Introducing...Pam the 2011 Kawasaki Versys 650!

So, with Eleanor having traveled back and forth to the "spa" (a.k.a. sick bay, personal garage at the dealership, etc. etc.) with the ongoing headlight issue that has haunted her for the last year and change, I found some room in the budget back in April to go pick up a little sidekick motorcycle to add to my vehicle fleet. I was looking for something that was utilitarian and not meant to replace my 2007 Yamaha FJR1300 by any means of the imagination. I thought about bikes that I had previously test ridden that were affordable and fit my personal needs, and one of the first that came to mind was the Kawasaki Versys 650.

Nostalgic Bites: Lomeli's Italian Restaurant (Gardena, CA)

This particular food review is a bit special for me as it answers a question nearly 28 years in the making.

So a little background story here. For the first four years of my life, I lived in Gardena, CA, a suburb south of Los Angeles for the out-of-towners. Occasionally, I would be treated to pizza for dinner from a place called Lomeli's Italian Restaurant (2223 West Redondo Beach Boulevard, Gardena, CA 90247). My parents never told me where the pizza came from (they figured I was too little to care), but fortunately I learned to read at a very young age and was able to remember the restaurant's name from reading the receipts and the pizza boxes. However, that wasn't the only thing that ingrained that name into the deep recesses of my childhood memories; it was the distinct taste of the cheese and the homemade sauce together when I would eat my pizza slices. There was no other place that I would find in my motorcycle adventures and pizza trips to other shops across the country that would replicate that particular flavor.

Tales from the Battle Wagon - how a slightly broken BMW repaired a part of my heart.

I may call myself the Two-Wheeled Tourist, but I wouldn't be where I am now without a little help from my four-wheeled companion, a 1999 BMW 528i (E39) wagon in Oxford Green Metallic.

I acquired this vehicle in May 2011 as a replacement to my beloved 2003 Subaru Outback that found its demise in a collision in the middle of Columbus, Ohio after an impromptu makeout session with a 1993 Honda Civic hatchback at the hands of a roommate. Luckily, I wasn't the one driving the car when this happened; however, the things that did happen to me not much long after the acquisition of this BMW were a clear sign that my time inhabiting the Midwest was coming to an end.

Here's the wagon the day I bought it. I set it free, and it would return the favor several years later.

I was the third owner of this wagon, inheriting it at 102,000 miles on the odometer. It was far from perfect; several hundred dollars from the remainder of my insurance claim check were invested to replace broken pieces, the radiator, and other minor details (thank you eBay and Bavarian Autosport). At first, I didn't like this car very much, but the reasons were more emotional than logical. I missed my Subaru and was quite bitter about the way that car met its end - like in many aspects of my life in Ohio, out of my control and without a satisfying solution or conclusion. This "replacement" of a wagon took a little getting used to because of its larger frame and heavier handling than the nimbler Outback that took me through college and my first foray into a teaching career. The new (to me) car had a large set of tires to fill; replacing what was my escape vehicle before I became a full-fledged motorcyclist was going to be a tough undertaking.

The 2013 SoCal Holiday Excursion Recap: Flight Delays and Bonus Footage

**This is a recap of my vacation back to Southern California from 12/28/13-1/9/14.**

When I last left this recap, I found myself with a few extra days at home thanks to the first of what is now several winter storms that have hit the Midwest this year. I didn't mind it at all, but my [now former] boss had an issue about the delays and questioned the validity of my flight cancellations to the point that it was stressing me out. Then again, what could I do about flights that I couldn't take? As I stood outside in 59 degrees while tending to a barbecue and overlooking the mystic glow of the Los Angeles skyline, I realized that there were far better things to think about, like how I would be able to finally pick up stakes and leave Ohio once and for all.

2014: Marching on, one day at a time.

I bid farewell to a tumultuous 2013 in a familiar part of the country, a place where I needed to be after the sudden life changes during the last few months. I found myself floundering at times, but through those moments, I realized the true power of my own inner strengths. I found the friends and family who will stand up and support me during these emotional trials.

I know that I am not alone.

I resolve this year to not let anyone pull me down in the midst of their own weaknesses. I fight cowardice, cruelty, and immaturity with the knowledge that I am a person who deserves a much better life than what has been dealt to me.

I do not wish to rewrite history, as there are many wonderful, unforgettable moments amid the pain. As I heal from my wounds, I turn the calendar page and look forward to starting a new chapter in my own history, wherever that may be.

My experience with the MSF Basic Rider Course (Range Portion) - Part 2 of 2

Continued from Part 1 (Classroom Portion)

Yesterday (Saturday) and today were the two sections of range exercises for the MSF Basic Rider Course. During this time, the class is on actual motorcycles practicing the fundamentals of basic operation and maneuvering.

Time to choose your ride! Lucky for us, the rain subsided right before class began today.

For the first day, I got to the practice area around 8AM. There were 24 students that reported for this session to be split into two sections of 12 riders each, divided by which classroom session we took earlier that week. The bikes were all lined up in rows and all the students were instructed to select a motorcycle that fits them the best. At this course venue, we had the ability to choose from four models of bikes: Suzuki GN125, Suzuki GZ250, Yamaha TW200, and the Honda Rebel 250.

Suzuki GN125

Suzuki GZ250

Yamaha TW200

Honda Rebel 250

For my bike, I went with the Yamaha TW200, a dual-sport motorcycle with wide tires and a very upright, dirtbike-like posture. I was tempted to the Suzuki GZ250 as it had been bike I used in my basic rider course many years ago (and became my first owned motorcycle), but with noticing the number of (short) women that were choosing their motorcycles, I went for the taller bike. It was a little tall so backing up and pushing it forward was a bit taxing in the early exercises, but its nimbleness made it so easy to maneuver it in the later drills.

Here's "my" bike for the weekend, a 2009 Yamaha TW200

My experience with the MSF Basic Rider Course (Classroom Portion) - Part 1 of 2

After riding for many years and finally having an opportunity to pursue the possibility of becoming a certified Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) instructor, I've finally decided to start the process. So, part of the prerequisites to become an MSF instructor in Ohio, I'm taking the Basic Rider Course (BRC) as to complete it for my instructor application.

For those who haven't heard about the Basic Rider Course, here's a little bit about it:

In the state of Ohio, the BRC course is required for riders under the age of 18 and can be taken in lieu of the on-the-motorcycle test given by the BMV (Bureau of Motor Vehicles) to receive the full motorcycle endorsement. You do NOT have to own a motorcycle or have had experience on a bike to take the course; it is designed to teach those who have NEVER ridden a motorcycle before.

Investing in (You and) Your First Motorcycle

At my new position as a helmet sales associate at a comprehensive motorcycle accessory store, I have often heard the first request of new riders when they're choosing their first helmet, "I only want to spend this much money" or "What's the cheapest helmet I can be fitted in?" With the many choices of helmets we do carry at the store, I can pretty much fit you in any helmet you'd like; whether or not it would be able to sufficiently reduce the chances of injury is another story. That same issue continues on from everything below the neck, such as a proper jacket, pants, and boots.

More often than not, newbies try to cut corners in the safety and apparel department when they make their first bike purchases. In reality, purchasing proper motorcycle wear is an essential part in achieving maximum comfort and confidence on your first ride. Unlike a car purchase, a motorcycle buyer must also consider what they must wear to keep themselves safe while they are riding.

Getting into the sport of motorcycling is a major investment in time and money. The amount of money largely depends on the bike being purchased (type, new/used, condition, etc.) and the safety equipment selected for that ride. Just to put this in perspective, I'll throw this scenario out for you.

"Bob" wants to purchase his first bike. He finds a used (but not abused) motorcycle on Craigslist for $1500. It's in fair condition but it needs some maintenance and new tires. He also needs to purchase riding gear so he can take the motorcycle safety course. He doesn't want to cut corners on the gear and wants the best stuff out there. Here are some of the expenditures he may expect with this choice.

Bike: $1500
Bike repairs (at a shop): $200-500 - may depend on extent of work
New tires (front and rear) - $150-250
Mounting and Installation of tires: up to $60 per tire
New DOT/Snell, full-face helmet: $100-600
New jacket: $150-300
Riding pants (Bob felt that jeans weren't enough): $100-$200
Gloves: $50-100
Boots: $50-100

In the end, Bob is looking somewhere between $2700-3700 to have him and his "new" bike road ready. That's a far departure from the original $1500 just to get the motorcycle.

If you're financing a brand new motorcycle, one must also consider the same type of equipment and the first break-in maintenance service (after 500-600 miles depending on the bike). That's still at least $1200-2200 worth of equipment if you decide to cover yourself from head to toe in quality gear.

Not to worry, there are some ways to stay suited up while saving some money.

Closeouts. Closeouts. Closeouts. Several top helmet companies are transitioning to new models and are putting previous year models on closeout. Finding those gems can mean savings anywhere from $50 to a couple hundred dollars. I strongly recommend new riders (or any riders for that matter) to NEVER purchase a used helmet. You don't know it's history or where it's been, and it's already been broken in and molded to someone else's head shape.

Vanity needs to take a back seat. That one helmet may not perfectly match your bike, but it's DOT/Snell and fits you properly and comfortably. The jacket may have one zipper too many, but it's $100 less than the one that really catches your eye. Sometimes a little compromise can mean a smaller hole in the wallet.

Motorcycling is a sport of growth. You will buy eventually move on to another helmet. You will get into another type of jacket. And if you stick around the sport long enough, you will probably upgrade your bike as well. Let your initial set of equipment be your beginning standard and move up from there. If you've got the money to dish out on the best gear, wonderful! But, if you're like the typical rider who's still trying to figure everything out, a little research and planning can go a long way when you're looking for safety gear.

A new place, a new venture.

So this begins my "blog." Actually, I've been doing this for years, but the idea of actually putting my stories and odd travels on a website that resembles more of a blog didn't come around until I decided to go for a ride to find an Asian supermarket somewhere in Columbus.

For now, I'll be reposting some old writings and some new ones. Perhaps with the amount of time some of these ramblings have simmered I will have gathered some more insight to what I thought was finite and absolute. Nevertheless, they're here for the sharing. Enjoy!