For My Fellow Motorcycle Commuters

A little over a year ago, I began commuting by motorcycle again after a few year break.  My job changed, so instead of working from home/coffee shop/library when not on the road, I went into an office 5 days a week.  Soon I was commuting 3-4 days a week and generally taking the same route each day.  While I don't enjoy commuting riding much, I fell into a routine, could gauge the traffic and trouble spots, and generally rode without incident almost every day.  Sure there would be interesting sites-my all time favorite was a guy eating oatmeal out of a bowl with a spoon using both hands to pull this off one morning!

About two weeks ago, the contract I was on ended, but I was blessed to pick another one up right away.  The major change (besides a pay reduction, but that's another post on another blog) is I am now working on another base.  The last eight miles or so of my commute are different, and my report time is earlier.

Why is this important?  Well, mainly because the traffic "flow" is very different, as are the surface streets and density.  About two miles of this new commute is along a busy four-lane street with curbside parallel parking, which pushes that lane's traffic toward the center-line.  Because I live in California, lane-sharing, aka lane-splitting, aka "surfing" is pretty much a way of life for motorcycle commuters.  Even guys on full size baggers sometimes lane split!  The other change is being earlier in the morning people seem to be less aware.  In the few days I've commuted, each morning I've been pulled over on at least once, some trips multiple times.  I am always cautious when overtaking cars in some situations and often predict who's going to do this, but have been surprised twice already.  Only one was very close but it has been a bit rattling.

Do you have the same "jitters" when switching routes or jobs?  Hopefully this will settle down and I'll get a feel for the cagers heading in with me.  I'd hate to lose the option of commuting on my bike!

3-Ride Review: Harley-Davidson Heated Jacket Liner

Good afternoon, loyal reader(s)!


It's time for another one of my very sporadic 3-Ride Reviews.  Today I am reviewing a Harley-Davidson heated jacket.  I'm not exactly sure of the model as it is an older one given to me by a friend probably a year and a half ago.  I didn't immediately put the pigtail on the battery as last winter I wasn't riding as much as I plan on this winter due to a different job.


First, a description of the jacket.  It's a black lightly insulated jacket with a windbreaker like exterior and wiring throughout-the front, back and sleeves are all wired.  It zips all the way up to a closed neck (good) and has light elastic cuffs and bottom.  There are plenty of extra plugs for gloves and probably heated pants liners too.  On the inside left is a pocket that holds the lead to the wiring harness on the bike, and it had an on/off rocker switch when my friend gave it to me.  The front outside right has a plasticized H-D patch that is tasteful and I could likely get off if I really wanted to (I no longer own a Harley) and the back center has a 1x2 inch or so Harley eagle and "AN AMERICAN LEGEND" patch sewn on.  I'm not sure I'll ever run this jacket without some top layer, so these patches are no big deal.


My first ride in this jacket was Sunday morning, and it was 36 in my garage, 39 per the official weather app on the phone.  Jacket warmed up quickly and I could feel the welcome heat at in town speeds.  About 10 minutes later I was on the freeway and cruising along for about 25 minutes at California early morning freeway speeds-so plenty of cooling wind.  I was wearing an Aerostitch suit, but the top zipper is malfunctioning and opened partway through the ride.  No big deal, as the liner kept up and I never was chilled.  Riding home at 10 AM I plugged in the liner, so test ride 2 was at more moderate temperatures-roughly high 40s/50ish.  This time I had to cycle the liner a few times, as I kept the suit sealed and the liner generated more than enough heat.


Ride three was this morning.  Again, the temperature was below 40 when I left the house.  I kept the suit sealed better this time, and once I got off the freeway for the last ten minutes riding to work I kept the switch off.  I was only wearing a light dress shirt under the liner and could really feel the heat after about a minute, and then for the rest of the ride.


This liner is an XL, which might be one size too big for me (I'm 5'10" and 180) but also allows easy layering under and above, which might not be possible if it was a large.  Considering it was a gift, I'm quite happy with the size!


Pro's-plenty of heat, easy hook up to battery then one plug, quality construction
Con's-A bit extra wiring  in leads (at least the way my bike is laid out), ripstop outer construction requires outer layer

It's National Ride to Work Day, motorcycle edition

I know it's too late for many of you, and it rushed up on me this year, but today is National Ride to Work Day!  It's always the third Monday of June-I guess June for all of those who can't ride to work year-round like many of us in San Diego do.  It's still amazing to me that we only have 364 riding days a year out here.  I probably have ridden on every calendar day of the year over the 12 years of riding in San Diego.  While I haven't ridden every day of a year straight (yet), over the years I probably have every day covered.

So I rode to work today, my usual commute.  Unfortunately I didn't see an unusually high number of bikes, but many folks do commute by motorcycle already.  Here's a link to the national organizations website.  If you still have a chance, go on some kind of ride today, especially riding to work!