Passes & Canyons Blog

I was just looking at my 1999 Kawasaki Concours a few minutes ago and it’s amazing. It’s so clean and shiny! So totally unusual.

I’ll admit it: I am not fanatical about keeping my bikes clean. A lot of guys keep theirs spotless but I’m pretty nearly at the other end of the scale. The way I see it, I’d rather be out riding my motorcycles than cleaning them. Especially when, after you spend all that time cleaning, the next time you take it out for a ride it just gets dirty again.

I broke down on Saturday and spent about an hour and a half thoroughly cleaning the Kawi because after this last trip to Arizona it was just too filthy even for me. And even now it is not as clean as a lot of guys insist on getting their bikes. Despite serious efforts, there are still bugs firmly bonded in places and I just gave up on them. My wheels were just caked with dirt and I got rid of most of it but not all.

The bottom line is, it’s not spotless but it’s a heck of a lot cleaner than it was. Call me lazy if you like, but I figure that’s good enough. And even now, with my less than perfect cleaning job, I look at the sky and see possible rain and am reluctant to take the bike out for fear of getting it all dirty again. That’s just wrong.

Recent from National Motorcycle Examiner
The non-cruiser guy’s cruiser: Vulcan 900 Classic LT demo ride

Biker Quote for Today

If you don’t get wet once in a while you are not riding enough!

Making a living as a freelancer can be tough. Making a living as a motorcycle freelancer can be very tough. But I keep pushing ahead and there always seems to be some bright spot on the horizon.

Regular readers know that I write about motorcycling for Examiner.com, RumBum.com, CycleConnections.com, as well as this blog. Recently I had a photo published in Rider magazine and Rider has also accepted an article for publication that will see print sooner or later.

Well, maybe I’m a glutton for punishment, but that’s not enough so I’ve been trying to develop several new contacts recently. I learned that Throttler magazine was looking for some more writers so I contacted the editor there and pitched him some stories. He liked my ideas and said he’ll let me know the calendar of when he’d like them from me. So far so good, but I’m still waiting for the calendar. In other words, I’m still keeping my fingers crossed on this one.

Then while I was at Arizona Bike Week my friend Sue Slate, who runs the Women’s Motorcyclist Foundation with her partner Gin Shear, had the idea to connect me to the editor of Kawasaki’s magazine, Accelerate. I’ve been in touch with her and sent her one story and a proposal for another. Again, keeping my fingers crossed.

Another opportunity came my way a few days ago to get some photos published in Cycle Source magazine. I don’t see this as having any likelihood for being more than a one-shot affair, but it helps build my credits.

Lastly, I may have a good shot at doing some work for U.S. Rider News. It wouldn’t pay very much but they all add up.

It’s a darn good thing I enjoy writing and I enjoy motorcycles. I used to write about software applications and it’s a whole lot easier–and more fun–to write about something you have a passion for.

Recent from National Motorcycle Examiner
Rider Alert program debuts in Virginia

Biker Quote for Today

You like motorcycles, beer, and ladies. I’m afraid I have the same illness. — Thierry

We all have misconceptions about those things we know little of. Me, I don’t know a lot about Southern motorcyclists so I have what are probably a lot of wrong ideas. I seem to have cleared up one of them, though.

I’m down in South Carolina right now visiting my mother, and over the weekend I went to the Progressive International Motorcycle Show. The show itself was no big deal; kind of a disappointment actually. What surprised me was the parking lots.

Never having ridden a motorcycle in the South, or very much east of the Mississippi River, I had the idea that nearly all these old southern boys would be sitting astride Harleys. I’m not sure why I had that idea, but I did.

Well guess what? Nothing could be further from the truth. Sure there were a lot of Harleys in the parking lot of the show, but it was amazing how many other bikes there were. Unlike big events in Colorado where, unless it’s a brand event such as a BMW rally, Harleys outnumber everything else combined, it wasn’t so here. In fact, while I have no hard numbers, I’d estimate that there were no more than 20 percent Harleys and the rest was everything else.

For one, there were just a ton of sport bikes. Maybe this has to do with how popular racing is in the South. Not too many Harley baggers to be found in the races, except perhaps some Sportsters.

But even for the baggers I saw a lot of Gold Wings, Stars, BMWs, FJRs, you name it. Plus plenty of dual-sport bikes, which makes sense when you figure all the great unpaved roads there are around here. Kind of like in Colorado.

So I stand corrected. Now I wonder what other misconceptions I have about Southern riders. Probably what I need to do is spend a few weeks riding through this part of the country. That would be nice. I just need to fit it into my schedule; that’s always the hard part. Maybe next year.

Recent from National Motorcycle Examiner
>More on helmets and visibility

Biker Quote for Today

Don’t die wondering, die wandering.

OK, I don’t make a regular practice of it, but I was actually approached twice recently about running guest posts here. The first had to do with motorcycle insurance and this second one is about a career as a motorcycle mechanic. I just want to note that I’m not getting anything for running these, and I wouldn’t run them if I didn’t think they contained information that might be useful to readers. I’m assuming there won’t be any more any time soon.

Have You Ever Thought About Becoming a Motorcycle Mechanic?

Which state has the highest concentration of its work force in the motorcycle mechanics field? If you think it’s Wyoming, you’re correct! Fortunately, there are plenty of job opportunities across the country for qualified motorcycle mechanics. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were about 18,800 motorcycle mechanics in the United States in 2008. However, only 5 of them knew what they were doing! Just kidding, of course. But nevertheless, there is some demand out there for well-trained, knowledgeable, hard-working mechanics.

The median wage for motorcycle mechanics in 2008 was $15.08 per hour. The highest paid 10 percent earned over $24.27 per hour. The lowest paid 10 percent made less than $9.76 per hour. With any luck, you’ll be at the higher end of this range if you decide to enter this field.

Dealerships typically pay the most and employ the largest number of motorcycle mechanics. Some of the higher-paying jobs require the skills necessary to install the newest specialized components and computerized equipment on high-end bikes.

Due to harsh winter weather conditions, location matters for steady employment. Even the courageous moped crowd finds alternative forms of transportation during the winter.

Here’s a list of the metropolitan areas with the highest concentration of motorcycle mechanics:

• Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, Florida
• Grand Junction, Colorado
• Winchester Virginia-West Virginia
• Yuma, Arizona
• Altoona, Pennsylvania

Here are the top paying states for motorcycle mechanics along with their average annual salaries:

• California: $41,590
• Maryland: $39,940
• Connecticut: $38,860
• Nevada: $38,630
• Massachusetts: $38,470

Employment Outlook

The number of people riding motorcycles has steadily increased in recent years, leading to a greater demand for motorcycle technicians. Most of the new jobs will continue to be in the motorcycle dealer sector. The increasing complexity of motorcycles will also provide job opportunities for specialists in independent repair shops.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts a 9 percent employment growth for motorcycle mechanics from 2008 to 2018. Job prospects should be good for people who have formal training.

Besides repairing and restoring motorcycles, some motorcycle mechanics also work on mopeds, motor scooters, all-terrain vehicles, and dirt bikes. And no, mechanics that work on mopeds are not necessarily wimps. Some motorcycle mechanics also make minor body repairs. Besides repair work, many mechanics add aftermarket components and make modifications to meet an owner’s appetite for speed.

A growing number of mechanics graduate from accredited motorcycle postsecondary degree programs. Many employers prefer these mechanics due to their advanced knowledge. These folks also require less on-the-job training.

Career Options

According to the book “Best Jobs for the 21st Century” (by Michael Farr and Laurence Shatkin), motorcycle mechanic ranked 493 out of the Best 500 Jobs Overall. Whoever put together that list probably wears an ascot, because some of the higher ranking jobs seem EXTREMELY boring.

Motorcycle dealerships: Motorcycle mechanics working at dealerships usually need specialized training from a formal education program. However, some dealers do provide on-the-job training. Steady pay and dependable hours are additional benefits of working for a dealership.

Repair shops: Secondary education, such as an associate’s degree or diploma in motorcycle mechanics, makes it easier to find employment at repair shops. However, apprenticeships are also common. Typically, large shops provide better benefits than small shops.

Self-employment: An associate’s degree, diploma, or certificate can help a self-employed mechanic attract customers.

MotorcycleIndustryJobs has a web page with an extensive amount of job listings. Check it out to get a better idea of what’s out there.

Education

Associate’s of Applied Science degrees in motorcycle service technology are available, as are diplomas and certification courses. These education programs can last anywhere from six months to two years. Some of them include an apprenticeship as a requirement for graduation. Any one of these programs can really enhance a resume.

Professional certification is available through motorcycle manufacturers. This training is provided by technical schools. Some of these schools have partnered with motorcycle manufacturers to provide training for specific brands of motorcycles. Some schools allow you to specialize in Harley-Davidson, European, or Asian motorcycles.

Motorcycle mechanics who perform warranty work for insurance companies or manufacturers usually need to complete courses offered by motorcycle manufacturers. Enginecycle.com has an extensive list of schools that offer motorcycle technician training.

Harley-Davidson

By the way, William Harley and Arthur Davidson first built motorcycles for the public in 1903 in a 10×15 foot wooden shed. Harley-Davidson Motor Company was scrawled on the door. That’s just another lesson that proves that even the most successful people in our country have to start somewhere.

Harley-Davidson mechanics need a formal education in core motorcycle mechanics. The company has partnerships with several colleges to provide specific training for Harley-Davidson motorcycles. These schools are as follows:

• Pittsburgh State University (Kansas)
• Fort Scott Community College (Kansas)
• Lake Washington Tech (Washington State)
• Central Carolina Community College (North Carolina)
• Motorcycle Mechanics Institute (Arizona and Florida)

If you want to work on Harley-Davidson motorcycles, then try getting an internship with a participating Harley-Davidson dealer.

Technician and related jobs at Harley-Davidson dealerships include:

• Service staff
• Service technician
• Service technician expert
• Master service technician
• Service writer
• Master of service technology
• Shop foreman

Harley-Davidson technicians can find job opportunities at dealerships, with race teams, and at shops that restore old bikes.

By the way, Harley-Davidson no longer uses the term “mechanic.” They instead go with “Harley-Davidson technician.”

If you decide to enroll in a motorcycle education program, do thorough research on the schools you’re considering. Ask representatives of local motorcycle dealerships and repair shops which schools they recommend. Admissions representatives at private, technical schools are usually sales people, so make sure they provide actual data to support any claims about employment for their graduates.

Brady Daniels writes about a variety of topics related to motorcycles for Motorcycle Insurance Quote.

Recent from National Motorcycle Examiner
Harley-Davidson to sponsor 2011 Hoka Hey

Biker Quote for Today

Above Ground, and on a Harley, Life is Good!!

If you read Rider magazine you may have gotten a bit of a shock when you opened the latest issue (March 2011) that arrived this past week: There’s a picture of me in it, and it ain’t pretty.

You can see it in this section of one page that I scanned and have included here. That’s me and Klaus Herder, who is with Motorrad magazine, at dinner on the last night of the EagleRider media tour we went on in October out in California.

We were sitting across the table from Donya Carlson, who is an editor at Rider, and who had been on the tour as well. She shot this picture and later sent it to me, with no hint that she actually planned to use it with her article. What a surprise when I saw the article!

Of course, we both made it into another picture as well, because it’s a group shot and we’re all in it. And then there’s the matter of one of my pictures also being used in the article. The day we rode along Big Sur I went ahead and waited for others in the group to come along so I could get pictures. I was waiting on the far side of a bridge and Donya came along with Simon Weir, who writes for RiDE magazine in England. I got a good shot of them on the bridge and sent it to both of them later. Donya contacted me to ask if they could use it with her article, so at least I knew about this one.

So anyway, it’s a silly picture of us but that’s OK. Everybody gets a laugh. And thank you, Donya, for the fun. Not to mention the opportunity to get published in a major national magazine. I usually pass my magazines along to my friends after I read them but in this case they’re going to have to buy their own copies–I’m hanging on to this one.

Recent from National Motorcycle Examiner
Delay of lead law enforcement gives kids’ bikes a breather

Biker Quote for Today

You want me to go where??? On that???? OOOOKKKKKAAAYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!

This may be embarrassing to Lorna Reed, the lady who runs Colorado Chaps, making fleece-lined motorcycle chaps for winter riding, and for others. Nevertheless, I’m going to tell you about it.

Because I have several Google Alerts set up to pick up on news items regarding motorcycles, I ran across a posting this morning in a riders of Honda 1000RRs. It seems one forum member from Australia had ordered some chaps from Lorna and sent payment. Of course, if you pay any attention to the news at all, you are aware there has been incredible flooding going on in Australia recently. Lorna filled the order but then sent this note:

I’m sorry that I was so unawares of the plight of your city/country. Our news has been engrossed in the slayings in Tucson Arizona.
My thoughts and my prayers go to you, your family, and your neighbors.
I just refunded $100. to your credit card ending in XXXX
When you are able, please contribute this to a family, your church, the Red Cross, whom ever needs it most there in Brisbane.
My heart is with you and your family and your country.
We are really all one, on a tiny earth……………..

Of course, I’m familiar with Lorna. She made me a pair of chaps awhile back and I put them through the paces and reported favorably on them. Lorna and I have since stayed in touch and I sent her the URL to that forum post.

So what can you say? I know Lorna never expected to get a lot of attention for what she did, she just did it because she felt it was the right thing to do. I think I speak for a lot of people when I say, “Lorna, you are a truly good person!”

Recent from National Motorcycle Examiner
A call for honesty regarding helmets and vision

Biker Quote for Today

Many of us are irritable most of the time (unless we’re in love or just bought a motorcycle). — Carolyn See

By now everyone knows that Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was shot Saturday in Tucson, and that a lot of other people were killed in the incident. What many motorcyclists don’t know is that Rep. Giffords is one of us: She rides.

Giffords is chair of the United States House of Representatives Motorcycle Safety Caucus. I didn’t know that but you know the folks at the Motorcycle Riders Foundation did. As soon as they heard about the shooting they issued a statement describing her as “a true friend of the motorcyclists of this country.”

I was wondering what she rides and the best I could come up with was a photo of her with some BMW that I don’t recognize, a boxer.

What is far more significant than what she rides, however, is what I found when I went looking. I found a YouTube video she did for the Motorcycle Industry Council promoting Ride Your Motorcycle to Work Day. Not surprisingly, that video has had a lot of viewers in the last 24 hours, and a lot of comments. Some of them are incredible. Statements like, “I hope this socialist c— dies.” And apparently in response to YouTube removing some more outrageous comments, this: “What ever happened to freadom of speach? Only if you support faggots and socialist negros.” Or this: “She was a jew !” And this: “She got what she got! f–kin illuminati whore.”

What is wrong with these people!? Where do these scum breed? These self-proclaimed America-loving patriots wouldn’t understand the values of our founding fathers–or the people of this country today–if George Washington and Thomas Jefferson enunciated it for them to their faces.

I know this is getting off the topic of motorcycles but today is not an average day. If you read the blog regularly you know that for nearly three years I have been writing for Examiner.com as their National Motorcycle Examiner. In my life beyond motorcycles I have been interested in politics but turned off by the style of politics that has become so prevalent, where your opponent is not just someone you disagree with, but the devil incarnate. Someone absolutely evil.

Getting fed up with that, just three weeks ago I took on another title at Examiner, as their National Common Ground Examiner. The intent of my writing on this topic is to promote a return to civility in politics and to making reasonable compromises in order to actually fix some of the problems facing this country. To use a metaphor, there are no Republican potholes or Democratic potholes, there are just potholes and they need to be fixed. Do it! It’s fine to disagree, and work for different ends, but treat each other with civility and respect.

Little did I know that my topic would so suddenly become so relevant. But I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. As the Common Ground Examiner I’ve been writing about a group called No Labels that is working for this same return to civility. I’ve been reading the comments people make about the group and it is astonishing how negative and vicious many of those comments are. The one that particularly sticks in my mind was a guy who said, “Not all who hate America are liberals, but all liberals hate America.” Is there anyone who doubts that it was this sort of sick thinking that led to the attack on Gabby Giffords?

Oh, and just for the record, I’m not a Democrat or a Republican. I’m a registered Independent. But I’m going to quote the words of the Republican Speaker of the House, John Boehner: “An attack on one who serves is an attack on all who serve. Acts and threats of violence against public officials have no place in our society. Our prayers are with Congresswoman Giffords, her staff, all who were injured, and their families. This is a sad day for our country.” Do you idiots who cheer this attack just not get the message?

Recent from National Motorcycle Examiner
Arizona motorcyclist Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords shot in head

Biker Quote for Today

Ride fast, life is short.

The following is a guest post by Miles Walker. Miles is a freelance writer and blogger who usually compares car insurance deals over at CarinsuranceComparison.Org. He contacted me to ask if he could do a guest post and I think you’ll find what he sent me very interesting.

5 most unusual motorbike designs

Bike enthusiasts and visual thrill-seekers rejoice. Below lays a bauble of hand-picked (or eye-picked) steel sirens of motorcycle design that are truly unusual.

From an assortment of shapes, colors, and themes, there is a little something here for everyone. The best part? There’s no Photoshop CGI Computer Play-doh here. Every one of these bikes is a real machine, with ignition and key. The Real McCoy.

What does this matter you? Well if you are as rich as a sheikh or on your way to becoming one, with the right connections and a little gumption, you could probably get a replica of one these bikes built yourself. Hey, anything’s possible right?

The Hubless Monster – The Wheels To The Soul

Woah. Now that is cool. Look ma, no spokes! The wonderbrains at Amen made this unique bike that is the first to have hubless wheels in the front AND in the back. If you want to know how it feels to be a Tron rider with flames, this is the bike for you.

Mean, Green Cheese-Eating Machine

Holy Limburger, hide the cheese! Don’t let this eye-popping creation find it, or it’s curtains. Man, this bike is so cool, we would have to change motorcyle moniker from “hogs” to “rats”. If you can’t get noticed riding this ultra unique mechanical phenom, then Superman must be flying butt-naked next to you. That’s the only way.

The Spider Rider

Straight out of your favorite anime comic comes the Yamaha Tesseract. This bike looks like it was transported from the year 3049 from one of Mr. Fantastic’s time machines. How cool would you be riding this? You’d get more looks than a wino in the front row at the Emmy’s. It has four legs like a spider, and four wheels like a car, and yet it’s neither. Look for this to be in the next James Bond movie.

The Circle of Road Righteousness

Dude, it’s a big-ass motorized donut! This is too cool for words and also would appear in a James Bond movie, but Goldtoe or Octo-vagine would be riding this baby. As hot as this bike is, I would be afraid to hit a pebble going 70 mph. You’d end up on the side of the road folded up like a giant metal pretzel.

The Horny Hog

Last but not least for all you horndogs out there, is this sexy ride. Who needs Viagra? After riding this around town, you’ll be ready for wifey. I wonder, does the girl come with the bike?

Recent from National Motorcycle Examiner
Twice-ripped-off motorcyclist now gets last laugh

Biker Quote for Today

Live like you mean it, then get a bike.