HutchFan

Next up:

Prompted by some discussion elsewhere on the forum: Earlier today:

I've heard as much. I was in a motorcycle shop in NC a few months ago, and they had TWO. I was shocked.

Yep. A few months back, I watched a YT video of two guys who rode these bikes -- one rider was on a new one and the other was on an unmodified old one from the 1970s (!) -- all the way from Anchorage to the most northern point in Alaska. The new one did it without so much as a hiccup. The old one needed some repairs, which isn't surprising, given the fact that it was about 50 years old. But it made it. Honda makes unbelievably reliable products.

Honda just brought them back last year. The new ones and old ones are remarkably similar. The biggest change is that they've upped the engine size to 125 CCs. Suddenly, small bikes are "IN." Apparently, the new Trail 125s are selling like hotcakes. And there's the Grom too, along with Dmitry's Ruckus.

I can think of plenty of film composers whose music has independence aside from the films they're associated with. (Not sure if this is the same as "more famous than.") For example, Korngold's music often strikes me as more lasting and interesting than many of the swashbucklers he scored for. Morricone's and Rota's music might not be "more famous" than the films they were used in, but -- these days -- plenty of folks come to their music independently, without having seen the films. Even some of Bernard Herrmann's music fit the bill. Those screeching, dissonant strings are inextricably part of the film Pscyho -- but how many people actually watch Beneath 12-Mile Reef these days? I'm only aware of that movie because of BH's music, not the other way around. And you could say the same about a lot of Herrmann's scores -- if you put aside the blockbusters like Psycho and Vertigo.

Fantastic idea. I think Tucker's Mister Mysterious would get my vote for the "Best Muse Album That No One Talks About" award. I think I'll give that a spin next. And Hardman's Politely (also with Junior Cook) after that.

Were the ECM crowd the Sharks or the Jets? Now playing: Arthur Prysock - Jazz 'Round Midnight: Late Night Ballads & Blues (Verve) Old Town material from the 60s (mostly)

That thing looks like it would be a total HOOT to ride! I've also toyed with the idea of getting a Honda Trail 125. Same sorta thing as your Ruckus. Small but zippy -- and FUN!

@Dmitry, In my experience, fogging is not an issue with full-face helmets. Enough air comes in from underneath. Also, you can lift the face-shield slightly, if need be (for example, at low speeds on humid days). Also, there are plenty of helmets that are blue-tooth equipped or ready to add after-market blue-tooth products. One bit of un-asked-for advice: Don't compromise on your helmet. Get a mid-level grade helmet or (preferably) even better. Even if you never need it & you never fall off your motorcycle, you will be much more comfortable with something that's better than an "economy-level" helmet. The air flow will be better, it will be more quiet, and the helmet will be lighter in weight with a mid-tier (or above) helmet. Plus, the little things that break on cheap-o helmets (clasps, etc.) will last longer on a quality helmet. The helmet manufacturer Bell used to have a poster with the saying, "Got a 10 cent head, wear a 10 cent helmet." I think they had a point. IIRC, helmets aren't required in South Carolina or Florida either. (They are required in Georgia, where I live.) When I'm in those states, it still startles me to see motorcyclists flying down the road without helmets on. I can't imagine riding without a helmet. It seems foolish to me. On the other hand, many of my friends and family think that it's foolish for me to ride motorcycles at all, regardless of the protective gear I might be using. Motorcycling -- with a helmet or without -- is a calculated risk. I guess it's all about how much risk you're willing to take.

I've ridden motorcycles on-and-off since I was a kid. I learned to ride on my neighbor's Yamaha 70 trail bike. As an adult, I've owned three different motorcycles: a Honda CB650SC, a Suzuki GS650G, and -- most recently -- a 2003 Kawasaki ZRX1200R. Unfortunately, a few years ago, I had a nasty spill on the Kawi while riding on the twisty, mountain roads up in North Georgia. After the wreck, I sold the bike to a friend who was able to repair the damage and get it back on the road more easily than I could have. So I don't have a motorcycle now. But I've been eyeing motorcycles lately, looking at online sellers and such. I'm thinking about getting a late-model used Suzuki V-Strom 650. All of my bikes have been inline-4s. The V-Strom is a twin. A different vibe, figuratively and literally. As far as comparing full-face helmets and open-face, it's difficult for me to say. I've used nothing but full-face helmets since I've been an adult. They're much safer. Studies show that the two most likely places that your head will be struck if you fall off the bike is on either side of your jaw. Obviously, only a full-face helmet provides any protection there. . . . Incidentally, when I wrecked, that's exactly where my helmet hit the ground -- on the left side of the front of my head (also my left shoulder). My helmet did it's job. Thankfully, I didn't have a head injury. But the helmet was all scraped up (as was my riding gear -- shoulder, knees, and hands). A wreck is sobering. That said, there's nothing like riding. It's one of the best feelings in the world. I'll probably be back in the game shortly. EDIT: I just scrolled back to the beginning of this thread and see that I'm repeating myself (again). Oh well.

Now: Earlier:

Now: Earlier:

I like this one. It's sorta Jimmy Giuffre-like in its folksy quietness. and

First listen:

Last night and again this morning: Francisco Mário - Retratos (Milestone World/Caju, 1994) 2 LPs on one CD; also includes Mário's Conversa De Cordas, Couros, Palhetas E Metais Gorgeous. Desert-island music for me too.

Phil Woods Quintet - Souvenirs (Venus/Evidence, 1995)

First listen:

Freddie Redd - Straight Ahead! (Interplay, 1978) trio with Henry Franklin (b) and Carl Burnett (d)

2022 Craft reissue

Ernie Krivda - The Alchemist (Inner City, 1978) with Gil Goldstein, Eddie Gomez, Bob Moses, and Ray Mantilla