An Epic Trip Across America - France in America

In June, 2010 fellow blogger, motorcyclist and long-trip rider started a 21,000 miles through 27 states of the USA (link to day one of trip).  Prior to the trip he spend months researching, purchasing and preparing for the epic adventure which included shipping his bike from England to New York City in America.

During Gary France's research he came across my blog.  He read and commented on my post about Spearfish Canyon we corresponded and read each others blog.  I found his pending trip fascinating and I was jealous.

Photo from Gary's website
 

Many motorcyclists found his blog and began following his prep and his trip.  His posts were informative and well-written.  His photos were AWESOME (check out his photos of Yellowstone NP) and his numerous videos were of equal quality (link to one video).  I especially liked his 1,000 miles photos - a picture taken of his bike (check out the great paint job) each time he logged 1,000 miles (link).

By the end of his trip he was being encouraged to write a book about his trip.  After some relaxing back home in England he decided he would publish his tale and a lot of his photos.  All who were following his blog were very happy of his decision.  He kept us updated on the progress of the writing/publishing of the book.

Gary offered to send anyone who had posted a comment to his blog, during the trip, a complimentary copy of his book "France in America"!  His generosity is humbling and greatly appreciated.

Cover photo of book - taken from Gary's website

When I received my book it was like Christmas!  I was blown away by the size (400 page) of the coffee-table book.  The quality is top-notch with a first-class finish.

France in America takes the reader from New York City to Los Angeles through 27 states, numerous national parks, past great vistas and introduces the reader to some of Americas best citizens.  He shares facts, details and his heart.  His photos serve up a wide variety of beauty the USA has to offer.

The route of his trip

I highly recommend France in America for anyone who loves motorcycles, traveling or Americana.  Readers will enjoy each page of stories, insights, details and photos. The book is awesome! You will not be disappointed with your purchase.  Purchase the book through Gary's book site or Amazon.

Also check out Gary's website.  He has all kinds of info including many other tours he has taken in Europe.  His vast riding experiences and thorough planning makes for great trips and great reading.  Any of us on the USA side of the pond should contact him before experiencing Europe.  He can provide great info.

Thanks Gary for the incredible book and for sharing your experiences with all of us.  I apologize for the tardiness of this overdue review of France in America.  

 

Ride carefully and prayerfully!   

 

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He is legal and on a Kawasaki Ninja 250

It took longer than I thought, but it is done - Richard is now a legal licensed motorcyclist. 

Arrived home ready to show off his paper!

Getting a motorcycle license for a 15 year old takes several steps (at least in Texas, but I suspect most states are very similar).  We opted for the parent taught program.

Steps:

1) Obtain a drivers permit (allowing a driver to drive when accompanied by a licensed driver at least 21 years old).  This required the first 6 hours of "classroom" instruction and passing the state "Driver's Permit" test.  (3 hours at the DMV to get this done)

2) Complete and pass the Motorcycle Safety Course.  He completed and passed the course even with the test portion taking place in some light rain. 

3) Complete the remaining 26 hours of "classroom" instruction.  This took some time because school was ending and there were a lot of activities and tests.

4) Pass the Class C test.  (3.5 hours of waiting just to take the test!)  This was accomplished Monday (June 11). 

5) Schedule a riding test and then pass the riding test (scheduled test are 6 weeks out!  Collin County has one DMV to service a very populated area).  So how did he get to take the riding test so soon?

Ready to take the test

Here is the story behind getting scheduled so quickly.

After he finished the test on Monday the lady finalizing the paperwork mentioned she was a new employee.  She never mentioned to us anything about scheduling the riding test.  Once out of the building I checked the paperwork.  She had issued a class CM license (which is the designation for a motorcycle license)!  I called a friend in the sheriff department and told him what was on the paper.  Sure enough it was legal.  We were pumped that we would not have to suffer through the long lines.

Later I got a message - the DMV had caught the mistake and I needed to call them first thing Tuesday morning.  I called at 8:00 when they opened.  Since it was their mistake they would give him the test as soon as I could get him and the bike to the DMV!   "We will be there at 8:00 tomorrow morning", I said.

We arrived and were assisted as soon as they opened.  He was taking his first legal ride home by 9:00!

On the way home as a licensed biker!

We are both stoked!  He followed me home.  We stayed off the main roads, but he did great! 

He will only ride when I am riding for now.  I will ride with him to youth group tonight (he is ready to show his friends) and we will start riding a lot.  He needs to get some miles in the saddle before we leave for Orlando, Florida on July 11th.

Proud dad and new biker

Let the adventures and awesome memories begin.

 

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Big Christmas surprise for my son.

I have greatly enjoyed my son riding with me on the bike for the past 7+ years.  We have ridden a lot of miles to and from school, around town. and with friends.  We have enjoyed some great summer trips to Colorado, Yellowstone National Park, Deals Gap, Mount Rushmore, and more.

He is now taller than me and riding as a passenger have become less comfortable for him.  We saw this day approaching and have been planning on the next course of action.  My wife and I decided to let him get a bike when he was old enough.

He turns 15 at the end of February and will be eligible to get licensed.  During the summer he told me he wanted to start with a Ninja 250.  I told him to start saving because I would pay 1/2 when the time came.  He thought we would start shopping this coming spring.

I started looking a few months ago without his knowledge.  I found some poor overpriced Ninjas.  I kept looking and came across a 2005 Ninja 250 in great condition.  A friend and I looked it over and I took it on a test spin.  I liked it and we came to agreeable terms.  Since it was six weeks before Christmas I stored it at a friend's house (Thanks Mac).  We cleaned it, added a Bad Boy air horn, and some additional lights.

Wrapped with a bow - just like the commercials

This morning we surprised Richard with the bike. I told him to wait a minute and then bring mom to the garage for a special gift, he thought it would be for him mom.  We rendered him speechless.

He realizes that I did not really have a gift for him mom, but for him

After breakfast he was ready to start it up and sit on it for a while.

We visited my parents and some sisters so we have not take the bike out for a ride yet.  We will visit a local school parking lot this week and let him ride his first street bike.

I am looking forward to this new chapter in our riding stories.  I am sure there will be future posts concerning our new arrangement.

Merry Christmas!

A Must See Attraction in the Smoky Mountains

Sometimes people rant and rave about a place, building it up, only to result in unmet expectations.  That is not the case with Wheels Through Time motorcycle museum.  During our recent trip to southwest North Carolina some friends and I visited the museum in Maggie Valley, NC and my expectations were met and exceeded.

The unassuming building holds an amazing amount of history

Maggie Valley is a nice town that sits on US 19 on the eastern edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park 35 miles west of Asheville, NC and 66 miles east of the famous Deals Gap and the Tail of the Dragon.

We arrived early Sunday morning and there were only two other motorcycles in the parking lot.  We were greeted by some great vintage bikes before entering the building.  Once in we were welcomed by very friendly staff.

 One of the bikes on the outside steps

What a nice Harley

A staff member answered many of our questions and started telling us about different bikes.  We learned that all the bikes are American made and nearly all of them would run.  Using their computer in the gift shop I showed him the photos of my grandpa's bike on my blog and asked if they had one like it in the museum.  He directed me to two bikes and he felt it was one of them, either the 1915 or 1916  Harley.  It was cool to see the bike up close.

 This might have been the same model my grandfather rode.

As we continued looking the owner's son Matt came by and spent a great deal of time with us.  He told us many interesting stories about different bikes and how they acquired them.  He told us the history of different makes and styles.  He talked to us about flat track racing, dirt racing, hill climbing, and the historic Jack Pine enduro races.  

Matt also started up 5 different bikes for us.  One of them was 100 years old!  A very rare 1913 Thor 1000c race bike - watch the video below - turn up the sound and hear Matt tell us about the bike.

1913 Thor racing bike (Video by Jerry Bryant) - subscribe to YouTube Channel

Matt also told us the history to the Jack Pine enduro race and how they got the Harley-Davidson with sidecar that had raced in the Jack Pine several times.  He then fired it up for us.

Jack Pine race (Video by Jerry Burden)- subscribe to YouTube Channel

There were so many bikes and many were rare.  The rarest was the one of a kind Traub.  The 1917 Traub was found bricked up in an apartment in Chicago in 1967.  There is no information about the builder.  (For more info click here.)

1917 Traub - a true one of a kind

There are 26 different American made brands in the museum.  The history is amazing and the personal attention the owner Dale and his son gave us was awesome.  Too many bikes and too much information to put in a post.  If you are anywhere near Maggie Valley do yourself a favor and visit the Wheels Through Time museum.  I really don't think you will be disappointed.  Below are a few more photos to enjoy.

 DOT approved ???

 A rare Elk in running condition

 Check out the big rear fender

 Flat track racer

 American made ACE

 Board trac racing display

Military Harley

Many more bikes, parts, cars, and more are on display at the museum.  If you enjoy motorcycle history this is the place to visit.  A bonus is all the great roads to ride while you are in the area.

 

Ride carefully and prayerfully!    

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"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6 

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International Motorcycle Show

The Progressive International Motorcycle Show kicked off in Dallas, TX this past weekend (Nov. 12-14, 2010).  The show featured most major manufacturers; however, I was disappointed that Triumph, BMW, and Victory did not have booths.  Victory was represented by two local shops (Family PowerSports & Rick Farless' Strokers Dallas).  The IMS website states that Triumph, BMW, Ducati, and Victory will be at selected shows.  I am glad Ducati was at the Dallas show.

I forgot my camera, but my son took some photos with his phone. I am going to only a few photos, but if you would like to see some great pics go to Torch's Midlife Motorcycle Madness Blog. He posted a lot of great pictures using 5 different posts.   IMS 1     IMS 2       IMS  3     IMS 4     IMS  5

My son and I enjoyed the show.  We took in the Team No Limit Stunt Show with Jason Britton and his TV co-star, Eric Hoenshell.  My son actually watched it twice and took a lot of pictures, but that phone camera is not that good.

Team No Limit Stunt Show

I am impressed with what they can do.

There were several other special show features including Women Ride, Custom Bike Show, Demo rides,... - Link for all the show features and manufacturers.

The highlight for me was found at the Ducati booth.  I have been impressed with European bikes for a long time although I have never owned one.  I have also started developing a desire to purchase a dual sport and do some riding on the mountain roads in Colorado.  I spent some time talking to "Elvis Jr." of European Cycle Sport in Plano about the Ducati Multistrada 1200.  The technology on that bike is awesome.   I think that is the dual sport bike for me.  Just don't know when that will happen. 

Ducati also gave North America it's first look at the Diavel.  The Diavel really caught my eye.  It is a nice looking bike with quality finishing.  I think I will have to make a trip down to European Cycle Sport and do a test ride.  

The Diavel looks fast!

The International Motorcycle Show is worth attending.  There are vendors for gear, accessories, etc., the big manufacturers booths, and several special features.  You can touch and sit on a lot of bikes and see the new models.  The difficult part is going home without so many things that I wish I could have.  Oh well, it sure is fun to look.

Ride carefully and prayerfully!    

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Connect and follow Biker Oz on the following:

        

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Please visit the following great companies:

THE ESSENTIALS FOR MODERATE SELF-IMPROVEMENT

 

Awesome gear for every rider!

* I have personally ordered from and/or visited these businesses and based on my experiences I recommend this company.  I have an affiliate relationship with the businesses, which means if you follow this link and purchase, I will receive a small commission and will get to ride more!
 

Feedback on these businesses is appreciated.  You may comment below.

 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6 

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Yamaha V Star 1100 Review

There are many good cruisers for beginners on the market today.  When I look back at all the bikes I have ridden one of the all time favorite cruisers was my 2003 Yamaha V Star 1100.  It was my second motorcycle, but the one I kept for the longest until recently.  The Yamaha V Star 1100 is the bike I rode the most miles.

Below is a review I posted in 2009 about the V Star 1100.  I have added some details at the end of the original post.


I ride a 2003 Yamaha V Star 1100 Silverado. I bought it used in March 2005 and it had less than 14,000 miles. Well, as of today (September 16, 2009) it has just over 92,000 miles. The picture above was taken July 17, 2009 in Vicksburg, MS near the Mississippi River Bridge. I was on my way home from Florida.

I have greatly enjoyed the bike. The ride is smooth and the handling is awesome. Due to the low center of gravity and quality engineering making tight U-turns, quick swerves, or riding aggressively in the twisties is smooth and very comfortable. I never feel like the bike is going to fall over or get away from me.

The engine is good, although I rejetted it and put K & M pod air filters on it in order to increase the power. I am not for sure why Yamaha designed the engine in such a way that there is a lot of untapped power, but they did. The power is still good and I can roll on the throttle to pass when I need to. I even have a trailer that I pull with the bike. I pulled it on a 12-day trip from Texas to Colorado and through the mountains. The bike never faltered.

I currently have a Mustang seat and pillion, but in all honesty I wish I still had my stock seat. I loved the way it felt. The position of the floorboards are very comfortable and allow a lot of foot movement and placement options, which is nice on those long rides.

Overall the question is, "Would I buy a V Star 1100 again?" I answer with a resounding "Yes!"

The bike is great and is an incredible good value for the price!

Additional info:
I sold the cruiser in May of 2010 with 110,000+ miles on the odometer.  It was still running strong.

While I had the bike I changed grips and added handlebar risers whick I purchased through J and P Cycles. 

Finally, would I say the Yamaha V Star 1100 is a good beginner motorcycle?  Yes, but it is also a good motorcycle for experienced riders.    It has a low center of gravity and is one of the best handling motorcycles I have ever ridden.  Shame that Yamaha does it make the V Star 1100 anymore.

Ride carefully and prayerfully! 

Check out Motorcycle Facts and Trivia   

 Top Five Oz Videos

  

Connect and follow Biker Oz on the following:

        

Ordinary Biker Oz YouTube Channel has video reviews and more

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Come Ride With Us 

Please visit the following great companies:

THE ESSENTIALS FOR MODERATE SELF-IMPROVEMENT

 

Awesome gear for every rider!

* I have personally ordered from and/or visited these businesses and based on my experiences I recommend this company.  I have an affiliate relationship with the businesses, which means if you follow this link and purchase, I will receive a small commission and will get to ride more!
 

Feedback on these businesses is appreciated.  You may comment below.

 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6 

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