Seeing and sitting on the BMW 1000RR in Valencia proved successful enough marketing for me to want a test ride. This video doesn’t do anything to negate that. My only question is when is Irv Seaver BMW gonna get one so I can ride it?

Feels good, looks good, I want it.

BMW 1000RR

Tried to post vid, but technical difficulties–here’s the link:

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1119137831?bctid=51354395001

When someone asked me what I wanted to talk about on Monday evening at the coffee shop, and I replied, “MOTORCYCLES”, I had no idea I’d find myself in the pitlane at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit the next morning for Day 2 of the 2010 season testing. Spontaneous is my middle name, but sometimes the universe moves faster than I can fathom.

For 5 hours, I watched Rossi, Lorenzo, Hayden, Spies, Pedrosa, Capirossi, and the other boys run hundreds of total laps around a gorgeous track in perfect weather. The climate here is no less glorious than my home in Southern California, but without the smog, it is certainly another country.

The guys were on form for sure, with Hayden pulling a power wheelie and mugging for the cameras as he passed us. Gotta love the Kentucky Kid.

Rossi was wearing the crazy chicken helmet. Never ceases to amuse. After the test, I hung around to listen to his interviews, because I was in heaven that I could actually watch him give them in person, as opposed to watching on MotoGP.com today.

Lorenzo ran an impressive number of laps, clocking the fastest lap time of the day at 1:31.939, followed by Stoner, Rossi, the impressive newbie Ben Spies, and Hayden at a speedy 1:32.981.

I couldn’t have asked for a more magical birthday week and sure do look forward to next season. Laguna Seca and Indianapolis for sure, hopefully Jerez and Valencia, too. Who’s with me?

Slow in the uptake to this blog, but I’ve just got to write about being in Valencia for the Moto GP. I couldn’t have asked for a better birthday present than to fly to Spain for a weekend of camping and watching the 2009 championship race of the season. Not only did I get to see Rossi win the championship, but it was fantastic to see Lorenzo on his home track and see the Fiat Yamaha team do so well.

Spain is absolutely incredible and the unseasonably warm weather is so much like Los Angeles that my mediocre Spanish is the only constant reminder of my location.

Motorcycling in Spain might as well be the national sport and I’m in love with the 2-wheeled machines on the road here. The selection is awesome. More pictures coming soon.

With love from Valencia,

X

Riding is the easy part.  Getting noticed by drivers is the hard part.  This is a brilliant campaign raise awareness of motorcyclists on the road.  Who’s up for doing an California version?

Here are some tips from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation:

General Guidelines For Riding A Motorcycle Safely

Be visible:

• Remember that motorists often have trouble seeing motorcycles and reacting in time.

• Make sure your headlight works and is on day and night.

• Use reflective strips or decals on your clothing and on your motorcycle.

• Be aware of the blind spots cars and trucks have.

• Flash your brake light when you are slowing down and before stopping.

• If a motorist doesn’t see you, don’t be afraid to use your horn.

Dress for safety:

• Wear a quality helmet and eye protection.

• Wear bright clothing and a light-colored helmet.

• Wear leather or other thick, protective clothing.

• Choose long sleeves and pants, over-the-ankle boots, and gloves.

• Remember – the only thing between you and the road is your protective gear.

2005 F650cs For Sale to a Loving Home
I’m ready, but not eager to part with my beautiful bike of 1 1/2 years. I brought her home last June from an Arizona dealership, where she came in as a trade with virtually no miles on her. She currently boasts 13K loving miles and is just as beautiful as the first day I saw her. Stone Gray. Never laid down, but she’s been tipped over once, no worse for wear. She boasts ABS, 3 more years of a transferrable extended warranty, heated handgrips, a newly recovered seat that is way more comfortable than the factory seat, and a detachable helmet lock for the stuffbay that also works to secure the included (but well worn) backpack or a jacket to the bike. I got her new shoes in March, and they are perfectly broken in, in my opinion and have many more miles to go. Always dealer serviced, with service records and referrals. The only reason she’s going up for adoption is that it’s time for me to specialize and get a separate track/canyon bike and a touring bike. This bike is the perfect combination of both. She’s got more than enough power to enjoy the canyons, bomb through Los Angeles traffic, and take loaded down camping trips.
Price: $6000
Location: Los Angeles, CA
See more at http://photobucket.com/05BMWF650cs

I roped another blogger in last night. Be on the lookout for Laya’s journey through motorcycling as she takes her MSF Beginner course over the next few weekends. She will be sharing her story in an effort to inspire other young women who want to learn how to ride. Go GET EM, LAYA!

Find a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course near you:

http://nm.msf-usa.org/msf/ridercourses.aspx

“I was probably going a little fast” (I was doing less than 100MPH on the freeway, I was fiiiiiiine)

Yep, I got pulled over today on my bike by Los Angeles’ finest. Cue the swarm of 6 police cars because apparently a large number of motorcyclists try to run from the cops. Not me and my 650cc single-cylinder. I’m quick, but I’m not that quick.

The officer was extremely nice, and he said he wasn’t even going to give me “the spiel” because we don’t slow down anyway (he’s a smart man).  We had a chat about his love of high-speed chases and the fun of Willow Springs Track.  He sent me on my way with a handshake and a smile. I will say a thank you prayer as I lay my head down tonight.

I put 150 miles on my bike today and I got pulled over less than a mile from my house. Ain’t it always the way?

I’m not going to take my bike out riding tomorrow because I’m trying to baby her before she sells. Please let a bike drop out of the sky tomorrow so I can be intimately connected to a machine covering pavement in Malibu.

What I won't be doing tomorrow, unfortunately.

I’m a fiend.  A speed fanatic.  An adrenaline junkie. If I’m not throwing sparks from my footpeg, I don’t have the damn thing leaned over far enough!  I love every part of riding more than anything I’ve ever done. So WHY on earth am I selling my bike?  The simple answer:  to buy a faster bike. Wow, this is gonna be interesting.

So the reason for this blog is simple.  If my bike sells now, I’m not going to have a bike for a few months, as I’m going to be travelling (Moto GP in Valencia, here I come).  I cannot bear the thought of not being consumed by some aspect of motorcycling or another, so if I don’t have the road to interact with, I better find some other motorcyclists here.

If you stop to read this, and you ride, please share with me why.  If you don’t ride, would you want to? Where would you ride if you could? What kind of riding appeals to you. I want to know what drives you, or more aptly, what rides you.

There is a certain love that motorcyclists share, not confined to any style or type of riding, that makes us weak in the knees.  In that respect, we all follow A Common Tread.