Our Janus Experience, Chapter 3

Our Janus Experience, The 3rd and Final Chapter

For anyone that has been visiting my little corner of the interwebs for a few years, you'll know that in August of 2022, Mrs. MotoWriter and I embarked on a new kind of motorcycling "journey", if you will. While doing some research about new motorcycles, I came across the Janus Motorcycles website and my wife immediately became interested. I won't re-tell the full story, but if you want to read more, I'll link it here, here, and here. Go ahead and click those links and get caught up if you need to, I'll be right here.

Back already? Cool, let's get back into it, then. This weekend, as the title of this post implies, our Janus Experience officially came to an end. 

I Missed A Chapter

In preparing to write this, I realized that, with all the hecticness of last year, while I was wrapping up my payin' gig and getting ready for retirement, that I missed an important update to this story- the fate of Mrs. MotoWriter's bike (#909), back in May of last year.

As a certified motorcycle instructor, I've taught a lot of people how to operate a large, heavy motorcycle with safety, precision and confidence. As a matter of fact, a friend and I just wrapped up another class a couple of weeks ago. Some of the easiest students to teach, are the ones that have no experience with motorcycles at all, because they don't have to break any bad habits or relearn any preconceived notions they may have had about motorcycles and riding. Mrs. MotoWriter was, by all accounts, the perfect candidate to learn. 

Based on the feedback I've gotten from my students throughout the years, I consider myself to be a pretty good teacher. I'm passionate about motorcycle riding and I want my students to learn how to ride out, and then get back home, safely. 

Teaching your spouse hits differently, though.

There's a realization in every class, that at least one of your students, despite your best teaching efforts, might not make it back home one day. Whether it's because they failed to adhere to your instruction (or outright ignored it), or because someone else driving two tons of metal, plastic and bad decisions did something careless or they were driving distracted. Either way, it's a sobering realization, especially since you, as the teacher, inevitably form bonds, and sometimes friendships, with your students. When that person, sitting nervously on the saddle, is your best friend and partner in life... the pressure is really on. 

I won't get into the specific details on here, but I will tell you that Mrs. MotoWriter was doing good in learning how to ride, but a Janus Halcyon 250 is not a good bike to learn on. First of all, the riding position is very wonky and unnatural for a beginner, especially a beginner with a short stature, such as my lovely bride. The hardtail frame and sprung solo seat provide way too much feedback to a new rider just learning what to do, and the Earles-style springer front fork gives the bike a peculiar anti-dive quality that takes a bit to get used to, even for an experienced rider. To be clear, I'm not bashing the Janus, far from it, but they are not "beginner bikes" and in all fairness to the good folks at Janus, they never claimed them to be. If anything, Janus focuses most of their marketing on appealing to experienced riders, rather than newbies, because they know that their custom, hand-built motorcycles are unique, and fairly expensive for a small bore machine. My wife has only been a passenger on the bike with me, but when she saw that the Janus was such a beautiful machine, which really appealed to her inner aesthete, and that it was only powered by a 229cc single cylinder engine, it seemed very approachable to her. 

After a few successful rides through the yard, and a couple of spills (as can be expected), Mrs. MotoWriter was done. Over the next year or so, there were a lot of factors at play that kept her off the bike, and in all honesty, it probably didn't help that her instructor crashed his Dyna.

Regardless of the reason why, she had lost interest in riding her own, and after my not-so-little crash that left me with a lot of internal bruising and a wicked slice across my back, I was completely fine with her decision to not ride her own motorcycle. The only problem was, we had an extra bike in the garage that we were still paying on, and no one was riding. Mrs. MotoWriter ultimately made the decision to let her bike go, and in May 2025, after two and a half years and only 3/4 of a mile on the odometer... we sold Halcyon 250 #909, and her Janus journey was officially over.

Riding and Retirement

2025 was a significant year for us. Retirement was close, and I was busy getting my affairs in order so that I could actually make it happen. Financially, we were in good enough shape for me to leave my payin' gig and start this new retirement life, but the one thing that kept nagging at me was my Janus payment. After we sold #909, the only vehicle that I was still making payments on was the same bike that I rarely ever rode, which was my Janus (Halcyon #908). Since it was delivered to our house in October 2022, I had put less than 1,400 miles on it.

It's not that I didn't enjoy riding it, on the contrary. The Janus Halcyon is one of the most fun bikes to ride, because it feels like the first time, every time. Maybe it's the hardtail frame, the small, single cylinder engine, or the weight and size, or maybe it's all of these things, but the Janus always made me smile when I would ride it. 

In the past 10 months that I've been retired, I have put well over 7,000 miles on my Road King and over 700 miles on my Dyna, and I've still got a couple of more trips planned before the end of 2026. Riding motorcycles is so much more than just a hobby for me. I would call it an obsession, but there's a certain, maybe specific, negativity that goes hand in hand with that word. I think it's best described as an insatiable passion... which still sort of sounds bad, but I suppose it is what it is; I look at motorcycles, I ride motorcycles, I read about motorcycles, I write about motorcycles... you get the point. While I love riding the Janus, there are limitations for me when I ride it. For example, I live in the country... and most of these folks only know two speeds- Running Deer or John Deere! One is fast and sometimes erratic, and the other is slow and steady. There's not much in-between, so when I ride a 14 hp motorcycle that comfortably tops out around 55 mph before it starts feeling sketchy on these backroads, it gets a bit nerve-racking trying to watch the mirrors to make sure ole Bubba Hayseed isn't about to run straight over me in his old Chevy farm truck. 

Not to mention, every time I stop... every... single... time... the Janus gets attention. People see it and have to come up and look at it. Most just look, but there's always one that comes walking up with a hundred questions. Don't get me wrong, I like talking to folks, especially about motorcycles... but sometimes I just want to gas up and get back to my ride. The Janus only has a 1.9 gallon fuel tank, so fueling up takes less time than answering the question, "what is that beautiful bike and what year is it?" That means, I spend more time talking to folks at the gas station than I do actually gassing up. My Dyna and Road King look cool, and they both start a gas station conversation every once in a while, but the Janus starts conversations every time I stop... even at traffic lights. 

Motorcycles, Money and Making Good Choices

In February of this year, as any good motorcycle enthusiast would do, I bought myself an old dirtbike as a retirement gift. Between tinkering with it in the garage, and riding it for hours at a time in the woods, I quickly rediscovered how much fun dirt bikes were. When I decided to get a dirty bike, I didn't set out to get a 37 year old, 600cc, Baja 500 bred monster. A 250cc 4-stroke was what I wanted, but the older XRs are hard to find, especially since Honda replaced them with the CRF in 2003.

For 2026, Honda punched out the CRF250F to 300cc and gave it back a 6th gear... and by all accounts... I want one. Here's the catch, though- I have restricted myself to a maximum of one vehicle payment at a time now that I'm on this new "fixed income", so that meant I had a decision to make. Since my Janus was the only vehicle that still wasn't paid for and it sits more than it's ridden (I've put less than 350 miles a year on it since I've had it), I knew what I had to do. 

I'm better at buying motorcycles than I am at selling them. It's not that I don't possess good negotiating skills, it's that I don't like parting ways with my motorcycles. Halcyon #909 wasn't technically mine, so it wasn't that difficult for me to see it go. #908, however, has been tough to let go. I listed it locally first, and had several good trade offers and a few decent cash offers. My goal was never to make any extra money off of it, and trades (as tempting as they were) didn't accomplish the goal of paying off the loan. After a few months of entertaining various offers locally, I decided to list it nationally. After several weeks of getting the same kinds of offers, I started losing my patience with folks. After all, I was only asking for what I owed, and the bike was practically brand new. Then, as I was contemplating just keeping it (again), I was contacted by a gentleman, who I won't name for his privacy, from the other side of the country. We spoke briefly on the phone, then went to a video call (sometimes, technology is pretty cool) so that we could talk while I showed him the bike in real time. He told me that he knew that I was asking a fair price for the bike, and when I told him what I was doing and why, we struck the deal before we hung up the phone. A few days later, he paid for it and made all of the arrangements to have it shipped to his house. 

Kindred Spirits

Throughout your life, you occasionally meet kindred spirits, and this was the case with both of the guys that bought our Janus Halcyons. When you buy a Janus, you don't just buy a motorcycle, you join a community. The Janus community is a small, tight-knit community that is made up of a variety of different personalities, backgrounds, income levels, ethnicities and ages. Motorcycle culture is exclusively inclusive, which is something that is unique to this community as a whole, but the Janus community takes that even further. They pride themselves on being different, of being unique among their, already unique, peers. Janus motorcycles are also very personal, right from the factory. Where a mass produced motorcycle from a major brand has to be customized to each individual owner after it goes home with them, a Janus is customized for that individual owner, starting on the build sheet, before the first bolt is ever turned. Before it ever leaves the factory, a Janus motorcycle was built for a specific person. I think that's why it was so difficult to find the right buyers for our bikes... we weren't just selling our motorcycles, we were finding the right homes for them. I know that we accomplished that for both #909 and #908.

The Final Chapter

When I met the carrier to drop off #908, it was a cloudy, dreary day. The weather reflected my mood, perfectly. Just as the driver was about to record the video walk-a-round before loading it, the skies opened up, and the rain soaked us in an instant- it was the first time that little bike had ever been in the rain. Watching #908 get soaked, then loaded up into a tractor trailer with a dozen other bikes was bittersweet. I knew that my little "smile machine" was going to a good home, to a gentleman that was going to enjoy it and give it the road time and mileage that it deserved, but realizing that it would soon be gone was tough. After all, it was the last of our Janus motorcycles- bikes that my wife and I had such lofty ideas for, motorcycles that my wife and I had special ordered, customized with our personalities and put a little bit of who we are into, and the realization that this was likely the last time I would ever see it again, was kind of sad to think about. As the rain kept coming down, I got into my little pickup truck, and headed back home. 

It was a stark contrast from the jubilation of beginning our Janus Journey, almost four years ago to the day.  Our new, sequentially numbered, Janus motorcycles were delivered together, in the company delivery van right to our home, on a bright and sunny morning. They went to their new homes, separately, over a year apart. Our Janus Journey came to a final, drab and woeful end, on a rainy, dreary afternoon, in the parking lot of a truck stop. I know that to most people, motorcycles are just machines, but to those of us who are true enthusiasts... they are much more. 

I will always have a soft spot in my heart for Janus Motorcycles, and I wish them all the best in their continued efforts of carving out their place in motorcycle history. Maybe, one day, I'll rejoin the community of Janus Motorcycle owners once again... but for now, I'm going to be doubling down on spending more seat time on my beloved Road King Special. Before I jump into buying a new dirty bike, I think I'm going to enjoy some time without a vehicle payment and just spend my off-road time ripping through the woods on my old XR. 

Until next time, MotoReaders...

Ride safe and make good choices

 

New Collab- Epoch Eyewear

My current personal favorite- the Victors

Epoch Eyewear

Good morning my loyal MotoReaders! I've got a new collaboration to share with you and in all honesty, I'm pretty stoked about this one!

When I first started this blog, I never imagined it would have almost a half a million visitors in such a relatively short amount of time, especially considering that I don't advertise and I rarely ever post it on the socials. I never expected it to reach, and have regular visitors from, around the world and I certainly never imagined that anyone would ever want to "collaborate" with me because of it. After the first couple of companies reached out to me, though... it got me thinking- if I can share the products and companies that I like with all of you, and at the same time, help these places keep the doors open and the lights on another day or two, and get all of my loyal MotoReaders a few discounts here and there, why not do it? It doesn't cost me anything extra to help them out, and, to show their appreciation, most of them will even give me a small percentage from the sales when you use my code. While the little bit that I earn certainly doesn't pay my light bill, it does help to keep the website up and running, so at least my little corner of the interweb isn't costing me anything extra to run anymore.

Now, I told you all of that, so that I could tell you about how this new collab came about. They are a small company, based out of Colorado, and I've been wearing their glasses for YEARS. They are Epoch Eyewear and they truly are, and have been, my favorite brand of sunglasses. 

Epoch

Epoch, as defined by Merriam-Webster's Dictionary is as follows:

epoch

noun

ep·​och ˈe-pək ˈe-ˌpäk US also and British usually ˈē-ˌpäk

a: meaning, an event or a time marked by an event that begins a new period or development

b: a memorable event or date

According to their website, this company was built around "living an epoch lifestyle" (not to be confused with "epic", which means a long story or a grand, heroic action). The folks at Epoch Eyewear believe in making memories over money and they strive to be a great service to their community. They are veteran owned and they make a point to give back to those among us that sacrifice daily, to make our world a better place- the hard working men and women in our communities, our military, our veterans and our first responders. Those are core beliefs that I personally appreciate, and I'm sure that we can all stand behind. 

Rebecca Milner, Founder and CEO

The company started in 2014 after the founder and CEO, Rebecca Milner, decided that she wanted to build a high quality brand of sunglasses, that were actually affordable. With major brands, that I won't name, charging hundreds of dollars for a pair of sunglasses, there was definitely a need for Rebecca's "vision." See what I did there? So, Rebecca started this company from her dining room table while she was pregnant with her first child. The whole operation began with, as they say, "only 30 cases of sunglasses, a riff-raff group of misfits, and a dream." 

Hell yeah. 

Six years later, in 2020, at a time when businesses were failing because of the covid pandemic, Epoch's business took off. Why, you might ask? Because quality doesn't have to cost you an arm and a leg. 

Price and Quality

Now, you've heard me say, more than once, that "cheap gear isn't good and good gear isn't cheap", but let me make this point of clarification, if you will- there is a huge difference between affordable and cheap. Affordable gear is good quality stuff that doesn't require any justification to buy. Epoch Eyewear sunglasses are affordable, not cheap.

In my former career, I was hard on glasses; hell, even now, in my retirement, I am still hard on them. I drop them, toss them into a saddlebag, pull them from the arms and I rarely ever keep them in a hard case. I also tend to get headaches and the wrong pair of glasses will cause enough eye strain that my head will be throbbing in less time than it takes to get to the next rest stop. Because of this, I've tried glasses of every shape, size, darkness, and lens material over the years, except glass- for obvious reasons. I've tried everything from major name brands to dollar store and gas station shades, but the one problem was consistency. Every major brand gave me eye strain headaches, all of the "cheap" brands gave me eye strain headaches, broke quickly or there was no consistency from one pair to the next. I refused to pay over $200 for a pair of sunglasses that I would, inevitably, drop and break, so I just suffered in my search... until I came across Epoch's website. I figured, for less than $30, I'd give them a shot. After getting that first pair of shades and wearing them everyday with no eye strain, no headaches and no breakage- I was sold. I've been a loyal Epoch Eyewear customer ever since. 

I've literally bought several pairs, and several styles, over the years. Some of you might read that and say, "well, ya know... you probably spent as much, or more, on those as you would have on one pair of the expensive ones." To that, I'll say... yeah, maybe... however, the problem is that if I had spent all that money on one pair of sunglasses, I would have broken them immediately, then had to spend even more money on repairing or replacing them. Instead, I'm able to sustain good, high quality pairs of glasses over the years for the same, or less, money. Whenever I do pull, drop or drag them a little too hard, I just get online, order a new pair, and in a few days, I've got a new pair for about what I pay for a decent lunch somewhere.

I Reached Out To Them, For You

Sporting the Midways in Florida

I always like to put my little "disclosure notices" out there any time I do a review or a new collaboration announcement, and this one is no different. While I've had some companies reach out to me, I've done most of the reaching out since I realized that I can actually save my MotoReaders some money by asking these companies to collaborate with me. Like I said, I've been wearing Epoch Eyewear sunglasses for years and it never occurred to me to reach out to them until recently. I figured that, since I love their products, why not see if they would want to work with me, so I reached out to them and asked. To my surprise, Rebecca (the CEO, herself), replied to give me the good news! To say I'm stoked about this collaboration is an understatement. In part, because I love their products, but also because it's a brand that I've been pushing on my friends and family ever since I discovered them all those years ago. Now, with this new collab, I'm not only able to support this awesome company by hopefully increasing their sales by a few extra pairs a month, but I'm able to get you, my loyal MotoReaders, a 15% discount on them! They are already a great price, but you get an extra 15% off by smashing the link on the upper right side of my page or using the discount code "RIDE_WRITE_REPEAT"! 

I think this code might be a one-time use only, though, so just in case it is, make sure to buy a few pair so that you can save the most amount of your hard-earned dollars. 

You can click any of the links in this post to get the discount, click on the "Epoch Eyewear" banner on the upper right side of the page, click here, or just put in the code RIDE_WRITE_REPEAT at checkout.

Until next time, MotoReaders...

Ride safe, Look Good, and Save Money!

https://epocheyewear.com/RIDE_WRITE_REPEAT

Here are just a few of my personal favorites...

The Victor- my favorite to wear on or off the bike, for classic, casual style.

The Foam (great for riding)... I've got them in shades and clears, and I keep them on the bike at all times.

The Brodie- Also great for riding, no foam, but the lack of a lower frame makes it easy to see the tank mounted speedometer without moving my head down.

Silver Run General Store

Silver Run General Store

Happy September MotoReaders! This morning, I've got a little something different for you- a MotoReview... but not for gear this time, instead, this review is for a place. Not just any place, either... this is a hidden gem that if you blink, you could miss it, and you don't want to miss it. As you can tell by the title and the photo- I'm talking about the Silver Run General Store in Perkinston, MS. So, you may be asking, why has a store in the middle of the South Mississippi Countryside grabbed my attention so much that I felt compelled to do a MotoReview of it? Well, get ready, because I'm about to tell you where your next ride should take you.

Backstory

So, for the sake of good old fashioned story telling, I'm going to give you a quick backstory of this place. Now, most of my loyal MotoReaders know that I live along the beautiful Gulf Coast and back roads are always the go-to routes of preference. The roads in this area offer some beautiful rural scenery, a few elevation changes and plenty of sweeping curves to keep the ride interesting. I've been seeing this place for years, as a matter of fact, the road it sits on is one of my favorite countryside routes to ride. Every time I'd ride past this place, I'd see the old gas pumps- as in, the old side handle pumps that we used to have back in the early '80's way before the electronic ones started showing up- and wonder if it was an operational business. I'd rarely see any vehicles out front and just always sort of assumed it was closed down. Turns out, I was half-right about that. Unbeknownst to me until recently, it used to be the Silver Run Community Store, better known by the locals as "Ms. Maudie's Store." The store was owned and operated by a local woman by the name of Maudie Pearl Ladnier and her husband, Orease, who opened it in the late '70s as a small community store. Mrs. Maudie dedicated over 40 years of her life to running the little general store, right up until her passing on June 11, 2020 at the age of 88.

The Revival

Several months ago, while on one of my post-retirement rides, I decided to take some backroads I hadn't been on in a while, and I found myself cruising through Southwestern Stone County, along Ridge Road, just South of MS State Route 26. As I approached the intersection of Silver Run-Progress Road, I saw the old store that I'd seen for years, but this time, there was activity... and a lot of it. Not wanting to be nosy, I kept riding and just sort of filed it away in the back of my mind as a "remember to look into that later" task, which I promptly forgot to do. A few months later, though, as I was scrolling through one of the ole social media sites, I saw a post about an old General Store that was going out of business, and the shopkeepers from another store that were lamenting the loss. That shopkeeper's store name was familiar to me- Silver Run General Store. Suddenly remembering my previous intention to look up what was going on at the old store on Ridge Road, I started digging and saw that it was one in the same... but the new place wasn't just a community store... it was something much more special.

New Ownership, Same Country Store... But So Much More   

(photo stolen from their facebook page)

The new owners, Bradley and Rebecca Ladnier, are much more than simple proprietors of a local mercantile and the updated Silver Run General Store has much more to offer than a few shelves of snacks, cold drinks and fishing lures. Sure, they have all that typical stuff you'd expect to find at a local community general store, but they also have a full service kitchen for hot plate meals and they can feed you for all three meals in the day, plus keep you going with enough snacks and cold drinks to satisfy all of your mid-day cravings. Yes, they even have fishing lures and a variety of hardware in case you need to do some minor home repairs, or forgot your favorite jig at the house before heading out to the water. But the real hidden gem is what's inside, at the back of the store. A big, polished copper, coffee bean roaster sits behind a custom built bar. The bar is adorned with hanging lights and behind the bar is where the magic of Silver Run General Store truly happens. You see, this quaint little community store, that you could miss if you blinked, is home to the Silver Run Coffee Crafters. 

Now, it's no secret that your old pal The MotoWriter is quite the fan of the go-go-juice commonly referred to by most folks simply as coffee. I've even considered myself to be an amateur connoisseur of the beverage, so when I learned that this little country store was purveying custom joe, I had to go check it out for myself. I was not prepared for what I found. 

Our Expectations Were Pulverized

Saturday morning got off to a great start- I woke up early, did a little work, then joined Mrs. MotoWriter for a relaxing start to our day over a cup of home brewed coffee. We made plans to go out of town for the day, to visit one of our favorite places to get a hit of nostalgia (more on that in another post), when I suggested heading over to the newly opened Silver Run General Store to check out what they had going on. I had just put a new rear tire on my Road King and it was still on the lift, so we decided to take the ole front wheel drive sleigh instead (which turned out to be the right decision for a few reasons). After a beautiful morning drive through the country, we pulled into the parking lot of this old store that I'd ridden past more times than I could remember. There were several cars and a couple of pickups parked out front, but what really caught my attention, was a gorgeous red Indian Springfield sitting under the porch. As we made our way into the store, I'll admit... that right at first, it felt like the moment when Doug, Woody, Bobby and Dudley walked into the Del Fuego's bar in Wild Hogs. If you don't know the movie- you have homework.

I do not say this lightly- our expectations were not just destroyed... they were pulverized. The inside of the store has custom built wood counters, plank wood walls and metal ceilings that instantly make you feel at home, the way that only natural materials can do. The place is cozy and feels more like a community gathering place for locals than a store. There were some folks at the tables near the back that seemed to be trying to figure out who the "new folks" were, which accounted for the record scratch feel when we first walked in, but that feeling quickly subsided when we spoke to the young lady at the counter (who I learned was Ms. Rebecca, one of the owners). Mrs. MotoWriter and I were wearing Harley-Davidson shirts, so I couldn't resist the temptation to start a conversation about the Indian out front. Ms. Rebecca said that it was her and her husband's bike, so in true Harley-Davidson/Indian owner playful rivalry, I teased her about it after we ordered our morning snacks. I got a bacon biscuit and self-serve black coffee, while the missus got some egg bites and a caramel apple latte, and just for good measure- we ordered some grits to share. We settled in to one of the open tables and took in our new surroundings as we enjoyed our breakfast snacks- which were quite delicious. We still felt a little like outsiders, because we were; after all, we don't live in the Silver Run community, or even in Stone County for that matter. That feeling was short lived though, when Bradley (Rebecca's husband) came over to check on us to see how we liked our breakfast. We spoke briefly, then he went to over to the counter by his wife. A few minutes later, he came back to our table and offered us a sample of their homemade, coffee infused chocolate. After a brief conversation, he sat down at the table with us and the following conversation was one that was more like the kind had by old friends than by a business owner who is just talking to some new customers. I asked him about the self-serve coffee that I was drinking, because one of the first things I noticed about it was the total lack of bitterness that is common (and expected) from a carafe of coffee from a commercial grade drip machine. What came next was a fascinating history lesson on coffee that quickly proved that this guy knows, I mean really knows, his craft. 

25 Years Perfecting The Roast

After we finished our breakfast, Bradley offered to take us to the back of the store to show us where they roast their beans, create their different flavor blends, and do all of their packaging and shipping. We learned that this little store is moving thousands of pounds of their custom roasts out every month, to all 50 states. Now, take that in for a minute... this little local coffee roaster is providing their custom roasted coffee blends to every state in the USA... all from right here in their little General Store. Bradley took us through the whole process, from the raw bean, to the roasting process, all the way to a fresh brewed cup of their Panama Dulce- a smooth, easy drinking brew described as having "rich flavor in a smooth, medium bodied cup. The honey aroma and slightly sweet aftertaste are perfect any time of day." I'm not sure if I could have described it better, myself. 

Bradley told us that he started roasting coffee on his stove at home 25 years ago. He told us that his grandfather taught him how when he was a younger man, and that he started roasting his own coffee for his family, after he learned about the chemical processing of the commercial brands. Over the past quarter of a century, he has been honing his technique and perfecting his craft with every roast, and every cup. The way that Bradley describes the process is less like a business proprietor trying to hock his product, and more like a proud craftsman that is simply showing off his best work to good friends. It was obvious to me and the missus, that Bradley is a true craftsman who is absolutely passionate about what he does and that he wants to share it with the world. To say that Mrs. MotoWriter and I learned a lot about coffee is a drastic understatement. 

After spending a couple of hours at the Silver Run General Store, we left with a greater knowledge about the delicious morning brew that we all love, as well as a couple of bags, a coffee grinder and a french press, just for good measure. We actually had such a good time, that instead of heading on to our original destination, we decided to head back home so we could try out our new coffee and gear. 

We Entered As Outsiders And Left As New Regulars

(photo stolen from their facebook page)

Every time you go somewhere for the first time, you're the outsider, but keep going back and over time, you become one of the regulars. The transformative moment comes, not with you, but how the business owners make you feel while you're there. Rebecca and Bradley made us feel like a part of the community, like we belonged at their establishment, in one visit. They were genuine and friendly, and spoke to their patrons, not like people who are just trying to get their business up and running, but rather, like people who don't know strangers and treat everyone like family. As a matter of fact, the entire staff was the same way. We were there for about two hours, and within the first 20 minutes, we felt a sense of community- like we belonged. I really hope that they don't mind that I swiped this photo from their facebook page for this post. I really like the photo, because it shows them for who they are- a good, hard working couple that's not just chasing the American dream, but riding it like that bright red Springfield of theirs. Through hard work, determination, self sacrifice, and personal passion, they are not only providing their community with a place to get basic necessities without having to drive a half hour or more to get to the nearest town, but they are sharing their gift of delicious, chemical-free, coffee with the entire country. In doing so, they are turning casual coffee drinkers into "coffee connoisseurs", reminding us all to slow down, revisit the old ways that worked for hundreds (or even thousands) of years, and to take the time to enjoy our morning brews, and to take time to enjoy the moments of our mornings. 

Your Homework Assignment

As mentioned previously, you've got homework... and there might even be a pop quiz. 

If you're blessed enough to live close to, or in the area of, the Gulf Coast... make a point to head over to the Silver Run General Store and Coffee Crafters at 1055 Ridge Rd, Perkinston, MS, (USA) 39573. If you don't live nearby, there are plenty of reasons to make a road trip to the area. 

If and when you do go, there's a good chance you'll see me there, because I'm definitely heading back to get my coffee and fresh-made biscuit fix. Make sure you save room in your saddlebag, backpack or tour pack when you go visit Bradley, Rebecca and the rest of the awesome crew at the Silver Run General Store, too. That way, you'll be able to take home a bag or two of whichever of their specialty coffee blends speak to you. When you get home, take your time and make yourself some of the finest coffee that you'll ever brew at home, then settle in and enjoy the complex and natural flavors of your new favorite coffee as you watch the world slowly wake up with the morning sun. 

Until next time, MotoReaders...

Ride Safe and Brew Good Coffee!

 

TCX Blend 2 Boots

MotoReview- TCX Blend 2 Boots

Greetings and salutations my awesome and devoted MotoReader friends! Today, I'll be talking about my new TCX Blend 2 Waterproof Boots, not to be confused with the X-Blend Boots that I reviewed a few years ago (click here for that review). If you read my previous reviews (I actually did a couple on the X-Blends), you know that I really liked those boots, so much so, that after wearing holes through the soles of my first pair after a few years of constant use, I picked up a second pair. So, after my second pair met the same fate, I figured I'd head on over to my favorite online retailer, Revzilla, and pick up another pair. To my dismay, I learned that TCX had replaced the X-Blend boot with the similar, but different, "Blend 2" boot. Now, I'm going to try my best to do a fresh review, and not a comparison, since the X-Blends are no longer an option, but some comparisons are going to be unavoidable.

Disclosure

If you're new here- before each of my MotoReviews, I like to give a disclosure statement regarding the gear I'm reviewing. My goal is to be as transparent as possible about the company or gear I'm reviewing, and how I came to be in possession of the gear in question. I take pride in the trust that I have established with all of my loyal MotoReaders and I value the confidence they, you, have in me regarding my thoughts on this stuff. So, with that said, this one is pretty straightforward- I was not, and am not (yet? But I'd absolutely be willing to be... hint, hint TCX!) an affiliate of TCX, Revzilla, Comoto, Union Garage NYC, or any other brand related to this review. I bought my first pair of TCX boots after doing my own research, and I've been a loyal TCX boot customer since. I bought these boots with my own hard-earned money, without any deals, promises, affiliate discounts or other incentives and this review is mine and mine alone. With that said, let's get into it.

Similar, But Different

Okay, so I know I said I was going to try to avoid comparing the boots, as much as possible anyway, so let's get those comparisons out of the way, right up front. Apparently, TCX listened to their customers and made some changes to their "Blend" boot design, based on reviews and critiques... or at least that's what it seems like. The first thing you'll see when you compare the two boots, is on the toe. The X-Blend had an additional leather patch sewn onto both toes. I really liked the additional leather, but one of the problems I found on the first pair of X-Blends I had was, after a year or so of use, I noticed the stitching broke loose on the right (brake side) boot, which caused the leather to curl up. It didn't affect the functionality, especially since it was on the brake side, but it didn't look great. The second pair of X-Blend boots I bought, never had that issue, though... so maybe it was just a defect in that one boot. By comparison, though, it looks like this was enough of an issue that TCX did away with the leather toe patch altogether for the Blend 2 boots. The new Blends have an embossed area on both of the toes now, instead of a sewn-on leather patch. While the patch of the X-Blend and the embossed area on the Blend 2 on the brake side boots is for decoration only (unless you ride an older bike with a right side shifter), I do like that TCX designs their boots to be symmetrical... I just think it looks better. As far as the embossed area is concerned, I think it will serve the purpose of masking any shifter marks on the boot, but I do wonder how well it will hold up over time and regular use. If I do see some excess wear as time goes by, I'll be sure to do another review. 

Another change that TCX made was to the soles of the boots. Where the X-Blend had a squared design, the Blend 2 has the inverted  honeycomb design you see here. The rubber compound seems to be different on the two boots, as well... which is potentially a good thing, since I wore holes through both pair of my X-Blend boot's outsoles. Hopefully, the new sole of the Blend 2's will hold up better than their predecessors. 

 

One final detail to note, is the new lace stay on the Blend 2, which was absent on the X-Blend. It's a simple, yet smart, little addition that you can use at your own discretion. Basically, it's a small elastic strap with a convenient grab-tab that will hold your laces in place to keep them from getting caught on any protruding parts of the bike, like a shift lever, for example. Some folks may think it's silly, but I've been using it on these boots and, while I don't necessarily think it's needed, I do think it's handy to have. 

Styling, Comfort, Safety, Sizing & Price Tag

Overall styling is pretty great, in my opinion. The Blend 2s, like the X-Blends, look like casual boots, but with the right amount of features that someone who knows, will be able to recognize them as riding boots. The best part of them, though, by far... is the comfort. TCX won me over several years ago with the comfort of their X-Blend boots and the new Blend 2s are carrying on that tradition. Most riding boots aren't great for walking around in, and most casual boots lack the necessary safety features of a proper riding boot. Features like the ankle cups and waterproofing that the TCX Blend boots have. I also like that that they lace up and that the eyelets for the laces are well made and durable. Speaking briefly on the waterproofing, I should point out that the X-Blends were more... uh, let's say, water resistant, than water proof. This could be because of the way the leather panels of the outer shell were sewn together, which has been changed on the Blend 2s. The upper leather on the X-Blend boot was sewn flat with exposed stitching, where the Blend 2 has a hidden seam design, which should prevent water from getting into the boot. Admittedly, I've only had the Blend 2s for just under a month now, and haven't had a chance to test that theory, yet. It seems like I have another reason to do an updated review later on.

TCX is an Italian company, which I recently learned was bought out by Dainese in 2020. While both pair of X-Blend boots I own were made in Romania, the Blend 2s that I'm wearing now were made in Vietnam. As an Italian brand, they are sized in EU, so make sure you check their size guide for your specific size. From my experience, they run true to size, so you shouldn't have any concerns there. 

Now, let me say this for any critics of "foreign" products- I like American made products, but I'm more interested in quality and value. Most American made products, like boots, are so expensive, that it's hard to justify the cost. Let's be honest, too- we are living in a world market in 2026. The vast majority of the products that you use daily are made overseas. In our modern world, we have the luxury of importing and exporting goods from one continent to another, all to the benefit of you and I- the end consumer. What I look for in any product that I buy and use, is the quality and the value. Sure, I could spend $675 for a pair of White's boots, or $664 for a pair of Nick's Boots (and wait 10-14 weeks for the "Quick Ship" option), or I could pay $218 for a pair of TCX, that I know will last me for several years, and have them on my feet within a week of ordering them. 

Look, I'm absolutely not bashing Nick's or White's... I'm positive that they both make an outstanding product, but for the working man, dropping almost $700 on a pair of boots is just not reasonable. That's not to say that their boots aren't worth the price they're asking- after all, both companies make their boots by hand in Spokane, WA... and yes, I recognize that I've now spent close to that, at just over $600 on my three pair of TCX boots over the past 5 years or so... BUT... I also abuse my boots- I wear them ALL the time- I don't even own a pair of sneakers. It's a lot easier for me to justify spending $200-ish bucks every 2-3 years on a new pair of boots, than it is to drop $700 once to get the same amount of time and use. After all, materials are materials... rubber wears out, thread breaks, leather wears and what's left is the same thing- a worn out boot that either has to be replaced or re-soled (which is my plan for both pairs of my old X-Blends). 

Bottom line here is, if you want an American made boot, and have the dough to drop on them- go for it... I'm sure you'll be very happy with them. But, if you are a little more budget-minded, and have to spread that expense out, then grabbing a pair of TCX boots is a great way to get a high quality boot at a more accessible price. Personally, I like to buy from Revzilla, but you can also order directly from TCX, which is a nice option if your favorite retailer is out of stock (which Revzilla was for a couple of months).

Final Thoughts

I am pretty happy so far with my new Blend 2 boots. They look as good as my X-Blends, feel great to walk in and they are breaking-in easily. I've ridden my Road King, my Dyna, my Janus and even my old XR600 in these boots and shifting and braking is easy and comfortable. The short, wedge shaped heels fit on the pegs nicely and they don't "lock" my feet in to one position, like the squared heels of my X-Blends did. I'm still on the fence about the embossed toe protector, and I'm sure I'll have an opportunity to ride in the rain in the coming months (more on that later), but for now, I'm pretty darn happy with them. 

So, if you bought a pair of X-Blends based on my previous reviews, found them to be an ideal all-around boot like I did, and you are now in need of a new pair of boots, like I was- fret not because I think TCX did a damn good job of upgrading it with the Blend 2 and, with the price remaining, basically, the same, I definitely think it's a win-win for all of us. 

Until next time, MotoReaders...

Ride safe and make good choices!

P.S.

If you haven't checked out my affiliate links at the top right of this page yet, now's a great time to do it. As Summer winds down, and the cooler weather starts coming in, you can save a lot of money on new leather gear or some fresh comms, just by clicking the links on my page. While I definitely don't get enough to pay for my time writing this blog, I do earn enough for a tank of gas and a burger every once in a while, so make sure you gear up for the next phase of the riding season (and save yourself some money at the same time). See you on the road!

Viking Bags

Viking Bags Update

Hello, hello my loyal MotoReaders! You guys know how I like to review products and, if you've been around a while, you know that I also like to do follow-ups after I've had a chance to beat up the products a bit. Since Viking Bags sent me their 45L Tactical XL Motorcycle Backpack a few months ago, I've used it as my primary piece of luggage for several trips, so I feel like this is as good of a time as any to give you some honest feedback on how it's holding up so far.

Travel, My Way

The first thing you're probably going to notice, if you read my first review on this bag, is that I'm using the same photos of this bag from my Milwaukee trip. I actually have a very good reason for this... I felt a little lazy and there isn't any need to take some new photos, not yet anyway. The bag still looks EXACTLY the same now, as it did in April. It's showing no wear, despite being put through several trips. 

Here's the deal, I try to pack as light as possible for any and every trip I take, but, depending on the destination, I want to be able to dress appropriately. The resulting outcome of these two ideologies tends to be a single, overstuffed, bag that is nearly busting at the seams. 

Enter the Viking Bags 45L Tactical XL Motorcycle Backpack.

Retirement Is Awesome... 

...But it can be a bit boring, so I decided to get a part-time job. Now, you may be wondering how this is relevant to this Viking Bags review, well stay with me, baby birds... daddy's gonna feed ya.

This new job is what you would consider, semi-professional. I get to work from home, which has zero dress code (get your minds out of the gutter- I just mean that I can dress however I want). In my initial training, however, I did have to meet my boss and the rest of the team, so not dressing professionally wasn't even an option. Since my training was away from home, and expected to last a few days, I wanted to make sure that I had enough professional attire, business casual attire, and straight casual attire to last several days. I could have easily packed a large suitcase, but I'm not really a "suitcase kind of guy", so I packed my Viking Bag and my smaller H-D bag with everything I'd need and I hit the road. When I tell you that the Viking Bag was overstuffed, I mean... it was like Milwaukee all over again. I was laying across the top just to get it zipped shut. I lived out of the bag for two days, and was able to head back early because I'm super smart and picked up the training really quickly (or, maybe I just learned enough that I could fake my way through it so I could get back home early...either way, training didn't take as long as expected). 

The same month, Mrs. MotoWriter and I took a trip, where I used this bag as my only piece of luggage again, this time to visit our good friends in Florida. As usual, I wanted to have enough clothes to cover me for several days, so the Viking Bag Tactical Backpack got overstuffed, once again. While I wasn't laying across the bag to zip it shut this time, it was pretty close. I was able to pack several days worth of clothes- jeans, t-shirts, a couple of button-down garage shirts, socks and underwear, you get the gist. Once again, the bag performed exceptionally well.

Final Verdict

Look, I'm not what you might call "easy" on my gear. I use it and use it hard. I tend to overstuff my bag so I don't have to carry more than one and I throw it around like I'm trying out for "angry baggage handler of the month" at the airport. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to tear it up, but I don't have room in my life to be delicate with things that shouldn't require delicate handling. 

In my previous review, I disclosed that this bag was comped to me. As you can imagine, in the absence of a financial investment, I have been *slightly* less cautious with it... just so I could give you guys a worst-case scenario if it did fail. Simply put, we tend to take better care of the things we buy, so it's sometimes difficult to actually torture test a product when you have dropped over a hundred bucks on it. 

I've beat this bag up, thrown it around like a petulant toddler throws around a second-hand rag doll, I've overstuffed it and I've tested the strength of the zippers and the seams on several occasions and this thing still looks like it did the day I got it. It has been, and will continue to be, my primary luggage when I'm traveling around doing MotoWriter stuff, or when I'm acting like a grown-up and doing work-related stuff. So, if you haven't clicked the links yet, go ahead and click this one to get one of your own. I'm not an official affiliate for Viking Bags, so you won't get any discounts by clicking out of my blog, but Viking Bags pretty much runs sales all year, so getting a good deal on a great bag is pretty easy to do with them.

Until next time, MotoReaders...

Ride safe and travel often!