Motorcycle-Intelligence.com » Places

Are Motorcycle Shows for You? (Video)

MCg — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 18:39:43 +0000

DO YOU ATTEND MOTORCYCLE SHOWS? WHY OR WHY NOT? (Scroll down to “Leave a Reply.”) Personally, for many years, I did “not” go to motorcycle shows or events. I wouldn’t say that I was opposed to them, or that I wouldn’t even have been interested if I somehow managed to find myself at one. It’s just that, particularly when I was younger, I wasn’t that into motorcycles as machines, nor all the gear and accessories that were/are available. I simply enjoyed riding. And I did a lot of riding (and still do). In fact, for me, any amount of time I devoted to the sport was simply that: riding and touring. (Maintenance and cleaning were exceptions to the “just ride” rule).

However, in later years I adopted the habit of attending the International Motorcycle Show (IMS) right next to the Pacific Ocean, in Long Beach, CA. The IMS is a series of motorcycle expositions that take place in a number of cities across the United States in the fall and winter (since 1982). The expos feature new-model motorcycles, custom bikes, ATVs, cruisers, concept bikes, vintage bikes, and scooters as well as all manner of gear, accessories and services in addition to educational seminars and stunt-riding performances.

My favorite part is the demo rides (photo above and in video below) available from the participating manufacturers. Here in Southern California, this is one of the few opportunities to actually ride a bike before purchasing it, since most motorcycle dealers no longer carry the insurance to allow customers to try them out.

In fact, because of the warm climate it’s one of the few shows on the IMS circuit where demo rides are available.

The following short video is a very brief overview of some of the sights and activities at this year’s Long Beach IMS. And in addition to their bikes, Brammo Electric Motorcycles featured some inspiring young ladies at their exhibit (see middle and end of video).

Although the demo rides are limited to a several mile experience and, with most manufacturers, are a “group ride,” the opportunity still gives better insight into the machine than simply sitting on it in a show room.

Having said all that about motorcycle shows, I have a friend who goes primarily to find good deals on gear. Others go for the social camaraderie or to view vintage bikes or customs. It’s also a good way to introduce kids, spouses and friends to motorbikes and to give them an opportunity to put a leg over a wide assortment of machines. And of course there are riders who don’t go to motorcycle shows and events at all.

There are motorcycle events all over the world, some bigger and many smaller. But the question is, do YOU attend motorcycle shows and events? And if so, why or why not? Please “Leave a Reply” below.

Group Motorcycle Riding – Benefit or Burden? (Video)

MCg — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 06:21:49 +0000

OVER THE YEARS I’VE DEVELOPED MIXED FEELINGS ABOUT GROUP RIDING. Although most of my weekend excursions and long-distance tours have been on one bike (with and without a passenger), I’ve enjoyed a number of trips with a second bike/rider and sometimes a total of three (such as this weekend in Death Valley National Park – see video below).

And as much as I am aware of how other riders find enjoyment riding with larger groups I have found the social experience “after” the ride to be very enjoyable, but the group riding itself to be somewhat restrictive, since I have a tendency to randomly stop to take photos, or take off in different routes on a whim, and generally start, stop and get going again in a somewhat unpredictable fashion. Heck, I don’t even always plan where I’ll be spending the night until I get tired and start looking.

The point to emphasize is that I have enjoyed my limited experience with group riding (a dozen riders) but my preference has been to ride solo or only with a few friends.

Of course with each additional rider, further coordination is necessitated regarding food, lodging, rest stops and destinations.

However, this weekend I had so much fun riding with 2 other buddies for 3 days, in Death Valley National Park that I’m re-contemplating the advantages and disadvantages of group riding. (Although, in this case, 3 very flexible and friendly guys hardly serves as an example of “group” riding, as we managed to generally enjoy our travels in a similar fashion as I would on my own. In other words, it was mostly an extemperaneous riding adventure with like-minded riders.)

So, the reality is that I’m really pretty inexperienced riding in real groups (more than three).

I’m hoping to gain some insight from contributors here on additional benefits and disadvantages regarding solo riding, very small groups (couple of riders) and real group riding.

What is your experience and preferences?

Riding Through Big Trees and a Black Bear (Video)

MCg — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 06:31:50 +0000

SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK IS AN EXCEPTIONALLY FINE EXPERIENCE ALL BY ITSELF. However, it is especially suited to motorcyclists as a result of its reasonably well maintained asphalt, lots of curves and great scenery. It has an added advantage of being in the shadow of its more famous big sister, Yosemite National Park. On the one hand, since Yosemite and Sequoia are about a hundred miles from each other, it’s relatively easy to visit them both. The reality is most tourists who are pressed for time only visit Yosemite, which simply means there are always less cars and people at Sequoia – even on holiday weekends – compared to Yosemite.

In other words, the riding experience is better at Sequoia than Yosemite because there is less traffic.

And yet Sequoia National Park is nestled within the same Sierra Mountains as Yosemite.

Furthermore, your entrance fee at Sequoia is kind of two-for-one deal, since Kings Canyon National Park shares a border with Sequoia National Park, and they share the same entrance.

Also, if you are into motorcycle camping, generally speaking, I have found it easier to get a camping spot at Sequoia than Yosemite. Although on this trip, we stayed in a lodge.

This particular weekend was notable for Sequoia since it marked its 120th birthday.

The primary riding experience is on General’s Highway, which is some 45 miles or so between the north and south entrances of the park. However, the southern segment features a stretch of about 16 miles which contains 130 curves and 12 switchbacks.

The entire stretch of General’s Highway is mountain-scenic beauty.

The pavement tops off at about 7000 feet in elevation, although the surrounding mountains reach twice that height, including Mt. Whitney, at 14,505 feet, which is the highest mountain in the lower 48 states.

It’s cooler on General’s Highway than the lower San Joaquin Valley, which is very hot and dry in the summer so bear in mind the temperature changes when planning a trip to Sequoia National Park or Kings Canyon National Park

California Big Sur Coastal Riding and Camping (Video)

MCg — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 00:48:33 +0000

WHAT’S BETTER THAN MOTORBIKE RIDING AND CAMPING ALONG THE BIG SUR COASTLINE? Not too much. On the other hand, I’m one for riding and camping anywhere with mountains and lots of twisty roads. No matter, this roller-coaster motorcycle ride is fabulous entertainment on a grand scale. The Pacific Ocean and the jagged, scenic cliffs falling away from the Santa Lucia Mountains are fine frosting on a tremendously tasty riding treat.

Whether you want to enjoy the camping part or not, you should make a point to ride up, down, around and along this 90 miles (or so), of California Highway 1 and the adjoining Los Padres National Forest.

Oh! Depending upon where you are going to or from, when leaving or approaching the Big Sur region, there is a much less known way to further stretch your riding enjoyment. The western terminus of California State Route 58 intersects California Highway 101. This chunk of 58 and its twisty asphalt (between the 101 and about 70 miles or so east before it connects up with California State Route 33), boasts more and more scenic beauty and impressive geological features, such as the San Andreas Fault. If you prefer your riding pleasures to be rarely interrupted by other vehicles, 58 goes through such a sparsely populated area that even on the Fourth of July weekend there was remarkably little traffic. And it’s so curvy that few trucks traverse it at anytime. It’s a magnificent ride all by itself, and because it’s somewhat in the shadow of its internationally famed Big Sur brother, it’s not nearly as well known.

Yosemite Riding with MCg and Richard (Video)

MCg — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 04:29:34 +0000

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, PARTICULARLY ROUTE 120 (TIOGA ROAD), EPITOMIZES MOTORCYCLE RIDING PLEASURE: as long as you ride early enough in the morning to beat the crowds. Don’t get me wrong. I love Yosemite. But I don’t love how popular this place is. Yosemite, and for that matter, Yellowstone National Park, are crown-jewel motorcycle destinations. But they are best enjoyed with a heavy dose of tolerance for a slow pace behind a parade of other visitors, which might remind you of the traffic around a shopping mall at Christmas.

The good news is that the prime motorcycle roads of Yosemite and other National Parks are considerably less populated at sunrise.

This weekend my buddy Richard and I rode up Tioga Pass to the entrance of Yosemite (elevation 9943 ft., highest highway pass in California).

When you’re entering Yosemite from the east by motorcycle, Tioga Pass will be memorable. Be aware though, since it’s so high, and receives so much snow, Tioga Pass may not be open even in June.

In fact, a few years ago I was making plans to ride up to Yosemite via the eastern slope and was surprised to learn when I was booking a motel room over the phone that the pass wasn’t open yet. Hence, I canceled that trip.

Anyway, the pass was open for this June weekend, so Richard and I enjoyed our 3000 feet morning climb up to the park entrance, and then took our time wandering down State Route 120 into the heart of the park.

Whether you’re a morning person who will benefit from a more peaceful encounter riding through this morning mountainous bliss, or a motorcyclist who likes to sleep in, your motorcycle tires need to ply this place. Yosemite is truly a wonderous hunk of Mother Nature.