Ep. 189 "Motorcyle Culture & Rides; West Coast x East Coast" w/ Dan Kohlbeck

Another double episode for the weeks of Mother's Day weekend May 10 and May 17.

Chris may or may not still be on clandestine missions...be he will be returning next episode!

Housekeeping: Guest co-host today.

*Dan*

* Active duty Navy, nearly 15 years in.
* Views and opinions are my own
* Former MSF-certified Rider Coach
* Currently in New England, heading back to the SW soon
@Rising_sun_sailor

AJ and the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride 2021 (a DECADE of DGR)
to support: https://gfolk.me/barse


*Motorcycle Zen*
What cha riding these days" (AJ & Dan)

* AJ: TU250X (2009) https://suzukicycles.com/street/2019/tu250x
* Red was just 2009 https://ridermagazine.com/2009/06/22/2009-suzuki-tu250x-road-test/
* Dan: FLHCS (2020):
* Dan’s flavor of color 2020 Heritage Classic Motorcycle | Harley-Davidson United States (archive.org) (https://web.archive.org/web/20200805081711/https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/motorcycles/heritage-classic.html)


So if we had to go ‘buy the best, cry once’ what is that bike?

* AJ: Ducati Scrambler X (PNW Green edition) https://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/jpg/201410/ducati-scrambler-urb-4.jpg
* Dan: HD Limited CVO (Royal Purple and Royal Black Fade) https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/motorcycles/cvo-limited.html
* It depends though. Cross country touring? Absolutely the CVO.
* Carving canyons and dropping a knee en route to the city? Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS https://www.triumphmotorcycles.com/motorcycles/roadsters/speed-triple-1200
* Beginner? Something like the Honda CB500 https://powersports.honda.com/street/standard/cb500f



Best routes on two wheels (tick tock)

AJ:

* Bellingham to Victoria Inner Harbor (imagine doing this with your spouse on the back, hanging on to ya, as you ride up chuckanut, hit a ferry, and nothing but warm air. Parking - not a problem)
* San Juan Islands- Mt. Constitution, and island hopping: PNW pro tip- no need to worry about a missing a ferry on a motorcycle
*


Dan:

* Mohawk Trail - Pittsfield to Greenfield, MA (Quintessential New England Fall leaves changing)
* Car Trips Western Mass - Scenic Driving Western MA - Tours through Western Mass Countryside - Tours of New England - Fall Foliage Tours - Mohawk Trail (http://www.mohawktrail.com/driving-tours.html)
* https://youtu.be/PtbUEXYwKZA
* Mount Washington - Worth the hype; get the bumper sticker. Highest wind ever recorded by man (231 mph/200.7 kts back in 1934).
* 8 mile trip up the mountain with a packed dirt road at mile 6 (if I recall).
* Plan for the weather and expect it to change!
* You WILL work your brakes coming down. Be ready!
* Mazda Hakone Turnpike - Japan
* Outstanding views of Mt. Fuji at the rest area.
* Beautiful first thing in the morning
* Twisties
* ¥700 if I recall
* https://youtu.be/quO1bsOTcac



Quality Assurance

*AJ*

* Long Way Up (Harley/Rivian/ and EV oopses) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=611fw81BN98



Dan

* John Maxwell (motorcycle repair work/tips/general riding) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0AgVTYtD53HU6TfuIN8-dg