Bill Muneio

Ok so Spring is here and Summer is just around the corner and if your like me that means it’s time to start planning some longer multi-day rides. Fortunately finding time to take off work is relatively easy right now because work is painfully slow, unfortunately this means that the cash flow is also extremely slow. But there is hope and it’s called “Moto Camping”. To be honest I almost prefer camping to motels and what I’ve found works really well is sprinkling a few motel nights into the camping mix. By allowing myself a nice hot shower and a real bed every once in awhile I can stay on the road for quite some time and the longer on the road the more I get to ride and the more I get to ride the more I get to see. It’s a win win. So the planning has already begun with a spring trip to Death Valley then a group trip with Cal Coast Riders up the western side of the Sierra’s following some of Hwy 49 then there’s the BMW rally in Oregon and at least one more trip to Big Sur and further exploration of the Bay area and of course I have got to fit in Sonora, Ebbetts ands Monitor passes in. There’s a lot to do and see! And I’ve got to keep this blog current for both people that read it. You may have noticed I have added another page category on the blog here “Moto Camping” and to start it’s got all the different campgrounds I’ve been with some pics and information about them as well as a short review. I plan on expanding this area so stay tuned for that. Your comments are always appreciated.

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The end is near! Actually the end is here, I got home today before I even left (departed Christchurch Friday @ 10:30am and got to Los Angeles on Friday @ 6:30am ). Thursday was my last riding day and I left Lake Tekapo in the morning under sunny skies but they were short lived. I had rain pretty much all the way into Christchurch and the scenic inland route 72  through the Canterbury Plains is primarily flat and straight. I passed through  a number of small towns in route thinking of all that I had experienced in that last 12 days  not ready for it to end. By the time I got to Christchurch the rain had stopped and I found some lunch and had a nice time walking around the city center.  Then it was time to get back to South Pacific Motorbike Tours to return the bike. It was like leaving an old friend turning in the keys. I thoroughly enjoyed New Zealand and highly recommend the good folks at South Pacific Motorbike Tours. I hope to get back soon as 13 days was not nearly enough time to cover the South island and I have yet to ride any of the North island!
Cheers Bill

Was awakened this morning by massive thunder. A large storm had rolled in during the evening and it is now pissing down rain. A guy in the hostel tells me the TV weather report is calling for “violent thunderstorms” and up to 100mm of rain! Now of course I really have no idea how much 100mm is but it sounds like a lot. The fun is about to begin, but first I have a chain to replace. I made my way over to the mechanic’s after breakfast and both he and the chain were there waiting for me. He assured me that by the time he was done the sun would be out and all would be good. About an hour later the chain was on and the rain was still pouring down, oh well what ya gonna do hard to find a good mechanic and miracle worker. My plan had changed once again as I had little hope of actually being able to see Aoraki / Mt Cook the satellite images on the internet showed the center of the storm basically directly over it. So the new destination was Lake Tekapo just West of Mt Cook. After a couple of hours of riding in the pouring rain I arrived at the Aoraki / Mt Cook turn off but there was no way in hell I was going to be able to see the mountain today I was lucky to see the sign. I choose to keep going about 10 minutes later is when the gale force winds kicked in just to make the riding a little bit more challenging as it gotten so mundane earlier going over Lindis pass in the pouring rain I arrived safely in Lake Tekapo just as the sun broke through, some sort of sign I guess if you believe in that stuff. All the cheap sleeps were booked solid so I’m in a real motel tonight with an awesome lake view. Christchurch tomorrow.

Ok well I changed my plan instead of heading South to Dunedin I headed North to Wanaka. It was just going to be to rushed and a lot of riding to cover the far South of the island. I felt like I needed to slow down the pace a little it was starting to feel like all I was doing was riding sleeping and riding. Not that there’s anything wrong with that but I wanted to chill a little. So I back tracked a little from Te Anau to Wanaka which is a cool little town situated on lake Wanaka, no surprise there. I found a good backpackers hostel checked in and relaxed for the rest of the afternoon. I had been noticing a little noise from the rear end of the bike and now had time to check it out a little closer, I discovered that the chain oiler was no longer working and the chain itself seemed really loose. I emailed the rental company and described the situation they thought possibly I could just get some chain lube and everything would be cool. In talking with some local motorcyclists I found that there was one mechanic in town and I could go by there if need be. In the morning I packed up and was ready to head to Mt Cook. Got gas and chain lube at the petrol station and all was good, that is until I started to lube the chain and discovered that it was worse then I thought “o” rings were coming out and there was a kink in it. To make a long story short I went to the mechanic he confirmed the obvious and the chain had to be ordered should be here tomorrow morning. So another day in Wanaka and when in Wanaka do as Wanakians do, visit the trippy amusement park called Puzzle World. with any luck will be at Mt Cook tomorrow afternoon.

Had a great time in Queenstown and the ride to Te Anau was great. Had no internet last night and the days are starting to run together so it’s becoming more and more difficult to remember when I did what, good thing I have pictures. Went to the Glow worm caves in Te Anau last night and visited Milford Sound this afternoon the ride to Milford sound is really almost as spectacular as Milford Sound itself. It was sureal really as I traversed over the mountain with the clouds hanging over the peaks, 100′s of waterfalls pouring down everywhere and ice fields coming right up to the road in the pouring rain. It’s funny but everytime I think I’ve seen the best New Zealand has to offer the next day it gets even better, this cant go on forever, It has to peak out somewhere doesnt it? At the chance of sounding redundant,The roads here are what every motorcyclist’s dreams of, miles and miles or I guess Kilometer after kilometer of scenic, twisty and relativly empty roads. I’m Headed for Invercargill the Catlains and Dunedin tomorrow.

It’s Saturday morning here internet was down last night so posting this now. Well the good weather has held. Yesterday my day to visit the glacier at Franz Joesph, the weather was perfect so I decided to do the short Heli tour it’s quite spectacular really landing up there and standing in the snow field pictures dont do it justice. After visiting the Glacier it was time to ride to Queenstown about 500 kilometers South and away from the coast. I was great riding with a huge diversity of amazing landscapes, the biggest downside to riding in New Zealand is that it’s hard to keep your eyes on the road and off the waterfalls, rivers, rainforest etc. The glacier fed rivers are such a bright vibrant blue it’s hard to believe it’s real! Arrived in Queenstown around 5pm found a nice backpackers hostel within walking distance of the city. Queenstown is by far the busiest city I’ve encountered outside of Christchurch. There’s a lot going on here bungy jumping, jet boats, paragliding you name it. And lots of restaurants and shops not sure what the plan is for today but I will keep you posted.

By Ben Purvis

Unusual styling isn’t just for show – it’s there to keep you alive The oddball styling of Honda’s forthcoming VFR1200T tourer isn’t just the result of a designer’s whim; the shape is designed to radically reduce rider injuries in the most common sorts of accidents. The appearance of the touring version of Honda’s fourthcoming V4 has already been revealed in design patents which copyright the bike’s styling, but for the first time we’ve managed to dig beneath the skin and discover that the looks aren’t simply there to catch buyers’ eyes. In fact, they’ve been dictated by the technology underneath.

The most attention-grabbing element of the new machine’s appearance is the elongated “chin” beneath the headlights – a design cue that harks back to Honda’s X-Wing concept bike of 1999, and one that was originally believed to be created for aerodynamic reasons. But the true reason for its existence is that it’s the first ever car-style crumple-zone to be incorporated into a motorcycle.

The body panels hide an aluminum structure that bolts to the frame rails behind the steering head and extends almost as far as the front edge of the bike’s front tire. So in a frontal impact, it will hit at the same time as the front wheel, helping absorb the forces.

And its safety purposes don’t stop there. As well as spreading out the impact forces, its position – intentionally well above the bike’s center of gravity – means that it completely changes the behavior of the bike in a crash, particularly the typical impact caused when a car pulls out into a rider’s path.

When a conventional bike’s front wheel hits an object like the side of a car, the bike’s natural tendency is to pitch forwards, as it’s center of gravity is higher than the impact point. As a result, the rider is thrown forward. If you get lucky, you’ll be pitched over the car, but all too often that means the rider hits upper part of the car almost as soon as the impact occurs, with very little of his momentum being absorbed by the bike.

Honda’s solution means that when it hits an object like a car, the bike won’t pitch forward; the new upper crash structure acting as a brace to keep the bike level with the rear wheel on the ground. So instead of being thrown upwards, the rider will continue traveling straight forward. On a normal bike, that would simply mean you’ll go straight into the fuel tank and bars, a prospect that’s no more attractive than being thrown over the top of them. But that’s where Honda’s next safety innovation – in the form of the company’s second-generation motorcycle airbag system – comes into its own.

Triggered by sensors in the forks and the front crash structure, the new airbag, which is a development of the design already seen on Honda’s Goldwing, inflates in a matter of milliseconds, providing a soft cushion between the rider and any of the hard parts of the bike that might otherwise cause injuries.

The pictures here, taken from Honda’s patent on the new system, clearly show how the design operates, and despite the fact they appear to show an in-line engine, the outline of the bike is clearly that of the V4-engined VFR1200T tourer.

Next-generation airbag

As well as the “crumple-zone”, Honda’s VFR1200T gains a new design of airbag that is more efficient, better placed and more compact than the original design used on the Goldwing.

Where the Goldwing’s bag is placed far forward on the bike, near the bars – in what would appear to be the logical position – the VFR’s airbag is mounted far further back, in the middle of the fuel tank. So rather than inflating towards the rider’s face in the way that a car’s airbag inflates towards the driver or the Goldwing’s bag operates, it inflates straight upwards against the rider’s chest to create a barrier between the rider and the forward parts of the bike. The design eliminates one of the problems with the original Goldwing version, which was that it needed to be secured by straps to keep it in the right position.

And combined with the anti-tipping crash structure, the design means that airbags can be fitted to a much wider range of machines than the earlier design.

When Honda first introduced the Goldwing’s airbag, it believed that airbags were only suitable for machines like the Goldwing and perhaps scooters, for two reasons: first, these bikes had a very low centre of gravity, so were less likely to pitch forwards in a crash, and second because on scooters and big tourers, the rider tends not to move about, making it much easier to predict where the rider will be thrown in an accident. The two new elements on the VFR’s airbag system – the crash structure and the repositioned airbag – go a long way to solving both problems. The crash structure removes the need for an airbag-equipped bike to have a low centre of gravity, while the repositioned airbag will cope better even if the rider isn’t sitting bolt-upright in the centre of the seat.

Clearly, Honda is still taking relatively small steps in this regard – the VFR1200T is still a big touring bike, so the rider is unlikely to be crawling all over it as he might on a superbike, and the firm isn’t putting an airbag on the sportier version of the VFR1200, which doesn’t have the tourer’s jutting chin – but with these developments it’s possible to believe that in the relatively near future airbags could become as much a part of the everyday bikes we ride as they are in the cars we drive. And if they can save lives without affecting the fun of riding, that can only be a good thing.

PRESS RELEASE:

Enhanced Comfort & Touring Potential
A completely redesigned, more aggressive fairing with new inner guide surfaces and outlets is designed to facilitate heat dissipation, greatly reducing the amount of hot air transmitted to the rider

A 70mm taller windscreen with a wider upper portion reduces upper-body turbulence. The screen is electrically adjustable, with four new programmable preset positions

When the power is turned off, the windscreen goes to its lowest position. When the power is turned back on, the windscreen’s memory function returns it to the selected preset position

Passages from windscreen slits direct air through the inner fairing to vents next to the instrument panel; alleviating the lower pressure helps prevent turbulence around the rider’s head

An exhaust pipe guard added to the upper part of the exhaust mid-pipe helps protect the rider from heat when stopped
Stepless adjustable grip heaters are standard, with an easy-to-reach switch located in front of the new lockable storage case on the inner left fairing panel

A new, lockable storage case in the left fairing inner panel uses an electromagnet lock to prevent entry when the engine is off
New mirrors positioned 40mm higher increase rear visibility and provide increased hand protection from the wind
New hooks at the front of the tank facilitate securing a tank bag

New KTRC Traction Control (Concours 14 ABS only)
KTRC (Kawasaki Traction Control): Kawasaki’s first traction control system reduces engine output when wheel spin is detected, allowing the rear tire to regain grip

Advanced, 3-way control (airflow, ignition timing, fuel delivery) gives KTRC smooth operation, natural feel and the ability to operate on long stretches of bad road

KTRC adds no weight, since it uses the existing ECU and ABS sensors

New 2nd Generation K-ACT ABS (Concours 14 ABS only)
2nd Generation K-ACT (Kawasaki Advanced Coactive-braking Technology) ABS links front and rear brakes for most effective front-rear brake force distribution
A smaller, lighter K-ACT ABS unit with a higher-spec ECU is capable of more detailed calculations for smoother operation

The rider can choose one of two modes to suit riding situation or rider preference: The linked effect from front brake lever actuation is largely the same in both modes, but the linked effect when actuating the rear brake pedal is quite different

In Standard Mode, rider control is prioritized, with linked effect reduced at initial pedal stroke for natural sensation when sport riding

In High Combined Mode, there’s a more pronounced linked effect from the beginning of the pedal stroke — ideal for touring and two-up highway use. A low-battery mode maintains the ABS function as best possible when the battery charge is low. In low-battery mode, ABS timing and pressure relief functions are maintained, so brake effectiveness is preserved (although riders will notice that ABS operation is not as smooth). The K-ACT lamp will flash and “Low Battery” will be displayed on the LCD screen. The system resets when the engine is turned off

New Fuel Economy Assistance Mode
Activating fuel economy assistance mode changes the engine to a leaner map which prioritizes fuel economy, for as much as a 25 percent MPG boost.
Fuel economy assistance works in any gear, as long as rpm is below 6000, throttle opening less than 30 percent and speed less than 80 mph.

Improved KIPASS
Now each Concours 14 comes with one key fob (kept in a pocket) and a small card-type key for emergency/backup use.
The new card-type key includes an immobilizer function (but no remote activation) and is highly portable, measuring just 1.2 x 1.6 x 0.25 inch

Improved Finish, Higher Quality Design
Improved overall fit and finish results in a higher quality, more luxurious feel
A revised muffler end cap gives the silencer a more compact appearance; internal construction is unchanged, but the end cap itself is 1.6 inches shorter

Multi-function display now includes outside air temperature. The sensor is located at the intake duct (the furthest point from the engine)

Other new instrument functions include the K-ACT mode indicator, Economical Riding Indicator, and Fuel Economy Assistance Mode mark

The Mode-Select button on the front of the left grip lets the rider change LCD modes without taking his/her hand off the grip, toggling through average fuel consumption, instant fuel consumption, remaining range, tire pressure, battery voltage and outside temperature

New Accessories
Engine guards, a larger top case, tank bag, GPS bracket, a low seat and side spoilers join the list of authorized Kawasaki Accessories.

Engine: Four-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, four valve per cylinder, inline-four with VVT
Displacement: 1,352cc
Bore x stroke: 84.0 x 61.0mm
Maximum torque: 102.0 lb-ft @ 6,200 rpm
Compression ratio: 10.7:1
Fuel Injection: Digital Fuel Injection w/ 40mm throttle bodies
Ignition: TCBI with Digital Advance
Transmission: Six-speed
Final drive: Tetra-Lever shaft drive
Rake / trail: 26.1 degrees / 4.4 in.
Front tire: 120/70 ZR-17
Rear tire: 190/50 ZR-17
Front Suspension / Wheel Travel: 43mm inverted, telescopic fork with adjustable rebound damping and spring preload / 4.4 in.
Rear Suspension / Wheel Travel: Tetra-Lever with stepless rebound damping adjustment and remote spring preload adjuster / 5.4 in.
Brakes, front: Dual floating 310mm petal discs with four-piston calipers (optional ABS)
Brakes, rear: Single 270mm petal disc (optional ABS)
Fuel capacity: 5.8 gal.
Seat height: 32.1 in.
Wheelbase: 59.8 in.
Overall Length: 89.4 in.
Overall Height Fairing Lowered / Raised: 50.8 in. / 55.3 in.
Overall Width at Handlebars / at Saddlebags: 30.7 in. / 39.4 in.
Curb Weight: Concours 14 / Concours 14 ABS: 670.3 / 679.1 lbs.
Color: Candy Neptune Blue/Flat Super Black
MSRP Concours 14 / Concours 14 ABS: $14,599 / $15,299
Warranty: 12 months

October 7, 2009 by Anil P.
From FoxNomad.com

You’ve probably flown in an airplane, ridden in a boat, and taken a train somewhere in the world but never have hopped on the back of a motorcycle for a single road trip. There are of course a number of motorcycle riders and drivers who have and you should be one of them, at least just once in your life.

Riding a motorcycle across an open road from one destination to the next is the modern-day equivalent of setting off into the sunset on horseback. Let your fear and the thrill put you on two wheels and not keep you from it.

A Motorcycle Connects You With The Road

Like no other form of travel a motorcycle connects you with the road in a way that a bicycle, or even walking can’t. It’s the travel experience firsthand on a macro level. Ultimately your own fate and route are in your own hands on a motorcycle. Your senses are heightened both due to anxiety and the need to be highly aware and responsive to your surroundings. You’ll notice things on a motorcycle you never would in a car.

There are no distractions, no chance to check emails on your hacked iPhone, no windows to drown out the noise, and certainly no heat or air conditioning. All you have to focus on is the travel at hand.

Traffic Is Easier To Get Around

Depending on where exactly in the world you are, being on the back of a motorcycle gives you access to narrow back roads, the space between cars, and in some places, even sidewalks. You’ll be more mobile and able to sneak your way through even the worst traffic jams on a bike. At worst you can simply pull your bike up on a nearby curb and check out some of the local restaurants or just hang out until the heavy rush passes.

You’re Nervous About It

The more you travel the harder it can be to evoke that same sense of danger and excitement you had when you first started seeing the world. Anytime you jump on a motorcycle you’ll feel a thrill knowing that only traffic stands between you any anywhere you want to go. Even a casual trip around town is made more interesting on a motorcycle.

The element is different. People are closer to you and there are no barriers to the outside world. You and the bike are the outside world.

You Can’t Deny It, It’s Cool

Hop on the back of any motorcycle and you’ll instantly feel like a road warrior. Motorcycles evoke a sense of nostalgia, adventure, and danger. You can add these elements to any trip while traveling anywhere in the world simply by changing your mode of transportation. No matter where you are a motorcycle can have you channeling Marlon Brando in The Wild One or any number of other great motorcycle movies.

Be Inspired

If you’re still on the fence about your next road trip, watch some of these DVDs to inspire your inner gypsy.

• The Motorcycle Diaries – Che Guevara’s legendary trip through South America with his friend Alberto Granado on their motorcycle, La Poderosa (”The Mighty One”).
• Long Way Round – Ewan McGregor and Charley Borrman traveled from London to New York on motorcycle in 2004 and Long Way Round is a documentary of their travels. One of the most inspirational travel stories I’ve every seen.
• Easy Rider – Two hippies (played by Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda) take a road trip on motorcycle from Los Angeles to New Orleans. Beautiful scenery and invigorating music to go along with a wild story.

Of course you’ll need to learn how to drive a motorcycle and if it’s only going to be a one time event I’d recommend taking one of several great international courses which I’ll be posting more about next week. Learning to drive a motorcycle is a several day task (with a good instructor) and an excellent addition to your pre-trip plans. Having the ability to get on a motorcycle after that is a another way to harmonize planning and spontaneity, and reconnect with any open road.

[photos by: Jeff Bauche, jotor, Shaheer Shahid]

Thursday, 08 October 2009 06:25

Honda Press Release
American Honda Motor Company’s Powersports Division announced today the release of the much-anticipated 2010 VFR1200F.

“This is one of the most exciting motorcycles in Honda’s history,” said Powersports Press Manager Bill Savino. “The VFR1200F establishes a whole new definition of performance motorcycling, one that taps into Honda’s rich V-4 VFR heritage and extends it into the future of Honda motorcycling. The new technology within this motorcycle is flat-out amazing and it all works together in a manner that takes the VFR1200F strides forward in how a high-end machine looks, works and feels. This is a sport motorcycle that will leave you smiling and ready for more even after you’ve been riding for hours on end.”

Drawing from a longstanding legacy of innovation within Honda’s V-4 lineup, the 2010 VFR1200F embodies the new generation of V-4 technology and unsurpassed rider benefits, setting the stage for Honda’s next 50 years.

Honda’s V-4 heritage and VFR tradition is fully realized in the VFR1200F. It has been re-created in astonishingly innovative form through the fusion of advanced technology imported from the MotoGP world and other cutting-edge environments. Net result: a futuristic sport motorcycle created for the sheer joy of riding, custom tailored for experienced hands who ride hard, ride long, ride far and ride often.

Features

• Honda MotoGP V-4 engine technology and architecture bring cutting-edge performance to the VFR1200F.
• Unique cylinder layout with rear two cylinders located innermost on the crankshaft and front cylinders located outboard narrows the rider interface aboard the VFR1200F.
• Throttle By Wire for next-generation throttle response.
• Optional Dual Clutch Automatic Transmission with manual mode and automatic mode with two D/S modes and paddle-style shifters offers unparalleled freedom through innovative technology.
• Next-generation shaft drive system with offset pivot point and sliding constant-velocity joint for a new level of shaft-drive performance and control.
• Transferable one-year, unlimited-mileage limited warranty; extended coverage available with a Honda Protection Plan.

Engine/Drivetrain

• Light and compact 1237cc liquid-cooled 76-degree V-4 pumps out amazing levels of power with a distinctive V-4 feel and sound.
• Symmetrically Coupled Phase-shift Crankshaft uses 28-degree crankpin offset to eliminate primary engine vibration.
• Asymmetrical exhaust lengths between front and rear cylinders boost power production and enhance power feel.
• Lightweight and compact Unicam® valvetrain allows for significantly smaller cylinder heads.
• Honda slipper clutch in manual-shift model allows unencumbered sport riding.

Chassis/Suspension

• GP technology layer-concept aero fairing for unrivaled air management.
• Honda Pro Arm® single-sided swingarm with single gas-charged shock delivers cutting-edge rear suspension action; features handy remote spring preload adjuster, rebound damping adjustability and 5.1 inches of travel.
• Stout, sport-oriented 43mm inverted cartridge fork with spring preload adjustability and 4.7 inches of travel.
• New controls with smoother and more precise tactile feel enhance the riding experience.
• New-technology seat construction permits a higher level of seat shaping and forming details.
• Saddlebag mounts come standard on both versions of the VFR1200F.