Knees in the Breeze

These are some more shots from yesterday around eastern Connecticut near the Rhode Island border. Because the sitting position is so similar to that of the little honda, I'm getting the hang of this bike pretty quickly. It handles like a dream. I took on just about any terrain I could find and it was just insanely fun. I took her down some gravel and dirt roads, some grassy fields, some fire trails packed with pine needles, and one particularly rocky trail that had me in over my head - didn't go too far on that one. Nearly dumped my bike the second day I had it haha. I can't really overstate how much fun this bike is. Just pure, old-fashioned motorcycling fun. And that's what it's all about. 

Pachaug

Today I headed north to Pachaug Nat'l Forest. I took the Scrambler down some pretty gnarly trails and fire roads and this bike is indestructible. There could not be a better motorcycle for me. This thing flies on the highway, cruising at 85 like nothing, and still capable of a little off-road exploring. Incredible Sunday. 

Welcome Home.

For a couple of months now, I've been researching all sorts of motorcycles. I decided it was time that I get something quicker, more powerful, and more reliable than the CB360. I went back and forth between a few bikes - even looking at some newer dual sports, but something always led me back to Triumph. I even visited a couple of Harley dealerships, and something there just continues to elude me. The whole thing is just not me. They just don't appeal to me the way Triumphs do. For years, these motorcycles have been whispering to me. In my opinion, they are everything a motorcycle should be. 

One week ago I chased down a used Triumph Scrambler in a dealership up north of Hartford on the Massachusetts line. It was a 2012 going for just under 8 grand. I would have bought even older, but it's near impossible to find used Triumphs around here. I looked it over, my heart beat faster, and I left that day. I could not stop thinking about that bike. A couple days later I called the shop, and dropped a deposit on the Scrambler. This morning, the motorcycle was mine. 

When I first got on the motorcycle, it was downright frightening how powerful and quick off the line it was. I nearly had to relearn how to ride, as all I've ever ridden is a 40-year-old 360cc. After a few laps of the neighborhood however, it felt incredibly right. In no time at all, I was thumping a across town to pick up a cover for the bike, and later tonight, rode out to my boss' kids birthday bbq and back. It just loves twisty roads. It leans effortlessly and responds perfectly to everything. It's a great bike and I've just barely scratched the surface. I'm a little choppy on the thing, but I can't wait to get back on her tomorrow and learn more about what she can do. It's been a good day. 

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Scrambler

Man, I need one of these. I remember going to the Triumph dealership in Indian Springs (i think it was?) back around 2007 (or 8?) shortly after I got my little Honda, and seeing these Scramblers for the first time. They had the two-tone tanks back then. Beautiful bikes. 

Sick Buoy

Today, Seth was taking some photos for an article on the new military riding policies for Coast Guard Magazine, and we used our bikes in the shot (along with some Harleys), at the buoy yard on base there in San Pedro. 

The orange beast is riding a little rough lately, and I'm afraid it might be a power issue - or the original power issue finally blowing up on me (been compensating by trickle charging almost every night before I ride). 

Original Hornet

I was going through some old photos and found these few of my first motorcycle - also a 1974 Honda CB360. I bought this for $1000 in late 2006 while stationed outside Washington, D.C. I'd been wanting to learn to ride a motorcycle for some time, and finally having a little cash and the freedom to do it, I took the plunge, not knowing a thing about riding. All I knew is that I didn't want a crotch rocket, and I didn't want (or have the money for) a big cruiser. Seeing the classic look of this small, mysterious 70's motorcycle on craigslist sold me instantly. Later that day, it was mine.

I had a couple friends go over the basics of shifting and I'd take it around the neighborhood, getting more and more comfortable, and completely falling in love with the feeling of being on that little motorcycle.

My usual ride would be down the George Washington Parkway along the Potomac to Mt. Vernon and back up to Alexandria. It wasn't a long ride, but the traffic was light, the views were great, and there were just enough curves to make me feel like I was on the Isle of Man. The farthest I'd taken it was up the Clara Barton Parkway, up to Bethesda, Maryland, which also wasn't very far, but a fun ride anyway.

The time came to move out to California, and I didn't have many possessions and elected to move with only what I could fit into my Jeep - eliminating the need for a complicated move. I sold the bike to a co-worker and it stayed in Virginia. Years later when looking for another bike, I saw another 1974 CB360 pop up on craigslist, and jumped on it immediately; which led to this very blog you're reading now.

No matter what motorcycles I find myself on in the future, I'll always have a soft spot for the Honda CB360. People don't forget their first motorcycle, no matter how infrequent it ran, or how uncool it was (not considering the 70's motorcycle boom in the last few years - people thought I was pretty uncool on that bike in 2006). I plan to keep my current 360 for as long as humanly possible. It's paid off, the costs are low, and there's an indescribable, almost human element to this rusty little honda - it has a personality. Not always pleasant, just like the rest of us, but she's my baby. So on this Saturday morning, I'm going to raise my juice glass; here's to the 1974 Honda CB360 - past and present.