Motorcycle Misadventures

VentureOne: Ecocar-Motorbike Combo

This is just too cool. A new eco-car/motorcycle drives like a car but corners like a motorcycle due to a unique tilting system that gives it the ability to lean at 45 degrees. The three-wheeled machine runs on both petrol and electric yet can accelerate from 0 to 60mph in six seconds. It is fully enclosed with a 360 degree glass canopy roof so both passengers can get a full view of their journey while being protected from the elements. The makers say that it will get 100mpg with a top speed of over 100mph, will include a steel roll bar, air-conditioning, heating, and a stereo.

Read the article.

See you at Cycle World in Atlanta

Come see me at  at the Cycle World show in Atlanta, February 23-25. I'll be signing books all weekend at the Ural booth.  (Go to the site and print out their 50% discount parking coupon.)

And check out this review of American Borders:

"Heartwarming and revealing, readers get to know and love Carla, and get to know themselves a little more in the process," says Genevieve Schmitt, founder of WomenRidersNow.com. "She's a true hero, smiling every mile of the way and finding humor in the worst of circumstances."

(Aw gee!)

Well, despite the portrayal of the Ural in the book -- which was, after all, a test ride of the new import, I really do recommend today's Ural, which is a really great, reliable, and let's not forget the most important trait -- fun! -- machine.

Order the book, or if you've read it, give it a review on the Motorcycle Misadventures website.

See you in Atlanta!
Carla

2006 Pacific Coast Dream Machines Show Cancelled

Bummer! Organizers of the Pacific Coast Dream Machines Show announced today that this year's show has been cancelled due to deteriorating field conditions at Half Moon Bay Airport caused by the unrelenting rain. The popular show was scheduled to take place on April 30.

The Merits of the Kawasaki KLR 650

Of all the motorcycles one might choose for hardcore world travel the Kawasaki KLR650 is seeming to me the most practical choice. People say it's the Swiss Army Knife of motorcycles. You can ride on road, off road, and way way off road. It can be lowered and modified in many different ways. Its got a reliable Japanese engine and plastic coverings that don't cost thousands to replace if you scratch it...that is, if you even care to replace it. It's not the kind of bike that you're going to polish every weekend and ride slowly downtown.

2005 Motorcycle Design Awards | Dexigner Design Forums

Over 120 professionals from within the 2-wheel R&D industry worldwide nominated the best designs from all the new models introduced over the previous year. See them on this page: 2005 Motorcycle Design Awards | Dexigner Design Forums

The Vstrom 650 vs the KLR 650?

ShadowRider has a Honda Shadow Spirit 1100 and is looking to buy a more nimble second bike, either the Vstrom 650 or the KLR650?. Got some advice? Here's the post, and the many comments it inspired.

Motorcycle Maintenance DVDs

Safety first! Any time is a good time to learn a little - or a lot - about how your motorcycle works and how to keep it in top condition. Fix My Hog, a company in San Deigo, offers a maintenance DVD for Harley-Davidson Softail owners and a new edition for Touring owners. Priced at $45.95 they claim correctly that the DVD will pay for itself with just one oil change. Topics covered include everything from performing a safety check to maintaining the charging system to replacing spark plugs, changing fluids, replacing tires and more. Also included are tips and tricks of the trade and detailed in-depth bench work based on years  of experience. Company founder Dennis Santopietro, an avid  motorcyclist and Harley-Davidson owner, created the DVDs to fill a niche. “I  thought it would be great to have a maintenance DVD that would make routine  upkeep enjoyable and easy. Manuals can be daunting, but actually seeing  something demonstrated makes you more confident that you can do it yourself. I guess a lot of people shared my opinions—the DVD has flown off the shelves and the feedback we’ve gotten has been incredibly positive. Many riders are  now doing their own maintenance, having fun, and saving money to boot. I  couldn’t be happier. Lots of customers who wrote in requested a similar  product for touring motorcycles, so that’s what we did.”  For more information or to order the DVD visit Fix My Hog Inc. or call 619.269.9321.

TomTom RIDER GPS for motorcycles

Coming soon, the TomTom RIDER, portable GPS for motorcycles has a weatherproof GPS system for your motorcycle, with anti-glare screen, an integrated sun-visor, and touch-screen operation, "even with gloves." Mounts to most bike handlebars, 5 hour rechargeable Lithium ion battery or alternative power option to use your bike battery. Bluetooth headset to get audio instructions.

Multi-Purpose 650cc Single Cylinder Adventure Touring Motorcycles

I'm trying to put together a list of what might be termed Lightweight Multi-Purpose 650cc Single Cylinder Adventure Tourers - not 80/20 dirt/road bikes, but real multi-purpose bikes that are study, can handle being weighed down with a lot of luggage, and most of all, reliable. The best ones. Also relatively low or that can be lowered. (For example, eliminated is the Honda XR650L Honda because it is extremely tall). Any comments/discussion on the below and additions to the list appreciated. Also, who is riding them, and has a website that describes the bike and mods - like Chris & Spice and also Mark, below. Maybe it would be useful to list bikes that didn't make the list. Looking forward to your input.

BMW F650: the gold standard

Kawasaki KLR 650
- Chris & Spice's RTW Tour on 2 KLR 650's
- Mark Hammond's San Francisco to Tierra del Fuego Tour

Aprilia 650 Pegaso, adventure tourer

Suzuki DR650 Freewind

Norton Rides Again

Norton rides again! Norton Motorcycles is revived in, of all places, Gladstone, Oregon. You can back-oreder your 952 Commando from the company or one of their dealers. If I had $15,000 I'd do it, but as it stands, I'll likely buy an Enfield Bullet 500 for tooling around San Francisco ($6000). For more info on the Norton:
Norton Motorcycles
(503) 650-5390
info@nortonmotorcycles.com