VPI

Says the guy that seems to fall down in spectacular fashion several times a year. ?

Herb and Panko crusted rack of lamb.

Cognac Butter Lamb Chops, crispy garlic green beans and truffle oil and buttermilk mashed potatoes.

Grahame, I am a big fan of the Zero electric motorcycles. Lots of fun, but weird when taking off silently. I would consider one, but this bike is more about the sporty ride to dinner and curvy roads so gas at the moment. Taking this one home for a weekend trial. I did a short ride on the only 2018 Monster 821 they had in stock which was the demo bike so not that appealing. Really did not like the clutch at all and the exhaust is basically up against my leg and massively hot. The seat also feels like a heated seat due to the engine, which was great today, but might suck a bit in the summer.

At this point I am leaning heavily towards the Triumph as I believe the Aprilia may be a better bike for sport riding, but it is going to be overkill for me basically a world championship frame/engine with some fairings removed and straight bars. The Triumph engine will also be the new Moto GP Moto2 engine so the tamed down R might be better for city riding. The Ducati has the best torque down low for city riding, the same excellent brakes from the Triumph and an okay dash, but the suspension seems to be what should be offered on a much cheaper bike, so I guess I will have to see how it feels.

Scheduled to test those two plus the April Tuono V4 tomorrow. Which one will end up coming home with me?

The 821 Dark Stealth could definitely be a nice addition to the garage. I have a few around here that I can try when I have the time. Going to test a 821 and a Triumph Street Triple RS next week head to head. I am reading that the soft suspension on the Ducati might be problematic for a fat man like me.

Speed Twin is also a 1200 so I consider that and the Indian to be close, though the Indian will be much harder to get my hands on early I believe. You are right the Ducati is ridiculous and ugly, a Monster would probably work better if I just want to have a Ducati in the garage. KTM seems to be really popular and most people that I know that have them are big fans. It would probably be a good choice, but I think it might be a bargain bike built to a lower standard than the Super Duke, etc. with a new engine.

Shopping for a less gigantic motorcycle for riding around town/commuting and it seems the ones I find the most interesting will be hitting dealer floors next quarter. https://www.cycleworld.com/2019-triumph-bonneville-speed-twin-first-look The Speed Twin appears to be a more comfortable Thruxton, which is a bike I have long contemplated. https://www.indianmotorcycle.com/en-us/flat-track-race/ftr1200/ Current favorite based solely on looks as I have never set foot in an Indian dealer and the bikes there now will not even resemble their new flat trackish bike for the street. https://www.cycleworld.com/2019-ducati-diavel-first-look Kind of an outlier, but I am intrigued. https://www.ktm.com/us/naked/790-duke/ I have looked at the 1290 Super Duke previously, which is massively fun, but this smaller bike could be great if it is a bit more city friendly than the over the top Super Duke. So outside of the typical HC, buy them all vote, do any of the motorcycle casers have any thoughts?

Happy Birthday

Starting with the salt and butter tray. Truffle and Greek butter with Hawaiian black salt and smoke salt and a meat tray with duck prosciutto , etc.

Doing a much milder version of winterization on the Audi today. Wheels showed up this morning and entirely unwinter-like 265 45 ZR 20 Continental Extreme Contacts go on this afternoon. Should be good enough for this area. I also wish I had a garage that was as clean as Nate’s. Winterizzzzed. The best thing is, since I happened to change my appointment from tomorrow to this afternoon, I got 20% off because of Black Friday.

We just had an inch+ of snow yesterday with maybe a bit more tomorrow. I of course was too lazy to shovel the driveway yesterday and still do not have the winter wheels and tires on so I will get to see how Pirelli P-Zero summers do on snow/ice when I try to get out of the driveway this morning.

Yes, I will probably wait for the Mark II Gold Maximum Maxed Superturbo RS

Some footage of playing in Zion on the Can-Am Maverick X3 Max X RS Turbo R. These things are an absolute blast, and if I lived somewhere they would be useful I would definitely be buying one.

Lobster Deviled Egg, Wagyu Beef Tartare and a Bison burger

Crispy short rib with a cheesy view.

Renting one of those at the end of a Vegas conference this week to play around Zion/southern Utah. I typically always rent Jeep Wranglers, but those things like a ton of fun.

You would think so. Not sure what this month is peanut months but the burger of the month is always very interesting and worth trying.

Peanut Butter and Jelly burger at Burger Antics.

I am told the suspension on these bikes is pretty great.

Happy Birthday

48 Hour buttermilk marinated chicken on root veggies.

My version of surf and turf this evening. Braised New Zealand lamb shoulder chop with scallops.

Happy Birthday