Gotta lot to learn

So stoked! Got my new tires put onto my bike and it looks killer!!! Check it out:

Meaty!!!

I was told by the Service Manager that I was putting my life in danger by riding with a rear tire on the front. This did get me a little worried so I consulted the lurkers on the ADVRider forum who assured me that they've been going this route for some time now and there's been no accidents that they can remember. So I'm in... and I'm super happy with how the bike feels now. At very low speed the front end does have a little warble to it but I think that will settle down as the knobbies wear in. I will be using this bike almost exclusively on the dirt so I'm happy with the very aggressive tread of the Kenda TrackMaster II that I put on the front end.

The TrackMaster II is a rear tire that TW200 owners often run on the front of their bikes. It's got giant knobbies on it and it almost looks like a paddle tire. I'm excited to see how it does on the sand of the southern Baja trails I want to ride the bike on.

I've also convinced myself that this will be the last time I have a shop change a tire for me. I'm going to by the tire irons and learn to do this task myself. This is going to be super important when we start to ride remote trails where a flat could be very bad news for somebody without the tools or know-how to fix it. I'm also planning to learn how to change the oil in the bike and adjust brakes and clutch. And I think my head bearings need to be replaced, there's a strange catch as you turn the bike from side to side that needs to be addressed. Ah, the maintenance necessities of a twenty year old motorcycle. It all seems simple enough to do on your own but the fact remains, I've got a lot to learn!

Bridgestone Deathwings: My bike gets a new pair of shoes!

Ever dislocate your finger? Not fun, let me tell you. The worst part is looking down at your finger and seeing it bending sideways into your pinky finger like a carpenter's square. Gruesome.

Here's how it went down: I watch Matt W. go screaming up a little dirt hill, I follow... no problem. I watch Matt go jamming down the hill and decide to follow...big problem. I start to roll down the hill and faster than I can even react my front wheel get's sucked down into a rut, it slides out to the right as I'm going down the hill meaning that the left side of my face is know being flung into the hard packed clay as I'm simultaneously being pitched sideways and forward off the bike. Bang- I just remember reaching my hand out to break my fall... bad move. There's a flash of pain, I hear my bike's engine wind up and take glance at my hand which hurts like hell. Glance down. Oh shit.

Me: Why is my finger bending like that? Is it really doing that- oh shit, this is no good. So nasty: My finger is bent over in a totally unnatural fashion. So what do I do? I grab it, take a deep breath and yank it back straight. Ever watch your mom separate a chicken into pieces in the sink? Ever heard the crunch when she breaks the drumstick out of the socket? Well that's what it sounded like when I yanked my finger. Like I said, nasty. And the pain- the world literally turned yellow. I thought I was going to puke and I had to sit down because I felt crazily light headed. I think I would have passed out had I remained upright.


Now why did this happen? It turns out that the stock front tire on the TW200 is a horrible tire for off road riding. The tire's is a Bridgestone Trailwing but it's also known as the Bridgestone Deathwing for obvious reasons. In addition to a bad design my tires were twenty years old and pumped up rock hard for on road riding- it was bound to happen.

So a new set of tires is definitely in order. I did a little bit of researching and picked out the most offroad worthy front tire that I could: the Kenda Trackmaster II. Check it out:

The Kenda TrackMaster! Look at the knobbies on that tire compared to the DeathWing... gnarly!

This shot really shows you the difference in meatiness... the Kenda is a back tire that I'm using on the front of the bike. Using the back on the front is pretty common for the TW200 and plenty of people are running the same set up as me. Check the photo below for a bike with my set up.

Here's a TW200 with the Kenda TrackMaster II on the front rim- same exact size as my tire.

I also figured that it was time to replace the rear tire since it's 20 years old as well. For the TW200 there's only the stock Bridgestone back tire unless you want to slightly modify an ATV tire. I liked the super aggressive tread of the ATV tires but, from what I read, they are next to impossible to take off if you get a flat offroad. And I didn't want to have to monkey with modifying the bead to fit my stock rim. So my choice was simple, stock back tire:

There's a slight difference in tread pattern but, overall, it's the same tire. Notice the wear on the old tire compared to its replacement.

Eventually, I'm going to learn how to change my own tires and repair punctures to the tubes but since the bike was 20 years old on original rubber, I decided to let the pros do this first tire and tube change. I thought, if the tires are frozen on after sitting for that long, I'd let them wrestle with it. Hopefully this new rubber will prevent any more nasty spills... fingers crossed (because when it's dislocated it crosses on its own).

Okay so far...

Well, so far I've bought a TW200 and I completed a great intro to dirt bike riding class. Now it's time to ride!

Lucky for me I live next to some moto crazed riding fiends... Matt W. and the grom patrol ready to tackle Otay Mountain! Check out Purple Rain ready to rock out!

This is Matt leading the way... tons more confidence from the Dirt Bike Course! I took it nice and slow, came down the road in first gear, used both brakes correctly and had a great time. Little by little I'm learning how to safely operate the bike... this is fun- even if you're slow and boring like me!

The view from almost-the-top. This is the kind of stuff I like to do... sight see and putt along enjoying quiet dirt roads and big vistas... yes!

Step 1: Learn how to ride a motorcycle.

Everybody will claim that you can learn to ride a dirt bike in a couple of minutes in a parking lot. I believe them- I think you can learn the basics this way but I'm the type of person who feels more confident when the instruction is a little more structured. Don't get me wrong- my moto buddies are skilled motorcycle operators and they know what they're talking about but for me, I need the extra instruction. So I went to dirt bike school. Specifically, I went to the Honda Rider Education Center in Colton Ca., and signed up for the beginning dirt bike course.

Dirt Bike School: See that red awning? That's going to be your classroom for a whole day of dirt bike instruction. Pay attention- you will be quizzed at the end of class!

I learned about the school from a video posted on the Honda motorcycle site (click here to check it out). As soon as I saw it I knew it was for me. I liked that there was a big, safe, flat area to start on and that the course seemed to be well thought out rather than a hodge-podge lesson thrown together by a fly-by-night "instructor". The lesson includes the use of basically brand new Honda dirt bikes and they set you up with all the gear you need from head to toe. Best of all, we lucked out and were able to get Mercedes Natvig (the star of the Honda video) as our instructor... she's a 9 time national champion! I asked Mercedes if she would hit a little bermed turn at 50 mph before we left and she obliged me by nailing it, throwing dirt everywhere and then wheeling across some whoops and launching off a little jump... dang.

Liza getting set up on a CRF 150, that's Mercedes checking out the sizing.

12 year old Mateo was put on a 100. If you can ride a bike, you can take the class- the center has bikes for little guys and gals as well. 

I got sized up for a CRF 230... watch out!

We started by getting all the proper safety equipment. I was impressed- most of the gear is brand new and it's all clean and ready to go. They've got properly sized equipment for people of all shapes and sizes. I'm 210, 5'9- visualize that: I'm basically a walking square (or a super sized Oompa Loompa) and they even had gear for me. Mercede's stressed that you should wear all the gear, all the time... I love that because if you know me, you know that I'm all about safety.

Lesson 1: Stupid Hurts... so wear all your gear dummy!

Chest protectors (and more) for everybody!!!!

Even kid sized gear.

All geared up and ready to go... I even have my roost protector on the correct way (no, I will not totally humiliate myself by showing you the photos of me with the protector worn backwards... Mercedes was very tactful when she told me it was on wrong, "Hey, you're wearing that backwards").

The class follows a very rigid outline designed by... well, sorry I forgot which national motorcycle safety organization created it- but the class was composed of a prescribed series of skills that had to be accomplished before you could move on to the next exercise. We had a couple of riders who had never ridden a motorcycle or operated a clutch in their lives- Mercedes assured them that they'd pick it up in no time and learn to safely and confidently operate their moto by the end of the class. She was right- it was amazing to see the confidence build in those riders and to see them cruising around the track, upshifting, downshifting, breaking and cornering by the end of the class.

Mateo cruising the training track.

Who could that be? Part of the course was learning about standing on the bike while operating the controls. You had to be able to stop, shift, accelerate and decelerate from the standing position.

Mother and daughter, no motorcycle experience, cruising the track together... how cool is that?

We learned how to approach an obstacle and use throttle and body positioning to bump over... look at this treacherous "log"- less skilled riders would have undoubtedly turned around in fear!

The best part of the course is the final exam (I told you there was a quiz at the end!). The center has a killer little track system that they built to mimic the off road trails of California. There's little windy single track, short uphills, sand sections, stream crossings, a big bowl section with an offcamber trail and rocky paths. If Mercedes thinks you can control and operate your bike safely, she'll take you for a little winding ride through the compound. By the time you reach the end of the day-long course you're excited to test your skills- this is the perfect place to do it.

Riding the trails at the Honda Rider Education Center, Colton Ca.

Cruising the bowl... don't get sucked down into the mud puddle!

Dakotah handling the trails on her CRF150.

Mateo and Mario following Mercedes. This a great family event especially if you've never ridden a dirt bike before.

Our graduating class.

At the end of the class we were given a sweet little certificate for completing the Basic Dirt Bike course (I actually got a break on my motorcycle insurance because I mentioned I had taken the ourse and could prove it with the certificate). Like all good things, the day went by way too fast. I learned a ton and best of all gained confidence operating the dirt bike. After finishing the class I was excited to get home and practice on my bike- that confidence was what I was looking for!

This is an excellent course to take if you are new to motorcycles and dirt bike riding. If you are experienced, it's not the course for you. I highly recommend the course to anybody looking to get their family together and do something different and unexpected. I think this would make a great surprise Christmas gift. The cost of the lesson for five people was $500. At a hundred dollars a person (as long as you set it up as a group lesson- if you sign up individually, the cost is $175) this is a fantastic deal for a full day of fun and learning. We were fortunate to have Mercedes as our instructor. I am a high school teacher with 16 years of teaching experience (as a matter of fact, all the adults in our group were professional educators with over four decades of combined teaching experience), I know exceptional teachers when I see them and, without a doubt, Mercedes is a great one.

The Honda Rider Education Center is a rare bird- no other manufacturer sponsors a facility like it and I feel very fortunate to have it here in Southern California (the other Honda facility is in Georgia). If you get a chance, and can wrangle up some friends or family, definitely book a group lesson- you'll learn a lot and have a heap of fun doing it. 

My TW200: Purple Rain

When a nickname sticks there's not much you can do to unstick it. My bike picked up the nickname Purple Rain from some of my motocross buddies who thought that the little fairing and mirrors made it look like Prince's bike in his movie Purple Rain. I laugh even now when I think of the little singer cruising along on his purple Gold Wing - the nickname cracks me up and I even get a kick out of calling the bike by its new name. 

Purple Rain... nothing like my bike but don't tell that to my hardcore moto friends who get a kick out of calling my TW by it's nickname.

The TW200 really is a cool bike- I decided to check them out on a tip from my friend Mark. He told me how cool the big wheeled TW was and how nice and low to the ground it was for an offroad bike. Once I read more about the capabilities of the TW and learned how appropriate they are for beginners I decided that I'd start looking for one. 

The TW is a stout little bike- check this one out all set up for a 2000 mile journey around the back roads of the U.S. Read about about that trip here.

I was in for a surprise. These little 200cc bikes are in demand. Even the old ones are snapped right up and they can be expensive too! I had trouble locating any that were under two thousand dollars that didn't have high mileage, weird electrical problems (avoid the '87s with CDI box issues) or weren't beat to hell. Just when I was considering driving to Arizona to look at bike something popped up on Craigslist. It was meant to be: a '91 TW200 with just over three thousand miles, original owner for $1200 bucks. Wow. I jumped on it and immediately called the seller. I lucked out- the TW was still available and I could come over right now and check it out. 

The seller ended up being a great guy named Larry who lived out in North County San Diego in a killer ranch style home on a hill overlooking Temecula. He was an old desert rat and had been exploring the local deserts for close to forty years! His workshop was meticulously clean (a good sign) and his vehicles and tools were kept in tip top shape (another good sign). He had the TW200 parked out in the drive way and when I pulled up a giant smile crossed my face. What a cool looking bike! It was much larger than I thought it would be. I remember thinking to myself, "this is a legit motorcycle". The bike was super clean, the plastics looked new and the rims were all clean and shiny. Like I said, Larry was the type of guy who really took care of his stuff. 

I didn't know how to ride a motorcycle (other than my basic experience illegally jamming around on that little bike when I was a kid) so I had Larry start her up and ride her up and down the road in front of his house for me. I was sold- that bike sounded good and looked so great zipping up and down that road that I couldn't wait to learn to ride. I really liked the electric start (mine also comes with a back up kick start)I happily dropped $1200 bucks into his hand, loaded the bike on the back of my truck and took off for home. I was stoked- Purple Rain was mine.

It starts... I become a Mid-Life Moto Idiot

 Well, really, it actually started a long time ago. For some unknown reason (mom and pop if you're reading this feel free to chime in) when I was in 9th grade we aquired a little Kawasaki motorcycle that sat, unused in our garage for a couple of years. I remember the thing as being blue (maybe it was a Yamaha?), it was shiny and relatively new and it looked like one of those bikes the Japanese cops zipped around on in Godzilla movies. Strangely, brother Mike and I never mischievously fired it up- not until we moved to Spokane, Washington. This was the the summer after 9th grade. We were two little surf rats suddenly landlocked in Washington and we quickly found out that if you were going to have fun, you'd have to make your own. That's when we noticed the bike. 

We knew nothing about motorcycles. Somehow we kickstarted it up and figured out how to get it into gear. Mike hopped on the back and, with no drivers license or driving experience, I drove the thing. At first we were tentative- going up the street and back stuck in first gear. Eventually, I figured out how to shift into second and we started extending our little forays. Back then, there were lots of big open fields and roads around the lake with almost no traffic. We rode in shorts and flip flops with no helmets. How cool was my mom who just said, "Be careful and have fun". Man, those were different times! 

The night before the first day of football practice (double days in the hot Eastern Washington sun) our luck ran out- well, not so much our luck as our gas. Mike and I were way back in the hills behind the lake on some gravel road when the little bike just stopped running. Funny how a little bike triples in weight when you've got to push it up hills for a couple hours. Eventually a local in a truck passed us up and stopped. The guy helped us load the bike into the truck and drove us home.

I was exhausted and cramping from pushing the bike for hours- wondering what my first day of practice was going to be like. I don't remember how that first day of practice went down for me but I never forgot how free I felt zooming around on that bike on those open country roads. I may have repressed it for many years but when my friends started talking to me about the trail rides they were doing down in Southern Baja (a spot I've been surfing and visiting for decades) long neglected moto-yearnings came bubbling to the surface. I really, really, really wanted a motorcycle. So I bought one: 

Meet my bike: 1991 Yamaha TW 200 - this thing is killer!

And so the adventure begins again- a Mid-Life Moto Idiot is born! Check back to learn more about my moto-transformation.