To me one of the finest things in life is a good ride on a motorcycle. It doesn't matter how bad the day is, a good ride will make it better.
Does anyone else ride? If so...what? Favorite rides? Best road story?
-AJ
Printable View
To me one of the finest things in life is a good ride on a motorcycle. It doesn't matter how bad the day is, a good ride will make it better.
Does anyone else ride? If so...what? Favorite rides? Best road story?
-AJ
Ain't it the truth AJ!
I've been riding for almost 29 years (this December). Started when I was 9.
Every bike I've had has been amazing for its time. Gotta put my race bikes at the top. So purpose driven: TZ 250's and Factory Aprilia.
Down from there I loved all of my Harley's, in their own way. My Road Glide is real nice.
Lately I've made it back to the dirt, and been riding a plated '05 KTM 450 EXC. Super fun.
Best road story, well for the reader it would be the night a *RAT* (I crap you negative) hitched a ride on my BMW GS1100 on my way home from Hollywood one night. It's true I was drinking one or two, but this is the Gods truth. I didn't see him for about 15 miles, then looked down to see him hanging on my handlebar, at 80mph. I made the quick decision to save him. I pulled him into my chest and rode to the side of the Ventura freeway to drop him off. He's in a better neighborhood now.
I have been riding since 65. HD's, Triumph's, Ducati's and all the Japanese bikes. Currently I have 3, 04 Busa, 05 Kaw Nomad and an 06 M109 R Suzuiki.
Probably my best story would be the trip from Vegas to Leguna Seca for the what was supposed to be the last race of the best rider ever, Kenny Roberts. Highway 1 had a million bikes on it, all sizes and makes looking to dice it up. Although my sporting blood was boiling I refrained and opted on the side of sanity and the fact I was a long way from my garage.
Normally I was not in that kind of control. Seeing these riders pass cars and trucks at high speeds on blind corners was an eye opener. Unfortunately up the road one of bikes I remembered from earlier was stuffed under a guard rail. The rest of the trip was great and KR won the race. I hope the rider of the stuffed bike was not badly injured. I have quite a number of stories, mostly good experiences.
I guess I've been riding about 20 years now. There's a BMW RT, Ducati 900SS and Kawi ZX-9 in the garage right now.
My favorite ride has to be Hwy 9 into Santa Cruz. Everybody goes on about Hwy 84 and 35, but they just can't compare to Hwy 9. Nice, twisty, beautiful scenery, well maintained, and you end up in Santa Cruz. What's not to love?!
Best road story. That won't get me in trouble? Hmmm. Many years ago, I was in Okinawa on a NSR 250 (two stroke). I split lanes up to a light, and got ready to get on it when the light changed so I wouldn't come in conflict with the cars. The light turned, I let out the clutch, but the bike wasn't moving. The cars started going, and it was a moment before I saw the smoke wafting forward, past me. I wasn't quite used to revving up (for the two stroke) and I was just roasting the rear tire. Once I started paying attention, I could hear the tire spinning on the pavement. I pulled in the clutch, got traction, and got out of there. It may have been cool if it had been intentional. Oh, well.
Man, that was a great bike...
I've been riding for about 12 years now. Started on a Suzuki GR650 - talked about trading it in for 10 years but couldn't bring myself to do it until a couple years ago when I traded up to a Triumph Thruxton.
I'm driving a Suzuki SV for 3 years now:
http://users.skynet.be/fa303104/sv2.JPG
My dreambike must be a Triumph Daytona 675:
http://motorcenterguy.be/img/motorfi...tona%20675.jpg
the most spectacular moments are the ones where you almost get driven off the road by semi-blind car drivers.
The nicest thing is to get up early on a summer morning, and head for the "Ardennes" in the south of Belgium, where things are hilly and curvy. Pure joy! :)
I've been riding in the dirt for years, but have only had my road license for 3 years now. I absolutely love my '86 Yamaha Radian. Small, nimble, easy to throw around in traffic. That being said, I'm ALWAYS in the market for something newer...
Love the stories guys! Nice to see some scooter trash around here. :D
I ride a 2005 Harley Electra Glide Police (FLHTPI). For some reason police bikes just seem to handle a little better than a standard Harley. Go figure...the boys in blue always seem to have the best toys. :shrug:
As a member of the Boozefighters Motorcycle Club there are plenty of opportunities for good rides but I think the best of all time was a trip from Lexington, Kentucky back to Huntsville, Alabama. It's only 350 miles or so but on the Sunday morning I left Lexington it was 23 degrees F and snowing. Well, ok, there was some ice mixed in there too. But by the time I realized that I was about 10 miles into the ride and there was no way in hell I could quit then. Testosterone...it makes guys do strange things.
The first stop to thaw out was 50 miles into the ride. The temperature had dropped to 19 F and it was still snowing. At that point I peeled a sheet of ice off my chaps that went from knee to ankle on both legs. To make a long story short, nine and a half hours later I pulled into my dirveway and couldn't even get my clothes off. The girlfriend at the time had to undress me and put me in a hot shower. The temp stayed at 19 F or below the whole way and it never stopped snowing. Did you know two wheels and ice are a BAD combination?
That was my one and only polar bear run. Next time...I'll take the cage with heat and a radio! Like an old grey beard 1%er told me after he heard that story..."There's a fine line between hardcore and stupid." Amen.
-AJ
I have a 97 Harley Electra Glide, love the bike . Its real comfortable and just a great bike.
My first bike was a 90 fatboy, I loved that bike too, but it would beat you to death on longer rides. I like ridding in the foothills around Sacramento and up in the hill towards Reno. You can ride the Electra Glide all day and feel great the next day.:tu
Favorite bike was an 03 Honda CBR 954RR. I had a Ninja ZX6, it was OK, but not in the same class as the RR. Best story: A few days after lowsiding my CBR in a little old lady + curve + crossing center line = me off the road incident, I was sitting at a stop sign behind an Expedition with ANOTHER old lady driver. She felt like she was too far forward, and reversed right into my bike. Her insurance wrote me a check for 4K, and I really fixed up the bike super nice.
http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/6403/p1010036yq2.jpg
http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/7538/p1010049he6.jpg
Beside Dad's Bike
http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/6964/p1010052mq1.jpg
Hey Americans,
how about you country's bike regulations? Are they very strict overthere?
Like open pipes for instance?
In Europe they're quite strict about it, especially in Holland and Germany.
It really depends on where you go and the mood the police officer is in. Loud pipes are completely ignored in most places but in others...well it's a fairly expensive ticket.
Helmet laws are enforced in every place that has them. There are still quite a few states that don't though. And in many states the regulation is vague about what constitutes a helmet. Here in Alabama I can wear a simple beanie style helmet that offers zero protection but it's a helmet. In other places you have to wear a helmet that passes DOT (Department of Transportation) or SNELL standards.
Getting a motorcyle license is really no tougher than getting a regular drivers license.
Each state is different. It's a lot like Europe was before the EU. Each state passes ad enforces their own laws.
-AJ
15 years ago 48 states had helmet laws. Now, 29 states are without universal helmet laws.
so there are less states now? :shrug:
I can't speak to the history of helmet laws, but 18 states have universal helmet laws (meaning that it applies to everyone without exception), 31 states have limited helmet laws (meaning that the law is qualified for any number of reasons such as age, training, etc.). 2 states do not have any helmet laws.
I'm not a lawyer, but I'm guessing that if there has been a reduction in the amount or scope of helmet laws, it has more to do with court cases than legislation. It just seems that a politician opposing helmet laws would incur a political liability. But, of course, I live in California.
Just curious, but how does it work in the EU? Is it state specific, or EU-wide?
Like BFMC AJ said, it varies from place to place. In California, there are a host of laws in place; most of which are not enforced. It mainly depends on the officer's mood and the rider's attitude (or lack thereof). If you're riding like an idiot, then there's a good chance you'll get a ticket. If you're not, then you probably won't.
I ride an 06 RoadLiner, my best trip was accross CA farmland and into Oregon.
I do have 2 helmets, one carbon fiber polo style for riding in town and/or short trips, and one 3/4 DOT for longer rides.
I leave in Vegas, rode few times to AZ, which has no helmet laws, and preparing a ride to the Grand Canyon north rim.
Several months ago I picked up a carbon fiber/kevlar helmet from Advanced Carbon Composites. It's not DOT approved but the only test it doesn't pass is the puncture test. Ok, ok...it's still a skid lid and provides almost zero real protection. But it's a lot cooler than a full-face in the summer. :) Advanced Carbon Composites
Getting ready to head up to Kentucky in a couple of weeks for the All-Harley Drags. I can't wait!!!
Harley Racing
-AJ
Old time rider, looking at getting back on two wheels.. Trying to decide which bike, thinking maybe a blackbird (CBR1100xx) but will be using it for commuting as well as long rides so it's a tossup between the blackbird, a cbr954 (as pictured above, or something in the same class) or something in the 600-750 range with a decent fairing.
Used to ride a kawasaki balius
I have a picture of an exile trike on my computer right now. That would be an awesome ride. I never rode a trike before. That would be interesting.Unfortunately, I am currently between bikes.:(
Started riding as a young man on an HD Sportser. After a hiatus several years long, I got back in the game with an 07 UltraClassic.
Can't ride enough. Some of the best days are when I climb on the scooter and take off not knowing or caring where I'll end up.
Best trip was probably when my brother and I rode to Big Bend National Park and the Davis Mountains in SW Texas this past March. Had to ride through a northern with heavy rain and 40 mph winds to get there but the weather and the riding was perfect after that.
Be safe.
Saw a Spyder on the freeway last weekend on a trip up to the coast. Must have been one of the first Australian releases, unless it was an import. Looked very, very cool indeed.
James.
Got a couple of scooters. Did a little work on the ZX, it is a 93 (yes a 1993 sportbike) and dyno’s on pony lower than a 2008 ZX6. I have 53,000 miles on that one, got the GoldWing a few years ago, 30,000+ on that one. Next one will be a Ducati 1098.
Love the ZX-6. I had one, and what a workhorse! It could cut up the twisties, get through town, and be comfortable for the rest of the day. Just an all-around solid performer. Yeah, I do kinda miss it...
just took the Honda MSF class a month or two back, and got my license. now i'm saving up my pennies for a Honda Rebel, just for running around town and having fun with.
i dunno about other states, but here in Texas, you have to wear a helmet if you are under 21, but after that you can pay an extra fee and get a "no helmet" sticker to put on your bike, and then you don't have to wear one.
dunno why you would ever ride without one, though. i did the class in a full face helmet and even on a hot texas day it was pretty comfy once you got moving and there was some air going thru it.
A lot of people feel like it looks cooler, but there are also a lot that get lulled into the same false security they have in their cars. They feel so good with their riding abilities they don't need the helmet. Obviously they haven't had any near death experiences on it:eek:
I have and still wouldn't wear one. I love the feeling of the wind in your face. Of course, I don't have a bike right now.I almost went under the back end of a car and just slid the bike on its side in the road. I will never expect someone not to pull out in front of me again.I might wear a skull cap but never a full face.
There is nothing like the adrenaline rush you get when your back tire is locked up and you are sliding sideways towards a car.:eek:
No kidding! I was run off the interstate, by an 18 wheeler in Arkansas, when I was doing about 90 mph. That sure did get the heart beating pretty quickly. And let's not even get into how long it took for two very important parts of my body to drop again! :roflmao
-AJ
The stories we could tell.I was riding a suzuki gs550l at the time. It wasn't the biggest bike I had but it got me where I wanted to go. I just barely clipped the cars back bumper and then laid the bike down. The car kept going.:(Other than that motorcycles are fun.
yesterday I was driving along a big road when I approached a crossing. There were two cars waiting to cross the street, but I had right of way. So the first car decided he had the time to cross safely, so he did, there was defenitly no time for the second one. When the first one crossed the road, all of a sudden the second car starts moving and a rope starts rising over the street!
Apparantly this idiot was towing the other car with a 30foot rope!! :shrug: Good way to loose your head. :cen thank god it was dry weather so I could make a clean stop, and :rant:him...
Now that is something you would not expect.:eek:
I don’t think the government should make the helmet or no helmet decision for us. It should be your choice. But having said that, I think you are silly for not putting one on. I have used a helmet before, I have bounced on asphalt more than once and ground the back off a helmet. I run with leathers most of the time to prevent road rash and my brain bucket keeps my brain where I want it, and not all over the street, but to each his own.
I guess I have been very lucky and never really had something rethink my decision. It has been a few years since I have actually been back on a bike so it is easy to forget how dangerous it can be.I don't like full face helmets though. They are way too confining.One of those skull cap types may be more to my style.
I could have used some ballbearings on one or more ocassions though. Good idea.:DThat will wake someone up.Some nice big heavy ones.
I am thinking they would make good projectiles to throw at someone.They could put a good crack in someones windshield.Once you have had a few close calls you will understand.:mad:
I have too many addictions for my income; in no particular order of choice: Cameras, Watches, Bicycles, Motorcycles, Art... and the list goes on.
Bob
What they used to do was this...if someone almost took them out they would pull in front of them, take a ball bearing out and flip it over their shoulder. Bye bye windshield.
Now don't think I am advocating this. That' just something people used to do a long time ago. Funny though! ;)
I currently ride a 2007 Triumph Speedmaster. Bought it brand new one year ago as my first bike. I have to say that I have been missing out on a lot of things until recently. Motorcycles, straight shaving, and the list goes on from there...
Good thing I got my priorities in order and started living!
http://www.ke5hgq.com/images/Triumph/Triumph2-1.jpg