My Bikes

2007 Suzuki DL650 V-Strom, purchased February, 2007

Nickname: The Grey Mule

I like to go on multi-day touring trips around the Pacific Northwest and this bike offers me the biggest bang for the buck. It is more reliable and less expensive than other adventure bikes, it is very easy to ride for long distances, it has a lot of after-market accessories available for it, and there is a large dealership network (in North America, anyway).

I rode 57,000 miles using Givi hard cases (pronounced 'jee-vee'): V46 top case and both E21 and E41 side cases for shorter and longer trips respectively. I have since switched to Touratech Zega Pro anodized aluminum side cases [pictured] but will continue to use the Givi V46 top case. I wear an HJC RPHA Max helmet, Aerostich Darien jacket, and Aerostich AD1 Light pants.

As of mid 2016 I've put 64,000 miles on this bike and have had zero problems with it. Other than consumables like tires, chains, and oil, it has been absolutely reliable. Think about that for a minute. That's the equivalent of going more than twice around the earth without anything breaking.

I have added some upgrades to the bike (commonly called "farkles") most of which are visible in this picture, listed here in numerical order:
    1. Givi windscreen
    2. Madstad adjustable windscreen bracket
    3. Garmin Zumo 220 GPS
    4. Powerlet 12v outlet
    5. Suzuki OEM handguards
    6. Grip Puppies grip wraps
    7. EZ-Pull clutch assist
    8. Wolfman Explorer Light tank bag
    9. Givi V46 top case
    10. Sargent Carbon seat
    11. Heidenau K60 Scout tires
    12. FendaExtenda fender extender
    13. SW-Motech engine guards
    14. SW-Motech aluminum skid plate
    15. Suzuki OEM center stand
    16. Touratech Zegapro anodized aluminum side cases and rack
    17. Stainless steel brake cables
    18. Touratech Long Distance foot pegs
                                      It also has a fork brace made by "Richland Rick" installed on the front forks. I have also had the front forks and the rear shock rebuilt by Jay Jobes of Eagle, Idaho. He did a fantastic job and I'm very happy with his work.

                                      When riding, I often listen to an iPod Touch using Etymotic Research ER6i in-ear earphones. Otherwise I'm wearing foam earplugs. I'm an ATGATT kind of guy (all the gear, all the time).

                                      2012 Suzuki GSX-R750, purchased August, 2012; sold April, 2017

                                      Nickname: Shoot to Thrill

                                      This is my first sport bike. Riding a sport bike is an entirely different experience from a dual-sport and the training and practice (and miles) I put in on my V-Strom has paid off in spades. The V-Strom is a very competent bike, able to handle damn near anything (yet excelling at very few), but the Gixxer is the offspring of an Olympic athlete and a Swiss watchmaker, designed for one thing only: fast fun.

                                      This bike will go from 0-60 mph in less than 3 seconds and has a top speed nearing 170 mph. It corners, brakes, and accelerates like an athlete (the analogy applies really well). After the first few days of adjustment I learned how to ride it properly, making it much more comfortable than one might predict. I have also purchased MotoCentric soft luggage for it -- magnetic tank bag, tail bag, and saddle bags -- for multi-day rides.

                                      1986 Honda Rebel 250

                                      Purchased September, 2006, sold March, 2007. It came with after-market saddle bags, but was missing the owners manual and original tool kit. This was my first street bike (as an adult). It's an outstanding 'first bike' and proved to be very fun and easy to ride. My skills noticeably increased while riding it. I sold the bike because it was too small for me (I'm 5'10") and I wanted something with better speed, comfort, and luggage capacity for long trips.



                                      The very first bike I ever had was a Honda 50. I wrecked it in the 2nd grade, doing a flying Superman nose-dive into the pavement, landing chin first, and bending the front frame in the process. A few years later we sold it and I upgraded to a Honda 80. My Dad gave it to me when I was 12 or 13 years old. I rode it everywhere, even to school and back, right up until I got my drivers license at the age of 16, at which point we sold it.
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