Coming of Age: A Biker is Born Part Deux!

A Biker Is Born, Part Deux!

I spent the summer of 2013 in the back lot of Moto Thibault working as a motorcycle instructor for Sur 2 Roues here in Sherbrooke, Quebec. Honestly, I don't think I have ever been as happy about work as I was last summer. I was surrounded by motorcycles all day long. The sound, smell and feel of motorcycles on a daily basis was enough to keep me smiling. Hell, I didn't even mind giving Can-Am Spyder Courses! The cherry on top however was being able to give my youngest son his first ride on a motorcycle! One day in August my wife arrived as a surprise with the kids for a pic-nic during our lunch hour. Since my oldest son's coming of age, my youngest son's desire to give it a go had only increased over the last year. For those of you who may not recall, although little J love's motorcycles, he always did so at a distance. Now, for the first time, he felt brave enough to ride one with his old man. I couldn't have been more chuffed.

Breastfeeding Babies - A Dad's View

Photo © Meet The Fockers

Whether you happen to be Robert De Niro donning fake breasts and attempting to breastfeed his grandson in 2004's "Meet the Fockers"or like the majority you are just an average 'Joe' uncertain of what, if anything, you can do to help your wife whilst she is breastfeeding there are nevertheless things that every father should be aware of. There are inevitably two camps about breastfeeding. There are those that think it is not necessary and than there are others who think it is essential. There are hundreds of books available for women and men stating pros and cons to each side. Thus the purpose here is not to reiterate what has already been written so many times but rather, just as importantly, to discuss what YOU as the father can do to help make whatever decision your better half chooses to make as easy as possible.

A Word on Rock The Cause By Percy Hart

Understanding Harley-Davidson's Classification System

Photo © BugSpatteredJacket

What makes Harley-Davidson an exceptional option for many motorcyclists is the endless array of parts and accessories available. Harley-Davidson has released over 30 unique motorcycles for 2011 alone. Harley has developed a system whereby each motorcycle is sub-classed into further sections based on a variety of differences between bikes. Although these differences can be subtle when considering bikes from the same family, nevertheless, it is important to ensure you have the appropriate abbreviation for your bike when ordering parts and accessories.

Who's There? Custom Corbin Seat Review By Lucky Devil

Photos © Corbin Motorcycle Seats

Some reviews are just too good to be left hidden on independent forums. This happens to be one of them. Having owned a Corbin seat for my Suzuki Intruder 1400, I have nothing but praise for them as a product. Lucky Devil, a senior member on the Yamaha FZ 09 Forum has one over me when he decided to ride down to Corbin and have his seat custom made in person! As you know, 99% of OEM motorcycles seats are nothing more than after thoughts for manufacturers. Thankfully, there are companies like Corbin, Mustang and Sargent that cater to our rear ends and help make motorcycling all the more enjoyable. As I continue to struggle with my decision as to which bike to buy, reviews like this help simplify things. Cue Lucky Devil's review...

Who's There? Keith McCarthy on Replacing a Speedometer Bulb with LED on a Suzuki Intruder 1400!

All Words & Photos © Keith McCarthy

I put off this job for a while thinking it was going to be difficult or that I'd have a hard time figuring out which LED to use. The delay was unnecessary as this is one of the easiest jobs to do. In fact, it will take longer to create this blog!  I don't know if all years are this easy or not. From the schematic for this bike, it appeared there would be two lights to replace. As you can see from the back of my speedometer, there is only one. Perhaps this changed in different years, I don't know. I ordered bulbs off eBay. 20 LED bulbs for $8, shipped (In the USA). Here is what I ordered off of eBay for cheap. Upon opening the package, I got these! (Pictured Left)

In Search of Mr. T's Replacement! Ramblings of a Mad Biker...

 Photo © MyTeeSpot.com

Having sold Mr. T, my TW200, at the end of the summer I am not going to lie to you, I felt emotionally detached from both the bike and selling it. Don't get me wrong, it's a fun bike, but one thing led to another and inevitably it wasn't the right bike for me. I know, I know... shut up fool! Unfortunately, I am not quite sure what would be the right bike for me! My "mid-bike crisis" seems to be in full swing as I find myself feeling "meh" towards the majority of the bikes that I come across. Making matters worse, working at Sur 2 Roues this summer next to Moto Thibault, I was constantly surrounded by new bikes. Though the smell and the sound of their exhaust notes were intoxicating (likely C02 poisoning...) very few captivated me. Like a school boy, I have been crushing on a few bikes over the last six months. What can I say, I am a picky fekker when it comes to motorcycles and would really like the next bike to be "the one", so to speak. Who knew finding my wife would be easier than finding the right bike? I would like some help and advice. If I haven't mentioned something that you think I should consider please feel free to comment. As you will soon see, I'm all over the place really when it comes to choosing. I am also considering having something made a la ClockWork Motorcycles.

DesTination: North Korean Motorcycle Diaries

Who's There? North Americas Most Audacious Riding Roads By Dewayne Jasper

All Words & Photos © Dewayne Jasper

As motorcycle owners, it goes without saying that we as a global community share a deep passion for adventure and the kind of life-size turbulence which can only be found through our pursuit. Men and women world-over all have their own reasons for, first off, investing in a bike in the first place, and secondly for showering it with as much love and care as we tend to (or at least should). If you haven’t already, you will at some point (hopefully very soon) one day decide that it’s time to escape the rat race, at least for a little while, and head out on the open road with the sole intention of taking in some of the many, many breath-taking sights, smells and experiences our vast and untameable continent offers to us all. The truth is there is absolutely no better way of seeing the beauty of North America than atop an open vehicle.

At a Glance: 2014 Yamaha Stryker - Hoppy's Last Hurrah

A Very Happy Hoppy
& His 2014 Yamaha Stryker

Mr. Hopkins, aka "Hoppy", strikes me as the kind of man that Johnny Cash would have enjoyed having a drink with. 60 years younger than most thirty-somethings I have met over the years, Hoppy is nothing if not pragmatic about life. Cut from a different cloth altogether his weathered pony tail, 70's chic glasses and worn brown leather jacket tell a tale of a time when men were men and terms like metrosexual, a la Justin Bieber, didn't exist in the English vocabulary. I first met Hoppy at Sur2Roues motorcycle school where he decided to return from a long hiatus from motorcycling. "Being of sound mind with a body that has bin bent, twisted, broke, stitched up, these injuries are all coming back to haunt me. Enjoyment  of physical things done over the years are fast coming to a end. Now I  thought long and hard as to what I could do to put some spice back into  life. The answer came to me with the ice storm of 2013 and a 42 year old plantation flattened MONEY to be made." - Hoppy Cue the 2014 Yamaha Stryker & over ten thousand kilometers later...

Who's There? A Trip to Dashavatara Temple on a Royal Enfield by Sabya Sachi Ghosh

All Photos & Words © Sabya Sachi Ghosh

Shekhoo Raja and I rode out to Deogarh to see the 1500 year old ruins of Dashavatar Temple (surviving Gupta age structure). We were also told that atop a fort adjoining the temple (fort originally built by Kanishka and later on added upon by others) were a group of Jain Temples.... what we hadn't expected was the vast amount of 1000 years old sculptures some 3000 in numbers standing solitary, silently welcoming us to mingle amongst them...and mingle we did. we cancelled our return to Oorcha and decided to spend the night there. More surprises lay in store for us..... the fort on one side had a 300 feet high cliff that overhang the majestic betwa and on its surface were sculptures and rock cut caves. The view from a four story watch tower was unimaginably marvelous. the jungle below us and the meandering betwa vanishing into the horizon was a sight perhaps ones sees when one looks down from heaven.... a recently discovered group of rock cut Buddha Images were hidden somewhere on the cliff face.... we couldn't go there because the ASI had not yet cleared a pathway through the jungle.... we'll let these pictures describe it all for you....

DesTination: Musée de l'Auto Ancienne de Richmond

Fill 'Er Up

Richmond is a sleepy little town in the heart of the Eastern Townships here in Quebec, Canada. It wasn't the first time I had been there and truthfully, if not for la Musée de l'Auto Ancienne de Richmond I most likely wouldn't have returned. However, as fate would have it, with my father-in-law visiting from the Republic of Ireland, I thought that this would be a good opportunity to visit the museum. The museum turned out to be quite nice, so much so that I do plan on returning again one day with my children. Although I managed to get a few pictures, truthfully, I didn't get a chance to take a picture of every single vehicle there. There is still so much to see and given that the owners change their cars regularly, it promises to be interesting for future repeat customers. Though not as rustic as Mr. P's Emporium, the museum still managed to evoke thoughts of yesterday's forgotten treasures as they have gone through great trouble to add period correct details including mannequins (themselves nearly as old as the cars) dressed in vintage clothing.

Mr. P's Emporium

Rusty Gold

Worthy of American Pickers and something Canadian Pickers should aspire too my father-in-law and I were off into the Eastern Townships today to visit an elusive scrap yard that I had happened upon only once before whilst taking a "Sunday Drive" with my wife and kids a few weeks back. My father-in-law, who is in fact visiting from the Republic of Ireland, wanted to go exploring for parts for his Toyato FJ-40 Land Cruiser. One thing led to another and we happened upon an old farmstead with not one but several vintage vehicles parked under an old barn. We turned the car around and soon found ourselves knocking at the back door (the front door was sealed off naturally) of a stranger's house a la Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz. That stranger turned out to be Mr. P. An elderly gentleman who is in fact the fourth generation son to be living on the premises. Many of the items your about to see has been a part of the family his entire life. Though he does not officially advertise or even sell most of what he has he was kind and welcoming enough to allow us both to potter around his property and take pictures of his RUSTY GOLD!

At a Glance: BRP Can-Am Spyder

"The Paparazzi Escape Vehicle"

Since last ensnared in Can-Am's Spyder's Web I am sorry to report that they still have yet to clear up any confusion with regards to licensing requirements. It is true, on the one hand they now state that you cannot use one of their machines to take your motorcycle test. However, they do falsely lead you to believe that you too can ride a Can-Am Spyder without a motorcycle license in Quebec. Which leads me to ponder just how overpaid the folks at BRP actually are given that this is complete and utterly untrue!

Project A-Team - Stage 2: "Quit Your Jibba Jabba!"

Photo © Vinmag.com

Where to begin? Since stage one was completed back in October 2013 the best laid plans have been laid to waste as I have found myself unable to work as much on my TW200 as I would have liked. In fact, it would be fair to say that I was physically unable to do so for several months in lieu of a back injury. I know, I know... quit my "jibba jabba" and get on with it. So let's look over what has been done to my bike since then. Suffice it to say the bike has gone through a bit of an identity crisis. I originally started off with the idea of turning the bike into a brat style street bike not unlike what the TW Bastards do so well but obviously without the same skills or attention to details that they have become renowned for. (I know my limitations) There are also ton's of great ideas via the TW200Forum that explores making these bikes into mini adventure tourers. An after thought that came to mind when I decided that I wanted to in fact undertake some road trips. However, though I cannot speak for other TW200's I am sorry to say my little purchase would likely need a complete mechanical overhaul before that could ever happen as it has yet to reach 60 miles per hour (100kph)! Presently, I am at the point where I decided to make a hybrid of sorts due to some extenuating circumstances...

DesTination: Johnville Bog & Forest Park

Truffula Trees?

For those of you looking to explore the roads less traveled than perhaps a trip to Johnville's Bog & Forest Park located in Cookshire-Eaton (Johnville), Quebec, Canada is just what you might be looking for. The Eastern Townships is a beautiful place to travel through by motorcycle and amongst many of the attractions is this superb piece of protected land that once catered to Lennoxville as the sole source for its water. Admittedly, however, despite seeing several motorcycles propped up on their side stands at the front entrance, I had arrived on bus. That is, by school bus. My son's grade two teacher organized a field trip. It's a great place to stop and enjoy a bit of nature the way it was meant to be enjoyed. There are several picnic tables scattered within and around parts of the park including next to a "kettle" - a natural phenomenon that occurs when the glacier that stood tall once over this area broke apart and became trapped forming what we think of as a lake or pond.

At a Glance: 2014 Suzuki GW250

The Future is Looking Bright...
2014 Suzuki GW250

Suzuki only recently closed its doors to Canadian consumers this year, at least, where their automobile division is concerned. According to the Globe & Mail (2013) "The trigger for Suzuki’s move out of Canada – although it will still sell motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles and marine products – was the U.S. Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing by its sister company, American Suzuki Motor Corp., last November." Truthfully, I wasn't surprised. With Honda and Toyota providing better quality vehicles I found myself underwhelmed by the majority of their products. Even Hyundai has stepped up considerably in the last four years. Though, I still wouldn't buy one personally. When it comes to motorcycles, however, Suzuki seems to be holding its own. There is a loyal following and admittedly, even I can't help be drawn to some of their more striking motorcycles such as the Boulevard M109R B.O.S.S. However, bigger isn't necessarily better as proven by Suzuki's GW250.  Introduced to North Americans in 2013 and with an MRSP of just $3, 999.00 Cdn. (not including freight, etc...) what we have here is a lovely little entry level standard bike for beginners and experienced riders alike.

Bike & Tattoo Show 2014

Photo © Prosproduction

Need I Say More? ;-)

Warning: Picture Heavy!

Look Mum, No hands!

As Close to Mine as I Can Recall!
Photo © jasonGT 

I remember going to Canadian Tire with my mother when I was around J's age. I remember vividly how the man who worked there told my mother that I should really get the 24 inch Diamond Back BMX. However, I was too afraid of the height. I could barely reach the floor with both feet. All I knew for certain was that I absolutely loved the 20 inch BMX I was sitting on instead. It was chrome with Mr. T inspired gold accents a la 80's. It was my first 'big boy' bike and it just felt right. "Are you sure?" my mother asked. I gripped the handlebars tightly, slightly fearful of being refused this guilty pleasure. Before long I found myself riding solo in and out of the streets of Verdun and there began my love affair with two wheels. If I have to explain you wouldn't understand. By the end of the summer of '85 I had outgrown my training wheels and had undertaken adventures that the Goonies would have been proud of!

Who's There? A Trip to Remember by Wolf Raaen

Canyon Ride 2013

12 Days of Perfect Sunshine, Spectacular Scenery &  

Good Folks as Company!

Zion National Park
All Photos & Words © Wolf Raaen

Project A-Team - Stage 1

A Biker is Born?

I am not going to lie to you. The days leading up to collecting the little Yamaha TW200 were fraught with self-doubt and uncertainty. I found myself contemplating cancelling the deal altogether at one point. The matter wasn't helped by the less than stellar service from Motos Illimitées. If it wasn't for the sales guy whom I purchased the bike from, Danny, I might have just been tempted to do just that. In the end, however, I found myself getting ready the other morning with tribulations and uncertainty over the purchase. A special thanks needs to go out to my friend and colleague, Veeresh, who kept his word and collected me to drive me the two hours to Montreal to collect the bike. He seemed incredulous at my uncertainty when we set off but I was never great at lying, so why bother trying. Instead, I found myself trying to remember all of the positive things I had read about the little bike via Adventure Rider and the TW200 forum. My 'mid-bike crisis' was either going to be a home run or a downright fail. My consolation being that at least I didn't spend that much on the bike and inevitably, I could probably just as easily resell it in the Eastern Townships where dual sport motorcycles are highly sought after.

Ode to MR. T - My 1990 Yamaha TW200!

Photo © Freerepublic.com

I have been going through what can only be described as a "mid-bike crisis" as I am uncertain if another cruiser is really the kind of bike I want. I also find myself shying away from larger displacement engines and have been romanticizing over the days when folks wrenched on their 350cc BSA's and travelled all over Europe instead of polishing their 1800 cc + bikes whilst sipping coffee at Tim Horton's. Not that there is anything wrong with the latter. However, websites like Adventure Rider and Horizons Unlimited have been feeding my interest in motorcycling vacations off the beaten track, so to speak. Simply put, I want mud, not chrome on my engine.

Coming of Age: A Biker is Born!

A Biker is Born!

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..." Charles' Dickens famous quote from A Tale of Two Cities seems to sum up my relationship with Serenity fairly well. Whilst the Suzuki Intruder proved to be an exciting venture it came at a financial cost that inevitably I find myself rather not think about. Still, for those of you who have followed many of the modifications I have made to the bike over the years, the bike is a testament to its versatility as I made it my own. The temperamental Serenity, a name which in hindsight seems like an oxymoron now, had different ideas to me when it came to actually riding. Nevertheless, the few thousand miles we did manage to accomplish had its moments, albeit brief. That being said, however, I found myself longing for something more this summer. Pavement has started to lose its appeal as the windy dirt roads that seem predominant in the Eastern Townships have been calling out to me.

Who's There? India's Iron Rider!

India's Biker Brotherhood
Photo © B Radhey 

I always wanted to own a Harley-Davidson at least once in my lifetime, preferably by the age of 40. But till few years back this remained a distant dream, as Harley-Davidson was not allowed to open shop in India. But the American giant, managed to break the ice with what is now famous as the "Mango Diplomacy". Under an agreement with the Indian government, the United States government lifted a very old trade embargo, which now allowed India to ship mangoes to the U.S.A. in return for allowing Harley to open shop in India. So after a lot of deliberations, I decided to buy my first Harley Davidson, an Iron 883 Sportster in 2013. Although this decision had everything going against it. For one Harley's were costing up to 40% more in India than elsewhere, due to the high duties imposed on them to protect the Indian motorcycle manufacturers. Two, they were expensive to maintain and guzzled the very expensive gasoline in India. But above all the Harley's were considered impractical for Indian conditions due to their lower ground clearance. But when your heart rules over the mind, everything else goes blank.

Sariska National Park on a Royal Enfield

A Visit to Sariska National Park, in Rajasthan, India

on a Royal Enfield

By Himanshu Bansal (alias B Radhey) in 2010

Knock, Knock...?
Photo © B Radhey

Who's There? Percy Hart's Quest to Ride

Photo © Yamaha Motorcycles

Summer of 1978 was when I first saw it. I remember not being able to contain my excitement and thought how beautiful she was. Tried as I might, there was no rest for me that night. As I lay awake dreaming I would one day feel the freedom of riding. I did eventually fall asleep with what I am sure was one of the biggest smiles recorded in history for a twelve year old. The object was a brand new 1978 Yamaha Chappy. It was as Green, as I was with envy for the young man who proudly rode around our neighborhood. I remember asking my mother if we could get one. “Are you out of your mind “ was likely the reply she wanted to shout out, however she softly said, “we cannot afford one, and I am not comfortable with you riding one. When you are an adult and no longer living under my roof, you may do as you wish”, was the reply I remember, however that was so many years ago and mom’s reply may have been a little different.