mika
Still Wondering
The motorcycling world viewed from the saddle of 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 for motorcycling information.
TodayÔÇÖs Birthdays / Calendar
BMW MOA Chartered Club:
BMW Motorrad Club Guatemala
Founded:
4/15/2004
Contact:
Mario Enriquez (marioe@open-consult.com)
7801 NW 37th St.
Miami, FL 33166 Guatemala
Meetings:
First Tuesday of every month
7 p.m.
At the BMW dealer place
Events:
Club Rally
Workshop days and breakfast on weekends
Gem??tlichkeit is the warm, comfortable feeling
one receives from pleasant surroundings and atmosphere.
I think you will find that when you come here.
Village of Slinger Parks and Recreation
Ozaukee ÔÇô Washington Daily News
Fond Du Lac Reporter
The Sheboygan Press
Daily Citizen, Beaver Dam
Weather
West Bend WI
Current
10 Day Forcast
United States
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration
Canada
Meteorological Service of Canada
News:
Digital-Phootograpy-School.com: Okay so it is after Christmas, here are 16 digital photography tips for Christmas picture taking. An interesting site that I will be digging into for a while.
Bikes in the Fast Lane.com: Airbag for motorcycles. These videos are Dutch tests of an unidentified model.
HondaWoldwide.com: This is HondaÔÇÖs motorcycle airbag press release from September.
HondaWorldwide.com: Here is a link to a dozen pictures of the airbag setup.
They continue with this report ÔÇô
Motorcycle
Airbag System. Honda has been at this since 1990.
motorauthority.com: Ford and Toyota are considering partnering.
Beer News:
GIZMODO.com: Christmas by the numbers.
Recalls:
Book Review:
Packing Light Packing Right!
The Sound Rider! Guide to Motorcycle Packing
By: Tom Mehren
Sound Rider advertised this book prior to publication. Curiosity led me to buy the book and see what it had to offer. I received the book shortly before Thanksgiving and have had mixed emotions as to how to review it.
I had troubles figuring out what it reminded me of. Then I realized that it is like many business documents that I have read or written. Often in business we give our staff complex topics to examine, define the issues and report back with that information and propose recommendations. The work is you want from them is a concise and you expect them to stand behind their recommendations. Packing Light Packing Right fits that bill.
Tom Mehren lays out his purpose in the opening sentence of his introduction, This book I meant to be a useful guide to motorcycle touring. On the opposite page is a warning that, Items marked with SR! in this book can be purchased online through the Sound RIDER! store The book is not a dispassionate arms length treatise on the subject. There are times when this would disqualify a book for consideration, but this is not an academic exercise. The reader does need to be aware of the economic stake the author has in the book and weigh it against the recommendations that he makes.
Pick any topic and the pattern is simple. The topic is defined simply and then the author recommends his solutions to meet the needs of the issue. The information in the book is presented in the same manner as the business paper you would expect and as the title suggests. It is packed with concisely and lightly with the right information for you to make your final executive gear decision.
There are three kinds of readers for this type of book. The first is a new rider looking to gear up the first time, the second an experienced rider ready to redo his gear, and the experienced person looking for validation of their choices. The first two will find help in this book. The latter
The new rider could not go wrong with most of the suggestions in the book. They may not learn a lot about the whys but there are practical answers to meet their needs. If they purchase base on MehrenÔÇÖs recommendations they will have good gear that will last a long time.
Seasoned riders often have definite ideas about what they want from gear and the experience to back it up. What they often lack is familiarity with new products available to them when they need to replace or upgrade gear. They will find excellent options in here also.
If you are looking to validate your vanity as the touring gear expert donÔÇÖt spend your money. This book is opinionated but without the passion you are looking to argue with if you disagree with the authors recommendations.
About the author.
Writer, publisher of the book and Sound RIDER!, list maker, former back packer, lecturer on touring and gear, and avid rider. The book is the synthesis of all this experience.
Publisher: Tom Mehren
Mixed Media
2226 Eastlake Ave E #69
Seattle, WA 98102
www.mm411.com
Table of Contents
Introduction
1. The Basics
2. Riding Gear Selection
3. Storage
4. Motorcycle Stuff
5. Clothing to Pack
6. Personal Stuff
7. Information & Currency
8. Gadgets & Otherwise
9. Survival Basics
10. Little Helpers
11. Overnight
12. Shower Kit
13. Before and After the Ride
14. Ready for the Journey
$19.95 www.soundrider.com/store
Gear:
Long Term Book Review: Packing Light Packing Right!
I fall into the category of rider that is beginning to replace his gear. The book appealed on that level. I am planning to go through my gear in preparation for next season. I am going to use the book organize that goal. I plan on sharing what I learn about gear and the book in the process. Think of it as a long term book review.
Woot
Todays Woot
The Blog
Bike Candy:
The Pit Crew View: Racing News:
Dakar 2007
The official Dakar 2007 website.
Versus: Now that you too are hooked on the event here is the TV schedule for your 2007 Dakar viewing pleasure.
Dakar Rally News via topix.net
Mobileindustry.biz: EA launches Dakar 2007 for mobiles.
NORTH AMERICAN ENTRANTS:
Here are the entrants from NA and their websites when available. This undoubtedly is an incomplete list and I will continue to refine it up to race time.
MOTORCYCLE
Chris Blais: Red Bull / KTM
Paul Broome: Honda
Terry Curtis - Team Rally Raid Mexico / Yamaha
James Embro: Team SSC / JJE Constructors
Timothy Hall: Heatland Dakar 2007 / KTM
Sunny Irvine - Team Rally Raid Mexico / Yamaha
Christopher Jones: KTM
Mike Kary: Team RallySoCal / Husqvarna
Steve Laroza: Team JJE Construcors / KTM
Casey McCoy: Rally Pan America / KTM
Brian Schumckle: Team RallySoCal / Husqvarna
Elmer Symons: Team SSC/JJE Constructors / KTM
Jonah Street: Pai-Rally Pan America / KTM
CARS
Ron Bailey Motorsports
Team Gordon
Volkswagen Motosport: Drivers Mark Miller / Ralf Pitchford
Team SMG: Divers ÔÇô Michael Peterson / Matthew Stevensen
TRUCKS
Thomas Geviss / Paul Mitchell: Team Gordon
Darren Skilton / Jose Grijalva / Hecotr Camachof
Here is another chance for you to do the digging: Google Directory: Dakar 2007, approximately 598 sites to mine. Have fun.
Dakar Motorcycle Entrants as of 5 OCT 2007 This appears to be a complete list of the motorcycle entrants.
IOMTT
iomtt.com: Oz-some talent
PAGE 2: A Link to Events and Racing Calendars
Last update: December 17, 2006
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.
TodayÔÇÖs Birthdays / Calendar
BMW MOA Chartered Club:
BMW Motorrad Club Guatemala
Founded:
4/15/2004
Contact:
Mario Enriquez (marioe@open-consult.com)
7801 NW 37th St.
Miami, FL 33166 Guatemala
Meetings:
First Tuesday of every month
7 p.m.
At the BMW dealer place
Events:
Club Rally
Workshop days and breakfast on weekends
Gem??tlichkeit is the warm, comfortable feeling
one receives from pleasant surroundings and atmosphere.
I think you will find that when you come here.
Village of Slinger Parks and Recreation
Ozaukee ÔÇô Washington Daily News
Fond Du Lac Reporter
The Sheboygan Press
Daily Citizen, Beaver Dam
Weather
West Bend WI
Current
10 Day Forcast
United States
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration
Canada
Meteorological Service of Canada
News:
Digital-Phootograpy-School.com: Okay so it is after Christmas, here are 16 digital photography tips for Christmas picture taking. An interesting site that I will be digging into for a while.
Bikes in the Fast Lane.com: Airbag for motorcycles. These videos are Dutch tests of an unidentified model.
HondaWoldwide.com: This is HondaÔÇÖs motorcycle airbag press release from September.
HondaWorldwide.com: Here is a link to a dozen pictures of the airbag setup.
They continue with this report ÔÇô
Motorcycle
Airbag System. Honda has been at this since 1990.
motorauthority.com: Ford and Toyota are considering partnering.
Beer News:
GIZMODO.com: Christmas by the numbers.
Recalls:
Book Review:
Packing Light Packing Right!
The Sound Rider! Guide to Motorcycle Packing
By: Tom Mehren
Sound Rider advertised this book prior to publication. Curiosity led me to buy the book and see what it had to offer. I received the book shortly before Thanksgiving and have had mixed emotions as to how to review it.
I had troubles figuring out what it reminded me of. Then I realized that it is like many business documents that I have read or written. Often in business we give our staff complex topics to examine, define the issues and report back with that information and propose recommendations. The work is you want from them is a concise and you expect them to stand behind their recommendations. Packing Light Packing Right fits that bill.
Tom Mehren lays out his purpose in the opening sentence of his introduction, This book I meant to be a useful guide to motorcycle touring. On the opposite page is a warning that, Items marked with SR! in this book can be purchased online through the Sound RIDER! store The book is not a dispassionate arms length treatise on the subject. There are times when this would disqualify a book for consideration, but this is not an academic exercise. The reader does need to be aware of the economic stake the author has in the book and weigh it against the recommendations that he makes.
Pick any topic and the pattern is simple. The topic is defined simply and then the author recommends his solutions to meet the needs of the issue. The information in the book is presented in the same manner as the business paper you would expect and as the title suggests. It is packed with concisely and lightly with the right information for you to make your final executive gear decision.
There are three kinds of readers for this type of book. The first is a new rider looking to gear up the first time, the second an experienced rider ready to redo his gear, and the experienced person looking for validation of their choices. The first two will find help in this book. The latter
The new rider could not go wrong with most of the suggestions in the book. They may not learn a lot about the whys but there are practical answers to meet their needs. If they purchase base on MehrenÔÇÖs recommendations they will have good gear that will last a long time.
Seasoned riders often have definite ideas about what they want from gear and the experience to back it up. What they often lack is familiarity with new products available to them when they need to replace or upgrade gear. They will find excellent options in here also.
If you are looking to validate your vanity as the touring gear expert donÔÇÖt spend your money. This book is opinionated but without the passion you are looking to argue with if you disagree with the authors recommendations.
About the author.
Writer, publisher of the book and Sound RIDER!, list maker, former back packer, lecturer on touring and gear, and avid rider. The book is the synthesis of all this experience.
Publisher: Tom Mehren
Mixed Media
2226 Eastlake Ave E #69
Seattle, WA 98102
www.mm411.com
Table of Contents
Introduction
1. The Basics
2. Riding Gear Selection
3. Storage
4. Motorcycle Stuff
5. Clothing to Pack
6. Personal Stuff
7. Information & Currency
8. Gadgets & Otherwise
9. Survival Basics
10. Little Helpers
11. Overnight
12. Shower Kit
13. Before and After the Ride
14. Ready for the Journey
$19.95 www.soundrider.com/store
Gear:
Long Term Book Review: Packing Light Packing Right!
I fall into the category of rider that is beginning to replace his gear. The book appealed on that level. I am planning to go through my gear in preparation for next season. I am going to use the book organize that goal. I plan on sharing what I learn about gear and the book in the process. Think of it as a long term book review.
Woot
Todays Woot
The Blog
Bike Candy:
The Pit Crew View: Racing News:
Dakar 2007
The official Dakar 2007 website.
Versus: Now that you too are hooked on the event here is the TV schedule for your 2007 Dakar viewing pleasure.
Dakar Rally News via topix.net
Mobileindustry.biz: EA launches Dakar 2007 for mobiles.
NORTH AMERICAN ENTRANTS:
Here are the entrants from NA and their websites when available. This undoubtedly is an incomplete list and I will continue to refine it up to race time.
MOTORCYCLE
Chris Blais: Red Bull / KTM
Paul Broome: Honda
Terry Curtis - Team Rally Raid Mexico / Yamaha
James Embro: Team SSC / JJE Constructors
Timothy Hall: Heatland Dakar 2007 / KTM
Sunny Irvine - Team Rally Raid Mexico / Yamaha
Christopher Jones: KTM
Mike Kary: Team RallySoCal / Husqvarna
Steve Laroza: Team JJE Construcors / KTM
Casey McCoy: Rally Pan America / KTM
Brian Schumckle: Team RallySoCal / Husqvarna
Elmer Symons: Team SSC/JJE Constructors / KTM
Jonah Street: Pai-Rally Pan America / KTM
CARS
Ron Bailey Motorsports
Team Gordon
Volkswagen Motosport: Drivers Mark Miller / Ralf Pitchford
Team SMG: Divers ÔÇô Michael Peterson / Matthew Stevensen
TRUCKS
Thomas Geviss / Paul Mitchell: Team Gordon
Darren Skilton / Jose Grijalva / Hecotr Camachof
Here is another chance for you to do the digging: Google Directory: Dakar 2007, approximately 598 sites to mine. Have fun.
Dakar Motorcycle Entrants as of 5 OCT 2007 This appears to be a complete list of the motorcycle entrants.
IOMTT
iomtt.com: Oz-some talent
PAGE 2: A Link to Events and Racing Calendars
Last update: December 17, 2006
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.
