Dirt Bikes Of The Past

Someitmes I can not believe that I am amost fifty and will do so in a little over a year.  This year I will officially have been riding a motorcycle for 40 years.  It doesn't seem that long ago and sometimes it seems ages ago that I got my first dirt bike.  I am not sure what year Yamaha I had for my first bike but believe it was failry new and may have been a 67.  Yamaha are still around but many bikes that were being ridden back then have faded in the blowing desert wind.  Remember Greeves, CZ, American Eagle or how about a Hodaka?  Montessa's, Ossa, Maico, Bultaco or my favorite, the Penton motorcycle.  Thinking of these old bikes reminds me of the days of bench racing, wrench turning, carburator issues, and no suspension but they are good memories. 

I recently wrote a Hub about some of these old bikes and one that has a list of these old bikes is Vintage Dirt Bikes.  Check it out and read some of my other motorcycle Hubs on Penton, Maico and Hodaka.  Also did a piece on Steve McQeen and his racing days.  He was more than just an actor.

Dream Machines

Since I have been writing on Hubpages on some of the 2010 motorcycles that have come out it makes me wish I was able to go out and buy a new motorcycle.  Maybe buy two since I would like to have a street bike and possibly a dual sport to run on the dirt roads here in Iowa.  My dream street bike, as always would be a Ducati Monster and still undecided on what I would ride off-road.  There is a motocrosser that I like that has a seat height were I can actually get my leg over but it is a 110cc bike.  I haven't ridden anything that small since I was a kid, but seat heights were lower back them.  The Kawasaki KLX110L thumper would be a fun ride and may be something I would get once back on the west coast were I can do some desert riding.  Other than having a Ducati I really like the reviews of the Suzuki SZ650S and if I was low on money maybe the Hyosung GT650R which had mixed reviews but with a few changes could be a good bike.  The price tag on that bike is resonable.

I will still dream of owning a Duc and hopefully one day there will be one sitting in my garage.

Maintenance

Just something short since I am thinking of it.

Whether you ride a street bike, dual sport or dirt bike remember that after each ride go over that bike.  What I have done for years which my Dad made us do.  After each ride wash the bike and go over it as you clean it.  This is a good time to make sure everything is in it place.  After you are done wahing and drying it, lube the chain, clean the air filter, etc.  I would especially do this if you have been out pounding the trails or the motocross track.  Better to be safe than sorry.  If you are racing there is nothing worse than getting out there and have something go wrong because you didn't go over the motorcycle.  Save yourself from having a DNF after your name.

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Dirt Bikes and Being a Female Rider.

I just wrote a Hub about trying to find a dirt bike that we as women and short men can ride without needing a step ladder. Looking at bikes and doing research online is amazed at how tall bikes have gotten over the years. I have not ridden anything smaller that a 175cc for over 20 years but it seems that if you want a dirt bike a smaller engine would be the answer. It's not. There are thing that can be done to help shorten that seat height. Some of what you can do is easy; some would take some work and money. My big beef is why the manufacturers make it easier for shorter riders to have a dirt bike that fits. I would think that given that more females are interested in racing and riding that there would be a market for them. I would think in some ways this was and still is an untapped market. I do realize that it may not be cost effective to do this but it would be nice if in their lineup of bikes that there is one that is geared towards those of us with an inseam of 30 inches or smaller. I have also come to the conclusion that women still do not have any say in this market because there are very few working in the motorcycle industry were the decision are made. It would be nice to be able to go out and buy a 350cc or higher and have the bike not be 38 inches tall. Even after you get the suspension set up and trim the seat it would still be an ordeal to get your leg over. How about a limited production bike that gives you the power but is geared towards the shorter rider? I think with effective marketing it could be done. I do not know the statistics on the number of female riders but there would probably be more if they could find a dirt bike that didn’t take tons of effort to get ready to ride.

There is my beef with the motorcycle industry.

Just a word. If you cannot find a new bike or slightly used one, look to some of the older models for the bike you want. I know this is not the solution for all, but will help those that want to ride. I understand having been a former racer that riding the newest thing is the way to go.

To read my Hub Dirt Bikes for Short Riders, Click Here.

Buell Is Shut Down

I never like to see a business fold.  It is even more troubling since this involves a motorcycle manufacturer here in the US.  With record job loss this is another chapter in our failing economy.  Harley Davidson reports a profit loss of 84%.  It seems that Buell is a weak link so they have to go. 

To read more, Click Here.

2010 ISDE (International Six Day Enduro).

For those that follow the ISDE every year the 2010 event will be held in Morelia, Mexico.  This is one of the premier events for off road motorcycle races.  The great actor Steve McQueen qualified in 1964 to represent the US that year.  It was first held in 1913 in Carlisle, England and has been going strong since.  Back then they called in "trials" and was later changed to "enduro".  Having been a former enduro racer and our club for many years were one of the qualifying enduros; I have always had an interest in this event.

This years event starts Oct 12 -17 in Figueria da Foz, Portugal.

Read
Steve McQueen, Motorcycles and the ISDE.

Women and Motorcycles

I know what some of you were thinking when you read the title. For some it was an attention getter. This blog is actually geared towards women that ride or are thinking of riding. Let's start off with there is no one bike for a woman. Women do have to think about things like seat height but so do the guys. Not all men are tall and not all women are short. Our experience levels are all different too. A man just starting out riding should be a little picky about his first bike, so should a woman. No one wants to go out a buy a bike that is intimidating. Make sure the bike fits you. The most important thing is can you plant your feet flat on the ground. Do not rush out and get something just because your buddy has one, or your girlfriend says it's the best bike she's ever seen. No one can tell you want is right for you. Being a beginner rider there are concerns not to bite off more than you can chew. I personally would not tell someone to go out and buy a Ducati 1098R Superbike, if they are a beginner.


As for safety, please wear a helmet. Some states do not require it but please make the choice and buy yourself a DOT rated helmet. Think of it as being responsible to yourself and your family. There is nothing more sad and frustrating than sitting in a hospital with a loved one that is hooked up to a machine. The bills, loss of work, rehab, and stress that plagues the family associated with that person being in the hospital. Worse yet, if you die because you didn't wear a helmet leaves a destroyed family in the wake of your death. Do not be one of those, which people say, "If he/she had only been wearing a helmet". I personally think if you have family, spouse and children it is very selfish of you to ride and not wear a helmet.


The most important thing is to have fun.

Happy Riding and Keep the Rubber Side Down.

For Further Reading:
Motorcycles For Women Riders.
Advice For Women Buying Their First Motorcycle.

Motorcycle Accessories Geared Towards Women Riders.