Check out a prototype model…. working on this now, should have something useful for everyone soon….

SBK Japan Racing

Fresh from Fastbike, a 2003 CBR600RR. Sharing with SBK’s very own englishrob, this bad boy should be a fixture in upcoming local races, more likely endurance races…. Perhaps Sugo? Motetai? Ebisu Love & Peace? We’ll have to see…
Gotta get the oil changed, flush the coolant, new tires (thinking Pirelli), and then we’ll be ready to go!

2004 CBR600RR

Tried on a new Alpinestars SG-1 race suit. Didn’t fit Dana so well, so he sent it my way. Fits all right, can’t complain too much. So I think I’ll take it!

Alpinestars SG-1

Finally got delivery of the new shirts…. These styles will be in addition to the cotton t-shirt that debuted at the SLY race. Same style in terms of logo in the front and back, but I wanted to get something that can be used for riding, and in colder weather.

There will be 4 total styles…. the original t-shirt, cotton. Then a long sleeve version of the same shirt, no cuffs. Also a short and long sleeve in synthetic…for ‘active’ wear. The short sleeve is a bit thinner, the long sleeve synthetic is a nice thickness, and has a cuff. They all came out pretty good.

Long Sleeve Synthetic - Back

Announcement with Pricing to follow….

Great time out with the guys…..

Ride Report Here

The skies are getting brighter, early morning in Tokyo.

Time for the Bat Cave run. Me? I’m staying in a hotel, but the hard-core are camping in the dampness. Riders from around Kanto are coming down for Izu madness…. Time to get ready to roll!

Day 3 and 4 together here. Day 3 I spent time getting to Kanazawa, pulled in early (2-ish) to spend some time around the town.
Stayed at Yamadaya (山田家), which according to my Lonely Planet used to be a Samurai House, located next to the big tourist destination of Nomura Samurai House. Wasn’t quite that spectacular inside, basically just like an old house. good enough, 4000JPY in a pretty central part of town. No meals (the lady said the food was good around there, so best to go out anyway).

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Day two…. Stayed overnight at the fancy route inn in Nanao, which is the wrong side of the peninsula, so hoofed it back to the west coast and went all the way around it.

Lots of stuff out that way….

Ganmon, cool little area with some walking around on some strange rocks, lots of mini tidal pools.

Ganmon

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Took a few days to spend some time in Noto hanto, a big peninsula in Ishikawa-ken, north of Gifu. 

Day 1 started quite early, I wanted to get the ETC discount, so got up at 2a.m. to pack wednesday morning. Left the house, feeling pretty good about packing everything. Downloaded some of the noto hanto routes from other people, and took off, 3:30 ish from home. Doesn’t take too long to get to the Chuo highway….oh wait, this says it is the Shuto. hmm. well, only 3:50, should be fine. After paying for that leg of the shuto, I got a bit worried…. I vaguely remembered the Chou toll being way out there…. uh oh. Ended up crossing the toll booth at Hachioji with my bike clock reading 4:06a.m. Not sure if they count “being on” back on the shuto for the discount….! well, exiting Matsumoto, it was 2450JPY….not sure if that includes a discount or if it is the normal price. whatever.

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I went to my dealer’s touring day, part of a now monthly series. Lots of really nice bikes, lots of fumes!

There’s my ride, in amongst tons of very nice bikes…. I barely fit in!

MV Agusta Brutale & friends at Ebina SA

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