Ride it like you Stole it Ride it like you Stole it Daily blog of a Motorcycle Riding U.S.Army Veteran and IT Engineering Manager. Articles
Oakland PD's Harleys have a new roar at $500 each!
2008-06-10 15:00:00 Over in Oakland they like it loud - so loud that all 45 of the Police Department's Harley-Davidson motorcycles have been equipped with shiny new tailpipes, at a cost of $500 apiece, to rev up their roar. It seems the cops just didn't feel safe on toned-down bikes. "There's an old motorcycle adage that you are heard before you are seen," said Deputy Chief Dave Kozicki, explaining the department's decision to toss the bikes' muted factory-issued mufflers in favor of the more high-volume pipes. Kozicki cited an accident three months ago in which an Oakland officer riding a toned-down cycle was struck by a motorist who said he hadn't heard the officer approaching. But some City Hall insiders, as well as motorcycle cops elsewhere, said the safety argument is a stretch. Even the folks at the national Motorcycle Industry Council, which represents all the big bike manufacturers, were unaware of any safety benefits from louder mufflers.... More About: Roar
Commuting in FlatLand - Jun 10
2008-06-10 13:28:00 This morning was a fine time for a Motorcycle Commute. 70 degrees f. with high thin clouds and extraordinarily bright sunshine made for a great ride to Tampa. I see this guy on his Ural Side-Hack about once every three months during the morning commute. He turns South on Gunn Highway off SR54. There were loads of bikes on the road today and traffic moved very well throughout the commute. In Tampa on the surface streets and it's not too crowded at all for this time of the morning. Have a Great Day everyone, and Ride it like you stole it! LATER Technorati Tags: RilySi,Ride it like you stole it,Motorcycle Riding,Motorcycle Commuting ,FlatLand,Florida More About: Flatland
Controlling Panic And Target Fixation while Riding
2008-06-09 15:00:00 One dictionary defines panic as "a sudden, overpowering, often contagious terror." That's a remarkably accurate description of panic as it applies to motorcyclists. From over 35 years of riding, I can tell you that panic is by far the greatest cause of crashes. Ironically, it's an instinct programmed into our minds back when we were defending ourselves against saber-toothed tigers that's the culprit, not panic brought on by the more commonly feared left-turning vehicles, lack of traction, etc., that are usually listed as the greatest dangers to our motorcycling well-being. Controlling panic is best approached on two fronts. The first is understanding what triggers panic and (obviously) avoiding the situations that create it. Any number of things can trigger panic, and they vary from person to person, but most are linked to time, speed or some state of surprise. These, not surprisingly, are interrelated as well. Of course, a... More About: Target , Riding , Panic
Commuting in FlatLand - Jun 9
2008-06-09 13:50:00 This mornings Motorcycle Commute to Tampa was in a delightful 73 degrees f. with some thin high clouds to the east. The Sunrise through the ground fog was spectacular. Traffic was somewhat lite on surface streets, that is until you reach the Suncoast Parkway where the On Ramp Toll Booth is funneled down to one lane. Traffic on the toll roads moved well and there was no FHP cruisers patrolling this morning. There were lots of motorcycles out & about this morning. Traffic was rather hectic on the toll roads so I didn't take any photos of the Suncoast/Veterans Expressway. LATER Technorati Tags: RilySi,Ride it like you stole it,Motorcycle Riding,Motorcycle Commuting ,FlatLand,Florida More About: Flatland
Benjamin Franklin?s Pursuit of the Virtuous Life
2008-06-06 17:00:00 For the past 13 weeks, The Art of Manliness has been running a series entitled “The Virtuous Life .” Each week they took a look at each one of Benjamin Franklin ’s 13 virtues and how men could implement them in their life. Today “virtue” has taken on soft and effeminate connotations. But originally, the word “virtue” was inextricably connected to what it meant to be a true man. The word comes from the Latin virtus, which in turn is derived from vir, Latin for “manliness.” These days guys excuse their lack of virtue by hiding behind the excuse of being “just a guy.” Men need to do better and strive to improve themselves each day. It’s time to restore the tie between manliness and virtue. What follows is a summary of the entire series with links to each virtue. We hope you found the series helpful and will revisit it in the future for inspiration. Lessons in Manliness: Benjamin Frankl...
Three Sentence Description of Solid Foreign Security Policy
2008-06-06 16:20:00 A Three Sentence Description of Solid Foreign Security Policy : AKA “How Non Interventionism Increases Security” We become more secure as a country by minding our own business and being kind to others. This way 95% of the world loves us. Then, when the 5% does pose a threat we are not only free to go and obliterate them, but we do so to a standing ovation. LATER Technorati Tags: RilySi,Ride it like you stole it,Motorcycle Riding,Motorcycle Commuting,FlatLand,Florida
Panic Stops - Emergency Braking & How to Avoid them
2008-06-06 16:00:00 Some of the most gut-wrenching moments while riding occur when something magically appears in front of you and you have to jam on the binders to avoid a collision. You can make life easier by learning how to avoid these situations altogether, or knowing exactly what to do when it comes time to stop suddenly. The quickest way to stop is by using a combination of both front and rear brakes. The front brake should be applied gradually, rather than grabbed suddenly. This will decrease the chance of it locking up. The rear brake should be used firmly, to the point of impending lock up. Both tires will howl on the verge of lock up, and that's when the quickest stops are made. Find an empty parking lot and practice different scenarios including bumps, while turning, and in the rain. Motorcycles equipped with Anti-Lock Braking Systems (ABS) can be hauled down to a rapid stop without ever locking the tires up. While riding, you should be scanning ... More About: Stops , Avoid , Emergency , Panic
Commuting in FlatLand - Jun 5 - The Ride Home
2008-06-06 13:54:00 Thursday's Motorcycle Commute back to the Casa was almost in triple digits f. At 99 degrees on the Suncoast Parkway and at 80 MPH! The Air Temp Sensor is under the beak of the GS in the shade and in the air stream. In the Garage at the office the temp read 93 f. and climbed as I got farther North heading out of Tampa. Just Cooking in FlatLand! LATER Technorati Tags: RilySi,Ride it like you stole it,Motorcycle Riding,Motorcycle Commuting ,FlatLand,Florida More About: Home , Flatland
Commuting in FlatLand - Jun 6
2008-06-06 13:26:00 This mornings motorcycle commute was in 74 degrees f. with no clouds and sunshine so bright it was hard to see, even with polarized sun glasses and the integrated sun visor of the helmet. There was just nothing in the air to the east to diffuse the light so it was blindingly bright. Traffic was heavy on the surface streets and a visible FHP & Pasco County SD presence on the Toll Roads kept the pace to around 60 mph. Well, it's Friday in FlatLand and Hey! It's Florida Outside! Have a Great weekend everyone and Ride it like you stole it. LATER Technorati Tags: RilySi,Ride it like you stole it,Motorcycle Riding,Motorcycle Commuting ,FlatLand,Florida More About: Flatland
Naza Group Expects 150 Unit Of Harley Davidson Motorcycle To Be Sold
2008-06-05 17:00:00 Naza Group of Companies expects to sell 150 units of Harley Davidson motorcycles for the next 12 months, said group executive chairman/chief executive officer, SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin Thursday. Its subsidiary, Naza Prestige Bikes Sdn Bhd, has been appointed as the sole authorized dealer for Harley-Davidson motorcycles, motorclothes and accessories. "Our expectation for the sales for the first year is 150 units. That is just on bike. But like I said before, Harley Davidson is like a culture and a tradition. "Aside from bike, there are some merchandise and accessories, it's like the whole hordes of Harley Davidson. "We have done a pre-sale for bikes. The first shipment of 20 units are all sold before we have a showroom. So we are having a temporary showroom at the PJ Auto Mall for the next two months before the actual showroom is build in August," he told media briefing after signing an agreement with Harley Davidson Asia Inc here. ... More About: Motorcycle
Group Riding Skills - How to keep it from turning into a Melee
2008-06-05 16:00:00 Going on a group ride with your favorite motorcycling friends can provide some of the best fun to be found on a bike. The fun of strafing apexes with your buddies is like nothing else-as long as you're all on the same wavelength. There are some basic things you can do to ensure no one in your group is caught off-guard or confused if a situation arises. First of all, talk about the ride before heading out; let everyone know the final destination, and any gas stations where you plan to stop. If you feel like cruising, tell the others to wait for you at intersections. Familiarize everyone with hand signals you might want to use, and always ride in single file or staggered formations, so that each rider can use most of the lane while cornering. If you're with a large group riding in town, make sure everyone is aware of cars around them in case one needs to cut into the group to make a turn. If you're at the front of a group of riders, and notice deb... More About: Skills , Group , Riding , Melee
Ride-About 2008 is Rapidly Approaching
2008-06-05 15:00:00 The term Walkabout refers to the commonly-held belief that Australian Aborigines would "go walkabout" at the age of thirteen in the wilderness for six months as a rite of passage. In this practice they would trace the paths (the so-called songlines) that their people's ceremonial ancestors took and imitate, in a fashion, their heroic deeds. In adult life, the idea is that a person can get so caught up in one's work, obligations and duties that the truly important parts of one's self become lost. From there it is a downward spiral as one gets farther and farther from the true self. A crisis situation usually develops that awakens the wayward to the absent true self. It is at this time that one must go walkabout. All possessions are left behind except for essential items and one starts walking. Metaphorically speaking, the journey goes on until you meet yourself. Once you find yourself, you sit down and have a ... More About: Ride , Trip , 2008
Commuting in FlatLand - Jun 5
2008-06-05 13:47:00 The morning Motorcycle Commute to the office in Tampa was a nice ride on a Thursday morning. There were a lot of LEO's out & about this morning keeping the pace down to a somewhat slower than normal clip. 74 degrees f. with low humidity and no clouds were the conditions this morning. The Toll Road Authority is doing maintenance on the toll plazas where you get on/off the toll roads and had the traffic funneling down to a single lane which caused a considerable backup on SR54. Once on the Toll Roads a reasonable pace was maintained and enjoyed. Have a Great Day everyone and Ride it like you stole it! LATER Technorati Tags: RilySi,Ride it like you stole it,Motorcycle Riding,Motorcycle Commuting ,FlatLand,Florida More About: Flatland
Yamaha set to release world's quickest motorcycle
2008-06-04 18:00:00 June 4, 2008 Yamaha will release what is expected to be the world's quickest accelerating production motorcycle at a press conference later today in Madrid. The production 2009 V-Max will come almost 25 years after the original and groundbreaking 1200cc monster custom was first seen, and is expected to be almost identical to the concept machine shown at the 2007 Paris and Tokyo Shows. With an 1800cc fuel injected motor, the new V-Max will produce 210 bhp and feature state-of-the-art everything. The launch is due in Madrid later today and Yamaha is using the internet for a simultaneous unveiling here. If you can’t wait until then, here’s our photo gallery from last year’s Paris and Tokyo Shows. Without doubt, the machine is a worthy successor to the 1984 V-Max, and the show model we saw in Paris and Tokyo were visually stunning evolutions of the original design, albeit updated – it’s hard to fully appreciate the presence of the metallic bea... More About: Motorcycle , Release
BMW K1200GT Conversion by Hornig
2008-06-04 17:00:00 The BMW K1200GT conversion from Motorcycle Accessory Hornig GmbH was presented for the first time at the BMW Motorcycle Mountain Days in Kaprun, Austria and the visitors loved it. The BMW deluxe Tourer is already a very good motorbike but Hornig tried to design it unique and to improve its touring and comfort qualities as well as individualizing it for the driver. In order to improve its touring qualities the seats were equipped with a fluting to release the tailbone. The seats were also broadened for about 15mm. The padding consists of two layers, the upper one comfortably soft and the lower one avoids denting. They especially took care of the pillion rider's comfort: Here, the seat was increased in the middle front part to inhibit a cramped position. These alterations care for a tangible comfortable riding - free from pain. Also the vexatious sliding when the driver brakes has an end now. The seats are slippage related material. Not only the seat ... More About: Conversion
New World Record for Largest Single-Cylinder Motorcycle
2008-06-04 16:00:00 When we think of today's motorcycles, most people will automatically picture a V-Twin on a sunny afternoon. We sometimes forget about the hard hitting single cylinders. However, Franz Langer has come up with something that should bring the spotlight back to single cylinders for at least a while. Mr. Langer is a German Engineer who has always been most interested in the single-cylinder design, rather than the more common V-Twin. While he was working, he filled his garage with 600cc to 700cc motorcycles. After he retired, he began building his own outrageous rides. The cream-of-the-crop came when he decided he wanted to build the worlds largest single-cylinder engine on a motorcycle. For a long time that benchmark was 1000cc. It then made a jump to 1500cc. To be able to top that, Franz began with an airplane engine, single-cylinder of course, that displaced 1440cc. The next step was to enlarge the engine and use a larger yet lighter cylinder. The final resul... More About: World , Motorcycle , World Record , New World , Single
Stunt Riders give Cops Headaches
2008-06-04 15:00:00 Sgt. John Lago is cruising the Hollywood Freeway when his radio carries the call of another California Highway Patrol officer who has tried to pull over a motorcyclist, only to see him race off at high speed. Both troopers give chase, skillfully picking their way through 10 p.m. weeknight traffic at 120 mph. They radio for a helicopter backup, but the aircraft is too far away. In only minutes, tonight's outcome is clear: The rider of the agile, 600cc Honda sportbike has outrun them. "Bummer," Lago says. "I hate it when we lose a chase because you know the guy's going (to go) on MySpace and brag he outran the cops. It's just going to encourage more knuckleheads." While the CHP officers often apprehend their targets, tonight's disappointment is all too common for this team. In squad cars and on powerful BMW motorcycles of their own, these officers go after what they regard as a growing problem on the nation's highways — riders of hi... More About: Cops , Give , Stunt , Riders
Commuting in FlatLand - Jun 4
2008-06-04 13:27:00 What a nice morning this was for the Motorcycle Commute to Tampa. 72 degrees f. with some distant high clouds to diffuse the light a little. Traffic moved very well on both the surface streets and the toll roads. There were a pair of FHP Cruisers on the Toll Road and that was about it for LEO coverage this morning. Have a Great Day everyone and Ride it like you stole it. LATER Technorati Tags: RilySi,Ride it like you stole it,Motorcycle Riding,Motorcycle Commuting ,FlatLand,Florida More About: Flatland
Neil Young and his Electric Car project
2008-06-03 16:19:00 Anti-establishment rocker Neil Young and mechanic Johnathan Goodwin are working on converting Young’s gas guzzling 1959 Lincoln Continental into an electric car. Young has already invested $120,000 into the project. Young has teamed up with Johnathan Goodwin, a Wichita mechanic who has developed a national reputation for re-engineering the power units of big cars to get more horsepower but use less fuel. The two are looking to convert Young’s 1959 Lincoln Continental convertible to operate on an electric battery. After several decades Young has realized that you might inspire people with music but you are rarely going to change them. He seems himself and Goodwin changing the world if they can help the electric car go mainstream. “You know, I thought long ago you could change the world by writing songs,” he said. “But you can’t change the world by writing songs. Oh, you can inspire a few people, get some of them to change thei... More About: Project , Electric , Neil Young
Ducati's Middleweight 848 Is Like A Motorcycle Exercise Machine
2008-06-03 16:00:00 Ducati designs motorcycles with racing in mind, so power, light weight and agile handling tend to crowd out characteristics like comfort. As a result, some models have seemed more like torture racks, suited for only the most dedicated, physically fit and perhaps masochistic riders. But the new Ducati 848 is different. It has a milder demeanor than the company's larger, more powerful models and is meant to be easier to ride and more practical for street use. Given the 848's racy looks, thinly padded seat and still remarkable output of 134 horsepower (more than my car), I wondered how comfortable such a bike could be. In two weeks and a couple hundred miles of riding, the 848 was easier to ride – and ride well – than its larger sibling, the 1098, I rode a year ago. The 1098 was clearly designed for racetrack speeds and riding on the road rarely necessitated shifting above third gear. I found the 848's first gear still too tall for street r... More About: Motorcycle , Exercise , Machine
And The Ass Hat of the Week Goes To:
2008-06-03 15:38:00 The Ozark Alabama Police Department For Tasering 3 Times and arresting an unconscious, sober man who was having a diabetic seizure on November 6, and then charging him with drunk driving and resisting arrest. Link LATER Technorati Tags: RilySi,Ride it like you stole it,Ass Hat of the week More About: Week
Robbie Knievel Makes Record Breaking Jump Motorcycle
2008-06-03 15:00:00 Robbie "Kaptain" Knievel, successfully cleared 24 delivery trucks for the feat at Kings Island amusement park, Ohio. Evel, who passed away at the age of 69 last year due to a lung disease, was a popular entertainer in the United States. His accomplishments include his jump of 115ft over 14 buses at the same site in 1975, in front of millions of US TV viewers. Robbie wore a white leather suit similar to his father's for his leap in front of a crowd of 40,000 on May 24 and dedicated his feat to Evel. "I'll be up there to see you soon, Dad, but hopefully not today." The sun quoted him, as saying, before he performed. Later he told spectators: "Hopefully I'll see you after the jump." The 46-year-old stunt star raced up a 73ft ski ramp at 90mph before launching into the air through shooting flames. The moment he landed, he gave a thumbs up and also did a wheelie after that. However, afterwards he revealed t... More About: Motorcycle , Record , Jump , Breaking , Robbie
Commuting in FlatLand - Jun 3
2008-06-03 14:13:00 This mornings Motorcycle Commute was a great ride in 72 degrees f. with high thin clouds and relatively low humidity. The Time Stamp on these images is 12 hours off. :-( This Pasco SD Cruiser kept the pace on SR54 to a bunched-up parade. The FHP Cruiser ahead of the truck also kept the pace slower than normal. There were several motorcycles on the road this morning and we're seeing more & more scooters putting along as well. This shot is deceptive as the traffic built up rapidly on the Toll Roads just a mile down the road. It's a fine FlatLand Tuesday morning, have a great day everyone. LATER Technorati Tags: RilySi,Ride it like you stole it,Motorcycle Riding,Motorcycle Commuting ,FlatLand,Florida More About: Flatland
Rock pioneer Bo Diddley dies at age 79
2008-06-03 01:53:00 Bo Diddley, a founding father of rock 'n' roll whose distinctive "shave and a haircut, two bits" rhythm and innovative guitar effects inspired legions of other musicians, died Monday after months of ill health. He was 79. Diddley died of heart failure at his home in Archer, Fla., spokeswoman Susan Clary said. He had suffered a heart attack in August, three months after suffering a stroke while touring in Iowa. Doctors said the stroke affected his ability to speak, and he had returned to Florida to continue rehabilitation. The legendary singer and performer, known for his homemade square guitar, dark glasses and black hat, was an inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, had a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame, and received a lifetime achievement award in 1999 at the Grammy Awards. In recent years he also played for the elder President Bush and President Clinton. Diddley appreciated the honors he received, "but it didn't put no figures in ... More About: Pioneer , Dies
K&N (KN-164) Oil Filter For BMW R1200GS
2008-06-03 00:48:00 While at my local Sportbike shop where I mount my tires; the owner handed me a K&N Oil Filter for my BMW R1200GS. KN-164 He also had the K&N filter for the K1200LT. The fist the you notice different between the K&N and the OEM filter is the 17mm wrench Nut, where the OEM filter requires a special cup style wrench. The only visible difference internally is the baffle/check valve. The new K&N filter in place. The OEM Oil Filter costs $18 at the local bmw dealer. The K&N cost me $15.50. LATER Technorati Tags: RilySi,Ride it like you stole it,Motorcycle Riding,Motorcycle Commuting,FlatLand,Florida
The People's Motorcycle
2008-06-02 16:00:00 Following the financial escapades of Italian motorcycle manufacturers is almost as exciting as riding the bikes they build. The question of Ducati’s ownership has been in the news several times recently, as a growing line-up of suitors have been positioning themselves for control of the Bologna-based firm. It’s a case of everyone loves a winner. Buoyed by the success of its internationally acclaimed 1098 superbike, and the prestige of winning road racing’s most coveted championship, the 2007 MotoGP, Ducati has become an appetizing commodity for investors that are speculating on the firm’s potential. In February three of Ducati’s main shareholders, Italian private equity firms BS Investimenti and Investindustrial SpA and Hospitals of Ontario Pension Plan presented a 390 million-euro ($619 million) takeover bid. The offer to buy the 70% of the firm they didn’t already own, was valued at 22 percent over the current asking price of Ducati... More About: Motorcycle
Speeders to be Flogged
2008-06-02 15:00:00 Ontario’s anti-speeding laws, which are among the toughest in Canada, bear a striking similarity to those currently being enforced in Iran. Or at least they did. Next month Iranian courts plan to up the ante as overzealous Iranian drivers will face either jail terms or corporal punishment for speeding on public roads. In October 2007, Ontario's Liberal government implemented a crackdown on what they perceived to be a deadly epidemic of street racing. The new law charged anyone that exceeded the speed limit by 50 km/h or more with fines of between $2,000 and $10,000, licence suspensions and vehicle impoundment. The harsh punishment was supposed to deter those that were using public roads to race, but instead caught over 1,000 motorists in the first six weeks since its implementation. Also unexpected was the over 2 million dollar windfall that began to find its way into the provinces coffers. The report of Iran’s new flogging policy also mentioned th...
Commuting in FlatLand - Jun 2
2008-06-02 13:45:00 This Mornings Motorcycle Commute to Tampa was is a fabulous 72 degrees f. with moderate humidity and thin hazy clouds. The fog was still burning off as I commuted on the R1200GS Adventure this morning. Traffic moved well on the surface streets as well as on the Toll Roads. The bright sunshine is a warm welcome to this fine FlatLand early summer day. The signs say "Traffic Pacing" starting today; so I guess there will be stepped up enforcement on the Toll Roads although I saw no LEO's on the Road this morning. LATER Technorati Tags: RilySi,Ride it like you stole it,Motorcycle Riding,Motorcycle Commuting ,FlatLand,Florida More About: Flatland
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2008-06-01 07:31:00 Here are the Post Labels for all of the content on this site. I will update this periodically. Sorted Alphabetically. Last updated 6/3/08 100000 Mile Award (1) 139db (1) 1968 (1) 2006 Photo Contest (1) 2007 Iron Butt Rally (1) Ads (1) Adventure (44) Aggravation (1) Air Compressor (1) air horn (1) Aircraft (1) Airman (1) al-Qaida (1) Alabama (1) Alien Abduction (1) AMA (1) American (2) AMSOIL (1) analysis (1) Anger (1) animals (1) Annual Performance Reviews (1) Anticoagulants (2) AnySoldier (1) Apathy (1) Appalachian (1) Army (3) Ass Hat (24) Asshat (23) ATGATT (4) ATOM (1) Aubrey (2) audio books (2) Autosuggestion (1) Award (2) Awesome Guy Blogger (1) Babe...
Shot While Commuting in FlatLand
More articles from this author:2008-05-30 20:49:00 My Buddy Dave Cunningham snapped this shot of me during the Thursday Morning Commute to Tampa. We were on the Suncoast Parkway heading South toward Tampa. Thanks Dave! Hope all is well at your new job. LATER Technorati Tags: RilySi,Ride it like you stole it,Motorcycle Riding,Motorcycle Commuting ,FlatLand,Florida More About: Shot , Flatland 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
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