When CBXMansMotorcycles, Fithgear Customs and AlternativeCruisers MeetBy: William R. Ramby
October 21, 2006I am a lucky, lucky man. Little did I imagine when I started this site a little over a year ago that I would be lucky enough to meet and befriend such people as Dennis of CBXMansMotorcycles and Dave of Fithgear Customes.
I'd known for about two weeks that Dave and his wife were coming up to do some design planning for a new set of pipes for Dennis. I was invited to join them while he was here. Dave was going to be here Friday evening and Sauturday morning. Sadly I couldn't be there for Friday evening, but there was no way I was going to miss Saturday morning.
For those who don't know, Dennis' dealership is about 75 miles away from where I live. I knew they were going to be there from eight AM on so I got up at six AM to to be sure I got time in with the two of them before Dave had to leave. I gathered all my gear together and loaded up the car. It was a cool thirty eight degrees and there was frost again on the windshield but it couldn't kill my enthusiasm for the day.
I arrived at CBXMans at 8:10AM. Dennis took me inside and introduce me to Dave. Dave is an amiable fellow and it was like we had known each other for a good while (which we had of course, but only via the forums). We sat together and talked for a while. Then Dennis said the magic words "Let's gear up."
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With a big grin on my face we proceeded to go through the showroom floor. Of course we got distracted talking about this bike and that bike as we walked along. Can you imagine three motorcycle enthusiasts passing by rows of bikes without saying a word about any of them? No, I didn't think so.
We got into the maintenance bay and Dave immediately zeroed in on the GT250. We discussed the bike for a bit and then moved it outside. Dave and I were admiring it as Dennis brought out the Sapero. Then Dennis brought out a Daelim 125cc scooter. Then two GV650's (one with Dave's duals and the other with Daves shorty) and the GT650. Last but not least was the Zongshen Storm V250.
We did some parking lot riding on all the bikes taking turns riding each. I was especially impressed by the GV650 with the duals. I'm a short guy and the pegs of the GV650 were set forward so I had to practically ride the tank to get my feet to rest on the front pegs. The minute I laid the hammer down I found myself all the way at the back of the seat.
Ok, I'm going to go back in time about a month ago. I visited Dennis and rode this very same bike with the pegs mounted forward. Despite it's power, I didn't have much of a problem staying forward on the seat. Ok, back to the present. Every time I gave the bike with the duals on it a hard throttle, whump, back of the seat again. Dennis and Dave are going to sell a ton of these once they become well known. It was truly impressive!
I have more to say on the Zongshen, but thats for another article.
Finally we took off for the long ride circuit. Dennis was on the GV650 with the shorty, Dave was on the dual, and I was on the Storm. We stopped for gas then we were off again. Dennis led the way, then myself, and lastly Dave. We were stopped at a stop sign when a guy on a hog intersected our route. Dennis let him get a good lead, then laid the hammer down and caught up with him quickly. Slowing down, he let the hog get a long lead again. Laying down the hammer again, Dennis was on his tail in seconds and dogged him trhough a hairpin. What a hoot! After that Dennis let the guy scurry on his way.
Some of you may remember my article where I described this route before. There's one point coming down the mountain where it is all one big twisty. Since I had ridden it before I waved Dave on and let him take the middle position. As he went into the curves I could tell he was having fun but being carefull. By the end of the twisties he was hammering it through, much the same as my first ride of that same circuit. One day I'm going to take a video camera on the route so I can actually show people what it's like. Dave swore later he had never been on a road like that.
We pulled back into CBXMansMotorcycles and dismounted. Pulling off the helmets there were grins all around. We were a cold but very happy trio. There's nothing like good friends, good motorcycles and a good trwisty road. Give it a try sometime and tell me you didn't smile.
I truly believe I'm blessed to have friends such as these. Enjoying the ride for what it is, The Ride.
Till the next article........
Bill
Happy Birthday!
