Flamin' Henry but I'm behind on this blog thing. I never wrote about my BMW F800GS test ride in Phoenix. Or all about the tough times in business (Ahhh we're sick of hearing about that!) or my recent work to renovate my little house in England. I think the best thing is to post a load of photos with a simple one-line explanation in order as they appear. (see end of blog).
I'm currently in California looking into getting a new venture going for the DesignR1 brand. It involves design (no surprise there then!) and won't be far away from motorbikes if I can even manage to get a sniff at starting the project in this economic climate.
First off: In October 08 Victory BMW in Chandler AZ let me test the F800GS. It was GREAT to ride but, just as BIKE magazine wrote, the vibration through the bars is bad. I mean bad bad. As in stand in bathtub full of water, hold sharp metal object long enough to shove into an electrical outlet (best do it with the UK 230V for full effect) and enjoy. Flickable, lovable, great style, comfortable and quick. It's a parallel twin. I had Triumphs, Nortons, BSA etc. They shake themselves into little bits but at least they leave a trail of shiny bits, nuts, bolts, number plates, trim, keys, knobs, bulbs, shoes, etc for the rescuers to locate you at night after the Lucas (The Prince of Darkness) electrics have failed. The BMW twin it seemed to me would have you loving every minute until you arrive at which point the motel staff will think you've had a stroke as your whole left side fails to function. Entertaining.
Hyperbole aside (now would I ever exaggerate?) it's a crackin' bike but I'm still sold on the KTM. If only the Austrians would hire a proctologist to analyse why they think cast concrete is the best material for the seat. Gel seat? When I get my KTM I'll strap a mattress to the flippin' saddle.
I was in Hawaii (Sage took us) and watched Arizona lose the Superbowl. I knew Warner shouldn't have trusted in God. I managed to blow a little blues harmonica with a local band but I had severe bronchitis so the power was way down. Still, it was fun.
I have just attended a Harley meet here in Riverside California and met some interesting people like Tim Kuglin the founder of Motozania (biker's social networking website and more www.motozania.com), and Mike Thomas of Kiwi Indian motorcycles. Hey, check out his website for pictures of Anthony Hopkins, Billy Joel, Jesse James (I thought he rode a horse not an Indian?) and Jay Leno. Jay's car is fantastic! Kiwi Indian Motorcycle Company are THE experts it seems www.kiwiindian.com. Anyway, the funny bit was riding to the event with Jax in full racing leathers (Z leathers) on an R1. It was like those tests: Fish, Octopus, Clam, Dolphin, BRICK.
I wore my J.D. Wetherspoon's Beer Festival T-shirt and snapped shots for Scott and the gang back at my local pub. I hope they get into Wetherspoon's monthly mag with these pics. Hi guys!
Oh, and hello to Andy Hart and all the Firemen in Haslemere (thanks for giving me a cardiac arrest by blowing that siren as you past me fixing my bike - you rats!). They put on a great show for biker safety in April and the next one in September will be even bigger.
Whilst home for a few weeks I sobered up one Saturday and me and Ramon my buddy and neighbour rode to Farnborough to sit on bikes and dream. He's on the Harley XR1200 (understandable - he's an accountant) and I'm on the new flat-plane crankshaft R1. Man oh man but I want to try that bike!
Meanwhile back at the ranch...I'll be meeting up with Rusty and his Ducati in LA and I hope to do some ride-outs with a few local California clubs.
Speaking of Ducatis, Brandon Cox, my mate in Phoenix, let me ride his Monster. Superb! Very agile after the R1 and with his Arrow pipes it gives the old earballs a good trashing! Brandon is just opening his own Gymn in Mesa and holds world records for picking up heavy things. I can't decide who the monster is, Brandon or his bike. His wife Terri could be picked up with one hand even by me so I declare his physique overkill.
My R1 needs sprockets so that will keep me busy until the weekend and another big Sage event in Nashville.
Photos in order of appearance from the top:
1) JK gets an American Football shirt from the promo girls. Note my England helmet.
2) BMW F800GS I buzzed around on.
3) Rob the founder of SouthWestRides and his evil but cool Harley.
4) JK on 09 R1.
5) Ramon (Moncho) on XR1200.
6) JK at Riverside Harley event in Wetherspoon Tshirt.
7) Typical custom with typical Harley guy on far left.
8) JK and Mike Thomas of Kiwi Indian.
