Never had a motorcycle. Guess I never will, at this point.
But I do envy you guys who did, and who do!
But I do envy you guys who did, and who do!
A tragic waste of a perfectly good motorcycle...
- Thread starter Echo40
- Start date
Around 35 years of riding for me. I never kept track of overall mileage, but probably over a quarter million miles on two wheels. I've not ridden as much over the last couple of years due to spending a lot of time playing with cars at the racetrack, but I'm trying to get some more riding in this year.
Over all that time, I've learned there are riders, and there are people that own motorcycles. Kind of like there are shooters, and folks that own guns.
Whatever makes people happy. Riding makes me happy. So does shooting, for that matter...
Over all that time, I've learned there are riders, and there are people that own motorcycles. Kind of like there are shooters, and folks that own guns.
Whatever makes people happy. Riding makes me happy. So does shooting, for that matter...
I was probably lucky growing up in California and moving to Nevada when an Adult to be able to drive in open areas that were pretty good to Bikers and lots of open highway to cruise and pull in to gas up or grab some suds with the guys and girls if I got thirsty.
Plus sage brush and sand is a lot easier on a guy and his bike if layed over , than metal or big ROCKS that come with other states that some people drive in.
I survived "road Rash" a few times but some times you need to just do the best thing there is at the time, so you can see the sun come up, the next day.
If you are lucky enough to not get a scratch on your machine, great......
If you get a chance to ride, go for it...........
Just try to stay safe and get her back home.
Plus sage brush and sand is a lot easier on a guy and his bike if layed over , than metal or big ROCKS that come with other states that some people drive in.
I survived "road Rash" a few times but some times you need to just do the best thing there is at the time, so you can see the sun come up, the next day.
If you are lucky enough to not get a scratch on your machine, great......
If you get a chance to ride, go for it...........
Just try to stay safe and get her back home.
meaneyedcatz
Member
Sounds as if you know your priorities. Others, meaning family, comes first and I comes second.
That's the way it worked in our family and we have three wonderful daughters who picked good mates.
One of the best parts of the motorcycle life is the, errr... camaraderie. That means sitting around a campfire or bonfire after the riding is done, sipping some whisky, smoking a cigar and telling rally li..., I mean, stories. These days, there is less riding and more storytelling. Shorter rides, smaller bikes, but often more difficult terrain. Tough terrain makes for good stories.
I gave my boy his first ride at six weeks, in a front pack. I put a motor on his 16" bike, then turned him loose in the circle drive at 11 on an old Triumph 650 (low seat, low compression). He took up riding when he was old enough, and pursued into his early thirties, when his son was born. He took after me in a lot of ways, but ultimately not that one.
I gave my boy his first ride at six weeks, in a front pack. I put a motor on his 16" bike, then turned him loose in the circle drive at 11 on an old Triumph 650 (low seat, low compression). He took up riding when he was old enough, and pursued into his early thirties, when his son was born. He took after me in a lot of ways, but ultimately not that one.
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With the advent of computers and internet, some people are drawn into the biking world by images seen, and wished to be portrayed. Then then get one, post pics on their favorite face book site and post mini videos of new exhaust sound.
Then thy may try to ride one out and about, and realize it takes some skill and is actually more dangerous than a car. They may even try to get on congested highway and come back with stained undies after being almost killed by driver who was paying more attention to their phone.
Then thy may try to ride one out and about, and realize it takes some skill and is actually more dangerous than a car. They may even try to get on congested highway and come back with stained undies after being almost killed by driver who was paying more attention to their phone.
Since I own a 3/4 truck I can own a Harley because I have something to haul it around in.
Actually around here they are about a 4 month rig, 4 mont part time rig and a garage filler the other 4 months.
I have known several serious riders in my life,, and a whole bunch of got ones because it was cool type. I especially like the yuppies with the miniature ponytails. They are so cute all decked out in their shiny leathers and boots.
Actually around here they are about a 4 month rig, 4 mont part time rig and a garage filler the other 4 months.
I have known several serious riders in my life,, and a whole bunch of got ones because it was cool type. I especially like the yuppies with the miniature ponytails. They are so cute all decked out in their shiny leathers and boots.
Since I own a 3/4 truck I can own a Harley because I have something to haul it around in.
Actually around here they are about a 4 month rig, 4 mont part time rig and a garage filler the other 4 months.
I have known several serious riders in my life,, and a whole bunch of got ones because it was cool type. I especially like the yuppies with the miniature ponytails. They are so cute all decked out in their shiny leathers and boots.
Actually around here they are about a 4 month rig, 4 mont part time rig and a garage filler the other 4 months.
I have known several serious riders in my life,, and a whole bunch of got ones because it was cool type. I especially like the yuppies with the miniature ponytails. They are so cute all decked out in their shiny leathers and boots.
What State does the OP live in??
No different than folks who buy a vintage car of their dreams and drive it on Sunday or to a car show. There are tons of JEEP and Truck guys around here with all the bells and whistles, never seen one dirty.
So many people have pools and swam it in a few times and there it sits.
No different than folks who buy a vintage car of their dreams and drive it on Sunday or to a car show. There are tons of JEEP and Truck guys around here with all the bells and whistles, never seen one dirty.
So many people have pools and swam it in a few times and there it sits.
I think I was in the Army with that guy. Him and his wife, two up, were tough for my R60 to keep up with on that Guzzi. We made a weekend trip from Fulda to Andermatt in Switzerland...but that was forty some years ago.
bjrjar
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If I still had one, the feeling would be exactly the same. I started on the street with an Ariel, then a Couple Triumphs, and then. Suzuki at the drag races, then a Bultaco in the dirt for scrambles racing, then I became a father for the first time. I decided that it was time to begin to think long-term. No more racing. The bike stayed in the garage. As an experiment, I had wondered about putting a Triumph twin in a Bultaco frame. I had a second Bultaco so I did it. Totally screwed up the handling because it moved the center of gravity up. Was much easier to start though...I destroyed that one hill climbing. Crashed it on top of a BSA. The intact Bultaco sat in my garage for about 20 years until I decided to put it on eBay. A guy in Spain paid me $3,800.00 for it and handled shipping himself. Since then, I ran across a Suzuki Intruder that needed engine work, but was one of the nicest riding street bikes I've ever rode. It's gone too now. I'm just afraid of the little old ladies backing out of driveways and I don't heal as fast as I once did...
Bob
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You would die if you saw how many people move to Florida and buy a BOAT!
These use it a few times, don't know what they are doing and it hangs on davits in the canal behind their house or sits on a trailer and rots. Much worse than up North with mostly fresh water, Salt water just destroys engines.
These use it a few times, don't know what they are doing and it hangs on davits in the canal behind their house or sits on a trailer and rots. Much worse than up North with mostly fresh water, Salt water just destroys engines.
nicky4968
Member
In short, I'm not the athlete I was 50 some years ago.
Put me back on my "K" flat tracker and I'd be dead before the second turn.
Put me back on my "K" flat tracker and I'd be dead before the second turn.
Oracle
US Veteran
If I were to buy a motorcycle my biggest fear would the other vehicles. Just think about how often another car pulls out in front, left turns in front, runs a stop sign, whips in front barely clearing your bumper, changes lanes into your lane while you are abreast and the list rolls on. Every summer the evening news reports motorcycle fatalities.
The vast majority of riders go decades without accidents. It is the 1 or 2 percent I would be concerned with.
The vast majority of riders go decades without accidents. It is the 1 or 2 percent I would be concerned with.
mike from st pete
Member
Much safer just riding in the neighborhood, have you been out on the main roads lately? PHEW there are some real pieces of work running about in four ton SUVs and pick-up trucks.
Sold my last Harley in 2011. Some yahoo passed within inches of my wife and I after tailgating me for about a half mile, because I was doing 65 in a 55. 
Too many crazies out there not paying attention, nowadays. The body shops around here are doing a booming business.
I miss my bike, not one bit.
Too many crazies out there not paying attention, nowadays. The body shops around here are doing a booming business.
I miss my bike, not one bit.
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I didn't have a chance to read any replies, just the puff piece OP.
I have two bikes rotting in my garage that I am not riding and have no plans to ride. I put 25,000+ on one of them and I put 75,000+ on the other and the opinions of random folks who have no idea about any of it mean squat.
Bikes are like cars are like guns. A bloated percentage of loud folks will profess that "they were made to be ridden!" and with guns "they were made to be shot!" and of course that's a load of dung... indeed, they were 100% certainly made to be SOLD.
I have two bikes rotting in my garage that I am not riding and have no plans to ride. I put 25,000+ on one of them and I put 75,000+ on the other and the opinions of random folks who have no idea about any of it mean squat.
Bikes are like cars are like guns. A bloated percentage of loud folks will profess that "they were made to be ridden!" and with guns "they were made to be shot!" and of course that's a load of dung... indeed, they were 100% certainly made to be SOLD.
Bought a 2010 HD FLSTFB FatBoyLo (Vertically Challenged Short Legs) when they first came out. Can sit on the seat and have both feet flat on the ground. Wife and I enjoyed riding just about every weekend. No long trips just weekend getaways. Sightseeing and those wonderful Autumn trips to see the leaves change.
Unfortunately in 2015 my wife suffered 2 strokes while visiting my Daughter which left the left side of her body paralyzed. I have been her caretaker and provider ever since. The bike has been sitting since, She has no sense balance and has for the most part lost all interest in riding.
Just this past July 4th I met up with a friend from the Local VFW that has been wanting me to join for years. (they didn't want me in 73 so I don't want them) He fixed me up with an agency that will provide a Visiting Nurse 3 days a week for a few hours so that Family can get a little time to relax.
This past weekend the Harley came to life. Fresh Gas new battery and a WASH and WAX.. Took it out for a short ride brought it home with the front brake smoking Front Brake caliper frozen and wont budge, ordered an new one but that will take a week to get.. BUT I am on the way to The wind in my hair (what little is left) and thrill between the legs
Rob
Unfortunately in 2015 my wife suffered 2 strokes while visiting my Daughter which left the left side of her body paralyzed. I have been her caretaker and provider ever since. The bike has been sitting since, She has no sense balance and has for the most part lost all interest in riding.
Just this past July 4th I met up with a friend from the Local VFW that has been wanting me to join for years. (they didn't want me in 73 so I don't want them) He fixed me up with an agency that will provide a Visiting Nurse 3 days a week for a few hours so that Family can get a little time to relax.
This past weekend the Harley came to life. Fresh Gas new battery and a WASH and WAX.. Took it out for a short ride brought it home with the front brake smoking Front Brake caliper frozen and wont budge, ordered an new one but that will take a week to get.. BUT I am on the way to The wind in my hair (what little is left) and thrill between the legs
Rob
After 55 years of motorcycles....all types...dirt...street...highway....I just bought my last bike...two weeks ago. A Honda Ruckus scooter....for those rides around the neighborhood. I have to use my walker to get out to it...(excesses of my youth have caught up with me)...but the need/addiction to ride...is just overpowering....I still have the wind...or is that breeze...on my face....at the nerve rattling 25mph....but its still riding on two wheels....
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