Motorcycle Misadventures

In a few minutes: Carla talks about great motorcycle travel writing

In just a few minutes the Internet motorcycle radio show Side Stand Up will be live. I'll be joining host Tom Lowdermilk to talk about great motorcycle travel writing . The show runs from 8-10pm EST, 5-7 PT. I'll be on for 1/2 hour starting 5:30 PT. Join us, give us your opinion on great motorcycle travel writing, via the show blog.

At 8:00 Nate Kern 2008 Thunder Bike Champion talks about defending his #1 plate in 09. 8:30 The new monthly segment with Carla King covers all aspects of travel writing and blogging. 9:00 Eric Wallbank relates his South American riding adventures, including the last where he was caught in extreme winds.

Please call in or join the live chat to tell me about your favorite motorcycle travel books and blogs. Here's how:

Host: SideStandUp Radio Show - tom@sidestandup.com
Episode: EPISODE69 - SIDE STAND UP
Here's the link: http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/talkCast.jsp?masterId=64458&cmd=tc
Here's the Call ID: 64458

Scheduled Time:
Date: Tue, January 27, 2009
Time: 08:00 PM EST

How to participate:
Call in:
Dial: (724) 444-7444
Enter: 64458 # (Call ID)
Enter: 1 # or your PIN

Join from your computer:
Here's the link to join the call or just listen along:
http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/talkCast.jsp?masterId=64458&cmd=tc

Wooden Vespa

Portuguese craftsman Carlos Alberto hand built this sublime wooden Vespa. See the build process here.

Figures that an opera-singing biker chick would send me this link! Thanks Marisa!

Motorcycle Travel in Eastern Europe

Bikes in the Fast Lane reported on an opportunity to motorcycle in Eastern Europe. A company called. A company in Prague will rent you a bike and help you with an itinerary for touring in the Czech Republic, Poland, Austria, Germany and Slovakia. They're planning an all off-road tour in Russia in Fall, too. More info.

How to hold on to your Rebel . . .

I've always recommended the Honda 250 Rebel as the ideal beginner bike to own for people who think they want the cruiser style. It's just a beautiful little bike, and it holds its value so resale is easy if you decide you trade up. But you might just want to hold on to it, especially now that Cobra Engineering has an accessory line that gives Rebel riders a reason to hold on to the bike. Read about sissy bars, luggage racks, and more.
 
Related on Women Riders Now:  Your First Motorcycle: What to Consider

When you start your motorcycle, pull in your clutch

Most motorcycles are built with a wet clutch and recently it was pointed out to me that you need to pull in the clutch for a bit before putting it in gear. I do this anyway, I don't know why! Maybe my dad taught me that was the correct starting procedure, when I was a kid, and it just became a habit. (Click on image to go to wikipedia topic.)

Motorcycle-Glossary.com defines a wet clutch as: A clutch that contains many plates that are in the oil spray of the transmission and the oil gets between the plates. The plates on wet clutches have a tendency to stick together when the bike sits. So, when you start the bike in the morning, before you put it in first gear to move off, depress the clutch lever for about 30 seconds to allow the oil on the plates to drain off and the plates to separate. Otherwise, you’ll get a decided clunk and slight movement forward when you put it in first. (Compare Dry Clutch)

Some motorcycles have dry clutches, which results in what one forum poster describes as the "Gawd-awful racket emanating from the tranny on a dry clutch...ala Ducati."

Your comments welcome!

Nigerian Motorcycle Taxi Riders Wear Calabash Helmets

To avoid the helmet law - in effect New Year's Day - okada (motorcycle taxi) drivers in Nigeria wear calabash (dried pumpkin) helmets to fool police. Helmets cost around $25 and are very much out of the price range of the drivers. Passengers say that they fear the motorcycle taxi drivers might use helmets to cast spells on their clients, making it easy for them to be robbed. Read the BBC news article.

On a personal note, when I biked through West Africa in 93/94 I encountered even very educated people who wore juju belts, and everyone drove like maniacs. I only went to Dakar and Abdijan to deal with visa requirements, and got out as quickly as possible. Other than that, West Africa remains my favorite travel destination.

(Thanks to my friend Lori for pointing me to this BBC report.)

Fantasy Motorcycles in NYC Jan 16-18

Check out these  hand-built motorcycles by the Japanese artist Chicara Nagata at the Ippodo Gallery in Chelsea Jan. 16-18 at the Cycle World International Motorcycle Show will be at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. And on display at the Ippodo Gallery on West 26th Street is the “Liquid Chrome” exhibition, which features four hand-built custom motorcycles by the Japanese artist Chicara Nagata.

Read the article in NYTimes.com.

Encourage Motorcycle Racing Class for Women by AFM

American Federation of Motorcyclists members have proposed adding a women's motorcycle racing class. AFM is one of the oldest and most prestigious local roadracing clubs in the country. They say that in 2008 there were only 7 women racing with the AFM compared to around two or three hundred men. Based on the conversations they've had in the community, it is their belief that the creation of an AFM women's class will help bring more women to the track. Do you agree? To add your name to the list of supporters, go here.

Thanks to Leslie Kaye of UrbanMoto for this info.

Review: Alpinestars Ridge Waterproof Boots

Darek of WeRoam reviewed the Alpinestars Ridge Waterproof Boots (for men), and rates it an 8/10. WeRoam's got a bunch of other equipment reviews on their site, too.