Gobble, gobble, gobble, gobble, gobble, gobble, gobble, gobble, gobble, gobble, gobble... Happy Turkey Day, er, I mean Happy Thanksgiving. Now go forth and experience a tryptophan coma!

Well, now that I have my Yamaha FZ1 and it seems to be working nicely, it's time to sell my trusty Suzuki DL650 VStrom -- I can't afford to own both. I have it listed on Craiglist, but if any of my friends are interested here are the pertinent details:

Click here to view hi-res photos. Click here for a review.

DETAILS:
2004 DL650 V-Strom (blue & black). It’s a fantastic all-around, universal motorcycle. It carves canyons surprisingly well, has a brilliant engine (same as the SV650), is comfy, and can carry a boatload of stuff and it's not bad in the dirt either. I’ve used mine mostly for touring, commuting and backroads, but done some dirt/trail riding with it.

CONDITION:
Of course it’s an adventure bike and it’s been used as an adventure bike and commuter by me for 5 years, so it’s in great mechanic shape and very well maintained, but it does have some scratches (no cracks) from a dirt spill on right side and a few other minor visual blemishes. Still runs like a top and looks good. I bought it with just 700 miles on it. It currently has 35k+ miles on it.

Full pro tune-up done at 32k by Richard Sims over at Suicycle Xtreme, with new sprockets and chain, throttle bodies synced, etc. Has Pirelli Scorpion Sync tires (good dry and wet performance on and off road): front has about 50% left, while the back has about 95% left. Oil & filter changed religiously every 4k. New battery installed late 2007.

ADD-ONS:

• Murph Kits Fork Brace -- radically improves front end feel by eliminating flex on and off road
• Sargent World Sport Performance Seat with underseat storage cylinder -- makes the VStrom uber comfy
• Pyramid Front Fenda Extenda - keeps debris off oil cooler and lower engine
• Pyramid Belly Pan - looks cool, moves air around and offers some protection
• Mad Stad Adjust Windshield Bracket -- totally adjustable and eliminates the VStrom buffeting at higher speeds
• BackOff brake light modular -- makes sure people see you from the back
• K&N Air Filter - breaths better and less expensive to maintain
• Frame and Swing Arm sliders - just in case
• Factory hand-guards -- good for trails as well as keeping hands warmer and dryer in winter

What more can I say. People love VStroms -- especially the 650’s. For my friends and family I'm OF COURSE willing to negotiate down from the current asking price of $4500, so drop me an email or give me a call if interested.

Well, I'm pleased to say my weeklong bout with a particulary resilient flu has ended. Amidst that welcome change and being able to get back to work 100%, Apple has posted a new update to Snow Leopard, version 10.6.2, which offers a whole slew of fixes, improvements and security updates. It's a safe, easy update, so go do it now. All is shiny in the world.

Well, it's been almost five years to the month since I got my last motorcycle -- a 2004 Suzuki VStrom 650. I've loved it. It's a great all-around adventure bike, but in recent years I've been yearning for more handling and power and finding I'm doing less dirt riding and more street. Basically, it was time for a change.

After searching for and testing riding a few different bikes -- most sport-oriented, sport-touring machines -- and given my strict budget constraints, I opted for a 2005 Yamaha FZ1 (i.e., a naked 1000cc sportbike with comfy ergos). Some people like plastics covering their engines, but I love seeing my engine -- it's one of the things I love visually about motorcycles. Virtually unchanged for 5 years, Motorcyclist magazine named it "Best Naked Bike" of 2003.

To stay in my limitied budget, I found one that had a minimal bit of road rash to fix up (all fixed now), but with just a little elbow grease and aftermarket parts, is now AWESOME. Very comfy, handles very well, and has oodles of power (can you say 140 horses before aftermarket mods). Installed aftermarket mods are a Scorpion slip-on, PUIG tall race windscreen and some stylish LSL frame sliders. All-in-all, a sweet ride worthy of replacing my venerable VStrom, which I'll be putting up for sale in the next week or two, since I can't afford to own both.

Basic Specs | More photos of my FZ1

Well we had a very subdued, but fun Halloween this year at Casa de Solberg. Our jello brain mold didn't quite hold together this year -- more like roadkill jello -- and our Halloween cupcake decorating got sidetracked by watching Steven King's 1408 all the while cooking and handing out candy the little ghoulies and ghosties and mystery costumers who rang the bell.

Some of the main participants included BM, MM, RM, JJ, RS and NS, plus Coltrane, Coperinicus and Lula. You can probably guess which one I am -- two by two, hands of blue.



Mind you, the turn-out was mighty low so I'm guessing with all the evangelicals and H1N1 scaring people, Halloween is only for the true diehards this year. Regardless, it was a fun Halloween. ;-)