Solo

If you had a problem standing the bike up after dropping it, get together with an experienced rider to review the procedure with you. The technique I learned works for me, but it's a little hard to describe, and I don't want to confuse you. Don't be discouraged. Dropping a bike is normal, especially for a new rider.

You'll get used to the weight after awhile. If you're anxious about dropping it, by using the proper technique you'll probably manage to lift it without help.

You are in serious need of a minder, Alex. Or at least a mentor who you can call at all hours to come over and talk you out of your suicidal impulses. Did your instructors stress showering before a ride? Or was it checking the tyre pressures? What's next? Taking your hands of the bars at 80 mph, while standing up on the pegs - backwards and with your eyes closed?

I've experienced front wheel wobble on my FJR1300, with hands off the bars while coasting from about 40 to 30 mph. The first time it happened I took it to the shop. The techs didn't find anything wrong. No loose bolts, bent suspension or wheel, etc. And on a test ride the tech was unable to get the wheel to wobble. Since then, I occasionally let go the bars, with one or both hands, at speeds under 40 to see if the wobble is still there. Sometimes it wobbles but usually not. And I don't think I'm experiencing as severe a wobble as you describe. I've had the bike up to (indicated) 150 mph with no hint of instability (both hands on the handlebars). I've concluded that my bike prefers that I keep my hands on the handlebars, at all speeds. If your bike has the same expectation of you, maybe the wobble fix is simply to get a grip.

The ATGATT rule isn't adhered to by most bikers in southern Arizona. I do have one friend who wears full leathers all year round. He claims to be comfortable until temps are above 35, which is every afternoon here in southeast Arizona from April through September. It helps that the humidity is very low most of the time. When the temps are above 22 I wear a long sleeved white shirt, jeans and leather chaps. The chaps are mainly to keep engine heat off my legs when I'm on the Nomad. Also, my daughter thinks they look cool. The US uses fahrenheit, so I'm using a conversion chart to find the celsius equivalents. Hope I got them right.

There's lots of information on this bike on the internet. Search for it on Google. I've watched it being ridden on some YouTube videos. The tiny speakers on my laptop can't really duplicate what I'm sure is an awesome sound. I think there is a CBX1000 owners club in Europe. You might look them up and ask for a demonstration.

I haven't been to Monument Valley yet. I don't ride off road or camp anymore. Several members of my local bike club are avid off-roaders and occasional campers. I can put you in touch with them if you'd like. PM me if you're interested. I hope you won't have to wait too much longer to live your dream. The scenery in the American southwest is spectacular and so different than where you live I understand its attraction for you. But IMO, the best motorbiking in the USA is in California. If I could take only one riding tour anywhere in the world, I would choose to ride the length and breadth of California. Straight, hot desert highways to serpentine coast roads with the natural air conditioning of dependable fog. Snow-capped mountains and redwood forests. I've already lived that dream - and I hope I can do it again sometime.

I was intrigued by the CBX's 6 carburetors. They would be a challenge to tune, I think. How would you even access them without removing the gas tank? When I used to maintain my own bikes, I remember fiddling with just two carbs and feeling a sense of accomplishment when I got them synchronized. Contemporary reviews of the CBX1000 record sub-12 seconds in the quarter mile. Pretty good performance for a 1 liter bike weighing 600 lbs. I'd love to hear that engine at full song.

My Honda-Yamaha dealer recently added a pristine 1980 CBX1000 to his collection of vintage bikes. Here's an image from the web of a similar bike. http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/photogallerys/honda-cbx.jpg I've read that an inline 6 engine has perfect dynamic balance. Does anyone in this forum have one of these? If so, how about a review?

That's quite a story, Throttled! I'm glad you survived unhurt, but I'm looking at your avatar and wondering if the lightning strike might have had a lasting effect on you. Anyway, back to the subject of riding in Arizona during the thunderstorm season. Moisture in the atmosphere creates spectacular clouds. Amazing sunrises and sunsets. But when it's not raining it's very hot, especially at lower elevations, like around Phoenix and Tucson. That time of year is better for the photographic opportunities than for riding. I recommend spring for the best riding weather.

Spectacular... and deadly. Last summer a biker was killed when a lightning bolt struck and split his helmet and knocked him off his bike. http://www.9news.com/news/story.aspx?st ... &catid=339 Another biker was killed by a lightning strike that blasted out a chunk of pavement, 18” x 8” x 4” deep. http://www.wesh.com/news/9411396/detail.html

Daylight hours are longer in May, so that might be a consideration for anyone planning a tour. I should also point out to anyone considering riding Arizona in summertime that July and August bring thunderstorms. That's when Arizona gets most of its annual rainfall. I know that rain won't deter you UK bikers, but it's not a good idea to be on a bike when lightning is flashing all around you.

After driving near these places in an air conditioned car last year, I do not think I could ever do it on a bike Riding around Las Vegas and Death Valley isn't advisable in summer. But the roads around the rim of the Grand Canyon are at higher elevations, so temps are usually Ok for riding from May through October.

Terrence, if your trip takes you into Arizona, pm me with your itinerary if you'd like me to ride with you for a day or two. Arizona is a good place to ride in the summer if you stay at higher elevations.