Keeping Clean

Well, after a week of being sick, walking in the garage and looking at
a dirty bike I had enough.

Out came the cleaning supplies and now I have a much better looking
Uly. While cleaning I think I have determined that it is indeed time
for new tires. So, time to order those up!

Reality VS Retail

So, I saw this bike a couple weeks ago.



The bike was a BMW F800S, piloted by Christian Pfeiffer in Las Vegas. He display on the bike showing it and his capabilities got me a little excited about the bike, so I thought I would go try it out.

Today I stopped by Victory BMW my local BMW dealer to give the little sucker a spin.

Well......the bike we get to ride and Christian's bike are a little different I think. The F800S is an awesome bike, well mannered, has good throttle response and is very flickable, but not the hooligan bike that I was hoping for. Oh well, we can always dream, right?

By the way, the BMW F800S is quite possibly the perfect commuter bike. It is agile, responsive and sized in a manner perfect for getting around town and through traffic.

Best Of CES! (And notable others)

First of all let's talk about the most exciting product I saw on the show floor this year. It is not a huge product in size, but that is what makes it so special.

Over the years the one fear that stands out above all others for motorcycle riders is the theft of their bike. True, you can spend a lot of money on alarms and you can even add LoJack, but the fact of the matter is that if you are out of range of hearing your alarm and your bike gets stolen the criminal has the jump on keeping your bike. Heck, LoJack only works after it has been turned on and we all know it is a short 4 hours to the border.

So, what we all want is a device that we can track in real time and something that would alert us if our bike was moving when it shouldn't be, right? Well in a nutshell that is what ZoomBak claims their device does. Not only does it cover my wish list of protection, it does it at a very affordable price.

The ZoomBak costs $199 for the Dog unit or $249 for the car unit. Additionally you will buy tracking services at about $10 a month in bulk. It works off of both GPS and Cell/Paging networks so coverage should not be an issue. The system uses a web interface and also can work via text from a cellphone. The system allows for Geo-Fencing, which is an electronic way of creating a zone in which you define that you would want alerted if the device (on your bike of course) leaves that area. You can make the Geo-Fence very small and you can also create one on the fly. That's the key to this product, because for the first time ever you could feel safe leaving a bike in the parking lot.



Hopefully we will have a review unit in hand soon so that we can validate the claims. The promise of the ZoomBak device is something if true, would make me personally encourage its purchase by every rider who wants to keep their bike.

You can check up on the product and its stats at Click for ZoomBak Once we get a unit in hand we will let you know how the product claim line up to reality.

Also, for more photos check the gallery at Click for Gallery

Oh, and the best thing....ZoomBak is shipping now!

Other than the ZoomBak there were a few things that peaked my interest, although unlike that product most were not yet shipping.

While walking around I saw this little camera.


Not a real looker this product, but it certainly is feature packed. It shoots at the resolution needed for YouTube type posts and it is actually motion activated, oh and for $199 they say it will come with a remote. They were also showing it as a personal protection device, but what it shows me is that video capture devices will be getting smaller and even more affordable down the line. Good news if you want to hang them off your forks.




I had mentioned that everyone is getting into Nav and this is an example. Yes, that is a PSP, with a Nav module. Is it shipping? Of course not, but hey it could, right?

One thing is for certain, things are getting smaller and a whole lot cooler!

CES Roundup!

Well, better late than never, right?

I was doing great after CES until Sunday night when I developed a cough after the Supercross event. Well, after a few days in bed I still feel like crap, but it is thing I do to bring you breaking information. Just feel my pain!!

CES 2008

I've been attending the CES show for just over 20 years now and the one thing that struck me about this year (and several others in attendance) was that there was nothing that earth shattering at this year's show. I mean yeah, Panasonic showed off a plasma screen larger than a truck, but big deal it is not really usable.

On the whole I've gotten a lot better at looking at products and not getting too excited until I get the answer to the ever important question. When will it ship? as in years past the answers varied, but the vast majority started with one of the following.

"We are shooting for..."
"Should be around..."
"Spring time delivery..."

All meaning of course....not now.



With that understanding in mind I usually don't even bother with stuff that isn't shipping yet, but even looking at those products, nothing exciting really stood out. Heck, even the booth babes were lacking this year, and I mean if you don't have any exciting product, the least you should do is have good looking women to talk to, right?

Anyway, of the categories that matter to us the motorcycle riders I can say this.

Navigation -

Garmin is still king, both in product design and how the mapping interface works. If you want to look for an alternative you can find one as I think I saw about 10 new companies that were showing Nav systems. The only real motorcycle specific units were Tom-Tom and Garmin.



Digital Media Players -

Holy Crap! There are a ton of these, in all sizes and shapes. In you are not on the iWagon I would suggest looking at Creative or SanDisc as both have player options that are small and well suited for motorcycle use.

Best Of Show

I scoured the halls looking for a products that would stand out above all others and believe it or not one stood out far above all the rest. So much so that I will write another entry just to explain.

The product? It is a little active tracking device called the ZoomBak. And it is unequivocally the best product shown at CES for the motorcyclist.

Phoenix SUPERCROSS!

Supercross came to Phoenix and put on quite a show. While the
main event was all James Stewart, the Superlites stole the show. Good times, with good friends and $40 for beer and some food.

Leaving Las Vegas

Agh, the long boring ride (in a cage) home from Vegas after CES.

Give me a couple days to detox and I'll post up a review of the cool
tech from the show and or Top Pick!

Oh and in the mean time I'll hit up a Supercross Event.

Still Going

The night is young, right

Party Time Again

OK, last night for me. One more party, this time with bikinis!

BMW Rocks Vegas

Outside in the Gold Lot BMW set up a killer mini motosports pitlane
park.

I got to see the tech that goes into F1 cars and a killer stunt
display by factory rider Chris Pfeiffer on the BMW F800. .

I dunno, after that I just might have to look at that bike again.

More Than One Show

Yes, there us more than one show in Vegas this weekend, and look they
even have a motorcycle on display.

The Party Rolls On

Yes, past midnight and the party is just getting started. What a
better place to party than the Hugh Hefner suite?

CES Parties!

Kicker kicked off the fun with Kenny Wayne Shepard at The Joint in the
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

From there is was off to the Paris Hotel and Casino for Monster Cable's awards and concert which featured Mary J. Blige.

This concert had about 5000 people in attendance and was a killer show.

219 MPH Anyone?

Well, I am at the show and things are popping. Stayed tuned as I seek
out all that is cool for motorcycles.

Little Places I Love To Eat.

Even when I am not riding I am always scouting out cool little places
that see comfortable and have good food.

Boulder City, NV has a few and Mel's not only has a great breakfast,
but an awesome burger as well.

Also, stopping before I roll into Vegas is always a plus. It fills my
tummy and gets me ready for the chaos of the strip.

Again With The Blaaa

Yea, that's my mountain again, well half of it. The other half is
hidden in haze!

Yesterday I rode around in some drizzle, but if I don't have anywhere
to go riding in the rain doesn't really hold much appeal. It is OK and
all that, just not what I was looking for today.

Oh well, tomorrow I am off for Vegas!

Just A Little Spitting Rain

Sometimes you have to deal with rain and sometimes you don't. But a
little spitting rain makes things interesting. Additionally the threat
of rain scares all but the real riders away.

I had to get out today just tpm make sure I got a ride in. It was just
60 miles or so, just enough to satisfy the addiction and tide me over
for the week ahead.

Make sure to watch asvu check out the cool stuff at CES. If luck hold
I'll get one more ride tomorrow before I am Vegas bound!

Gadgets Are Cool!

In the next couple days I head to Las Vegas to attend the Consumer Electronics Show also known as CES. This show is the largest gathering of electronics manufacturers in the Americas and premiers most of the coolest things you can buy in the tech world.

If you are watching this space over the next few days I will showcase the products that will best work for those of us that like riding and want to better the experience with electronics.

I will also be attending another show in Vegas that happens at the same time. For info about that show simply drop me a line!

Do Cars Make People Rude?

Yesterday I had a great day, but one particular bad part of that day was dealing with a downed rider.



The rider's name is Josh and how he came upon his misfortune that day it not really of concern, he ended up off the side of the road injured.

As riders, if we see someone down we stop, it is simple as that. There is no thought process other than , get off the road safely and get to the downed rider to make sure they are OK, or help them.

Yesterday, I had something that I never really thought about brought firmly into focus. Drivers of cages (cars and trucks) when they see a downed rider must not give a shit. I saw a least 30 vehicles drive by as we were helping Josh (probably more as I was not looking and counting them all.) I guess they were thinking, "Oh, stupid guy" or "Those things are dangerous." Who knows.

One thing is for sure, not a single person in a car or truck stopped to help, nor did anyone even bother to stop and ask if we needed help. I had to send one rider 5 miles down the road to get my wife in my truck to take Josh a mere 3/4's of a mile to the town of Tortilla Flat. Maybe people in this day and age do not realize that there still are areas that have no cell service or even telephone service, but for 10 miles in either direction of the one road to Tortilla Flat, there is none.

So, if ever find yourself driving by an accident scene and you think maybe you should ask if all is OK, stop and ask!


BTW, Josh is doing well, I say this for the rider's....who always care.

Sorry About That!

If you happened to get a rather rude looking photo in my Happy New Year post I sincerely apologize.

Lesson learned and I will never hot-link a photo again. I can't understand why someone would do something so sick, and it seems that their service provider agreed as well.

Hope you have a Happy New Year and fear not, you'll never see something like that again.

Traditions

Starting the year off with a ride is something that we love here in
the West. So much so that traditions have evolved from the casual
ride. The best thing about riding is that with two wheels you gain
many friends.

My Ride today was an annual ride that ends up in the town Tortilla Flat on AZ88 in Arizona. The road is a local favorite and many riders bring out their vintage bikes. The best part of the day is that all types of rider's get together, talk and have fun looking at cool bikes.

I can't image a better start to the year!

New Year's Resolutions

In the final hours of 2007 there will be many people making resolutions. Some will be the normal, lose weight, eat better, drink less and of course visit family more.


For me personally I am very happy sending into 2008. I have some personal goals that I have set for 2008 and some professional ones as well. Goals are important of course and when you set them you should make sure you have a plan to hit them and that they are realistic in the first place.

Whatever your resolutions may be I wish you luck in meeting them and please have a Happy and Safe New Year!

Making Things Right

Cleaning up a road is never a bad thing, right?



I know that I don't think that way. And neither do at least five other guys that helped me clean up one of our favorite road before the hordes of bikers were to hit it on New Year's Day.

Tortilla Flat, which is on AZ88 is a traditional spot to meet on Jan. 1 and being as such I was worried that the condition of the road in after the most recent storms would leave riders who are unfamiliar with the road in a bad way.

That bad way was lying in the road in the form of gravel and sand.

Well after today the road is a little better and a lot safer. I know that personally I will be happy for that!

One More Off The List

Bartlett Lake 12-29-2007, yep I finally have ridden this road!




Kind of interesting considering all of the places I have ridden that I had not yet been on this road. I mean heck, it is only about 40 miles from my house and within the Valley.



I guess I can chalk it up to not knowing the road and always waiting to go with someone else, but now that I have gone I can certainly say I will be going again and soon. Thanks to my friend Rick the ride was safe and enjoyable and without a performance reward.

One thing is for certain, I will be getting a RADAR detector in the coming year, it is just getting a little too easy to get nailed and liking roads with stupid speed limits does not help.

2 more days and we start another year....man they sure go fast!

Ready For More Riders?

Well, with assassinations (is it really an assassination when the person holds no office?) and all the other turmoil it seems we are headed for $4 a gallon for gasoline by Spring.



That means more people will be looking into better economy vehicles (read motorcycles.)

Hopefully as more people start riding, non-riders will start to see riders more often. Of course if we get a whole bunch of new riders maybe some day we can hope for a national lane splitting law, that will get us out of breathing fumes and off to cleaner air. I mean, that's the kind of green I am looking for.

As the year winds down, I am excited for 2008. I know, I have already stated that, but honestly if I could fast forward a few days, I probably would.

The Countdown Begins

Yep folks it is that time of year, things are winding down and the end is near.



Not the end of days, just the end of the year. Yup, it is time to hang a new calendar and start fresh with a new year.

2008 holds promise as all years do, but honestly 2008 should prove to be a stellar year for fans of motorcycles and riding in the US of A.

The coming year will have more racing here in the US and even better coverage from abroad.

Now, if I could just find the police stealth mode on my bikes, everything would be fine.

Christmas Rocks

The best gifts are the surprise gifts that you never expect. Things
that you think are totally cool, but would never ask for. This year I
got the coolest ever from my wife. Heck, she even gave it to me early
so I could use it at track day. Nothing beats a cool pit vehicle. Now
does it?

Track Day Fun

Sometimes riders take it off the street. They do it for a variety of reasons, to go fast, to have bragging rights and then my favorite reason, to practice skills.

Practicing in an environment that is void of other traffic, pedestrians and the police has advantages. Attention still needs to be allocated to road conditions, but since the path is repetitive it certainly is not at the level of normal street riding.

If you ever want to hone your skills, practice in a safe controlled environment such as a Track Day.

I spent Sunday hanging with some friends and support TEAM AZ's track day by providing a tent and chairs for a new rider clinic. Hopefully this will grow in the future, because supporting safe riding is never a bad idea.

Oh, and in case you are wondering, that is One Fuzzy from the SWR Forums railing through the corner!

Dab Nabit!!

If you ride enough you meet these guys, and they usually have their
hands out asking for money.

This guy was actually nice in the fact he gave me and my friend a "Wasting Finite Resourses" ticket. It is a way in AZ to collect cash without assigning points. They get revenue and we get no points. I wish all tickets were like this.

It was an awesome day for a ride, maybe just a little chilly, but awesome none the less.