Form versus Function, a Scrambler against an Adventure Bike

Posted on December 17, 2015 by MotoADVR

As winter has started to set in around here, during the dark evenings I’ve begun daydreaming about changing bikes next year. Make no mistake, I have a shiny new Tiger 800 XCx square in my sights for the bike I want; that said, I’m not sure a $16,000 payment is something I’m ready to saddle just yet. That’s left me considering used adventure bikes available under the $6k mark. Scanning through Craig’s List it’s obvious that several older Triumph Tiger models are available in that price range, including both the 900 cc triples and the Tiger 1050 that is a bit more “Sport Touring” oriented. I’ve ridden the 1050 before, the power of the liter sized triple is undoubtedly impressive, but thinking about spending $6,000 suddenly I realize that of a gently used, carbureted, Triumph Scrambler also falls in that price range. For most people, the prospect of owning one or the other of these two motorcycles is probably a simple decision, yet I find myself torn between what is logical, and what truly stirs the soul; what looks good on paper is often the antithesis of the motorcycle you “love”. Therein lies the rub…
I wrote just days ago about my “Dream Garage”, bikes 1 and 2 are obviously very functional machines, while choice number 3 is the wild card, the performance bike or the bike I have (almost) no functional reason for, beyond “I want this”. If money were no object, I would have the two previous bikes, combined with some sort of canyon carving machine, however money is very much a deciding factor. As such, I’m pretty much limited to one, or perhaps two motorcycles (in a stretch…), so I’m still on the path of finding the motorcycle that can “do the most with the least”… on a budget.

I suppose I should elaborate on that backstory that led me down this road in the first place. Somewhere around the winter of 2012 I was poised to get off my 150 cc scooter and on to a “real motorcycle”. Scouring the internet for specifications, prices, and reviews, I was drawn to the throwback look of the Triumph Bonneville. After sitting on a few, my wife said I looked silly on a Bonneville, and I (at least temporarily) dismissed the idea, in favor of the parallel twin powered Triumph Speedmaster. The Speedmaster was dark, curvaceous, and simple, so I lusted after it for over a year before my betrothed gifted my new mistress “Lola” to me for my birthday in 2013. So there I was, finally in possession of the motorcycle “I always wanted”, having put a whopping 3,000 miles on a scooter the two years prior. Finally being able to shift gears (I prefer manual transmissions), I was more addicted to riding than ever before; I found myself looking for any method to ride versus drive in nearly all circumstances, pondering “hmm… how can I carry these groceries home on the motorcycle…”. The first year it was 9,000 miles, then 14,000 the second, and this year 17,000 miles; after which I’ve realized that maintenance is expensive, and I don’t really think this cruiser was designed to rip up the twisties, nor take the gravel roads… Thus, late last year I began pondering if there might be a chassis more suited for intended use I have in mind; while I’ve already covered this to some degree, ultimately I feel that I need a more “touring worthy” steed with additional storage, sporty enough not to drag pegs (as I realized at the Dragon Raid this year), and lastly something that I’m not afraid to get dirty.

At any rate, my logical side says that the Tiger 1050 is a slam dunk. I’ve discussed the pros and cons of having a 1050 with several friends that own them, and it’s pretty much a sure thing in their mind. The Tiger 1050 has the additional power that would make touring two-up more comfortable, or at least “more spirited”; but I am already aware that my better half is not a fan of the pillion seat. A new seat is only a matter of $500, so that’s a moot point considering I’m mostly concerned about the initial investment. The 1050 also comes with panniers on most of the used models, considering I have like a two gallon tail bag on the Speedmaster, that’s a big plus for commuting to the office or taking a long weekend on the road. While the Tiger 1050 is almost completely street oriented, it does have adjustable front and rear suspension with almost six inches of travel. I undoubtedly have off-road capability listed on the “want list”, while I currently don’t ride off-road at all, save perhaps the occasional gravel side road, that considered, the 1050’s road preference isn’t a deal breaker either. The 1050 is also a three cylinder, that’s probably the part that is the most “soul stirring” about the whole machine. There is simply nothing like the sound of the angry Triumph triple; that, combined with the 1050’s torque, is a very compelling argument toward the Tiger. The flip-side of the minimal off-road prowess of the 1050, I have on good knowledge that its cornering capability is pretty fierce. I saw the video of a buddy of mine ripping up US-129 on his 1050… I don’t have stones for that business, but it was impressive… if nothing else. I fear the drawback to the Tiger may begin with maintenance. I currently have an air-cooled parallel twin, on which I have done over ninety percent of the maintenance; which also means I have a significant stockpile of parts and tools. The Tiger 1050 also (arguably) runs on high octane fuel with its higher compression ratio; admittedly the Tiger 800 probably runs on mid-range fuel considering it also has better than a 10:1 ratio, but it’s still something to consider when you’re buying 17,000 miles worth of gasoline, those extra pennies a gallon, combined with maintenance costs start to add up over time. Lastly, despite to good looks of the Tiger, I’m not convinced I will ever find myself seeing it as more than a tool, or a means to an ends, which is not the way I look at the XCx or the Bonnie.

The Scrambler on the other hand is almost the inverse of the Tiger 1050… almost. While the Tiger offers a sporty engine and chassis capable of ripping through the curves, the Scrambler represents the simplicity of a classic British project bike I’ve envisioned for several years now. The Scrambler has the same 865 cc parallel twin, including 270 degree firing order, that I already have in the Speedmaster. Needless to say, I’m already intimately familiar with its quarks and character, all of which I’m very happy with; while the twin engine could stand to have a bit more performance for two-up, but when riding solo, it never disappoints. The Scrambler is also air cooled, versus the liquid-cooled triple; while I’m not escaping the apocalypse or scrambling across South America yet, I would hope in the long run that the air-cooled twin’s simplicity provides ruggedness against the performance oriented 1050 alternative. While I love the angry growl of the triple, after following my buddy Steve around at the Dragon Raid, a good set of pipes really unbridles the grunt of the Triumph twin. On the flip side, the Scrambler doesn’t have suspension on par with the Tiger, especially once we throw riding dirt into the equation; upgrading the suspension would probably be an additional cost adder of easily $2k in the long run (if not more depending on how crazy I want to get). A lot of folks would consider the touring capabilities of the scrambler pretty limited, however considering I already do a fair amount of touring on the Speedmaster, I expect that the mid-controls and upright seating position to be superior to that of the reclined cruiser that currently hurts my back on the long-haul. Storage is pretty much zero in stock form, however I have a good buddy that has converted military ammunition cans into excellent waterproof panniers, which is exactly what I would want to do for the long rides. To me, the advantage of the Scrambler over the Tiger mostly comes down to simplicity and customization; in the end I would be looking to build a truly dirt worthy, carbureted, air cooled motorcycle that looks like it rolled out of “The Great Escape” if not “Mad Max”. There’s no denying that a Scrambler project would be an investment and an emotional attachment that would mean spending a lot more dough in the long run, but offer additional flexibility… if done right. the question would be, do I really want to rely on just one bike that’s essentially a rolling work in progress?

Ultimately this “red vs. blue” argument is about getting over the initial investment hurdle, in the end I expect I would be sinking more money into the scrambler to “build the bike of my dreams” whereas the Tiger 1050 is a tool, and does most of what I want from “go”. It’s a fallacy to believe that everything boils down to black and white, but this strikes me as the classic M-16 versus AK-47 argument, precision versus rugged simplicity, or perhaps just form over function. On paper the a Tiger 1050 can do anything the Scrambler can do, if not more; but l have a feeling that choosing a bike based on stats and finances seldom thrills.

Apparently I’m not the first guy to have this dilemma; have you every found yourself debating between such divergent paths on two wheels?

Posted in Opinion | 17 Comments

When the plan goes awry, the adventure begins!

Posted on December 8, 2015 by MotoADVR

Saturday was the December open house at Joe’s Cycle Shop (my preferred Triumph dealer); considering that I will be due for my 42,000 mile service any second now, I planned on stopping by to pick up all of the necessary replacement parts. The weatherman claimed it was going to be around 50 degrees, so I made plans to ride up to Greenville for lunch with a few of my riding buddies. The wife and I also made plans to have breakfast with a couple friends near the dealership downtown (also going to Joe’s for the open house), keeping in mind the somewhat tight schedule I had planned, it was necessary for me to ride separate, no big deal…

At a crisp 24 degrees, I donned my usual winter getup and backed the bike into the driveway. About as soon as I reached up to flip down my visor, I detected the faintest hint of flurries coming down. Caught off guard, I pulled out my phone and checked my “trusty” Weatherbug app; 0% chance of precipitation, no blobs of precipitation on the radar. I shrugged my shoulders, figured it would taper off in an hour once the sun got a little higher in the sky, so I set off to catch up with my wife, about a mile or so ahead of me.

Cruising down the highway toward downtown, I saw a few swirls of flurries scurrying across the tarmac, but the road remained dry. I took it easy on the overpasses, knowing that they would be affected first, but despite the frigid temperatures, everything was “going as planned”. Bobbing along to the radio, just short of my intended exit, my phone rang (I have a Cardo Bluetooth Communicator). My wife called to inform me that the roads up ahead were soaked and there was snow accumulation; perhaps I should turn around. Like a typical man, I dismissed the concern, informed her I was barely a mile behind her, I’d go slow and I’d be at our destination shortly. At this point, I had seen a few damp spots on the freeway, but no real accumulation of water or snow; however the fog was starting to get a bit dense as I crossed over the Miami River.

Almost the moment I crossed the Stanley Avenue bridge, the freeway was soaked, and I noticed the ever ominous “great white death” stuck to tree limbs and grass (while my wife probably won’t read this, she was probably right…). Slowing down, my destination was fortunately the next exit ahead; at this point, the road was wet, but the tires were still hooking up fine (not entirely sure how…). Coming down the off-ramp, water was starting to pool in various places along the roadway. Fortunately I’ve ridden this area quite a bit, including in the rain, so I was somewhat prepared for the less-than-ideal conditions. Turning at the light, the density of the snow accumulation started to concern me; it wasn’t true winter accumulation by any means, but when you’re on two wheels… any amount of frozen water is cause for concern.

With about three blocks to go, I made sure to gently lean through the corners, keeping the bike upright wherever possible, staying calm, and made no rash movements. For the last couple blocks I was still trying to discern how the road was completely soaked, yet unfrozen at well below 30 F. Pulling into the parking lot, the bike was filthy, I was grumpy that the weatherman had gotten the better of me, yet extremely thankful the shiny parts were still shiny. As more flakes started to collect on the tank, I unplugged my heated gear and went inside to meet my (very frustrated) wife.

You know that moment in all the movies when the “stranger” walks into the bar and every set of eyes in the place is staring at them? Yeah, that’s what happens when you walk into a place with a helmet in your hand with snowflakes on the ground.
At any rate, after a few laughs and an admittance of my stubbornness, I unfortunately cancelled my planned meetup with my buddies for lunch (conditions were less than favorable…), and then subsequently waited for the roads to dry out over the next few hours before heading home.

Having lived in Dayton for over 30 years, I had never seen such odd weather conditions. After talking it over with friends, and a little help from Wikipedia, it seemed apparent that frigid temperatures combined with dense fog led to a flash of low altitude snowfall. Elsewhere around the world I imagine this is a common occurrence, but in urban Dayton, Ohio, it was a first for me.

Like as I said, when the plan goes awry, the adventure begins…

So, has the weather ever left you stranded?

DCIM111GOPRO

Posted in Opinion | Tagged Hoar Frost, Motorcycle, Snow, Snow Flurries, Triumph Motorcycles, Weather | 10 Comments

Urban Exploring: Remnants of times long past

Posted on December 2, 2015 by MotoADVR

A couple weeks ago, my buddy Tom moved the local moto-tag to a prominent pile of rubble (and otherwise condemned buildings) in downtown Hamilton (formerly Champion Paper Company). Since my wife was working over the weekend (this was the week before Thanksgiving), I had Sunday morning to get out and explore, so I geared up for the sub 40 F temps and headed south.

On the 50 minute ride south, I scoured my memory to think of other prominent urban decay locations between Hamilton and downtown Dayton. Two or three years ago this would have been a slam dunk, but as the economy has somewhat improved, a lot of the blighted properties have recently been demolished. While I actually took classes at the Miami University campus in Hamilton , I admit that I haven’t crossed the river many times. As Tom’s photograph indicated, the industrial parts of downtown appear to be worth exploring for other folks fascinated by urban decay (Hamilton also has a few former train stations). On a cold Sunday morning, there wasn’t a whole lot of traffic on the main drag. Crossing the river I could smell the hints of something delicious from J Austin’s Riverbank Café (hopefully a future Pubs & Street Eats destination), but I suddenly found myself alone on B street along the remnants of former industry in Hamilton. Knowing I still had to find a new tag, with several other destinations in mind, I snapped a quick photo from the side of the otherwise barren road and headed back north.

The night prior I had hoped to take the more scenic roads following the Miami River, however bearing in mind the frigid temperatures and the recent rain, I was concerned I might inadvertently find an ice patch concealed in the roadside shade. That considered, I stuck the main thoroughfares and stopped at a few locations in and around Middletown (Wausau Paper Mill, and the outskirts of AK Steel). From Middletown I continued up the Dixie Highway (formerly US-25) into the Franklin-Chautauqua area to snag a photo of the Dayton Power & Light (DP&L) plant along the Miami River. Knowing it was Sunday, I didn’t expect any issues from security for taking a photo; however once on site, I would have thought the plant was completely abandoned if not for the shiny pickup truck parked inside the perimeter fencing. After checking online, it looks like DP&L closed the plant in June of this year as it could no longer meet federal emissions standards (future derelict site?).

From Chautauqua I skipped over to southern Miamisburg to the former Mound Laboratories complex. To the best of my knowledge, the former nuclear research laboratory has been closed for several years, but the remnants of 50’s era bomb shelters still remain (among brand new commercial buildings). Similar to the DP&L plant, I didn’t want homeland security freaking out about me taking a photo, fortunately, the photo location I had in mind is very visible on Google Street View, and the parking lot was a ghost town so I wasn’t too concerned.

From the former Cold War landmark I headed back up Dixie into West Carrollton to the remnants of Fraser Papers. I can’t pretend to be an expert on the building’s history, but ultimately the Friend Paper Co. opened following the Civil War, was subsequently purchased by Miami Paper Company (where my Grandfather retired), and later a few other companies. Paper manufacturing was apparently all the rage in the Miami Valley in the last century, however I assume it experienced heavy decline in the last few decades considering cheaper labor internationally and advancements in technology. As a result, all that is left standing of the site (at the time of these photos) is the corner water tower, and the original office building next to the railroad. News stories suggest that the city is trying to rehab the historic office building, dated 1859 according to the front cornerstone, hopefully that proves to be true.
In the end, the story came full circle considering that the day began with the partially demolished Champion Paper Company in Hamilton and ended with the remnants of the Friend Paper Company in West Carrollton (a few websites suggest it may have been the first mill locally). Urban exploring tends to be my “go-to” ride when the temperatures teeter around freezing; I see no sense in wasting a riding opportunity, but shy away from the potential frozen threats on the backroads.

When it’s freezing out do you still ride?

DCIM111GOPRO

Posted in Opinion | Tagged Coal Fired Power Plant, Dayton, Hamilton, Middletown, Moto Tag, Motorcycle, Nuclear Research, Paper Mill, Train Trestle, Triumph Speedmaster, Urban Decay, West Carrollton | 10 Comments

New features on Moto Adventurer!

Posted on November 25, 2015 by MotoADVR

I want to thank everyone again for offering such encouraging feedback on the survey I sent out a few weeks back. I had a few plans in the works for new content and changes to the website, thanks to comments from the readership, I’ve done some fine tuning on those plans, hopefully I’m improving your experience on the page.

At any rate, after my trip to the Dragon Raid this year, I checked a few items off the Moto Bucket List. As a result, I have put up two new replacements for the completed items, and in addition I’ve started a “Completed” page so folks can ask questions or comment about their own experiences at those places.

While I do love the sound of my own voice… or written monologue in this case, it didn’t occur to me that folks might be interested in hearing more about me (I figured I was boring?). In any case, I have expanded the “About Me” section with a new “More About Me” page for folks that are curious how my eccentric persona was forged prior to Moto Adventurer.

After writing a more lengthy bio, I thought it seemed prudent to write an “About the Blog” type post so new folks could better navigate around the blog. “What’s MotoADVR?” is short story about why I started the blog, and what my ultimate goals are. This new page also includes a list of hyperlinks to help you navigate to your desired topics.

In addition to the “What’s MotoADVR?” page, I’ve also been working on sprucing up the menu bar and widgets to make it easier for folks to find their way around the site. While I’ve been on the web since 1996, the internet has come a long way since America Online (AOL), so I’m still getting over the learning curve on Word Press. I’d love to hear from more experienced Word Press bloggers about triumph and failure with the various themes and widgets in the comments below.

Again, I want to thank you, the dedicated readers, for visiting the site week after week. I’m hoping that the new content is whetting your appetite for new adventures and food destinations to come (hopefully more Pubs and Street Eats now that winter imminent…); while at the same time making the experience more user friendly with these new additions. As always, comments below are greatly appreciated!

Posted in Opinion | Tagged Bucket List, Motorcycle | 3 Comments

There’s frost on my windshield… but none on my motorcycle

Posted on November 20, 2015 by MotoADVR

I apparently have a sickness, it’s rare, and from what I can tell, untreatable. We’re well into fall, with winter right around the corner here in southern Ohio; that being said, I realize my riding days are numbered at this point. I turned on my phone this morning to check the weather, at a crisp 30F outside, for whatever reason as I stepped out the door, I thought to myself “the game’s afoot Old Man Winter…”

I wouldn’t go as far as to say that I’m in full “Eskimo mode” just yet, but last weekend I took the time to re-install my hand guards bearing in mind the imminent frost. In addition, I’m also beefing up my riding game with the usual heated grips, combined with the new Tourmaster heated gloves I picked up last month. It wasn’t exactly toasty this morning, but my hands are far better prepared for the sub-freezing temperatures headed our way.

If you’re new to the blog, I have a general principle, “Is the road dry? Does the bike start? Then ride that thing!” This attitude requires a substantial amount of preparation and risk mitigation, but thus far, Lola has been on the road every calendar month since she rolled off the showroom floor. Getting up ten minutes early each morning may seem like a waste of time for some, but when you drive a base model car, it still beats scraping the windshield!

That “magical temperature” is different for everyone, so at what point do you finally hang up the keys? What do you do to stay warm until that day?

Posted in Opinion | Tagged Autumn, Frost, Motorcycle, Triumph Speedmaster, Winter | 6 Comments

What about Social Media?

Posted on November 17, 2015 by MotoADVR

I wanted to thank everyone for their responses and support of the blog from the survey posted last week. It’s been really awesome reading the feedback from everyone that participated, I really appreciate the comments and input! If you’ve not taken the survey, please do, and also know that your responses are anonymous. Based on some of the survey feedback, I figured it made sense to introduce you to the other Moto Adventurer on the social media platforms.

Not long after starting the Blog I realized that it might be wise to have other social media accounts that offer other outlets for Moto Adventurer. Some of you may already follow the Facebook page; there was a time that Facebook was a fantastic outlet for blogs and businesses, but Facebook now uses some sort of cryptographic algorithm that makes it extremely difficult to attract “organic” traffic to your page without paying for advertising. That aside, I still try to post what I can on the Facebook page if it seems pithy, but for the most part, it’s the blog auto-updating the most recent post. In a perfect world, where I am writing on the blog as a full-time job, I would run all of the social media platforms more effectively, but in the meantime it takes a lot of effort to stay employed, write, meanwhile update Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook. That being said, if you prefer updates from Facebook instead of E-mail, head over to MotoADVR on Facebook and follow the page.

I’ve actually had a Pinterest account for some time now. People are like “You have a Pinterest account?!”; I know, it’s all cooking recipes and feminine products right? Wrong, my Pinterest account is a cache of motorcycle photos, media, and general moto-know-how that I’ve collected over the past couple years. Pinterest recently added a “business account” feature, so I switched the account over to “Moto Adventurer” instead of having just a MotoADVR board. For folks that are not on Pinterest, you may find some value in surfing around the MotoADVR boards. I try to cover a lot of topics on the blog, but I struggle to get more than one post out each week; meanwhile I consume a hefty amount of motorcycle related news (especially “Triumph Press”), ponder about new Moto Bucket List destinations, shop for new gear, and search for new places to eat. Please keep in mind this isn’t just a collage of photos; many of these “pins” link to website where you can read “how-to” instructions, watch videos, or read about improving riding skills and whatnot. If you’re hanging around the blog and looking for more material, head over to MotoADVR on Pinterest and check out what else I’m into.

The most recent endeavor has actually been Instagram. Admittedly, I initially thought Pinterest was for “collecting all the pictures”, but then I realized it’s intended purpose was to save, “Pin”, articles and webpages for later. Instagram on the other hand is pretty much just that, a stream of photos related to things you like. The #Hashtag# nonsense on Facebook seems a bit silly, but hash tagging to hyperlink common interests on Instagram is a cool feature to meet other people interested in your passions. If you’re not currently on Instagram, the first hurdle is installing the app on your phone; unlike Facebook and Pinterest, Instagram is almost purely mobile based (and extremely unregulated). At first it may seem like an endless stream of photos, but like a message board, you can quickly find people that have your same bike, or are complaining about the same #motorcyclemaintenance challenges. Considering the miles I’ve been putting on the Speedmaster (still runs like a top), I’ve been doing my homework on the new Tiger, considering “rock solid” longevity is a critical requirement for a new bike. As it turns out I came across a serious adventure rider on Instagram that has the new XCx I want. I asked him how many miles he had on it, after 30,000 miles on a 2015 XCx he says he’s had no issues; just one of many interesting exchanges that happened on Instagram.

MotoADVR on YouTube was a must after my wife bought the GoPro for my birthday. While I have a reasonable amount of storage on Word Press (my Blog Domain), YouTube is a much better depository for videos considering the ease of sharing. Similar to Facebook, I can only update YouTube when I’ve cut new video content, so building a unique YouTube audience is somewhat of a challenge. However, like Facebook, at some point I’m hoping to have the resources to provide additional (and unique) content to YouTube as well (maybe “VLogging”?). So, if you’re looking to get the first looks at the latest videos, Subscribe to the MotoADVR YouTube channel and you’ll get a sneak peek at the next blog posts coming up.

Are you currently following MotoADVR any of these platforms? If so, what do you like best? Are there other platforms you think I should add?

Posted in Opinion | Tagged Facebook, Instagram, Motorcycle, Pinterest, Social Media, YouTube | 6 Comments

What’s in your Dream Garage?

Posted on November 11, 2015 by MotoADVR

It goes without saying, I would first need a garage, let alone a dream garage. That being said, most motorcyclists have some bike they’d “love to have” but don’t because… (insert reason here). If money were no object, what would I park in my “Dream Garage”? For the sake of argument, let me frame this discussion under the premise: “let’s say you can only have 3 motorcycles, what would they be?”

The 1st Order of Business

I think the first choice is pretty simple, the “daily rider”. Considering many of you are riders yourselves, it goes without saying that each of you have a bike in mind based on your particular riding style and frequency; you may even already own this bike. At the moment I’m surpassing my own annual mileage goals, I also want to ride even when the pavement ends, and I recognize that I’ve chosen not to ride on various days because of the weather (because washing the bike sucks, and dirty chrome looks awful…). With that in mind, for me, my first choice would undoubtedly be a utilitarian bike, capable of handling anything I throw at it, and aesthetics be damned. Considering the growing “Adventure bike” sector, there are a lot of models to choose from; based on recent experience, I feel safe in saying that I see the new Triumph Tiger 800 XCx as the right tool for the job. I concede that something like a KLR 650 might be a better choice for various reasons (lighter, more flexible between street and dirt), but a another major consideration for me is not only miles, weather, and off-road capability, but that I often ride two-up, and do a significant amount of touring, and sadly, that sometimes involves a significant amount of time on the freeway. I agree that virtually any bike can be set up to be a touring bike, but in the end, it still comes down to personal taste.
Other contenders in this category:
BMW 800 GS
Yamaha FJ-09
Honda Africa Twin
Triumph Scrambler
KTM 1050 Adventure
Triumph Tiger 1050

Two Wheel Drive

With a utilitarian “tool” like the Tiger, I believe my second choice would be a catch-all that could solidify my goal of realistically riding a motorcycle 365 days a year. There are places in the country, like southern California, that (virtually) never see snow; I unfortunately don’t live in such a place. Dayton is by no means somewhere like Cleveland or Buffalo, but we do receive a reasonable amount of snow each year. I also concede that there are guys (even gals), that are either crazier, or certainly more skilled, than I am and manage to ride two-wheels through the snow.
I salute those folks, but propose that a two-wheel-drive Ural is probably the most reasonable “motorcycle” that can accomplish my goal. That would make the Ural Gear Up the second “motorcycle” parked in the dream garage. Yet another utilitarian tool, the Ural would provide me with 3 points of contact in the snow, a truly bare-bones simple design, and enough storage space I can go grocery shopping without a car. I’m also a huge fan of the camouflage powder coating!

Other contenders in this category:
…. A Jeep Wrangler?

Three’s a crowd?

With two practical bikes parked in the garage, it only seems reasonable to have at least one “Dream Bike” right? Moreover, with only one space left, choosing one motorcycle against the sea of sport, sport touring, vintage, and cafe racers is truly a tall order. Similar to bike number 1, it’s obvious I’m in the tank for Triumph. That in mind, the Speed Triple and the Daytona 675 immediately come to mind. With “do anything” tools already parked in the garage, I think I would want a something more synonymous with speed to carve up the canyons. Both the Daytona, and the Speed Triple have reputations that speak for themselves, it’s mostly an argument of preferred seating position, faired vs. naked, and “lighter is faster” vs. “no replacement for displacement”.

I also have to consider my wife’s taste in this category, the Tiger would certainly do two-up, but would she be more comfortable on a sport touring bike like the Trophy, FJR, or BMW 1200 RT? All of which have very reasonable prowess when the road gets twisty, but are adorned with plush pillion seating and the creature comforts the two of us. I might even take that argument one step further and suggest a cruiser, more clearly labeled in the “touring” category, like the Gold Wing or the Road Glide. I’ve heard multiple stories from friends whose wives have actually fallen asleep in the lavish passenger throne of a touring “bagger”; I’m not sure how to better define motorcycle comfort than that (although my wife has fallen asleep on the Speedmaster…).

Since the Genie is only granting me three wishes, it also makes since to consider some vintage or “classic” bikes that I might want to occupy this space. I would imagine for some, a 1948 Harley Davidson Panhead would be the vintage bike of choice; although I think I’d rather have a 1942 Indian 741 (mil-spec!), or a 1938 Triumph Speed Twin. While having a vintage bike seems like a cool idea, I admit that I enjoy riding a lot more than I like wrenching or “admiring”; so perhaps a more modern “classic” makes more sense? Truth be told, when I started lusting after motorcycles, the Triumph Bonneville is what caught my eye first; it was “classic” with the modern amenities of EFI and lord knows the advancement in modern tires. Cruisers are obviously the American standard (love it or hate it…), so the blacked out bike with subtle chrome and sexy lines, the Speedmaster seduced both the wife and I. That being said, the fondness for the British icon hasn’t faded, and has only be exacerbated but recent media coverage like David Beckham’s South American adventure and Jurassic World. One of the best parts of owning a Bonneville is that it can become a Thruxton or a Scrambler with just a few bolt on parts. The modern Bonneville line would still offer me the opportunity to tear into the twisties (two-up), while at the same time marvel at classic lines and maybe even shiny paint… well maybe I won’t go that far.

Yet the Bonneville isn’t the only “classic” bike that I feel partial to, the allure of an Italian sports bike also strikes my fancy. I imagine some would immediately drop the new Ducati Panigale into this spot, but what I’m actually talking about is the Ducati Sport series; i.e. the Ducati Sport Classic 1000 from Tron Legacy. I attribute Tron to lighting the fire of this motorcycle obsession, it seems only fitting to have an Italian L-twin, outfitted in classic clothes, in the third slot. Well, that was until I saw the news about the new 2016 Triumph Bonneville line. For folks unfamiliar, Triumph has revamped their Bonneville line with an all new liquid cooled 900 and 1200 cc engine (I assume sleeved like Harley’s Evolution engine; I also assume water cooled to pass 2017 European emissions standards). These early reports and photos are still just a hint of what’s to come (I’ve not seen official specs yet), but there’s no denying that the new 1200 cc Thruxton R is a wink at Ducati, emulating lines from the Sport Classic 1000. With Brembo Brakes, Ohlins suspension, throttle by wire, EFI, and liquid cooled 1200 cc engine, the new Thruxton R could feasibly be the marriage of sport yet “classic” bike that would still carve canyons and get me home in time for “tea”.

In the end, I think the choice would come down to the Speed Triple, the Scrambler (865), and the new Thruxton R 1200. It would be a very difficult choice, but knowing the history of the Bonneville line, I would expect that there would be interchangeable scrambler parts for the new Thruxton R, making it the logical choice. With the performance enhancements to the new Bonneville line, the Thruxton R would (theoretically…) have the energetic prowess to keep up sport bikes, but maintain the vintage look, while offering the flexibility with an abundance of bolt-on accessories that have been prominent with Triumph’s Bonnevilles.

Other contenders in this category:
BMW R NineT
BMW R1200RT
BMW S 1000 XR
Ducati MultiStrada
Ducati Scrambler
Ducati Sport GT1000
Harley Davidson Road Glide
Indian Chief Vintage (2015)
Indian Scout (2015)
Triumph Bonneville (865)
Triumph Rocket III
Triumph Scrambler
Triumph Speed Triple
Triumph Thunderbird LT
Triumph Tiger 1050
Triumph Tiger Explorer
Triumph Trophy 1200
Yamaha FJR
Yamaha YZF-R1

I imagine as time passes, what I would park in my dream garage will change. Moreover, it’s probably easier to pin down specific bikes if that dream garage could be expanded to 5 bikes. With 5 spaces, you could feasibly have a sport bike, a dirt bike, a daily rider, a vintage bike, and another wild card (like a Ural?).

So what’s in your “Dream Garage”?

See more on Pinterest: What’s in your Dream Garage?

Posted in Bikes, Opinion | Tagged Adventure, BMW Motorcycles, Ducati, Garage, Harley Davidson, Indian Motorcycles, Motorcycle, Triumph Motorcycles, Yamaha Motorcycles | 27 Comments

Triumph Dragon Raid 2015: Day 7 – The Long Ride Home

Posted on November 9, 2015 by MotoADVR

At dinner Saturday night I was enjoying steak along with good company, while at the same time deciding if I wanted to take the long way home, or just burn it up the freeway with the boys. Figuring that it might be a bit sketchy to ride home solo through “parts unknown” Kentucky, I decided it best to join a small crew of the Dayton RATs headed north in the morning. I debated with my buddy Steve about the possibility of taking the Cherohala into Tennessee and picking up I-75 that way, but by morning’s light I was glad we decided otherwise considering the much cooler temperatures. Stopping for gas in Robbinsville, I flipped on the heated grips for the first time since early spring; fall 2015 was certainly upon us.

At the Shell station in Robbinsville, it was obvious that the cycle of tourism never stops at Deal’s Gap; Triumph rider’s headed home from their rally as new groups began arriving. Pulling up to the pump I snapped a quick photo of a Ferrari gassing up, we past at least one more on a way into Tennessee.

Despite not trekking back across the Cherohala, riding toward the freeway did offer one last run across the Dragon. From Robbinsville we took the lower portion is US-129, past “Fugitive Dam” (I’ll be back next year…), and past Deal’s Gap Motorcycle Resort headed towards Maryville, TN. Surprisingly, for 10 AM on a Sunday morning, there was significant traffic up and down the Dragon. Loaded down with (almost) all of my gear headed home, I was taking it easy, certainly there were quite a few sport bikes having at it, despite the early morning and low temperatures.

Considering that Sunday was my only “weekend ride” across the Dragon of 2015 (for good reason), this seems like a good time to remind folks that there will ALWAYS be someone faster on the Dragon. In general, I’m of the mindset give respect and get respect. Headed back across the Dragon, at a “cruiser pace”, I made an effort to watch my mirrors for approaching faster traffic. If a pull-off was available, I made use of it; if not, when the path was clear, I moved over to the right and waved the sport bikes by. Inversely, it would behoove other motorcyclists to offer some respect, mind their own lane, and give folks a chance to get out of the way; cars ought to follow similar advice… just my two cents.

Once across the dragon, it was the grind up US-129 through Maryville, then the boring freeway ride to get across the Ohio River. Around 1,650 miles later, my “Big motorcycle vacation” was over; and I was already looking to book my stay for 2016.

Back to the Dragon Raid 2015

Posted in Events & Rides | Tagged Deal's Gap, Dragon Raid, GoPro, Gravity Cavity, Kentucky, Motorcycle, North Carolina, Ohio, Tail of the Dragon, Tennessee, Triumph Motorcycles, Triumph Scrambler, Triumph Speedmaster | 7 Comments

What brings you to Moto Adventurer?

Posted on November 5, 2015 by MotoADVR

We’re entering the 11th month of this blogging experience and I thought it was only fair to you, the readers, to get your opinion on how things are going. I’m currently sitting on more content than I can keep up with, but after the snow begins falling I don’t imagine that will last long. Ultimately I started this blog to keep my sanity in the winter, but it’s proved to be a very rewarding experience sharing adventures with so many like-minded readers; thus my mission has become more about entertaining you than it has been about “keeping busy” during the winter months (and I like that better anyway).

At any rate, I’ve placed a survey below for your input on what you’ve seen here at Moto Adventurer, your feedback is greatly appreciated!

If the Poll doesn’t display properly, please click here

Posted in Reviews | Tagged Survey | 1 Comment

Triumph Dragon Raid 2015: Day 6 – Bridal Veil Falls and the Saturday Night Party

Posted on November 4, 2015 by MotoADVR

By day six, I estimate that most folks, having been at the lodge since Sunday night, had probably hit the majority of their favorite destinations. Having already checked two items off my moto bucket list, and having nabbed low angle video of the Dragon, I myself, was good for just about anything by Saturday. After breakfast, my buddies Thom and Tom snagged me for a “cruiser pace” ride to… “somewhere”. If I recall Tom’s initial statement, I think he said he “had a few ideas” of where to go, if nothing else, I knew it would be entertaining.

Sun shining, we departed from the lodge headed down North Carolina 28 toward Franklin, similar to Thursday’s ride. That suited me just fine, considering that the road conditions on 28 were pretty sketchy Thursday, I hoped to do a better job keeping up on dry pavement. Passing through Franklin, we stayed on NC-28/US-64 headed toward Highlands, NC. I can’t say it enough, 28 is truly an underrated road down this way, the sharp curves cut into the mountain side, combined with the views along the Cullasaja River were truly stunning. Just short of Highlands we stopped at Bridal Veil Falls for a break and a few photos. I’ve seen photos of Bridal Veil Falls from past Dragon Raids on Facebook and whatnot, but seeing it in person is worth the stop. While I don’t think Bridal Veil is quite as scenic as Looking Glass Falls, it is another convenient waterfall destination is you’re looking for destinations on several of the “waterfall loops” down this way.

From Bridal Veil Falls we continued along US-64 into Cashiers for lunch at Carolina Smokehouse. Delicately putting the side-stand down in the gravel parking lot, looking over the restaurant’s rural exterior, I realized that I was on the verge of landing some delicious Carolina soul food. Reading the menu, I realized that the Carolina Smokehouse was featured on “Feasting on Asphalt” on the Food Network; another great example that you shouldn’t judge food potential by the looks of the building. At any rate, sitting on the deck, still in my riding jacket after the cold mountain air;
famished, I ordered the lunch portion of barbecue pork ribs. When the food arrived, I was in such haste for lunch that I, again, forgot to take a photo of the food. Thinking back on it now, I’m rapidly realizing that when things go “unplanned” I’m typically so busy enjoying the moment that I forget to snap a few photos (I’ll work on that…). In any case, the pork ribs, slathered in Carolina “Hot” barbecue sauce, were falling off the bone; just how I like it. The ribs also came with a thick, well buttered, piece of Texas toast and a side of coleslaw. Despite my love of barbecue, I’m still not a big fan of coleslaw, but I admit, I did at least try it. Considering the quality of the ribs, the Carolina Smokehouse is another worthy barbecue spot; however if you’re looking to try it, I recommend you act fast, it looks like they’re moving.

After some discussion around the table about other destinations, when asked, I offered my two cents about the conditions of Wayah Road; considering that the pavement would likely be dry, I too was interested in another run across that wiry mountain road. From Cashiers, we backtracked along US-64/NC-28 back into Franklin to pick up Wayah Road. For the most part, the pavement was pretty dry, but after traversing a few of the twisty curves, it was evident that the past day’s rain had washed considerable amounts of grass clippings and gravel into the roadway. Gravel is my mortal enemy on two wheels. For whatever reason, it really spooks me when the rear wheel skips sideways over a stone when riding on asphalt. That being said, I cut my pace pretty good after seeing a few shady patches of gravel, mid-apex, in a few of the turns. That aside, Wayah road still made for a good ride, and definitely solidified my need for mid-controls and an adventure bike (what better way to face your fear?).

Coming back across US-74 and NC-28 to the lodge, we came in a little early for the big Dragon Raid Saturday night party. As folks start rolling in on Saturday, they park their bikes in front of the main lodge building so we can get a big group photo. As previously mentioned, Killboy.com is an event sponsor; for the past two years, along with their cameras, Killboy has brought out their drone to take video of the lodge along with the big group photos. After the sun goes down, folks enjoy a big steak dinner from the lodge “Chuck Wagon Grill” (included in Dragon Raid registration fee); after which, a truck load of door prizes and raffle items are given away. Once T-shirts, riding jackets, helmets, Bluetooth communicators, and gift certificates (and more…) are raffled off, it was time for the main event, selecting the winner of the Raffle bike, this year was a 2007 Triumph Bonneville. The attending RAT pack crew has been sufficiently generous in past years that the Raffle Bike tradition has been able to live on year after year. Riding North Carolina’s finest roads keeps me coming back, but the thought of taking home a new bike is undoubtedly icing on the cake. Sadly, I didn’t win a new bike, but one lucky guy from Michigan did.

In the end, all of the money raised from raffle sales goes back to funding the next year’s Dragon Raid; including the purchase of more raffle items, the free adult beverages served on Friday and Saturday night, and a new raffle bike. Once the winning ticket was announced, closing statements were made about safety and thanks to all the sponsors and attendees; afterword folks partied on for their last night at the Raid. Headed back up the hill to my bunk, the task at hand was packing all my stuff for the long ride home the next morning.

Day 6: