Category: Motorcycles

Weatherman – Lesson Learned

On the way back from Kure Beach on my motorcycle, I learned an important lesson. When the weather man says, 20% chance of scattered showers, what he means is : “100% chance of consistant rain.”

As we were packing to leave the beach on Saturday, it started to shower at Kure Beach. So, I checked the radar images, and it showed that the rain was pretty much isolated to the Wilmington/Carolina Beach/Kure Beach area. So, with the rain being light, we went ahead and headed home. Chrissy took the regular “cage” route, 421 to I-40W, but I took the more scenic 421N route. The ride went fine, with only a little sprinkles hitting my helmet visor to inform me that it was raining. Then I left Wilmington.

On 421N, about 15 miuntes outside of Wilmington it began to pour. I rode in the puring rain for about an hour on 421 before I came to a rest stop inbetween Delway and Clinton. I was soaked from head to toe, and trembling from the cold. To make a long story a little shorter, I called Chrissy from the rest stop, and we decided to meet up at the Walmart in Clinton. There, we bought me dry clothes, boots, and a PVC rain suit. After that, I made it home without further incident.

So, remember- if you check the weather the day before, or the morning of the day you’re planning to ride your motorcycle a long distance, and the weather report states “scattered showers” … don’t believe it. 😉

Rode the VTX to Kure Beach

As I write this I’m sitting on the back deck of Chrissy’s aunt’s beachhouse watching the waves roll in at Kure Beach. Okay, I got the gloating out of the way.

I rode the bike down here, and it’s the first time I’ve taken that long of a trip on the motorcycle. I’ve got to say it wasn’t bad at all. I took 401 South to Hwy 50, to Hwy 242, to Hwy 421 all the way into Carolina Beach, and then on to Kure Beach. My butt was pretty achy with only 2 stops between Raleigh and Kure Beach but it wasn’t too bad. With a better seat, if I didn’t need to stop for gas, I probably could make it all the way without stopping.

On the way I had a little scare on 421 however. I was following a flatbed truck hauling a diesel generator for quite a while until it’s right rear tire exploded and disintigrated in front of me. Luckily, I was following at a safe distance, so I was able to brake and then go around the truck when he puled of the road.

Anyway, I guess I’l get back to drinking my beer on the deck. Happy July 4th everyone!

New Motorcycle Brand to Replace HD

At a press conference late Monday, the CEO of Johnson Marine, makers of Johnson outboard marine engines and other recreational equipment, unveiled a new line of heavyweight cruiser style motorcycles designed to compete head to head with industry leader Harley-Davidson.

The new line of bikes, marketed under the name Big Johnson Motorcycles, will, according to Long, deliver what Harley has only promised. “Our research show that this, a Big Johnson, is what Harley buyers are really after.”

Manager Long also said that his company would follow the lead of Harley-Davidson and cash in on a huge market for non-motorcycle related products. “We realize that not every guy can have a Big Johnson,” said Long, “But image is very important to people. If they don’t have a Big Johnson, they at least want to project the image of having one.”

One female present at the product unveiling was quoted as saying, “There is no way I will let Lonnie drop 20 grand on another one of those Harleys, but 20 grand to get him a Big Johnson? Well, that’s something we could both enjoy, and it’s something he really needs.”

Sounds like a great product. I’ll be keeping my Honda though. 😉

First Cold Ride on the VTX

I had my first cold ride on the bike this morning. It was by no means the coldest ride I’ve ever had, but it’s the first on my new bike.

This morning I was so proud of myself. I left the house early and planned to be at work earlier than usual. I got about 1/4 of a mile down the road and realized that it was colder outside than I thought. So, I turned the bike around, went home, changed my jacket to a heavier one, and put on a scarf. I then headed back out for work and started my long trek down Millbrook Rd to Hwy 70. A little ways down Millbrook, a lady in a large sedan decided she wanted my lane even though I was still in it. I prompty blared my horn at her, and thankfully she got the message and got out of my lane.

Further down Millbrook, before I could even get to Six Forks I came upon a wreck bad enough for a Raleigh police officer to tell everyone to turn around and go back the way we came. So much for my early arrival at work. I had to head back, and bypass the blocked section. That added about 10 minutes to my travel time. All the way to work, it seemed that every traffic light was set up to stop me, and they did. I hit red light after red light. I actually ended up getting to work late on my self-impossed “getting to work early day.” By the time I got to work, my thighs were frozen, and I kind of had to waddle down the stairs of the parking deck.

What a great morning. Hopefully the rest of the day will be better.

New Motorcycle

The day has arrived! I am a motorcycle rider again! Today after work I went to Performance Honda of Raleigh and bought myself a Honda VTX 1300C cruiser.

My Honda VTX 1300C

The picture kinda sucks since I took it when it was already getting dark outside. The bike fits me prefectly, and is a blast to ride. It’s got plenty or torque, and doesn’t handle as slugish as you’d think a 600+ lb bike would. Man I love this thing…