It starts with just a look

I was a little early for Saturday morning breakfast with the guys so I decided to just sit on the bench and enjoy the sun

when I notice some artwork on the road

This is a well traveled side street

but the designs are eye catching.   With all the cars rolling over these images I hope these last for a while

I rode over to my neighbourhood mechanic and there seemed like a lot was happening down there.   I got the idea to hang a ribbon on the tail of my bike for higher visibility.   I got this idea from another rider.

Often when drivers are following behind they cannot see you so the idea is that the ribbon is fluttering in the wind and it sort of, grabs the attention of those following.   If you are behind a large truck or other larger vehicle you would be lost in the background and possibly be rear ended

I am trying to tidy things up at home and I have already thrown out some stuff.   I bought this riding jacket a few years ago and because it was such a good price, I bought it,  even though it was one size too small.   Well, it fit for a few years and now it doesn't.   I couldn't bear to give it away, until now . . .

I wore this jacket to Oregon twice.  Once around 2008, and the last time was to our iMBC2010 International bloggers convention in Bend, OR.  It is virtually new and converts to a full mesh riding jacket by removing a few panels

Today I am donating it to EMS: essential motorcycle services

I know that a lot of riders donate their surplus riding gear to new riders and I hope that Ted finds this jacket a new owner who will enjoy it more than I am able

Inside the shop someone is doing a ground up restoration of a VFR750.  Here is the yellow frame

Here is a Pro photographer using a sliding rail to video the restoration of another bike.  I am not sure what this is as I didn't want to get into his way but there is a Buell lightning engine sitting on the lift

Outside another Harley pulls up and here is a view of his custom painted tank.  Notice how filthy

my bike is.  I am thinking I should wash it soon.   I did not go to our recent motorcycle show in January

but I was interested in sitting on the new Vstrom DL1000.   It is much lower than the old DL1000 as I can flat foot without difficulty.  It now comes with an adjustable windscreen and has traction control

and there is my older DL650 straight ahead

It seems like a very nice machine and while the tank is smaller even with the larger engine it is suppose to get much better fuel mileage than mine

and this year they offer the choice of 4 colours and here they are,  all in stock ready to ride away

I seem to be attracted to the Tan one, but I was told that it was NOT tan, but rather referred to as Khaki

The factory bags attach just like the ones on my Beemer.  Two anchor points up top and stabilized by the 3rd point near the passenger foot peg and keyed to the ignition.  I only wished that it were shaft drive but chain drive is easier to maintain should there be a failure

I couldn't help but keep staring at the Tan one.

I don't need a new bike this year as I have no plans to ride anywhere.  In fact I don't plan to ride past mid July.  This is not a bike touring year but I need to make some decisions for next year