Meet Michael Harris, CAL's featured customer for March 2009

Customer: Michael Harris
Age: 37

What do you ride?
2009 BMW F800 GS

Modifications to motorcycle:
All factory BMW parts: aluminum skid plate, center stand, hand guards, tank/rucksack bag. Metzler Karoo T tires front/rear (I found 18lbs pressure to be ideal for offroad for both front and rear tires, 15lbs is too soft and 20 doesn't grip well. I weigh 180 lbs. I might refine it more as I dial in the tires.) I'm going to have the shocks tuned by Phil at Tri-Valley Moto for aggressive off road performance, per recommendations from Kari. I'm still waiting on the BMW engine/roll-over bars and then when I get those installed I'm planning on mounting PIAA auxiliary lighting. Kriss daytime headlight modulator (CAN-bus friendly) has shipped and will be arriving in a few days.

Motorcycles currently owned:
In addition to the GS, '04 Suzuki DRZ-400s, '03 GasGas 280 Edition Trials bike, '03 Kawasaki KX-65, '01 Yamaha TTR-90, '00 Yamaha TTR-125L.

My favorite bike is (and why):
Definitely the F800 GS. The battery in my DRZ has died from lack of use since getting the GS. The GS has a very low center of gravity which improves the offroad handling on tight single tracks that I found up in the Sierras. Though a larger bike, its very capable offroad and easy to wheelie (for lofting the front over roots and other obstacles). The bike jumps and lands good too, though the center stand must be secured in the upright position :). I just enjoy riding it so much, that when ever I get the chance to ride, I pull this one out of the garage. That's the good, now for the bad. I wish BMW would provide an 18" rear (to go with the 21" front) and a 17" front wheel to go with the stock 17" rear. This would make the bike phenomenal, a hypermotard for the street (17" front/rear with street tires) and(21"/18" front/rear with a wide selection of offroad tires to choose from.

Dream bike:
I think I've found it.

The best ride I ever took was:
Well, several fantastic rides, some destinations include: Victoria, BC; New York to Florida, Okinawa, Japan, Yosemite, 1000 miles of offroad riding on the F800GS in Arizona and then this weekend's upcoming ride to Eureka, CA.

Advice for new riders:
Learn to ride and practice what you learn. California has a large collection of very experienced motorcyclists. While your buddy may be a good rider and is offering a bunch of advice, I'm actually talking about the pros. Check with Jim Hyde for learning to ride offroad with your GS. Talk to Rich Oliver about the MSF Dirt School and flat track riding skills (an unexpected slide in the rain is similar to flat track riding). Gary LaPlant can guide you on the finesse of riding trials as well as offroad motorcycle riding. Get out and ride as much as possible, as that's the way to get experience riding. Ride within your skill level. Ride with a friend you can trust to not push you beyond your abilities. If you want to ride on the road better, by all means, get out in the dirt and learn to ride there. There are several OHV and SVRA parks available in the region which have large areas to ride with the whole family without congested traffic. I really emphasize the professional training, as your body plays an important part when riding a motorcycle. Knowing where and how to use your body while riding is so important and can make the difference between loosing control in a corner (sand, gravel, or even clean and dry curves) versus the tires digging in and gripping.

Advice for experienced riders:
Get back to the basics, especially if you're an experienced, but seasonal rider. Practice evasive maneuvers, hard braking, braking while swerving, etc. early in the riding season at a safe location. Even take a rider refresher course, there may be new techniques that you're not aware of. BE SEEN. The most common cause of car and motorcycle accidents is because the motorcyclist wasn't seen. Yes, car drivers should be more observant and drive with fewer distractions. However, we can do quite a bit to be seen. Don't ride in drivers blind spots; I tend to ride where I can see the driver through their mirrors. Wear bright clothing or a reflective vest. I used to wear an orange reflective vest with my black riding suit, but now I don't with my fairly bright blue Ralley Pro 2 suit and its reflective strips. Check into a headlight modulator, several California police departments have them installed on their bikes too. Take a look around at other motorcyclists while you're riding. How well do you see them? Also keep in mind that you're LOOKING for them. Would you have noticed them if you weren't. I see so many riders wearing all black riding suits, on bikes that are low to the ground. Imagine what that looks like in traffic at night? All you would see (if you saw anything) would be a black object, especially if the bike and its lights are obscured (by the driver's car door, or below the level of the mirrors). Keep in mind that the car in front of you may be obscuring on coming driver's view of you when approaching left hand turns at an intersection. Find ways to safely improve your riding skills by challenging yourself with more difficult terrain or riding surface. I do this by riding offroad and finding more challenging trails, also wet or raining conditions offroad can be a totally new experience.