Motorcycles

Makes Sense to Me

mikemjensen Motorcycles Tags: , 2 Comments

Hey Kids,

Co-worker: “Did you ride your motorcycle in today?”

Me: “Did the sun rise?”

CW: “I don’t know it was raining.”

Me: “I’m pretty sure the sun still rose, but yes I rode in today.”

CW: “It’s raining now, are you going to ride home in it?”

Me: “As opposed to what?”

CW: You should’ve drove in today.”854333943380768_n

Me: “I did.”

CW: “I mean in your car.”

Me: “Ain’t got one.”

CW: “What do you do when it rains?”

Me: “Get wet.”

CW: “That’s horrible. Do you want a ride home?”

Me: “Do you?”

CW: “No! Why don’t you have a car?”

Me: “Don’t want one; besides, I have two bikes instead.”

CW: “But you get wet.”

Me: “At 240 pounds, I’m hoping it makes me shrink a little bit.”

Ride a Bike- Get Wet

 

Day 72

Saturday Blues?

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Hey Kids,

Saturday. The day of fun. Right?IMG_20150502_110834_269-1

Well not exactly. It should’ve been fun but it hasn’t been so far.

Started bright and early this morning and went out to do a little maintenance on the Suzuki. Valve clearance adjustment, it’s called. A nasty little job unless you do it all the time. I don’t.

But I had done it before so it shouldn’t be too problematic. Right?

Well, I didn’t remember so well from last time and spent a lot of time figuring things out. But I did it. Figure it out that is. Got down to the rocker arms and did the adjusting as required. It was obvious that it was needed too. That’s always good. Except that it means that it’s been a while since it actually needed it and it was more a repair than maintenance. But I digress.

As I put it together, I took my time and cleaned as I went. Polished it all up right pretty.

Started it up.

It sounded worse than when I started the job, err, maintenance. Ran no better either. And now. the Fuel Injection Warning light is on. Which means I need to take another Saturday and do it all over.

This would be a sad story, but for once in my life I own another motorcycle I can ride instead. You see, in terms of bikes, I’m a Commodore. I’ve never had that flexibility before. The pressure has always been to get it all done quickly because it can’t sit. There’s places to get to, jobs waiting. What a relief.

AND, tonight, we are now heading out into the west desert for a little night under the stars, cook out in the morning and hopefully Kayaking in a remote Bird refuge with large open water ponds tomorrow. The desert is truly remarkable.

So I’m washed up, tools put away, and ready to pack the gear and head west.

Saturday may not have been as productive as I hope, but it’ll end with a bang and really, no harm done.

That is a good day on any day.

 

Day 68

For Me, A Big Dog

mikemjensen Motorcycles, Vanity Tags: , , 2 Comments

Hey Kids,

I’m not a shopper. Never have been. Never will be.

But today I wandered through a number of motorcycle shops looking at lots of bikes I cannot afford and had no intentions of buying.

This is not shopping. It was looking. It was dreaming.

I’m quite happy with my bikes. A 50cid bike for cruising to work and daily commuting and a 113cid bike for the wide open rode (Or when I want to bring in the thunder). But it doesn’t mean I’m done with adding motorcycles to my “collection”.

Dreaming is just that, dreaming. You don’t have to torture yourself, thinking that you have to achieve something as simple as acquiring things. But a rainy Saturday afternoon is easily worth the value of enjoying imagining yourself enjoying life just a little bit more.10405481_758488357597620_6943304890260374792_n

Dream on people. Dream Shiny and Loud.

 

Day 61

 

Sometimes They Do More Than Just Stare at the Screen

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Hey Kids,

You never know what sticks in your head from when you were a kid. Yesterday, I discovered one such sticky memory.

Not feeling too well the past few days, I stuck to the couch and relied on Amazon Prime Video to keep me company. I cruised through the vast array of items available and focused on motorcycle shows. I’m so predictable.maxresdefault

After watching the Fastest Indian, I saw a movie that sounded vaguely familiar, “C.C. and Company”. A 1970 film starring Broadway Joe Namath and Ann Margret.

For whatever reason, the opening scene of walking through the grocery store and fixing his own sandwich cracked me up and I thought, “Wait a minute, I think I’ve seen this.”

I continued to watch and the scenes hinted at recall but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. And then it happened.

CC gets in a fight over whether he deserves to keep any of his winnings from the motocross race he attempted. He loses the fight and the money but then steals the money back that night and takes off.

For some strange reason, that scene has played in my mind throughout my many years. I remembered it almost perfectly, except that I didn’t remember that it was Joe Namath. I had watched the movie on some week night TV movie, the ones they used to show at 7:00 like on a Tuesday.

The scene, I thought was so unfair. The fact that he couldn’t keep part of what he earned but had to give to others who hadn’t earned it really bothered me. He was willing to share with the gang but wanted to save a little for himself. Maybe buy another dirt bike and make more money. Maybe buy a new chopper. (Which the bikes in the movie all looked so small compared to today’s bikes; but that’s another subject).

I despised the gang leader for demanding it all. I was happy when he stole it back. Actually, as a kid, I didn’t remember exactly how he did steal it back: I must’ve been younger than I should’ve been to watch that movie (he he).

Before this post goes on forever, I believe that scene formed an idea in my head that I learned or had confirmed. You deserve the rewards when you do things beyond what everyone else is willing to do. You earn success and you owe no one for your efforts.

I have always been taught to work hard for what I seek and desire. And I think that learning comes a little beyond a 1970 “B” movie. It came from those around me, from my own experiences, and my own convictions. I just think it’s hilarious that a scene and a movie can stick with me all these years.

And you thought I was just a dumb kid who was trying to avoid his homework.

 

Day 56

What Can It Hurt?

mikemjensen Life's Truths, Motorcycles Tags: , 1 Comment

Hey Kids,

We didn’t have to.

No one would’ve known any different.be-kind

It took extra time.

It took a little gas.

We knew it wasn’t so much for us as it was for him.

But my brother and I did a little detour today on our motorcycle ride and visited an uncle who hasn’t been in the best of health. We spent a whole 15 minutes but he seemed to enjoy the idea that we would just drop by and say hi.

Why not take the opportunities to be kind to others people and make them feel good?

I promise, you’ll feel better too.

 

Day 54

Sporting Bikes Day

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Hey Kids,

A little odd for a Sunday activity but today a local motorcycle shop had a re-grand opening event and I had to attend.11150319_843203779085992_5920618616640748375_n

There were at last count I heard 187 bikes that showed up for the 4 hours of activities, raffles and ride along. I stayed for the entire event. Well almost.

On most rides I have attended, cruisers make up the majority of the bikes. This day it was a Sport Bike day and the only thing numbering less than non-Sport bikes was Harley Davidson’s.

At the end of the 4 hour event, we prepared to head out for a parade of the town. Instructions given reminded us all of the hand signals and the one they stressed and seem to illicit the most reaction was the “Cop nearby” signal. We passed several on our trip through the Sunday-quiet little town and the signal was loud and proud.

We “lined” up for the start of the ride and despite the instructions to proceed in a staggered formation, the line up looked and sounded more like of a swarm of wasps.

The short parade was pure chaos. Bikes swarmed in and out of the lanes. Bikes slowed and raced back forward to fill the gap. Following distances were flaunted, traffic lights ignored and old men cursed us from the sidewalk. One old man actually made a gesture as if he was shooting us all down which actually drew more smiles than offences.

We met back up at the shop to regroup and head out on our target, open road ride. This is where my involvement ended. My brother and I chose our own ride and headed out before the rest of them left.

I’m not complaining. No, I firmly believe to each their own and when it comes to MC’s, everyone should do what they want to do. But the Sport Bike guys are crazy and I’m too old for that kind of crazy. I enjoyed the hell out of the day but when it comes to riding together, we’re a water and oil thing; two things great at what they are intended to do, but not really at the same time.

Sport Bike guys, I love ya. I love your machines. I love your passion. I love the pure joy you all have on two wheels, sometime one. But my CBR600 days are my past and my cruiser days are my today. I’ll just wave at you as you speed along and cheer you on your wicked curve handling. Just give me a nod as you buzz by and cheers to us all.FB_IMG_1428887469933-1

It’s ok to be different and it’s ok to play on different playgrounds every once in a while. Just don’t try to change those playgrounds because you’re not used to the way they play. There’s plenty of time to do it all.

 

Day 48

Ride Like the Mailman

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Hey Kids,

Winter tried to make a little comeback today. Late winter that is. The temperatures dropped close to the 30’s and snow fell, then rain, and then snow/rain.

I knew it was supposed to be a bad weather day, but when I headed out in the morning, it didn’t seem too bad. No precipitation, no bone-chilling cold; it was going to be a fine riding day. I slipped on my typical spring riding wear (which is the same as the summer riding wear but with an extra couple of layers underneath) and headed out early this morning.

Around 10ish this morning, I peeked a quick look outside. Snow.

This is what happens when you ignore the forecast. I’d just wait it out.

Around 4, the skies were a light grey, the snow had mostly melted. The wet roads had drained off a bit, and I saw my opportunity.

I began my trip home and it was to say the least pleasant. A few raindrops sprinkled down, but nothing to get wet over. (Pun). So I thought I might as well stop and do some grocery shopping on the way home, grab some items for dinner. I casually shopped and made no haste.

I exited the store to full-on rain. I was mostly wet by the time I reached and loaded the bike. Rain turned to snow, wet turned to wetter, and traffic turned from flowing to slowing.

A long ride later, I reached home drenched.

I could’ve made the trip a lot nicer for myself. Rain gear. Hurrying home. Both would’ve paid dividends. But then again, there’d be no adventure.11211_625372357528266_1248429372_n

Riding a motorcycle full time, is adventurous. Everyone pictures the sunny summer days, motor revving, hair flowing, and being cool. But MC riding, true MC riding, means facing all the elements. And I’m not complaining.

I love the bike. I love the pros and the cons. I love the sun. I love the rain. The sun a little more, granted. But it all is part of the game.

If you’re going to ride, don’t short yourself and be a fair weather rider. Experience it all. Soak it all in. Let the ride seep down to the bone.

Ride. Ride. Ride.

 

Day 44

Once Bitten, Twice Frozen

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Hey Kids,

Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results is said to be the definition of insanity. I guess I’m insane.ride 4-4-15

I have now tried to ride twice to and towards Idaho despite the early season and both times I’ve expected, nay, hoped, the ride would be warm or warmish. Both times I have been met with cold reality. Both times started in the sunshine and progressed into a grey, cold northern sky filled with cold Idaho air.

I might be insane, but I believe if I keep trying, this cold streak will change.

The worth and enjoyment of the ride was worth every shiver and frozen finger. I shared the ride with my brother and picked up my girl and brought her back home.

Ride on, I say; the cold is but for a few hours yet the memory of the ride will last a lifetime.

That rule actually applies to many things.

 

Day 40

Just Wave, Or Not

mikemjensen Motorcycles Tags: , , 1 Comment

Hey kids,

I ride a motorcycle. In fact, right now, I have two motorcycles and they constitute the only means of working transportation that I own.

I really enjoy it. I love the fact that I do what few people do. Not only do I ride a bike, I ride it most everyday. I experience the seasons like few others do.

If you ride too, you know that motorcyclists wave at each other. It’s a way of saying, “Hey! You’re out here too!” I love doing it. It’s an nonintrusive connection. It never fails to feel good.

But there are riders out there who don’t wave back. Why? I don’t know.

A rider today rode past me and ignored my friendly gesture. A hard looking guy, his jacket bore a patch with the unmistakable emblem of the US Marines. He’s earned the right to snub the likes of me, I figure.

Sportbikes sometime ignore me on my cruiser. Harley riders ignore me when they recognize the Japanese design. Mopeds seem too surprised to wave back before I’m past them. Maybe they wave, but I miss it.

BMW vs. Harley. Dirt vs. Road. Two wheel vs Trike. Victory vs Gold Wing. I guess there’s some divisions among the bike groups. Sometimes they wave at each other, sometimes they don’t.

The only thing I see as a commonality in all the bikes is that there’s a person sitting on top. A person who has already decided to do something a large percentage of humans do not. They have exposed themselves to the elements, the dangers, and the hope no one hits them; and they have ventured out for whatever reason. Bike riders are generally nonconformist at heart.bikerwave

As a nonconformist, a few may feel the resistance to be expected to wave because “that’s what people on bikes do.” Let them be.

Some may want to wave over hand, some under. Some like a head nod up, others down.

It really doesn’t matter. I posted on Facebook today: “Nothing annoys the nonconformist more than another nonconformist who does not adhere to his idea on nonconformity.”

Wave if you want to. Don’t worry if you get a wave back. Don’t wave when others wave to you if you don’t want to. Nonconform however you wish.

You can even ignore my urge to nonconform if you want to; you’re the rebel.

Day 24