Henry Hester

Just finished a little email exchange with Cameron. Good guy! Thank you! I’m seriously thinking about getting into Dual Sport bikes. I’m 55 and currently ride in a 6 man group on a ZX10-R. I ride on the street and track (Streets, BigW and Pahrump). We been riding Palomar, Banner and Monte but after a good friend died in February due to a squid missing a 70+ turn and hitting him head on, we’ve all but gone in different directions. Some to the track, some to touring with www.Pashnit.com and some have really slowed down if not quit. Back in the day, I rode in AMA desert and AMA flat track at South Bay and Elsinore TT. In fact, I raced in the Elsinore GP. I know Sal and all the San Diego guys, Hosaka, Mule, etc. About four years ago I got back into it and built a trick Kawasaki Triple flat tracker. Rode it only 500 miles with my liter sportbike buddies and determined it was time to sell and get something new. Bought a 04’ MV Augusta Brutale, rode that and then went for more power in the ZX10. I’m 260lbs fully kitted. I’ve done a few pashnit tours in NorCal and love the group thing. I’d just rather do it in the dirt. When we were filling up at the Borrego gas station about 8 dual sport guys came riding in and I wanted so bad to take off with them. Minutes later, I was doing CPR on my friend on Montezuma. Enough of that. I would need everything, bike, gear (I have a $1,400 NJK leather race suit – bummer!), panniers if that’s done here in San Diego, necessary bike mods, all of it. My cell is 858 414-2289. I love to meet with you or somebody from the club who can guide me through this process without making any gear mistakes. Trust me, I’m experienced enough and know enough to ask.

I didn't understand that sentence.

Here's an email I received from my buddy Mark (Daytona 675)... this is not a Dual ride, meaning there is no dirt involved but the crew is fun and this time, a little diverse. There will be Ducati guys, a DRZ400, maybe a Harley and mostly mature sportbikers. Average age, 50. Members of ForumRacing, esteemed guests, friends, If you haven’t already heard, we are meeting on Saturday morning, September 29th for a ride on our favorite loop in the back country. We will all meet at Packard’s Coffee House (for a cup of coffee) in Ramona at 8:30. From there we will ride the following route. Ramona to Old Julian Road Quick stop at Santa Ysabel to re-group Down Banner grade and stop at the bottom to re-group Into Borrego for lunch at the Red Ocotillo After lunch we ride up Montezuma Grade and head towards Lake Henshaw From there we can either hit Mesa Grande or head straight back the Santa Ysabel to re-group From Santa Ysabel, we head home via Old Julian Road It appears that we will have some new people in the group as well as a diverse group of bikes. It promises to be a good time. The weather will be clear and cool. Remember: Ride your own ride. This is not a race and safety always comes first. Appropriate safety gear, leathers and boots are highly recommended. I look forward to seeing everyone Saturday morning. Cheers, REV

Thanks Guys!

Oh, I'd pay to see your DRZ on the MX track!

Guys, I want to thank you all for a great "look see" outing. Just about everyone on the trip let me do a quick ride on their bike. It was a great experience. A special thanks goes to Ken Boyd (Jouilet) for sporting me his DLZ400! All in all, I think I liked rex-everything's bike the best, another DLZ400 06' with a pumper carb. A great test trip (even though I showed up too late - damn alarm). Thanks, Henry

I talked with the guys from C&D Ccle today and they said tomorrow could be epic as the dust will be low. If it sprinkles (weather.com say no), all the better! I'm showing up with a little riding gear and a big "How ya' doin" smile.

Best and Worst? Worst is FBC. Some good kids work there but... have you ever noticed how many FBC red shirts are in there as compared to customers? There's a reason for that! They wouldn't fit a chain onto my never used flattracker. I will literally drive right by there to get to any other shop. Bad! Best service is C&D Cycle Center on Convoy next to Dreamgirls. ex-FBC mechanics. Good honest guys with a real interest in dirt. Best bike Salesman? Frank (the new Sales Manager) at ECC. He will bend over backwards for you. He won't sell a rocket to a squid. He's worked with our group for years. Either that, or he's got me 100% snowed. Best Accessory & Parts Person: Gixxer Jen at Cycle Gear on Convoy. She knows her stuff plus more than any guy who walks in, can get non-stocked parts quickly from other stores. It's 100% retail but sometimes we all have to pay the man. Their accessory service is beyond all in SD.

This will be a great time for me to get to know you guys. I'm getting pretty serious about selling my ZX10 sportbike and joining up with you fellers. I've got enough riding gear to get by, sportbike boots, leather pants. I can probably borrow a MX helmet from our sister company, NiteRider Bike lights, next door. Maybe even some wimpy little gloves like you guys wear. I’ve got one E150 van, one chock, a ramp and tie downs – and no bike! I live in Carmel Valley near Del Mar. If anyone REALLY needs a ride, I’m game! Ken, call me. 858 414-2289

Thanks Ken, Uuhhhh, Ok I'll go! Will there be others there as well, like a guy with a KTM 950 , 650 and a few Hondas and maybe a DLR or two and possibly the Honda Pig? Didn't think so... I keep missing out on my weekend domestic duties which include selling the F150 and now listing the ZX10 rocket. Yes, I'd like to buzz out there. Haven't been in that area since my dad and I ran in the AMA desert races. I on a almost stock Yamaha DT1 250cc and he had a badass half flywheel Suzuki 400 and later a Husky 380-90 something 8-speed. Photo from back in the day...

Welcome Henry! Sorry, I just keep trying to picture a 6 man group on a ZX10-R... :scratch_one-s_head: Ha! You've got the suit colors correct but we use a modified Austrian circus technique for local performances... We do schools, churches and other non-profit orgs.

Thanks all. I put it on eBay and it generated 12,000 hits with over 400 watchers. I was very disapointed at the selling price of $9,200. An 80 year old dentist bought it. There were two guys who got stuck on the freeway who wanted to bid. One in Florida. He already had a $10K check reay from Cap One. My cost? $13.5K and three years of weekends. Never again. Buy your gear pre setup.

Henry, you may want to think again about getting rid o' the truck. I wish I had kept mine to transport the bike to some of the further away riding places I'll be showing you in the near future. Trailers blow as you're supposed to not exceed 55 mph. I miss my truck. Having a truck to haul the bike(s) in is really nice! If you have a car or SUV, you can always get a hitch and hauler for it :scratch_one-s_head: Yep, I bought a E150 Van. Now, I'm restricted on bike selections - windscreens getting into the back doors. It's all good, I'll sell the truck but I'm upside down about $600 right now.

Here are some "build" photos of my Kawasaki Triple Tracker...

tnt, thanks! BTW, that KTM is close to what I'm thinking about. A solid moto machine, street legal with some good electronics GPS etc. Maybe we'll get you that case o' beer. I hate selling stuff nowadays. I've got this F150 as a second car (truck). Put it up on craig's for $5K and guys are calling and asking me if I'll take $4k without any other discourse on the truck. Just a money game. What ever happened to the art of salesmanship and a fair $200 discount!

It's not as much the danger in street riding. I know you can clean your clock everywhere on a bike. I'm just looking for a change and a few more addicts than the three or four we've been hanging with. There are some great comparrison data sheets on these bikes. I'm headed for a Motorcyclist shootout and will soon form a plan of attack.

Scott, I was wondering where you were. Yep, I'll make the Dual Sport switch as soon as I get over how much I'll loose selling my overly accessorized ZX10. It's hard to keep the fact quiet that Scott is doing excellent Pro bono legal work on Maurice's case and the eventual trust fund for his two daughters. I think I like this forum!

Thanks Ken, Just got off the phone with Schwinn. You guys are nothing but excellent help. He said he and a friend (fireman on a BMW w/wife on sportbike) were there at the scene of Maurice's fatal crash. Of course I remember the valant fireman as we worked together, him breathing and me and others doing cardio. 43 yr old Maurice, pictured below...