Revisiting old haunts/April 2013

Winters are long in New Hampshire, no one who lives here would disagree. Most make the best of it, by keeping active with winter activities, like skiing, snowmobiling or ice fishing. For motorcyclists, winter is the dreaded season, interrupted only by the occasional motorcycle show.

If you're a native resident, you probably don't mind the natural selection of insects that are common to this area. When I first moved here, the locals referred to "black fly season".  Being from Connecticut, we have your average pests but I had not heard of these before.  Let me state right here that Black Fly Season signals the start of riding season, in New Hampshire.

From Wikipedia: 
A black fly (sometimes called a buffalo gnat, turkey gnat, or white socks) is any member of the family Simuliidae of the Culicomorpha infraorder. Most black flies gain nourishment by feeding on the blood of mammals, including humans, although the males feed mainly on nectar. They are usually small, black or gray, with short legs, and antennae. They are a common nuisance for humans, and many US states have programs to suppress the black fly population. They spread several diseases, including river blindness in Africa (Simulium damnosum and S. neavei) and the Americas (S. callidum and S. metallicum in Central America, S. ochraceum in Central and South America).

These suckers make an attempt to fly into your eyeballs, nostrils and ears, as well as alighting in your hair, biting and swarming.  Doing a "preflight check" of your bike becomes a cardio exercise if again, you're not "from around heah".

Three of us set out for New London, NH for lunch at Peter Christian's Tavern.  It's on the outskirts of the Lake Sunapee region and has been there since the 1970's.  My wife astride her trusty Honda VT750, Jerry aboard his Ultra and me on Ol' Blue.  We found the back roads to New London largely empty.  Lots of bikes were out but they all seemed to be headed in the opposite direction.  We traveled about 55 miles, or so. 

Our waitress Kate was diminutive in stature but a giant when it came to good service.  The decor was dark and woody and it looks like it's not seen any improvements since it was built.  My wife worked in the area at a summer camp, while in high school and she says it looks virtually the same.

The food was good, the service was fine and after a hot cup of coffee, we opted for the high speed highway route home.  All told, we probably ran about 120 miles or so, a good warm-up ride for the season.

The bugs only last a couple of weeks and then they're gone for another whole year.  Hotter and drier weather on the way and it looks like I can ride to work all week long.

Stay safe this season.  Watch out for the distracted drivers.  Today's was a gal fishing a cigarette out of the pack while moving along at about 45 mph.  I got her attention and made her back off.  Watch out for the idiots.

Another season is officially here.  I'll see you on the street and I'll probably throw you

A low, slow wave,

Joe Rocket

The Last Manual Transmission Generation and its Impact on Motorcycling

My son has been driving a car for almost 6 years now and never once has he really driven a manual transmission.  I saw the trend coming, years earlier as rental car fleets moved to automatic transmissions in even the lowliest of offerings, in order to be assured that ANY driver could drive one. The joke used to be that, if you wanted to teach someone how to drive a manual, you’d go rent a car rather than have them bash and crash your gearbox.  By the time my son came of driving age, this was no longer an option.  

The plan was to get him to learn to control a car at speed and, once accomplished, to add in the complexity of a clutch pedal and stick shift.  A great plan, but it never panned out. Once my child had his license (or at least was well on his way to having one) his interest in driving my manually operated Subaru sedan was nil.  For the few years, I’d throw it out once in a while. His first two summers back from college; I would offer religiously to teach him the intricacies of rev matching and engine braking.  After a while, the writing was on the wall.

As a kid, I was over the moon at any fast vehicle.  My Dad has a progression of better and faster cars that always keep me wondering when I would get my hands on them.  When I was about 11, my older brother’s buddy took me for my first motorcycle ride.  I was hooked at the sensation of speed, even though we probably never exceeded 40 mph.

Later, as one of the perks of business travel, I made it a personal goal to drive as many different cars as I could.  I was never happy to have to drive the same car twice, with the exception of the Lincoln Town Cars that National Rental Car would let us young adults drive for an extra $1 per day.  Wait? You’re going to let this 24 year-old hoon a Town Car in the middle of a Minnesota winter?  I sure hope that they had good mechanics there at National as we were mighty tough on those “free” vehicles.  Do you remember the scene from Hunter S. Thompson’s Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas where they pump a Cadillac’s tires up to 70psi and then proceed to drift it all over town?  That was us, pushing those big rear wheel drive cars through, around and over snow drifts. We might have had a little something to drink at dinner first, now that I reflect on it.

What does this have to do with motorcycles you say?  (You did say that, I heard you.)  The generation who can no longer drive a “stick” will find themselves at a serious disadvantage when it comes to motorcycle riding. We’ve already seen more than a few bikes test the waters with automatic transmissions.  As gasoline prices rise (and fall and rise again), we’ll see more people experiment with scooters, which continue to grow in displacement to rival what once was considered a “large” bike.  Manufacturers are adapting their product line-ups to augment and eventually replace manual transmission bikes with automatics and other hybrid vehicles.  And by hybrids, I don’t mean electrics, though developments there continue to advance.  I mean three-wheeled trikes or “ekirt”s, like the Can Am.  If you’re a newbie or just getting on in years and want to continue to ride, why would you want to have to shift your Honda or Harley-Davidson trike?  Speaking of Honda, they continue to surprise and amaze me with the diversity of products that they develop.  

Burgeoning markets will dictate the low-end of the spectrum but developed countries will demand and receive the latest innovations and electronic controls, including the aforementioned electrics, gas/battery hybrids, ABS, ride by wire and automatic transmissions.   Low volume bikes will lose options and may eventually be offered with one choice of transmission, which may be the choice which nets the most profit, an automatic (for the people).

Clutch handles and foot shifters will go the way of kick-starters and a new era will begin.   Sure, there will always be those motivated individuals who will go to the effort to learn to ride a “proper” bike, with all the manual controls but, how long before those bikes (our bikes) are no longer considered the norm?  I think you can expect to see a radical change to our rides and the industry over the next 20 years.  I guess the only positive thing about that is this is about when I’ll be hanging up my leathers.  Hang on to your current inventory.  When the whole world goes mad, in 50 years our bikes will be collector’s items for precisely the simple and manual controls we enjoy.  Might make a nice gift to that grand-kid who (I sure hope not yet) is eventually on the way.

The snow is melting and Valentine’s Day is this week.  Kiss and be kind to your “Old Lady” or “Old Man”, as the case may be.  And get ready to ride again.  I’m shooting out of my driveway at the first sighting of bare asphalt.  I know you’re eager too.  Make sure you do the proper safety checks, especially those tires, as you’ll need all the grip you can get, with the sandy roads here in the Northeast.  And wear the gear.  I don’t care if you go textile or leather but wear a helmet and cover up that ugly old body of yours.  Myself?  I’m thinking of a custom Vanson jacket, with inlaid leather, worthy of being handed down to the next generation.  I sure hope that kid learns to shift soon!

A low, slow wave,

Joe Rocket

Fighting for my network

Yet another tirade has arrived from the company that makes Joe Rocket motorcycle gear.  Earlier this year, I got a direct message on Twitter saying, in effect, “We appreciate your disclosure (see my profile below) but you have to stop using this Twitter name.” I replied with my own direct message, calling them rude.

Here is what my profile page looks like.  How is it possible that anyone would be confused?

Joe Rocket 

@JoeRocket

I'm twisted (it's all in the wrist!) I AM NOT affiliated with the company that makes and sells Joe Rocket motorcycle gear. I own a ton of it though.

They don't like the fact that I have been tweeting for the past 4 or 5 years using the name @JoeRocket. I think what really pisses them off is that I have over 7 times the followers and I don't even really try to build my network.  If I had resources and a budget, perhaps some swag to give away or some contests, I think I could do a lot better than 181 followers!

Here are their latest offensive messages, in order:

"@JoeRocket character popped up on my radar yesterday. I am taking steps to have him taken off Twitter. Jumping through their hoops to get this done today."  

Yes, they sent that to ME.  That was late in October and then today I get this:

"Ahhhh now I see. Seeing your Sturgis link it's safe to assume you are the "character" I've been looking for behind @JoeRocket. What possibly (sic) benefit is there to assuming the name of a brand you have no affiliation with whatsoever?"   

Character?  Am I?  Maybe I am a fan, or at least I was.  Now, all that is soured.  I won't ever buy another piece of their gear and am giving thought to selling, discarding or donating anything with their brand name on it.  Sadly, ALL of my and my wife's gear is Joe Rocket brand.  Let's see, it's been three jackets and three pairs of over pants, plus a set of leathers.

I'm sure that their Marketing Director Steve Blakeney is thinking that all my Twitter friends and fans are following me mistakenly, thinking I am them, the company that owns that brand.  I disagree.  I have never pretended to be anything other than just another rider.  A regular guy who gets on his bike as often, and for as far as he can go. Steve, since you're monitoring my blog now, let me ask, do you even ride?

A dozen years ago, I made the mistake of investing a big chunk of money in riding gear, bags, etc. for my first trip to Nova Scotia.  All of it was festooned with the Joe Rocket name.  At the time, I was astride my Kawasaki Ninja and all it took was one look from a Harley rider for me to be christened "Joe Rocket".  Truth be told, it eventually got shortened to Rocket, for the ease of use.  Back in 2007 when Twitter was relatively new, I thought why not?  This is how my friends know me. Soon, I was writing this blog and reaching people everywhere who share a love of the open road with two wheels under them.

When I search Twitter, I see about 25-30 people using some variation of the Joe Rocket name.  Why?  Because we are/were fans.  We like the gear, we strap it on when we go out for a ride or on a tour.  And we advertise that company as we do it.  I have been brand loyal to Joe Rocket since that first set of leathers.  Does Sullivan's, Inc. want to shut down all of those accounts or just mine, so they can use it instead of the more descriptive @JoeRocketGear?  

The real issue here is my Twitter and blog network.  If I cave in and Sullivans, Inc (owners of the Joe Rocket and Power Trip brands) has my account closed, then I lose all of my faithful followers, the people I follow and my online connections.  It was a year ago that I corresponded with Mr. Blakeney TELLING HIM that I was tweeting as @JoeRocket.  I guess he had his head up his ass that day or, didn't bother to read my email or review my offer to assist them grow their social media presence.

 

At this point, I'm not sure of the resolution.  I won’t give up my contacts so that they can be cadged by the rude Marketing Director who is trying to breathe life into his social media campaign.  I’m sure you wouldn’t want me to either.

Do me a favor, if you agree that I’m being treated unfairly.  Retweet this blog link to your friends and ask them to read this and pass it along as well.  It’s a cautionary tale for any fan of any company or brand.  If you disagree, I welcome your opinion too, and would like to hear what you think is the best way to resolve this.

One last thing…Maybe the folks at Sullivans owe an explanation about the origin of the Joe Rocket name.  I wonder how they came up with that?

 

Thanks for listening and, as always…

A low, slow wave,

Joe Rocket

THE DREADED BUCKET LIST

Why do we fear death so? I'm not going to get all religious or philosophical on you.  For me, it's because I enjoy life as much as I do.  Still, there comes a time when you stop feeling invincible and you become aware of the time you might have left.  We all know that there are no guarantees or implied warranties on our life spans, still, you always expect to have more than you get.

I've got an aging parent and an aunt with some serious health issues.  Both are in their 80's and I can say with conviction that they have both lived good lives.  What's left now is just the dirty business of "moving on". It's the painful and humiliating act of being helpless before the whole world.  I don't proclaim to be an expert on death and dying, I just know that getting old or being very sick can be a messy affair.  Thank goodness for the helpful caregivers, healthcare professionals and places like hospice.

We touched on this subject recently, my family and me, and I gave our only child my instructions.  I want to be "toes in the sand" someplace warm. Preferably poolside with scantily-clad females running about.  I doubt that there exists a hospice on a beach in Florida with a sexy "clothing optional" staff, but maybe it will seem that way after they put me on the morphine drip.

So, I've started to think about the stuff I want to do, places I want to see, etc.  Perhaps more important than this, is being to do some of this stuff with my loved ones at my side.  I need to get some of these down on paper (or bytes) so that we can plan, negotiate and finance the most important ones.  I'm blessed with a beautiful and exciting wife, who has a penchant for exploration. Over time, her desire to have "adventures" has rubbed off on me and now, I too want to fill my eyes with new vistas.  The key, of course, is to be able to do this while you are still young or healthy enough to get around.

Without any fanfare, here are just a few of the things that I want to accomplish, before the shepherd's crook yanks me offstage, from the wings:

1. Tour the coastal USA. I think a great ride would be a counter-clockwise tour of the country, keeping the beach off your right handlebar as much as you can.  I'd blast across the top of the country, tip my hat to Canada, and bomb down the West Coast, after stocking up on supplies in Vancouver.
2. I want to ride across the US, in mostly a direct route, riding Route 66, while it still exists.  I have family outside of San Francisco and, a ride from New Hampshire to there sounds like a good excuse for a family reunion.
3. I want to own a small roadster, preferably a Porsche Boxster S, but I am willing to consider new Mazda Miata, Honda S2000 or Nissan 370Z convertible.  I want to drive it sparingly, wax and polish it with a soft cloth and keep it in mint condition to turn over to my son on his 40th birthday. This would be my vehicle for short weekend excursions, when we've given up riding.
4. I want to experience Hawaii, Rome, Sicily and Naples, Italy.  I want to eat my way through the countryside like Andrew Zimmern sucking on a pig spleen.
5. I want to run a few laps at my favorite racetrack, Lime Rock Park, in Connecticut.  It was there that we went as kids, so Dad could enjoy the racing. It would put a big smile on my face to drive around that circuit and to think of him watching me.
6. Watch my son walk down the aisle. 
7. Welcome a grandchild into the family (but NOT any time SOON).
8. Do a Grand Tour.  No, not like a concert tour.  I mean to travel around to say hello (or goodbye) to all the people who've meant something to me, in my life.
9. Sing with my brothers.  Yep, silly stuff but I think that it would be a memorable moment.
10. Finally, have that beach view and lifestyle that I've always wished for.  

Well, it's a start.  Like my wife says, I want, I want, I want.  I know that the secret to happiness is to be content with what you have.  I am.  Still, I have goals and these are just a few of them.  Some I know will come naturally.  The rest I will have to work towards and plan for.  I know that a new @ $88,000 Boxster S is highly unlikely but, I left some wiggle room in there and hope to have the same outcome.  The rides, well. I'm ready today. 

As we face the onset of Winter (a dirty word in this house) I'm tempted to pack my bike and beat it down to a friend's house just outside of Orlando.  The weather would still be warm and the beers are always cold.  But, I can't pull the missus from her obligations and spending money foolishly now will come back and bite me on my ass.

So, what goals have you set for yourself, before you shuffle off?  I'd like to know.  Maybe our goals overlap and we can find a way to help one another.  Or maybe you have a Boxster you want to loan me for a weekend???  Ride safe!

A low, slow wave,

Joe Rocket

SENA SMH5 Bluetooth Headset & Intercom product review

Hello everyone!  I'm excited to tell you about a new product I'm reviewing, the SENA (http://www.senabluetooth.com) SMH5 Bluetooth Headset and Intercom.  These retail for $129.00 for the single unit and $249.00 for the pair.  I did see the dual set on sale at an online retailer, for less than $190.00.  These are sold through local m/c shops and SENA has a full list of retailers on their web site.  Find one near you and support your local retailer.

Here's howdescribes the product:

"The SMH5 is a Bluetooth 3.0 stereo headset with Bluetooth intercom designed specifically for motorcycles. With the SMH5, you can call handsfree on your Bluetooth mobile phone, listen to stereo music or voice instructions of GPS navigations by Bluetooth wirelessly, and have two-way intercom conversations in full duplex with a passenger or other motorcycle riders.

Thanks to the latest Bluetooth 3.0 and the advanced digital signal processing technology, the SMH5 offers the best sound quality for both incoming and outgoing sound in its class. Also, the easy-to-access and intuitive button operations make the SMH5 a perfect companion for motorcycles."

First, let me say that my neighbors really must think we're a couple of kooks.  First, there's the whole biker thing.  They probably don't get it but, that's okay, because YOU do get it.  But when they see me out riding the lawn tractor with my full-face helmet on, it must seem a little weird.  And when they stop and ask me what I'm doing and I tell them to "Hang on a second, I'm in the middle of a phone call." well, that REALLY perplexes them.

These headsets are great.  My wife and I are doing a lot more riding together lately, each on our own bike, and having these intercoms is a great way to share the experience.  When I'm riding solo, I have no one to worry about but myself. Sure, in a group ride, I keep an eye on my fellow riders but, when I'm out with the love of my life, well, that's a bit different.  In that situation, there is a whole other level of concern.  It's great to have a means for instantaneous communication.  ME:  Is your bike running alright?  Do you want to take a break? What do you mean I don't need more ice cream???

We've been enjoying the ability to chat (or not) as much as possible.  The SMH5 provides a very clear stereo sound for voice, mobile or music.  And, if you have a Bluetooth-enabled GPS, it will connect to that too, negating the need for additional ear buds or speakers.

Installation was simple and SENA provides all the parts you need (and then some).  I had lots of extra Velcro pieces to use later.  We ride with full-face ARAI helmets, so the set we got has a mic that sticks in place, right in front of your mouth.

The units themselves are compact, with self-contained antenna, unlike other models I've seen.  There are only two buttons to control the until, the round jog dial, reminiscent of a rotary phone (Yes, I am THAT old) and the red on/off button.  Simple! One minor complaint was the length of the mic wire.  I suppose I could relocate the mic to the far side of my chin bar but, I wanted it right in front.  As a result, as you can see in the photo to the right, I had extra wire that I looped around the unit.

The quick-start guide was enough to get me out on my first ride but, I definitely recommend downloading the full User's Guide from SENA's web site.  You will thank me later!

The units pair easily and will also find other bluetooth devices (cell phone) to pair with quite easily.   One of the many benefits with the SENA product is that it allows you to pair with more than one rider.  The SMH5 can connect with up to two other units for intercom but, for clarity, can only be in duplex mode with one unit at a time.  SENA's SMH10 can connect with with up to 4 people via intercom at the same time.  So, if everyone one in your "gang" wants to stay in touch, on a long ride, now you can. Just choose which device suits your group. Perfect for those long rides to Sturgis, the Saddlesore 1000 and more!  SENA also offers a product called the SR10, which allows you to connect via Bluetooth to two way radios/short range "walkie-talkies".

Each headset came with a USB charging cable.  I have lots of ports on my PC so I was able to charge both units at once.  Still, I would like a converter or connector so I could charge these from a wall socket.  I see that SENA offers that as an accessory, on their site:  http://www.senabluetooth.com/products/acc_SC-A0107.php   I'd pay a few bucks more just to get that as part of the set.

Range is good.  SENA says that you can expect a quarter of a mile. We did some testing just this past weekend and found that the sound quality did not diminish greatly at 1/10th of a mile.  Bear in mind that these units work best in line-of-sight.  I topped a hill and the unit cut out on me.  Once wifey had passed the same point, we were back in contact.

One feature I like is the ability to turn the intercoms on or off and use just the Push-to-Talk (PTT) feature.  I know that this will save my batteries and we never had an issue of running out of juice,  on an all day ride.  Of course, you can keep the mics open and listen to your partner breathe, if you're into that.  I found the wind noise from the helmet a bit annoying so I quickly got into the habit of tapping the jog dial once and waiting for the units to connect.  It did so quickly.  PTT is the way to go, if you have a long day of riding.

The sound quality is amazing.  The speakers sit deep in the helmet, attached with Velcro and I was thrilled by the sound quality upon streaming music from my smart phone.  Now I can stream  Pandora to my helmet as I burble down the road.  It's amazing what the right tune will do to augment your mood, while riding.

Sound quality is equally good with the phone.  You can voice dial (the default setting), if your phone is capable, or you can dial from your phone and toss it back into your pocket and ride on.

Overall, I think this product is probably the value leader in this category.  At the entry price, everyone in your club can afford to buy one and make your rides safer and more fun.  The units work as advertised and are not overly complex (see my earlier review of a competing product). I do wish the range was better but, the SENA SMH10 offers a better range AND can connect to these units.  So, you have lots of options.  

Here are the headsets for open face helmets, for my cruiser buddies.  These have a boom mic, which you can move about as needed.

For the price, the SENA SMH5 can't be beat.  Let me know if you have any questions or comments.  I love hearing from you and will respond here or on Twitter.  You can find me there as @JoeRocket.  Until then...

A low, slow wave,

Joe Rocket