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I’ve always been a motorsports buff.  I have cars, bikes, anything that goes fast.  I think, however that I’m getting slightly out of control.  Today, I bought another… Yes, another car.  Every time I go into the tag office, the lady behind the counter asks me if I own a car lot. LOL.  Here’s the latest list:

2004 350 Z
1992 Ford Mustang
2002 Mitsubishi Lancer
2004 Suzuki Areo (my ex wife’s car, still in my name)
2006 Kawasaki 650 R
2008 Triumph Daytona 675

By the way, anyone want to buy a Mustang?  Just needs a motor.

This past weekend, I visited some of my girlfriend’s family in northern Georgia. Anyone who has visited this part of the country is, at least, somewhat familiar with its challenging roads.

As we climbed up and down the side of the mountains, I noticed that I felt increasingly uneasy in the passenger seat of our little rental car. This was, mostly, because of the inability to see through each turn, and the uncertainty of not being able to fully see the road shape beyond a steep incline that we headed up time and again.

It occurred to me that I’ve spent my entire driving career in central Florida, and that my experience on truly challenging roads is limited to a couple of track days and one trip to Deal’s Gap.

If you want to go story-for-story on dodging tourists bent on changing 4 lanes at 20 mph under the speed limit in a single maniacal maneuver, then I can go all day. But if we’re talking real riding on actual hard-core challenging roads, I’ve got little to offer.

Not to say that my riding experiences haven’t prepared me to be a safe, and conscious rider. In fact, I might argue that the experiences I’ve had force me to ride more safely than most! But the obvious gap in my riding-life really got me thinking about getting out there (being track days, or Dragon visits, or just wide-open riding) and being a “good” rider.

I think what I’m really talking about here is:

• How much confidence can you place in the road ahead, even when you can’t see it?
• How much trust can you give your tires to hold the line when entering a corner, knowing that the terrain or shape of the road might change at any second?
• How much confidence do you have in your own ability to “just lean harder” if that corner suddenly transforms into a decreasing radius?

It’s easy to think that you’re a tough-guy rider until you’re faced with these situations, and you find that you’re backing off of the throttle without even thinking it.

I think I need to read “A Twist of the Wrist” again, and book that track day in October.

It’s been official for quite a while, but I think it’s time we admit it. The car show scene is dead.

Competition teams like JadeCrew, TeamECI, TeamSolo, and sadly, even CompactEvolution have let their websites float into the abyss of un-updated, un-visited, and completely outdated…

Was it so long ago that rare, imported parts from Japan were all the rage? Was it so long ago that a $12 trophy meant a year’s worth of bragging rights?

Yup. It was. I’m tired of standing in the hot sun for 8 hours while some judge who already has his buddy’s car in mind looks over my car (that I’ve spent tens-of-thousands in) with a glazed stare. And I think the rest of the competitors from my day are as well.

I think this forum post on TeamECI’s website says it best.

“A lot of people just got out of the scene and moved on to more important things. The show scene sucks anyways, and is too political…showing a car is almost a job.”

With the passing of every great past time, we get the onset of another. And, if I have any say, that should be motorcycles.

I need help. Serious professional help…

In the mid 1990’s I bought my first modding nightmare. It was a 1970 Chevelle. After every penny I could scrape up, it ran 11.87 in the quarter.

Already bored with drag racing, I sold that car and bought a 1992 Isuzu pickup truck which I promptly tore the inside out of and built an IASCA (International Auto Sound Competition Association) world competitor. I was one of the first standard sized pick-up trucks to be invited to the world finals.

I traded in the truck for a 2000 MR2 Spyder, and decided to get into AutoCross racing. I added things like a Saner sway bar, Cusco strut tower braces, full CUSTOM exhaust, and other stuff. After some pretty serious racing (and WAY more money that I am even willing to discuss), I took the car into the show scene where it won numerous awards including 1st place at Battle of the Imports here in Orlando. That cost me a full SARD body kit, Gram Lights racing wheels, Corbeau racing seats, a Playstation2 and other goodies. But the car was getting old, and I was ready, once again, for something new.

I traded the MR2 in on a 2004 350Z Enthusiast, I mean what the hell, let’s get into some drifting now! I added an intake, front strut tower brace, some carbon fiber bolt-ons, and a body kit.

Luckily, before putting TOO MUCH money into the Z, I wanted to get back into riding. So, I picked up a 2006 Kawasaki 650R to ‘ease’ my way back into riding. But that was another money-pit. Mods included Woodcraft clip-ons, Scorpion exhaust, Zero Gravity windsheild, and others.

And now, finally… I’ve picked up an 08 Triumph Daytona 675. I’ve had it less than 3 weeks and I’ve already managed to purchase and install: Naarden lowering link, flush front and rear blinkers, new grips, spools, and some other random bolt-ons.
I need help soon. Very, very soon. My garage is completely out of room for old, stock parts.

First, a disclaimer. Although the post below was written with ’sport’ bikes in mind, the rules at the end are pertinent to all types of bikes. However, this article is not meant to be technically accurate nor is my expertise up for discussion or consideration. If you don’t like the article, I don’t really care.

Since this is a topic that comes up often, I thought I’d write a brief, but meaningful article about owning, and riding your first motorcycle.

Basic bike knowledge

For the purpose of this article, there are 2 types of bikes (actually there’s a lot more than that, but we’re talking basics here): 4 cylinder and 2 cylinder engines. We call them: inline 4’s and twins (respectively). Bikes referred to as “600’s”, “750’s”, and “1000’s (or liter-bikes)” are inline 4’s. Twins are generally “250’s”, “500’s” and “650’s”.

Firstly, let’s get through the painful decision process. I’d recommend that you buy a used bike, something in the 10,000 - 25,000 mile range and preferably a twin (650 should be your max, 500 is recommended). There are thousands of opinions on the web about a first bike, and some will tell you to pick up a 600 and “grow into it”. I leave that choice up to you, but my opinion is that you will be better off with a twin. They’re lighter, easy to ride, and a HELL of a lot more forgiving when it comes to throttle and brakes.

Anyway, let’s talk about actually riding the bike

I can say with some certainty that if you stick to these 3 rules in all situations, you’ll be a safe rider who makes good decisions.

1. Assume you are invisible. That woman in the SUV in the next lane might be looking right at you, but believe me, she doesn’t see you.
2. Be deliberate. Weather you are turning, shifting gears, or just positioning yourself in a lane, be 100%. Meaning, if you want to change lanes, hit your signal, look over you shoulder, and make the lane change; don’t just wander over there, haphazardly.
3. If you’re late, take the car. We make poor choices when we are in a hurry.

Buy good gear

The basic rule of thumb on gear is, if you can’t afford a nice riding jacket, a good pair of boots, gloves, and a helmet, you can’t afford to own a motorcycle. It’s that simple. Now, I know the law in many states doesn’t require a helmet, but I can assure you that the law of nature does. That’s your brain, man… Protect it.

Never stop learning!

When you’re ready, be sure to read “The Pace” by Nick Ienatsch. It’s probably the best article I’ve read on riding in a group.

RideMyOwn.com has some pretty good reading as well. Go and check them out.

Ride safe, and I’ll see you in the twisties!