Last ride of 2011!

It's time to say Goodbye to year 2011! It had been a lot of ups and downs but somehow we all still manage to ride through it. There is nothing better than have a nice easy group ride in an unusually warm December weather to end the year. I hope you enjoy the ride as much as I did!

Le Filtrage

Found this video online - it brings out the true spirit of riding. My favorite quote: A man who has great cheese, does not have time for Cognac.  I hope you enjoy the video as much as I do!


Le Filtrage - Free Riding from Oli333 on Vimeo.

Redwood fun after work

Redwood fun after work, originally uploaded by Speedy Chung.

Here you go! Something short as a test clip. I attached my Contour camera on a suction cup; but I realized that the camera shaken pretty badly due to the heavier locking head on the suction cup. I have been exploring different mounting methods and locations - hopefully new video clips come soon. Stay tune!

Contour ROMA first road test

Contour ROMA first road test, a photo by Speedy Chung on Flickr.

I am glad to report that everything works really well. Check out the video of my short local easy ride and judge it yourself!

The new guy in town - Contour ROMA

Contour ROMA, a photo by Speedy Chung on Flickr.

After some back and forth finally I made a decision to get Contour ROMA. People may ask why not GoPro Hero HD? I own a older Hero, and the image quality and sound quality were both very good. But both the mounting and operation were really painful - half of the time I can't even tell the unit is on! The worst part is the mount - you HAVE TO keep the unit up-right, and deal with all the little mounting pieces on the go just simply too much to deal with. So I decided to give Contour a shot. I was thinking about getting the nicer unit - Contour GPS. It has full HD recording; plus GPS tracking to tell exactly your path and location. But after going through some user reviews I realize I rather trade the GPS function for a longer battery life and simpler operation. Just one slid on the top of the unit, it's on and start recording! SImple and easy. It offers Full HD recording at 30 fps and 170 degree wide angle (unlike the Contour GPS, it offers Full HD at 60fps but at 125 degree only). It has laser guild to make sure the lens stay horizontal and it's water proof too (up to 1m depth). The best part is, it's about $70 cheaper then Contour GPS!

I got myself a nice mounting to go along with my new toy - RAM Mounting System. It's made by marine grade aluminum with 1" rubber balls for vibration isolation. Everything so far comes together well - can't way for field this Sunday! Stay tune!

Yes oysters! More please!

I guess I am not the only one who loves the local oyster... Here is the video shot by a local Classic rider about his oyster run. Very well made video - hope you all enjoy!

Oyster Run from mrfears on Vimeo.

Sunday small group ride

Sunday small group ride, originally uploaded by Speedy Chung.

It was very nice to ride with a local Sport 1000LE owner on a sunny and nice Sunday morning. It's one of the best looking bike out there! More picts here!

Dainese 4 Stroke Leather Gloves

Dainese 4 Stroke Leather Gloves, originally uploaded by Speedy Chung.

While my bike still in the shop, let's go shopping! Just kidding... but I do need a pair of shorties to fit my jackets better. The sleeves of both the Racing jacket and the HF Special jacket just a bit too long for the long gloves to handle. So... I picked the 4 Stroke. After 5 weeks of wait finally it arrived. After close inspection I found out that It's not as well made as Piston (sold on Ebay a year ago); but the 4 Stroke is still pretty nice - and it's a lot cheaper - $60 cheaper then the original Piston. Seriously I don't where Dainese cuts corner.... But it's for sure looks good and feel good for me! One small complain - the pinky has a lot of protection - which is good; but it's pretty painful to break-in. Oddly enough, the higher priced items like Full Metal actually needs less time (if not none) to break-in. I guess that's where the fitment and craftsmanship comes in.

Yeah, it's like Christmas in July =)

Dainese Racing Jacket - my latest jacket addition

Dainese Racing Jacket, originally uploaded by Speedy Chung.

I have been eyeing on a new leather jacket for some time since I sold my beloved Delmar jacket few weeks back - and finally I found this nice white Racing jacket (big thanks to Mike at D-Store San Francisco). One thing I learn from my old Delmar jacket is that the so-called aerodynamic spoiler is really unless POS when it comes to street riding. My suit has one - it looks cool and fast, and it keeps my temperature down during the hot day. But in the case of jacket, especially without vent, it just adds extra weight without any real benefit. In fact, it creates problem when I use backpack. So it's time to get something simple and light wight for work day riding. The fitting of the Racing jacket is great. It's light in weight (comes without heavy liner) and fit me really well compare to the new Delmar, Alain, and Santa Monica (BTW, Santa Monica is one of the very best jacket out there; but I was informed that it will be discontinued in next season - that translated into big saving at the end of this riding season. Anyone interested, make sure add yourself into D-store mail list).

Next thing will be nice shorty gloves...

One of best video about local rides...

Escapism from barry munsterteiger on Vimeo.
Found this very nice video from my local riding forum - all the roads are local, and it really connects to the way that I ride when I am out there - get away from the daily life, having fun and speed on the open roads in control manner - no dragging knees, no wheelies, no drama. Good job buddy!

Triumph Demo Day at Ace Motosports

Triumph Demo Day at Ace, originally uploaded by Speedy Chung.

Thank you Ace and Triumph USA putting the event together. There was about 20 demo bikes available for test ride - pretty much full line of current Triumph products. I was plan to check out the Street Triple and Tiger 1050; but the line was too long and the spots filled up quickly. End up I got the Bonneville SE and Scrambler. Both bikes are really down-to-earth kind of ride - raw and simple. Bonneville is fun in an odd way - very very slow, and I actually can relax hitting redline (to the point.... falling asleep?). Scrambler is just fun - the pipes give a very special exhaust tones (sounds like a very very angry duck!). It has more kicks than Bonneville; but the brake on both bikes are equally bad. I really don't think I will ever get one of these bikes... but hey, no one should say never...

There are still day two! I wonder I have time after the Ducati Rider Portrait’s Photo Project opening reception in Sunnyvale Art Gallery....

New addition to my leather collection!

Anyone know this jacket?, originally uploaded by Speedy Chung.

Lucky me!!! Great find from Craigslist - it is a older retro style Dainese HF Special Leather jacket from 2007 model year. The leather is a bit dry but without over stretching or road rush. After some love (cleaning and leather conditioner), it looks great!!! Perfect match with my Classic... that's if I get my Classic back >_<

2011 Ducati lineup

Just found this clip online for 2011 model lineup with Diavel, Hypermotard, Monster, Multistrada, Streetfighter and Superbike. Enjoy!

Arai pod fails again!

Arai pod fails again!, originally uploaded by Speedy Chung.

As much as I love Arai, the pod system really bothering me. It's loud (wind noise), changing shield is painful, and it's un-relible. This is the second time it fails on me - luckily both times happened off ride. Odd thing is both failed on the left side... But I have to said the warranty is great - file my new open ticket online and got respond and confirmation on the following day. Hmm... will I buy Arai again? Really not sure... So far 4 of my Shoei (RF1000, and three X-11s) are all fail proof - nothing broke even after I crashed! What can I say???

Ran into Police Officers...

CHP's ride close up, originally uploaded by Speedy Chung.

Ran into two police officers at the Wall this afternoon, and all the riders hugging around the Wall had a nice chat with both officers. Finally I had a close up view of their ride - both old and new at once. Both of them were not exactly looking for speeder but people slowed down respectively anyway. It was a nice chat on a warm Sunday afternoon - yeah, I got a big fat ticket just 4 weeks ago but I really have nothing against them. After all, we all love motorcycle to the bone... and there are much to learn from their riding skill.

See you guys next time... oh wait...

Sunday solo run

Sunday solo run, originally uploaded by Speedy Chung.

It was a great Sunday run!!! After 3 weeks of bed weather and busy work schedule, I finally able to ride on dry clean pavement on weekend. This is the first longer ride after the 18K mile service. Overall the bike runs great but it dies on me when I came to stop or at launch - fueling is way too lean. Seems like the FAR is somehow off. I suspect Ace replaced the re-usable air filter with something ales and FAR is a bit off. It's time to dive into the ECU again....

New helmet sticker

New helmet with sticker, originally uploaded by Speedy Chung.

A $5 decal makes the Clutch looks much better! I never be a big decal guy but this surely a great success!

Ducati 'CLUTCH' Helmet

Ducati 'CLUTCH' Helmet, originally uploaded by Speedy Chung.

New addition to my helmet 'collection' - this is my first AGV/Ducati helmet! Compare to both of my Aria and Shoie; the AGV/Ducati is much lighter. This is not exactly a top-end model; but somehow it fits my head much better especially around my ears compare to the GP-Tech or T2. It looks nice from a distance; but for sure missing nice paint details like X-11/X-12. Well, for $399, I guess I can't ask for too much. Will see how it performs... stay tune for review!

Keira Knightley and Ducati 750 Sport

Wow...  I's speechless. She is such a beauty, and that's something I could never image from the Pirates of the Caribbean. Her cat suit and the Classic 750 are the perfect match. Sorry Chanel, I just simply don't care about whatever perfume you sell :P

Dainese Avro One Piece Suit

Dainese Avro One Piece Suit, originally uploaded by Speedy Chung.

Finally it arrives after 2 weeks of wait!!! My old Dainese Laguna Seca Pro suffers small surface damages from my last crash, and it's not to the point where I can't wear it anymore; but what the hell - let's leave it for my track day. After looking around a bit I decided to go with Dainese once again - it's pricey; but it's really well build and fits me well. Within the Dinese line; 3 suits fit me well within my budget - Red line, Laguna Seca Pro, and Avro... so end up I picked the Avro. BTW, big thanks to D-Store in San Francisco helping me to pick a right one. Avro is the most comfortable one. It fit better than Laguna Seca Pro, and much much better than Red line - really can't used to the "bib design". So far I like it a lot; but it's not prefect - sleeves are about .5" too long for me. For your reference, it's size 38/48, and I am 5'-8" and weighted 153lb (lost about 10lb since last suit - down sized from 40/50!!!). It has enough room for under suit and full size Dainese back protector.

Can't wait for a ride tomorrow with my new suit!