The Streets of Willow @ Willow Springs
Haven’t been there in a while but found this old picture (probably taken in 2001). Same Superhawk as I have now.
Streets is a fun technical track. I found, having all the torque of the Superhawk, that staying in 3rd gear worked great for a smooth run around this track, where the speeds could range between 30 and 115 mph.
Baja Blitz DB30 Mini Bike aka Doodle Bug
I picked up one of these last week on Craig’s List. It is so new, it still has the protective plastic over the seat. Hopefully, when my grandkids come to visit next year, they will be able to ride it around and have some fun.
Mini Bikes were real popular back when I was a kid and rode many, but never owned one. These bikes are the only current ones being built and sold as new, although there are “kits” out there. There is a site called http://www.oldminibikes.com/ and it has so much information about people that collect and restore the old ones. Usually powered by a lawn mower engine, some were sold with small motorcycle engines. Because of the very light weight, not much power is really needed to make these go.
This one has a 2.5 hp engine and it takes a bit to get going with an adult on it. A popular, and relatively inexpensive, modification is to change the engine out with a 6.5 horsepower engine that is usually sold at Harbor Freight for around $100. Anyway, for the time being, I will just keep this one as new.
Follow up on the 1997 KTM 620 SX
AAA is great! (the auto club). No long DMV lines! I took my paperwork in after work this morning and brought the KTM out of non-op and transferred the title. Came home, put the sticker on the plate and went riding.
1st impression: Wow, this bike is light! Next impression: Whoa, this engine has torque! Overall impression: this belongs in the dirt, not on the street. The front wheel does not want to stay on the ground, the full knobbies seem to slip and slide a bit. I see what they mean when they call these 620’s a paint shaker. It is not annoying, but you do feel the heavy rumbles of the engine and the knobby tires.
With no side stand, I did not want to even think about stalling the engine. I am tip toed on it as it is, and need to lean the bike against something on the right side to start it. It does start easy, 1 kick when warm, 2 kicks when cold.
I am planning on taking it to do some trail riding this Thursday, so will check in then and give a dirt report. (and maybe some pictures)
1997 KTM 620 SX
Just sold my XS750 Yamaha and picked up this KTM. Although it is the SX model, it has been modified to be California street legal. As soon as I get it re-registered (it is currently non-op) I will take it on the road and dirt and write more about it. It starts on the second kick, sounds great (crisp) and is super light!:
Qlink XF200
With the funds from my recently sold XS2, I bought this 2008 Qlink XF200 from an old (I mean really old) motorcycle buddy. It has a Suzuki DR200 engine in it and was geared very low (I immediately put a bigger countershaft sprocket on it). A fellow RiderCoach and I put it through the paces on the BRC range and it will be a very nice demo bike. I think it looks pretty nice too. Time will tell if the Tiawanese quality holds out to be better than the Chinese. 
09 Suzuki DR650
Just brought my new Suzuki home! Sarah Andrew from Quincey Power Sports in Lemon Grove, CA really put together a nice deal for me, Adrian & Eric in parts helped out with the accessories, and Mark in service did a fine job making the bike ready to go, and even allowed me to watch the bike fire up for the very first time! Thanks to all of them for a super smooth and trouble free deal! If you ever need a new motorcycle in San Diego, go see these professionals!
1998 Honda VTR1000F
This bike has been in the “family” for almost 8 years now. It is a powerful (to me) V twin that I have logged many miles on both as a commuter and a track bike. The list of modifications include: Coerce rear sets, Coerce sprocket guard, 520 chain conversion, Speedo Healer, Vortex clip ons, Jardine exhaust, Pazzo levers, Sargent seat, APE CCTs and all braided stainless steel hydraulic lines. I have also run this down an 1/8th mile drag strip at 7.52 seconds @101.12 miles per hour. This is a rock solid motorcycle that is so much fun! I have also turned 1:55 lap times at CA Speedway with this machine!
1978 Yamaha XS650E
I purchased this motorcycle when it had only 193 miles. It is original and unmolested, meaning no after market parts have been installed or used. It has some aging issues, like some rust, dried up rubber parts, pitting in the chrome and tarnish.
I had one of these bikes back in 1979-80 and had ridden from San Diego to Houston and back and remember it as being one of the nicest all around motorcycles I had owned. I am blessed to be able to have one again.
