Just Talk and Chatter

January 20, 2024 Some thoughts.  We are not getting younger.  And yes, you can quit riding and begin 4 wheeling.  It's safer and more comfortable.  But when I ride, like yesterday, I feel younger.  It harkens back to when I was twenty and thirty.  And I love that.  For those of you that can and are willing, let's keep riding.  Jeep/4 wheel guys, we always want you along and we love the comfort it brings, but you two wheeled guys, I just don't want you to give up. 

It isn't really about motorcycles.  Or whatever...it's about people...it's not about the tracks.  Its about who you are hanging out with at camp.  It's sort of Saving Private Ryan to me.  How do we take care of each other.  How do we handle challenging situations.  Thats the thing for me.  Life has so many things that draw our attention. It's easy to say no to us.  We are an extra.  But are we?  Really?  Maybe we are one of the most important pieces of this thing called life.  

January 21, 2024

After breaking my ribs and then my wrist, I started to have some misgivings about this hobby.  But then I really liked my new ride, the BMW 700.  It is smooth and fun and a great travel companion.  So after getting back on her and having a couple of good rides....the Hyampon trip rings loud to me...even with 10 water crossings, it came time for me to decide where I'm heading on this path.  I wanted something that made me laugh and smile when I turned the throttle.  The beemer just didn't have the big power that I was thinking.  And I've been on the DR for so long, it was time for a power bike.  Frankly, I rode Swen's 1290 and it got under my skin.  I mean, why not?  Why not have an overland machine but one that freaking rips?  And so, the 1190 became mine.  I found it here in Chico.  Nice fellow.  Second owner but he barely rode it.  10k miles on it.  Like new honestly.  2015.  And so, I now am living with her.  I named her Roxy, after my very special Shepard that I had to say goodbye to due to cancer.  She was also a beast.  And so, this Roxy lives in the garage, ready to go at a moment's notice.  She is so fun.  Super comfortable, crazy great in the twisties, and offroad as well.  The electronic suspension is amazing.  And the ride modes as well.  I've never owned such a high tech machine.  But KTM has done it right.  I got her all set up for my needs.  Skid plate, tip over bar protection, bar rizers, fog lights, gps mount, and so on.  It came with two sets of luggage, and the owner didn't even know how the hard bags went on.  He had to contact the original owner.  Pretty funny.  

It had Mosko Moto soft luggage.  I used them a couple of times.  But the KTM aluminum bags just make things so darned easy.  I've decided I'll just use them.  So I put the Mosko up for sale.  I had no idea, but they go 1300 bucks new!  WTF?  So I put them up for 700 bucks, thinking it's not super likely I'll find a local buyer.  BUT, sure enough, a guy named Michael reaches out.  Offers 650 cash.  Okay.  He asks if I'd come to his workplace, the new Butte County Court house in Meriam Park.  Sure.  So I go in there.  High security.  Felt like I was in the airport.  Then another guard says to me, "Are you here for Michael?".  Yep.  Head upstairs into room 1 on the left.  So I go up there and court is in session in room 1.  Courtroom 1.  I walk in.  The Sherrif tells everyone to clear the court and go into the hallway.  It's like 20 people.   So it turns out it's the judge.  Michael.  We go back to the jury room and have some chatter about motorcycles.  He's got a 790 he's putting them on.  Pretty funny.  I get my cash and head on out.  The hallway was weird.  People stared.  I kept my head down.  Like I just did some drug deal or something.  Haha. 

So this weekend I had a chance to ride a bit with Kurt, Forrest, Mark, and Kim.  The other guys hadn't met Kim so that was cool.  We just had a short run up to the covered bridge in Cherokee.  But man, my machine is so damn fun to ride.  It is so freaking fast and powerful.  But also docile when you want it to be.  Got some rain on the way home, and it has really good protection, for the most part.  But I tell you, I have ridden in the rain more in the last couple of months than I have in years.  I am looking forward to sunny days.