The Dark Side on Christmas Eve...

Why do snowmobile helmets have better features, venting, are more comfortable, yet get the same DOT rating as motorcycle helmets?

I am going to find out...

I ordered a GMAX GM54S and will see what comes of the utter coolness sled riders get over the rest of us.

54S Features:

NEW INNER FLIP TINT SUN LENS, with the best anti-fogging coating available today. Inner flip shield is easily raised or lowered with a lever located on the exterior of the helmet. STATE OF THE ART ANTI-FOG, MAXIMUM SEAL DOULBLE LENS SHIELD COMES WITH ANTI-SCRATCH HARD COATED OUTER LENS FOR A LONGER LASTING CLEAR VIEW. New integrated multi-function red LED rear light. One hand easy to use chin bar push to open mechanism. Lightweight DOT approved Thermo-Plastic Alloy shell.  Excellent shield sealing reduces cold air and noise. SPC TOP FRONT VENTS/INTERIOR AND STYRO DESIGNED FOR CONTROLLED AIR FLOW. GMAX “D.E.V.S.” adjustable “Dual Exhaust Venting System” Top, side and rear venting reduces fogging and sweating by allowing hot air to escape from the mouth area and top of head. Large Eye port for improved range of vision.

Adjustable chin vent directs air upward across the inside of the shield to help reduce fogging. DuPont Coolmax comfort liner and cheek pads move the moisture away from your body and the fabric dries quickly. The added performance keeps you dry and comfortable. Removable/washable interior and adjustable cheek pads allow for more comfortable sizing. Deluxe ear pockets for better fit and comfort. Built in speaker pockets for communication systems. Snap-in snowmobile chin curtain for added warmth and quietness. Snap-in maximum seal breath guard reduces fogging. Soft padded chin strap. Painted shell with high-tech water decals and high quality clear coat finish. Protective aesthetic lower rubber molding. Helmet bag included. NEW “Throttle” Graphics.

More winter, more rewards.

So the snow has come in earnest, and the roads are wet and icy to ride so the remodel/updating on the downstairs is not as bad as if the weather was cooperating a little.  The small bedroom is done and the hallway is 80% complete minus the molding and door trim.

A small sample of the work done...

















And now for the rewards.

Cardo Scala Rider G4 PowerSet

I have been looking at upgrading the bike communications between Mrs. RedTigre and I for a year. We have a StarCom 1 unit that has held up over 6 years and 40,000 beemer miles, but the quality is beginning to show in the background noise and the volume is only one setting between rider and pillion.

I wanted something without wires as well, and found this:


Bluetooth, 10 hour talk time, water resistant, pairs with the iPhone, independent controls, detaches for security, will pair with other sets, yaddada, yadada, yadada...  ordered today.  Merry Christmas to the Mrs and I for the hard word we've done on the house.

As if remodeling the downstairs isn't bad enough to delay riding...

... now this.

Bloody Hell... it'll be a fortnight before I even get to Mistress, by then the ice will take hold.

I am not happy...

The New BMW K1600GTL

No competition yet for Mistress, but oh baby...

The new K1600GTL in Jay Leno's Garage

View from the cockpit

That's a 6 Cylinder in there...

A New Era in Sport Touring Redefined

A well designed chassis...

Beemer Cam -Teil Zwei (Part Two)

So We took a run up the Tumwater Canyon late this afternoon and I tested the modified mount for the Beemer Cam... "great shot of the road" was the feedback I got from Mrs. Redtigre.

It was better than that I think, but I adjusted the mount and we continued up the canyon for more feedback... "what, more road?  Don't quit your day job..."

Oy!

I have it now rendering and stabilizing in iMovie, which takes time.

I am hoping to cut some great stills out of it, but if this doesn't work out hardware-wise I think it is time to try a FlipCam on the mount instead.

...or not.  I think I need a better windscreen, this thing has contours that make it look like you are breaking the grid on the Matrix.

I still think this has such potential...

The Aunt, the 75th birthday, and the Beemer

Joan and I in Ephrata

Mrs. Redtigre and I went on a ride to Ephrata for my Aunt's 75th birthday surprise today, about 110 miles roundtrip in some "is it or isn't it going to rain" weather.  I think the end of riding season coming to a quick close had the Mrs. anxious for a last ride (for her) and a "I've only a few more weeks left myself" for me with a basement remodel destined to take up the next 10 weeks of foul weather (it had better be foul weather or I will be foul if the riding is still able to happen on weekends).

My Aunt Murriel and her children (my cousins)

So the trip was nice and I saw cousins that work and incidentals and riding have made my social life a complete "blah" in regards to seeing family that are getting old like I am (ha!), but the focus was seeing my Aunt Murriel and wishing her a happy birthday.  Murriel, Dad, and I went to Arkansas about 3 summers ago to visit the "home country" and see much of where they grew up as children.  It was a cherished trip, and I saw many of the same woods what my father and aunt did as they grew up in Arkansas as young children.

Murriel and I leaving...

As we were getting ready to leave, there was some chatter of getting a photo of Aunt Murriel on "Mistress", and talk became action as Murriel donned Joan's jacket, helmet, and gloves  and climbed aboard behind me. This was her first time on the back of motorcycle and off we went.

I think she liked it...  ;)

Murriel and I returning...

I hooked up the com between us and we talked as we shot out to highway 282 to give her a taste of the road at 65mph, curved around to the airport, and then looped back to the house where everyone was there to take pictures as we arrived back, surprised that "we thought you were only going up the street and back".

Please... since when is anything a "short" trip on a BMW?

Yep, I think she liked it!

It was an honor to have given her her first ride on a motorcycle EVER!


And it was a BMW... boy will she be disappointed on her second.  :D

Love you Murriel!!!

Beemer Cam

So Mrs. RedTigre and I were running through the Tumwater canyon again today enjoying the changing of the season, and I was thinking "Wow, these colors would be great captured on a cam as we are riding". Looking at all the geography I have on the shelf, I dug out an old Canon ZR-700 handheld camera (I'm in technology, anything 3 years old is "old") and found a way to mount it to my shelf.  The battery was shot so I have another on order but am anxious to see just how well this is going to work through the windscreen.

The Mrs. said I was nuts, but this could be so cool...