#twisted throttle

GEAR REVIEW–Twisted Throttle Tool Tube

SEPTEMBER 7, 2012

tags: A, ADV Rider, Adventure riding, Adventure Travel, Aprilia,Aprilia Caponord, Fine Bourbon, Motorcycle Accessories, MSR, MSR Fuel Bottle, Pappy Van Winkle, Tool Tube, Twisted Throttle

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I won’t kid you.  I bought this “Tool Tube” to hold either a bottle of fine Scotch or Bourbon.  In fact, I bought a pair for the Caponord.  One is mounted to each pannier.  They are designed to hold a 30oz MSR fuel bottle but can be used for just about anything you want.  I keep bungee cords and tie-downs in one and a bottle of water in the other. 

I’d be happy to test the holder with a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle 12 year old Bourbon if a kind reader would be willing to supply a test bottle……….

Installing the “tool tube” is as simple as drilling a hole.  TT supplied all the mounting hardware AND the drill bit!  That’s a really nice touch.

I elected to toss all the mounting hardware except the gasketed washer and use stainless steel as I knew the stock stuff would rust.  One caution, depending on how you mount the tool tubes the screw on lid can catch the bolt.  I solved this by using a low profile pan head torx stainless fastener that easily cleared the screw on lid.

TT Tool Tubes cost less than $20.00 and have zillions of uses.  I’m hoping to occupy one with some Pappy in the near future. 

Product Price:  A

Product Quality: A

Product Value: A

Product Installation Ease: B – due to the bolts hitting the screw on top

YO TONY! – A visit to Tony’s Track Days at New Hampshire Motor Speedway

AUGUST 14, 2012

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I took a short ride up to Loudon, New Hampshire yesterday and got a preview of what it’s like to attend a motorcycle track day.  More on that in a second. 

WARNING RANT ALERT!

I write this BLOG with Microsoft’s Live Writer.  It’s not the easiest product to use, but I’ve been using it for years and thankfully, it does not change the formatting of my documents (like just about every other blogging program I’ve tested).  HOWEVER, for whatever reason the rocket scientists at Microsoft felt the need to update the program again.  Long story short – it’s virtually unusable. 

Example – in this PHOTO which was taken on an I-Phone with a broken screen and water damage) I had to perform no fewer than six separate photo enhancements.  I don’t usually mind that, however, the new menu system – which is now relocated from the top of the page to the right side, I had to perform approximately 30 pull down’s and clicks to obtain those six photo enhancements!  ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRG! 

Somebody send me a MAC – I’m ready to jump ship!

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OK, enough about that.  Back to a beautiful afternoon at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, NH. 

Technorati Tags: Motorcycle Racing,NHIS,Tony’s Track Days,Track Motorcycle,Motorcycle Track Day,Loudon,ADV Rider,Twisted Throttle,The Twisted Throttle,Guy Martin,Motorcycle Racing Class,Lee Parks

I believe that most people who have considered a “take my bike to a racetrack” day have two ideas of what might happen:

IMAGINARY TRACK DAY SCENARIO NUMERO UNO:

A horrific, Isle of Man, Guy Martin inspired crash where your precious motorcycle will be destroyed and your remains will be shipped home in an empty Red Bull can……………

IMAGINARY TRACK DAY SCENARIO NUMERO DOS:

Where you WILL be kept in a classroom all day learning the finer points of apexing, not passing, what the flags mean, the three hour safety inspection and the differences between CE ratings, tire warmer brands, knee slider technology and where the bathrooms are.  At Tony’s it’s not like that.  You do spend some time learning, but most of your time will be spent RIDING.

From what I saw yesterday, Tony’s Track Days is neither.  It’s a friendly, fun group of folks who share their passion for motorcycling and enjoy each others company when the racing over and it’s time for Pizza and drinks. 

I joined a group of participants for an end-of the day walking of the track.  This is a great opportunity to review the day’s riding and chat with peers and instructors about the perfect line, where a rider struggled, and a variety of issues. 

Standing at the bottom of “The Bowl”.

Average turn entry speed into this corner is something like 65 MPH and closer to 100 MPH on the exit.  Can you say FUN?

Another Aprilia!  Yahoo!  This is an early Aprilia Futura.  The owner took it out for his first time on the track and loved it.  The condition of this bike was immaculate.  Not a single scratch on the bags – something, you won’t find on a regularly used Futura. 

Want to learn more?  There is an excellent video from an unlikely source – Live Lobster Group TV.  Click the photo below to launch the video.  The track section starts at about .50 seconds into the segment.

It’s amazing to be able to stand in the paddock and check out the bikes and meet a huge variety of riders.  Like I said, it’s friendly and approachable.

So, if you want to learn more about Tony’s Track Days check out their website for details.  Of particular interest and an excellent motivational tool.  I highly recommend the “EXCUSES” section of the website. 

Lastly, I stopped by Seacoast Ducati / Aprilia / Moto Guzzi.  Unfortunately, they were closed on Mondays.  Bummer!