Safety is an important aspect of riding a motorcycle. Here in Oregon, you’d be hard pressed to find a rider who hasn’t either attended the Team Oregon class or is currently being badgered by their friends to do so. I took the class in March of 2010 (taught by my now-friends Alain and Rebecca) and it immediately paid off.
On my first ride after the class I was heading north on 99W out by the Eugene Airport, cruising along at 55MPH. I approached Irving Rd., a Y-shaped intersection with a triangular island including a lightpole centered right between right-lane traffic and the sight-line of right-hand turn traffic. A 1000 ft. from Irving Rd. I noticed a truck pull up quickly to the intersection and come to a stop on the other side of the left-hand turn traffic waiting for the light to turn green. Thinking back to my Team Oregon training, I rolled off the throttle, checked my mirrors and made sure I wasn’t blocked in towards any direction and waited. Sure enough, the truck pulled out, right in front of me.
Clutch. Front brake. Easy on back brake. Shift down. If I hadn’t been using SIPDE (Scan, Interpret, Predict, Decide and Execute) I probably would have smashed right into the truck. It was that close. They were going that slow. They didn’t even see me. I got reminded of that feeling a few days ago as I approached the intersection at University and 18th here in Eugene. Not a particularly noticeable intersection, I was traveling along, riding the centerline so my light could be most visible for the oncoming left-hand turning traffic, and yet… I still rolled off the throttle, scanned, looked ahead and sure enough, a girl in a truck pulled right in front of me.
There are myriad reasons to practice safety on a motorcycle. A friend is just starting to ride. Or being able to save the life of another rider. Or save your own life. I once had someone say to me, “Why buy an expensive bike when we’re all going to lay it down eventually, right?”
But quite honestly, that’s ridiculous. I know people who’ve been riding for 30+ years and never, ever put their bike on the ground. Riding safe isn’t just something you think about, it’s something you practice. It’s something you strive to get better at. It’s something that makes your ride that much more enjoyable. As the weather turns warmer and wetter, be sure to check the Team Oregon website for the next available time you can sign up for a class in your area. It’s by far one of the best dollar-for-dollar pieces of equipment you can buy for your ride. Even if it is for your brain.
Our friend Fuzzy posted a video on Monday about riding with a new GoPro chest mount in the snow in New York. We get one gorgeous day like yesterday and we’re still scared to head out. Now, the roads looked pretty dry but still, kudos to Fuzzy and her man for throwing down some wheelies with a few inches on the ground.
I’ve ridden on dirt before, that should be said first and foremost. Yet when I purchased my ’87 K75S last March I thought to myself, “A reasonable person owns one motorcycle” and that was it. Bike purchased for long-distance touring, I was content with my decision.
Fast-forward ten months later to a forest service road with my friend and MOTOREGON writer Kiefer with his DR125 and me on the behemoth R 1200 GS on loan from EMCWOR and my love-at-first-twist affair with the dirt road was born. Although I felt comfortable on unimproved roads, the Tourance tires were meant for street and the weight of the GS kept my watching while Kiefer hopped large ditches and shot off up small trails impassable by my own means. It was on that ride, that short, 45-minute jaunt up a dirt road that it was settled: I must own a small dual-sport, and I must sell my motorcycle.
Now, I should have seen this coming. I’m an Oregon boy who spent much of his free summer time roaming the Cascades around the North Fork of the Santiam. In my closet is a laundry basket that contains everything I need to go camping at the drop of a hat: matches, tent, axe, knife, pots, beans – the works. I should have known that at some point my love for getting lost in the foothills in a Jeep would crossbreed with my love of motorcycles.
Now, the convenience of the matter is that my current ride doesn’t actually fit me – I’m a bit too small for it in all sheepish honesty. I’ve had it listed on Craigslist with a few calls, and it’s a beautiful bike so I’m not too worried about it selling. I am worried, however, about which bike I should purchase next. A WR450? DR400? The choices are are out there, and well within my price range. For now, I guess I’ll wait and see what happens and what is on the market next spring. In any case, sign me up.
Now, does anyone have $20k for me so I can buy that Shine Yellow GSA I want to go touring on? I’m definitely jealous of Bolty by the way, thanks for the picture.
Our buddy Sean Buchanan of onsiteproductions.net sent us this picture of MOTOREGON writer Duane Scholz
Taking a line from Bolty here, I think it is best time to set some goals for myself for the upcoming year. I’ll keep personal items like “Go to the gym” off this particular list, so we will stick to motorcycle and website related goals.
1. Ride 10,000 miles: In 7 months of riding this year (off the bike for various reasons in other months) I rode approximately 6,000 miles. I think 10,000 is reachable.
2. Purchase a small dual sport: I’ve been bitten by the dual sport bug and want something maneuverable, light and inexpensive I can tear up unimproved roads with. A secondary goal here would be to sell my current ride.
3. Learn about motorcycle maintenance: Inspired in part by Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, I’d like to be more than helpful in mechanic situations. I’d like to be downright apt.
4. MOTOREGON Videos: I’d like to have 12 videos made this year (one a month).
It’s not a big list, but I think they are reasonable and reachable. What about you, what’re your goals?
I’ve been struggling as a daily commuter with my current glove of choice, the Cortech Scarab winter glove, which I purchased from a shop in Salem, Ore. early last spring. As northwest riders know, a winter glove that is not also waterproof is not a winter glove at all: it’s scrap.
After a few resprays of Scotchguard on my Scarbs, I decided to look around for another insulated, waterproof winter glove. To my delight, last week I found a pair of BMW Allround 2 gloves at European Motorcycles here in Eugene for only $60. Operating on a shoestring, I was psyched about the price and snapped them up in time for my holiday run (approx. 380 miles during the week) up to various events.
The Allround 2 glove is a leather glove with goretex attachments and ample padding on the knuckles and a snazzy reflective strip running the length of the glove from outer wrist to pinkie. Insulation on the inner is downy-soft and remains that way since it is free of moisture. Complete with wrist and gauntlet velcro, the glove seems to secure perfectly to my hand without pinching. The leather palm and fingers are waterproof as well, and give for a more natural look. The left index finger also has a squeegee attachment that is perfect for misty days. If I had one complaint about the glove, it would be the seam attaching the thumb to the palm. After a few long rides in the last two weeks I noticed it starting to press on the ball of my hand. However, I will say that it seems to be wearing in nicely and I expect that annoyance to go away (with any hope).
The holiday week provided excellent conditions with which to test the glove, given that the first half of the week was dry and very cold, followed by a mild and soggy weekend. I can say that the glove – with heated grips – performed perfectly in below 37 degree temperatures in the very cold weather. The temps were neutralized with heated grips, leaving me comfortable with ample dexterity larger, full-winter gloves would not afford. In very wet weather, the glove performed wonderfully with enough insulation to ride without heated grips and leaving my hands absolutely bone dry.
Overall, I am incredibly happy with the Allround 2 glove. I believe it will be a perfect three-season glove, and will last for ages. Hopefully I will be able to give you an update in a few months once the season has passed for a comparison.
BMW Allround 2 Glove ($60, EMCWOR.COM)
Pros: Leather, Gore-Tex, waterproof, insulated, price
Cons: Inner seam
This rider profile was submitted to us by Sean Buchanan. Visit Sean’s website at onsightproductions.net.
Andy DiBrino is a youngster of 16 years that is giving the competition a run for their money in several series. Andy is a member of Oregon Motorcycle Road Racing Association (OMRRA), American Motorcycle Association (AMA), Oregon Superbikers (OSB), Nor-Cal Supermoto USA, Motocross Northwest and Thursday Night MX (TNMX). Andy has had a superb year on two wheels in 2010, winning the 2010 OMRRA Lightweight Superbike class, multiple 2nd and 3rd place finishes in Supersport and Superbike Twins in the OMRRA series. And the youngster tears it up in Super-Moto also, winning the 2010 OSB Premier and Open Championships. He made a run down to Reno, NV at the Reno X-treme Outlaws Supermoto and put his bike through the paces there and came back happy after being the 4th fastest qualifier in 250 Pro and going 12-6 for 9th Overall.
Andy sets up some pretty high goals for himself and is accomplishing everything he sets out for so far. Come out to Portland International Raceway, Portland International Moto-Cross Track, Pat’s Acres Racing Complex or any other venue where there is motorcycle racing and you’re bound to find Andy tearing it up on the dirt or asphalt. Whether you are on a road course or on the dirt, if you don’t see Andy DiBrino in front you be careful because he is on his way to passing you. He enjoys the competition and being pushed to the limit to achieve all he sets to accomplish.
Our buddy Bruce, along with his friends Dietmar, John and Keith, went on a ride on New Years Day. Check it out!
Bruce's New Years Day Ride
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If you aren’t already aware, European Motorcycles in Eugene is having a party tomorrow, January 12th at 7PM. The cover charge at the door is $5 and those proceeds go directly to Greenhill Humane Society. DJ Foodstamp will be there to spin the party, and there will be a free BBQ, sundae bar, helmet fitting party, door prizes, picture board, markable maps and coupons for all those who attend.
What: Million Mile Party
When: Jan. 12th at 7PM
Where: 2891 W. 11th Ave, Eugene Oregon
Want to announce your event on MOTOREGON? Contact us!