Mike’s Typo

So much about the new FLs.  Too much?  Naw.  Come on, this is good stuff.  And…  there’s one more thing.  My favorite new feature.  I love this.

You’re at a light.  Instead of blipping the throttle and annoying the hell out of everyone around you, now you just roll the throttle forward.  Presto.  Your rear cylinder shuts down.  Benefit: less heat.  Who said Harleys are low-tech.  This is high-tech, baby.  I love this feature.  You will too.

Whenever I read that kinda title, my response is always: “Says who?”  But, that title always sucks me in.  So.  Today, Wired magazine’s blog offered up their opinion in the article, Ride the World’s Best Motorcycle Roads.  Still skeptical that the good folks at Wired are qualified to pontificate about the virtues of this road versus that road.  But.  Noting as they did, that many of the roads are California, and specifically northern Cal - their list can’t be all that bad.  I gave it a quick once over and thought, these roads represent a good list to pin on the garage wall and set about tackling.  Read it.  Print it.  Post it.  Knock ‘em off.  Let’s ride!

Occasionally, Robb Report’s new Motorcycling mag has something worthy of reading.  Was that too harsh?  I just call ‘em like I see ‘em.  So.  Back in Spring they published an interesting article on a nice little motorcycle tour that started out north of San Diego.  Got my attention.  It’s hard to find good articles about So Cal roads (worth riding).  I pass this on for those of you headed south.  This might be an interesting set of roads to throw into the mix.

Click here to download the article.  This capability has been Zapped.  Here I went to all the trouble to scan the article and upload it to our server and then I get a “you can’t do this” email from those leo-tards at Robb Report.  Gotta love it.  They’re moaning about scanning being a violation of their copyright.  Hmmm.  Seems like fair use to me.  In fact, isn’t it promoting their publication too?  So.  Cancel my subscription!  What’s that you say?  Right.  I don’t have a subscription.  Well that’s a good thing.  I say we boycott Southern California and the Robb Report.  In fact, let’s get that movement to give So Cal to Mexico goin’ again.  Might work this time.  Ok. Ok.  If you still want to read the article, here is a link to it on their site - just don’t tell anyone.

I almost trashed this article, Great Basin, Great Ride, but I’m glad I didn’t.  Why trash it, you ask?  Well I thought the beginning stuff about how perfect this ride is for a Beemer was a bit off-putting.  So.  Ignore that.  Because if you don’t, you’ll miss a great ride.

Where is the Great Basin, anyhow?  Read the article and find out.  It’s a bit east of… and, tad north of….  As I read through this article I thought what a great opportunity to try out the new Ulysses from Buell.  But, then I thought, if a Harley will go up the Dalton Highway in Alaska, it ought to be able to handle this.  Looks like if you don’t want to risk your Harley on the unpaved, there are some alternate roads with asphalt.

Click here to download an inspiring article on a part of the West that just waiting to be explored on two wheels.

In a new article, My Way on the Highway, author Reg Kittrelle, lays out his ideal list of gadgets for a long-haul dresser.  Two reasons why I jumped to this article.  First, Reg is a long-haul guy and one not prone to frivolous accessorizing.  Second, how can a self-proclaimed gadget-guy like me pass up an article on said subject.  I’ve always loved Reg’s writing style.  So, the article is an enjoyable read.  And, frankly, Reg highlighted a few accessories I hadn’t thought of.  I found this article to be worthy of the time it took (too much) to scan it for the Typo blobbers and readers.  If you’ve got a bagger and/or enjoy long-haul touring and/or are just a gadget-fiend at heart - well, I think this is a must read.  Click here to download a pdf of this article.

Wow!  Now we’re cookin’ with gas!  You zippin’ along down the highway on your two wheels, mindin’ your own biz, just takin’ it all in.  Bam!  In your rear-view are a couple of lights that’ll ruin your day.  Drum-roll and intro: GPS to the rescue.  Ok, ok I’ve gotten a bit carried away.  Over active imagination at work here.  But.  Truth is, we may be closer to this than you think.  Read this Wired Autopia article and find out about how an innovative company is putting GPS technology to work to alert us about speedtraps.  It’s a quick read - fascinating.  Might even lead to some fantasies of clear roads and smooth sailin’.

One of my favorite events each year is the Highest Mileage Contest.  This year was no exception.  I’m blown away by the miles that some people rack up.  Then I’m just plain jealous.  But, I only admit to being envious.  You get the idea.  Without further fan fare - 119,366 miles was enough for this year’s prize.  The winner was none other than Santa Cruz HOGster, Jose De La Torre, riding his 2002 Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle Road King.  Aside from being his daily commuter, he and his steed have been to Sturgis a couple of times, the Colorado Rockies, Four Corners, and a few other choice spots.  Kuddos to Jose and his wife Terry.  Those are BIG miles.  Lots of stories must go with them miles.  Wouldn’t we all love to have click off that kinda saddle time.  Ride safe and enjoy the journey.

David Mann artistry set to a classic Bob Seger song, Roll Me Away - does it get any better?  This is a great slide show offered up by one of our readers.  Bob Seger has captured the essence of the road.  David Mann has put paint to canvas and created evocative images of life on the road.  The combination is inspiring.  Anyone for a road trip?

It’s this time of year that I always start thinking about “tunes” for my rides. Maybe it’s that whole Spring thing. Regardless, I’m always up for a “free” list of someone’s favorite road songs. Came across a great list of one person’s Top 100 Road Songs (of All Time). You can take issue with several, and no doubt would add a couple of your own favs, but this is a great list. Check it out. Then download what you don’t have from iTunes, power up that iPod, and head on over to Santa Cruz H-D and see what’s new. We’ve brought out lots of new, fresh faces and a whole bunch of kool stuff for Spring and Summer riding.

That’s the weather in Milwaukee as I write this post to the blob. Yep, you guessed it, I checked in with the web voyeurs watching the H-D Museum build. Doesn’t look like much is happening. My guess is they moved inside. Walls, electrical, flooring. So, where’s the indoor cams. Come on H-D, get with it. Anticipate the desires of your constituents! It’s still fun to hop over and check out what the new Milwaukee skyline looks like. I’m getting pretty excited about the party in Milwaukee in August. Celebrating the big 10.5. Springsteen is the headliner. And, the who’s who of rock ‘n roll B players are on the list. The ride to, the week of celebrating, the concerts, the 15 mile long parade of bikes - it’s all going to be a blast. Think about it.

So, for you folks who’ve been checking out the voyeur cam regularly, doesn’t it bug you that the horizon is running down on the right. I’m sure hoping that’s the way the river flows. But, really, I just want to crawl up on that tower (even though I’ve got a bad thing for heights) and twist that camera level. One good reason it can’t be done is the Time Lapse button. Check that out. It’s like watching re-runs of I Love Lucy (sort of).