Product Review- Viking Century Trunk

Several years ago I removed the back seat and sissy bar from my motorcycle to give it a cleaner look. I love how it looks but have had a difficult time find a bag or trunk that would fit securely and also allow for easy access to the stuff inside while secured. In the process of looking for the perfect bag I came across the Viking Century Trunk bag. The bag was priced more than reasonable and having ordered from Viking in the past, I knew that their customer service was bar none. Go check them out, if you haven't already!

When the bag arrived, I could tell it was good quality. The leather and stitching was high quality and the bag was solid and reinforced. Doesn't look like there's any chance of it sagging overtime. A couple side pockets and an organizer inside out to help keep small items from disappearing at the bottom. The bag is also lockable, which is uncommon for leather bags, but awesome for anyone carrying expensive equipment or gear. 

Yesterday I finally got a chance to test it out for the first time (there's been snow on the ground) and I am more than pleased with the bag. It mounted on to the bike with a small strap around the rider backrest and two bungies strapped to the fender struts. It took no longer than a minute to secure it to the bike. After the bag was secured, I packed some camera equipment and some extra gear and headed east into the Colorado plains to watch the sunset over the rockies. The bag didn't shuffle or adjust at all during the ride. Although I didn't have a lot of weight in the bag, it was completely unnoticeable throughout the riding. 

After getting to my turn around point, I decided to take some pictures and the bag allowed me easy access without removing from the bike. The was an important key for me. I have had other duffle type bags that mounted to the rear fender, but they always required removal to access the main compartment. This was not the case with the Viking Century Trunk. 

Two snaps on the lid and a little loosing of the velcro and the bag opens freely to the 2050 cubic inches of storage capacity.

I plan on buying some pluck foam to line the inside with for carrying camera equipment. On top of it being secured to the bike, it's important to me that the gear inside stays safe. So, on top of it being lockable, I'm pleased to see in addition to the over hanging lid designed, secured with velcro, the bag comes with a water-proof cover. It claims to be 100% waterproof and from my brief testing with a garden hose, I don't have any doubts.

Overall, I love this bag. I really don't have anything negative to say about it. When the bag first arrived, the set of keys were missing from the package, but after contacting the vendor, everything got taken care of.

Product Details:

• Dimension: 18''x12''x9'' 
• Capacity: 2050 Cubic Inches 
• Made of Long-Lasting Viking Leather
• 100% Water-proof
• High quality stitching
• Velcro air tight closure
• Extra clean appearance to match your motorcycle, seat, saddlebags and riding apparel
• Smooth and Sleek plain design tail bag
• Lockable buckles
• Reinforced body prevents sagging and long lasting wear
• Body structure remains intact full or bare
• Top transport handle and detachable shoulder strap included
• Can be mounted in multiple ways: attaches to sissy bar, rack or atop passenger seat
• Also includes a comfortable sissy bar strap and two adjustable bungee straps, four durable chromed D-rings and several strap openings
• Body designed protects personal items from harsh weather and other Hat-box style lid with long sides for protection against weather, grime and other factors
• Top opening for easy access
• Two side pockets for smaller items and fast convenient access
• Internal mesh pocket for extra storage and organization
• Universal fitting

Motorcycle House - New gear coming!

Have you guys heard of this place? Wow, seriously affordable motorcycle gear and we'll soon find out about its quality. I haven't order motorcycle gear for a while, but have a leather trunk and jacket coming my way that I plan on doing a thorough review on, so stay tuned!

What type of products would you guys like to see reviewed?

In the mean time, go check this place out and tell me what you think!

http://www.motorcyclehouse.com/motorcycle-apparel.htm

From Utah to Maine and back again: Planning

As some of you know, I will be leaving on July 24 from Orem, Utah and will be riding out to Maine. One of my bucket list items is to ride all 50 states on a motorcycle  and this trip will help me get closer to that goal. In fact, by the end of the trip I'll have motorcycled through 46 states.

If anyone has any suggestions of places to stay or visit, please comment below to let me know or email me at: UtahMotorcyclist@gmail.com

ROUTE: Orem, Mt. Rushmore (two nights), Albert Lia, Milwaukee, Chicago, Edinboro (2 nights), Boonville, Tamworth, Port Jervis, Washington DC, Pittsburgh (3 nights), Terre Haute, Liberty (2 nights), Longmont, Orem

PACKING LIST: I tend to pack light and do laundry at hotels along the way. 

·         Riding gear

o   Chaps

o   Jacket and liner

o   Vest

o   Gloves X2

o   Boots

o   Helmet

o   Glasses X2

·         Clothes

o   Jeans X2

o   Shorts

o   T-Shirts X4

o   Long Sleeve Shirt

o   Socks X4

o   Tennis Shoes

o   Underwear X4

o   Hat

o   Tubewear

·         Toiletries

o   Sunscreen

o   Lip Balm

o   Tool brush/paste

o   Nail clippers

o   Deodorant

o   Powder

o   Contacts/fluid

o   Spare contacts

o   Comb

o   Glasses

o   Ibuprofen/Tylenol

o   Band aids

·         Tool Kit

o   Pump

o   Plugs

o   Metric wrenches

o   Metric allen wrenches

o   Screw drivers

o   Electrical tape

o   Fuses

o   Plug/Front wheel tool

o   Leatherman

o   Zip ties

o   Velcro straps

o   Trash bags

o   Bungee Net

o   Tire pressure gauge

·         Maps

·         Motorcycle cover

·         Disk Lock

·         Engine guard chaps

·         Laptop

·         Cell phone

·         Camera

·         Chargers

·         Ipod/ear-buds

·         CDs

·         Insurance/registration

·         VBA Emergency contact list

·         Freezer bags

·          

Long Ride Sheilds on a Hoppe Industries Fairing

A shorter shield complements a batwing fairing nicely, but it often doesn't provide the wind protection you need. In my research to find the best of both worlds, I found several companies that make recurved shields for fairings. Long Ride Shields has a good reputation on the HDForum and their prices are very competitive, so I decided to go with them. http://www.longrideshields.com/

I first ordered a 7" (shortest available) X-Stream Shield. The X-Stream Shield appealed to me because it has a recurved edge, but also has sides that dip and direct the wind downward on the front forks, promoting better stability. The shield worked as promised, but unfortunately it was too tall. I am 5"8" and have lowered the rear suspension on my Kawasaki Nomad.

So, I ordered a 6" Ultra Recurved Shield. The Ultra doesn't have quite as intense curve in it, so I was able to push it down in the fairing a bit more and it's probably positioned more like a 5.5"

The shields both were designed for a Harley Davidson batwing fairing and were about 1/2" wider than the Hoppe Industries Fairing. To make it work, I had to trim just a bit off the bottom edges. Also, for the first shield, I ordered the 5-hole pattern but two of the holes didn't line up correctly and I had to drill new ones. This is not LRS' fault because this shield is designed for a different fairing, but when I ordered the second shield I called and asked that no holes be drilled, which worked out better for me.

The two shields were both great quality and I'd highly recommend Long Ride Shields to anyone looking to upgrade their fairings shield.

Long Ride Shields 7" X-Stream Shield

Long Ride Shields 7" X-Stream Shield

Long Ride Shields 7" X-Stream Shield

Long Ride Shields 7" X-Stream Shield

Long Ride Shields 6" Ultra Recurved

Long Ride Shields 6" Ultra Recurved

Long Ride Shields 6" Ultra Recurved

Long Ride Shields 6" Ultra Recurved

They are taking orders now and will only be making 100 of them! http://www.erikbuellracing.com/

2012 EBR 1190RS

50 Years of Kicks - An Inspiring Documentary

Men do not quit playing because they grow old, they grow old because they quit playing" -Oliver Wendell Holmes

How to Help Your Lady Enjoy the Ride

You might be thinking you just accidentally accessed your e-mail’s junk folder. But this is not an article about a magical, blue pill. All joking aside, many of us have a friend or significant other who we want to ride with us but who is somewhat hesitant. Whether the hesitance is due to fear, discomfort, or disinterest, here are a few tips to help him or her have a better experience.
SEAT
Many novice riders don’t realize how uncomfortable the vibrations of even a smooth bike can be on a longer ride. For a passenger, who is often less engaged in the ride, the discomfort can be difficult to ignore. One of the best ways to ease this discomfort is with a good seat. There are several different options and since every bike and butt is different, it is a good idea to try one out before purchasing, perhaps by sitting on a friends bike (with permission of course).

While you’re looking at seats, make sure you get a backrest (sissybar) too. For those of us who are always in the pilot’s seat, it can be difficult to realize how unnerving sitting on back without one can be. Having to keep a grip on the passenger or handrails unceasingly can be very tiring, especially for a fearful passenger. You’ll notice your passenger’s death grip loosen up as she realizes she’s not going to fall off the back if she relaxes a bit.GEAR
Even with a backrest, many passengers will still feel vulnerable unless they have protective gear. Often the more and higher quality the gear is, the safer your passenger will feel. As a minimum, your passenger should have a good helmet. Consider a full-face because, with the passenger seat a little higher than the driver seat, the wind buffetings often hit her harder, even with a windshield, and a full-
face will help. Additionally, many passengers will feel more comfortable with a good jacket, protective pants/chaps, good riding boots, and gloves. If your passenger will be riding with you often, let her choose his gear to ensure a proper fit and help encourage her to wear it. And don’t forget rain gear. Being unprepared during that inevitable rainstorm could ruin anyone’s day.PASSENGER FLOORBOARDS
Most touring bikes already have passenger floorboards, but if your bike doesn’t have them, this is something you should definitely consider adding. Floorboards increase the range of secure foot placement for your passenger, which is especially important because they are more susceptible to leg cramps than the driver is (since they do not have to regularly move their legs to change gears or brake).INTERCOMS
One thing that is a bit of a luxury but that really changed the riding experience for my wife was a good intercom system. Being able to communicate with one another—chat about the scenery, the destination, whatever—without having to scream, will make a huge difference for the passenger. Our Scala unit also allows us to answer phone calls and listen to music.SAFETY/TRAINING
Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) classes are not just for the driver. Because a passenger will change the characteristics of how the bike moves, the riding techniques needed to safely maneuver the bike should be understood by the passenger as well as the driver. The MSF manual says “passengers should be considered as a second ‘active’ rider so they can help ensure that safety and procedural operations
are correctly followed.” Here are a few basic procedures recommended by MSF:
a. Complete personal protective gear is properly in use.
b. Hold operator’s waist or hips, or motorcycle’s passenger hand-holds.
c. Keep feet on footrests at all times, including while stopped.
d. Keep hands and feet away from hot or moving parts.
e. When in a corner, look over the operator’s shoulder in the direction of the corner.
f. Avoid turning around or making sudden moves that might affect operation.
g. If crossing an obstacle, stand on the pegs with the knees slightly bent and allow the legs to absorb the shock upon impact.Unlike some junk mail ads, I can’t guarantee a successful result or your money back. But I can give you my testimonial that the foregoing tips worked well for my wife and me—no medical precautions attached and no need to consult your doctor for elation lasting longer than 6 hours.

And if all else fails, buy her her own motorcycle.

The back of a frozen Utah Lake

Deals Gap, North Carolina (318 turns with 11 miles)

Daytona Beach, Florida

No such thing as too cold

In all honesty, I don't ride nearly as much as I wish during the winter months. I probably ride less over the winter than I do in a week or two during the summer. But when the roads are clear and have been for a few days, I try to get out an enjoy a ride.

Today I had the chance to get out for a few hours and I was pleasantly surprised at how much warmer I was with my new fairing. In the past I've had a windshield, which helps a lot, but the fairing makes just that much more of a difference.

I knew I would be out for a few hours, so I bundled up with the following:

Feet: Wool socks and tall leather boots

Legs: Thermals, jeans, and leather chaps

Torso: Thermals, fleece shirt, and leather jacket

Head: Bavaclava and full-face helmet

Hands: Gerbing G3 heated gloves

After two and a half hours in 35 degree temps, at various speeds, I was still just fine. The only part of me that was even cold was my feet. I have some engine guard chaps that I should have put on the bike which I'm sure that would have taken care of my feet.

(February 11, 2012)

(December 8, 2011)

(31 degree ride on December 24, 2011)

(February 14, 2010)

(November 14, 2010- Aprox. 10,000 elevation)

Motorcycle Quotes

If you know of some good motorcycle quotes or sayings, please share them as a comment below.

Four wheels move the body. Two wheels move the soul.

Saddlebags can never hold everything you want, but they CAN hold everything you need.

The only good view of a thunderstorm is in your rear view mirror.

Don't ride so late into the night that you sleep through the sunrise.

Sometimes it takes a whole tank of fuel before you can think straight.

Never hesitate to ride past the last street light at the edge of town.

Never do less than forty miles before breakfast.

One bike on the road is worth two in the garage.

New riders pick a destination and go. Experienced riders pick a direction and go.

Whatever it is, it's better to do it in the wind.

Two-lane blacktop isn't a highway, it's an attitude.

People are like motorcycles; each is customized a bit differently.

The best alarm clock is sunshine on chrome.

Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at 70 mph can double your vocabulary.

If you want to get somewhere before sundown, you can't stop at every tavern.

There's something ugly about a NEW bike on a trailer.

A long ride can clear your mind, restore your faith and use up a lot of fuel.

If you can't get it going with bungee cords, wire and electrician's tape, it's serious.

Never try to race an old geezer, he may have one more gear than you.

You can forget what you do for a living when your knees are in the breeze.

Only a biker knows why a dog sticks his head out the car window.

There are two types of people in this world; people who ride motorcycles and people who wish they did.Four wheels move the body. Two wheels move the soul.

What a cool gift! And it's not even Christmas yet.

My wife recently gave me this painting/drawing of my motorcycle. Pretty cool, huh!?

Making It Mine

I recently had an article on my bike build published in Kawasaki's Accelerate Magazine. Check it out and let me know what you think!

http://accelerate.presspublisher.us/issue/nov11/article/customnomad

Fantasy Garage

If you had unlimited funds and could have 7 bikes, one for everyday of the week, what would they be? Please share your dream bikes as a comment at the bottom of the post.

Here is my list, in no particular order. Some even surprised me.

2012 Harley Davidson CVO Road Glide Custom: I absolutely love the looks of the 2012 CVO RG. I think it is the hottest factory bagger on the road.


BMW GS1200: I have a dream of someday taking a cross country trip on dirt roads, only seeing pavement in order to get gas. I don't know a lot about dual sport bikes, but the GS has a great reputation among those Adventure riders.


2012 Kawasaki ZX14R: The new, worlds fastest factory motorcycle, with more than 200+ horse power. This beast would be amazing to take to the track! I'd probably kill myself, but do so with a smile.


MY Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Nomad: I have had three Nomads and love them. They are not great at one single thing, but they are good at just about everything you could as from a bagger. Coming from the factory with with more bang for your buck than any other cruiser.


Big Bear Chopper Merc: I have no idea why I would want one of these except that they seem intriguing to me. Having never ridden one, and this being MY fantasy garage, I think I'll have one.


Indian Chief Ventage: I really like the looks of the large skirted fenders and look forward to seeing what Victory does with their new ownership of Indian Motorcycles.


Triumph Bonneville Bobber: I would like to buy an old Bonneville and bob/chop it up, so this bike would HAVE to be one I built, otherwise it wouldn't be anything special. I like the looks of this one, but I would have a lot of detailed striping done as well. The Bonneville would be my first choice of bike to bob, but if one wasn't available I'd go with a Sportster.

Utah Motorcyclist is on facebook!

I recently set up a facebook page for UtahMotorcyclist.org. I have recently uploaded 45 pictures of places throughout the country and will try to post daily activities and events there. Please show your support and by "liking" the page and sharing links.

To find the page, click on this link HERE.


Or on the tab at the top of the page that says "Facebook"

Thanks!

-Jared

Why Do You Ride?

Why do you ride? There seems to be endless reasons why you shouldn’t and yet every year more and more people choose two wheels instead of four. What’s the reason?

When I purchase my first motorcycle, my wife told me I just paid for my death. Now, she is a seasoned passenger who has logged well over 20K miles, throughout the country.

I came across this today and I think it describes why I ride about as well as anything I’ve read.

A motorcycle is not just a two-wheeled car; the difference between driving a car and climbing onto a motorcycle is the difference between watching TV and actually living your life. We spend all our time sealed in boxes and cars are just rolling boxes that shuffle us from home-box to work-box to store-box and back, the whole time, entombed in stale air, temperature regulated, sound insulated, and smelling of carpets. On a motorcycle I know I’m alive. When I ride, even the familiar seems strange and glorious. The air has weight and substance as I push through it and its touch is as intimate as water to a swimmer. I feel the cool wells of air that pool under trees and the warm spokes of sunshine that fall through them. I can see everything in a sweeping 360 degrees, up, down and around, wider than Pana-vision and IMAX and unrestricted by ceiling or dashboard. Sometime I even hear music. It’s like hearing phantom telephones in the shower or false doorbells when vacuuming; the pattern-loving brain, seeking signals in the noise, raises acoustic ghosts out of the wind’s roar. But on a motorcycle I hear whole songs: rock ‘n roll, dark orchestras, women’s voices all hidden in the air and released by speed.

Mount St. Helens Ride

A free Saturday!

With the weather turning cold and the riding days of 2011 being limited, taking advantage of a free Saturday is a must. The night before, I browsed Facebook and discovered that there was a appreciation event at Timpanogos Harley, which included breakfast, a show, and a ride. After my awesome pancakes, I enjoyed checking out all the custom bikes.






A majority of those who showed up to the event went over a very narrow mountain pass as the group ride. I have been riding long enough that those type of rides aren't fun anymore. So, a friend and I took off in a different direction, going to Camp Floyd and getting our $2 history lesson.



After leaving Camp Floyd we took a scenic route, going along the back side of the Oquirrh mountains, stoping in Ophir and then continued to SLC for lunch with a group of VROC (Vulcan Riders Owners Club) friends.



With a wife going through law school and a 8 month old, free Saturdays seem like they are less and less common. It was nice to be able to ride 175 miles, see some beautiful bikes, and enjoy lunch with a great group of fellow riders.

Jared M. Gant