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Not the hit song by Jackyl from the 80’s, but literally - WHEN WILL IT RAIN!

I’ve made it no secret that I’m a fair-weather rider (translation: puss).  I have been waiting for it to rain for months now in order to keep the dust down.  That’s important here for those of us that ride dirt bikes in the desert that aren’t out in front.  In fact, its been so long that without wind, I think you would actually choke on the dust.  Alright…that’s an exaggeration, but hey.

I have some time off coming up next week, and even though I am not a pious man, I’m throwing out a prayer to the rain gods of the Phoenix Valley.  It goes like

This past weekend was a total MotoGP buzz kill.  I saw parts of the 250GP and all the rain.  When themain event started, this time it was dull.  I wrote an article in the past about rain being the equalizer, usually with folks on the podium who aren’t normally there.  That made it fun to watch.

I have no idea why, but I was bored this time.  So much so that I went swimming.  That’s the first time in a while I missed a MotoGP race, and maybe the first time ever I knowingly took a pass.  I didn’t even wonder while chilling out in the pool.  I simply asked someone “who won?”.

The speed was gone (although I was told that

I am curious as to who people think will win the 2007 MotoGP Championship.  It’s been an interesting season so far with some of the closest action throughout the whole race as well as blowouts.  Its clear that the Ducatis have the Hp advantage, but not so clear about cornering.  Heh - that’s still up to the rider although all have seemed to pick up cornering speed.

My pick is old school - Valentino Rossi.  While Casey Stoner is having a ‘cracking’ year so far, I think Rossi has the experience and Mojo to win.  Casey is a great rider and has seemed to mature greatly between this year and last, but the bulk of his passing has been on the

     In the beginning was the bike, and the bike was with rider, and the rider formed the club.  Not long ago on the Kanto Plain in the Land of the Rising Sun an entity was born.  It was in the form of a motorcycle club that does honor to all aficionados of the two-wheeled conveyance.  This rendition of the birth, life and death of an organization unique in character known as the Camp Zama Motorcycle Club (ZMC) is a tribute in honor of its memory.  It is gone now, but once it lived and roamed the highways and byways of Japan

     The club founder’s first name is Larry, an African American soldier formerly stationed in Japan, whose last name

Say it isn’t so.  Please.  Pretty please.  Pretty please with synthetic 5W40 on top.  Someone tell me this is all a sick joke!
Ducati would consider Harley-Davidson merger ‘anytime,’ CFO says
By Heather West in New York

Published: June 12 2007 06:44 | Last updated: June 12 2007 06:44

Ducati Motor Holding, the listed Italian motorcycle manufacturer, would consider a merger with US-based Harley-Davidson “anytime”, said Enrico D’Onofrio, CFO.

A merger with Harley-Davidson would be “totally complementary”, he said, responding to speculation in the market that the two firms had been in talks. And while he declined to comment on the speculation, he did say that the two companies are similar in that they create recreational bikes that consumers fantasize about. “People want to

I know its not motorcycle related, but sometimes being the ‘proprietor’ has its advantages.

He’s off ot a great start…

Anoher NFL guy wads his bike up (HT: terrymoto).  LaVar Arrington was hospitalized due to serious injuries from the crash.  This was a single vehicle accident on a highway ramp.  Just like Arnold the Govenator, LaVar didn’t have an endorsement.
LANHAM, Md. — Former Redskins and Giants linebacker LaVar Arrington was hospitalized with serious but not life-threatening injuries after his motorcycle crashed on a highway ramp, police said.

Arrington lost control and hit a guardrail, Maryland State Police Sgt. Russell Newell said.

Arrington, who turns 29 Wednesday, was wearing a helmet and alcohol was not involved in the accident, Newell said. Arrington was issued two citations — one for operating the motorcycle without a proper license, and one for the crash itself.

Washington

The morning I set aside to visit a local Honda shop, I was informed that it was in fact no longer in business. The bad part is that this really was my only option for anything close to where I was working or staying. For the most part, aside from one lone new CBR1000, everyone here is on scooters or older classics (with regard to style).

I’m not sure I would have a nice bike either. Storage - check that - space in general is at a premium. From what I saw, most bikes are left outside in a public bike rack, in a driveway, or under a carport. That’s motorcycle abuse!

Having been witness to traffic

It has been explained to me that Japan has a tiered motorcycle license system. This is what I was told:

• up to 50cc
• up to 125cc
• up to 400cc
• over 400cc

This sounds righteous in terms of rider training versus engine size. The problem is that there is no difference in training except the cost (fun tax). It is completely possible that there were some language barrier errors in my interpretation of what I was told, but the fellows I am visiting stated that the difference was cost. A lot of cost to get the over 400cc license - $1500!

I didn’t ask how much insurance and/or plates were, but I will tomorrow (heh - I am attending my first Japanese BBQ

I’ve been a skinhead now for fifteen months now and figured I’d share my experience with the millions who read this blog.  For riding motorcycles with a helmet, I cannot imagine it getting any better.  No helmet hair and maximum ventilation.  The down side is that there is no sweat barrier called hair.  If you sweat, it gets soaked up by the helmet liner / sponge.

After over a year of trouble-free skinheadedness (that’s my copyrighted word and if you want to use it send me $1), I had my first run in with Mr. Murphy’s law.  See, I’m in Japan meeting all new folks since taking on a different role within my job.  First impressions are important to make in any