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Thunderbirds Are Go
#71
(04-06-2019, 11:07 AM)Stichill_imp Wrote:
(04-06-2019, 12:59 AM)Rboe_imp Wrote: A Moto Guzzi owner and rider, Daniel Kalal, writes up these epic ride reports complete with photo's. He seems to be especially fond of the mid-west (Kansas, Nebrasks etc.) going through your small (or barely existing - some no longer existing) towns, staying and eating there. Simply amazing stuff. His tomes usually have a theme (old railroad route, old stage coach route, cool grain elevators). I think he's been on every dang road, paved or dirt, in the mid-west.

Then every so often he does the same thing in Europe (he keeps a bike and gear in Italy for just those occasions). Just checking on him on Facebook at he's using an EV to travel around the Canary Island. He travels very light, washing his clothes every night. I really miss his reports over on the guzzi forum. Once you've read one of his threads on his rides you won't think Kansas or Nebraska is boring.

About 4-5 years ago I was at the Triumph dealership kicking tires. Talked to a fellow that had bought a Thunderbird and he raved about the handling. He loved that bike. Lucky for me they no longer make it. Smile

(04-06-2019, 08:43 AM)Frulk_imp Wrote: Rboe....You’re dead on about Dan. I enjoyed Kalal’s pictorial essays of the Great Plains/Midwest immensely. I just couldn’t deal with the drama of that site and asked that my membership be terminated. I drop in occasionally as a guest and always search for threads he initiates.

I think what I'd enjoy would be the feeling of isolation and in some cases desolation. Some of the best places to ride a motorcycle are the places where everybody else...isn't.

(04-06-2019, 08:09 AM)Cormanus_imp Wrote: GO, I thought I was setting you up for the Maxwell Smart response, ‘I told you not to ask me that’. Interesting article. Thanks.

Stichill, thanks for your link too. Goes to show, almost anywhere has potential as a riding spot.

Especially if it's wide open without much in the way of traffic to ruin the fun!

(04-06-2019, 12:59 AM)Rboe_imp Wrote: A Moto Guzzi owner and rider, Daniel Kalal, writes up these epic ride reports complete with photo's. He seems to be especially fond of the mid-west (Kansas, Nebrasks etc.) going through your small (or barely existing - some no longer existing) towns, staying and eating there. Simply amazing stuff. His tomes usually have a theme (old railroad route, old stage coach route, cool grain elevators). I think he's been on every dang road, paved or dirt, in the mid-west.

Then every so often he does the same thing in Europe (he keeps a bike and gear in Italy for just those occasions). Just checking on him on Facebook at he's using an EV to travel around the Canary Island. He travels very light, washing his clothes every night. I really miss his reports over on the guzzi forum. Once you've read one of his threads on his rides you won't think Kansas or Nebraska is boring.

About 4-5 years ago I was at the Triumph dealership kicking tires. Talked to a fellow that had bought a Thunderbird and he raved about the handling. He loved that bike. Lucky for me they no longer make it. Smile

He was right! This seems to be a bike whose appearance belies its true character.

I flew back in from Arizona last night and have to fly out again to Germany tomorrow, but at least I got some seat time on the Thunderbird today. It is an incredible machine and I had a blast! Bike ran and handled flawlessly.

[Image: bc472a0be68095b8c494612c11afc8a7.jpg]





[Image: b04a228fd830db2b879f685cc90a1d41.jpg]

[Image: c4f4ede8bc9e50be52cce8852a607931.jpg]

[Image: e3d6b4281403269cd27de0be28ff8aec.jpg]

I am sooooo (+1).

(04-06-2019, 11:07 AM)Stichill_imp Wrote:
(04-06-2019, 12:59 AM)Rboe_imp Wrote: A Moto Guzzi owner and rider, Daniel Kalal, writes up these epic ride reports complete with photo's. He seems to be especially fond of the mid-west (Kansas, Nebrasks etc.) going through your small (or barely existing - some no longer existing) towns, staying and eating there. Simply amazing stuff. His tomes usually have a theme (old railroad route, old stage coach route, cool grain elevators). I think he's been on every dang road, paved or dirt, in the mid-west.

Then every so often he does the same thing in Europe (he keeps a bike and gear in Italy for just those occasions). Just checking on him on Facebook at he's using an EV to travel around the Canary Island. He travels very light, washing his clothes every night. I really miss his reports over on the guzzi forum. Once you've read one of his threads on his rides you won't think Kansas or Nebraska is boring.

About 4-5 years ago I was at the Triumph dealership kicking tires. Talked to a fellow that had bought a Thunderbird and he raved about the handling. He loved that bike. Lucky for me they no longer make it. Smile

(04-06-2019, 08:43 AM)Frulk_imp Wrote: Rboe....You’re dead on about Dan. I enjoyed Kalal’s pictorial essays of the Great Plains/Midwest immensely. I just couldn’t deal with the drama of that site and asked that my membership be terminated. I drop in occasionally as a guest and always search for threads he initiates.

I think what I'd enjoy would be the feeling of isolation and in some cases desolation. Some of the best places to ride a motorcycle are the places where everybody else...isn't.

(04-06-2019, 08:09 AM)Cormanus_imp Wrote: GO, I thought I was setting you up for the Maxwell Smart response, ‘I told you not to ask me that’. Interesting article. Thanks.

Stichill, thanks for your link too. Goes to show, almost anywhere has potential as a riding spot.

Especially if it's wide open without much in the way of traffic to ruin the fun!

(04-06-2019, 12:59 AM)Rboe_imp Wrote: A Moto Guzzi owner and rider, Daniel Kalal, writes up these epic ride reports complete with photo's. He seems to be especially fond of the mid-west (Kansas, Nebrasks etc.) going through your small (or barely existing - some no longer existing) towns, staying and eating there. Simply amazing stuff. His tomes usually have a theme (old railroad route, old stage coach route, cool grain elevators). I think he's been on every dang road, paved or dirt, in the mid-west.

Then every so often he does the same thing in Europe (he keeps a bike and gear in Italy for just those occasions). Just checking on him on Facebook at he's using an EV to travel around the Canary Island. He travels very light, washing his clothes every night. I really miss his reports over on the guzzi forum. Once you've read one of his threads on his rides you won't think Kansas or Nebraska is boring.

About 4-5 years ago I was at the Triumph dealership kicking tires. Talked to a fellow that had bought a Thunderbird and he raved about the handling. He loved that bike. Lucky for me they no longer make it. Smile

He was right! This seems to be a bike whose appearance belies its true character.

I flew back in from Arizona last night and have to fly out again to Germany tomorrow, but at least I got some seat time on the Thunderbird today. It is an incredible machine and I had a blast! Bike ran and handled flawlessly.

[Image: bc472a0be68095b8c494612c11afc8a7.jpg]





[Image: b04a228fd830db2b879f685cc90a1d41.jpg]

[Image: c4f4ede8bc9e50be52cce8852a607931.jpg]

[Image: e3d6b4281403269cd27de0be28ff8aec.jpg]

Based on the video sound, the bike is sooo not annoying to the community. If I had to guess based on sound alone, I thought it was a Japanese bike. Some good karma.
Reply
#72
(04-06-2019, 11:38 AM)GoldOxide_imp Wrote:
(04-06-2019, 11:07 AM)Stichill_imp Wrote:
(04-06-2019, 12:59 AM)Rboe_imp Wrote: A Moto Guzzi owner and rider, Daniel Kalal, writes up these epic ride reports complete with photo's. He seems to be especially fond of the mid-west (Kansas, Nebrasks etc.) going through your small (or barely existing - some no longer existing) towns, staying and eating there. Simply amazing stuff. His tomes usually have a theme (old railroad route, old stage coach route, cool grain elevators). I think he's been on every dang road, paved or dirt, in the mid-west.

Then every so often he does the same thing in Europe (he keeps a bike and gear in Italy for just those occasions). Just checking on him on Facebook at he's using an EV to travel around the Canary Island. He travels very light, washing his clothes every night. I really miss his reports over on the guzzi forum. Once you've read one of his threads on his rides you won't think Kansas or Nebraska is boring.

About 4-5 years ago I was at the Triumph dealership kicking tires. Talked to a fellow that had bought a Thunderbird and he raved about the handling. He loved that bike. Lucky for me they no longer make it. Smile

(04-06-2019, 08:43 AM)Frulk_imp Wrote: Rboe....You’re dead on about Dan. I enjoyed Kalal’s pictorial essays of the Great Plains/Midwest immensely. I just couldn’t deal with the drama of that site and asked that my membership be terminated. I drop in occasionally as a guest and always search for threads he initiates.

I think what I'd enjoy would be the feeling of isolation and in some cases desolation. Some of the best places to ride a motorcycle are the places where everybody else...isn't.

(04-06-2019, 08:09 AM)Cormanus_imp Wrote: GO, I thought I was setting you up for the Maxwell Smart response, ‘I told you not to ask me that’. Interesting article. Thanks.

Stichill, thanks for your link too. Goes to show, almost anywhere has potential as a riding spot.

Especially if it's wide open without much in the way of traffic to ruin the fun!

(04-06-2019, 12:59 AM)Rboe_imp Wrote: A Moto Guzzi owner and rider, Daniel Kalal, writes up these epic ride reports complete with photo's. He seems to be especially fond of the mid-west (Kansas, Nebrasks etc.) going through your small (or barely existing - some no longer existing) towns, staying and eating there. Simply amazing stuff. His tomes usually have a theme (old railroad route, old stage coach route, cool grain elevators). I think he's been on every dang road, paved or dirt, in the mid-west.

Then every so often he does the same thing in Europe (he keeps a bike and gear in Italy for just those occasions). Just checking on him on Facebook at he's using an EV to travel around the Canary Island. He travels very light, washing his clothes every night. I really miss his reports over on the guzzi forum. Once you've read one of his threads on his rides you won't think Kansas or Nebraska is boring.

About 4-5 years ago I was at the Triumph dealership kicking tires. Talked to a fellow that had bought a Thunderbird and he raved about the handling. He loved that bike. Lucky for me they no longer make it. Smile

He was right! This seems to be a bike whose appearance belies its true character.

I flew back in from Arizona last night and have to fly out again to Germany tomorrow, but at least I got some seat time on the Thunderbird today. It is an incredible machine and I had a blast! Bike ran and handled flawlessly.

[Image: bc472a0be68095b8c494612c11afc8a7.jpg]





[Image: b04a228fd830db2b879f685cc90a1d41.jpg]

[Image: c4f4ede8bc9e50be52cce8852a607931.jpg]

[Image: e3d6b4281403269cd27de0be28ff8aec.jpg]

I am sooooo (+1).

(04-06-2019, 11:07 AM)Stichill_imp Wrote:
(04-06-2019, 12:59 AM)Rboe_imp Wrote: A Moto Guzzi owner and rider, Daniel Kalal, writes up these epic ride reports complete with photo's. He seems to be especially fond of the mid-west (Kansas, Nebrasks etc.) going through your small (or barely existing - some no longer existing) towns, staying and eating there. Simply amazing stuff. His tomes usually have a theme (old railroad route, old stage coach route, cool grain elevators). I think he's been on every dang road, paved or dirt, in the mid-west.

Then every so often he does the same thing in Europe (he keeps a bike and gear in Italy for just those occasions). Just checking on him on Facebook at he's using an EV to travel around the Canary Island. He travels very light, washing his clothes every night. I really miss his reports over on the guzzi forum. Once you've read one of his threads on his rides you won't think Kansas or Nebraska is boring.

About 4-5 years ago I was at the Triumph dealership kicking tires. Talked to a fellow that had bought a Thunderbird and he raved about the handling. He loved that bike. Lucky for me they no longer make it. Smile

(04-06-2019, 08:43 AM)Frulk_imp Wrote: Rboe....You’re dead on about Dan. I enjoyed Kalal’s pictorial essays of the Great Plains/Midwest immensely. I just couldn’t deal with the drama of that site and asked that my membership be terminated. I drop in occasionally as a guest and always search for threads he initiates.

I think what I'd enjoy would be the feeling of isolation and in some cases desolation. Some of the best places to ride a motorcycle are the places where everybody else...isn't.

(04-06-2019, 08:09 AM)Cormanus_imp Wrote: GO, I thought I was setting you up for the Maxwell Smart response, ‘I told you not to ask me that’. Interesting article. Thanks.

Stichill, thanks for your link too. Goes to show, almost anywhere has potential as a riding spot.

Especially if it's wide open without much in the way of traffic to ruin the fun!

(04-06-2019, 12:59 AM)Rboe_imp Wrote: A Moto Guzzi owner and rider, Daniel Kalal, writes up these epic ride reports complete with photo's. He seems to be especially fond of the mid-west (Kansas, Nebrasks etc.) going through your small (or barely existing - some no longer existing) towns, staying and eating there. Simply amazing stuff. His tomes usually have a theme (old railroad route, old stage coach route, cool grain elevators). I think he's been on every dang road, paved or dirt, in the mid-west.

Then every so often he does the same thing in Europe (he keeps a bike and gear in Italy for just those occasions). Just checking on him on Facebook at he's using an EV to travel around the Canary Island. He travels very light, washing his clothes every night. I really miss his reports over on the guzzi forum. Once you've read one of his threads on his rides you won't think Kansas or Nebraska is boring.

About 4-5 years ago I was at the Triumph dealership kicking tires. Talked to a fellow that had bought a Thunderbird and he raved about the handling. He loved that bike. Lucky for me they no longer make it. Smile

He was right! This seems to be a bike whose appearance belies its true character.

I flew back in from Arizona last night and have to fly out again to Germany tomorrow, but at least I got some seat time on the Thunderbird today. It is an incredible machine and I had a blast! Bike ran and handled flawlessly.

[Image: bc472a0be68095b8c494612c11afc8a7.jpg]





[Image: b04a228fd830db2b879f685cc90a1d41.jpg]

[Image: c4f4ede8bc9e50be52cce8852a607931.jpg]

[Image: e3d6b4281403269cd27de0be28ff8aec.jpg]

Based on the video sound, the bike is sooo not annoying to the community. If I had to guess based on sound alone, I thought it was a Japanese bike. Some good karma.

You're right, it's pretty polite. I think the phone camera mic sort of emphasizes treble and cuts bass. In real life there's less mechanical whine and more rumble. But it is not loud at all.
Reply
#73
(04-06-2019, 11:28 AM)Stichill_imp Wrote: You know the feeling, ferret! All is right with the bike, the rider, and the road. I was literally laughing inside my helmet rolling down 22 and then onto 227 "the road with too many curves"! *

* Copyright The ferret

Excited Celebrate Biker

P.S. Germany's great I just want to stay home and tinker with + ride my bike! Waaaahhh!

Is that even possible?

By the way, Stichill, in the way of the internet, your link to Rider magazine led me to this write up of riding around the island where I grew up, https://ridermagazine.com/2018/10/29/one...antipodes/
Reply
#74
My understanding is Tasmania is a wonderful region to visit, and ride. Would love to try and visit one day.

Geared-up dude on the beach. Too funny.

- - -

BTW: I have three pairs of Blundstones. Smile
Reply
#75
(04-06-2019, 11:49 AM)Cormanus_imp Wrote:
(04-06-2019, 11:28 AM)Stichill_imp Wrote: You know the feeling, ferret! All is right with the bike, the rider, and the road. I was literally laughing inside my helmet rolling down 22 and then onto 227 "the road with too many curves"! *

* Copyright The ferret

Excited Celebrate Biker

P.S. Germany's great I just want to stay home and tinker with + ride my bike! Waaaahhh!

Is that even possible?

By the way, Stichill, in the way of the internet, your link to Rider magazine led me to this write up of riding around the island where I grew up, https://ridermagazine.com/2018/10/29/one...antipodes/

Is that even possible?

ROFL for me it is. I must be getting old.
Reply
#76
(04-06-2019, 11:49 AM)Cormanus_imp Wrote:
(04-06-2019, 11:28 AM)Stichill_imp Wrote: You know the feeling, ferret! All is right with the bike, the rider, and the road. I was literally laughing inside my helmet rolling down 22 and then onto 227 "the road with too many curves"! *

* Copyright The ferret

Excited Celebrate Biker

P.S. Germany's great I just want to stay home and tinker with + ride my bike! Waaaahhh!

Is that even possible?

By the way, Stichill, in the way of the internet, your link to Rider magazine led me to this write up of riding around the island where I grew up, https://ridermagazine.com/2018/10/29/one...antipodes/

Is that even possible?
Not really, lol! But you be the judge:
https://goo.gl/maps/WHCSdjhNURt

(04-06-2019, 11:49 AM)Cormanus_imp Wrote:
(04-06-2019, 11:28 AM)Stichill_imp Wrote: You know the feeling, ferret! All is right with the bike, the rider, and the road. I was literally laughing inside my helmet rolling down 22 and then onto 227 "the road with too many curves"! *

* Copyright The ferret

Excited Celebrate Biker

P.S. Germany's great I just want to stay home and tinker with + ride my bike! Waaaahhh!

Is that even possible?

By the way, Stichill, in the way of the internet, your link to Rider magazine led me to this write up of riding around the island where I grew up, https://ridermagazine.com/2018/10/29/one...antipodes/

Wow, enchanting! Would be hard to leave that place!
(04-06-2019, 12:10 PM)The ferret_imp Wrote:
(04-06-2019, 11:49 AM)Cormanus_imp Wrote:
(04-06-2019, 11:28 AM)Stichill_imp Wrote: You know the feeling, ferret! All is right with the bike, the rider, and the road. I was literally laughing inside my helmet rolling down 22 and then onto 227 "the road with too many curves"! *

* Copyright The ferret

Excited Celebrate Biker

P.S. Germany's great I just want to stay home and tinker with + ride my bike! Waaaahhh!

Is that even possible?

By the way, Stichill, in the way of the internet, your link to Rider magazine led me to this write up of riding around the island where I grew up, https://ridermagazine.com/2018/10/29/one...antipodes/

Is that even possible?

ROFL for me it is. I must be getting old.

ROFL for me it is. I must be getting old.
ROFL
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