16-35, the Germany, Baja, and more

The Germany (the container ship with our bikes) is parked a few hundred miles out to sea off the coast of Long Beach.   She’s here, but she’s waiting her turn for a berth in the harbor (there’s still a backup from the dockworker strike).   As soon we have more info on when the bikes will be unloaded we’ll post it.

We’ve had lots of questions about the Supermoto RX3…I haven’t ridden it yet but that may change this morning if I can get some relief from this hayfever.   It doesn’t usually bother me out here in California.   The operative word, I guess, is “usually.”   We had a sudden shift in temperature (it went from the 40s last week to being in the high 80s this week) and that has put a lot of pollen in the air.  I’m up typing this blog at 2:00 a.m. because it was bothering me enough that I couldn’t sleep.  Our favorite ride, Glendora Ridge Road, runs right through one of the premier wildflower nature preserves in the US.  It’s beautiful right now, but the pollen it generates is not.

As soon as we get a confirmed date for getting the bikes off the boat, I’ll nail down a Baja date and post it here.   There’s lots of interest.  I have some time during the next couple of weeks, and if things work out, I may just take one of the test mules on a pre-run down there to check the route, the hotels, etc.  It would be a good opportunity to grab a few photos, too.

Speaking of which, I picked up a new wide angle lens…it’s 16-35 zoom, and that 16mm at the low end is pretty darn cool.   UPS just delivered it yesterday, so when I stopped by the Subie dealer on the way home I grabbed a couple of shots of the new WRX STI…

I’m selling my ’06 WRX.   It’s been a good car but I have too many toys and with another motorcycle about to find a spot in my garage (my very own RX3), it’s got to go.   Here’s cool shot of the ’06 that I grabbed 8 years ago near a California marigold farm…

The Subie served us well, but it’s time to make room and lessen the motor vehicle and insurance fees.   The WRX is out and the Cyclone is in.  I’m as excited as you are about getting my new motorcycle, and believe me, I want to see these bikes off the Germany and into our plant as quickly as possible.

We’re finalizing the RX3 Service Manual (you know you get a free copy when you buy a new Cyclone from us), and it’s looking good.   We’ll be putting the finishing touches on that this week.

We’ve got some exciting stuff coming up on the blog for you in the next few days…a couple of key staff additions (really great guys we want you to know about), a tutorial on setting the clock on your new RX3, a tutorial on the RX3’s electrical components, a few guidelines for the Baja trip, another motorcycle magazine coming over to test ride the RX3, and more.

Ride safe and stay tuned, my friends…Baja beckons!