By Dennis Dumapias Last year I had another friend ask me to look for a motorcycle for her (…you know, I really should start a used-bike shopper service). She used to ride before we met, but it was short-lived. So while she isn’t going to be new to riding, she’s new again. And she
Heartbreak at the Raceway
By Dennis Dumapias You never forget a heartbreak. You can physically feel it every time you remember. You can even remember the sights, the sounds. You may even remember the date. October 19, 2018 Track days are great for when you only want to work on your riding without any pressure from a race
Moto Guild – A New Rider’s Perspective, Part 2
By Ryan McNerney Since my first visit Since then I’ve come back for every 4,000 mile service. I’ve also done the brake service class, where I upgraded my brake line from the ancient rubber line to stainless steel. The three hours it takes me to do the service with a brake bleed comes to
Moto Guild – A New Rider’s Perspective, Part 1
By Ryan McNerney Last Friday I received some unfortunate news from the Moto Guild SF email blast. Aleks and Wilder, the shop’s current owners, have decided to move on and sell the business – or close if a new owner can’t be found. I consider myself a relatively new rider with a mere 4
A Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
By Dennis Dumapias Hubris really can be a witch sometimes. I had just redeemed myself at Laguna Seca since my crash there the year prior, and I found myself back on the deck right after, this time at Sonoma Raceway. Rookie mistake too, crashing on my out lap from the pits in only the
Moto-Life Imitating Art
By Dennis Dumapias In the past year alone, I’ve pulled off the following two-wheeled good deeds: Stopped to help a stalled car in the middle lane of a busy commuter freeway. The driver said the car just died, and not only was he not able to restart it, he couldn’t get it out of
Lane Sharing: Swimming with Metal Sharks
By Dennis Dumapias I was going east bound on Highway 92 in Foster City, CA, homeward bound after a day at work. It was just before 6PM, the worst time of the work day to find yourself in a car here, as the majority of the peninsula and San Francisco workers like myself rush to
Redemption at Laguna Seca
By Dennis Dumapias Not one race circuit is less prone to crashes than the other, but I don’t know, I just thought that given how infrequent I rode Laguna Seca, that my chances of having a tumble there were slimmer than, say, Sonoma Raceway or Thunderhill Raceway. Just statistically speaking, I figured it’d be
Triumph Speed Triple: The Brass Knuckle Trilogy
By Dennis Dumapias My friend Lili has always been a massive fan of Triumph’s Speed Triple. She’s also a coworker, so I basically spend more time with her than I would care to on any given work week. She’s harped for years about the virtues of the Speed Triple, having owned a 2002 model
Aprilia RSV Mille versus MV Agusta F4: Reality Check
By Dennis Dumapias It’s been over a week now since I checked out that RSV Mille. Over seven days, I’ve now had to decide whether to move my F4 out of my garage, and have another go at my dream bike – eleven years after I last owned one – or to keep my
1st-Gen Aprilia RSV Mille: Relive the Dream?
By Dennis Dumapias I make no claim that the early-gen RSV Mille is one of the best motorcycles ever made, or that it holds a fabled status like its other Italian counterparts such as Ducati’s 916, or MV Agusta’s F4. The RSV Mille is Aprilia’s first hand at a superbike, but other than that,
Western Women’s Sportbike Rally 2018 – Part 1
By AJ Jacobsen The Women’s Sportbike Rally is a gathering of women on sport bikes that was established in 2006 by two women riders: Stephani McIntyre and Kiri Hunter. The rallies originally focused on the east coast, with the first rally being held in the infamous “Deal’s Gap” aka “The Dragon” near Robbinsville, NC.
Diagnosing Troublesome Problems – Part 3
By AJ Jacobsen After loading up the race bike early Sunday morning, my friend Anh and I headed to another friend’s house to see if he could convince this clutch basket nut to come off. Alan had a full shop set up with all the fun machining tools, and we got set up to
Going Green
By Dennis Dumapias Patience. This is very much moto-related. I promise. 🙂 I got the chance to spend a few weeks driving an all-electric car this past winter. A co-worker of mine – who also happens to be a neighbor – had leased a Volkswagen e-Golf to use as a commuter during the week.
Lessons in Riding
By Dennis Dumapias 2018 had a rough start to the year. By the time the month of March rolled around I was mentally, emotionally, and physically reeling from the most trying time of my life that I can remember to date. I remember sleepless nights. And when I did finally fall asleep, cold sweats would
MV Agusta F4: Sight Versus Sound
By Dennis Dumapias I keep going back and forth between leaving the OEM quad pipes on the F4, or running the aftermarket titanium dual slip-ons I found for it. Ever since finding the aftermarket slip-ons, I’ve swapped between those and the OEM pipes three times now, and I’m pretty sure I’m not done oscillating
Only Fools Rush In
By Dennis Dumapias My friend and fellow blogger AJ covered the value of riding coaches before. If she had her reservations about commissioning a riding coach, I not only shared them but also had it worse. I like figuring things out on my own. It’s almost a hobby in itself to take up something
Final Winter Race Prep
By AJ Jacobsen After completing the rebuild on my transmission, and getting that and the clutch reinstalled in the bike, I had one more weekend of final prep left to do before I felt ready to kick off the season. First up was installing a new chain. While this is a routine task, it
Satin-Wrapped Hellspawn
By Dennis Dumapias Oh, for sure, this bike is a looker. But trust me. If ever you get a chance, you must ride an F4. You MUST. Some bikes intrigue you because of a particular novelty about them that just may be exclusive to that bike. Maybe it’s some new and trick performance part,
Femmewalla 2018 – Part 2 – Getting to Know Chuck
By AJ Jacobsen With the dawning of the somewhat dreary day, we were aware that the track was going to be damp. In an effort to help dry it out prior to the bikes going on course, everyone was invited to drive their 4-wheeled vehicles around, so our group piled into the RiderzLaw van with
Femmewalla 2018 – Part 1 – Just Getting There
By AJ Jacobsen Since I first got introduced to track days, one day I have hoped and been told I “needed” to attend was the famous “Femmewalla.” This track day is an all-women only day, for all groups, and is hosted by the owners of Chuckwalla Valley Raceway near Desert Center, CA, east of Los
Riding Under a Microscope
By Dennis Dumapias That’s my friend Everett. I hate him for being right. It’s not that I went too long without using a lap timer, I just flat out thought I didn’t need one. I’m just a track day guy, who despite being an avid road racing fan, just has no aspiration to race. So
Barber Motorsports MotoAmerica Experience
Sometimes in life we are presented with an opportunity we simply can’t pass up. I was provided one such opportunity to accompany a friend to the MotoAmerica races at the famous Barber Motorsports Park outside of Birmingham, Alabama. Naturally, I had to tag along! For me, the benefits of being able to go were layered.
2005 MV Agusta F4: Let Your Supermodel Strut
By Dennis Dumapias I’ll confess that I’m equal parts admirer and rider when it comes to motorcycling. I appreciate the finished product both as something to put under gallery lights half the time, and race the sun the other half. This applies to every bike I’ve ever owned. And whereas the common man may look
Morgan Territory Ride Report
By AJ Jacobsen In California we are blessed with a wide variety of mountain roads, with pavement, trails, and tracks that can appeal to pretty much any riding style. As part of my riding club, Curve Unit, we host monthly rides in various areas, providing members and attendees with new scenery and different roads
Diagnosing Troublesome Issues Part 2
By AJ Jacobsen It was a lovely Saturday morning. The sun was shining, the weather perfect, and I was ready for a weekend of learning some new things about my bikes. I had my service manual by my side and ready to go, my bike on the stands, and space to work and spread
Diagnosing Troublesome Issues Part 1
By AJ Jacobsen In December of 2016 I picked up my brand new, fresh from the factory 2017 ZX10R. I was so excited to get my hands on the bike, and could hardly wait to turn it into a race bike and get out on the track with it. I had big plans, and
Chasing Set Up
By AJ Jacobsen Any track rider and racer can tell you that having a properly tuned suspension can make a massive difference in the handling of a motorcycle. Yet, I’ve seen and heard arguments from top level coaches on down to casual racers saying two very different things. On the one hand, they tout
2009 Yamaha R1: That Awkward First Dance
By Dennis Dumpias “I passed Dennis!” I swear. Who needs enemies when you have friends like mine? It was June, already a hot day at Thunderhill Raceway and there I was feeling the heat of having to learn to ride my 09 R1. My friends weren’t any help, as they were like sharks that
This Never Gets Old
By Dennis Dumapais My ’66 Suzuki Trail 80. I can’t believe I almost passed up on this bike. I can’t believe I drove home with an empty truck bed after the first time I went to see it in person, all because of a couple of hundred dollars off of Kelley Blue Book’s valuation on
Does Fitness Matter?
By AJ Jacobsen When it comes to racing motorcycles at the top end of the sport, I doubt that anyone would argue that fitness is a very important factor. Top racers are honed athletes, and they train like it. For them, it may mean the difference between 1st and 4th place after a 20+ lap
Day in the Life of an Off Season Road Racer
By AJ Jacobsen So what does the off season look like for a road racing “enthusiast” who is determined to do a little better than they did the previous year? Follow along for a breakdown of what a typical winter/off-season day looks like for me. Let me begin by pointing out that I work three
The Power of Synchronicity
I’ve always been kind of lucky. Not “behind an armored car that lost all its money out the back” lucky, but I have had fortunate timing; in part by coincidence, and part observation. So it came to pass that Hootie II, the second iteration of my boxer twin R65, started running rough one morning. I
Swiss Alps Tour – Part 3
We got a really good nights sleep, which was great since we were tired from the long day yesterday. We woke up to blue skies, and it was crisp and cold with a light frost. We enjoyed a nice breakfast at the Hotel. The European breakfast of sliced meats, cheeses and breads can grow on
Swiss Alps Tour – Part 1
By Bill Harr Riding the Swiss Alps was a bucket list ride for me. I was surprised and pleased that my wife wanted to make the ride with me. Last year I stopped and checked on rental motorcycles at the two dealers in Basel Switzerland. The Suzuki-Triumph dealer had several bikes that would work for
AMA Supermoto Finale Race Report
By John Knowles The season finale for AMA Supermoto was set for October 7, 2017 at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida. I road tripped it out there with Toxic Moto Racing. Rain was on the forecast for the weekend but nobody thought much of it until it started getting closer to race day.
UMC Supermoto Report
By John Knowles It was a cold day at Utah Motorsports Campus and the view of the mountains was beautiful in every direction. UMC has one of the best Supermoto tracks in the country and it’s home to Utah Supermoto. Utah Supermoto is a great club series with a great family atmosphere. This weekend
AMA Supermoto @ Streets of Sturgis Race Report
By John Knowles MA Supermoto round 4 is the legendary streets of Sturgis race. I got to the track early Thursday morning while they were still turning down town Sturgis into a track. I helped out a little bit with making the dirt sections. Clay was trucked in and dirt jumps were made in the parking
When Riding Doesn’t Go As Planned Part 8
By AJ Jacobsen If you’ve been following my blogs, you are aware that back on December 3, 2016 I broke my leg in a dirt bike accident when another rider hit me, and both of us ended up rotating over my leg. Unfortunately for me, this was not “just” a broken leg – it
When Even the Experts Miss the Obvious
This season has been frustrating for me as a rider and racer. Between the injuries to my leg and dealing with that, adjusting to the new bike, and moving up to expert, I’ve often been very frustrated, and while I’ve been “accepting” of some progress, I’ve yet to leave a weekend at the track “happy.”
Avoidence
Are all motorcycle crashes avoidable? We would like to believe so, that’s for sure, yet every year, thousands of crashes happen and even here in California the deaths are numerous. Are all of these riders being careless? Most crashes I’ve seen could have been avoided by the rider – perhaps they weren’t paying enough attention,
Why the 390 Cup?
A lot of people questioned my decision to compete in the 390 cup. And why wouldn’t they? I only had one year of road racing under my belt from a background of jet ski freestyle and canyon riding and here I was planning on traveling with a national series. Other people saw me putting unfair
Change of Perspective
It’s funny how your perspective changes while you grow as a racer. I remember when I first started doing track days and I thought the A Group riders were so fast. I was really intimidated when I signed up for A Group the first time but I was already throwing around the idea of racing
Santa Barbara Ride Report
This past Veteran’s day, I rode up to Santa Barbara. I’d never been there before, and really wanted to get away from Los Angeles for the day. For a beach trip, this ride actually has a lot to offer motorcyclists. In my opinion, a good ride is all about variety. With this idea in mind,
Cedar Springs Ride Review
Yesterday, I took a ride up to Cedar Springs, California. I hadn’t done a mountain run in a while, and I knew I didn’t want to go out too far away from home. I wanted a smooth ride on a less than crowded path. I also wanted beautiful scenery and twisty roads. I’m very happy
1st-Gen MV Agusta F4: A Modern Unicorn
I wasn’t kidding when I previously wrote about scouring my local classifieds for an MV Agusta F4. For the past eight to nine months now I have been regularly checking Craigslist for the exact specimen I’m looking for. I would even check out listings in the Los Angeles and San Diego area, but coming across
Thunderhill Raceway (East), July 8th: Comfortably Quicker
I was excited for this event. It’s the Friday during the World Superbike round at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, which usually translates to a lower turnout than usual from our customers since the lot of them tends to attend the event down in Monterey. Not ideal for Z2 Trackdays as a business per se, but
Setting up the Chic Cave
A few weeks ago, I finally managed to regain the remainder of my garage space after the previous roommate got the last of their stuff. This meant that I now had the room and freedom to set things up the way I wanted. I had a few things in mind that had been goals when
Favorite Tahoe Rides
While I am not from the Lake Tahoe area, I love gambling, skiing and enjoying the outdoors. The great thing about Lake Tahoe is that the area offers two very distinct seasons, though in summer in never gets really hot. For me, this makes it a great summer and early fall riding destination. Here are
Beginnings of Adventures
Since I started riding I’ve wanted to go for longer and longer rides. Once you get to a 10+ hour ride, you start to think about spending the night somewhere so you can really go far. And of course that leads to week long trips, and month long trips, and then you’re going the wrong
Bob’s Electra Glide Ride
Bob was out for a relaxing afternoon ride a few days ago. Just cruising along on the Electra Glide and thoroughly enjoying himself. The ride started with a few miles on the boulevard that parallels the river. That is a nice, easy ride. The road is flat with nice curves as the river bends. Bob
Passenger Fears
I think it’s fair to say the majority of the motorcycle community is male. I’m not sure about percentages, but I can think of only two female riders I know within my own circle. Without much hesitation, I can rattle off at least eight to ten male riders I know. A recurring topic amongst my
Women’s Motorcycle Gear
For the past year I’ve been looking into buying a new motorcycle jacket. To be honest, it’s probably been more than a year. You might be thinking, I’m too picky, or not very good at shopping. I assure you neither is the case in this situation. The truth is, shopping for motorcycle apparel is tough,
Ride Hard….With a Vengeance! Part 2
Apparently the Boozefighters who came in later encountered difficulties. One group was profiled by SD County sheriff deputies, who pulled them over for doing the speed limit, held them for a while, then let them go. Another group rode in an hour after us, and the leader said he was unnerved by the sand dunes,
Ride Hard….With a Vengeance! Part 1
It’s been a while since my accident two years ago. The bike was down for a year as I scrounged for money to buy parts. Then, when it was all back together, I went on a 6 hour ride down into the desert with the BMW shop guys. After that one ride, the bike started
Dating as a Female Motorcyclist
Now, you might be thinking this is a silly topic, or not even a real topic of discussion. Well, you’d be wrong on both counts considering I’m often asked this question by a number women. It’s kind of funny because there tends to be a genuine concern for the potential hindrance of my motorcycle lifestyle
Just Park It
Over the weekend, I watched “Captain America: Civil War”. I love a great action movie, and this one didn’t disappoint. However, within the first fifteen minutes of the movie, there was the staple motorcycle casualty. I cringed a little as agent Natasha sped her bike towards two parked cars, then hopped off. She of course
5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Riding
When I bought my first motorcycle a little over a decade ago, I dove in and got started. I took a safety class as well as classes to get my license, then I bought a motorcycle and some basic safety equipment. While I learned through trial-and-error, I wish I knew then what I know now.
Three of my favorite Southern California Rides
As more of a “weekend warrior”, I don’t really spend much time commuting to and from the office. I work from home most days, and I usually just ride my bicycle to the office when I do go in. This is great for me, because once Saturday comes, I am ready to get on my
Sturgis Planning
I have not been to Sturgis in a long time. While it may be a long time before I return, I had a lot of fun, and if you prepare, you can have fun too. A lot of fun can be had, but you must approach it wisely. Here are a few ways to have more
Riding With the Patriot Guard Riders
You’ve probably seen them on the news or in person, lines of bikers a mile long, flags snapping in the wind behind them. Most of them are on Harleys, but not all. Most of them are veterans, but not all. Everyone is welcome to participate. By signing on to the Patriot Guard website,
Sound Proof
I am a bit of a dork when it comes to riding as I am not a 22-year old anymore, sadly. For this reason, safety equipment, a good maintenance schedule and a defensive riding style are things I follow to a T. In over a decade of riding, I have only had a few minor
Choices, Choices – New Bike Debate
As my riding has continued to improve, I’m finally getting to a point where my current bike is beginning to hold me back. When I’m on point, there’s not much more I could squeeze out of it. Part of me is a bit surprised by the progress, part of me knows it still needs some
A Change of Perspective
This past weekend I went on a big group ride, and for the first time in years, this group ride relied on pedal power rather than horsepower. My partner, daughter, and I strapped on our bike helmets and joined over one hundred other bicyclists of all ages on a short group bicycle ride around town
Beach Days for Bikers
Beach days are the best days. At least that’s a strong belief I have. I’ve spent my entire life around water, so when I started riding a motorcycle I wanted to make sure I’d still be able to spend time at the shore. I’ve had a few years to perfect my technique, and I’m pretty
Small Dings Add Up
How many times have you heard someone say, “Oh, it’s only cosmetic damage?” In the past I’ve heard a variation of this sentiment more times than I can count when shopping for a used vehicle. The seller of course wants to down play the eyesore their bike is sporting, and the buyer tries to decide
Get a Grip – Changing Your Motorcycle Grips
Let me first start out by saying that I am not a mechanical person, and I take my car, and motorcycle in, for almost all maintenance. But, there are some jobs I can do on my own – as a way to save money and time, plus to have some level of pride. By installing
Two Wheels are Just Better Than Four
The title pretty much says it all for this story. Over the weekend, I had a co-worker ask me to show her how to get to Koreatown in Los Angeles. She complained that it always took her forever to get there from Burbank, and thought my route might be faster. It was well past
What to do after the Basic Motorcycle Rider’s Class
Congratulations! You have successfully completed a BASIC motorcycle riding course! Please realize that this is a BASIC class that you just completed. You now know about 2% of what there is to know about riding a motorcycle. There is much, much more to learn! You know just enough to ride down the street and easily
Insurance Matters
Anyone who rides knows that insurance can make the whole experience very expensive. I am not a spring chicken anymore, so I don’t get screwed over as much as I used to. But, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be vigilant when shopping for insurance for our bikes. At the same time, a rider should also
Let There Be Light
Recently while talking with friends I discovered I’ve been commuting incorrectly since I started riding. Back when I drove cars regularly, I only used my brights for roads with minimal street lights or none at all. I’d been taught it’s inconsiderate to blind on coming traffic with your high beams. So, when I switched over
Small Accidents
Small accidents. They happen so quickly, and often times without much thought at all. In the blink of an eye the slightest distraction can cost you financially. The worst part is that it’s not a matter of skill, or how long you’ve been riding. I should know, as I’ve recently made a very absentminded and
Debunking Motorcycle Myths and Misconceptions
There are a lot of myths and misconceptions about motorcycles and the people who ride them. Anyone who rides, either just on weekends or on a daily basis, knows that we all get a bad reputation. With that in mind, here are some common top five myths and misconceptions that motorcycle riders face, and these myths
Chasing a Dream
At this point I can’t think of anything more meaningful than racing. I guess that would be great if everyone else felt the same way. It’s hard for me to grasp how road racing isn’t the most popular sport in the world. My opinion is biased but it actually brings on negative emotions when people
Everywhere You Go….
Everywhere you go, there’s something you haven’t heard of yet. Over the last few years, I’ve spent a lot of time riding the same old routes that I know are amazing. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, but I’m looking to branch out a little bit. I spend plenty of time at the racetrack, so
Moving Meditation
It’s not news to riders that your bike is your therapist. Each one of us needs something different to find the mental release we are seeking – we need to ride far enough, take enough turns, go fast enough. The mental health aspect of the sport is a big part of why many of us
Make My Day
I was on my way to work one day. It was early morning and the sun was shining a little before 7 AM. There wasn’t much traffic yet. I was riding in the carpool lane going about 75 MPH and the few other vehicles were moving at a similar speed. I checked my mirror and
So You Think You’re Tough…
Traveling by bike is one of the most liberating feelings you can imagine. Experiencing the open road on a bike is completely different from riding in a car. You are not in a climate-controlled pod. You smell the air, feel the temperature changes, and experience the road. You stop often to stretch your legs and
Learning to Ride Tall(ish) Bikes When You Are Short
A common topic of conversation among women who ride or would like to ride is which bikes they will be able to manage given their height, and it all comes down to seat height and practice. I am 5’3” with a 30” inseam. My very first time on a motorcycle was in my MSF
Staying in Touch While Riding
My partner and I both ride. Now that we have a daughter, we take turns riding, and this past weekend it was my turn. As I headed out the door, my boyfriend and one-year-old daughter sent me off with a wave, and then went about their day. Were they worried about me? My little girl
Riding Slump
At the beginning of this year I was pumped to get out and go on more rides. I had circled out a few national parks, and beach stops I really wanted to ride out to. Things kind of took an unexpected turn when one of my good friends went down hard in February. The second
Five Things To Do When Your Bike Won’t Start
If you own a motorcycle, the last thing you want to do is have it die on you in a parking lot, or worse yet, in the countryside. I have ridden for years, and out near the deserts of San Diego, I have had to be towed back to the nearest town, at a high
Al’s Cycle Shop Review
Do you hate auto shops? Yes? Well, don’t feel bad. Almost everyone I know hates auto shops. It doesn’t matter if they drive a car or motorcycle, as the disdain for going to the shop tends to cause as much dread as a trip to the dentist. I too hate these journeys to the shop.
Five Ways to Make Your Bike Fit Better
When bikes come off the assembly line, each model pretty much rolls off one-size fits all—unlike riders, who come in every size and shape imaginable. Fortunately, a bike that comes to you one-sized doesn’t have to stay that way. You can change up a bunch of elements, make key adjustments, until your new bike fits
5 Tips for Your First Group Ride
5 Tips for Your First Group Ride Spring is upon us, and the streets are full of riders with freshly printed M1 licenses. You might be one of them. If so, welcome to the community! Once you’ve got some miles under your belt (a good estimate – at least 500 street miles), you are