Ryan's right but filtering is wrong for me

I can't ride the way this guy rides.

 Everyone loves the motorcycling videos by Ryan of FortNine. They're informative, thought provoking and, best of all, funny. 

His recent video on "filtering" was all three of those. But it left me feeling that filtering, the practice of sneaking through lines of cars stuck in traffic to get ahead, is not for me. 

In the video we see Ryan "F9" delivering his praise of filtering while actually squeezing his motorcycle past cars, trucks and buses stopped in traffic. It's a demonstration that filtering works. 

His justification for passing up automobile drivers who must wait dutifully in line is simple: he's not hurting them. They'll get where they're going just as soon as they would have anyway. 

But he will get where he is going faster. No one loses, but he wins. 

One-plus-one is three in this calculation. 

There's also some evidence that not waiting in line is safer for motorcyclists, who are sometimes hit from behind by inattentive drivers.

I concede it all, but I still won't do it.

For one thing, I am no where near as skilled a rider as Ryan. I quail at the sight of an endless line of exterior rearview mirrors sticking out to grab my handlebars.

Trucks and big SUVs take up a lot of room in their lanes, leaving not very much for me.

And then there is one BIG thing that necessitates my caution. I ride a famously slow-poke old Royal Enfield Bullet. That wouldn't seem to matter, since the automobile traffic at rush hour is essentially going zero miles per hour.

But it does matter.

Because the LAST THING I want to do is make my way to pole position, putting behind me 50 lead-foot drivers eager to pass. 

Experience shows that those guys will do anything to get by me, including cutting into my lane and then slamming on their brakes in front of me at the next light.

Remember, my Bullet is not only slow, it has drum brakes, actuated, on the front, by a bicycle style cable. The danger is that I will ram them from behind.

Some might comment that, so, I ought to get a "real" motorcycle, so I can cut and slice my way through traffic. That will work for many; but it's not why I motorcycle.

See what you think. This his his video:

Will summer sun melt the joy of riding?

 I was "forced" to admit to myself after a ride around town this morning on my old Royal Enfield Bullet that I never have had a bad motorcycle ride.

And I haven't just ridden for fun. I was a commuter, riding in all weather and all hours. I've been cold and wet, and there have been close calls and breakdowns. Once I had to push the motorcycle home.

But I always had a good time that left me feeling mentally cleansed and happy.

Yes, I admit to cheating. I've only ever ridden in South Florida and Southern California, both regions renown for sunny weather.

I feel like a bit of a phony when I read The Gun, magazine of the Royal Enfield Owners Club (UK). There was this note, recently, from Leo Nelson, chapter correspondent in Suffolk:

"If you read the Branch Reports, you will be aware by now that the Norfolk and Suffolk Branches support each other. You may have also formed the impression that I have a fixation about the weather. Well, I am British and apparently that's all we talk about, but in this case, with some justification."

His ride reports continued with:

"Forecast, heavy rain and strong winds all day...

"Forecast, heavy rain, hail, thunder, lightning and strong winds...

"Sure enough, the rain and I arrived at the same time, proving my waterproofs were anything but..."

Ever the optimist, Leo concludes with this:

"So, what's the point of the weather report? The forecast puts people off from getting the bike out, and this impacts attendance. However, if you just take a chance, the weather may not be as bad as the forecast.

"Safe and dry riding, (unlikely if you are heading to a Norfolk or Suffolk Branch meeting)."

Stiff upper lips all around, there in Britain. Admirable.

Yet the fact is that Florida's weather this summer has been unusually hot and humid and it does put me off. There are times when I have thought that a little rain might feel nice.

Instead, I'm back from my ride soaking with sweat, eager to get out of boots and jeans and into shorts and flip-flops.

Am I weakening?

I only decided to go riding this morning because it was partly cloudy, blocking the blasting heat of direct sun.

Now there's a "Heat Advisory" for 11 a.m., only 30 minutes from now, and I'm frankly glad to be back at my computer, in the air conditioning.

How much hotter can it get?

Royal Enfield lets you choose: 14 models

The Guierrilla 450 and Goan Classic 350 are new to the U.S. But...

 Has everyone noticed that Royal Enfield now lists 14 different models of motorcycle for sale in the United States? 

Five 650 twins, two 450 singles, two 411 singles, and five 350 singles. 

Here are some of the top choices...

In rough categories, I find:  

Retro twins: INT 650, Continental GT 650, Bear 650 

Classic 350s: Classic 350, Meteor 350, Goan Classic 350, Hunter 350, Bullet 350

Super Cruisers: Super Meteor 650, Shotgun 650

Off-road warriors: Himalayan 450, Himalayan 411

On-road warriors: Guerrilla 450, Scram 411

...and here are the rest!

Interestingly, the Classic 650 twin, the one I've been waiting to see, dubbed Royal Enfield's "most classic Classic" in the markets where it is available, is not yet listed for the U.S.

Royal Enfield lists the Classic 650 AND a Scram 440 for India, but still only names 14 models for sale there.

(India loses the Himalayan 411 and Scram 411 to make room, and these may vanish from the U.S. list when the lasts ones on hand are sold.)

Each model comes in, typically, three to four color "styles," that really make them quite different in appearance. I count 49 different color schemes on the website!

It's actually refreshing that the Classic Bullet 350 comes in only one color: black. How very retro to have only one color per model.

Can you really go down to your U.S. Royal Enfield and find a representative sample of all 14 models and many of their color styles on sale? Ehhh... probably not.

Looking at the websites of some prominent U.S. Royal Enfield dealers, I see a lot of pictured motorcycles marked SOLD, or Not in Stock, or Available to Order. Many of those that do appear to be on the premises are labelled "Demo."

Other makers list as many motorcycle models, but we know that Royal Enfield is constantly adding more variations.

The press in India expects 750cc models and Flying Flea electric motorcycles to be along soon.