Come ride along.

Checking out the Moto Guzzi Norge in Osage CountyLast week we began working on a new segment we hope makes the final cut. It will be a series of road tests of various motorcycles- new and used. We want to know what bikes you want us to shake down!

I realize there's nothing new about road testing a motorcycle- lots of magazines and TV shows do it. But we hope to put a different spin on it.

We had originally glossed over the idea because of the lack of "local content." But then we realized that road tests could be presented in a way that might add a little local flavor. Put a local spin on things that might be lacking from the Mainstream Media. Lemme'splain...

Ooops.

Road testing can get expensive. Brad and Paul returned from Osage County with mementos from the local constable. Damn.
First off, the bike being tested has to be provided by a local source, right? No point in testing a bike you can't buy in these parts. That one's obvious. But then you could also ride local roads to do the road test. It's cool to read about carving canyons on the latest hot rod- but carving hollers in Delaware County might be closer to real life. How does it handle cattle guards? Bet you won't see that on Steel Dreams! We decided to go for it and jump into the Motorcycle Road Test business.

Your Turn
We can use your input. Help us decide which bikes to put through their paces.

Here's the deal- we're going to shoot two kinds of ride reports, new bikes and "contemporary classics." We're open to nominations for both. Comment on this post to offer your two cents. Tell us one new ride and one old bike you'd like to see on the show. So easy.

I promise nothing- other than we'll consider your suggestions.

We braved the 100 degree heat this weekend to attend the 5th annual Biker Boyz Weekend in Tulsa. This event has grown each year and attracts riders from across the nation. For 2008 the festivities were held at Expo Square, with headquarters and lodging once again at the Doubletree Downtown.

The exhibits featured some unique customs and must-have sportbike hardware. There was even a bikini contest on Saturday to take your mind off the mechanical. But the real fun was happening outside under the scorching July sun.

Some of the best regional stunt riders were showing their stuff for the crowds. We just knew you'd want to see some so we here's a sample....

watch high quality version

We're already looking forward to 2009.

There is an old saying with motorcyclists that have been around for a while. "There are two types of riders. Those that have crashed and those that will crash."

With the current rise in gas prices, I am seeing more and more people using motorcycles and scooters for their daily commute and general running around. I think this is great to see. The two-wheeled version of gettin' around is much easier to navigate through traffic, making your commute quicker, easier on the wallet and great for the environment. I welcome all the new riders to our two-wheeled "community". I honestly don't understand why more people don't choose the two-wheeled way of getting around.


What does concern me is seeing so many riders on scooters (as well as motorcycles) with no protective gear whatsoever (I know this is their right, so please, no e-mails explaining that to me).
Is there some unwritten rule that people do not change lanes into riders on scooters or turn left in front of them? I cringe, every time I see somebody zipping through an intersection on a scooter wearing no protective gear, no caution of even looking around as they go through their green light. I have learned long ago, that anybody can hit you at almost any time. Plain and simple, most drivers do not see you on the road and are usually doing many other important things than just driving (cell phone, makeup, eating, yelling at kids, etc.). I have survived as long as I have because I know that I am invisible and that everybody is trying to run over me. This may not always be politically correct to say, but it has worked so far. Most new riders would know some of these basic rules if they did their research and took some of the training classes available. The current MSF course is a great one that I highly recommend.

And this is where things get a little strange. I have talked to a few scooter riders that believe that they do not have to get an "M" (motorcycle) endorsement on their driver's license to legally operate a scooter on the public roads. Even heard rumors that some scooter shops have told this to their customers. I hope that is not true, but...
To put it simply, in Oklahoma - "Scooters which are built and designed for highway travel are recognized like motorcycles". This means that they are titled and registered just like any other motorcycle (and car for that matter) and must follow the same rules and regulations. In other words, you must have a motorcycle endorsement on your driver's license to operate one on a public road. And just as important, you must get as much training as possible. Just like anything else in life. The more you train or practice, the better you are at it. It is one thing if you can't throw strikes on the local softball team. End result; you walk a few batters. It is another if you aren't very good at riding a motorcycle. End result; at best, you crash and get to learn a lesson.

If you are a rider that doesn't have an "M" on your license, get one, it's easy. If you don't think you should wear any type of protective gear... well, I guess that is your choice. Although, you probably will, after you go down once and commence to sliding and tumbling down the pavement if you are still riding.



Brad

Update July 16, 2008- The weather was perfect this morning for our Ride to Work Day breakfast. All morning a steady stream of motorcycles flowed in and out of the parking lot in front of the Savoy Restaurant.

Thanks to the media covering the event today- including Fox 23 Daybreak, KRMG Radio, Urban Tulsa, the Tulsa World and KJRH Channel 2.
photos...

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Resources for the potential motorcyclist...

• Motorcycle Safety Foundation
• MSF RiderCourse Locations
• Safe Riding Links
  
• Oklahoma Motorcycle Operator's Manual (pdf)
  

Get your motor runnin'...

Tulsa mayor, Kathy Taylor, has officially proclaimed July 16, 2008 as Ride to Work Day. Riding your motorcycle or scooter to work on this day will help show Tulsans that motorcycles aren't just for recreation. We also hope it will increase driver awareness and make the roads safer for bikes and scooters.

Ride to Work Breakfast
To help everyone get their ride to work started right, we're having a rider's breakfast on the morning of July 16th at the Savoy Restaurant, 6033 S. Sheridan Road. Join us from 6:00 am to 10:00 am and meet fellow two-wheeled commuters. Ride in and get a free cinnamon roll with your breakfast (quantities limited).

Ride to Work Day helps demonstrate how motorcycles and scooters make parking easier and help traffic flow better. Studies have shown that across equal distances, commuting motorcyclists reach their destinations in less time than those using automobiles, that motorcycles and scooters consume less resources per mile than automobiles, and that they take up less space on roads. Motorcycle and scooter riders seek improved employer recognition and support for this form of transportation, and more public and government awareness of the positive value of riding.

Thanks to Vespa of Oklahoma on Brookside and K & N Motorcycles for helping us make this possible.


Official proclamation from Mayor Kathy Taylor

The 17th annual Motorcycle and Scooter Ride to Work Day is Wednesday, July 16th. Every year on this day over a million workers commute via motorcycles and scooters to demonstrate the positive benefits of our efficient vehicles.

According to the United States Census Bureau and the Department of Transportation, over eighty million cars and light trucks are used for daily commuting on American roads, and only about 200,000 motorcycles and scooters are a regular part of this mix. On Ride to Work Day the practical side of riding becomes more visible as a much larger number of America’s 8,000,000 cycles are ridden to work.

That is the official blurb. Now for our take.

As fuel prices continue to go up, I am seeing more motorcycles (and scooters) on the road during the normal business-day commute. This is good for a couple of reasons. Of course it saves on fuel and puts a couple dollars back in your pocket. It also helps to cut emissions to the only earth that we have. And just as important to me, is that by putting more motorcycles on the road, it makes a few more people aware of them.

Maybe by helping to promote and getting the word out about this annual event, we can get more bikes on the road. I know I would rather be running through traffic with a bunch of bikes rather than trying to navigate around the 6,000 lb SUVs piloted by cel phone talking, late to work people that I normally see. I actually rode by a young girl last week "driving" through traffic on a busy highway (Hwy 169) that had one foot out the drivers window and was looking down texting with both hands. But that's another story.

If for no other reason, it adds a little enjoyment to a normal day to be able to get in a ride on the way to work and on the way home. So try it, you might like it.

We are currently talking with the Mayor's office and trying to get some city involvement. If all goes well, we will have incentives to ride to work and Tulsa will be the first city in Oklahoma to endorse the National Ride to Work Day.

Remember, motorcycles are not just meant for the weekends.

What a blast!

The shindig in Missouri this weekend was a really great time. A small but enthusiastic group of riders from as far away as Iowa and Oklahoma City made the trek to Osage Beach. The hardware was a mixed bag of BMWs, retro Hondas, a Ducati, a Buell and a Bandit.

The highlight of the weekend was touring some backroads with Scott Hubbard and getting to see his collection of bikes and vintage BMWs. Afterwards we hit the Elbow Inn on old Route 66 for some BBQ in the shade.

Saturday evening at Tan-Tar-A we gathered on the patio for door prizes and awards. Chris Ternes received a belated award for not tightening his oil drain plug before last year's ride. In "honor" of that slippery moment on I-44 the Most Precious Moment Award features a drain plug with a reminder on a greasy post-it note. The 2008 recipient was James Saar for a horizontal pirouette he performed near Spavinaw on Oklahoma Highway 20.



Many thanks to all of the sponsors who helped make this year's event a great success...

Brookside Motorcycle Company

Green Country Cycle City

1888FastLap.com

The Kinetic Playground

Places 2 Ride

Ride Oklahoma

We have a limited number of event shirts still available.
Order Now

My addiction to Motorcycles started before I reached the ripe age of 5 years. I was one of the lucky ones that had a father that rode and believed that his boys should do the same. From that time, I have ridden all across this country in the dirt, the sand, dried lake beds, racetracks, of course the street and a few places I probably shouldn't mention. Of that time riding, I would guess that I spent 75 percent of that riding with friends and/or family.

Riding solo is more different than most “pack riders” would realize. When riding with others, it allows for a couple of things.

One of the first is Safety. If there is a mishap along the way, and I have had my share, you have somebody you can rely on to help you back up, call for help, explain to you where you are and what your name is, etc. (thanks again Rex). I made it a habit to always have somebody along when taking off in the dirt, whether it be rompin' through the woods or on a Motocross track. I crash far too often in those environments to not have somebody around. It's just what I do. I crash, I get up and try not to do it again.

Another is being able to share the whole experience with others both during the ride and after. To benchrace at the end of the day over drinks and a good cigar is not something to be brushed off lightly. I try to attend as many rallies as I can, that involve beautiful roads, new places and friends that I only get to see a couple times every year.

Of course on the other end of that "riding with others" is the testosterone fest that can go on. I see that happen far too often on the street. It might happen in the dirt, but usually, everybody is crashing anyway, so it's hard to tell. I am older now and have used up most of my testosterone. When you don't have much left, you tend to ration it out more carefully.

I swore off riding with large groups a few years back because of my last ride with a large group. The group numbered somewhere around 25 - 30 and had the full mix of bikes, abilities and experience and ended with more than a few broken bones, broken bikes and lots of locals in their freshly pressed uniforms showing up. This same expericence had happened to me before, but something finally clicked in my brain that day and I realized that this was not conducive to my whole plan of not donating any more of my paychecks to the local doctors. That cured me. Now, I stick to groups of 5 - 6 riders that I know.

Now for the other 25 percent of the time. A couple of years back, I decided that I have donated my fair share to the local Orthopedic Surgeons and sold all bikes with knobbies on them. I was not trying to cut off the local doctors completely, but merely cut back on that part of my spending.

Now I try to keep it on the pavement. In the past few years, I have discovered traveling farther than my usual 200 to 300 mile days and have been wandering a little more and attended rallies in other states. Of course, this had me showing up at a rally or two alone, due to the other 4 or 5 guys bailing at the last minute after talking me in to going.

I have to admit that riding alone has its own advantages. There are the obvious ones, such as stopping when you feel like it, riding as slow or fast as you want, detours on a whim, etc., but there is also one that I had forgotten about.

I was reminded of this last one when returning home from a 1,200 mile trip that ended up with the last 300 miles in the rain. I think a friend of mine put it best when I was trying to explain it to him after that trip. He thought it was "that whole Cowboy spirit". Back when a guy would saddle his horse and mosey across the country in search of "who knows what". Riding solo is more different than most “pack riders” would realize.

Riding alone adds to the sense of adventure. If you break down, run out of gas or get lost, there is nobody there to back you up. You have to rely completely on yourself.

You also get to think. I do not listen to music or have my phone wired to my helmet, instead, I choose earplugs. Most people would be surprised how many brain cells are active when you ride across this country only hearing the muted exhaust of your own trusty steed. In today’s world of constant communication with everything and everybody, silence can be golden.

Got something to figure out? Burned out at work? Throw a change of clothes in a bag, strap it to your bike and leave in a general direction. Everything will become very clear. It might take a few hundred miles or maybe a few thousand, but you will know when it happens.

When you return and people ask you why you are smiling and remark that you seem different, then you can try to explain this to them.