2009 Aprilia RSV4

Bellissimo!

Pro Italia Bike Show

Ojai

Recently took a ride up to Ojai. Nothing unusual as this is one of my favorite routes. Its a great place to ride. Just far enough out of LA but not too far. Great roads too!!

Arrow Exhaust

To Casey Stoner

These are my thoughts in response to Casey Stoners comments against Valentino Rossi after Laguna Seca.

What it must be like to be Casey Stoner! A "boy” with lots of talent thats set to make many millions in the years ahead. Oh boo hoo Casey! Do you know who set the bar for you to have such a future? Well let me tell you. He’s the guy that “you lost respect for.” Before I lose my cool, let me explain a few things to you. First of all, you should be kissing the ground that Rossi walks on. For he has single handily made this sport what it is today. He is arguably the best rider to ever live! He has won in every class, with every size bike and with different manufacturers and now different tires. You obviously mesh well with the Ducati and it has brought you recent success but lets not get ahead of ourselves my young friend. Racing is not qualifying! As Rossi has proved so many times by starting in the back of the grid and still winning the race. Racing is on race day and it means competing against other riders that dont want you to win. It means keeping a cool head so that you don't make a mistake. Rossi is your master, one that you should study and dream to be like some day. He is a gentleman and he is brilliant. Yes your bike is faster and that must be nice for you but remember, Rossi has already proven himself against the best the world has to offer year in and year out and you may beat him from time to time but you will never be a better rider, a better showman, a better gentleman or a better Hero!

My "R" model

Oh Ohlins

Ohlins Goodness!!!

Look at what arrived today! Made to order!

Need a new helmet!

Well I've worn two types of helmets since 85. Shoei was always the one till about 5 yrs ago when I got a great deal on an Arai. I've been all about the Arai since then. Recently I sold all my helmets except the Arai Rx7rr4. Its a great helmet, comfortable and the ventilation is good. But its getting old. Its an 2001 and its time for a new one. So here's my dilemma. I love the Arai, it feels so nice that I don't even notice it. The down side is its a little loud and air flow is good but not amazing. The top of the line Shoei, X-11 is a nice lid. Its suppose to have the best ventilation of any helmet. And its supposedly got amazing aerodynamics and safety aspects. As you can see, I'm conflicted. These are the two I'm looking at now.

I have a real problem!

Look what just opened up down the street from my house! A message from
God I think! :)

New Front End Complete

Finally! Front end is done. Everything went surprisingly smooth. It really looks amazing in person. I'm really happy with the carbon fiber fender too. Of course, everything is not perfect. The Ohlins shock I ordered is still on back order sooooo I'm stuck waiting and trying to decide if I want to wait or pull the trigger on something else???????

Carbon fender!

Almost Done!

Well its definitely getting there. The axle is done. The caliper spacers in place. We ran into a few issues with the handlebar clearance. I tried using an after market riser and handlebar but it just didn't work right so we made a riser for the riser. Everything is proper now as far as geometry. The handlebars are about 10mm higher than stock for now. Another issue is the fender. I thought the Triumph fender was going to work but it just doesn't so I need a Kawasaki Zx6r or Zx10r front fender. I'm looking for a nice Carbon one. Once I get the fender we can the brake lines. Thats it, then its done. Oh and the Ohlins shock is in the mail! :)

New Vmax

Not sure if I like it or not????
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Got the new forks on!

So everything looks pretty good. Forks fit, brakes line up. My buddy is working on fabricating the axle for me this weekend. One problem we found is that the adjusters on the top of the forks are really tall. Meaning that even though the forks are similar length, the adjusters hit the bottom of the handlebars. The solution is easy and something I wanted to do anyway. I'll put taller risers in with a new bar with less rise so that the overall riding position remains. I'm thinking all black replacement parts.

Alpinestars SMX Air

Went for a ride today. Unfortunately I sold my boots with a bunch of other gear when I sold my Ducati. It was hot today and my feet were on fire! So I went ahead and popped for these Alpinestars. They should last forever and they flow mucho air so I'm lovin them.

New front end for the Triumph! Circa 2006 Kawasaki Zx6r

Got my forks, calipers and master cylinder today. Wow, they look brand new. What a score. This will really bring the front end up to par. I'm really happy to have found this pair. I initially bought a pair off an 03 but they weren't in the best shape. After doing some research I found out that in 05 they completely redid the internals. I had on 03 Zx6r and it was a little harsh. After an all day ride today I re-affirmed the need for this mod. All I need now is the rear shock and this little baby will be ready for a track day. Hopefully everything will fit as planned.

The new KTM RC8! (click here to see video)

Wow is all I can say. KTM has just joined the big leagues. This is a beautiful machine.

Click here to see what my girl got me!

So last week I was at work and I received an email from my girl. I opened it and this is what I found.

Tickets for 2, whole weekend, pit passes, hospitality suite, motorcycle parking!!! Wow. Now that girl is a keeper!

Upcoming Mods-ZX6r forks/Radial brakes/Ohlins Shock

Why Riding is great

There are few times in my life when I'm completely at ease. No stress, no thoughts of work, bills due or those really dreaded questions like "am I really doing what I want with my life?" On the bike there is none of that. For those that ride, this is not anything you don't know but I often think while I'm riding about how all the cars around me are driving around with everything on their mind except driving.

Riding a motorcycle is a ritual for me. It usually begins with the thought of my next ride. Either planning where I'm going or deliberately not planning anything. The night before I get my gear together and try to get a good night sleep. The morning of I awaken quickly as I'm always eager to get on my way. I get my gear on and go out to the bike. A quick check of the vitals, tires, brakes, brake light, turn signals, oil. Check.

As soon as I through my leg over the bike, everything that is usually hanging over my head disappears. In a moment, I am consumed by the sounds of the motor, the feel of the grips in my hands and the power beneath me. Everything from this point on is between me and my bike. Alone in my helmet, I ride and ride and ride. I need to go nowhere and my destination is just a place I decide to stop. It's absolute freedom, just me and the road. And that is why I ride.

Striple in Ojai

Ride to Santa Barbara via Ojai.

This is my Gps and video set up.

This is my Gps and video set up.

Tomtom 920t with bluetooth headset. Video is just a digital camera but it can mount a regular video camera as well.

One of my favorite destinations.

One of my favorite destinations.

Lake Casitas, Ojai Calif.

Triumph Street Triple
(Mods to come)

Me, my bike and a photo shoot

So on this day i had just picked up my bike from the dealer. I took it where Ive taken every bike since 1984, Mullhuland Dr. For those not familiar with this street, it sits atop the Hollywood hills. Its a historic road filled with turns, elevation changes, pot holes, asshole drivers, and your occasional hollywood star. The perfect testing ground. On this day it was better than ever. By the grace of the motorcycle gods I stopped to enjoy the view at one of the tourist stops. As i pulled in, she looked away from the camera and directed her attention to the beast of a man, oh I mean machine now gracing her presence. It turns out, she liked my bike! Next thing i know me and my bike are in the photo shoot! Some things are just meant to be.