Morning Reads: 4 February 2007

[Mika]

The motorcycling world viewed from the saddle of a BMW. A daily look at all things BMW, Euro-bike, products and things I find interesting on the internet. With links to news, reviews, events, riding skills, maintenance and racing series updates. Morning Reads is a one stop shop for motorcycling information.

Today’s Birthdays / Calendar (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/calendar.php?do=getinfo&day=2007-2-4&c=1)

http://www.irasperipheralvisions.com/images/birthday-small-card-03a.jpg


BMW MOA Chartered Club:

club: Santa Barbara BMW Riders, Inc., #165
founded: 5/1/1986
contact: Douglas Haigh (califgrany@aol.com)
PO Box 6532
Santa Barbara, CA 93160 US
www.sbbmwriders.org

meetings: 3rd Monday each month except December, 7pm, Sizzler, 5555 Hollister St. in Goleta, CA
events: Rocky Nook B-B-Q
Christmas party
other events: Monthly ride

Santa Barbara BMW Riders have done something unique as far I know.

‘Books SB BMW Riders have purchased, listed by title, author, subject, & commentary. All Books can be checked out at the Santa Barbara Public Library.’

Why didn’t I think of the that.

http://m1ka.smugmug.com/photos/120673248-M.png (http://www.bmwmoa.org/rally/rally07/rally07announce.htm)

Gemütlichkeit is the warm, comfortable feeling
one receives from pleasant surroundings and atmosphere.
I think you will find that when you come here.

http://www.wisconline.com/counties/door/pictures/11.jpg
Canal Station Lighthouse, Door County

Ozaukee – Washington Daily News ( http://www.dailynewsol.com/index.htm)

Fond Du Lac Reporter ( http://www.fdlreporter.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage)

The Sheboygan Press ( http://www.sheboygan-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage)

Daily Citizen, Beaver Dam (http://www.wiscnews.com/bdc/)

Weather

West Bend WI
Current (http://www.weather.com/weather/local/USWI0733?from=search_current)

10 Day Forcast (http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/USWI0733?from=36hr_topnav_undeclared )

United States
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (http://www.noaa.gov/)

Canada
Meteorological Service of Canada (http://www.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/canada_e.html)

http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/images/headers/logo-dot-header.gif (http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/driving-cond.htm)
Travel Information – Driving Conditions and other related information sites.

News:

Another dealer ranking – from Motorcyclist.com (http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/newsandupdates/122_0702_2007_satisfaction_index/).

Twistingsaphalt (http://twistingasphalt.com/index.php/archives/2007/02/01/alex-gobert-on-the-1098s/): Alex Gobert on the media darling 1098S from Ducati.

The MOA forum was out in front of this article from MotorcycleUSA.com (http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Article_Page.aspx?ArticleID=4279&Page=1) : Bombardier Spyder – First look.

CycleWorld.com (http://www.cycleworld.com/article.asp?section_id=12&article_id=270): Cirlcle Cycle, Adventures in Monowheeling.

Feature:

http://i.lambeaufield.com/i/home_main1.jpg

Super Bowl Sunday seems like the perfect day to feature this 2007 MOA Rally ride day trip destination. No matter what team you root for or if you are even a football fan the home of one of pro football’s original teams is a fun stop. A slice of Wisconsin and Americana I highly recommend.

Packers.com (http://www.packers.com/)

Lambeau Field.com
Stadium Information. ( http://www.lambeaufield.com/stadium_info/atrium/)

Stadium Tours ( http://www.lambeaufield.com/stadium_info/stadium_tours/)

Packer Hall of Fame ( http://www.lambeaufield.com/hall_of_fame/visit_the_hall_of_fame/)

Prackers Pro Shop ( http://www.lambeaufield.com/pro_shop/)

Dining – links to Curly’s Pub, Game Zone, Hall of Fame Grill, Frozen in time and Seasonal Eateries. ( http://www.lambeaufield.com/dining/curlys_pub/)


Adventure Posts:

Soundrider.com ( http://www.soundrider.com/current/WSR3.htm): Western States Ride – Part 3. There are links to parts 1 and 2 if you missed them.

Soundrider.com (http://www.soundrider.com/current/high_pressure_happiness.htm): 10 ride suggestions from Sound Rider if you lucky enough to find yourself in the Pacific Northwet instead of freezing in Lilydale.

It is cold in Lilydale so lets go for a colder ride the Sunday.

alaska.derrickandlove.net (http://alaska.derrickandlove.net/HUBERT%20DATE%20PAGE.htm): The Timeless Ride.


Book Review:

MotorcycleUSA.com (http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Article_Page.aspx?ArticleID=4278&Page=1) Riding the World by Gregory Frazier

Blog Update:

Salcar (http://www.salcar.net/blog/2007/02/fear_and_love_i.html) Fear and Love in Brazil

Forty Years on Two Wheels (http://40on2.blogspot.com/2007/02/welcome-to-generic-motors.html): Welcome to Generic Motors

RoadandTrack.com ( http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=26&article_id=4620): Side Glances – Demographics Made Simple by Peter Egan

Gear:

webBikeWorld.com (http://www.webbikeworld.com/ducati-motorcycles/ducati-suomy-helmet.htm): Ducati and Suomy announce Riders for Health motorcycle helmet.

It was -12 when I got up this morning. The Weather Service says that it won’t rise above the zero mark until Monday…but they did not say which Monday. gadgetfind.com (http://www.gadgetfind.com/thehimalayanexpeditionmitts.html): The Himalayan Expedition Mitts.

Motorcycle Repair and Care:

www.handyarmancanada.com (http://www.handyharmancanada.com/TheBrazingBook/bbook.htm): The Brazing Book Online

I have not done any welding or brazing in a long time and I don’t play one online. This may be a good introduction for you or if nothing else it is good to understand what a craftsman can do for you.

Tools / Parts:

brightcove.com ( http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid377000833): click on the link to Jays Green Garage – Omegasonic. The sonic jewelry cleaner on steroids is the green replacement for you parts washer.

Riding Skills:

SoundRider.com ( http://www.soundrider.com/current/Ride_with_a_plan.htm): Ride with a Plan by Bret Tkacs

Technology:

SoundRider.com ( http://www.soundrider.com/current/moto_computing.htm): Moto Computing – What to bring, what to leave home.

Sound Rider takes a 101 look at the topic.

Wonderings:


Manufacturer of the Day:

FUKI PLANING CO., LTD.

Credited as the builder of the first ‘Pocket Rocket’ Fuki Planing makes also makes mopeds.
Fuki Planing Co., Ltd.– Home Page ( http://www.fuki.co.jp/english2/Home.html)

Woot

Todays Woot ( http://www.woot.com/Default.aspx)

The Blog ( http://www.woot.com/Blog/Default.aspx)

Over Heard in New York | Voice of the City (http://www.overheardinnewyork.com/) Over Heard in New York | Voice of the City[/url]


Bike Candy:

http://www.fuki.co.jp/english2/BulletTop.jpg

From: Fuki Planing


All things BMW

This is a car guy article; however, I think there is a message for bike people in it. It may explain why BMW looks at the product as being more important than price point. MSNBC.MSN.com (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16924848/) discusses the perception that auto buyers are steering toward quality over brand.

MINI’s active billboard program remains in the news at blogs.automotice.com (http://blogs.automotive.com/6100094/miscellaneous/mini-motorby-messages-surprise-delight-owners/index.html).

[Mika]

MR Traveler
A growing list of links too use for trip planning and on the road.
PM me with links that you have found useful and think should be listed.

BMW MOA – Two resources not to be overlooked and a great place to start your preparation.
Camping ( http://www.bmwmoa.org/camping/camping.htm) with information on packing, planning, the basics, gear, places and tips of all kinds.

Global Touring with Court Fisher ( http://www.bmwmoa.org/global/global.htm) : covering Touring in North America, Europe and beyond.

A growing messy list of links; I am cleaning up loose ends and it is messy.

Roadfood.com (http://www.roadfood.com/)

Mapart.com (http://www.mapart.com/main.htm) Canadian Maps –Road Atlases, Street Guides, Folding Maps and more.

Yellowstonetrai.org (http://www.yellowstonetrail.org/id3.htm):

Motorcycletourguides.com (http://www.motorcycletourguidens.com/): Guiding friendly motorcyclist through scenic Nova Scotia

WisconsinMotorcycling.com (http://www.wisconsinmotorcycling.com/)

511.alaska.gov (http://511.alaska.gov/default.asp?display=roadConditions&area=STATEWIDE_AK&textOnly=False): Alaska Road Traveler Information Service.

Great-Lakes.net (http://www.great-lakes.net/tourism/circletour/): Great Lakes Cirle Tour Information.

mileageslaves.com (http://www.mileageslaves.com/) : Mileage Slaves has a variety of resources for you.

MotorcycleRoads.us (http://www.motorcycleroads.us/index.html): “Your one-stop resource for great motorcycle roads.”

pashnit.com (http://www.pashnit.com/) California Motorcycle Roads – This site has gone subscription but is worth the entry fee.

Bestbikingroads.com (http://www.bestbikingroads.com/index.php): Aspiring to be the pashnit version of all of the US and Europe.

Off the Road (http://www.offtheroadnm.com/) : Your Guide to New Mexico Main Streets.

GERMANY
Web.de (http://iww.web.de/de/themen/motor/routenplaner/index.wjsp) : Route planer for Germany.

Stadplan.net (http://www.stadtplan.net/index.asp?direct=home.html) Maps

Continental Divide Trail Information
fs.fe.us (http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/trails/cdnst/): Continental Divide National Scenic Trail.
cdtrail.org (http://www.cdtrail.org/page.php): Continental Divide Trail Alliance
continental Divide Trail Society (http://www.cdtsociety.org/)
gorp.com (http://gorp.away.com/gorp/resource/us_trail/continen.htm): Map of the Continental Divide Trail and Travel

Ontario.bikerides.ca (http://ontario.bikerides.ca/): Ontario Motorcycle Rides

USPS.com (http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/welcome.jsp) : Find a Zip. Zip codes are used by many travel related internet tools. If you don’t know the Zip Code they are worthless. Find a Zip will help solve that problem.

Canadapost.ca (http://www.canadapost.ca/personal/tools/pcl/bin/advanced-e.asp): Travel plans for Canada? Postal Code Lookup is the tool.

cbsa-asfc.gc.ca (http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/menu-e.html): Canadian Boarder Serves Agency – Traveling to Canada this summer (http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/newsroom/factsheets/2005/0713visitingcanada-e.html)?

ridefim.com (http://www.ridefim.com/en/default.asp): Welcome to the FIM’s Internation Touring site.

AMADireclink.com
The AMA site has organized a lot of useful information that can be accessed using these links. Thank you AMA. For now I feel no need to reinvent this wheel.

AMADirectlink.com (http://www.amadirectlink.com/roadride/riderresc/trip_planner.asp) Trip planning information including :
Weather websites | Mapping sites | State Tourism bureaus|
Toll- free hotel numbers | Campgrounds | Nationwide dealer locator

AMAdirectlink.com (http://www.amadirectlink.com/amrace/events/events.asp?sid=) : Local AMA race | event locator tool.

Internet Café Directories
No one directory will deliver all that is available on any subject. Here are three links to start you off before you wade through millions returns on of a search engine will generate for you.

Internet-café-guidl.com (http://www.internet-cafe-guide.com/internet-cafe-directory.html) - Here is an Internet cafe directory of cybercafes in the U.S.

ca.dir.yahoo.com (http://ca.dir.yahoo.com/Regional/Countries/Canada/Business_and_Economy/Shopping_and_Services/Communication_and_Information_Management/Internet_and_World_Wide_Web/Internet_Cafes/)- Yahoo’s directory to Canadian internet cafés.

Wifi Hotspots
Starbucks.com (http://www.starbucks.com/retail/locator/default.aspx) The Starbucks store locator. Not an endorsement but they seem ubiquitous.

Libraries often are excellent sources for internet access. There are too many to list but for the 2007 National Rally in West Bend:
West Bend Community Memorial Library (http://www.west-bendlibrary.org/): Home page
:West Bend Community Meorial Library (http://www.west-bendlibrary.org/internet.htm): Acceptable Internet Use Policy.

Map Sources

Madmaps.com (http://www.madmaps.com/) : Motor Adventure Destination Maps

Maps.com (http://www.maps.com/Radius.aspx?nav=MS)

topozone.com (http://www.topozone.com/default.asp): interactive topo maps

Trails.com (http://www.trails.com/)

Trails.com (http://www.trails.com/toptrails.asp?area=14497): Best Scenic Drives in Wisconsin

TOURS

adventure.gs (http://www.adventure.gs/)

DragonBikeTour.com (http://www.dragonbiketour.com/) China

Go-Overland.com (http://www.go-overland.com/) : Overland Expedition Resources

KTMtravel.com (http://www.ktmtravel.com/frameset_travel.asp) : An adventure travel resource for all kinds of information.

Steelponytours.co.uk (http://www.steelponytours.co.uk/_SPT_Home.htm): Steel Pony Motorcycle Tours of Spain.


The Pit Crew View: Racing Series 2007

American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (http://ahrma.org/calendar.htm)
AHRMA Handbook (http://ahrma.org/rulebook/index.htm) News and notable items from AHRMA (http://ahrma.org/whatsnew.htm)
2007 AHRMA Events & Results (http://ahrma.org/calendar.htm)
AHRMA Web Links page (http://ahrma.org/links.htm#competition)


AMA PRO RACING- Home Page (http://www.amaproracing.com/)

AMA Pro Racing @ the Wire Live! Menu (http://206.168.146.114/liveresultsindex.html)

AMASuperbike official website (http://www.amasuperbike.com/index.php?UID=jK7fzMqmIWfguZWVRKpXbnPysR14YE)
Schedule and Ticket Information (http://www.amasuperbike.com/article.php?sc=1120&aid=8941&UID=jK7fzMqmIWfguZWVRKpXbnPysR14YE)
AMA Superbike 101 (http://www.amasuperbike.com/article.php?UID=jK7fzMqmIWfguZWVRKpXbnPysR14YE&sc=1122&aid=2663)

AMA Flat Trac official website (http://www.amaflattrack.com/index.php?UID=oIj7BrRq2M3wZ9Q5w1IL5BwmHe6fGH)
Schedule and Ticket Information (http://www.amaflattrack.com/article.php?UID=oIj7BrRq2M3wZ9Q5w1IL5BwmHe6fGH&sc=1063&aid=9213)
AMA Flat Track 101 (http://www.amaflattrack.com/article.php?UID=oIj7BrRq2M3wZ9Q5w1IL5BwmHe6fGH&sc=1063&aid=3895)

AMA Supermoto official website (http://www.amasupermoto.com/index.php?UID=Cv6yVS1y0GydmlRomEk6UALgr0K9Xi)
Schedule and Ticket Information (http://www.amasupermoto.com/article.php?&sc=1181&aid=9001&UID=Cv6yVS1y0GydmlRomEk6UALgr0K9Xi)

AMA Motocross official website (http://www.amamotocross.com/round.php?UID=0okPvEjeShGzY9hjf84gKDtXOgtI7P&sc=1246&year=2007&number=3)
Schedule and Ticket Information (http://www.supercrossonline.com/showList)
AMA Motocross 101 (http://www.amamotocross.com/article.php?UID=0okPvEjeShGzY9hjf84gKDtXOgtI7P&sc=1109&aid=5425)

AMA Supercross official website (http://www.amamotocross.com/round.php?UID=0okPvEjeShGzY9hjf84gKDtXOgtI7P&sc=1246&year=2007&number=3)
Schedule and Tickets (http://www.supercrossonline.com/showList)
AMA Supercross 101 (http://www.amamotocross.com/article.php?UID=0okPvEjeShGzY9hjf84gKDtXOgtI7P&sc=1109&aid=5425)

AMA Hill Climb (http://www.amaproracing.com/06hc/)

AMA Pro ATV (http://www.amaproracing.com/07atv/index.asp)
Schedule Information (http://www.amaproracing.com/07atv/index.asp#schedule)

Australian Superbike Championship (http://www.aus-superbikes.com.au/)


Canadian Superbike Championship (http://www.cdnsuperbike.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1)
News (http://www.cdnsuperbike.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&sectionid=1&id=1&Itemid=46)
Track Information (http://www.cdnsuperbike.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=71&Itemid=75)

Championship Cup Series American SportBike Racing Association ( http://www.ccsracing.com/)


FORMULA 1 (http://www.formula1.com/ )
Schedule (http://www.formula1.com/race/)
Tickets and Travel (http://www.formula1.com/tickets_and_travel/redirect/)

BMW Sauber (http://www.bmw-sauber-f1.com/html/en/index.html)
Drivers
Nick Heidfeld (http://www.adrivo.com/nickheidfeld/)
Robert Kubica (http://www.kubica.pl/)

Ferrari (http://www.ferrariworld.com/FWorld/fw/index.jsp)
Drivers
Kimi Raikkonen (http://www.racecar.net/kimi/) – Under Construction
Felipe Massa (http://www.felipemassa.com/)

Honda (http://www.hondaracingf1.com/en/index.php)
Drivers
Jenson Button (http://www.racecar.co.uk/jensonbutton/)
Rubens Barrichello (http://www.barrichello.com.br/new/index.htm)

McLaren (http://www.mclaren.co.uk/)
Drivers
Fenando Alonso (http://www.fernandoalonso.net/)
Lewis Hamilton (http://www.lewishamilton.com/)

Renault (http://www.ing-renaultf1.com/en/)
Drivers
Giancarlo Fisichella ( http://www.giancarlofisichella.com/)
Heikki Kovalainen

Spyker (http://www.spykerf1.nl/)
Drivers
Christijan Albers
Adrian Sutil (http://www.adriansutil.com/)

Super Aguri (http://www.saf1.co.jp/en/)
Drivers
Takuma Sato (http://www.takumasato.com/)
Anthony Davidson

Toro Rosso (Red Bull) (http://www.redbullf1.com/switch.action?lang=en)
Drivers
David Coulthard
Mark Webber (http://www.webber-racing.co.uk/)

Toyota (http://www.toyota-f1.com/public/en/index_e.html)
Drivers
Ralf Schumacher
Jarno Trulli ( http://www.jarnotrulli.com/)

Williams (http://www.williamsf1.com/consumer/season/2006/brazil/06braziloverview.htm)
Nico Rosberg ( http://www.nicorosberg.com/)
Alex Wurz


Mid-Atlantic Road Racing Club (Cornerworking) ( http://www.marrc.org/)


Isle of Man TT (http://www.iomtt.com/)
Calander (http://www.iomtt.com/Calendar.aspx)
Front page news (http://www.iomtt.com/blogs/)
TT Database (http://www.iomtt.com/TTDatabase.aspx)


MotoGP (http://www.motograndprix.com/en/motogp/index.htm)

SUPERSIDE

FIM Sidecar World Championship – SUPERSIDE (http://www.superside.com/)

Superside – American Sidecar Championship ( http://www.superside-america.com/)



US Classic Racing Association (http://www.race-uscra.com/)


United States Grand Prix Racers Union ( http://www.usgpru.net/)


Vintage Road Racing Association – CA (http://www.vrra.ca/):


WERA Motorcycle Roadracing (http://www.wera.com/)


Westwood Motorcycle Racing Club CA. (http://www.wmrc.ca/)


World Endurance Championship (http://www.worldendurance.com)


World SBK ( http://www.worldsbk.com/)


Unless noted otherwise, I have no known commercial interest in any products, retailers or manufactures discussed in the Morning Reads. The links used in the Morning Reads are for informational use only. The use of all links is subject to the terms of use of the originating site.

THE END ( http://www.hotwells.freeserve.co.uk/lastpage.html)

[PAULBACH]

‘Books SB BMW Riders have purchased, listed by title, author, subject, & commentary. All Books can be checked out at the Santa Barbara Public Library.’

Why didn’t I think of that?

Great Idea SB SMW riders. Would your club donate a shelf? Donate to local library a couple of books at a time. Books on the care and feeding of motorcycles in general and Beemers in particular. My local library has nothing on Beemers. I cannot find any Clymers there. How about some Karma for Kids (of all ages) at the local library.

Maybe the MOA would offer a discounted subscription to ON if a local rider wanted to have it sent to a library? Another good way to advocate for the sport and for the Marque. Thanks again SB BMW for a great idea.

When I was a more active member of the ARRL (American Radio Rely League) the league had a whole package of books that they sold at a substantial discount to local clubs if the club would donate the package to a library. Anyone want to work with me on this?

Excellent book review here for Riding the World (http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Article_Page.aspx?ArticleID=4278&Page=1)by Greg Frazier. I used this book for my overseas ride last year and it was invaluable. It is a good read. After being inspired by M1KA I am going to find mine and give it to the local library.


Darn, I lost the link for this purple patch below but this is what we are missing when the mom and pops turn into Boutiques. Guess I am lucky living only 30 minutes from Max's where Steve rides, Tony Rides, Louis rides and of course Max loves to mix it up with terrains of all kinds.

I long for the day when a motorcycle shop was a place run by people who loved bikes and rode bikes and saw their customers as fellow riders, not sales prey. Long ago, hanging around in a motorcycle shop on Saturday meant meeting friends there, talking bikes, maybe snagging a test ride because the owner or sales guy knew you and knew you were getting tired of your old bike or had just sold it to a pal. Hanging around a bike shop on Saturday meant making new friends and learning things about bikes that you didn't know before. It meant reading Cycle News all the way through and then paying for it because that was the decent thing to do and you wouldn't want to cheat the owner who's name you knew and who knew your's. Hanging around the shop meant knowing the mechanic and the service manager (if there was one) and being able to get a question answered correctly by someone who knew the bikes forward and backwards. Motorcycle shops were colorful places that smelled of engines and adventure, were filled with people who were characters and machines that would become legendary.

Pashnit? I thought that was a small village just to the west of Preshawar. But no. Be sure to visit Pashnit (http://www.pashnit.com/)


Want a great list of News & E-Zines (http://www.wisconsinmotorcycling.com/links/index.html)? Check out this list if the SuperBowl gets dull.

Even woot has something for us today. Here is what you need for your Super Bowl party, a 16 X 9 projection screen good for outdoor use. Every rally needs (http://www.woot.com/Default.aspx) one of these.

Thanks Mika for another outstanding post.

[PAULBACH]

This is what the Santa Barbara club (http://www.sbbmwriders.org/resources.asp) has done. Looks like an idea many clubs could adopt. <- Check it out

:thumb