Tales from behind the (handle)Bars.

Falling Behind

2009-05-12T09:39:00.000-07:00

I've been falling behind on my Posts... A few things have slowed me down a little so I'm just going to post a few photos of the last couple of events BMW Triumph has participated in over the last month. Enjoy...

The British are Here

2009-05-02T16:22:00.000-07:00

You'll have to forgive me for not posting the names of the winners at the First Annual British Bike Show at Triumph of Salt Lake - the dog ate my notes.

Marking 107 years in business, Triumph is the world's oldest continuous manufacturer of motorcycles. Jeremy Kanter Triumph's general manager threw the checkbook on the table and sponsored a great openhouse for the British Bike Fans of Utah. If the weather would have co-operated the live music could have pluged in. I like "Blues on First" but sometimes rainy days let me and you down.

Other than lack of music, the turnout was excellent and everyone had a great time. I actually think the shop-made awards were outstanding and they should have made one more to give themselve for orginality. I can hardly wait until next year to see if they can move their own bar higher.

Simpson Pre-ride

2009-05-02T15:07:00.000-07:00

While the actual overnight ride to Simpson Springs was canceled due to rain, the pre-ride was a blast. We were looking for a route that would be interesting but not so challenging that it would discourage novice riders. That was our goal and everyone agreed to stick to the plan and see what the area had to offer. There were seven riders to start, but two had previous commitments and left for home before the ride got interesting.

We found a twistie desert road south of Simpson Springs, that would be part of the ride. Our first probe into the mountains on the east, ended in a rocky wash that was too advanced for our intended participants. Back to the bottom we continued south after seperating with our homeward bound friends, to the next available eastern route that looked promising. The fun meter quickly went to maximum. We made several mud/stream crossings, enjoyed some interesting bottomlands, a cattle guard or two as obsticles and the occasional overhanging desert flora.

Our group seperated 3-2 without knowing it. A wrong turn vs. a right turn, or maybe it was a left turn. Who knows? I was following John up one of the more challenging and steeper hills when I saw him go sideways and then down. Now I never claimed to know much about physics, but why was there a mud puddle in the middle of a hill? Shouldn't water run off? Nevertheless John and his big GS bogged down and I help him out of the hole. Did I mention anything about the weight of a GS? I did say it was big, but when it's in the mud it's a real pig.

OK, we were almost worn out by the time we got him on dry land and it was my turn to tackle the hill. My plan was to go around the mud, but for some reason after I missed my chance to exit the rutted road I decided to power through the hole. It wasn't a good idea and a few second after I went sideways and down. John came running down the hill to lift the bike off my ankle and luckily I wasn't hurt. My ride being the lighter of the two was a lot easier to wrestle with. Once moving I continued to the top of the hill before taking a leisure stroll back down to help John. There still wasn't any sign of our missing friends and John seemed a little irritated, thinking they were ahead of us. "You think they would have waited for us at the top of the damn hill." he said.

"Look on the bright side of things." I told him. "From now on, me and you are mud buddies for life." A few minutes later I heard motors approaching and watch Ken go sideways and down in the same mud hole. "Now that makes me feel better, he's the best rider in our group and now he's covered in mud." Once regrouped we found a series of good dirt roads and hit the slab somewheres around Tinic. Great day. Just absolutely great.

Saturday April 11th

2009-04-12T10:08:00.000-07:00

Saturday was a busy day in my motorcycle social circle. The Beehive Beemer's Monthly Breakfast Meeting was as informative as usual, and the food was Golden Corral standard and delicious. As advertised there was a ride after the meeting, but sorry to say I didn't make it. I had a few things to do at home before the "Road Less Traveled" documentary presentation by Michael Murray at BMW Triumph of Salt Lake. It was a very interesting story and I wish Michael and his partners the greates success in marketing their story.

Special thanks to all the managers at BMW Triumph of Salt Lake for making it all possible. This was truly a group effort and a lot of hard work to make it possible.

Keith's Ride

2009-04-09T11:38:00.001-07:00

Keith got on the phone early Sunday morning howling for a quick ride. The call blossomed into a small gathering at the Coffee Club right after Priesthood. We quickly departed spitting out a few miles of asphalt before picking up two more riders at the Eagle Mountain Chevron. Cedar Fort, to the Pony Express Trail, and north to Johnson’s Pass... The pass is the best slab entertainment this time of year for the area. A two directional ride to pacify the addiction... Is there a better way to spend a pleasant Sunday afternoon with friends? We split into two groups at the west side of the pass. A few GS riders going south on a dirt road in search of who-knows-what, and the other half bound to the gravitational grip of the slab destined to repeat the pass. Fun no matter which way... Thanks for the call Keith. I had a lot of fun, and you can call me anytime you need a riding partner.

Simpson Springs Overnight Ride Soon

2009-04-09T11:06:00.000-07:00

We are getting closer to the overnight ride to the West Desert and I've been poking around looking for roads that will provide our group with a full day of fun. I'm looking forward to seeing who shows up for the adventure.

Utah British Motorcycle Club

2009-03-23T14:35:00.000-07:00

Utah British Motorcycle Club

Last Thursday, March 19th, a group of well-mounted riders from BMW Triumph of Salt Lake crashed the Utah British Motorcycle Club’s monthly meeting at the South Fork Diner on 39th South, between Main and 1st West. It’s a great location for any club’s meetings. The food is excellent, and the meeting room can comfortably seat 50 people. The dealer’s intent was to let the club know they are willing to support them any way possible. Jeremy Kanter the general manager of Triumph of Salt Lake even offered the facility for future meetings and extended an invitation for an onsite luncheon to be scheduled in the future.

It was my first meeting with the club and I learned a few things. First they are a real fun group and were pleased with our visit. Second they have a great schedule of events for the summer. I hope a few of us will be able to make a ride or two with them this summer.

I also learned that several club members are working on restoration project and involved in part manufacturing. I have to say that it was the only meeting of motorcyclists I’ve ever attended where a great deal of the time was spent talking about motorcycles that don’t run. Best wishes to those people looking for old obsolete British Motorcycle parts. The new Triumphs are nothing like the old ones and parts don’t interchange. When I worked on the parts counter at the dealership, one of the hardest things I had to do was explain to some desperate British biker that even though we are the Triumph dealer there is nothing we can to about finding a generator or gasket set for a 1954 Triumph Tiger Cub. We just don’t have those resources. Triumph has moved to the modern era of motorcycle manufacturing. The new ones have electric starters, dependable electrical systems, and fuel injection. Lucas the Prince of Darkness doesn’t ever visit our shop.

Cow Dung Run

2009-03-15T11:27:00.000-07:00

Cow Dung Run
A Smarter Race

Renn Charlesworth in another great finish made the comment, “I ran a much smarter race this time. I’m not nearly as beat up as I was at the Rhino Rally two weeks ago. Granted it’s a shorter course, but I learned a lot at the Rhino and I feel great.”

And he should feel great. This time Renn finished third in his class as he crossed the finish line in front of a tight group of other racers. It’s a provisional finish based on the rider’s board, but the official results that will be out in two weeks will not change his final standing.

When he found a quicksand bog on one of the many river crossings Renn almost buried the G450X. He said, “I almost lost my ride when I hit that quicksand, and it took four other racers to help me pull the bike out. I didn’t think there was any quicksand out there. At least nobody said there was. I lost over 20-minutes on that fall.”

Just before the finish line and only a few feet from the end of the race Renn took his last fall of the day when he dropped the G450X in an otherwise error free run through the manmade rock garden that put many of the competition on their butts and a few out of the race. The rock garden designed to test the skills of the contestants seem to be built for nothing more than the amusement of the spectators. Placed just before the finish line the utility poles, boulders, rocks, and heavy equipment tires gave the course an appearance of being designed by a masochist. It was too much for some and challenging to all. A few of the riders commented on it’s difficulty and one dropped out right behind a string of vulgarity as he pulled his bike under the flagging before riding back to pit row. He wasn’t even a candidate for the sportsmanship trophy.

On the bright side it was a perfect weather day and the event was well organization. Hats off to everyone involved.

Rhino Desert Race

2009-03-05T12:08:00.000-08:00

I had more fun than usual on the last day of February, when I worked support crew for my friend Renn at the Rhino Rally Desert Race in Arizona. Renn captured 6th place in a strong finish in front of a large support group of friends waiting for him to end the race.

Renn rode the new G450X in the Z novice class. It’s a great bike with lots of new innovations and the race proved its durability. The course was 55 miles of brutal terrain that challenged the most seasoned veterans, and dished out more than some of the riders could handle. Considering it was only Renn’s second desert race he finished much stronger than expected.

The next desert race will be March 28th in Delta, Utah, with Jeremy Kanter in the pilot’s seat. The 450 flies.

Winter Bonny Ride.

2009-02-23T07:50:00.000-08:00

It's getting close to the end of February, which is also the first of March; I put my ride in the shop for a full service to take advantage of the winter rates and to be ready for the season. Being the sleaze I am I borrowed a Triumph Bonny for the weekend and I didn’t' park it in the garage, I parked it under my butt. I am impressed. Smooth, comfortable, stable at speed, and affordable. I’m going to try the scrambler next if I can get away with it. Maybe a Thruxton or one of the sport bikes. Maybe even the sport-touring ride, the Sprint ST. Many possibilities, Triumph makes a lot of nice machines. I'm going to do a reserch ride today just to make sure the seat is as comfortable as it should be.

Spring into Spring

2009-01-14T16:45:00.000-08:00

As we crawl through the cold part of the year and move toward spring we're dreaming of those great GS rides in the west desert. At least we should be. The powers at BMW Triumph of Salt Lake are working on a schedule of rides for this summer. Now it's hard to get an accurate weather forecast from here to April, so the first ride is tentatively scheduled as an overnighter to Simpson Springs on April 25th. The actual ride takes place on the 26th. It will be an explore as you will event and more details on the ride and other rides will be posted as we move foreword in the calendar.

Blogman.

New Rides

2009-01-03T09:01:00.000-08:00

I don’t remember the date or time, but we were working on a pitcher of beer in a roadhouse rehashing the better part of our ride. It was a great place to throw down a few cold beers to wash away the dust, and a timeout to give our sore butts a rest before heading home on the slab. While we waited for the second pitcher I asked Renn and Matt what they thought of the ride.

“It was great until we followed Matt down that goat path covered in ball bearings.” Renn said, “And Dale was in way over his head. I was glad I was able to turn him around before he got in too deep.”

“Ya,” I said, “It was a little to steep for everyone except Mark. He’s the amateur and he went down the slope like he owned it. I guess I didn’t make myself clear when I told Matt we were only going to the pass not over it.”

Matt took the ribbing in stride and said. “It looked good to me until I fell over and realized how steep the slope was and how heavy my GS is. It’s a good thing you idiots followed me so you could help me pick it up.”

“Ya. The tough part was finding a place on the wall to park our bikes so we could help you. As it turned out I’m glad we went down that way. Now we know everything the ride has to offer if we reschedule it.” Our overall assessment was; it’s a select-a-rut, dodge-a-boulder ride, with a few good water crossings, excellent terrain in beautiful country with a nice twisty pavement finish. Dale said it was the best ride he’s ever been on. It’s everything a GS ride should be. Challenging dirt, and excellent slab with lots of twisties.

We want to schedule more shop rides, but our best participation comes from our GS riders, and there’s been very little enthusiasm for our road rides. I suggested we do what we do best and concentrate on the GS rides but make an effort to schedule a couple of slab rides for our street riding friends. To this end, we are working on it. By the time summer gets here we should have a good idea of where and when our rides will take place.

Wintertime Blues.

2008-12-18T16:46:00.000-08:00

Here at the bike shop, its dead in the winter. I mean, we all know its going to be dead. Its winter. Its snowing. People aren't really going to be shopping for motorcycle stuff. However, every year, at every bike shop I have worked at, its a surprise.

"Sure is slow this year."

"Man, its dead this year."

We all know. It will not be in the spring. We will be complaining about how busy it is.

What is the lesson to be learned? Easy. If you want to speak at length to any employee at a motorcycle shop, if you want to come in and discuss the pricing of any stuff you may want, come in now. We are starving for attention.