JW Blog

Say goobye to my lil fren

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It’s been a great run, but the time has come for this love machine to move on to her next master. The Hypermotard is all heart and muscle, it’s one of the great bikes. I could be a bit sad about seeing it go, but I had a bitchen time while it was my turn, so no regrets here. Next is something built for more seat time and with my lady on the back… hello Multistrada. As much as the next guy (maybe more), I think cool stuff is cool, but you can only use so much, and there’s a point when it becomes even cooler to share. This bike went to a good home, and she’s immortalized in the DNA annals of facebook. Arrivederci bellissima.

Moto GP

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I went to Moto Grand Prix in Monterey, CA at Laguna Seca. It’s one of my favorite tracks, one of the best to watch a race and just a generally great area to take a weekend trip. Standing alongside the Corkscrew or above Race Control in the lounge, it’s always a great view. GP is a weekend long moto-bonding session not to be missed by any 2-wheel go fast fan. An annual pilgrimage of gear-goodness and I spent it with some great friends. I got to brainstorm about a new GOOD ART / BATES Leathers Bates Custom Leathers collaboration with Dana who owns the legendary California custom leather jacket company. I feasted with Jason, Tony and Brando, lounged on Ducati Island with Dan from Contour, I met Paul & Becca from Spidergrips, and rider Greg Tracy who took their Multistrada to the win at Pikes Peak last month, and I got very intimate with a good number of amazing bikes, even reuniting for a moment with my first Ducati by chance. It was Ducati-filled funtime for all. Stoner took 2nd and Nicky 5th! Thanks for the great weekend Skipper, really wish I had a photo of your face to share here, next time around I guess.

HD Quality – Admitedly Crap Video

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This Video is amazing, and yet not so at the same time. How, you wonder… Brilliant camera, and no practice as of yet. I’m not a video guy. Had a couple cameras over the years and never really got into it. I think that’s gonna change now. My friend DS from Contour HD sent over the most amazing care package, loaded with the latest high-end HD video gadgetry. Thank you, a few times. Ultra compact and practically idiot-proof, the Contour HD is super small and totally convenient to use. So much so, I’m starting to do just that. I have no idea how to edit the nearly 2+ hours (I know) of footage I’ve captured so far, so this bit at the bottom is the only “movie” cohesive enough to share. The ride was great, BTW. And I might make lots of movies.

Streets of Long Beach

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I spent the weekend with some very fast friends at the Long Beach Grand Prix. Walker Racing is running Speedy Dan Clarke in the Indy Lights series and I was lucky enough to see it from the inside out. Nothing like being on the starting grid when they fire those suckers up, I even said aloud today “it never gets old” about the thump and roar. Thanks a million Deano & Derrick, another brilliant weekend!

Dogs like moto

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One of the better social rides in Los Angeles is out to the famed Rock Store on Mulholland Hwy. This morning I had the pleasure of taking in that ride with two of my favorite people (and a couple of moto hot shots too), Dylan & Keith Code. These two were wringing out a pair of the new BMW S1000RR’s. Keith is the racing legend who decoded the secrets of getting around very quickly (and with great control) on two wheels. Keith’s book, ‘A Twist Of The Wrist’ cracked the subject wide open and his California Superbike School is a must for every biker with a go-fast urge and desire to get better at left-right-left. After 20 years of riding, I finally did the school; it completely changed the game for me and got me into much better control. If you ride, give yourself a treat. Tell them I sent you and you’ll score an extra muffin in the morning.