Cars R OK, but what kind of motorcycle do you have

Very impressed to hear that you drove year round in NYC.

Aw' shucks, that was just a walk in the park. I still ride year round here in Seattle, though I've been slacking off these past two years since we've been working on the never-ending house renovation. Every Martin Luther King Day weekend, a group of fellow hard-core two-wheelers go on a little snow-camping weekend trip out to the mountains. Here's a favorite picture of me (left) and two of my friends up at 5400 feet back around this time of year in 02'. The next year we attended I went down on some black ice on the way up so we turned back at around 4200 feet that year. The last two years it's actually turned out to be Rain-Camp. Still well attended, but not by me. The last one I attended had about 75 folks show up. Some come with four wheels, but the vast majority are on two, and most camp in tents. There's been all kinds of creative traction solutions two, from ropes, to chains to actual studs. I think someone actually bought one of those stud inserting guns (not cheap). Some culinary highlights are the turkeys fried in oil (there are usually two or three), pancake breakfast, and the alter of whiskey. It's called "Snow Camp" and it's been going on for over ten years as I recall...I think there was a birthday cake a few years back. Open to all makes and models, as well as to those who just love to ride but are not crazy enough to risk it in February at high elevations. Too late for this year, but hey, if you're in the neighborhood of Mt. Rainier around MLK Day, come join the party!

Marco

Marco

I was already a fan but now you have my total respect.

Re "studs" yes, an excellent idea. I have been thinking on the trickier days this winter, that perhaps I also need a winter bike, in addition to the sports bike.

Although I love the sport bike on the clear, cold days, I really do hate it when I have to submit to public transportation.

I have told my wife and and friends that my risk of an anxiety or claustrophobia induced heart attack on the bus or train is far greater than the risk of death driving a motorcycle in the winter.

Then I thought, hey - if bad guys can drive motocross bikes down ski slopes while shooting machine guns in James Bond movies, why cant I get through a little snow and ice?

So any more info on studded tires, Mr Rainier trips, motcross winter setups etc greatly appreciated. Could I get one of the old school GS Beemer bikes and put studded tires on it? Any idea how long they last?

For the others, the new Triumph 675 Triple seems like a killer bike and I will report more upon delivery, hopefully in 1-3 weeks.

best

cwlondon

So any more info on studded tires, Mr Rainier trips, motcross winter setups etc greatly appreciated. Could I get one of the old school GS Beemer bikes and put studded tires on it? Any idea how long they last?

Stud Insertion Tool (that one's too easy, isn't it?)...and lots of other great stuff. If you are asking about longevity of studded tires, don't know. Call Aerostich and find out. I don't use them, but have seen others at SnowCamp who do, and tell me they are very effective. For more GS and Dual Sport jewelry, some very useful, the bible is Touratech (this is the US distributor, but the company is based out of Germany).

Everything you wanted to know, but were afraid to ask about The BMW GS Evolution. Lots of folks love the older airhead BMW's for their lightness, simplicity and reliability, and ease of maintenance, as well as greater prowess off road when the going gets tough. They retain their value very well too. But, coming from a sport bike background, the newer Oilheads (identified as the Telelever Generation) are sooooo much more fun on the pavement. Virtually everything about performance has improved, but with it comes the added weight and complexity of technology. You may be bored with the 50hp on tap of the older bikes. Another bike I'd consider for those purposes is the newer KTM Adventurer, either the 950 or 980. If you want to read some real-world experiences in a forum format of these types of bikes, and that style of riding, check out ADVRider. They are not as restrained as on this forum, and moderator is a different species altogether over there, so be prepared. There is a big GS list at Micapeak, but it is a subscribers list, and will generate a whole lot of unwanted bandwidth in my experience. If you want to watch a couple of goofballs actually do a bit of good in bringing some legitimacy and respect, to this realm of our sport, into the public eye, check out the "Long Way Around" series that is recently on DVD. If you want to check out someone whose done that kind of thing on a more serious level, without the benefit of support vehicles and TV crew, check out my friend, [http://www.globeriders.com]Helge Pedersen's Site[/url]. If you want to see some very serious talent on two wheels, watch a Trials competition. Those guys rule! Speaking of James Bond, as you did, I saw the guy who did all the stunts for that recent Bond film with the BMW...French stunt rider Jean-Pierre Goy - He did several lenghty demo rides that were just not to be believed at BMW's 80th B'day bash in Tahoe. I'll see if I can find some snapshots I took of him, but they won't do the experience justice.

Marco

Whoops, screwed up on the markup tags on Helge Pedersen's Website. If you are ever interested in going on some really amazing world tours, this is the man to go with. Check out his book, 10 Years on Two Wheels. They also occasionally do some great multimedia presentations at the major bike shows (Daytona Bike Week & BMW National are both pretty regular if he's in the country).

Marco

Marco

Thanks for the links - there is nothing better than a world tour on a bike.

I dont have a lot of experience beyond my usual riding but do have fond memories of:

- driving from London to Brussels on Christmas Eve, 1997, in POURING rain the whole way. Realized, upon reaching the border, that I left my passport (??!?!) on the kitchen counter and they actually let me through. Best dinner ever when I finally arrived. Cold lobsters, foie gras, Sauterne, champagne - wonderful.

- driving from London to Nice, on to Portofino, to Florence to Rimini and then down to Siena on my newly delivered Yamaha R-1, Summer of 1998.

- driving my Triumph Daytona 900 up towards Ireland, and taking a ferry to Belfast, after which I drove across the country stopping at the cliffs on the Atlantic side. Spectacular! One of the most amazing things I have ever seen. Even better, managed to snag a ferry ticket, last minute, to stop off in the Isle of Man and watch the TT races on the way home.

My recent adventures are simply battling my way in and out of Manhattan every day, but I will check out the links.

Thanks again.