Author Archives: david

About david

I am a 69 year old motorsports nut who lives in Bothell, Washington. After a 31 year career as an English teacher, I segued into a self-created job in the motorsports business. Now retired, I was involved in customer relations for Ride West BMW in Seattle, after almost 10 years of similar work for the Cycle Barn MotorSports Group. I have been married forever and have two grown children. I own, at the current time, a Triumph Bonneville T 120 , a Fiat 500S and a Honda CR-V. What else would you like to know?

In Defense of Tank Bags

Posted on July 13, 2017 by david

In Defense of Tank Bags Lately, I’ve noticed comments on several enthusiast site forums about tank bags.  Most of them are negative, listing all sorts of ominous outcomes to the use of a tank bag on a motorcycle.  Since I’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in Motorcycles, Rants and Raves | 4 Comments

Triumph Bonneville Touring 2017 – Part I

Posted on July 9, 2017 by david

Triumph Bonneville Tour 2017 – Part I   Seattle to Los Gatos to Seattle  Solo Quick summary:  2025 miles – all smiles, no pain. No mechanical issues, no unforced rider errors, no intervention by official types. Overall mpg = 55 plus, … Continue reading →

Posted in Motorcycles | 3 Comments

How to Select People to Ride With

Posted on June 26, 2017 by david

How to Select People to Ride With I’ve been a motorcycle enthusiast since 1962, when I was given a ride on the back of a bike ridden by my older brother’s friend. I’ve been a rider for 50 years, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Motorcycles | Leave a comment

The Re-Evolution of the Standard Motorcycle

Posted on June 21, 2017 by david

The Re-evolution of the Standard Motorcycle (Caveat emptor:  I may have taken some liberties with history and facts on the way to a point. I presume my faithful readers will supply corrections and additions as needed.)   To take an explanatory … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Equipment, Marketing, Motorcycles, Travel | 3 Comments

Good Customer Service

Posted on May 24, 2017 by david

Good Customer Service, on the other hand… Is rather common, really. We live in a service economy, and for most of us I suspect that good customer service is often not as hailed with shouts of joy as it should … Continue reading →

Posted in Cars, Marketing, Motorcycles | Leave a comment

How to Lose a Good Customer

Posted on May 5, 2017 by david

How to Lose a Good Customer Isn’t it amazing what efforts some companies put in to drive customers away?  They’re usually successful.  Fear not, this is not just another screed about how I was done wrong.  No, mine has a … Continue reading →

Posted in Marketing, Motorcycles | 2 Comments

The 200 Mile Triumph Touring Warm-Up

Posted on April 24, 2017 by david

The 200 Mile Triumph Touring Warm-Up I have the hard won advantage of being able to take a few week-long rides in summer and fall. Retirement will do that for you.  In my 50th year of motorcycling, I’ve noticed that … Continue reading →

Posted in Equipment, Motorcycles, Travel | Leave a comment

The Start of the Northwest Motorcycle Season

Posted on April 17, 2017 by david

The Northwest Motorcycle Events Season Starts! This weekend seems to be the unofficial start of the motorcycle “events” season for 2017. You’ll have an excellent excuse to blow off chores, work, and family commitments pretty much every weekend from now … Continue reading →

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The Stupid Price Triumph, and Other Failed Dreams

Posted on April 13, 2017 by david

The Stupid Price Triumph, and Other Failed Dreams I rode in to Triumph of Seattle today to have the “fly screen” installed on my Triumph T 120. It’s always a fun experience for me because I used to work for … Continue reading →

Posted in Equipment, Marketing, Motorcycles | Leave a comment

Microphones And The Wonder That Is Sean Spicer

Posted on April 11, 2017 by david

I first got into announcing in my first year of teaching.   Our Rose Hill Junior High wrestling and basketball games were full house affairs  (life was different back then) and the coaches were two of my best friends. I did … Continue reading →

Posted in Marketing, Rants and Raves | Leave a comment