Why I Ride.

Wow.

What a great video. If you don't ride you'll still enjoy this film- it is very well done.

Pop-Up Museum Appears in Tulsa

Mysterious Motorcycle Collection Appears in Downtown Window Display

A couple of weeks ago while driving through downtown Tulsa I noticed a motorcycle in a window.

This vintage motocross Maico was sitting inside a display window. The main reason I noticed it was the fact it's in one of my favorite Tulsa buildings- the awesomely cool Mayo Motor Inn. This classic example of Streamline Moderne architecture is essentially unchanged from its original form when it was built in 1950. In fact, it's so cool it was added to the National register of Historic Places in 2008.

New Oklahoma Off-Road Race Series

We have always felt that the best way to learn how to ride a motorcycle is out in the dirt. It teaches you a lot about the bike moving around underneath you, how to fall (and get back up) and how not to fall. With that said our roving reporter, Jason Hubbert, participated in an Oklahoma racing series after gaining a little confidence with his KTM dirt bike. Here's what he learned from the..

Great Series with an Odd Name

Jason loves playing in the dirt

The ATV Motion series is quickly becoming Oklahoma’s premier dirt bike racing series. As a dirt newbie, I’ve talked with several fellow Oklahoma dirt bikers about racing, asking where to get started. The answer was, consistently, ATV Motion. Since then I have attended ATV Motion races as both a spectator and a rider. Even though I don't ride an ATV, making this race my first event was wonderful advice.

Kevin O’Laughlin is the owner and series promoter of ATV Motion. I talked with Kevin and found out that the ATV Motion series will be getting a new name in 2013: “The Oklahoma Hare Scramble Championship Series.” Scroll down for a link to their website. There you can find information about classes, race fees, rules and event schedules.

Saving Weight, Gaining Electrons

I recently had to replace the battery on my personal ride. It was time. The original gel cel, lead acid type battery that came with the BMW was just over 6 years old and I was surprised it lasted as long as it did. I attribute it's long life to constant use. Sitting around, slowly discharging is hard on a battery of most types and my bike doesn't do much "sitting around."

When shopping around for a new one, I looked up the type and size and started checking around. One option I found, was one of the new Lithium Ion type. This is the newest, yet tried technology for auto/motorcycles and I couldn't find any downside to using one.

After deciding that it would work in my bike, I went down to my local shop of choice (Kinetic Playground) and ordered up an 8 cell EVO2 Ballistic battery to fit. When it came in the next day, I was very happy with the choice.

Finish of the Cannonball

Finishing
Well the finish of the Cannonball did not go like Team Seaba would have liked.

Head west young man

After changing the motor out on Friday night with a loaner motor and missing day 15, we thought everything was good. Starting out this morning, our loaner motor was trying to seize up a few miles after the start, so I rode the backup V-Strom. It was a nice route heading south on Highway 1. Once we rolled into San Francisco the local motorcycle club supplied lunch at the base of the Golden Gate bridge. Then it was an escorted ride over the bridge and down to Dudley Perkins Harley-Davidson to a huge crowd waiting for us.

Team Seaba past the Rockies

Gerald on a good day

Day 10
After a early night to sleep in Yellowstone with no TV, Internet or wireless, we woke up this morning to 29 degrees. Ever try to kick start a 29 HD with 70 weight oil at 29 degrees? Well you should.
We left the lodge a 7:30 that morning and burrrrr it was cold with lots of fog and could not see anything. I was riding with Brad Wilmarth, last year's Cannonball winner, when a large buffalo ran across right in front of us Brad just about got him. About that time, I looked down at my sweatshirt and noticed that it was completely white with frost, along with my glasses. I couldn't hardly see a thing, but the buffalo sure woke us both up. We made it to see old faithful, which was pretty cool if you have not seen it.
It finally started to warm up and we had lunch at the old faithful lodge. Great old building, built all out of logs from the park. After lunch, we were off to Jackson, WY by way of Grand Teton Park.
We made to to Jackson a little early, coming in about 4 pm and had another trouble free day.
Tomorrow will be a long day, with 300 miles going from Jackson, WY to Mountain Home, ID.

Day 11
Team Seaba just finished day 11 of the Cannonball. We left Jackson, WY at 7.30 am and 32 degrees. Very cool going over Teton Pass. Slow going up, but what fun coming down. After the mountain pass it was a pretty boring ride into Mountain Home, ID where our stage ended today. The Harley ran good and seems to like the cold morning air a lot more thn the hot afternoon air we have had in the previous week, so overall a good day and the bike is running great. Tomorrow is a 251 mile day from Mountain Home, ID to Burns, OR. 

Day 12
No report, so we are going to assume that Gerald is done with his valve troubles for the duration and actually got some rest.

Day 13
Team Seaba just finished day 13 at the cannonball. Today's route was from Burns,OR to Klamath Falls, OR. It was 220 miles with a pretty direct route with not much to see. The bike ran great, but it did try to overheat, so we had to make an extra stop for it to cool off before proceeding. Tomorrow it's off to California!

Some of Team Seaba's sponsors:
Seaba Station
Motul Oil
Avon Tyres
Midland Electronics
T-Fab Metal Fabrication

Cannonball Run Official website

Team Seaba Reaches Yellowstone

The latest from Gerald Timms of Team Seaba crossing the U.S. on the 3,956 mile Cannonball Run on their 1929 Harley Davidson J model.


Day 6
Well, not a lot of great news from the day 6 at the cannonball. The Team Seaba bike (and rider) had to be picked up by the chase truck. After riding in the cold rain most of the day, it happened. I lost the rear cylinder, not sure the problem yet. When we get back with the bike, we will pull the motor out tear it apart to see if we can get it going for tomorrow.

Day off 
Team Seaba just finished day 6 at the cannonball. Got the bike put back together and had a good day with no bike troubles and great weather. We left Murdo, SD and after a short ride down the highway we rode

Cannonball Run - On the Road

Our first update from Team Seaba, on the road in the Motorcycle Cannonball run.
Team Seaba is working their way west for 3,956 miles over the next few weeks on their 1929 Harley Davidson J model with Gerald Timms at the helm and a small support crew chasing behind.

Day 1
The Seaba station special has completed day one of the Cannonball. We did 210 miles and the bike is running like a top (thanks phil). It was a great day with good weather and a nice ride.
The day started out with a misstep with no chase truck driver, but we soon found a stranger from England by the name of Ian, he has not show up yet (hope he's not trying out a McDonalds while here in the USA) we know what happened to the original truck driver.

Oklahoman Headed for Cannonball Run

Beginning September 7 a select group of motorcycle riders will begin a daunting journey across America. They will be riding in the spirit of Erwin George “Cannonball” Baker, a man who made more than 120 coast-to-coast runs in his career. One of those riders will be Oklahoman, Gerald Tims.

Gerald posing with his still clean 1929 Harley

He will be riding in the 2012 Endurance Run on the Team Seaba bike: a 1929 J model Harley Davidson. Oh yeah, did I mention this race is only open to motorcycles built before 1930?

Throughout the event Gerald promises to keep us updated so we can share his exploits with all of you.

Why Do Motorcycles Pay Tolls?

Chances are if you live in Oklahoma you have traveled our state's many turnpikes. If you're like me you may have wondered why the toll for motorcycles is the same as the Hummer in the next lane. Seems like my 489-pound motorcycle would cause less damage to the pavement, reduce congestion and make everyone's turnpike commute a less stressful experience. Why isn't the toll for me and my motorcycle cheaper?

Heck, why am I paying a toll at all?

The tolls are based on axles- something most of us have but few could define. Murkier still is how the number of axles relates to road use or wear-and-tear. To understand the "logic" behind this pricing structure requires a little history.

The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority was created in 1947 to build the first toll road in Oklahoma, the Turner Turnpike between Tulsa and Oklahoma City. This was the postwar boom and America's nascent interstate highway system was beginning it's cross-country trek. When the turnpike opened in 1953 the gameplan was for the road to become a free road once the original bonds were retired. Ironically the original language also called for dissolution of the turnpike authority. But that's not quite how it happened.

New Triumph Explorer

Another brand new bike from Europe is the Triumph Tiger 1200 Explorer. Sporting ABS, traction control, shaft drive, ride-by-wire and 135 horsepower the new adventure bike is set to take on the U.S. market in 2012.



Here's our interview with Triumph NA rep, Pete Carleo.

New Ducati is the Pride of Bologna

Panigale Dispenses with Convention

Breaking with long-standing Ducati tradition the new 1199 Panigale has a monocoque frame and... a name! Unveiled at the EICMA International Motorcycle Show in Milano last month, the first example in America will be touring the 2011-2012 International Motorcycle Show circuit.

Dallas Day One

Dallas International Motorcycle Show: Day 1

Rubbing elbows with old racers, drooling over cool prototypes and yes, we like Ike.

We made the drive to Dallas today and stormed the Convention Center with cameras blazing. Attendance at the show was light for this first day, but the overcast skies and occasional drizzle probably kept many riders away.

But for us, the first day of the show was pretty darn busy. We got to meet Superbike legend, Scott Russell, talked trials with the Smage brothers and got the scoop on several new motorcycles that are new to the American market.

Brad interviews five-time Daytona 200 winner
and AMA Hall of Famer, Scott Russell.

As Seen on TV:
Smage Brothers, finalists on
America's Got Talent

Fun day? You bet.

Stay tuned.

Husky Moab Wows 'em in Milan

Steve McQueen Rides Again 

Husqvarna rolled out a nifty new concept bike today at the big international motorcycle exhibition in Milano, Italy. The prototype is called MOAB, as in the Utah desert, and fans of On Any Sunday will surely recognize the distinctive Husky color scheme.

The distinctive red and silver tank brought back memories of Malcolm Smith and Steve McQueen riding their Swedish racers around, through and over impossible obstacles.

Urban Cowboy: Aprilia Mana 850

Last week I got to spend a few days on the Aprilia Mana 850. This is a unique bike that isn't for everybody- but it's perfect for many.

Italian styling with a twist (and one less lever).

Parla Italiano?
I had to spend a few minutes learning how this Italian motorcycle works before riding off. The basics look pretty simple. Standard bike, with comfortable, sit-up riding position, Brembo brakes and a comfy seat. The Mana uses a trellis style frame with a wheelbase of 55.6". So far, so good. In fact, this looks and feels very similar to the slightly smaller, but more powerful, 750 Shiver that Aprilia has imported here for a couple of years.

Ducati Diavel Ride Review

I just got back from riding the Ducati Diavel and came back thoroughly pleased and surprised. The good folks in Bologna have been busy (not to mention the complete new Superbike coming out next year). We attended the introduction to the U.S. market of the Diavel while attending the IMS in Dallas and got the scoop on the design idea behind the new model.

The guys down at Ducati of Oklahoma twisted my arm until I took off on one of their newer Ducati models. I suited up and took off with a Ducati Diavel Carbon.

Ride to Work Day Coverage in Tulsa

Fox 23 in Tulsa covered Ride to Work Day this morning on their Daybreak Show. They invited Brad and I to come up and explain what it's all about.

20th Annual Ride to Work Day

Ride to Work Day is Monday

Motorcycle and scooter riders' 20th annual commuting day is this coming Monday, June 20th.

Riding to work on this day is fun and highlights the positive value of motorcycling. 

Spring Bike Show

The vintage bike shows at Brookside Motorcycle Company each Spring and Fall have quickly  become local favorites. The quirky and eclectic mix of bikes that show up means something for everyone. The hardware on display runs a huge gambit from pristine vintage dirt bikes to wild custom creations to daily-drivers.

This year the three most popular questions were:

• What year is it?
• Is that a repro?
• When are you going to make more shows?

TWO Does Dallas

2010 International Motorcycle Show in Dallas

For this year’s International Motorcycle Show held in Dallas, Paul at Brookside Motorcycle Company offered me a chance to ride a Kawasaki Concours 14.

The Concours 14 during a stop in Wetumka

It was going to be a four-day trip with a passenger and we needed the luggage room. The Kawasaki fit the bill perfectly for this trip. Much better than the bike I usually ride!

The big Kawasaki always seems to rank right at the top of the class in all of the riding comparison tests, and it seemed to fit my needs perfectly. It falls in the Sport Touring class of bike, not in the big class of touring rigs, like the Gold Wing, the BMW LT, etc. It gives enough long distance comfort and still returns a sporty and usable ride when the road starts to curve. The 14 is a good place to be for extended hours in all kinds of weather with the electrically adjustable windshield, adjustable rear suspension, near perfect riding position and eerily smooth drivetrain.