Photo Gallery: Cafe Desmo 2010

Click the image above to see photos from this year’s Cafe Desmo hosted annually by Pro Italia Motorcycles in Glendale, CA.

TWINS!…er…TRIPLES!

Separated at birth, my Street Triple and it’s big brother, Speed Triple, at Newcomb’s Ranch Inn

Photo by Ted

Motorcycling Marketing Video Report Card: Kawasaki Z750R

There are simple truths to motorcycling; it should be entertaining; it should be exciting; it should elicit a unique emotional response not available from your everyday four-wheeled commuter box, just to name a few. For the motorcycling initiated and sometimes even for those looking in from the outside, a film or video that captures the essence of that experience can be almost as good as actually riding a motorcycle (almost…but not quite). Today’s example: the 2011 Kawasaki Z750R. Continued >

599 In Progress Near 1st and Hewitt

My Honda 599 halucinating on the streets of downtown Los Angeles

Photo by Ted

Motorcycle Marketing Video Report Card: Ducati Monster 796

There are several ways to market a new motorcycle model but none seem more encompassing or entertaining than the “lifestyle” music video. Some, like the one created for the Honda CB1100, manage to capture the essence and romance of what the bike promises to deliver and celebrate with its rider. This, in my opinion, is exactly what a motorcycle promo video should succeed at. Some others come close, and others fail miserably. Today’s example: the Ducati Monster 796. Continued >

Naked in the Backyard

I ❤ my Triumph.

Photo by Ted taken with Sony DSC-R1

Brand New and Ready for Miles

My Triumph Street Triple parked at the office when it was still wearing dealer plates

Photo by Ted taken with iPhone

Sand Canyon Street Triple

My Triumph Street Triple 675 at Sand Canyon Road, north of CA HWY 14

Photo by Ted taken with iPhone

Honda 599 at the Office

My Honda 599 at the office

Photo by Ted taken with iPhone

Here We Go

I like bikes. No—I love bikes.

Bicycles. Motorcycles. Most things that ride on two wheels get my attention (dollies, SegWays and push mowers excepted). Here’s a short list, in no specific order, of two-wheeled things I love; a few that I even ride regularly:

• Road racing bicycles
• Naked bikes (motorcycles)
• Cafe Racers
• Mountain Bikes
• Scooters (Vespa, Lambretta etc.)
• Old school Japanese standards
• Dutch-style utilitarian bicycles
• Sport bikes
• Fixed gear bicycles
• Triathlon & Time Trial bicycles
• Cruisers (the kind you pedal)
• Cruisers (the louder kind, usually powered by a V-twin)
• Bobbers
• Dual Sport bikes
• Mopeds
• BMX/Freestyle bikes

The list goes on, but it doesn’t end there. Not only do I obsess and spend far too much time thinking about them (yet not enough time riding them). I’m equally a geek for all the other things that come along with them: helmets, tools, clothing, culture, accessories, the industries, economies and markets they support, as well as all the drama and icons of their respective sports. Be it Valentino Rossi, Lance Armstrong or Curious George sitting on it, it’s good by me as long as it rolls on two wheels.

Maybe it’s self-indulgence or unabashed fanboy-ism for bikes that motivates me to do this. Or perhaps it’s just a way for me to geek-out about all the bike-related items I fixate on endlessly; a form of therapy that lets me work through pent up frustration, guilt or joy over all the time and money I’ve spent on upgrades, customizations, helmets, jackets, shoes, boots, gloves, repairs, books, magazines, scale model toys etc.

Whatever the reasons are, consider yourself warned.

-Ted