I went riding this Friday morning after taking a nice long deserved nap. I really wanted to ride and get things going, so I got on my bike and headed over to Marina for a quick drink in this heat and continue riding. To my surprise I saw a huge amount of MV Agustas, the most I have ever seen in Kuwait, about 7 of them and a lot of other bikes. Then I saw a friend who was riding an R1, and he told me to come meet these guys at the Cafe. So when I headed over it turned out to be the MV Agusta crew, and I have never met them before, so I decided to stay and I knew two of the 13 poeple there.
After about 20 mins we headed out and the group was about 19 motorcycles which is a large group. What I liked is there organization, and there designation of safety officers and hand signals for situations. We rode from Salmiya to Hilton Manguf, and from there I decided to go home while they stopped to get a bite to eat. A nice bunch of guys who I will be riding with every once in a while. It was an interesting experience since all of them are riding superbikes and they were all going fast in an organized way. It was fun and I will join them every now and then.
It was in January when my Yamaha R1 was stolen in the US, and it has been a long process with insurance. The R1 had full coverage insurance with Geico and there is a process you have to follow with insurance.
What happened:
- Contacted the police when the bike was stolen
- Gave the police all the details
- Then the police officer gives you a number to follow up with the police report
- Then next morning my friend contacted insurance and told them what happened, he gave them the police report number
- The police report took about 2 to 3 weeks to get to insurance
- Then insurance has 1 month to search for the stolen bike
- After that they evaluated the value of the motorcycle and you just have to wait, they asked for all the service reports and all the reciepts I had, and I kept those all in a file for every bike I had.
I bought the motorcycle back in March of 2005 and it only had been ridden 3400 miles (5480 kilometers), and I bought it for $10’800
I was thinking insurance would offer me something around $8’000, but they sent me a cheque for $9’200 which is fantastic, I really didn’t expect that, and I recommend anyone who wants good insurance to go with Geico.
This is a superbike develop for the rider that wants a custom made machine taylored to his every part and it comes in three different versions built by an ex-racer who knows how to build a reliable machine for those with the higher taste. This a machine that could carve up the roads and it would only be comfortable when you are pushing this machien hard. Just a real piece of art, with the combination of carbon fiber and an aggressive design. This machine is develop by Freddie Spencer who is the champion in the 250cc, 500cc, and Superbike in the AMAs, he knows what he is doing when it comes to the components that last in this quality machine.
The Three Different options:
- The “19â€
Our “superstock” model, upgraded in nearly every way, making 180hp. With the options packages, an excellent jumping off point. Offered at $36,695. - The Retro
A superbike in nearly every sense of the word, the performance and chassis are custom-tailored for your riding style and provide the out of this world performance.
$76,995. - The Freddie
The Freddie is the premiere version of this tribute superbike series. Personally overseen and approved equipment chosen by Freddie himself. $113,995.
Link: RetroSBK
I stayed up late the night before not know if it was going to rain on Friday morning, I was looking forward to the ride but I didn’t want to get drenched again. I woke up it was sunny so I took a shower and headed down stairs!
I had to use a different set of gear since some of it was still wet!
Gear:
- Haga Arai Helmet (Instead of Scorpion Matt Black)
- Joe Rocket gloves (Instead of Alpinstar Gloves)
The Jacket and boots dried after the wash which was good, and I remembered how come I loved my Haga Arai RX-7 Helmet so much, it felt different, comfortable, snug and great! I really enjoyed the different helmet, but I like my other gloves! The weather was cool and there were a few water spots on the road but I was avoiding them! It was a fun ride but the funny part is I caught two friends on the road and one guy honked at me and said hello yet I couldn’t hear anything from the music in my helmet! It was a good day!
I woke up this morning and saw that it was sunny and I couldn’t see any clouds so I decided to take my bike to work! It was an enjoyable ride and I took a different route then the usual way. It was great, and then suddenly around 12pm it started raining hard for about 20 mins and I was lucky I moved my bike under a parking cover. I didn’t mind a little water on the road since I ridden in the wet before.
As I left work I filled up gas at Adaliya Gas station and took down the 2nd ring road to the gulf, a little drips of water here and there but it was fun. I knew there were almost no riders on the road since most would be insane to go out in this weather, but since I was out I didn’t mind getting a little wet and it didn’t look like it was going to rain again. As I was going down the Gulf Road and getting close to Marina it started raining a bit, and when I got at the light next to Marina Mall is started raining like crazy! It didn’t stop it just got harder and there was another biker wearing no gear, he was getting ripped apart by this weather, I was comfortable in my clothing even though I knew it wasn’t water proof.
Then the rain started getting harder and as I crossed Bida’a round about after Blajaat street I was getting hit by something and I look up to see hail hitting my face mask! It was hitting and hitting hard! Suddenly everyone was pulling over, I thought screw it! I was going to get hit either way so I kept on riding and it felt like somebody was pinching me hard! I was in a damn BATTLE!! It was insane! I loved it! I don’t know why, but I loved it! I had good music, my senses were on overload, I was just watching out for cars and the road was flooded! I was getting hard but I was just laughing! I somehow managed to get home but I really enjoyed the ride! It is just one of those things that happens and you make it through!!!
I knew things were getting worse when I could slowly feel the water in every part of my body! Every PART! Everything was soaked, it was hilarious! My jeans and t-shirt changed colors! From lighter to darker from gettign soaked! It was great!
When I started! It was 27C in the morning when I got home it was 20C! What a day, I got soaked, rode through deep water, the tires were amazing! Pyro was having fun, I was having fun, and I took a nice shower after that! Pyro is a champ in the rain!
I was on my ride and decided to stop by Tristar to check out what parts they have and what machines they had. Its like walking into a candy store when I go in there! So many different kinds of bikes, so many beautiful machines! Not enough space to sit on each one, but it would take so much time to admire all of them and I really like so many different ones. There was this interesting 4 wheel machine with OZ racing rims, seemed really interesting, and it looks like it will handle like a go kart! I can’t wait to get my parts for Pyro just so that he would start looking a little different with a fierce look!
Yesterday I wish the roads were more curved so that I could enjoy them more, I think I was pushing a little more then usual. Its now bordering between hot and cold, and I really wish that it would stay cool for a little while longer! In other countries they just start riding next month, and in Kuwait we are supposed to stop riding in the summer, but I don’t think I will be stopping! I love to ride even if its hot! I was enjoying yesterday’s ride though! Even with a little bit of sand storm! As long as I have my helmet on and some music I’m good!
I have been thinking about this for a while but I wasn’t aware of the best artists to do the work and some who is trust worthy. Since I would be sending my helmet to them to have the work done and I would really have to trust them to do the work right and handle my helmet with care.
I have finally found two amazing artists in the US recommended by two people who have had their helmets done and they are really happy with the job done and the quality of work.
This came to mind since I wanted something that would fit the color of Pyro but its unique and something simple! This is alot more difficult then it sounds, the above helmets are something I like. I really like the Pedrosa Helmet (The Blue One), and I thinking of using that sun and incorporating into my design! I have too think of my own design and get some ideas from other helmets to make a combination I ike! I don’t want something too busy and I don’t want something too bland.
As of right now this is what I think the design must have:
- Ducati 1098 Red
- Black
- Grey/Dark Grey (As a Shadow)
- The Number “24“
These are just a few things that I have come to conclusion that I want, but sitting and drawing a couple of sketches will be the most difficult part, the artist can’t do that for you since only you would know what you really want. So I’m just going to keep trying different looks between paper and photoshop to see how this goes!
After going through it a couple of times I came to the conclusion that PYRO is the name for him! He starts a flame where he might be! After a couple of days of not being able to ride Pyro since I didn’t feel like I was up to it I had to go tonight since I felt that I got some of my strength back and I really wanted to ride since I haven’t been riding for a over 5 days now and thats just too long for any person to go without riding!
I like the new tinted windscreen and it deflects the wind even more so it helps when I’m riding and they re-set the TPS and adjust the idle level for some tweaks which I hope help the engine! It has been purring like a kitten with a few hiccups. I couldn’t help it after starting the bike and riding at night, I felt like my demons were coming out and that there was a trail for fire that is appearing just after my rear tire! It was an amazing and exhilirating feeling! They couldn’t fit the racing clutch since a piece was missing, but it will come in two weeks so I don’t mind! What a ride, I loved it! Now I want to ride during the day even though its damn hot!
Tristar came by last night to pick up the Ducati to take it to workshop. I was happy that it was being handled right but I still didn’t want my bike leaving its home.
Things to be done:
- 1K Service
- Tinted Windshield
- Racing Clutch
- Tweaking of Throttle to adjust a slight issue
I have complete trust in the techies at Tristar and I would like my bike back as soon as humanely possible. It is just something about not having the bike in my garage when I walk down that feels a bit strange.
I’m still stuck at the naming stage, I think I will have him named by the end of this weekend, so while I’m traveling I can think about it!
