs9z7X3xeRjH7tA_0xodkgdBsjc5a7Mp0hX-rPSiE9FGaC1nUW3uoW-_2ExO1RnJJ94k9Nri2fauJMW0WhSjPkBYiWF7PVBN0V_oA3F6i6ma_BqXa/s320/taos8.jpg" /></a></div>Guess I should have kept my mouth shut. I was ready to stop in Guthrie, Texas, only there was no place to stop there. With lightning bolts on my left and right and I was getting a little more antsy. Know what? There was no place to stay in Benjamin, Texas, either, and I had begun to feel a few raindrops by this time. Finally, in Seymour, Texas, I find a hotel and gladly stopped. The rain was no longer a problem but after 522 miles, I was ready for a shower and good meal. <br />
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Saturday morning I was on the road at 5:00 and headed east on TX 114 till I intersected TX 380. 380 is a good road but it does pass right through downtown Denton and there are a good number of red lights to contend with. But, they all turned green, and when I found US 69 I turned southeast and I-20. <br />
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I had been to New Mexico a couple of years ago on my way to Utah. But, I missed so much then of what I saw this time. And you know what? If I could do it next week, I would, and would put up with the Texas heat one more time!!Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15102436996622803957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310123565916695573.post-67936951852337549652010-06-07T12:07:00.000-07:002011-02-12T16:09:52.644-08:00Blanco, Texas ReDux: RRBMWR Head For the HillsIn what may be the last of our annual treks to the tiny hamlet of Blanco, Texas, Red River BMW riders braved rain, ice that cost money!, and television stations that seemed to offer only documentaries on Ghenghis Khan... but managed to have big fun anyway.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">18 brave souls from Shreveport, Henderson, Monroe and environs made the trek to the Hill Country the weekend of May 13-16, despite ominous-sounding television weathercasters promising DANGER (or at the very least a bad case of dampness) from rain, hail, wind and other meteorological nasties. Interestingly enough, no two media weather outlets could agree on the percentage of possible nastiness, leading the Red River BMW riders to do what we do best, which was to ignore them almost completely. </div><br />
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No, I joke. In truth we all did the very UNUSUAL thing of actually listening to the forecasts, which led several members including Steve and me and Dan and Patsy to drive down in our cages. That turned out to be a stroke of very good thinking on the Friday of the Blanco expedition, which turned out to be on and off rainy, mostly on. In fact, the area got so much rain that the tiny Blanco rivulet that runs behind the settlement turned river-ish.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The dreary skies did not dampen the enthusiasm of the gathered crowd, which included newbie-Blanco-ites Nancy (girlfriend of Drew) and Tanya (girlfriend of David). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHAuorsFccWoiCTfTvTb8LhA1Hcy5cBEBdEvtkEbhWPqcroXnQQTOj58kckQ3ORLD1pmeP4qMpOF6K9fB1uzCKLtWq7iaHDUxpTmbBHjJGbMH_l6M7QTa9NHfvPx2EEp87QKZ_qIYVWKcR/s1600/group.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHAuorsFccWoiCTfTvTb8LhA1Hcy5cBEBdEvtkEbhWPqcroXnQQTOj58kckQ3ORLD1pmeP4qMpOF6K9fB1uzCKLtWq7iaHDUxpTmbBHjJGbMH_l6M7QTa9NHfvPx2EEp87QKZ_qIYVWKcR/s400/group.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Both ladies get thumbs-up and two double snaps for being fun to be around no matter what the conditions, and willing to sit and listen politely to big whopping motorcycle tales without making faces OR laughing out loud. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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Sadly, there was a fatality on one of the nights of deluge. The club-purchased traveling circus tent was smote by a Wrath of God (or a highish wind... whichever) and was rendered severely broken. The combined skills of Captain Bob, Bruccini and Pipefitter David could not bring the tent frame back to life, so after several beers, they just quit trying. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That tent has traveled to at least one corner of the globe with the club, so parting was sweet sorrow. Capt. Bob and Lt. Bruce gave the tent a proud send-off to the Dumpster in the Sky. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0SzKBGyK0vhKAEP79Q6gWUoCYlc72tSX_MXPX0TPf1oDEQKODV0onETEVJ7DGk9c6zxCqZsdDVaPzMHyUaQ5zsHZd4OnNUfcSRxGC2piVHweIOXijxmFbZ6bhf1CdEcNz0klRXjsKX32m/s1600/blog17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0SzKBGyK0vhKAEP79Q6gWUoCYlc72tSX_MXPX0TPf1oDEQKODV0onETEVJ7DGk9c6zxCqZsdDVaPzMHyUaQ5zsHZd4OnNUfcSRxGC2piVHweIOXijxmFbZ6bhf1CdEcNz0klRXjsKX32m/s320/blog17.JPG" /></a></div>The rainy Friday gave club members the chance to go off on their own. Dan and Patsy took the car to Fredericksburg to check out possible accommodations for next year, Reggie and Rodney braved the threatening skies and went riding, still others hung out at the settlement and relaxed, and Steve and I went exploring, heading just north of Blanco to a little fork in the road called Johnson City. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq60Qh7vhG2M4V75Vbvyiu444K0XmIP2NNXx-Trg4YBoab1WY3bOlHYL_iT7YLcfbQG7BqLoOvjIq-MZOrTnc0jjJ9M6KIv0qioBvaJFgYZgrEkV7IEPWHcMiQaRZ1Bq5YAXOOeG78Z21W/s1600/johnsoncity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq60Qh7vhG2M4V75Vbvyiu444K0XmIP2NNXx-Trg4YBoab1WY3bOlHYL_iT7YLcfbQG7BqLoOvjIq-MZOrTnc0jjJ9M6KIv0qioBvaJFgYZgrEkV7IEPWHcMiQaRZ1Bq5YAXOOeG78Z21W/s400/johnsoncity.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Johnson City, much like Rock Ridge in the movie "Blazing Saddles", was initially inhabited by only people with the surname "Johnson." Andrew Jackson Johnson located in the region as early as 1858, giving rise to a veritable smorgasbord of Johnsons, which eventually included our 36th President, Lyndon Baines Johnson. Both the Johnson ranch and the Johnson National Historical Park are located in Johnson City, but that was not what piqued our interest. What did was a town landmark passed by anyone traveling from Johnson City to Fredericksburg on highway 290.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The giant E D Mill started off as a steam-powered cotton gin and gristmill, handling the corn and cotton grown in the area. In the early 1940’s the gin was sold and converted to a milling and grain operation, which did well until the late 1970’s. Several years ago it was sold again, to a consortium that took it in a completely different direction, subdividing it into restaurants, bars and art shacks. The Feed Mill was briefly listed on a website about the oddest American roadside locations because of "horrific" artwork that included giant clowns and paintings made of actual sets of dentures. It was into this danse of the macabre that Steve and I found ourselves on a gloomy and dark afternoon. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQpHDDPKVRj14pjrdgOFUWHQGzr5b-Odq615oxh00JyqNLyrGPHEds4qxCoa5JQwMmv3N7NLblUs50ERBZsxyCj_LgDa2Hmo2jfCphGoXuvWRmfsf6-WSOTWLTQ729iijQDaGnPQPlel-9/s1600/blog4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQpHDDPKVRj14pjrdgOFUWHQGzr5b-Odq615oxh00JyqNLyrGPHEds4qxCoa5JQwMmv3N7NLblUs50ERBZsxyCj_LgDa2Hmo2jfCphGoXuvWRmfsf6-WSOTWLTQ729iijQDaGnPQPlel-9/s320/blog4.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqHxGUxWaxjZlqlGMq-X4XNINAswBbVySr4mwpJe72zI3DUt_T9-LJLeR4bw9BnYRNBjCk4GbD6QKiSAxMmqhv62eJDHmRQgVJyYXr7TMEUfo0kH-H3kAsMlnF0UcyMdGcLUourmgEWltE/s1600/blog5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqHxGUxWaxjZlqlGMq-X4XNINAswBbVySr4mwpJe72zI3DUt_T9-LJLeR4bw9BnYRNBjCk4GbD6QKiSAxMmqhv62eJDHmRQgVJyYXr7TMEUfo0kH-H3kAsMlnF0UcyMdGcLUourmgEWltE/s320/blog5.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">The feed mill is posted, though not well. If you enter from the side street, there are no signs at all...only spooky paths into long-abandoned buildings that beckon you to enter, and perhaps, to stay.</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJV1GEZ63G0hCIHaUvw2FAuO7JobTxYYHPc8xu5vcNsWxDdi3VBMxnPwWnXvjvz_0ewvi96Inp75zok6FAubtBQNWoRvJv66aB8HRbHyEtDQb9TmIWzUpDR4-Cg_bUJx3w0u0Eunp8veOK/s1600/blog6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJV1GEZ63G0hCIHaUvw2FAuO7JobTxYYHPc8xu5vcNsWxDdi3VBMxnPwWnXvjvz_0ewvi96Inp75zok6FAubtBQNWoRvJv66aB8HRbHyEtDQb9TmIWzUpDR4-Cg_bUJx3w0u0Eunp8veOK/s320/blog6.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">After a few minutes of exploring, the area took on the feel of something out of "Silence of the Lambs". The shoes hanging from the tin shanties on the side screamed Buffalo Bill, moths and all. By then, the creeping chill that had started at our necks had spread and we spotted the warning. </div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBVATrx3ihXUBiVSR2oCkLFIULWIxz7h5xqb12WcYHybHOdMk-aWmPraL_1islOb60Gi3VGsaCw-0Y0-xdHV_QrwJDKcMggSFquYS9jGF7eqobQpJ459gEC_STi1XQEL2OH-x3BbgiKP9/s1600/dangersign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBVATrx3ihXUBiVSR2oCkLFIULWIxz7h5xqb12WcYHybHOdMk-aWmPraL_1islOb60Gi3VGsaCw-0Y0-xdHV_QrwJDKcMggSFquYS9jGF7eqobQpJ459gEC_STi1XQEL2OH-x3BbgiKP9/s320/dangersign.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">It was time to leave---quickly--- and return to the peaceful normalcy of Blanco and its reallyreally big Live Oak, which holds the honor of being the co-owner of the title in Blanco County. Not just every tree can be almost larger than every other tree within several square miles! Blanco has REASON to brag.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUK8mqgxrUPjtYWyOSVYUZXrkGIdVqpJ3l8v31PRMmqarCyvzpi7L4Xz_qJDpyFZ4ZSZqoOBRxLj_7N78VlbaUiYJIknX4FVU1g572lJXLjv0pHaA5iRKDPsOYlg_GKez9Sv7ayd6zGDrz/s1600/blog23.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUK8mqgxrUPjtYWyOSVYUZXrkGIdVqpJ3l8v31PRMmqarCyvzpi7L4Xz_qJDpyFZ4ZSZqoOBRxLj_7N78VlbaUiYJIknX4FVU1g572lJXLjv0pHaA5iRKDPsOYlg_GKez9Sv7ayd6zGDrz/s320/blog23.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">After our disturbingly weird Friday, Saturday was a bright and welcome change. The morning broke with blazingly blue skies and temperate conditions, just perfect for drying off the bikes and riding! The Abrams bros. joined Bob and Bruce and headed to Austin for some java and BMW trinkets. Drew and Nancy took off for some serious miles and everyone else scattered to the compass. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmyOGU0dnb8FPyz4A466MoKII_rIiewY6rmOEPK0zWdzYuY7OC_KJ9kNa4Xtxs8v9S0RVLChmC8t52xqR1-3gIMJ9hAQyHDS-5t1Ey6Zf2zjv0iY3uo0427L4lXlFR12MELY8J0NHKGX4C/s1600/pancakes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmyOGU0dnb8FPyz4A466MoKII_rIiewY6rmOEPK0zWdzYuY7OC_KJ9kNa4Xtxs8v9S0RVLChmC8t52xqR1-3gIMJ9hAQyHDS-5t1Ey6Zf2zjv0iY3uo0427L4lXlFR12MELY8J0NHKGX4C/s320/pancakes.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Steve and I headed to Bandera for some pancakes as big as Steve's head and to marvel at the well-behaved dog who sat and stayed, quiet and proper, while her mistress ate breakfast inside. Had that dog owner gone to the bathroom, Poochie would be in Shreveport now, spirited away in an R1200GS BMW bike bag. </div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDlRjeKQo-PBS8RvGwrSuqlfiy7oIwAzADcIVULVURZabO-SnE0atRtRe6jwuKiR-Lg8D9-AKfvBLSm74uf2OBjzX6N6lmCobgHhkRuFsEqPqJiwOlCiuSU1gGVkmJy7Wp8O-swrTYROkE/s1600/dog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDlRjeKQo-PBS8RvGwrSuqlfiy7oIwAzADcIVULVURZabO-SnE0atRtRe6jwuKiR-Lg8D9-AKfvBLSm74uf2OBjzX6N6lmCobgHhkRuFsEqPqJiwOlCiuSU1gGVkmJy7Wp8O-swrTYROkE/s320/dog.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Sadly, the dognapping was not to be, so we took off sans dog, and hit the beautiful roads of southcentral Texas. The weekend in Blanco ended all too soon and Sunday morning, the travelers made their way back to hither and yon, pausing only for breakfast at the highly-rated but surprisingly average Bluebonnet Cafe in Marble Falls. All in all, another wonderful outing filled with great roads, great stories and great friends.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Next year, Fredericksburg?</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>Some things learned on this years' outing:</strong></div><ul><li><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">A weather report of 30% chance of rain means that 30% of all rain on the planet will fall on you.</div></li>
<li><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Whether you drink one Diet Coke or 500 beers, you still owe the same ante to the snack fund.</div></li>
<li><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">The satellite dish at Blanco Settlement is powered by a small monkey riding a bicycle...and he gets to choose the channels.</div></li>
<li><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Steve won the award for strangest purchase, a 19-somethingsomething Mobylette motor-bicle, found at an antique shop near Fredericksburg.</div></li>
<li><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">What happens in Luckenbach stays in Luckenbach.</div></li>
<li><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Get out your wallet, because Ice is not free!</div></li>
</ul><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15102436996622803957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310123565916695573.post-49755555547948506652010-06-05T12:20:00.000-07:002010-06-05T12:20:41.128-07:001,000 Miles and Counting Them All: IronButt Bound!(I always get a kick out of RRBMWR members who talk about riding 1,000 miles in one day ‘for fun.’ That would be like going to the dentist ‘for fun’ or to the proctologist for….well, you get my drift. Thank heavens our little club is make up with all kinds of interesting people, even some whose definition of ‘fun’ seems a little odd.~Ed.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLemVbPWV7JYIprCYYh5EnwGzem1Qd8dbMFrOcbn6YlFPwv0DD0-FhCKvE3Br0VGLm7bJj2cJ4eZwss036HIAKdDsg6n3Z8iJVHVBu-KCeJ-lkOh7spjxPHwlnmfBzuIzKmPushm211Y8g/s1600/IBcrew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLemVbPWV7JYIprCYYh5EnwGzem1Qd8dbMFrOcbn6YlFPwv0DD0-FhCKvE3Br0VGLm7bJj2cJ4eZwss036HIAKdDsg6n3Z8iJVHVBu-KCeJ-lkOh7spjxPHwlnmfBzuIzKmPushm211Y8g/s320/IBcrew.jpg" wt="true" /></a><br />
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<strong>By Dan Weber</strong><br />
Early on May 8th four members of the RRBMWR embarked on a one day/1000 mile trip completely within the borders of Louisiana. Dan put the trip together and Kim, Jim, and Don made up the rest of the foursome. The goal was to earn an IronButt Association SaddleSore 1000 award. AT 3:30am we started down I-49. As we got near the Mansfield exit we began seeing cloud to cloud lightning. This persisted until a couple miles from the Natchitoches exit when we ran into some rain. We pulled off for the shelter of a Texaco overhang and sought guidance from the all-knowing smartphone. Luck was with us, no more rain then or for the remainder of the day.<br />
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We gassed up in Opelousas and headed west on two- lane roads bound for the western-most exit on I-10. That leg went well until we faced a HOUSE coming the other way. We gassed up after letting the house pass and headed into blustery winds until well south of Baton Rouge on I-10. At the next gas stop Kim discovered that his rear tire had lost half its air. He found three different pieces of steel (one nail and one or two staples) in the tire but we convinced him that it was probably a very slow leak and if he added air to the tire he might be OK for the remainder of the trip. We did feel like Boy Scouts, we had two emergency air pumps along plus a questionable sticky rope plugger. Lucky for Kim, he didn't need any additional air for the remaining 500 miles of the trip. Lesson learned; it's easy to pull a nail out of your tire but having done so it's probably harder to put it back in.<br />
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We took I-10 through New Orleans and past Slidell. After a few miles on I-59 we 2-laned it to Bogalusa. From there we were on back roads to St. Francisville. The Florida parishes are quite scenic. This leg was really pleasant even though we were just a few minutes late for the Mississippi River ferry. Oh well, it came back and we soon were on the west side of the river. After more gas, this time in Morganza, we took LA15 along the river up to Ferriday and then on to Tallulah for yet more gas.<br />
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A note on all these gas stops. The IronButt organization verifies rides by comparing your claimed route and mileage against the location and date stamps on gas receipts. In our case of travelling completely within the state we have to "mark" the physical borders of our travel by gas tickets. In all, we each had 8 gas receipts. On leaving Tallulah it became dark and really busy on I-20. We stayed together until stopping in Arcadia, Don got his final gas receipt and we all congratulated each other on a task well done. The remaining three of us finished the trip in Shreveport. I got my last gas receipt at 10:30pm, 17 hours after starting out with the guys.<br />
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I have some ideas for future trips, wanna hear them?Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15102436996622803957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310123565916695573.post-57835563380824776102010-05-03T14:04:00.000-07:002010-05-03T14:04:27.573-07:00Getting the Hang of Hanging On!(Ed. Note: Several Red River BMW members have recently taken 'track day' courses to learn more about the fine art of riding fast. Along the way, there is also good instruction on cornering, a key component of injury-free riding. Drew recently completed a track day of a slightly different sort, one that focused on advanced riding skills with a special emphasis on the keys to successful cornering. The information he learned can be of benefit to us all.)<br />
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By Drew Newcomer<br />
Even though I have well over 100,000 “motorcycle” miles, I realize I am still a beginning rider in so many ways. When given the opportunity to experience a riding class or track day, I try to do so. So it was on April 17, when I attended Lee Parks Total Control Advanced Riding Clinic in Elgin, Texas. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3L36Q7HiDyRfZtuIRnm7zJ3Ml3FWew-vg2hbL7e7gdngUKdzwDLKiMOJkwFAr4fqdeGQQnVb5yj65zMuko7kEhOBpuVijaUXuiPMvdnWm2ftPw770bNnezu-OQC1h2ZNnYf8Mb1W4KVaN/s1600/tx_cnty_elgin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3L36Q7HiDyRfZtuIRnm7zJ3Ml3FWew-vg2hbL7e7gdngUKdzwDLKiMOJkwFAr4fqdeGQQnVb5yj65zMuko7kEhOBpuVijaUXuiPMvdnWm2ftPw770bNnezu-OQC1h2ZNnYf8Mb1W4KVaN/s320/tx_cnty_elgin.jpg" tt="true" /></a></div><br />
Riding into Texas on Friday I was quite concerned as the predicted weather was not optimal. A call to Moto Fun informed me the class was still on and would be conducted in a light rainfall and that the weather, to that point, had not been as bad as initially thought. So, riding on familiar Highway 79 to the southwest, I enjoyed a nice ride until a little rain when I was 15 miles outside of my destination of Elgin. Checking into the Holiday Inn Express (I felt smarter already!) I hoped the weather would cooperate having covered 418 miles to simply arrive.<br />
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Saturday morning was cloudy as predicted and eight riders on various bikes (six were BMWs) arrived to improve our riding --- specifically cornering ---technique(s). The Total Control clinic is conducted in the classroom and on a range. The morning started, naturally enough, in the classroom where the first topic of conversation was traction followed by throttle control. Now it was time to practice what we discussed. The first exercise dealt with rolling off the throttle followed by trail braking. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA-asfY3Zo15_Yl1AnKA1QiRa_bWFPeU1XlFxZXPzfmpyEO4aQFnETx-O0aVUklsQI0ScPhFLrklHoFy3VbT64xG9bu3I516uL6B0eLMaj7fb5HB4cDv1VJzU5_I0SMFHYZaWyeobuCW2X/s1600/leeparks3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA-asfY3Zo15_Yl1AnKA1QiRa_bWFPeU1XlFxZXPzfmpyEO4aQFnETx-O0aVUklsQI0ScPhFLrklHoFy3VbT64xG9bu3I516uL6B0eLMaj7fb5HB4cDv1VJzU5_I0SMFHYZaWyeobuCW2X/s320/leeparks3.jpg" tt="true" /></a></div>The idea was to roll off, then back on the throttle without noticeably affecting the suspension. Guess what – this is not as easy as one may suspect. I did pretty well on this exercise and my trail braking technique was not bad with both the front and front/rear brake combined. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Back in the classroom the topics of fear, concentration, attitude, and vision were discussed. This was a very interesting session as in all of the riding clinics I have participated in I don’t recall fear being covered. Our motorcycles are generally more capable than we are in ability and the instructors informed us that “if you think you can - or can’t - you are right.” How many times have you entered a corner too hot, or found yourself in a decreasing radius and came close to “losing it” even though the motorcycle was quite capable of the speed or angle? It was you as a rider that had the problem. With this in mind it was time to return to the range. A 40 foot circle awaited us. The idea was to ride your motorcycle in a circle while looking through the entire circle. Guess what again? This sounds much easier than putting it into practice, especially if one has developed “bad” cornering habits over the years. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZWid01NxDsb5MuX9L8zSsJGAXwt6XlHwlBonyeYdxNaXW-rl8Lewod0RqtKC1sPZeR4Y-vWkadsJvKkTF_wX1KCaWL-rGwjMXpVSerhJ9w24v03qSL947ORVBtXrABMfWOWX6CpENI-B/s1600/leeparks2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZWid01NxDsb5MuX9L8zSsJGAXwt6XlHwlBonyeYdxNaXW-rl8Lewod0RqtKC1sPZeR4Y-vWkadsJvKkTF_wX1KCaWL-rGwjMXpVSerhJ9w24v03qSL947ORVBtXrABMfWOWX6CpENI-B/s320/leeparks2.jpg" tt="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This exercise pretty much humbled the class but as we begin to use the techniques demonstrated for us by Lonnie Milligan and Jude Schexnayder, our instructors, we all made improvements. After lunch we covered the topics of line selection, body position, and the “10 steps to Proper Cornering.” Most motorcyclists are familiar with line selection and understand the importance of choosing a path that will allow us to make our turn while leaving room for “unexpected” occurrences including pot holes, gravel, scurrying animals, etc. However, how many of us break cornering down into a series of steps to be done simultaneously? Before returning to the range, Lonnie and Jude took each rider and placed them on their bike. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">With help from the other students we practiced cornering in a static position. (The rider was coached through the 10 steps while the instructors and students leaned the bike over with the rider on board – fortunately for us, we had no Goldwing riders!)</div><br />
It was time to attempt the 10 steps on the range. Once again, another humbling experience as we “leaned” off our motorcycles. As we slowly got more comfortable with actually moving our center of gravity to the inside of our motorcycles, our technique, naturally, improved. Having “mastered” each direction it was time to transition from left to right, then right to left. This exercise certainly increased our appreciation for those folks that accomplish this at 160 mph, as we struggled to find the “zone” in second gear! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjghR7xYDsvWBia-49vXYKAnC-f0cR_QnOSfPLbutXqEX80PhA-lmb90rydg2TEqcsZqTgFR4ePLzAkBlOq95B1OjtRYc_kTMIC2q4nbCOjndpdUDxoDV0EdFAmYS3LNG7q_q9MXSCrlegN/s1600/leeparks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjghR7xYDsvWBia-49vXYKAnC-f0cR_QnOSfPLbutXqEX80PhA-lmb90rydg2TEqcsZqTgFR4ePLzAkBlOq95B1OjtRYc_kTMIC2q4nbCOjndpdUDxoDV0EdFAmYS3LNG7q_q9MXSCrlegN/s320/leeparks.jpg" tt="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The final topic discussed was suspension. How many of us just jump on our motorcycles and simply ride away without paying any thought to the bike’s suspension? Lonnie and Jude informed us that proper suspension set-up is very vital for optimum performance for the bike itself, and us as riders. The simple steps for measuring sag were discussed and several of the group had their motorcycles “set-up.” </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZpZQiIY8BL0T158ejKzOryMrw5U_AZwYHv0VapWaelPCTNEjv7tsRQLAcER_vPfH6-rA-cKOj4omHNiw19t6-p-SyaE7Z2pyWRZlzxEig5RfDLx-asWC0Za31SCz361TjYPbL9sJ82mO7/s1600/elgin.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZpZQiIY8BL0T158ejKzOryMrw5U_AZwYHv0VapWaelPCTNEjv7tsRQLAcER_vPfH6-rA-cKOj4omHNiw19t6-p-SyaE7Z2pyWRZlzxEig5RfDLx-asWC0Za31SCz361TjYPbL9sJ82mO7/s200/elgin.gif" tt="true" width="196" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">After an informative 10-hour day, the class concluded. I did benefit from this class and would recommend it to anyone interested in improving their cornering ability. I felt the tuition of $295 was reasonable and the class was conducted in a relaxed environment. Practice of the provided exercises was emphasized and encouraged. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">For more information go to www.motofun.net and www.totalcontroltraining.net.</div>Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15102436996622803957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310123565916695573.post-25390381203787096812010-03-21T15:26:00.000-07:002010-03-21T16:32:15.520-07:00Mental Health 101: Get On the Bike and RIDE!((Ed note-Red River BMW Club member Drew Newcomer is always up for a ride. Sometimes, though, life gets in the way and riding gets shunted aside. Drew was feeling a little sick of the status quo a week or so ago and decided the only prescription sure to relieve was some time in the saddle.))<br />
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By Drew T. Newcomer<br />
Do you have a job that sucks sometimes? (Or, maybe you are one of those folks that have a job that sucks all the time.) Well, I work with the public, so I guess mine is somewhere in the middle (though I am grateful to be working!!) Some people deal with stress by venting to their husband, wife, significant other, some drink, some kick the dog, while, for many of us, the path to sanity is via two-wheeled ride therapy. I was just about to go crazy when a three-day weekend presented itself beginning March 12. So, taking advantage of the time I packed up my trusty R1150R and headed north.<br />
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While the skies were overcast and things were still a little cool (hey, that is why I bought the Gerbings!) I pointed the R up the familiar LA 15 to 558 to US 7 right below El Dorado. Once I reached Camden, AR, I turned northwest on AR 24, which is a very nice country ride, until I intersected AR 53 about 15 miles south of Arkadelphia. AR 53 is a nice country road/country ride itself and it took me to AR 8 where I turned west. I really enjoy riding 8. The surface is pristine and the road rises falls and has plenty of nice sweepers that keep things anything but boring. And, the topography changes nicely as you head west into the Ouachita Mountains. After a very comfortable 250 miles, I found my destination of Mena, AR and the king size bed waiting for me at the Limetree Inn. <br />
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Saturday morning dawned overcast and cold, but I wasn’t in any kind of hurry. After a nice breakfast in the motel restaurant, I loaded the bike and turned the heat on and headed up AR 88. While clouds were plentiful, the fog, which can be brutal on this road, was not a problem. Climbing up 88 towards Queen Wilhelmina State Park, I felt like I was the only one on the road. A couple of whitetails waved to me as I headed west and neared the Oklahoma State line. 88 becomes Oklahoma 1 at the border and I continued west as the sun continued to climb and the clouds begin to dissipate. I rode Highway 1 into Talihina. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBktUq_7scWzUAxHIkfjfpcpot5UhYqPnFRSdo7g9eROBLJ8d_n7T3hQh7WR0hMG0xmhQycGFQZXxnGnvgfhe9pvDTwvCRGM36JZvvy-auQnXuKu8Af8k2LKkSxYaxGfEuIOfeWernS6my/s1600-h/drew4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBktUq_7scWzUAxHIkfjfpcpot5UhYqPnFRSdo7g9eROBLJ8d_n7T3hQh7WR0hMG0xmhQycGFQZXxnGnvgfhe9pvDTwvCRGM36JZvvy-auQnXuKu8Af8k2LKkSxYaxGfEuIOfeWernS6my/s320/drew4.jpg" vt="true" /></a></div>In Talihina, 1 and 63 run together until intersected by OK 2 which took me to Antlers, OK. The geography had changed and this area reminded me very much of the Texas Hill Country. In Antlers, I continued west on OK 3 to Atoka. I continued west through Indian Country on OK 7 to Sulphur, OK where I turned south on US 177 through the Chickasaw National Recreation Area. By now there wasn’t a cloud in the sky and the Gerbing’s were no longer needed. The recreation area is very well maintained and there is a good bit of history to be found here (which means it may be worth another trip!) After appreciating some of the wonderful scenery, I rode 177 south to OK 199 where I turned away from the sun and found US 70 in Madill, OK. After 300 miles I pulled in for the night in Durant, OK and found great accommodations at the local Best Western. After a great meal and a couple of cold ones, I pushed the clock up on the bike and crawled into the hotel room’s easy chair. I have found, over the years, that sometimes, there is nothing better than riding alone – but never being lonely. This was one of those days. <br />
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With the time change, morning did not come early. With plenty of daylight I headed into the awakening sun and traveled US 70 to Idabel, OK where I zigzagged on OK 3 to the Arkansas State line (where 3 becomes 32) and a break in Foreman, AR. 32 kept going east to US 71 where a lunch stop was in order in Texarkana. I stayed east on 82 to Magnolia where I turned south on 371 until I turned back east again on LA 2 in Sarepta. I rode 2 to Farmerville then back home on LA 15. <br />
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</div>The weather had been ideal all day long. Spring is coming (as evidenced by the daffodils along the highway.) I was again reminded of the catharsis that can be attained on a two-lane on two wheels.Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15102436996622803957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310123565916695573.post-88806038341680679992010-03-21T15:25:00.000-07:002010-03-21T16:25:13.569-07:00Jamroz Takes the Gold in Leesville<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnlih0bnpoMUWbJygmJPJaJGBFGQtW2RhB1BxPHUn-t-u985j_rlqYZD9-2GwwqDva7O0jGojmLKCDwAV6O6M2oEltaqPzVR3kfU4O206GG5E2Q3T2MmMufPHN620Q0h7r1ioQQ0FrtNhk/s1600-h/jamroz_leesville.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnlih0bnpoMUWbJygmJPJaJGBFGQtW2RhB1BxPHUn-t-u985j_rlqYZD9-2GwwqDva7O0jGojmLKCDwAV6O6M2oEltaqPzVR3kfU4O206GG5E2Q3T2MmMufPHN620Q0h7r1ioQQ0FrtNhk/s320/jamroz_leesville.jpg" vt="true" /></a></div>BMW Area Sales Rep Mark Jamroz is certainly no stranger to the awards podium in dirt bike racing. Jammer took first in the Senior A division and 19th overall in a day of cross country racing recently in Leesville, La., that featured more than 200 competitors. His performance aboard hs Husquavarna 310 puts Mark in the lead for the Senior A Class. The Louisiana Cross Country Series is hugely competitive and features some notable riders, including multi-time Motocross World Champion Trampas Parker riding his new Munn Racing KTM 450. The RRBMWR club congratulates Mark and hopes to see a series win at the end of the year.<br />
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For more information on the series, go to:<br />
http://acadianaracing.com/Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15102436996622803957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310123565916695573.post-86137573714284165822010-03-21T15:20:00.001-07:002010-03-21T16:33:35.506-07:00BMW Big Bikes, BIg Dominance<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsyuJEkPStJZNM341HYNXiu7FEm-EVxUlwi9TBgCYf81NZstivHC8O5i_UEtPDM37tklYK9_PjjuRhjuxln_wywV6frLehQ4wLC2mxfTPLMjTFnyoe-qx2nEFLE0D21eqktOtofOGA3RSd/s1600-h/Motorrad_070706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsyuJEkPStJZNM341HYNXiu7FEm-EVxUlwi9TBgCYf81NZstivHC8O5i_UEtPDM37tklYK9_PjjuRhjuxln_wywV6frLehQ4wLC2mxfTPLMjTFnyoe-qx2nEFLE0D21eqktOtofOGA3RSd/s320/Motorrad_070706.jpg" vt="true" /></a></div><br />
BMW is proud of a tremendous showing in a recent MOTORRAD poll of best bikes for 2010. MOTORRAD is Germany's premier motorcycling magazine, with a bi-weekly circulation of roughly 135,000 copies.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSiBLS25lPTl0AKZ5WUS2B9AMAm0yLZ5OUddc5qVaiUY_JhxsoN7D2Y0Xw33YfK9t_PdWZiza5EEGQYMH3ER4V8Vo3oZZpKFw1o6v3DmUvc7ikb7loulZAjsL1vq9OHxNqodl8OsWxOvSA/s1600-h/BMW-S1000RR-road-test.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSiBLS25lPTl0AKZ5WUS2B9AMAm0yLZ5OUddc5qVaiUY_JhxsoN7D2Y0Xw33YfK9t_PdWZiza5EEGQYMH3ER4V8Vo3oZZpKFw1o6v3DmUvc7ikb7loulZAjsL1vq9OHxNqodl8OsWxOvSA/s320/BMW-S1000RR-road-test.jpg" vt="true" /></a></div><br />
BMW was voted “Motorcycle of the Year 2010″ in the readers’ poll in all five categories in which BMW motorcycles were represented – the best result ever achieved by a manufacturer in the history of the vote. In its first time out, the new S1000RR won the "Sports" category. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig5nm66uMpAaTUCUdhhhHPuXzTUo6MoqLcbpjb-fLsX7eEUwMHnKc_Bmes115KncIgOlLiW2Y1woPxydA9_1aZ8MD_74-U-nbJakWyj-RzcVDJKQbnVHTrrE15zvpan2W1SIQSxGBmbHJh/s1600-h/bmw-k1300gt-xx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig5nm66uMpAaTUCUdhhhHPuXzTUo6MoqLcbpjb-fLsX7eEUwMHnKc_Bmes115KncIgOlLiW2Y1woPxydA9_1aZ8MD_74-U-nbJakWyj-RzcVDJKQbnVHTrrE15zvpan2W1SIQSxGBmbHJh/s320/bmw-k1300gt-xx.jpg" vt="true" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Touring" was won by the K1300GT (the 1200RT finished third).</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRiA02KW8UQE6l38IDmtiEzjRCb7gqyIP5iFIQjoMh_qEmqZwfvh05MJO916YGDnmWnEE6-vJk9S6659__cxLnUmTipN8Gmx6lBFuqB-etSLWYXd1CpXNEUafYJQq-JIF184_Xztiedvs/s1600-h/r1200gs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRiA02KW8UQE6l38IDmtiEzjRCb7gqyIP5iFIQjoMh_qEmqZwfvh05MJO916YGDnmWnEE6-vJk9S6659__cxLnUmTipN8Gmx6lBFuqB-etSLWYXd1CpXNEUafYJQq-JIF184_Xztiedvs/s320/r1200gs.jpg" vt="true" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> "Enduro/Supermoto" was clinched by the R1200GS/R1200GS Adventure.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi57j6Y3GSEq5h4cBSLponGFBJN04jR2mLIHfIsB8lnaVjd6TwgLtbfoyFxIMFPa0C4NuNmPpqZvEfwtZa1RaoWa0g3LLPiIzZOG5pLvuDtu1jse12wzdId6BvGGt359LE9uhlVH_RxO8XY/s1600-h/k1300s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi57j6Y3GSEq5h4cBSLponGFBJN04jR2mLIHfIsB8lnaVjd6TwgLtbfoyFxIMFPa0C4NuNmPpqZvEfwtZa1RaoWa0g3LLPiIzZOG5pLvuDtu1jse12wzdId6BvGGt359LE9uhlVH_RxO8XY/s320/k1300s.jpg" vt="true" /></a></div><br />
<div align="center"> The K1300S won in "All rounders," and the R1200R took home the win in the "Naked" category.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMtMur9dAC92C7HXuNg0C5AlRE7omVR-jlKaHkDRMWDiiiZldVcStm68mmlLnINTBgrPLcahLwQzHPb0En0JVa1H2ikM-m9NtQLBfBEpe62thBP3bkSSTbSdiQXqmr2k__7Wi9RJCXvCcE/s1600-h/2010bmwr1200rtouringedi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMtMur9dAC92C7HXuNg0C5AlRE7omVR-jlKaHkDRMWDiiiZldVcStm68mmlLnINTBgrPLcahLwQzHPb0En0JVa1H2ikM-m9NtQLBfBEpe62thBP3bkSSTbSdiQXqmr2k__7Wi9RJCXvCcE/s320/2010bmwr1200rtouringedi.jpg" vt="true" /></a></div>Congratulations to the manufacturer of our favorite motorcycle who once again gives us reason to say, "So many bikes, so little time."Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15102436996622803957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310123565916695573.post-4553844638131868712010-03-21T15:20:00.000-07:002010-04-07T14:04:15.754-07:00Edelweiss Encircles Earth, Invites Paying Friends<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcA1ld2Rj0hCmCKHOZwF9E0m7tLlQNHdoorZjvaEagK9F8yywnSsPPWdA31l2uPYo0AVB62zBdBgo4W-d_NSjqnTjyABwbmoQQIdcAmZXif_DCphumaNEQUWARFSfqtabUmtwYjX2r7rE7/s1600-h/ed8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcA1ld2Rj0hCmCKHOZwF9E0m7tLlQNHdoorZjvaEagK9F8yywnSsPPWdA31l2uPYo0AVB62zBdBgo4W-d_NSjqnTjyABwbmoQQIdcAmZXif_DCphumaNEQUWARFSfqtabUmtwYjX2r7rE7/s320/ed8.jpg" vt="true" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Most of us have looked longingly at one of the well-planned Edelweiss tours and thought, "I'll do that one day when I have the money/have the time/ have a more forgiving spouse." Well, Edelweiss isn't waiting on any of those excuses to fulfill the biggest and best Bucket List ever. They are offering a 248-day, 5-continent, 48-tour stop, $100,000-per-person extravaganza called the "Discover our Earth Expedition." The tour is SO big and so breathtaking that it has rendered Edelweiss incapable of spelling "Expedition" correctly on the pages describing the enormity of it all. (Fine print also describes the many extras that you will be responsible for--- including freight, shipping, your airfare to and from, and the more than one soda you may want at the end of a long day in the saddle.)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVg1tkpPeC9QVKRZn1L4rHOlCLhxQbkEcMEzNAZ68MGDX8EDkOUArIi3gnCFMZV4R_IJyNKkbBTcsRMk6C30YHgvWsTo9TyTuLlA-aq9qfsu9TLSQ65EyongFZ0OS3i1Ho6KXqwY0mim_0/s1600-h/ed2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVg1tkpPeC9QVKRZn1L4rHOlCLhxQbkEcMEzNAZ68MGDX8EDkOUArIi3gnCFMZV4R_IJyNKkbBTcsRMk6C30YHgvWsTo9TyTuLlA-aq9qfsu9TLSQ65EyongFZ0OS3i1Ho6KXqwY0mim_0/s320/ed2.jpg" vt="true" /></a></div>You will be on your bike and away from your home from November 14, 2010 until July 20, 2011, with Edelweiss planning every step of the way. Amazingly, though $100,000 does not fall trippingly off the tongue for most RRBMW riders, a writer with BMW MOA magazine told me at Bike Week that most of the slots are already taken. So there, sluggish economy.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVEvPsN74rZsXAvapDtNMRluROh1LaUJdYJlJeyKyUVUbr_mYj3d6x6R2VoDGkrS-XwFVZlErN1aM56ukIWxEtzH0MOKsTpatBW6TjEUJicQrUv24Jf1dlYGTbfQjplKsYwlHbAeeSL5uk/s1600-h/ed3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVEvPsN74rZsXAvapDtNMRluROh1LaUJdYJlJeyKyUVUbr_mYj3d6x6R2VoDGkrS-XwFVZlErN1aM56ukIWxEtzH0MOKsTpatBW6TjEUJicQrUv24Jf1dlYGTbfQjplKsYwlHbAeeSL5uk/s320/ed3.jpg" vt="true" /></a></div>For this tour, riders must provide their own bike, equipped for on road and off, with the equipment the rider believes is important for a trip of this duration and scope. Because of the physical demands placed on the group, Edelweiss says riders who have been on their tours before may not be capable of this one...they stress this is not a tour where someone services your bike, carries your bags and cooks your dinner. Riders should understand about customs, freighting bikes, have all documents necessary and be able to perform minor mechanical work on their bikes. That $100,000 you'll be paying them will provide you a mighty fine roadmap, though, and be prepared to use it. One other thing riders will be is "responsible for all route navigation." Pardon me? (Deeper in the copy it does reveal you can ride with the guide or navigate on your own.They just put that 'navigate on your own' in there to see if you're the Right Stuff.)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAEREWusN-GabCQtmtYY1b3WtEiRu9x5QcH-CCQvvHcOCdprpn7qW3Iehv156X_YnJKm6udnzngPRCkJWv3HN2OfK6Iw3pnNQb2NlbVolc0FBWddJhI6JngNLUAiBQe9Jg3zCb_0WBXKtW/s1600-h/ed5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAEREWusN-GabCQtmtYY1b3WtEiRu9x5QcH-CCQvvHcOCdprpn7qW3Iehv156X_YnJKm6udnzngPRCkJWv3HN2OfK6Iw3pnNQb2NlbVolc0FBWddJhI6JngNLUAiBQe9Jg3zCb_0WBXKtW/s320/ed5.jpg" vt="true" /></a></div>Through large swaths of this trip do not expect hygiene, sanitary facilities, nice hotels, good roads, people who speak any language you have ever heard, or any dining option other than the Dim Sum #1 fishheads soup. Do expect: an adventure to end all adventures, a new way of seeing the world, one-in-a-million experiences and great stories in the re-telling.<br />
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<a href="http://www.edelweissbike.com/">http://www.edelweissbike.com/</a>Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15102436996622803957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310123565916695573.post-58935513980883710472010-03-05T19:09:00.000-08:002010-03-05T19:10:43.642-08:00And the Boardwalk Makes It Two...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLMSYyX_a6tc55dIaRTskhp37wFK4THPw20_-iy-9yB3gWZOw8y4HnOCPlzo0eAzTBQrqtgPLBcd7IUm2LA7zy57CfR0K9Oh8bVjnHzVFjAQvqs94qhSJ7Ld1I7ans4rq9SVazlibyLQIu/s1600-h/Board_trophies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLMSYyX_a6tc55dIaRTskhp37wFK4THPw20_-iy-9yB3gWZOw8y4HnOCPlzo0eAzTBQrqtgPLBcd7IUm2LA7zy57CfR0K9Oh8bVjnHzVFjAQvqs94qhSJ7Ld1I7ans4rq9SVazlibyLQIu/s200/Board_trophies.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
Shreveport bike builder Steve Culp heard his name multiple times today at the Boardwalk open show on Daytona Beach, Fla. The Boardwalk show, held on the famed Boardwalk next to the beautiful Atlantic Ocean on Daytona Beach, has played host to the best bike builders in the country for the past 25 years.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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The show attracts national and international builders, who often find their unique and high-dollar creations featured in motorcycle magazines and on television. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">More than 200 motorcycles, from new school choppers to extreme customs, vied for the trophies. <br />
Steve was awarded First and Second place winner in the Vintage Custom for his Suzuki T-200 and T-500s, and for First in Stock Foreign for Liz's Suzuki T-500, which Steve has painted an original gold with metal flake. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf1LMjmSgPl-V4BmXpKYWOF6epTDEyt2Kxu9aw8SnlK2h8V-nHvaiy8hzyD4FqJY0dhCjnYxVPPyB66tWQ3C960Mv9y_6VrI9exSEjYNsx7DTEyn3Ai8Mv6xTUtBt-ApqTyXj104rX5Kjj/s1600-h/board_pix.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf1LMjmSgPl-V4BmXpKYWOF6epTDEyt2Kxu9aw8SnlK2h8V-nHvaiy8hzyD4FqJY0dhCjnYxVPPyB66tWQ3C960Mv9y_6VrI9exSEjYNsx7DTEyn3Ai8Mv6xTUtBt-ApqTyXj104rX5Kjj/s320/board_pix.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Steve was also summonded to the stage for Third Place-Best in Show, a tremendous accomplishment considering the high caliber of motorcycles on display from award-winning bike builders and painters from around the U.S., Canada and Europe. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Perhaps the most entertaining part of the day was when Steve, wife Liz and friends Howard and Ford had to somehow get all the trophies back to the rental house. Steve made good use of his backpack...</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTbS0ITTmsyVHA0pbVOFIAUICAMYSLj_mhAKHGF0di4rBS-3gZc32KI2enqtYWSLsha5ruaLrrPkUCvgydZPKd1wlYod5oJ-qH-6JY7E7ztrGgr9zFrpaejhddU1JvBNQIRGmrtThyd2N4/s1600-h/board_back.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTbS0ITTmsyVHA0pbVOFIAUICAMYSLj_mhAKHGF0di4rBS-3gZc32KI2enqtYWSLsha5ruaLrrPkUCvgydZPKd1wlYod5oJ-qH-6JY7E7ztrGgr9zFrpaejhddU1JvBNQIRGmrtThyd2N4/s320/board_back.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">...while Howard chose to use the 'hitch the trophy to the bicep' method. Ford favored the pirate-like belt bandolier trophy holder. Liz wisely chose to let the boyz juggle trophies while she rode behind, laughing at the looks the three were getting from other bikers and motorists along A1A.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW5b7dy7L0cLc-YnRhyorEL2EBw1ewuBhf3o8BnVTK0WJCqDPKSBuS2TXFv_Advdu_jQ7KWlW-bqp0UXTPjO5A-jVr9MIxp94j2Kdxb2bZzmmT8xP1LgrkRZLHOGw8hoDgfmTv6EQcnCOp/s1600-h/board_boys.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW5b7dy7L0cLc-YnRhyorEL2EBw1ewuBhf3o8BnVTK0WJCqDPKSBuS2TXFv_Advdu_jQ7KWlW-bqp0UXTPjO5A-jVr9MIxp94j2Kdxb2bZzmmT8xP1LgrkRZLHOGw8hoDgfmTv6EQcnCOp/s320/board_boys.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Daytona Beach won't soon forget Shreveport, Louisiana, and Culp's beautiful Suzuki stable, and that's the way we like it.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15102436996622803957noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310123565916695573.post-21330695449796708162010-03-01T18:32:00.000-08:002010-03-01T18:32:52.135-08:00...And the Big Rat Makes Three<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXEVjNnhQxcA-GzFWF0fisEUSZ74h6ACfL54clnoTx0KaVK7uStsKFIjsIOs1kH7jFZSsFPcYGp4TPKO9T5f6QGQPBGi65DL_gW7ap0BNKHrgh5pzInuhRmO07LJoS5TsEEnPvQJ1jK-Av/s1600-h/P1070702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXEVjNnhQxcA-GzFWF0fisEUSZ74h6ACfL54clnoTx0KaVK7uStsKFIjsIOs1kH7jFZSsFPcYGp4TPKO9T5f6QGQPBGi65DL_gW7ap0BNKHrgh5pzInuhRmO07LJoS5TsEEnPvQJ1jK-Av/s320/P1070702.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Shreveport bike builder and Red River BMW Riders' Club member Steve Culp was the big winner February 28 at the famed Rat's Hole Bike Show in Daytona Beach, Fla., taking home two giant rat trophies. Thirty years ago, Karl Smith, Jr.---AKA Big Daddy Rat---started the Rat's Hole tradition that has grown into the really big cheese at Bike Week. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWuMpk3XOHF35Hy6empQLUtrxXw1Vs3Cn0AQ1q7ZoPlnXXQUh-_377D8E9ZTG9kO_snNDvOzAvzGs05R1exwgZG7g_ZTq0GTA0lkgQ5jYwVtrOGrr4zJ9Bhn2vImxHcBntDwUKEw72SEl/s1600-h/steve_rats_t500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWuMpk3XOHF35Hy6empQLUtrxXw1Vs3Cn0AQ1q7ZoPlnXXQUh-_377D8E9ZTG9kO_snNDvOzAvzGs05R1exwgZG7g_ZTq0GTA0lkgQ5jYwVtrOGrr4zJ9Bhn2vImxHcBntDwUKEw72SEl/s320/steve_rats_t500.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Steve came loaded for bear... uh, rodent, with two newly-minted custom rides; a Suzuki T-500 racer/street fighter and a T-200 vintage cafe racer. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0bFi-EB1UFSDVosgpI_oUne1KQ6apPgcIzbVp6zWNfU7HJMRkE9EZnwHTrgNY0QQ9J9QMvMhLH3UsqNN_7Eajkg3lvAZxoXEdOW1ffIEGhkeWLwRJZyTItLkkTqpp99HzRrxDwMot4dPi/s1600-h/t-200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0bFi-EB1UFSDVosgpI_oUne1KQ6apPgcIzbVp6zWNfU7HJMRkE9EZnwHTrgNY0QQ9J9QMvMhLH3UsqNN_7Eajkg3lvAZxoXEdOW1ffIEGhkeWLwRJZyTItLkkTqpp99HzRrxDwMot4dPi/s320/t-200.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">These bikes are not your average show bikes and that's just fine with Steve. These are the type bikes that he enjoyed as a kid, and when he started looking around for a cool yet inexpensive bike to take apart and put back together in unique and unusual ways, the small Suzukis seemed perfect ...they were reasonably priced, overlooked and under-appreciated. Appreciation for the bikes was flying at Rat's Hole, as were questions about them. Some of the questions, especially the "what IS it?" variety, can take a while to answer. Steve loves finding unique uses for many different model and manufacturer parts and the T-200 is a tasty hodgepodge that sports a 2007 Victory headlight, Hayabusa footpegs, an Italian Gremeca racing front brake and Akront rims. The racing number 6 was chosen for no reason other than shape and symmetry, the color red because Steve had just finished a red Bultaco and loved the look of it.The lightened frame on the little 200 should be very happy whizzing around the track at speeds close to 100 mph.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGZkKqjJ4pYA0SReXP-jsFiPSkS7X2mHz_8nF4TwhcyNJsAwvQsIRQ2fxKwlt672yxObuJWFMHkYPGF4AiM0mxXJfRKebsmHJz-GOAYcTBrXUw8pGHdUhzK8oFhZ2Qs8av8bmB5tDfjC1/s1600-h/t500compressed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGZkKqjJ4pYA0SReXP-jsFiPSkS7X2mHz_8nF4TwhcyNJsAwvQsIRQ2fxKwlt672yxObuJWFMHkYPGF4AiM0mxXJfRKebsmHJz-GOAYcTBrXUw8pGHdUhzK8oFhZ2Qs8av8bmB5tDfjC1/s320/t500compressed.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">The T-500 story is much the same. The really big deal on the bike is a $4500 Fontana front brake. It is rounded out with Akront rims and an antique Suzuki racing tank. A Victory headlight bucket makes up the back seat and the headlight is a WWII Lucas. With a fairing, the T500 should be happy on the track at speeds of mid-120s.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuorzvFf1FwOBrFbCUFzSToSSYtxBkYqiSYK7q9cWQDBd0xSqT0LSuvcazKabXDZ2qUIGJ-1Xo1q3Isd15KZMIpxM0I1ABvSsNspk8nxg5lxK9wNf3lUW_5TDLIxAqSsNbDp6MVuuKMPwp/s1600-h/steve_riding.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuorzvFf1FwOBrFbCUFzSToSSYtxBkYqiSYK7q9cWQDBd0xSqT0LSuvcazKabXDZ2qUIGJ-1Xo1q3Isd15KZMIpxM0I1ABvSsNspk8nxg5lxK9wNf3lUW_5TDLIxAqSsNbDp6MVuuKMPwp/s320/steve_riding.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">The great thing about the Suzukis is that they not only look good standing still, they're also fun to ride and they get a lot of attention zipping down the road. Steve's plan is to sell the bikes and get started on his NEXT project in time for Rat's Hole 2011!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPeOQnW08TCWdbAMIxnFp442VKPC_Q5kdKB8LNjoGpG5s_zsURgLRnjkw6JXK6G3FTxLJ-BiZY7Tz7N2IOznsuSbdtIgf10utGWYbJs5Y5t1u-lE_CALtul2lt-fiSqfo2kUJCUAHtzCPR/s1600-h/Us3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPeOQnW08TCWdbAMIxnFp442VKPC_Q5kdKB8LNjoGpG5s_zsURgLRnjkw6JXK6G3FTxLJ-BiZY7Tz7N2IOznsuSbdtIgf10utGWYbJs5Y5t1u-lE_CALtul2lt-fiSqfo2kUJCUAHtzCPR/s320/Us3.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The gang at Bike Week-Steve, Liz and Ford-enjoying sunshine and seafood!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15102436996622803957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310123565916695573.post-6273135604734167652010-02-03T08:27:00.000-08:002010-02-03T11:32:36.065-08:00It's New, It's Fast, It's Everything They ClaimedHow often do new products live up to their glorious, pre-launch hype? Techno-geeks are already suggesting changes for the unfortunately named iPad. Though poorly named, it may actually sell. Other products though, are all hype, no traction and few sales.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO6cz1h0kp0BqTevMZs4pXBY-ccdoIrnQ4cH4NtPr9nT1fL9cXnVqnYtILZoZWq12niuTxFEVEqp__2mmJs3kM0Df8JsfUyrb8HjEs8KQY61w6FoBxs_RrDFufMKIXw1LlCfyVbAuQQS6-/s1600-h/S1000RRad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO6cz1h0kp0BqTevMZs4pXBY-ccdoIrnQ4cH4NtPr9nT1fL9cXnVqnYtILZoZWq12niuTxFEVEqp__2mmJs3kM0Df8JsfUyrb8HjEs8KQY61w6FoBxs_RrDFufMKIXw1LlCfyVbAuQQS6-/s320/S1000RRad.jpg" /></a></div>Not so for the BMW S1000RR. Four years in development, the S1000RR super sportbike appears to be taking the BMW universe by storm. Local BMW Area Rep Mark Jamroz reports some of his dealers have waiting lists twenty deep for the bike. You read that right. Twenty. Where's a ramped up production line when you need it?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5B49am5IT7fQHMmkqgeLA_7LUyERnt5QqgwGosnNWjU3Cwfy-KP7IhVHys4JdUAVrWKJR2YsgxmekQ9WBpDaceTWjklZTcF19RQh9WgbamWnH06JPrXNi9kNBaZgCM2WsrL-xdGNf6Ixp/s1600-h/BMW_S1000RR_45617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5B49am5IT7fQHMmkqgeLA_7LUyERnt5QqgwGosnNWjU3Cwfy-KP7IhVHys4JdUAVrWKJR2YsgxmekQ9WBpDaceTWjklZTcF19RQh9WgbamWnH06JPrXNi9kNBaZgCM2WsrL-xdGNf6Ixp/s320/BMW_S1000RR_45617.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Shreveport Motorsports Sales Manager Jason Kilpatrick just returned from the North American dealer launch of BMW's foray into supersport and reports the dealers are universally upbeat. While dealers speaking well of their products in order to sell them is not at all surprising, what impressed Jason was the number of multi-line dealers singing the S1000RR's praises. Those dealers of the Suzuki and Kawasaki sport bikes that will be BMW's biggest competition liked what they saw and want more of it.<br />
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The bike is so fast and so responsive, BMW took the unprecedented step of refusing to give dealerships the keys until they could complete some rider/dealer training. Jason was taken through three track sessions at the Palm Beach International Raceway in Florida that included rides in rain mode, sport mode and race mode. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjz2q3mANhljcY_eGw5Q1jrBartHwpKSQBi9jKtFmLay6poLXjWX1-IEz1Db3YtsnhiUeqr8m36ikMbcNpPPsGU10S_mrCgnp76KlByjER8_7zCD95l4R1jo0qR5qPSnJ_j01QGEmQI49f/s1600-h/palmbeachtrack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjz2q3mANhljcY_eGw5Q1jrBartHwpKSQBi9jKtFmLay6poLXjWX1-IEz1Db3YtsnhiUeqr8m36ikMbcNpPPsGU10S_mrCgnp76KlByjER8_7zCD95l4R1jo0qR5qPSnJ_j01QGEmQI49f/s320/palmbeachtrack.jpg" width="196" /></a>"This bike just delivered on everything BMW has promised," says Jason. "In terms of performance, the transmission and clutch, it's just smooth and seamless. Going from 160+ mph to 30 mph is as simple as downshifting and dumping the clutch. There's no wheel hop." Jason clocked mid 160s down Palm Beach's 6/10th of a mile straightaway and says the bike is good for more. "The engine on this bike is 216-hp that has been detuned through electronics. It's still getting 180-hp to the back wheel. I think it's a 200-hp bike."<br />
It seems apparent that BMW took the time to make this bike the one to beat in the world of superfastsuperlight-ultra performance. It comes standard with a 3-year, 36,000 mile warranty, which is two years longer than those offered by other sport bike makers. It can be ordered with both traction control and ABS brakes, which BMW believes will be 90% of their orders. BMW even went so far as making the key adjust the suspension so riders won't have to dig through pockets searching for a tool. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYo2VabGCgTu8GLEM9Pu1FajGk3136wUkP-jjMpLK7SMJFT70dHB3JjpNiCnHxRbvg6KopC1MyWSYlUdAgI1lytkqrfUIMD4rAvKqNZQcgeVRc5cf7e4CXBaXI3K593Cwq6Gsx22FCN00k/s1600-h/jason.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYo2VabGCgTu8GLEM9Pu1FajGk3136wUkP-jjMpLK7SMJFT70dHB3JjpNiCnHxRbvg6KopC1MyWSYlUdAgI1lytkqrfUIMD4rAvKqNZQcgeVRc5cf7e4CXBaXI3K593Cwq6Gsx22FCN00k/s400/jason.bmp" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Jason in front on the track at Palm Beach</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">At age 31, Jason has felt the need for speed since he was a 4-year-old kid tearing through the woods on dirt bikes. He has owned more than 25 bikes, most of the them the 'eat-the-road' variety, and started racing at tracks in 2000. He knows fast, he knows performance and he knows a great bike when he sees it. "BMW plans to take on the Japanese sportbike builders this year and capture 10% of the US sportbike market (roughly 2300 bikes). Most of the 624 pre-sold units have been sold to existing BMW owners." But as the word gets out, BMW is hoping to go head-to-head with riders who may now be in the market for a Suzuki Hayabusa or Kawasaki ZX-14. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi1QvvTFLHwM9SDdG5-cdFmmKgOZmkZ2auV4XD4m79MpE_wHnq4cvjkAyReIpoq6ihBjxlvtkYze8oyleBXQg8smKx05xUffliXTdXRGvbSte5cS70f0HE9RScXG-LBLEmVCPiKfPu9Zdw/s1600-h/Smsbike.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi1QvvTFLHwM9SDdG5-cdFmmKgOZmkZ2auV4XD4m79MpE_wHnq4cvjkAyReIpoq6ihBjxlvtkYze8oyleBXQg8smKx05xUffliXTdXRGvbSte5cS70f0HE9RScXG-LBLEmVCPiKfPu9Zdw/s320/Smsbike.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Bike builder Steve Culp says he can't imagine this bike won't lure Japanese sportbike riders into the BMW fold. "It's the traction control that makes this bike amazing," says Culp. "It's as close to idiot-proof as a bike can be. You can dive into a corner at the wrong speed and the bike will back the throttle off until it gets you into the right parameters to complete your turn. I don't think there's another bike out there like this." <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGuXu-K-T1xd2OqGa2ibxC5AmKwrKZSlEpRj3PyO3oVg_W8kxbrpJH29liwgtaQU0h2UZMN368E0aMc_RNaVr67LnIRqX-vqr2EYCxz0JzOKvkLkw_3tGeokiXRk4_7-T0m8541i3Si_80/s1600-h/s1000rr1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGuXu-K-T1xd2OqGa2ibxC5AmKwrKZSlEpRj3PyO3oVg_W8kxbrpJH29liwgtaQU0h2UZMN368E0aMc_RNaVr67LnIRqX-vqr2EYCxz0JzOKvkLkw_3tGeokiXRk4_7-T0m8541i3Si_80/s320/s1000rr1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Some 2300 units will be available in the U.S. in 2010, the other 8,000 are committed to Europe, where the bikes are selling for much more than their U.S. counterparts. With the ABS/traction options, the bike is available right now for $16,225 at SMS, but that price may not be good for long. BMW may have found the combination of fast+light that will demand more than MSRP. If you want one, you might consider getting while the getting is good.<br />
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"BMW is calling the S1000RR their 'Conquest' model," says Jason. "It's the model they think will help them conquer the Japanese sport bike market." From all indications, they have. <br />
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The S1000RR is more than fast:<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-rdm_YwLgc&feature=related">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-rdm_YwLgc&feature=related</a><br />
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S1000RR vs. 700hp Corvette (in German, but worth watching):<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATV4Ltbk5Qc">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATV4Ltbk5Qc</a><br />
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The official S1000RR site:<br />
<a href="http://www.bmwplanetpower.com/">http://www.bmwplanetpower.com/</a><br />
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Photos from Jason's track day:<br />
<a href="http://www.yourracingphotos.com/BMW.html">http://www.yourracingphotos.com/BMW.html</a>Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15102436996622803957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310123565916695573.post-19901355091312634482010-01-16T14:21:00.000-08:002010-01-17T10:23:25.679-08:00It's Here!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBGxHVKV8jOpS3IOyO1fxWH9Y9VrPABTIYA8ASq6jZGI2nkLz-Pww1XkRhXf7AVA67K063OUCWz7J4D9AymwLwdUXRu7yssZbkRYuESiqLKoOtCxbx_TQYomiignBNykMrVLX5vSWv4ky0/s1600-h/s10001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBGxHVKV8jOpS3IOyO1fxWH9Y9VrPABTIYA8ASq6jZGI2nkLz-Pww1XkRhXf7AVA67K063OUCWz7J4D9AymwLwdUXRu7yssZbkRYuESiqLKoOtCxbx_TQYomiignBNykMrVLX5vSWv4ky0/s320/s10001.JPG" /></a><br />
</div>BMW's highly anticipated new superfast S1000RR is on the showroom floor at Shreveport Motorsports and is already attracting attention.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNhMDtJxaoQB5wwvVkxLdTOpY88balnKjY6PCibsbjY6VmkzVfudB_h6Pqyam5g5CIYQRrmWiY2FifXu8rz3UAk2bRoaRRzJJ_31YjjaMvUElx5m25Ahrwxi3-DfxhTVSUgAu7wkjxvnbR/s1600-h/s10002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNhMDtJxaoQB5wwvVkxLdTOpY88balnKjY6PCibsbjY6VmkzVfudB_h6Pqyam5g5CIYQRrmWiY2FifXu8rz3UAk2bRoaRRzJJ_31YjjaMvUElx5m25Ahrwxi3-DfxhTVSUgAu7wkjxvnbR/s320/s10002.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Jason K. on the S-RR<br />
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A gaggle of admirers surrounded the bike Saturday, poking, prodding, fondling, perhaps even whispering an inappropriate suggestion or two. In person the S1000RR does LOOK as fast as they say it is. It is also lightweight enough to be brought upright off the sidestand with a pinky finger that is only slightly muscular. This bike is definitely going to be fun.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOojlM92_SafEJ6o-Be5EAbh0uhab2_HmcbQrsG_1kGoSO8xMFwlP6thdEnkenMw4LpzA3tm1FKmYIh0TkpVsHPmiKk28YtCksbYUS2wiI6ihxg6pNLc7qmtcxDdSg6K0D5BoeoGbeMo8Z/s1600-h/s10003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOojlM92_SafEJ6o-Be5EAbh0uhab2_HmcbQrsG_1kGoSO8xMFwlP6thdEnkenMw4LpzA3tm1FKmYIh0TkpVsHPmiKk28YtCksbYUS2wiI6ihxg6pNLc7qmtcxDdSg6K0D5BoeoGbeMo8Z/s320/s10003.JPG" /></a><br />
</div>SMS' Jason Kilpatrick will be using the Acid Green shop bike for drag racing, and if there's anyone who can wring every last HP out of this hot little number, it's Jason. BMW area rep Mark Jamroz also plans to race one of the liter bikes. Be interesting to put Jason and Mark side-by-side on the dragstrip, wouldn't it? It would be like Godzilla versus Mothra, Batman versus Aquaman, east versus west, Sodom versus Gomorrah. But I digress....<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYIBAcEiGwjfjkFvvuV5LV6wBDwFcbjNQZ7MITZzu-XNdaRZ6KcPC0Cwpd4MpsFinkyRZ68iGPn5CLkDX3snp-3WABKPVvbh0BwWqA1LbVxCoi-qwjC_ErcZsFhWwW8WBGfgeKRXc02dMy/s1600-h/s10004(welborn).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYIBAcEiGwjfjkFvvuV5LV6wBDwFcbjNQZ7MITZzu-XNdaRZ6KcPC0Cwpd4MpsFinkyRZ68iGPn5CLkDX3snp-3WABKPVvbh0BwWqA1LbVxCoi-qwjC_ErcZsFhWwW8WBGfgeKRXc02dMy/s320/s10004(welborn).JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Wellborn considers how many billable hours it would take to pay for this new bad boy.<br />
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BMW says 600 of these motorbikes have been pre-sold and will be in customers' hands any day now. You, though, can own this one. Now. Today. With a couple of additional bells and whistles, this model is priced at $16,225. Be sure you have enough money left over for some really good racing leathers. Even if you don't plan to race, owning a bike this lightweight and this fast means that going to the grocery store may involve at least two time zones and one sound barrier. <br />
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Additional S100RR Info:<br />
<ul><li>A second S1000RR, one in the BMW Motorrad Motorsport colors, will hit SMS in a couple of weeks.</li>
<li>Everything you could ever want to know about the bike can be found at: http://s1000riders.org/</li>
</ul>Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15102436996622803957noreply@blogger.com0