Congratulations!

We have a winner!!

Richard and 'the white bike' won SV of the month at SVrider.com.

I guess the photo shoot was worth it after all!

Congrats babe!

What is SV rider you ask?? It's a motorcycle forum, one of the biggest (just behind Harley Davidson's forum). It is a special place for SV owners to meet, discuss and share.

Richard is a key player on the site, with a lot of his bike relationships stemming from it. His screen name is Zuki... I am less of a key player and more of his 'old lady'. My screen shot is Zuki's Girl.

Our FIRST bike ride - September 2008.

It's cute.

If you ride an SV I recommend it... and if you don't, check out the site and you will.

www.svrider.com

Guess what I did?

I did it for 10 hours straight!

This weekend Richard I started our venture into Sons of Anarchy.

Everyone kept telling us we HAD to watch, because we're so into bikes. I find flaws in this logic, but we still bought the DVDs and spent TEN hours in front of the TV watching most of the second season. We had 4 episodes to go, but it was 4am and I couldn't handle it anymore.

First, I ride a sport bike. I have a regular LEGAL job and am not a part of any gang. I don't wear leather or drink shots in the morning. This logic of 'you ride a bike' you'll like this show is ridiculous.

This show is consuming. It is not well written or well acted, but it strings you along and leaves you begging for more. I couldn't tear myself away from the characters. I needed to know what happen to poor Gemma. Did Phillip recover? Is Jacks leaving? WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO THE CLUB?!

My only complaint was the lack of conclusion... most hour long dramas have a clear beginning middle and resolution. This show does not. It's like a very long movie with week long intermissions (not if you buy the DVD). It just keeps going... you're begging from someone to step up or step in, tell the truth or forget the past... you're just clinging to resolve and it never comes.

Granted we have not finished season two yet... I have to watch the season finale tonight (we tried to finish the season last night, but a late start kept me up till 1a and I just didn't have the strength to go on for ONE MORE HOUR. It's always ONE MORE HOUR.)

Everyone at work watches this show and all claim it to be their soap opera. I agree. Everyone is a lying, cheating whore, but still the characters remain lovable. And everyone seems to be VERY forgiving despite their tough exterior... oh and they hug A LOT.

For the ladies... its a good looking cast that oozes masculinity. Just look...

You're welcome.

I do recommend the show for some mind numbing fun, but don't think you'll love it or hate it based on the number of wheels you have.

I will let you know how much I love it (or hate it) after the season finale.

Photo Shoot!

Alpinestar Man had a busy weekend.

The white bike was nominated for SV of the Month on svrider.com. Which is awesome, because he has worked SO hard on this bike over the last 5 years.

As he always says 'it is never done'... but it is very close.

The funny part is watching him try to contain his excitement and enthusiasm about being nominated. He tried to play it cool, but it never goes well. On Sunday (immediately after finding out about the nomination) he started talking about the photo shoot that had to happen. After all he didn't have any recent pictures, since he updated the rearsets.

Photo shoots are common in our household... he has more pictures of the bikes then of us, but each is important and highlights the latest upgrades.

He paced around the house debating the weather. It had rained that morning and the ground was wet, but... Would it rain again? Would the pavement dry out? Would the sun be to bright?

After scouting locations we parked the bike in front of a tall fence and proceeded to take over 100 pictures at all different angles.

That is my loving husband rolling around on the ground to get good shots.

And he did...

She really is beautiful and worthy of his admiration, but it makes me giggle when Richard turns into a lunatic about pictures... on the upside he did thank me for putting up with his craziness.

Which Bike?

Bike talk in our house is NEVER ending, from necessary upgrades to gear, new bikes to road trips; Richard and I are always talking about bikes. What I’ve learned from that… talk about bikes. If there is ever a break in conversation or a indisputable silence (ex. post argument) it can quickly be forgotten with a mention of motorcycles (It pays to know your audience).

Alpinestar man LOVES bikes.

All kinds of bikes, for all kinds of reasons. Bikes are his passion... which bike should we target next, which bike fits well with what we have, but also offers a different riding style, which bike is a realistic ‘investment’ (no vehicle is ever a real ‘investment’) and which bikes is a lottery bike i.e. if we win the lottery what are our dream bikes.

Richard’s list is significantly more developed than mine.

I asked him to co-author this post.

Richard: I think my next bike will be a motard. I want to learn the limits of the bike. How hard to brake, how to "back it in" to a turn and how to slide coming out of the turn (while keeping control); all things that will make me a better rider, with better bike control.



The lottery bike is a Husqvarna SMR510 but realistically, without the lottery, I will probably end up with a Suzuki DRZ400SM. Its more affordable and parts are cheaper and easier to find.



The Lottery Bike: Husqvarna SMR510



The realistic bike: Suzuki DRZ400SM

 Melanie: His dedication to Suzuki knows no bounds. I am a lot of the voice behind ‘realistically’.

Richard: I would also like a dedicated track bike. I would like it to be an in line four, probably a 600, either a Suzuki GSXR or a Kawasaki ZX6R. I would buy a used bike and convert it to a track bike. Remove lights, signals, stock body work mirrors and then add race bodywork, pazzo levers and spiegler brake lines. I would also have to get a trailer to get the bike to the track since it won't be street legal.

Track Bike Option 1: Suzuki GSXR

Track Bike Option 2: Kawasaki ZX6R

Melanie: Not mentioned is the SUV and trailer needed with this bike to haul it from track to track. There I go being ‘realistic’ again.

Richard: There is also part of me that wants a dual sport. I am thinking something like a Suzuki Vstrom 1000. The 1000 would be nice for a little more power on the highway but it would also be a little heavier when off road. The Vstrom has the same motor as the SV so it is very familiar to us. If I decide to go the dual sport route I will look more into other bikes but could very well end up with a Vstrom.

Dual Sport: Suzuki Vstrom 1000

Melanie: I am ALL for this, because it means I can hop on the back without much effect. I love being on the back of his bike more than the front of mine. Oddly enough it is because I trust him more then I trust myself.

Richard: I also like vintage style bikes. My dad has a 2001 Triumph Bonneville and I am trying to convince him that we should make a project bike out of it. He still has an SV650 he can ride while we work on it. We'll see.

Dad and Bonnie on the Cabot Trail (Summer 2010)

Richard: And having said all of this. I AM KEEPING both my SV's!!

Melanie: And we need a 4 car garage and maybe even one (or two) inside.

'cause there isn't one there already.

Melanie: As for my list… Its less in depth and less detailed, but I would like a dirt bike or maybe a motard so Richard and I can play in the dirt together… which bike is up to him and based on what is listed on Kijiji and my lottery bike is an Aprilia, an orange one.

Richard: Oh that’s cute, an 'orange one' I think you mean an 2009 Aprilia Shiver 750.

The Pretty Orange One

Melanie: Thanks! I just think it’s pretty and the name screams quality. There is also something unique about them and I like that.

Richard: Of course you do. Aprilia makes a Super Motard for your ‘dirt bike’ request. A motard is more functional; check out the Aprilia SXV 5.5

I think this is my NEW favorite.

Melanie: Ooo… pretty.

Richard: Yes, pretty.

And that is typically how our motorcycle conversations go, everyone leaves happy.

What is your lottery bike?

To Winterize...

... or not to *winterize.

That is always the question in early fall. Do you tempt Mother Nature?

Richard has already shut down riding season for the '04. Which makes me sad. The end of riding season always makes me reminiscent of the lost summer.

This year I didn't get to ride as much as I would have liked, but I was busy getting married and honeymooning (tough life). We've even discussed moving my bike into the garage for next season (insurance is just too much). All the more reason I am clinging to this season.

I am willing to BET there will be ONE more glorious weekend of riding.

So a poll ---> When should you winterize your bike?

*Winterizing a motorcycle involves: Draining the oil, removing the battery and filling the tank with fresh gas. Then the bike goes up on a stand and sadly sits alone in the garage for 6 months.