Guest Contributions

These motorcycle articles are the works of unregistered guest publishers.

Guest Contributor Apr 2, 2020 Leave a Comment

Why Hire A Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?

We all know the dangers of riding. In the unfortunate circumstance where you've crashed your bike, it's good to know how attorneys can help out. Subsequently, a motorcycle accident lawyer can give you the straight answers you need to important questions such as:

Which insurance company is responsible for paying for the damage?
Will the insurance company pay for my medical treatment?
How will I deal with my injuries and what happens at work?

After the crash, a motorcycle accident lawyer will ask a few questions about the incident. The purpose of these questions is to help figure out how the insurance companies will compensate. Above all, there are damages and medical bills to consider. Some questions they may ask include:

Did a driver turn left in front of you?
Did a driver change lanes in front of you as you were riding?
What kind of injuries have you sustained from your motorcycle accident?

Steps Your Attorney Might Take

1. Find Out if You Deserve Compensation - If there's any chance at all that you were not the sole person liable for the crash, you may be able to receive a hefty compensation for damages and any injuries you sustained. Attorneys will let you know if you qualify for compensation and will then fight to get the most money from the insurance company.

2. Uncover Additional Details on the Case - Motorcycle attorneys will do the legwork to gather all the facts on your case. For instance, they'll look into police reports, speak to the insurance companies and evaluate the medical situation to help you understand the full implication of the accident and what it means for you. Since they've done this many times before, they're able to easily explain the full ramifications of the incident and determine who was at fault, or which motorcycle parts failed.

3. File a Lawsuit - Once a motorcycle accident lawyer looks at all the details of the case, he or she can discuss with you if it makes sense to file a lawsuit or to file a settlement with your insurance company.

4. Represent You in Court - If you decide you want to file a lawsuit, a motorcycle attorney can stand by your side in a court case. Namely, they'll be able to represent you and state the facts of the case while making a strong argument to jurors so that you receive the compensation you deserve.

5. Negotiate with the Insurance Company - Negotiating a settlement with insurance companies becomes much less of a hassle with an attorney. In short, a motorcycle accident lawyer is skilled at getting you the compensation you deserve. Comparatively, this is far better than having an insurance company's adjuster lowball you with an offer.

Choosing To Consult A Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Asking yourself the right questions after you've been in a crash will help you decide if a motorcycle attorney is right for you. One way to do this is by weighing how much money you think you could receive in compensation from damages and injuries versus how much of the crash was caused by the other driver. Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to repair your damaged motorcycle parts without waiting too long.

Finally, if you're in doubt, you can always call a motorcycle attorney and ask for a free consultation.

What Motorcycle Hazards Have You Encountered?

There are a lot of ominous threats out there. Which have you faced? What knowledge got you through it and how? Your input is invited. Post an article!

Guest Contributor Sep 5, 2019 Leave a Comment

Hillbilly Triangle: A KY Motorcycle Ride

The American Heritage dictionary defines "hillbilly" as a person from the backwoods or some remote mountain area. Wikipedia says that Red River Gorge is a canyon system on the Red River in east-central Kentucky. It lies within the Daniel Boone National Forest, next to what's commonly referred to as "Hillbilly Triangle", covering about 29,000 acres.

Backwoods? Remote mountain areas? A canyon system? "Tell me more!" you say. Well, okay ...

This is what happens when you combine 200+ miles of twisty, smooth roads that go into the forest, winding around the back woods and mountains before plunging into the depths of the Red River Gorge. Only then does it finish with an exciting run across the fabulous ridge top roads of north-central Kentucky. If you're a motorcycle sport touring rider (and I assume you are or you wouldn't be here), you end up with one of the best days of riding anytime, anywhere! This is the Hillbilly Triangle ... Red River Gorge route!

We'll start in [tripadvisor]Mount Sterling, Kentucky|Mount Sterling[/tripadvisor] (pictured), aptly known as the Gateway to the Eastern Mountains.

Mount Sterling, the county seat of Montgomery County, is a town of about 7,000 located some 40 miles east of Lexington, Kentucky on Interstate I-64. It's a fairly sleepy little town that supports many hotels and eating establishments located near the highway.

Our Kentucky Motorcycle Route Begins

Going south on 11 will run you right into the small downtown but there's a bypass (route 689) that you can use to go around it to the west. In either case you want to continue south on 11 until you reach SR-646. Turn right (west) on 646 until you reach SR-974.

A note here on the Kentucky numbering system. Generally speaking the more numbers in a route, the smaller the road. Not always true but generally so.

Follow SR-974 until it reaches SR-89 and turn left on 89. Soon you'll come to the small town of [tripadvisor]Irvine, Kentucky|Irvine[/tripadvisor]. Go through town and continue south on 89.

This is the true beginning of the Hillbilly Triangle. Stay on 89 all the way to [tripadvisor]McKee, Kentucky|McKee[/tripadvisor], deep in the heart of the Daniel Boone National Forest. Once you reach McKee, go south on Route 421 and take a slight left on SR-587.

Of Course Hillbilly Triangle Mentions An "Irvine"

This is the southernmost point of the route. Near the town of [tripadvisor]Beattyville, Kentucky|Beattyville[/tripadvisor], 587 will intersect with SR-399. Take 399 north and when it ends, turn left onto SR-52.

This is taking you back west toward Irvine. Before you get to Irvine, turn right on SR-213 which, again ... is taking you north. You'll cross under the Mountain Parkway just on the southern edge of the town of [tripadvisor]Stanton, Kentucky|Stanton[/tripadvisor].

Just past the Parkway you'll turn right (east) on SR-11 and begin your journey into and through the Red River Gorge. There are some choices to be made along here. The shorter way to go is to turn left off of 11 on SR-77.

This takes you through the famous Nada Tunnel. A longer (and better) way to go continues on 11 after passing SR-77, not turning until you reach SR-715. Doing so will take you past Miguel's Pizza (some of the best you'll find anywhere) and also past Natural Bridge State Resort Park.

The resort park features a lodge, a restaurant, cabins, campground, hiking trails and unbelievable views of the Gorge canyons. It makes a great home base from which to explore the Eastern Kentucky mountains. If you take the longer route and use 715, you'll also be treated to a wonderful ride through the Gorge area itself.

Most of it is 1.5 lane(s?) wide, recently repaved and in wonderful condition. However, there are several hiking trailheads and parking areas located off of this road, so traffic on the weekends (particularly in the autumn) can backup sometimes. It's tight and twisty through this area and many of the turns are blind when the summer foliage is out.

Enjoy Your Ride Through The Kentucky Wilderness

Take it easy and enjoy the shade. Continuing on 715 will run you back into SR-77 north of the Nada Tunnel. Continue north on 77 (right off of 715) until you reach Route 460.

Take a left on 460 and you'll reach the town of [tripadvisor]Frenchburg, Kentucky|Frenchburg[/tripadvisor] in a couple of miles. Go straight and you go onto SR-36. Follow 36 north to the town of [tripadvisor]Owingsville, Kentucky|Owingsville[/tripadvisor] and then turn left (west) on SR-60, a rolling road through the horse country of east-central Kentucky.

Turn right onto Van Thompson road before you come back into Mount Sterling and it will run you back over to SR-11. When you reach SR-11, turn left again and it will run you right back to your starting point at I-64.

The total distance of this route hits 260 miles, give or take. Figure in six hours of actual riding time. Add lunch (I recommend either Miguel's or the Natural Bridge SRP lodge) plus a gas stop and water break. Eight hours is a pretty common timeframe in which to complete this ride.

Hillbilly Triangle Covers All Bases

The route pretty much has it all: lots of really twisty roads, great scenery, places to stop, historical attractions ... everything but traffic!

Well, that is except for the area around the Gorge on holidays and weekends. Otherwise, you can expect little to no traffic. Many people in Kentucky will even pull over and let you pass when they have a chance. Passing zones are fairly common.

I do recommend making sure you're fully gassed up before starting this route and to take a bottle of water or some other fluids with you. While there are some towns along the way, there are many miles that are remote and it can be a long walk to find help if you need it. Cell service is spotty at best and even small towns are hard to rely on.

Put the route into your GPS but remember, paper state maps are priceless!

What's Your Favorite Kentucky Motorcycle Route?

There are other great kentucky motorcycle rides out there. Which ones do you prefer? What do you like about each and why? Your input is invited. Post an article!

Guest Contributor Mar 19, 2019 1 Comment

CYCPLUS A2: More Than An Air Compressor

If you're reading this, you're probably a user of pneumatic tires, the kind commonly found on motorcycles, cars, and bicycles. Since most tires lose a few molecules of whatever comprises air, you'll need to inject a few more back in every once in a while. The CYCPLUS A2 portable air compressor does precisely that, more effectively than its competition.

As a motorcyclist, you probably know that maintaining recommended air pressure in your tires is pretty important if you want to equally maintain that stellar safe-driving record. I always carry some device meant to keep my tires topped off. When I rode my old Honda, a 1980 CB750 Custom, I kept a CO2 canister handy. Then I kept a Slime air compressor on my '93 Nighthawk 750 which required the installation of a 12-volt cigarette lighter type outlet.

My current ride is a "brand-new" 2014 CB1100. A cigarette lighter is about the last farkle I want on my modern motorcycle. I decided to decorate my handlebars with a dual USB port instead; modern, sleek, and tech-savvy. While I can charge my helmet coms and smart phone at the same time, that will probably be a rare occurrence.

Wouldn't it be nice if there was an air compressor that plugs into one of those outlets?

There are many battery-powered air pumps on the market that charge via USB. The CYCPLUS A2 portable air compressor is just one. It's a mini tire inflator for motorcycle, bicycle and even car tires.

CYCPLUS A2 Features/Performance

Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery power bank (yes, you can charge your phone from it)
Digital LCD display
7-hour 80-lumen LED emergency light

... annnd (saving the best for last) a pressure pre-set that stops the compressor at any desired pressure between 3 and 150 PSI. Set it and forget it. Walk away and do something else while it's filling your tire. Also, if you don't like PSI, there are three other units (BAR, KPA, Kg/cm3).

I've yet to find any reasons to bash the CYCPLUS A2, though some reviewers claim the battery doesn't last very long. We'll just have to wait and see about that. Other than those reviews, this machine is like a Nighthawk in that it does everything it's supposed to fairly well.

Maybe it's not the fastest compressor but it's fast enough for me. Maybe a 2.5-hour charge isn't the greatest but I'm not complainin'. It's far better than an overheating compressor or CO2 canisters.

Facts & Figures

Dimensions: 50mm [2.1"] X 50 mm X 180mm [7.0"]
Weight: 336 grams [0.74 lbs]
Price: about $48 US

BONUS: Comes with a drink holder-style, bike frame mounting bracket and various inflation tools.

The Slime can't be operated beyond four minutes increments due to heat build-up, then needing five-minutes to cool-down. The CYCPLUS A2 gets a little hot during use but the instructions say to keep pumping. Adding about 20 PSI to my wife's car tire, it pumped for roughly ten minutes and stopped when it hit the pressure pre-set.

This could've taken fifteen minutes for all I care. I was off doing something else while it ran. It's considerably accurate, too. After topping off the car tire, a check with my digital tire gauge showed it was within 1 PSI.

My CB1100 calls for two different pressures: 39 PSI up front and 43 in the rear. It takes about two seconds to change the pre-set (set it and forget it, indeed). Now I have no excuse not to check my tires' pressure before every ride. In fact, I look forward to it.

Guest Contributor Jan 24, 2019 A. Voicu, PixaBayLeave a Comment

Roadside Ready: Ya' Best Have A Multi Tool!

Nothing beats taking to the open road on a powerful motorcycle. If you are one of the 8 million+ registered motorcycle owners in the US, you know you need to be prepared for anything. While most of these mishaps aren't of a serious nature, they can become challenging if you don't have the correct multi tool with you.

Motorcyclists have limited storage space. That makes it difficult to carry sometimes required tools. Thanks to a variety of multi tools available today, you can easily carry all of the tools you need.

That way, you're ready to tackle any minor repair or other sticky situations with ease.

What Roadside Repairs Can You Tackle By Yourself?

Most roadside repairs require little more than basic mechanical knowledge and the right tools to execute. Multi tools get you back on the road without too much hassle.

The most common problem you'll face on the road is a flat tire. That's why it's handy to keep an inflation device with you. Headlight, indicator and tail light bulbs are known to blow at the most inopportune times, making it vital to carry a few spare bulbs with you as well as the correct screwdrivers to replace them.

Broken chains and blown fuses are also fairly common problems. These are easy to repair if you have the tools and necessary spares with you. Due to the fact that some bikes rattle and vibrate more than others, you may also find yourself having to stop by the side of the road to secure items that have fallen off your bike.

Be sure to carry zip ties, duct tape and baling wire to use on parts that have loosened.

Will All The Tools On A Multi Tool Really Be Used?

Taking the most common roadside repairs into consideration, you may be surprised at just how many of the components of a quality multi tool you will actually use. The functions at your disposal will depend on the type you choose to invest in. Most multi tools boast a range of similar functions.

Some of these include:

straight-edge knife which is ideal for cutting through duct tape
serrated knife that can saw through zip ties with ease
needle nose pliers to bend back the cotter pin after re-adjusting the tension of the chain
various screwdrivers to tighten down the bolts and loosen screws

Other common multi tool components include a torch, wire cutters, wrenches and interchangeable bits that can all be utilized in a number of ways when you get stuck on the side of the road.

Are Some Multi Tools Better Than Others?

Like everything else on the consumer market, not all multi tools are created equal. Depending on the functions you need (as well as your budget), you can opt for one of many durable tools from reputable manufacturers. Apart from market leaders such as Leatherman and Victorinox, motorcycle enthusiasts can also consider other impressive multi tools such as the CRKT Tool.

It offers a range of metric box wrench options as well as a set of fully-interchangeable bits. Another good option is the SOG Powerlock which is famous for its user-customizable tool set and powerful compound leverage wire cutters/pliers. There is in fact a wide variety of multi tools available on the market that will suit your specific needs perfectly.

A good multi tool is without a doubt one of a motorcyclist's most prized possessions. Even if you don't find yourself stuck by the side of the road needing to do repairs, you can use the bottle opener on your multi tool. They're useful when cracking open an ice-cold beer after a long and exhilarating day on the road.

What's Your Preferred Multi Tool?

There are a lot of great multi tools out there. Which ones have you tried? What did you like about each and why? Your input is invited. Post an article!

Guest Contributor Apr 2, 2018 Leave a Comment

Your Motorcycle Battery Lies About Voltage!

Every bike on the market today has a 12-volt battery buuut ... that's not really the truth. Its power isn't fully charged unless somewhere in the area of 12.5 volts after its been off the charger for a few hours. Here's where things get a bit funny.

You threw your battery on the charger Wednesday night and here you are Friday evening, beer-in-hand as you prepare to warm up the bike for an oil change. Before you pull the charger off, you check and find a charge of 12.3 volts. "Meh, it should be ok".

I mean, it's a 12-volt system anyway but when you disconnect the charger and turn over the motor, the starter barely cranks. You keep fighting. The engine sputters a little. Maybe it barks to life but the headlight is dim at idle. Now your bike won't idle well and doesn't want to keep running unless you rev the RPMs slightly high.

Before you go chasing those carburation or injection issues (long story short) ...

It's Time To Replace The Battery

If you're unlucky, it's time to go over the charging system but what gives? The tender said the unit was full! The technical answer is: Your battery developed a short in a cell over the winter. The rest of the story gets a bit into electronics and chemistry. We'll come back to that but before we continue, here's what you need to do to prevent tears this year.

Visually inspect the unit. If it's a flooded cell, make sure none are low on water. One or two flooded? Spend the $40 on a new battery. If all cells are a little low, top it off and keep going.
Trickle charge that battery for a couple of days.
Disconnect it from the charger and let it sit for a few hours.
Check the voltmeter. Is it over 12.4 volts? If so, you're likely good for the year.

That's all the vital battery information you need for one season.

Why Do Batteries Read So Many Different Voltages?

Batteries are chemical storage of electricity, resistors and capacitors. All of those factor into a wide range of voltages you might experience with a modern 12-volt system. On a 6-volt unit, a single shorted cell would knock you down to ~4v, making it obvious your battery is toast.

When charging, you need to raise the voltage higher while the cell is at rest to push electricity into it. That's why, when charging a battery, you might see as much as 14v. Even when float charging you'll often see 13+ volts.

Capacitors, at their simplest level, are just a bunch of parallel plates. Amusingly, so are lead-acid batteries. When you charge one, they'll "fill up" on a few extra volts, holding onto that for a while once you've taken it off the charger.

This is why you need to let voltage settle before trusting a voltmeters reading.

Batteries Are Also Resistors

If you put your voltmeter across the battery terminals and turn the bike on, you'll see the voltage drop right to 11v or less as soon as the headlight and coils activate. If the battery had no resistance, you'd see the full 12.4v across the terminals but the battery has some internal resistance which becomes part of the circuit as soon as you turn the bike on.

When you turn the bike off, why doesn't the voltage come all the way back up again? That's chemistry rearing its spikey head. The battery is a chemical cell and that chemical process takes time. So, if you leave the unit alone for a while, the battery's voltage will climb back up. If you only had the bike on for a few moments, it'll recover most of its voltage.

Hopefully this saves you some frustration. If you're lucky and without issues, you've at least learned a little about how your batteries work. Enjoy an easy-start riding season!

What Electrical Solutions Have You Employed?

There are a lot of battery related truths in motorcycling. What issues have you tackled? How did you go about it and why? Your input is invited. Post an article!

Guest Contributor Nov 27, 2017 J. Bloom, FlickrLeave a Comment

Don't Be Under A Falling Bike

Class, repeat after me: "let the bike fall." Okay, one more time: "let the bike fall."

Bikes are rarely substantially broken by tipping over, so you can relax. If you drop the bike, you're still getting home. From experience, I've bent levers, bars, scuffed plastics and various other things but the bike still got home.

More importantly, "I" got home ... on my bike.

Motorcycles don't have feelings. They don't feel bad. They don't care bout anything, especially your legs.

That's why this mantra is important.

If you have body parts under the bike when it's falling, they're going to get hurt. Broken ankles and legs are common injuries from not getting away from a falling motorcycle. When that bike is going over, take a giant step to the side and give the bike clearance to fall.

If you do it right, you'll be left standing over your bike albeit looking a little dumb. Maybe you're face first on your ride, or kneeling on top of it. As long as you're not under it, you're fine!

Now what do you do? Laugh. Fake it if you have to.

People should see you're amused.

If you're laughing, people will know it's ok. Looks of concern turn to amusement and people will know it's ok to talk to you. Happy, communicative people are a whole lot more likely to give you a hand making your day better.

People usually offer to help you get the bike back up and wish you well.

Every year, I read and hear about the rider who's been off their bike for six weeks because of some silly stoplight, parking lot or garage incident. Take that giant step to the side and let the bike fall.

When I laugh at your story, I will be laughing with you.

Minor Motorcycle Flubs Got You Down?

Everyone's been there. What forehead slapping oopses have you experienced? What did you end up doing about it? Your input is invited. Post an article!

Guest Contributor Oct 9, 2017 Leave a Comment

Motus Test Ride: Torque, Power and Finesse

Let me be clear: I've ridden a lot of fast bikes. It's my thing. My last motorcycle was a 2002 Kawasaki zz1200 and, at one point, the third fastest vehicle on the planet. I used to refer to it as "the locomotive" because it just never seemed to run out of power no matter how fast you were going. She was a real kick in the pants to ride on the open road.

The Motus advertises itself as a sport tourer. It definitely looks like most other sport touring bikes but don't let it's (perhaps generic) traditional looks fool you. It's essentially a high-performance American hot rod on two wheels. Starting with the engine, a V4, this motorcycle's chassis cradles half of a Corvette power plant, complete with push rods and hydraulic lifters.

It also includes a standard Akapovic exhaust, Brembo brakes, braided lines and a slick shifting six speed transmission, all performance oriented stuff. Each bike is hand made, getting a thorough two-day ride and shake down before the final bodywork is fitted.

The Motus representative stressed that the bike is purposely simple. Aside from the electronic instruments and the torque managing transmission to keep the engine in check, there are very few bells and whistles. The windscreen is adjusted manually and there's no radio or GPS navigation.

There is, however, a cruise control and one accessory outlet (more are optional). The bike is chain drive with a 20,000 mile warranty. The option list is quite short: two top cases, auxiliary LED driving lights, your choice of four colors, heated grips/seat and standard or touring windscreens.

It's a really solid and well thought out design. The Motus rep expounded on the platform that "less breakable bits" is a major selling point. The Motus is reliability based on simplicity.

Before the ride began we were given a short orientation. The rep sternly advised that we "take it easy at first", referring to the Motus as a “Corvette on two wheels”. In my head, my response was “which Corvette?” (there have been some dogs over the years).

So, What's The Ride Like?

Starting it up, I felt the engine pulsing and shaking like a big V8 and quickly realized she was of the '67, 427 variety. My first comment has to be that the Motus has torque and horsepower in bulk, a truly visceral experience. You understand before you even let go of the clutch that this thing demands respect and an attentive rider.

Pulling out of the parking lot echoes contractual stipulations for a light touch. The subtlest hand is mandatory if you want to keep things under control. I have to say, it's one of the few motorcycles that initially scared me (the other being the original 2004 Kawasaki 10R, a lightweight, overpowered, twitchy bastard that really should have been left on the track and never sold to an unsuspecting public).

There's a lot of engine pulse and feedback on a Motus. It feels just like the hot rod it is. I really hadn't experienced anything like it since the '70s when I drove a 428 Mustang. While inline fours (Suzuki GSX, BMW K, Honda CBR, etc) build linear power and big twins have low-end torque with less top-end, The Motus has power and pull immediately ... pretty much all of the time.

At first, it's power seems borderline uncontrollable but once you get acclimated, it's rather cool and intoxicating. Like that wild rock and roll chick you once dated. You knew it was dangerous but you just could not stay away.

Getting on the highway was pretty damn entertaining as that's where the Motus "hot rod" nature shines. Opening up the throttle felt like the motor was saying “finally”, the bike pulling hard and quick. As I said before, there's torque in spades and as this motor growls, there's a noticeable yet pleasant, pulsating cadence that you can only get from pushrod engines.

Once you're in fifth or sixth gear, the engine settles into a nice, manageable hum. Things smooth out but you always feel the engine beneath you. The Brembo brakes were outstanding as usual, needing only a feather pull to work especially at slow speeds. I first thought that for $30k, you should at least get a radio but you don't need it. The engine makes its own music.

Overall the bike is better than comfortable to ride. The posture/position is more on the upright side and the bars are adjustable to get the fit that's best for you. The OEM Sargent seat is comfortable but with all of the bike's torque and power, it needs to have a deeper cut with more of a bolster toward the tail. When I rolled on the throttle, I felt as if I was going to slide off the back! The digital display is nice but in my opinion, it could be bigger. A lot of information gets lost.

So, Who Is The Motus For?

If your idea of sport touring is silky smooth power and things like shaft drive, power windscreens and lots of personalization, especially from the aftermarket, the Motus is not for you. Being a speciality bike, you're pretty much stuck with how it comes and the limited options they make available. When comparing it to fast cars, it's not a BMW M5 but more of a refined, comfortable and updated '67 Vette, with brakes and handling that actually work.

It reminds me of the fun, exhilarating feeling you can only get from riding a motorcycle. The Motus has been designed and engineered for the joy of riding and for that purpose, it's damn near perfect.

What Motorcycles Have You Test Ridden Lately?

There are a lot of innovative bikes on the market. Which ones do you prefer? What do you like about them and why? Your input is invited. Post an article!

Guest Contributor Sep 28, 2017 Leave a Comment

Conquering The Lake Superior Circle Tour

I noticed an online ad for the Lake Superior circle tour and was quickly intrigued. Having spent my college years at Michigan Tech (in the middle of Michigan's Upper Peninsula), the Northwoods and Great Lakes are special to me. This destination also anchors several vacation memories from when my daughter was either a baby or in her single digit years.

I introduced the concept of touring Lake Superior to the editor before we both enthusiastically started drafting routes. Our touring machines are significantly different, me on my heavy touring GoldWing and Robin on his comparably lighter sport touring Bandit 1200. As a result, the contrast of our chosen routes was rather strong.

Sidebar: If you're not afraid to get dirty, Lake Superior surroundings are a gigantic ADV playground.

My Route ...

Riding the Lake Superior tour on tarmac does force the rider into a series of 100-mile straights. As this wasn't what my good friend was looking for in a week long getaway, we agreed that this should be my solo journey, of which Robin helped shape into something wonderful.

Robin's Route ...

I'm an old school traveler. I enjoy 30+ year old bikes and own a collection of paper sectional maps decorated with fine tip felt traces. I'm an obsessive map folder and yes, I dig Origami.

I've been dabbling with the OsmAnd application on my smart phone for deer hunting. I had all the tools. It was time to combine them and take the plunge into the 21st Century.

My Lake Superior Motorcycle Tour Begins

Day one started off on an ominous note as the Aspencade was having difficulty cranking its starter. I was heading out to a local park to enjoy breakfast with my wife and daughter at the Ugly Apple food cart. In a hurry, I cracked the throttle and got the engine running. Heading out of town, I made a detour back home to grab my charger.

My initial plan for this first leg was a straight shot from Madison to Eau Clare Wisconsin (boring). At the last minute, I loaded one of Robin's alternate routes to my OsmAnd app and dove in. It was a complete day of twisties.

Remembering the starting issues with my bike (and being determined to be on vacation), I engaged in racetrack protocol while refueling: leave the engine running, don't bother operating the starter, hope I can "charge it out". On a 280 mile tour through the twisties, I restarted the engine once by the time I reached my hotel. Robin's route was superb.

In celebration of twisty roads, my favorite was the passing through The Mindoro Cut.

The turn by turn navigation with OsmAnd performed flawlessly. Regional vector maps and a GPS breadcrumb trail, all stored on the device, means riding out of cellular service has no impact. A quick look to the screen and you know if the next twist is tight or wide and the turn radius is steady or changing ... nice for spirited riding.

By the end of the day, I was a proud digital navigator! I still love my maps and picked up a detailed map of Michigan's Upper Peninsula (express mailed to my hotel by my favorite mail order company) so I could plot my next day's route on my paper security blanket.

I spent one half of that evening analyzing my motorcycle's charging system and the other half marking my Yooper itinerary with an inadequate yellow highlighter. My battery, removed from the bike, was charging in my hotel room.

Keeping The Spark Alive (Day Two Battery Concerns)

The next morning, I carried the battery to a nearby service station and the freshly topped cells were performing to "OEM new" specs. The trip continues!

Battery and starter performance is going to be somewhat of an experiment today. If the motorcycle performs and there's acceptable charge after 300 miles (and the bike starts like it should), I'll carry on with confidence. If the experiment fails, I go home and finish the itinerary in the "Prius Of Shame". I arrive at the southern shore of Lake Superior at the town of Ashland, WI and proceed to take the north country super-highway, US-2, into the UP.

Riding through Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park reminded me a little of the rural roads of Scotland. The park features very rural and narrow two-lane blacktop, twin rutted roads (causing a nonstop baby-sway with my motorcycle), grass shoulders and some very fun twisties. My evening stop was at a friend's home in Lake Linden.

The day was 380 miles long and the battery performance experiment was a success!

Bigger Mileage For Day Three

The planned mileage for today was 465 and I was concerned about covering the entire route during the daylight. I had breakfast with another friend and we spent an hour longer than expected. So, I cut some excursions.

Sorry, Keewenaw Peninsula. I already know you well. Sorry, Tahaquamenon Falls. I owe you a visit.

I'm a graduate of Michigan Technological University in Houghton, MI, so I made a stop and hung around the Memorial Union and Gift Shop. My Roadcrafter is inspired from my Alma Mater.

I stopped in L'Anse to get some of Lake Superior in my hair and put my mind to racking up a triple century of touring. Traveling highlights included a great lunch at The Vierling Restaurant in Marquette, MI and both fast sweepers followed by tight technical twisties through the last part of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore excursion!

True story ... I pull up at this strange gas station, try to pay with credit but get convinced that cash is better. Mister Fonzerelli shows up in an incredible rat-rod low riding pickup truck complete with his trophy girl. His truck fails to start. It might be a crappy battery that can't turn over the starter. I get the hell out of there (I've shaken off electrical gremlins and am starting to feel superstitious).

That evening I stayed on the US side of Sault Ste Marie. Go to Zorbas Greek American Restaurant. It rivals Chicago's Greek Islands. Trust my Greek heritage on this one.

The sun did finally set ... at 10:00 pm. I love summer.

Day Four, Biggest Miles Covered!

It's July 4th and I'm singing the praises of wool socks. They do indeed keep me cool and dry while sporting a full lined Aerostitch Roadcrafter suit and rain touring boots. Gold Bond powder spray also has justified its existence in my travel case.

'Nuff said.

465 miles is the itinerary for today. If the day is a success, it will be my personal best for motorcycle distance touring. I wake early, eat breakfast and install my freshly topped off battery in the bike. The Canadian part of this trip is extremely remote, my wife and kid are waiting for me in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

The itinerary is to traverse the entire northern shore of Lake Superior in one day. The night before, I prepared my paper map and included a sparse, hand written route sheet stating village and miles between gasoline stops. In remote Canada, the menu for filling stations is limited.

There's a major tourist trap called Agawa Indian Crafts and it's worth stopping. I give myself a 20 minute alarm and power-shop for trinkets for my wife and kid. Inside the shop, I see a little stone figurine called an Inuksuk. This is a charm for anyone traveling long distance across a barren land.

I consider buying one but decide against it. That's okay because these little stone figurines are everywhere along the highway, guiding the numerous long distance voyagers.

My third scheduled gasoline stop is Marathon. I arrive at a community center/rest stop with a beautiful scenic overlook but do not see a town. This 15 minute break is well worth it.

I'm expecting the highway to shortly come to the lake shore and find a town with a gas station. Five miles from the rest stop, there's a large filling station and quick mart. I decide to skip it and wait for that small town experience (big mistake). The next stop was about 50 miles away and this old motorcycle is poor on MPG.

At an unplanned stop, with the counsel of another rider, I remain un-stranded in the wilderness.

The scenery is stunning. There are Inuksuks all along the highway. The landscape is pines and rocky, with dramatic changes in altitude. There are very long stretches along this forested land, with nothing else but a riders thoughts among nature.

Occasionally, there are brief glimpses of tiny lakes with massive granite boulders and conifers. Sometimes there's a stunning glimpse of Lake Superior as the route teases you with views of water between stretches of forest. It's turning into a wonderful day.

In the town of Nipigon, the gas station is small and the cars are lined up. The GoldWing gas tank is located below the upper fake tank, riding along a spine of the frame forward and below the seat. In the press to fill up and get out of the way, I closed up the top shelter but failed to seal the gas tank.

Fortunately, I smell the fumes and pull over to keep from dying in a ball of fire.

Break day. My family and I enjoy our time in Thunder Bay, digging for Amethyst at a nearby mine.

This Lake Superior Tour Done Gone Caravan

My family and I ride caravan to Kakabeka Falls. it's a miniature version of Niagra Falls. If you do this trip, I highly recommended this stop.

My route back into the US is along Canadian rural highway 593. It parallels the Whitefish, Arrow and Pigeon rivers and is greatly remote. The twisties are quite fun and tight.

This route would be better enjoyed on an adventure bike but I've been riding for a week now and the GL1200 shows it's quite capable.

Riding along Minnesota's North Shore was a first for me. The landscape is heavily developed, though there are still some remote areas. Check out Taconite Harbor. There's a boat launch, making for an easy tire wetting ceremony.

Also, I made a special stop at the Split Rock Light House. This is the largest light house site I've toured in the Great Lakes area. The light house features all of the original equipment: clockwork gears, mercury bearing with an oil cap and an exquisite third-order Fresnel lens.

My lake touring adventure concluded in Duluth, MN. I took an excursion up the bluff in search of the Aerostitch factory. My first try took me to a prime residential area (my mistake) where I was struck by the change in ambient temperature ... 70F to 90F away from the lake. Lake Superior is indeed a giant air conditioner that makes touring in a textile Roadcrafter extremely easy, even in the peak of July. I did arrive at the factory to heap praise on the Aerostitch crew. My trip featured a touring attitude complete with days in excess of 300 miles, few stops and lots of saddle time.

I could easily do this itinerary again and take twice the time. If you have a desire to take a motorcycle tour around Lake Superior, reserve a week off and go for it!

What Are Your Favorite Stops Along The Lake Superior Circle Tour?

There are many great places to visit while riding this route in particular. Which ones do you prefer most? What do you like about them and why? Your input is invited. Post an article!

Guest Contributor Jan 14, 2017 1 Comment

SR-555 (Ohio's Triple Nickel) POIs

The Triple Nickel is part of Athens County's "Windy 9" Driving and Riding Trails. It's both challenging and fun. Wildlife, farms, rolling hills, acres of countryside and a large part of Appalachia are all included in this route. I've ridden it many times, both as an inexperienced rider and as a seasoned 17-year rider and still find it extremely beautiful and testing of my skill level.

You'll want to bring a friend or two along for this route. Leave Athens and ride all the way to Zanesville. My favorite parts pass through small towns. Most have a gas station, maybe a restaurant and plenty of people sitting out on their porches or yards in the summer riding season, giving you a wave or a nod as you go by. It's truly gorgeous and guaranteed you'll share with fellow riders as a definite place they should ride.

You'll continue to talk about it as an incredible skill-testing route. A stop along SR-78, if you choose that route on your return, will put you at the "rim of the world" which is said to be the highest point in Ohio and on a clear day, one should be able to see the skyline of the City of Columbus buildings. It's a popular place to snap a picture or in the fall to just stop, stretch legs and enjoy the beauty.

Come on into Glouster. Take SR-685 to Truetown Road and stop at the red covered bridge. Snap another picture of your bike or companions with the bridge as your backdrop.

You'll love SR-555 as it's everything and more than you've expected. If you need a riding partner, go to your local bike shop and mention The Triple Nickel. Request a map of this route as well as the other eight included with the Windy 9!

What Are Some Of Your Favorite Ohio Motorcycle Routes?

There are a vast number of great riding roads in Ohio. Which ones do you prefer? What do you like about them and why? Your input is invited. Post an article!

Guest Contributor Jul 12, 2016 Leave a Comment

Arkansas Infamous "Push Mountain Road"

Having motorcycle toured through forty-eight states and seven provinces of Canada over the last forty years, not surprisingly I have a few favorite roads. My absolute favorite, balancing traffic density, police presence and intersecting driveways/roads is Arkansas Highway 341, otherwise known as "Push Mountain Road". To access it from Mountain Home, take Arkansas 201 towards Norfolk and turn right onto 341. It's twenty-four miles long with over a hundred and thirty five turns and feels distinctly like two different roads.

It starts out with less than perfect pavement, narrow shoulders and residential driveways. About eight miles later, it enters the Ozark National Forest where the surface becomes stellar. There aren't any driveways or intersecting roads and the shoulder is five feet wide. From here, it climbs Push Mountain which includes some lower speed switchbacks before continuing onto a series of varying speed corners and short straights.

This is one of the few roads I still ride fast enough to wear the edges of the tires. Visibility is wide open in the corners and there's a complete lack of gravel on the roadway. I usually run the road back and forth several times and there's even a micro brewery (Gravity Brewing) located a few miles West on Arkansas 14, just outside of Big Flat (open Monday-Thursday from noon until 6pm).

If you're looking for family oriented activities, I highly recommend Blanchard Springs Caverns. They're located East on Arkansas 14 just past the town of Fifty Six. They're run by the National Park Service and were opened to the public in the early 70's. There's plenty of hiking as well, some of which takes you where the river runs through the cavern exits into Blanchard Springs.

My favorite places for lodging are clustered around the Buffalo Point area, West on Arkansas 14 near the town of Mull (The intersection of Arkansas 14 and 268). Contact Dirst cabins, Wild Bill's cabins and the Buffalo National River Park service. They offer a wide range of cabins and if you'd like to kayak or canoe along the river, there are multiple vendors at the same locations. The Buffalo National River was the first to receive that designation, initially slated to become a lake with a hydro-electric dam. The Fight For The Buffalo chronicles that battle.

What Are Some Of Your Favorite Arkansas Motorcycle Routes?

There's plenty of good motorcycling in Arkansas. Which roads have you ridden? What do you like about them and why? Your input is invited. Post an article!