Honda?

Shadow Phantom? I like the name and I like the looks. It almost seems like it was put out there as competition for the 883 Iron. Both are meant to be blacked out affordable cruisers with that bobbed and minimalist look. And I thought I wouldn't see anything from Honda that would impress me again. I've always loved the Shadow line and to see it slowly give way to the VTX made me cringe. I've never liked the VTX's styling and hated the demo rides I've had on them.

Specs:
(courtesy of Honda)

2010 Honda Shadow Phantom Specifications:

Model: VT750C2A
Engine Type: 745cc liquid-cooled 52° V-twin
Bore and Stroke: 79mm x 76mm
Compression ratio: 9.6:1
Valve Train: SOHC; three valves per cylinder
Induction: PGM-FI with automatic enrichment circuit, one 34mm throttle body
Ignition: CD with electronic advance, two spark plugs per cylinder
Transmission: Wide-ratio five-speed
Final Drive: Shaft

Suspension

Front: 41mm fork; 4.6 inches travel
Rear: Dual shocks with five-position spring preload adjustability; 3.5 inches travel


Brakes
Front: Single 296mm disc with twin-piston caliper
Rear: Drum

Tires

Front: 120/90-17
Rear: 160/80-15

Wheelbase: 64.5 inches
Rake (Caster angle): 34o
Trail: 161mm (6.3 inches)
Seat Height: 25.7 inches
Fuel Capacity: 3.9 gallons, including 0.9-gallon reserve
Colors: Black
Curb Weight*: 549 pounds
*Includes all standard equipment, required fluids and full tank of fuel--ready to ride.


Gotta say...hate the rear drum brake, but I do like the bike.

Sons of Anarchy

Tomorrow night...must watch...

Admission

Okay, I admit that I beat myself up about dropping my bike...a lot.  Calling it an amateur mistake and thinking myself stupid for doing it.  Let's just say that my ego got the better of me.  I'm fine about it now, but I was a limping (twisted foot) bear for a couple of days after the incident.

Yesterday I read the post on Road Grits Cafe about the "Cherry Drop".  Genius naming, by the way.  And it made me realize how stupid those thoughts I had are.  Everyone has their moment and that day was one of mine.  The one line in his post that jumps out is, "LACK OF FOCUS AND ENVIRONMENT DISTRACTION".  That day was a result of lack of focus on my part.  I was distracted by thoughts other then my motorcycle and I had tried riding with tunes again.  Both of those things led to me not watching what I was doing and dropping Selene.

Really, there is no other excuse then that.  Any time that something like this has happened, it's been the result of me not focusing on what I'm doing.  Whether parking or riding, your focus needs to be on piloting that bike.  Once you are off, feel free to do as many things at once as you wish.

Focus brothers and sisters, your life is in your own hands while riding.  Make sure your mind is all about that.

September 1st...ugh...

Can you feel it?  The impending doom that is the end of riding season?  Well, at least the end for us that actually experience winter.  I know I'll be doing my usual "push riding season as far as I can", but I'm gonna miss those hot summer days.  I'm working on getting something to help out with the cold while riding, but it will be a while before that pans out.

It's September and I'm wondering where the hell my summer went.  I remember everything that we did, but it feels like it all happened in one day.  I guess that's the joy/pain of having a summer full of things to do.  You enjoy it and remember it, but it goes oh so quickly.

We had our trip to PEI...in the midst of a hurricane that didn't really happen.  Bill was fore cast to pummel the Maritimes, but barely did anything.  We had beautiful weather the whole trip and only got wet because of the late evening fog as we rolled back into town.  The wind was a battle on the way back and Joey thought we were goners a couple of times...ah the joys of solid rims.  No matter though, it was an awesome trip made better with the accompaniment of friends.  And the Confederation Bridge?  What a blast to ride across!

After that it's been work for the club and getting to the events that I can.  It's odd to look past September and see months with no bike events.  Man...winter is going to be boring.

In other news, I dropped my bike again.  No excuses, just lost my footing in a parking lot.  Thankfully no one was around.  Once again my left saddle bag took the brunt of the damage.  It's all scratched up and will have to be left for the winter to get repaired.  We just can't afford to get it done right now.

Two upcoming things that I'm looking forward to in September though?  Sons of Anarchy starts up next week so there is some quality motorcycle oriented TV watching right there.  The day after that premieres our local Harley Davidson dealer is having a Test Our Metal demo day.  I think that will be an early day...I want to get my butt in the seat of one of those Road Kings.  You know...so I can further cement into my head that I want one.

Busy and Fast

That pretty much describes this summer.  Lots of things going on and not really enough time for myself or the things I want to do.  Well...the other things I want to do...aside from biking and being involved in bike related things.

The weather hasn't been the best on the east coast.  There's been plenty of fog and more then enough rain.  It's actually on record as the wettest summer for our area.  But the nice days we've had have been really nice.  I can't remember a summer where I've been able to ride with just a shirt on this much.  Yes, just a shirt.  I know...ATGATT.  I accept the risk and I won't bitch about it if I ever hit the pavement with just a t-shirt on.

Things are good on the home front though.  I'm very much back to how I used to be before the surgery and the only real reminders are the numb area and the scar itself.  Financially, though, we're screwed...LOL.  But hey, not the first time we've been there.  My wife was talking to a financial planner (that was pleasantly forced on us by a credit card company) and the planner was going through everything that we are paying out.  One of the things she asked was, "Can your husband go without the motorcycle?"  My wife broke out laughing.  The conversation soon ended.

The club has been keeping me very busy.  It's amazing how many motorcycle events I've discovered around here.  There aren't too many weekends that are devoid of things to do.  There's always a group that has some ride planned or some event going on.  As a matter of fact, we have our own east coast rally August 21-23.  We have a big group of riders going and we all have cabins rented in the same area.  It's should to be a blast...can't wait.

We are also creating a calendar to help fund the club so we can start our own charity events.  All the bike photos are member bikes taken by our resident club photographer (not me).  It's skipping along rather nicely and it'll be great to have a calendar hanging on the wall with my own bike in it.  We should have them printing off within a week or two.  Aside from all that we have two bike shows to be in before the summer is done.  Ugh, before I know it I'll be complaining that it's time to put the bike away.  I really don't want summer to end...

Oh, one last thing.  I had my daughter on the bike a while back (she's 13 already?!).  She was a natural!  I barely even knew she was there.  The fact that she sat back there and didn't even have to hold on to me blew my mind.  That's my girl!