These new tires with the dual compound are really cool. Sticky rubber on the edges, longer lasting rubber in the middle. I put a set of Road 2CT’s on my bike last summer and couldn’t be happier with them. Even did a track day on them and had a blast. Next thing they need is a tire that senses when you’re wearing out the middle and transfers rubber from the edges to the center. Now that would be cool and for some a HUGE money saver.

I read recently that the happier people are the ones who spend their money on experiences rather than things. You know, the people who travel, try new things, invest in their relationships seem to be the better adjusted. Those who feel the need to own something end up worrying about that thing. Now the question is can a motorbike be an experience rather than a thing? If you value the ride over the “the ride” I suppose it that might just be the case.

Riding season is coming, time to get your ass off the couch and start hitting the gym. I suggest the yoga class. Limber up those tight muscles so you can perform on the bike this year. You can also start practicing those pickup lines on the women in the class.

What’s with the gear lately? It looks like it’s been designed by online game designers rather than bikers. More for the “urban warfare” look than for actually riding. Well if you’re going to spend the big bucks on a bike that you’re just going to cruise the boulevard in I guess you should look the part.

BMW has apparently risen to the challenge of the Japanese bike industry. If this bike is as good as advertised it will definitely add fuel to the fire in the liter bike category. Aprilia has entered the fray with their RSV4. We saw Biaggi put in some pretty impressive top speeds and well as run real close to the front this past year on the RSV4. I’m not sure what you do with a bike like this on the street though. I guess you could always ride it.

I’m sure if any of you race fans are keeping up with the latest AMA/NasBike saga you’ve heard about the changes in the purse for the ‘10 Superbike season. Who exactly is it they expect to show up and ride in Superbike. I guess they think there are a few retired riders drawing Social Security who might come out of retirement to try and win a race to supplement their pinocle habit. It’s going to be a crazy season next year.

What a terrific year for WSBK. We had Haga, the veteran fighting for what is rightly his, a championship. The rookie, Spies acting as if WSBK is just another race series. New tracks, whatever. Faster riders, yeah right, show me. Aprilia and Max made a very respectable showing with the new RSV4. BMW is even jumping into the fray, good for them. Yamaha wins bragging rights and that hasn’t happened since . . . well I don’t know since when. It was close all year and we never knew who would win the championship until the last race. Way to go boys, I loved every minute of it. It looks like Spies is moving into MotoGP but there’s still plenty of exciting guys left to fight it out next year. Rea, Haga, Fabrizio, Biaggi and I hear the other Max is coming back. It’s going to be a long cold winter but the memories should keep me warm for a while.

What is AMA thinking? For some reason they’ve grouped bikers and car guys into the same group. “Well they’re all motor heads, what’s the big deal.” I’ve been watching bike racing for years, I don’t much care for car racing. I’m sure there are Nascar guys who feel the same way about bikes. It’s ok. Everyone has that thing that gets them excited, if you’re a fan stick with what you like. But for AMA to suddenly decide we need to change the way bike racing is delivered in the US is crazy. If this is any indication of how racing is going to be done in AMA from now on I might have to learn how to fish.

Everyone’s got their favorite road. Wether it’s a road they ride all the time and know it like the back of their hand or that far away tarmac that you only get to once a year. Sometimes our favorite roads change from year to year or depending on which bike we’re riding that day. If you’re lucky enough to own more that one bike you might have several different roads or trails that you can’t wait to get back on. I’m the kind of guy that remembers those far away roads I’ve only been on a couple of times and holds those memories for those times I don’t get out much. If anyone is interested, Skaggs Springs Road and Hopland Grade come to mind.

Lube, oil and grease. The basics of keeping your bike happy and free from problems. Servicing your bike is an important part of bike ownership. Simple stuff really and every rider should know the basic servicing routine. A bike that’s clean and lubed is a bike that’s fun to ride. No problems, no worries. And remember, when you get your gel seat and gel grips serviced it’s probably time to change those gel inserts in your boots.