Bandit Turns 100

I got my '01 Bandit used in '04 with only 4000 miles, for a reasonable $5k OTD. After nearly 12 years of daily commuting it finally rolled 100k!

Not bad for an old air-cooled dinosaur. But it hasn't been without effort. In addition to the usual tires, oil, and chains here are a few of the various services I've done:

• 15k - replace head gasket due to slow oil leak
• 80k - replace brake lines, rebuild brake & clutch master cylinders
• 90k - replace carb float needles & seats
• 98k - replace cam chain tensioner due to excessive cam chain noise (write-up coming soon!)

And I've replaced the fuel petcock at least 3 times and the suspension and brakes are completely worn out at this point. But overall I've been very happy with this bike. It's reliably taken me to to work & back 55 miles a day, every day, Alaska, 2 Canadian provinces, and numerous trips back home to the California Central Coast to visit my folks. A lot of people have told me "Jap crap" isn't durable or reliable but this proves them wrong. I'm hoping for another 100k out of it!

Ride to Work Day Turnout

Knowing Ride to Work Day isn't a well-publicized event I didn't expect a great turnout, but even allowing for that I was a bit disappointed.  Below is the company motorcycle parking area with reserved space for 8 - 10 motos, around 8:30 this morning.  Leave it to bikers to not ride to work the one day they're supposed to.

21st Annual Ride to Work Day June 17, 2013

Just a quick note that tomorrow is official "ride your motorcycle to work" day according to ridetowork.org.  According to the Riding is a Social Good document on the web site:

Riding is a social good.  Motorcycles and scooters offer the convenience, range and speed of cars, with a minimal eco/energy footprint and a broad range of personal health benefits.  They are more than toys for those with interest and discretionary funds.

I have often wondered why Ride to Work Day has never taken off in the Bay Area like Bike to Work Day.  In fact when I tell people about Ride to Work Day they often assume I mean the bicycle commute event.  Maybe motorcycle commuting is so commonplace in the Bay Area that there's no need for a special day for it.  Or maybe RTWD is just a thinly veiled Aerostich marketing tool.  In any case I've never seen any organized events or publicity for motorcycle commuting.  That is unfortunate because I think widespread motorcycle commuting would solve a lot of our traffic congestion and parking issues both here and elsewhere.

So do your part to show that your motorcycle is more than just a toy.  Ride to work!