Motorcycles Can Save the World

Earth hour tonight – 8:30 your time

bigdood — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 01:28:50 +0000

Dim your lights tonight for Earth hour at 8:30 your time. While motorcycles can help save the world by putting a dent in our dead dinosaur usage, dimming lights you’re not using can also make a MASSIVE dent – and when cities pitch in and turn down/off lights on structures that aren’t being used….it all adds up.

So crack a beer/wine, dim the lights and enjoy a little quiet time this evening.

Cagiva Elefant – Yes Plz!

bigdood — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 06:14:01 +0000

Me: fan of the ugly bikes (at least in the eyes of others, but I say beauty is in the eye of the beer holder)

Sex on Wheels aka Bike Porn Friday!

bigdood — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 17:39:33 +0000

Today’s bike is a hot little number I first lusted after when leaving my ex-girlfriend Jacqueline’s house up in the city. Only saw it through groggy eyes, didn’t realize it wasn’t an old beamer til a few months later when I saw another one parked in front of Zeitgeist. Without further ado, the Honda Dream…

Aaaaand a cafe’d version

An actual evolution in helmet technology?

bigdood — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 19:50:56 +0000

It’s no secret that I’m definitely critical of the motorcycle gear manufacturers seeming unwillingness to spend their money on any REAL safety evolutions as they fear that if it’s not the latest ‘as seen on your favorite racer’ look they won’t get their desired internal ROI. Came across this video today on the Lazer SuperSkin helmet, as well as came across this look at the helmet and research behind it by webBikeWorld. Worth a read.

Couple quick stats on motorcycle sales in 2008

bigdood — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 19:39:01 +0000

Due undoubtedly in part to gas prices last year, and probably in part due to the dwindling economy, motorcycle sales were down 7.2% last year. However, there are a few interesting bright spots.

-Scooter sales were up 41.5% from 2007, with the Motorcycle Industry Council members selling an additional 22.4k units
-Dual sport motorcycle sales were up 22.8% from 2007, representing 8.4k additional bikes sold

I saw those two stats are interesting as dual sports and scooters typically fall towards the smaller displacement end of the spectrum, thus representing less fuel consumed – directly translating to more cash in a consumer’s pocket. Will be interesting to see if the US will continue to get big bore race rep bikes year after year (btw, street bikes sales were down 5.6% last year, though as auto sales were down 19% I guess that’s a win) or if the manufacturers will start providing our market with more choices for two-wheeled commuting.

And, of course, some commute bike hotness for those that are visual people. Yes, there’s something about this three wheeled scoot that appeals to me.

Poll: Who do you wave to

bigdood — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 19:40:39 +0000

After reading various comments over the years about how Harley riders don’t wave to sportbike riders, sportbike riders don’t wave at scooter riders, etc. figured I’d throw a poll up to see see if you do/don’t return the favor.

Another new for 09 bike

bigdood — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 00:39:59 +0000

Was at Scuderia this weekend inbetween bar hopping for SF Beer Week and came across this hot piece of motorcycle ass.

The Aprilia Dorsoduro. Basically a supermoto-esque version of the Shiver. Upright riding position, damn good looks, and everyday practicality (as opposed to the SXV line). What’s not to love? The hawtness.

Rumor has it a 1200 version coming out as well…tri colore-esque paint….yes plz!

I’m baaaaack

bigdood — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 20:36:03 +0000

Took some time away from the blog, mostly because I haven’t been riding much these days due to my OC nature – when I get into something I get into it, and when I’m over something I’m reaaaally over it. Anyways, I’m baaaack.

The new bikes are just starting to get released, a bit of visual stimuli below to help ring the blog back in style.

First up, the Honda Fury. Custom chopper looks with Honda reliability (VTX 1300 engine). MSRP yet to be determined, but whispers are around $16k. Seems like a bargain, and can only imagine what the aftermarket will have in store for this bike.

Next up, the 2009 Kawasaki ER6-F. Resexied for the new year, should pull new riders in by the dozen. I don’t understand why more companies don’t make ‘beginner bikes’ that actually *gasp* look good? So many young riders get into the sport looking for a bike that looks good, and sadly most small displacement bikes don’t fit the bill for the image they are going after. MSRP should be somewhere under $7k.

Kawai 250 KLX250F. Bikes like this and the Honda/Yammy equivalents get my vote for city bike of the year (granted I’m always bias towards a motard/dual sport), but I think the price on something like this ($5299 MSRP) will prove to be detrimental. In a few years when you can get a used one for $1500 though…genius. Enough power to get around town, good gas mileage, and the ability to leap curbs…I mean potholes, if necessary.

Last one for the day, the 2009 Ducati Streetfighter. Naked version of their 1098. I’m not feeling it though. To me this is the bike equivalent of the girl you lusted after in high school/college, but than you see her three years later and she’s put on the pounds. The bike just screams ‘formerly sexy, now fat’ to me.

California DMV = retards

bigdood — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 19:42:38 +0000

Granted, this is stating the obvious for anyone that has ever been INTO one of the DMV offices, but I feel it’s worth blogging about. For the third (4th?) straight year they have messed up on the registration for one of my vehicles. About two months ago sent in payment for my motorcycle. About two weeks ago received my check back, with a letter saying that my registration is up to date according to their records. Now, yesterday I receive a very important looking letter with red headline saying NOTICE OF DELIQUENT REGISTRATION. The letter goes on to detail how my bike isn’t paid for, threatens potential wage garnishment by the FTB, etc. etc. California DMV = fucking retards. What’s funny is they’ve now done this EXACT same thing with every vehicle I own.

I <3 nice round numbers

bigdood — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 02:14:10 +0000

Probably about time for a valve job….especially as I’m at about 14,3 since I took this pic last week