I know not everyone is into watching motorcycle racing on tv… And if you’ve recorded this week’s race at Sachsenring, I won’t give it away… But a couple of things are worth mentioning.  One is this cool gyroscopic camera they’re using on Valentino Rossi’s bike: when the bike leans over, the camera tilts with the horizon so that you get a different sense of the bike’s lean angle.  Cool.

The other thing is, anyone who’s seen anything about MotoGP already knows that Rossi broke his leg recently, and he still can’t walk on his broken leg without crutches…  And yet he set near record lap times on a Yamaha Superbike, and so decided to run at Sachsenring.  Why is this significant?

Do your legs or feet ever get tired while riding on twisty bits of road?  Rossi’s condition reminds us that when that happens, what you really need to do is relax and practice good body position.  The reason we get sore and tired is because we’re tensing up without realizing it…  This applies to legs and feet, but also to arms, back, neck, shoulders, etc.  Even on the most uncomfortable bike, the thing one has to learn to do, in order to ride well, is relax.  Hmmm…something to think about.  Cheers!

Related posts:

1. MotoGP 08 on Wii
2. Tips and tricks to help you relax…

The thing about riding a motorcycle is that on the one hand we may look like ascetics (putting up with cold and rain and traffic and knock overs, and DIY wrenching…) But the real truth is we’re hedonists. Because every day we ride, even if it’s just to work or just around the block, we get to do something that’s outrageously fun… And if this blog can be a small part of your riding fun, then that’s all I can ask for!

I’m also thankful for the views and the comments and the convos that happen on this blog.  I wish I could post more regularly, but aside from that, I think you (readers) make this blog something I like to read…  Motorcycle blogs have gotten so much better in the past few years – and I hope CBB has added to that.

So cheers to all of you!  And thanks for another great year!

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Since the dawn of time, bikers have waved to one another as they passed…even in NY.  You pass by another biker, whether passing them in a lane, or coming the other direction, if your hand is off the clutch you shoot them a quick wave or nod of the helmet.  Last summer I thought it might have come to an end as more yuppie bikers saw their portfolios shriveling, and their sense of camaraderie waning, fewer people waved.  Then there are the genetically predisposed non-wavers, those who only wave to others on the same brand of bike… Ahem, Harley riders with Harley paraphernalia (NASA scientists have confirmed that the more Harley “gear” a biker wears, the less likely he is to wave at anyone on any other kind of bike).  Some Ducati riders feel the same way.  I once saw a guy on a shiny new Moto Guzzi who wouldn’t wave, he only gets to wave once a year.

Anyway there are more and more people who are openly anti-wavers these days.  Not just people who don’t wave, but who think waving is stupid and wished other people wouldn’t do it.  Along with that there are blog posts and articles (like the one in Motorcyclist) where a guy rants that he doesn’t “get” the wave thing.  “What’s the point?  I’m not your friend,” is the sentiment in a nutshell.  “You don’t know me, don’t pretend you’re my friend…because I know better!”  Now you certainly have the right not to wave, but for those who are curious allow me to explain what the point is…

Some of the nicest people ride around on two wheels.  I know because I’ve talked to many of them.  Total strangers who enjoy riding on a nice day.  They’re always up for a quick chat about bikes or the road, or where to park…  Outside the city they ask where you’re from.  You usually don’t get names, you just talk shop, and sometimes pick up pointers like, “the police are pulling over all bikes coming off the Williamsburg today, better have your papers ready.”  Why do they do it?  Because they can.  They’re just cool like that.  The wave is a condensed version of this.  It’s saying “hey what’s up?  Looking good!  Pay attention out there!”

Anyway if I see you on the road, wave, or don’t.  I’ll just say it now, “Looking good!  Pay attention out there!”

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1. The Future of Harley Davidson
2. Steering Feel
3. Time Waster: The Non-Biker Biker

When we started this blog there wasn’t much out there for regular people living and working in cities who love motorcycling.  Sure there’s a lot geared toward biker stereotypes, and there’s always the bike magazines…(what else would a biker read in the bathroom anyway?) But not a lot for people like us.  City Bikers aren’t riding motorcycles to rebel against society, and we’re not out to create biker-alter egos, we just love riding…along with other good things in life like hanging out with non-biker friends, good food, travel, meaningful work, etc.

Now if that sounds like you, and you like to write, then maybe we should team up… There’s no money involved, it’s all a labor of love – so if you’re looking for a paying gig, sorry, check back in a few years.  But who knows?  This might turn into something more than a side hobby for you.

If you’re interested, email me a short blog post (leoATcitybikerblog.com, change the “AT” to you know what).  If you have pictures, even better…  And also tell me a little about yourself, your city, what you ride, a little background along with any questions or thoughts you have about the blog.  I promise to read it and respond, but it might take a few days sometimes.  Some writing guidelines: snarky is good, but stay clear of negativity, fun and light is good, along with some good ole’ biker info…whatever your expertise.  You can be a new rider or an old hat, scooters are cool too as long as you love to ride and can add something to a CityBiker’s blog reading.

This is an open invitation to as many people who’d make a good fit, so hit me up whenever!  Hope to hear from you!

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2. Biker blogs on the inter-web
3. Giving thanks (2009)

Everyone loves a good motorcycle jacket.  But is your old gear getting no love?  New-looking gear can be pawned off on EBay or Craigslist, but what can you do with that scuffed-up, dirty and faded jacket sitting in your closet from your earlier CityBiker days?

Do your friends and cousins and nephews a favor and pass it on to someone who can fit it.  Our mantra for the week is recycle, reuse, re-something or other…  But the environment aside, it’s nice to see your old gear get second life.  The more beat up looking, the better.  Your little cousin or nephew/niece can tell everyone about the cool aunt/uncle who rides.

Just remember to take out the armour.  The reason why motorcycle gear looks so out of place on the street is because of the shoulder armor.  Pull it out, and you might even want to wear it around yourself…  You’ll get a street jacket that is unique among a sea of designer leather jackets.  I know, I know, it sounds like a dumb tip but just think about all those toxic chemicals used in leather treatment that aren’t being used because someone decides to wear your old gear on the street.  Cheers!

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There are a few common (and understandable) misconceptions both new and old riders tend to have about our favorite pastime…ahem, I mean, responsible means of transportation… Here, the first in our mini-series is the question of engine size…

“How Big is Your Engine?”

Pop quiz: True or False

1. A 650cc motorcycle is faster than a 599cc,
2. A 800cc will easily outrun a 250?
3. A 1200 Harley has more power than both a 600 and 1000cc sportbike…

The correct answer to all of the above is…”False!”

Most 600’s are much faster than most 650’s; Ninja 250’s post very similar times to 883cc Harley Sportsters; and a 1200 Harley twin (which puts out 70hp).

Just the way you can’t tell how sporty a car is by the “cc’s” of automobile engines, you can’t tell how fast a motorcycle is by its engine size…(think about it, most minivans have “bigger” engines than a Lotus Elise)

“How come? ” Like automobile engines, motorcycle engines come in a variety of different configurations… For example a 599cc (we round up and call then 600’s) sportbike is usually a high revving in-line 4 cylinder that produces over a 100hp. But 650cc bikes are usually low-revving v-twins that produce a little over 70hp (comparable to the output of Harley 1200cc cruiser engines).

Not only are there different engine configurations, but motorcycles can also drastically differ in weight. A 250 weighs around 300lbs, whereas a Harley Sportster weighs aroung 600lbs… You can do the math. Even though a Ninja 250 has less than half the horse power of an 883, it also has half the weight which makes up for its lack in power. I’m not saying the Ninja 250 is “better” than an 883 Harley, it’s not…but it’s just as fast. And if you had to take them to the racetrack, I’d put my money on the 250. Also, this is why, even though you can buy the flagship Kawasaki 1400cc (190 hp!) sportbike, or a 1300cc Hayabusa for the street – the fastest MotoGP race bikes manage to do more with 500-990cc (over 250 hp!)…

So let’s put this Moto-Myth to bed – especially for street bikes: it’s not the number of cc’s, it’s what you do with it. Really.

Related posts:

1. Moto-Myths 2: How to Steer a Bike
2. Moto-Myths 3: You are going to Crash
3. Monday morning moto “swimsuit edition”…

Ducati v. Lamborgini

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrGZ6rqpm0w]

Porsche Carrera 4 v. Yamaha R1 (with snarky comments from the Top Gear host)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BqWPVHjl6Y]

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2. Time Waster: Mad Scooter Skills
3. Time Waster: The Electric R1 Future?

“It’s not any desire for speed, just mobility… Traffic…is really terrible, and this allows me to get around much more freely. I can get to twice as many appointments as non-bike-riding designers.” — Tom Dixon, Designer

There are biker-types and non-biker types… A common reaction I get is, “I would never have guessed you rode a motorcycle” indicating that this person is NOT the biker type. For some people the biker-type means black leather, sunglasses and bandanna – for others it means wild racing leathers and multi-colored Suomy helmets… If you don’t happen to fit into either of those categories people probably tell you, you’re probably a non-biker biker. Now I have nothing against any of the biker types, but this is a salute to those who don’t fit that mold…people who, for whatever reason, don’t have the time or ability to be part of a mainstream biker subculture – but nevertheless love to ride (and even have places to go at times). In a way, this is what CityBiker is geared toward… Don’t get me wrong, we love motorcycles – cruisers, supersports, and everything in between – but we want to keep in mind that the point of riding is living, and not the other way around. Okay – enough of the mumbo jumbo – the next post will be about bikes, the whole bike, and nothing but…

To read the Times article about Tom Dixon, London designer and veteran city biker, click here. To see what Tom does when he’s not on his motorcycle, check out his web site.

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Whenever a young hot shot asks about the DMV or MSF road test, I like to point them to this video.

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Hints - Not that you need them, but I put the answers in the comment section.  If you just need a hint, you need to ask yourself, “What does each bike say about its rider?” I propose the following…once you get this they’re easy to match:

1. BMW F650, “I want to save the world” or at least travel there as an eco-tourist
2. Triumph Daytona, “Brits can still rock”
3. Confederate Hellcat, “Please think I’m cool – I’m really not too old for her…”
4. Repsol Fireblade, “I like going 185 mph”
5. Ducati Monster, “Viva Italia!”
6. Jet Engine Powered MV Y2K, “I can afford all the toys I want…and get a tax write-off for using it on my show.”

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