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Grand Tetons

and WHEN Taking a break...

December 2011

Recently, I and a friend found ourselves Foster Parents to rescued Labrador Retrievers, Molly and Iggy.

If a link brought you here, pictures are below.

Molly, 26 mos, 57#, current shots and spayed.

(UPDATE! Molly has a new family.)



Iggy, 13 mos, 60#, current shots and is neutered. 

Understanding uncertain economic times, please think long and hard about the promise of longterm care when adopting a pet companion.

And please neuter or spay your pets. (More information about neutering or spaying your pets can be found at the ASPCA or Humane Society websites.)

Thank you.

Greetings and welcome!

motowildwest.com is a site for motorcycle enthusiasts and more.  Arguing that there is no bad motorcycle, every motorcycle has a mission. And for every motorcycle there is a pilot-rider.

This site is about acquiring the motorcycle, achieving a happy relationship between rider and motorcycle, and promotng motorcycle safety and adventure. If you have purchased a motorcycle or are thinking about purchasing a motorcycle, stop here first to get "an ear full" of useful advice.

Whether one seeks advice on choice of equipment, weather survival tips, or facts and opinions on safely negotiating traffic, we are not only motorcycle enthusiasts but folks that ride everyday. We commute. We perform errands. We ride to dinner with our dates.

And with experience, we have sometimes used our machines to safely push the limits of man and motorcycle on longer treks.  Over the next few months, we will share our motorcycle adventures with you in hopes that you can get the most out of your own motorcycle adventures.

Stay tuned for upcoming links to video and informational articles on preparing for your own adventure as well as reviews on equipment and some of the exciting trips that have already taken place and what we have learned.

Thank you for taking the time to visit.

• Consultations:  Equipment purchase
• Continued Motorcycle Safety Education
• New Rider-Pilot Coaching Services
• Trip and Route advice
• Travel Blogs, Events and Ride reviews

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Arizona and California offer some of best and most accessible riding offered in the world.

On any given weekend, Moto is on the road! If there is a biking or aviation event in your neighborhood, Moto might be there.

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Meanwhile, please direct your inquiries to:

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part of series of articles on getting the most out of  motorcycle ownership:

November 2011

Excellent reading:

October 2011

Epilogue to an accident.

Rarely if ever do accidents result from one causal factor. There are usually a string of incidents, mostly preventable, that take place in a short period of time that serve to ruin your day, somebody else's day, or worse.

Accidents usually occur as a result of, or a combination of, poor training, lack of competency, and poor risk management.

Lets divide the potential for accidents into three areas: Driver, Machine and Environment.

As a driver, the amount of miles spent on the seat is not necessarily a sign of experience. If you are honest with yourself, there is always something you could or should be better at. Research it, learn it (with a coach if possible), and stay current in your skill.

Riding for me has been a stress reliever, but there have been times that there are too many distractions with other events in my life. "Off the helmet should come" imagining that Yoda said it (Star Wars).

Assessing an acceptable risk level for any given situation or trip is essential. Having the discipline to walk away from the machine  is at times necessary in keeping you and yours as safe as possible.

Know when your ability to perform tasks is compromised- stop or turn it off whether it is a cell, music or GPS. Adrenaline is a difficult substance to manage in the long term of a ride. Stop, take a break, especially after intensive circumstances that you are not used to.

Ride within your capabilities, not the imagined ones. Use an 80/20 rule on the street. Leave twenty percent for sudden road hazards or maneuvering. If you are riding in traffic, maintain a low closing speed while appraoching or overtaking (or lane splitting- CA only) If you are smooth, you are faster than you think you are.

Motorcycles today are deceivingly powerful and smooth. They come equipped with a multitude of electronic assistance, or distractions- ABS, Traction Control, Suspension Control and Linked Braking...  Even if researched, learned and practiced, this fine tools can complicate extreme situations.

Know your machine, its capabilitys, and keep your equipment well-maintained. Perform a safety check before each ride. Unpleasant surprises come in overlooking unscheduled maintenance events.

The environment for any given ride can change via weather, altitude, temperature or traffic density. Research weather prior to departure, and equip yourself accordingly. Have a back-up plan or two. Keep extra equipment onboard, gloves, dry socks or extra clothing. Always carry a poncho!

If you haven't ridden on it (roads) in it (weather) lately, perhaps a shorter training ride in conditions would be more appropriate as a prelude to that big weekender. Continually ask yourself three questions. Is it safe, i.e. do I pose a hazard to myself or others? Is it efficient, or am I being accurate and smooth? Am I and is my passenger comfortable?

Keen attention to all of this doesn't necessarily mean that you won't have an accident. Chances are that even if you are a hard core rider, often and with the response and balance of a cat, you will be involved in a serious accident eventually. Perhaps, at least, adherence to the above advice will minimize the severity of what could happen.

So these things I think about as I heal from three broken ribs and broken toe.

August 2011

July was a busy month with a 2-day ride to and in Death Valley on the CBR in July...yes July.

And it was hot! So how did I remain sane and alive?

First off, consider your physical fitness level. And treat yourself right by drinking water before you are thirsty. Avoid diuretics such as soda and beer until the riding is complete for the day. Eat normally.

If you are a fan of the Dakar Rally, especially the nostalgic one in Africa, participants, some spectators and most locals are covered as in full body clothing. Take an example from the locals. Cotton variety clothing is usually best as it regulates sweating when worn loosely as well as covers exposed skin.

Covering exposed skin regulates the loss of body fluids during sweating. Tank tops and vests look cool but. Mesh jackets are also inadequate in this extreme. I was equipped with a Belstaff Zodiac jacket that while reasonably well vented also protected my skin from burn.

A serious burn can be achieved in as little as 15 minutes. As a driver, you might be too preoccupied to notice until it is too late. Any passengers will likely become uncomfortable quickly.

And don't forget the danger and potential unhappiness heat stress, exhaustion or stroke can cause. Talk to the attendant at the Chevron Station in Furnace Creek- he has a few tales to tell.

It is a good idea to research symtoms to the above conditions that you, or somebody observing you in your group, can get help quickly. Carry a tarp to protect you from sun in case your bike breaks down.

And have a back-up plan for your group in case conditions become untolerable. Mt. Charleston, higher altitudes and cooler temperatiures, is not too far away.

So I arrived back to base extremely tired but safe, 1000 hot miles behind me.

July 2011

Recently I received visitors from Europe, a much anticipated annual event. Our friendship revolves, in part, around our common interest in motorcycles. And when we get together, here or in Europe, we ride.

This year was no different. We rode from California to Arizona and back in four days, approximately 1500 miles. And it was hot, 118 peak Fahrenheit hot, and across the desert for a good part of the trip.

I have been riding and sharing motorcycle adventures in the desert heat since I arrived in Arizona in 1980. There are more riders in the desert than one might think. Aside from the anticipated “Are you nuts?”, there is still a lot to see, enjoy and learn. But as one might think, it can be dangerous.

Desert survival on the motorcycle has three main components: direct protection from the sun, ventilation and temperature control, and re-hydration.

Direct protection from the sun is essential to health and well-being and -primary in controlling the second and third components. I am amazed how many “live free and die” types I observe riding on the open road in tank tops or without sleeves. It may look cool, but if one is serious about surviving the greater distances and maintaining their health, it is not the best idea.

At first one might feel cooler sleeveless. Open air has a cooling effect as the sweat evaporates off the skin. But the resulting sunburn will damage you, your skin, and in a little as half an hour. Prolonged exposure to direct sun will negatively effect your stamina and you and yours enjoyment of the ride. In extreme cases, severe burning could occur, and an emergency room visit might be the end result.

I own and use a mesh jacket (the original Joe Rocket), but on longer trips I prefer a light jacket with armor (in my case a Belstaff, with vents front and rear and on the sleeves). An enclosed jacket, I find, prevents direct sun exposure, but also helps control sweat loss (rapid dehydration) from the wind and manages this better than a mesh jacket.

So an enclosed jacket helps with component two, ventilation and temperature control. Trip planning to maintain constant airflow goes a long way in controlling dehydration, loss via sweating. And ventilation, along with a re-hydration schedule will then help maintain a safe core temperature, a key factor in preventing heat exhaustion or worse.

And just as important as keeping your neck, or Juggler vein, warm in Winter is, a wet bandana works very well in keeping your neck, or Juggler vein, cool in Summer. This, to me, is the single most important factor in maintaining an acceptable level of comfort and safety. Just protecting one’s neck, I have experienced, is much more advantageous than wearing a cool vest. And I own one of those too.

Also, a little known piece of equipment in the US (at least outside of MotoCross), but much revered in Europe, is the kidney belt. It helps moderate the wind chill effect that cools one’s internal organs below the desired 98.6 Fahrenheit even during warm rides. So this is a great piece of equipment to own and use even if riding in the heat of Summer. It is particularly useful when riding in changing temperature conditions such as the mountains.

While the effects of non-standard temperature on the internal organs may not be immediate, if one’s desire is to be a longer term rider and maintain the best chances for health when they are older, this is something to consider.

The third component of surviving desert riding extremes is re-hydration. Dehydration is a given. If one waits until they are thirsty, the body is already experiencing dehydration.  

Hydrate the body prior to the trip, maintain a drinking schedule, and avoid drinking diuretics, such as soda and most energy drinks, while on the road. Personally, I drink as much water as possible, tempered with an occasional V8 and orange juice.

Common sense dictates that a longer ride should be preceded by shorter rides to help acclimate one to the elements. And even for the experienced, shorter “re-training“ rides should occur prior to each warm riding season.

Also as common sense dictates, let a fellow rider know about any health conditions that might become a factor in the ride, including any immediate actions required and further contact information.

Desert or warm weather motorcycling is not necessarily to be feared or shunned. There are many things out there to observe, experience and learn about in one’s self and Nature. However, warm weather motorcycling does involve a degree of planning, discipline and respect for the elements.

So as I and my friends have experienced recently, enjoy your Desert motorcycling experience.

June 2011

At least once a week, somebody approaches me with the idea that they too are thinking of acquiring a motorcycle.

They either used to ride, rode dirt bikes when they were younger, or they know somebody who rides and it looks like fun. Hey, the conversation has to start somewhere. And with the price of fuel getting higher…whoa!

Owning a motorcycle is indeed a romantic notion as any longer term motorcyclist will be happy to explain. But rationalizing owning a motorcycle based on the price of fuel…well…I would ask that you research just a little more. Or at least let me start you off with a little insight:

There is no bad motorcycle, and there is a cycle–pilot for each motorcycle out there. Why do I call them cycle–pilots instead of riders? I’ll fill you in on that in an upcoming  article. But it has to do with the fact that every machine has a profile, sometimes fairly narrow in scope not unlike in aviation, that appeals to a potential cycle-pilot. It might be a cruiser. It might be a sport tourer, sport bike or dual purpose motorcycle.

And most motorcycles do get better gas mileage than many cars out there. But some do not. Ask an RC-51 owner. (Still a great machine with other redeeming qualities though!) After that there are some serious give and takes to consider.

Are you usually the sole occupant of your vehicle? You might find yourself a little short of luggage space, let alone passenger space in some cases by switching to motorcycles. Does that inconvenience you? If the answer is “no”, then owning a motorcycle might be for you.

Do you find yourself easily distracted while driving? Does that include getting lost in thoughts? Don’t get me started on cell phones and the myth of multi-tasking. Any task other than the task at hand, piloting the motorcycle, could well lead to your death, period.

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