More Riding Secrets From The Experts

More Riding Secrets From The Experts

 
Story by Jim Foreman

One thing that has proven evident beyond one's wildest imagination is that Motorcyclists are always looking for ways to be better, and more proficient riders.  The previous story, Five Riding Secrets From The Experts, set records for the number of views it received, from all over the world.  While it is humbling for me, the greatest satisfaction is that there are better riders out there because of this effort.

Initially, this topic was only going to be a single story.   As the excellent responses kept coming in from such notable people, it became apparent that there were too many for one post. 

Again, each expert was asked to submit five riding secrets to share with others.  The phenomenal respondents for this outing include Bert Quechenberger.  Bert was Los Angeles Police Department's Senior Motorcycle Instructor.  He has recently retired from the LAPD but not from teaching.  
Shawn Thomas is a name known to many.  He's a colorful former instructor at RawHyde Off-Road and currently part of the duo, Adventure Brothers, with his real brother, Lance.  
Walt Fulton is a racer and the program director of StreetMasters Motorcycle Workshops.  
Chris 'Teach' McNeil is a professional stunt performer.  Officially sponsored by BMW Motorcycles, Teach, as he is known, performs gravity-defying stunts on the BMW S 1000 RR, The S 1000 XR, and an F 800 GS.  
Mellisa Holbrook Pierson is an author and motorcyclist.  Her insights into motorcycling are both unique and profound.  Riders and non-riders alike respond very positively to her books.  She remains an inspiration to female riders everywhere.

These riders cover a broad range of disciplines.  Each one has unique experiences and perspectives. A huge debt of gratitude is owed for the time and effort taken in each of these responses. 

Bert Quechenberger

Bert 'Q', as he is known, has trained more motorcycle officers than nearly any other single person.  Unless a motor officer in the Los Angeles region is less than two years old, Bert and his team probably trained them.  Most police departments, in the area and around the country, send their motor officer candidates to LAPD for their training.  In his 30+ years riding career, Bert has trained over 8,000 motor cops including trainers from England, Spain, France, and Germany.  Bert and his work partner, Sunti Singhanate co-own Police Riding Technique Academy, which is open to police officers and civilians, alike.  Bert has logged well over one million (1,000,000) miles, covering 50 years, accident-free.

Bert 'Q' 1989

When I went to LAPD Motor School in 1988, I had 21 years of accident free riding under my belt, with many many miles, on just as many motorcycles.  To say I entered the motor school program with a bit of salt on my shoulders, was an understatement.  I remember thinking to myself, what could they teach me?

Well, it only took about 5 minutes of practical application exercises, for me to realize, I really didn't know how to properly ride a motorcycle.
 
From that point forward, I practiced exactly the way I was instructed.
 
I'm now going on my 49th year of accident free riding, with well over a million miles ridden. 25 of my 30 years on the job was spent throwing a leg over a police motor.

Eventually, I became the lead riding instructor for all those years, continuing the instruction for officers while still on the job, and civilians through PRTA.

I use my personal experience mentioned above, coupled with my experience of training non law enforcement riders for almost two decades to form my opinion of what riders need most to succeed.

There are so many things that we could discuss regarding safe riding, I'll begin with the points that I believe are fundamental.

1: Participate in training from professional instructors.  Current or former Law enforcement riding instructors usually make excellent riding instructors.

2:  Plan your calendar where you get professional training multiple times a year.

3: Focus on numerous braking drills.  Pushing the envelope in a pristine training environment essential for every rider. 

4: The skills required to ride a motorcycle are perishable.  Depending on how often you ride, should be a gauge for your practice between revisiting professional training.  LAPD Motor Cops ride a lot of miles annually.  They participate in 2 days (10 hours each day) of in service training.  Riding mazes, braking drills.  It's something any rider should think about.

5:  A rider must be on top of his or her riding, physically & mentally.  Think about what you're going to do before it happens.  Plan escape routes while riding.  Trying to decide what to do as one is rapidly approaching a solid object at speed is tough.  Have a game plan before you roll.

Shawn Thomas

Shawn is a riot-in-progress.  Known for his infectious and sometimes whimsical personality, Shawn earns respect throughout the ADV (Adventure Riding) community.  Mastering off-road riding with big bikes takes skill.  As a former lead instructor at RawHyde, Shawn has worked with hundreds of riders to teach them proper off-road technique and motorcycle operation.  Currently, Shawn and his brother Lance, are the Adventure Brothers.  They go around the country offering instruction, seminars, tours and great times, all around.  Follow Shawn and Lance on Facebook.

Shawn and Lance Thomas - The Adventure Brothers

Adventure Riding is an endeavor without equal. With minimal training a rider can jump from road to dirt and back again, encountering just about any twisty, vista, basin and landmark in existence. Doing it right means having the right equipment, the right skills, and a proper mindset. With these in mind, and by practicing the right techniques, little is beyond reach.


Here are a few tips to consider when choosing off-road riding, courtesy of the Adventure Brothers:
 
1. Dirt is not Asphalt. This may seem an obvious declaration, but in application it is not. Anyone who has ridden an Adventure Bike on the street will tell you how impressive it is. They are agile, powerful, and comfortable. They can easily tackle curves, city streets, and interstates, making the rider feel like their skills have increased simply with purchase of the machine. But when the bike touches dirt, everything changes. Suddenly the machine feels heavy and unstable, and turning is a nightmare. This is not the bike's fault; it's yours. You are riding it like a street bike, using those on-asphalt techniques you are so accustomed to. This will not do, as street techniques count on an abundance of traction, which you no longer have. Best to shift into an off-road stance, and the techniques that go with it, on the double.
 
2. Stand up. One of the most stabilizing effects you can have on the machine is standing up. When you stand, your point of influence shifts from the seat to the pegs. Because your feet know far more about balance than your derriere, your ability to feel and react to movement of the machine is greatly enhanced. It will feel weird at first, but trust us: you will come to love it.
 
3. Adjust your controls. Your machine is set to accommodate a sitting rider. Handlebars, levers, and foot controls all take in to account your street riding stance. Most adventure bikes offer a multitude of simple adjustments that will allow you to adjust for a standing position. Handlebars can be raised, foot controls can be tweaked, and different foot pegs and bar risers can be installed to make you more comfortable on your machine. Get the adjustments right, and most riders will see no need in changing them when they return to asphalt.
 
4. Slow Down. People like to ride fast on the dirt. This has the benefit of making the machine feel more surefooted, as the high rate of wheel-spin stabilizes the bike. When the times comes to slow down or turn, speed becomes a hazard. Learn to ride as slow as possible, at no more than a walking pace. This will force you to feather the controls and develop acute balance, both of which are essential in Adventure Riding

5. Front Brake is King. You may have been told that using the front binder is a death sentence on dirt. Not true. The front brake gives you the best stopping power you've got, both on road and off. You just have to be easy it. A hark jerk of the brake lever is survivable on asphalt, but will cause the front end to wash on the dirt. Learn to feather the brake. Ease it in and feel the dive of the front end. If you lock it up, no problem; just release and reapply.

Truly there is a lot more to know about the art of Adventure Riding. But these tips--along with practice, practice, practice--will help you on your way!

Walt Fulton

Walt Fulton Is a three-time Daytona winner and features in the movie "On Any Sunday."  His career spans five decades and has still never had a street collision.  Fulton is the Director or training for StreetMasters Precision Cornering Workshops.  For over 30 years, Walt leads the Crash Investigation and Reconstruction team for Kawasaki in their legal division.  Walt and the StreetMasters team are hosting training classes at the MOA Rally.  Follow StreetMasters on Facebook. -Jim

Walt Fulton (L) and Fred Rau (R)

1. RESPONSIBILITY: It’s not a coincidence that RESPONSIBILITY heads up my Five Secrets from the Experts for Motorcyclists. Growing up, my parents taught me a lot about responsibility and the consequences associated with ignoring it. Responsibility is like the laws of physics – ignore them and you’ll pay the price. We now live in a “me first” world and responsibility has been relegated to the backseat, but the penalties are still there. In my opinion, accepting responsibility is more important than using the correct technique. In the real world we all have a responsibility to ourselves, family, friends and coworkers to arrive safely at our destination. There are a lot of people out there that are counting on us to be around tomorrow and the next day so don’t let them down. Keep in mind your speed and surroundings and ride accordingly so you will arrive at your destination.

2. DON’T BE IN A BIG HURRY: Statistics indicate that speed is often a causal factor of crashes. This is an extremely important factor directly related to how you operate your motorcycle. Keep in mind that every time you double your speed you quadruple your kinetic energy. Simply stated this means that at 30 mph you should be able to stop in 30 feet (1 G) and at 60 mph that distance is increased by a factor of 4, or 120 feet. At 120 mph (which is not legal anywhere except the track) your stopping distance is increased to almost 500 feet. All of these distances are based on a rider that has excellent control of the brakes, good tires and on a good roadway surface and don’t include perception and reaction time. Your best bet is to not be the fastest vehicle on the highway. I like to ride with approximately 80% of the roadway users. Keep in mind that there is always someone faster than you; don’t get caught up with trying to be the fastest.

3. VISUAL CONTROL: Somewhere between 80% to 90% or more of the decisions we make on the road are based on what we see. This points out that if we fail to see a developing situation it’s unlikely that we‘ll be able to react to it and therefore we may very well be a part of it. Head and eyes up and continue to scan 360 degrees around our path of travel at all times. As riders we are responsible for what’s behind us, beside us and in front of us.

4. SITUATIONAL AWARENESS: Road and traffic conditions constantly change and we must too to avoid conflicts. As riders we can’t afford to live in the present. Where we are now quickly becomes the past in less time than it takes to blink an eye and thus irrelevant. It’s important that we get the “big picture” by aggressively looking as far ahead as practical and be able to predict the flow of traffic. Any rider that experiences multiple dramas on a ride should reevaluate why this is happening. Look ahead, plan ahead and ride ahead.

5. LANE SHARING: Currently, California is the only state that allows lane sharing and this offers motorcyclists an advantage during high traffic hours and from my personal observation makes riding in heavy traffic safer . . . provided it is done properly. Remember the first Tip, Responsibility? Lane sharing is one of those activities that requires a double dose of Responsibility. Lane sharing means that you are using someone else’s lane, so be a good neighbor and extend them the same courtesy that you expect. If you’re someone that kicks doors, knocks off mirrors, opens the throttle until the engine is bouncing off the rev limiter, honks your horn and speed between traffic like you’re racing on the Isle of Man then you are totally irresponsible. You can bet that you have made an impression on the driver you’re just assaulted – a very negative one.
 
Here are some guidelines that I usually follow: 1) Travel no more than 10 mph faster than traffic. 2) It’s better to pass two cars that are side by side. 3) If you’re passing traffic and a space to one side or the other opens up move into that space and away from the cars you are passing. 4) Don’t push the envelope and be very selective on who and where you pass. 5) At 35 to 40 mph it’s probably time to get back in the lane.

Chris 'Teach' McNeil

Champion Freestyle Motorcycle Stunter and Performer Chris 'Teach' McNeil has spent over ten years competing and performing all over the world.  Chris earns his nickname 'Teach' during the week because he teaches Latin in his home state of Maine.  Officially, BMW Motorrad's only official stunt performer, you can catch Chris at one of his many shows throughout the United States.  McNeil also competes professionally with the XDL National Championship Circuit.  Chris is also an incredibly great guy who always takes the time to talk with people at every outing. Follow Teach on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.  See some of Teach's awesome videos on his YouTube Channel.

1. Practice Practice Practice. Practice evasive maneuvers. Practice specific skills, particularly low speed control skills. Practice braking Do it all in a controlled environment so that when you are faced with a situation requiring your skills, it is second nature and not something you have to think about. If you're left thinking about it, then it is probably too late.
 
2. Ride everything you can get your hands on. Riding different disciplines and even different models, brands, and styles will increase your skills, making you a safer rider in the end.
 
3. Getting comfortable with your bike starts with the controls. So it's important to set the up according to your body and preference. Don't automatically assume that the dealer or factory's setup or the prior owner's setup is going to ergonomically fit you. This will help the bike feel more natural to you and allow you to focus on what's truly important. Riding, of course.

4. I almost didn't mention it because for me it goes without saying, but wearing the proper gear is paramount to surviving life as a motorcyclist. Most importantly is a helmet, you get what you pay for. Remember what it's protecting. Being comfortable while protected from simple things like bugs or excessive noise will go a long way towards decreasing your distractions and improving your ride.
 
5. I talked about practice earlier but more specifically, learn how to use your clutch and rear brake. Most useful in slow speed situations, this skill will do wonders for your bike control at higher speeds, too. More importantly, your confidence in your ability to handle your motorcycle will skyrocket. Confidence is a big part of motorcycling. You want to feel good and look good when you pull into a bike night or meetup with friends. This is important in both your gear and how you ride. It's best with no squid tentacles dangling on the ground!

Melissa Holbrook Pierson

Melissa HolbrookPierson is a motorcyclist and notable author of several highly acclaimed books. Among most popular are ‘The Perfect Vehicle’ and ‘The Man Who Would Stop At Nothing.’ Both are phenomenal reading that gives a unique perspective to the sport. 'The Man Who Would Stop At Nothing' is also available as an Audio Book.
 
1. Never rush departure. Stop and look at your bike: What do I need to check? What do I need to bring? What buckle might I have forgotten to fasten?
 
2. Practice some physical calisthenics when it's safe to do so. Turn your body all the way to look behind you on the right; ditto the left. Experience the fact that you're not cast in stone.

3. Get rid of anyone who's following too close behind. They're a danger. If they're in such a hurry, help them get there quicker by letting them go ahead.

4. Unless you're relying on it, turn off the GPS. Screen fixation is just as dangerous as object fixation.
 
5. Think: "Graceful." Keep this in the forefront of the mind, and make it your style.

 
When you are in Southern California, Please visit Irv Seaver BMW. Located in Orange County, CA, Irv Seaver Motorcycles is one of the largest and best motorcycle dealers in the nation.  Since 1911, Irv Seaver Motorcycles has sold dreams and happiness to Southern Californians.  Irv Seaver BMW continues to host events, sponsor trips and provide guests with an outstanding two-wheeled experience. Irv Seaver offers top rated Service as well as Parts, and Apparel.  Irv Seaver BMW is located 10 minutes east of Disneyland on Katella Avenue in the City of Orange.

©2016 Jim Foreman All Rights Reserved.

Motorcycle Reading... When You're Not Riding.

Motorcycle Reading... When You're Not Riding.

A Collection of sure-fire books that will interest, excite and inspire motorcycle journeys near and far.

Written By Jim Foreman

Maybe if you’re like me, you think a lot about riding your motorcycle.  When one can't ride, for example, on an international flight or long, hot, boring drive, one still thinks about one's bike.

As one who frequently travels to destinations not well suited to a motorcycle, reading about travels or listening to audiobooks while driving is the next best thing.

Motorcycle travel books also serve as a source of inspiration and motivation to go out and do more riding, farther away from home.

While listening to or reading an engaging book, it's easy to become transported to the locations described by the author and begin to hear the sounds of an approaching thunderstorm or smell the scents in the arid African plains, from the descriptions. 

Of course, in Southern California, there aren’t too many days we can’t go out and ride.  Now and then we do get a good rain, or our favorite mountain pass is snowed or iced over.  There are even times when we have to commute in four-wheelers.  A good audiobook quickly eases any frustration of being caged up, on the road. 

Listed below is a thoroughly vetted list of great books one should strongly consider purchasing.  Many of them are available as an audiobook on sites like Audible.com and others.

Sadly, many adventure books start off with lush and vivid detail and dramatic situations, but as the effort of writing drags on, the descriptions get terser and hastened.  These books listed below do not suffer from this common affliction.  They are great, from start to finish and leave you, the reader, desiring more.

The following selections are books actually read, and often, re-read.  They will certainly capture your imagination and bring a longing for more riding.


Into Africa – Sam Manicom

Into Africa remains a favorite book and one every rider should read.  It's so good it can be enjoyed again and again.  It's common to feel transported to this amazing continent while reading or listening to this book.
Sam does a cracking job of describing the environment and feelings and making you feel like you’re right there with him.
Sam Manicom has four books, and they are all wonderful.  The four books chronicle his Round-the-World adventures with wit, triumphs, and disappointments.  Once you start, it will be a challenge to put it down.
After completing this book, you’ll want to dive immediately into “Under Asian Skies”, “Distant Suns” and “Tortillas to Totems.”
All of the books are also available as an audiobook.  Sam, himself, is the narrator and this brings a particular joy listening to him recount these travels.  Sam appears in an episode of the SoCal BMW Motorrad Podcast.


One More Day Everywhere – Glen Heggstad

Glen Heggstad is another unexpected Round-the-Worlder.  After a kidnapping by FARC rebels in Colombia, detailed in “Two Wheels Through Terror”, Glen set out on his journey to see the world.  Motivated by a desire not to let terrorists win, Glen's journey started from the eastern Siberian coast and traveled east.  Glen’s book is full of wit, wisdom, and strange adventures.  Throughout, Glen keeps an unusually honest and real portrayal of the highs, lows, desires, and fears. 
“One More Day Everywhere” is also available as an audiobook.  Though Glen does not read the book, the narrator does very well.  If you have an opportunity to see Glen’s “Earth Ride” presentation, make sure you do!


Vagabonding - Rolf Potts

Vagabonding is probably one of the most important and singularly complete books for anyone thinking of serious travel must read.
Though 'Vagabonding' is not specific to moto travel, it does share how to do it in a way that leads to better understanding.
This one is also easy to read many times over.  No doubt, you'll be writing notes, highlighting passages and ultimately using it to ensure a meaningful and soul-satisfying trip.




Long Way Round – Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman

OK, who hasn’t seen an episode of “Long Way Round”?  These are charming and fascinating episodes highlighting the round-the-world trip Ewan and Charley made on their motorcycles.  While some have foolishly criticized them for having a camera operator and a support vehicle, it remains a powerful motivation for people to venture beyond their comfort zone.
If you enjoyed the TV series, the book is even better.  Ewan and Charley each write up their experiences in a way that brings more depth and feeling to the journey.
Ewan and Charley also did a follow-up journey from the northern tip of Scotland to the southern tip of South Africa called “Long Way Down.”  The book for that journey is equally captivating and brings a profound human and personal perspective to the experience.
"Long Way Up" is eagerly anticipated as they journey from Ushuaia to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. 


Lois on the Loose – Lois Pryce

Lois Pryce is a firecracker!  Lois left a good job at the BBC to discover excitement in life.  She shipped her bike to Alaska and began a solo journey that brought her to Ushuaia at the southern tip of Argentina.  Lois details her experiences and surprises of how different countries like the USA and Mexico were from how they were described by those, back home.  Having worked in the media, Lois saw first-hand how perceptions she had were entirely different from reality.   “Lois on the Loose” is an enjoyable story and one that will keep you entertained and longing to set out on experiences for yourself.  Lois Pryce also wrote “Red Tape and White Knuckles” which is equally delightful and a page turner.  Recently, Lois Pryce released her third book, "Revolutionary Ride."  This third installment details her journey across 3,000 miles of Iran in 2011.  Lois is also featured in a segment on the SoCal BMW Motorrad Podcast.  Her personality and zeal shine brightly in the interview.


The Perfect Vehicle – Melissa Holbrook Pierson

“The Perfect Vehicle” is a masterpiece that takes the reader through Pierson’s personal experiences with deciding to ride and own a motorcycle.  Pierson shares intimate details and personal reactions motorcycling brings.  “The Perfect Vehicle” features a relaxed writing style that welcomes readers into her life.  Much later, Pierson wrote, “The Man Who Would Stop At Nothing.”  The follow-up is a fascinating story of World Record holder John Ryan’s casual style and his determination to revive Pierson’s love of riding.  Sadly, John Ryan left us too early in 2013.


101 Road Tales – Clement Salvadori

If you’ve ever picked up Rider Magazine, you’ve no doubt read and probably enjoyed Clem Salvadori’s writing.  Clem is a legend for having an easy-going writing style that feels like he’s right there, in the room, telling you a story.  “101 Road Tales” is a compilation of these stories.  Every story leaves one feeling a bit wiser and intrigued to go and discover another corner of their region, state or country.  “101 Road Tales” is a little harder to find so look carefully.  I recommend that you enjoy a chapter, each night before you go to sleep.  It will guarantee happy and exciting dreams as one drifts into twilight and sleep.



Lone Rider - Elspeth Beard

In 1982, at twenty-three and in the midst of her architecture studies, Elspeth Beard decided to leave her family and friends in London and set off on a 35,000-mile solo adventure around the world on her 1974 BMW R60/6.
This is one of the best and most personal books about solo motorcycle travel ever written.  Elspeth recounts her joys, trials, tribulations, loves, losses, and struggles to remain whole and keep on her journey.  It's a book that will have you laughing out loud and crying, all while discovering parts of our world as it existed.  "Lone Rider" is also a captivating audiobook.


Motorcycle Adventurer – Dr. Gregory W. Frazier

Today, riding around the world still captures people’s attention.  The mere mention brings anticipation of extraordinary stories, photos, and experiences.  With modern motorcycles, air-freight, GPS technology and a network of relatively easily obtainable parts, it has never been easier to set off on one’s individual round-the-world adventure.  That’s today.  Now imagine yourself in 1912 trying something nobody has ever accomplished.  Sitting astride a 1912 Henderson, Carl Stearns Clancy did what nobody had done before.  From 1912 to 1913, Clancy became the first person to ride around the world.  Dr. Frazier, who also shares a love of Henderson Motorcycles, gathered up all of Stearns’ newspaper article submissions, journals, and other sources to piece together a lush and fascinating history of this fascinating person and his great accomplishment.


Proficient Motorcycling – David Hough

Not an adventure tale or even a narrative, but rather one of the best and most complete instructional books on riding motorcycles safely and correctly.  Most motorcyclists already own this book.  Take a look at it and flip through the pages.  It’s a sure bet you’ll re-discover something useful and probably spend more time going through the book.  If you have a friend who has just started riding or returned to riding, buy them this book.


A Twist of the Wrist II – Keith Code

Aside from “Proficient Motorcycling” this book is probably one of the best books available to learn and understand about Motorcycle performance and how to be a substantially better rider.  The technics taught in this book work beautifully in both track and street riding.  You'll discover practical ways of handling unexpected situations without yelling an expletive into your helmet.


Tales of the Midnight Rider (Series) - Gary 'Koz' Mraz
Gary 'Koz' Mraz, like many of the other authors mentioned is someone counted as a friend.  What started as a simple magazine article about night riding evolved into a provocative,  fascinating and sometimes unbelievable world of those who are moving goods while we sleep.  The "Tales of the Midnight Writer" series is based, mostly on fact and real people Mraz chronicled and observed.   Mraz keeps embellishments to a minimum while setting a mood that seems as foreign as Kathmandu.  With each page turn, more and more of this subculture is revealed with all of its tangents and dramas.  If one is looking for a seemingly unbelievable world, right here in the US, give these amazing and fun books a good read.  The series is also available as ebooks.


Motorcycle Owners Manual - Various Authors

The owners manual is an important book everyone should read.  In it you'll know correct tire pressures, bulb replacements, and what that little blinking light on your dash means.  If you don't have one or would prefer it on your mobile device, go to your manufacturer's website and download an electronic version.  If your bike is an older model, search out other sources for obtaining the owners manual.  Google is your friend, for this task

Additional Reading:

There are hundreds of additional books about motorcycling and motorcycle trips.  Many are quite good.  A few are excellent. Some are awful and cringe-worthy. 

Listed are some additional titles that are worth looking into.


Jupiter’s Travels – Ted Simon 

Jupiter’s Travels is Ted’s first journey, made in the 1970’s.  There are many colorful and memorable parts of the book; some of which are quite entertaining.  Overall, a pall of negativity and prejudice permeates the book leaving one feeling a little flat and disappointed.  It’s worth a read and is a well-produced audio book.


Ghost Rider – Neil Peart

Legendary rock band, Rush’s drummer documented his ride and feelings after the tragic deaths of his daughter and wife.  Simply put, I haven’t read it yet.  Many trusted people have given it high marks. 


Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance – Robert Pirsig

More of an autobiographical narrative of a father who suffered a mind-altering nervous breakdown but later decides to take his whiny son on a journey across the Unite States.  Zen isn’t so much about motorcycles but rather an account of how Robert dealt with his schizophrenia and his bouncing between the character of himself and Phaedrus.  The motorcycling part of it is interesting, but the philosophical outreach leaves me turning the pages quickly to get back to the riding.


Motorcycle Therapy – Jeremy Kroeker

This book was frustrating.  In it, a rather arrogant Jeremy Kroeker mistreats and annoys his long-suffering friend.  After both men recently broke up with their partners, they set off on a journey from Canada to Panama.  It doesn’t take long to see why Kroeker’s partner left him.  “Motorcycle Therapy” does have some very charming and funny scenes.  Unfortunately, the story is hurried along, rather quickly, after two-thirds of the story is told.  Many times, I wanted to reach through the pages and sock Kroeker for being a cheap, overbearing jerk.

When you are in Southern California, please come to Irv Seaver BMW in Orange County, CA.  There you'll find a fully stocked parts department, extensive apparel department and a huge selection of new and pre-owned motorcycles.  There's some great people there, too!

Sam Manicom with Ted Simon and Libby

Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman

James Franco and Amber Heard between takes on set.

Melissa Holbrook Pierson and her Moto Guzzi

Glen Heggstad on his Round the World trip

(L-R) Alan Karl, Sam Manicom, Jack Borden, Jeffrey Polnaja, Ken Duvall, Jim Foreman

Clement Salvadori

©2016 Jim Foreman All Rights Reserved.