Motorcycle-Related Thoughts

Occasionally, a thought enters my head.  It's scary when it happens because I'm not used to it.  Usually I just wait until the thought leaves but this time I wanted to try something different.  This time, I'm going to write down my thoughts, at least the motorcycle-related ones, and share them with the Internet.

Okay, let's get this thinking over with:

BMW R1200GS Tom Luthi Limited Edition.

This bike is mostly an all-black paint job thrown on BMW's hugely successful GS1200.  There are only 100 units being produced and they will only be sold in Switzerland because that's where Tom Luthi is from.  Who's Tom Luthi, you ask?  Well, apparently he's a Moto2 rider who races on an Aprilia.  I know this because like you, I had no idea who Tom Luthi was and looked him up on Wikipedia.

Aprilia Caponord 1200

For some reason, I have a thing for big trailies.  I thinks it's due to me being too short to get on one so I'm lusting over something I can't have, like Shirley Manson.  Anyway, the bike looks like butt but it's Italian, which is a plus, and it has lots of power, which is another plus.

Oberdon Bezzi

Oberdon Bezzi is an Italian design firm and I think they've wormed their way into my brain and are stealing my thoughts.  Well, some of my thoughts.  I see concept after concept from them and I want each one.  Great work.

Motorcycle Classics Magazine

I have a subscription to this magazine and it's worse than porn.  Seriously, it is.  This month's mag features a bevel-drive Ducati 900SS, a Wes Cooley special edition Suzuki GS1000S, an MV Agusta 125 Sport, a Brough Superior SS100, and a Hercules W-2000.  Add in great pictures and good writing and you have the best American motorcycle mag.  I love it and hope it stays in production forever.

Custom Bikes

I normally don't like custom bikes.  Most builders take a bike and then cut it up and make it useless.  I don't like that.  I like modifications that make a bike faster or have better handling.  I know most bike builders consider themselves artists and all but none of that washes away the awful taste left in my mouth after looking at some bike ruined in the pursuit of art.  And don't even get me started on exhaust wrap or those ridiculous Firestone balloon tires that are so in vogue right now.

Is is Spring yet?

Well, is it?  I'm tired of cold weather.

Small Bore Bikes

Motorcycle engines keep getting bigger, year after year.  Ducati's V-Twin in the Panigale is bigger, the Triumph Explorer has a new, bigger triple and cruiser engines keep expanding faster than American waistlines.  Yet, I myself attracted to smaller bikes.  While big engines add power, they also add weight and that is bad.  I like the idea of a small, lightweight bike that revs to the Moon and back.  And that's why I like the Kawasaki 250 Ninja and wish the Aprilia RS125 was street-legal here in the U.S.  I'd also like an Aprilia RS4 and a Cagiva Mito.  These bikes are no only light, they're also agile, fun and cheap.  One really has to start asking questions when bikes are more expensive than new cars and almost weigh as much.

Whew, I'm glad that thinking stuff is over.  My brain hurts.  I think I'll remedy the ache by watching Top Gear or some other nonsense.