There's a smile on my face!

[lihpster]

Did something I haven't done in a long time. Went for a motorcycle ride. My bike has been broken for years. Too much money to fix it for what it's worth. But, the very same day I bought my bike, Sept. 2003, my buddy bought the same bike, just a different color. I rode the hell out of mine. All over the state and to Sturgis and back twice. My buddy however decided early on that bikes weren't his thing.
Fast forward to now and my buddy hears I'm having some difficulties. We talked for a bit and he said, "I've still got the bike. Do you want it?" It is in pristine shape as he kept it well. 3800 miles on it. Looks brand new. Tossed in a new battery and we're off. It's been more than 10 years since I've been on a bike, so I'm a little rusty, but I went for a ride today. I forgot how fast the grins come.
Still need to replace my riding gear as my old stuff no longer fits. Musta shrunk. Keeping my eye out for some saddlebags, too. It feels great to get back in the wind. Now when I get wound up or upset, I can hop on my frown destroyer and put myself in a better mood!

 

[lkabug]

I know the feeling of wind in your face after many years of not owning a bike.
After injuries to my ankles, I sold my bike as I couldn't shift gears.
Then along came a Spyder. Now the Can-am Spyder is a three wheeler , but I still get wind in my face.

 

[lihpster]

The nice thing about those Can-Ams is plenty of area for a custom paintjob!

 

[Onomea]

lihpster, that's a good buddy, for sure. God bless, stay safe, stay upright, and have fun!

VAROOOOM!

 

[Nevada Ed]

Ah, I remember it well.

Reno has lots of places to take off to, like Lake Tahoe, Truckee Calif, Topaz Lake, Susanville or just up the hill to Virgina City, to the Bucket of Blood Saloon.

It gets a little noisy in town during "Street Vibrations" and the rib cook off and hot August nights, but a lot of us just "Dig it".

Have many great days of dry pavement, with that new ride.

 

[Rudi]

So, your old buddy gave you a motor cycle? Be sure to send him a Christmas card.

 

[lihpster]

So, your old buddy gave you a motor cycle? Be sure to send him a Christmas card.

Well, I did give him one of the muzzleloaders that my father made, along with a horn and bag, but he's on my list for sure!

 

[The Big D]

Sold my Harley FXLR last year…

…and now considering another one.

Those who have ridden a motorcycle will usually feel the urge to throw a leg over another one.

One more Miami to Key West ride in me. We shall see…

Be safe.

 

[Krogen]

We're gonna need pics, lihpster! Let's see that grin machine.

 

[madmikeb]

I got my motorcycle endorsement the end of September last year, rode for about 2 weeks then put the bike up for the winter. Anxious to get riding again but I've sold my house, closing on May 15, then I'm making a move to Arizona. Don't dare to ride until after the move, can't afford to get hurt with all this going on! Good thing is once I get to AZ I'll be able to ride year round!

 

[Yendor357]

Congratulations Lih. Welcome back to the fold.

I’m 63 and still going a little too fast.

Evidently down hill as well. lol. I seldom get pics oriented correctly. But you get the message.

 

[Puller]

Congratulations lihpster. I get it, I was out on mine early this morning for a ride to Sonic Drive-In for a breakfast burrito.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Congratulations Lih. Welcome back to the fold.

I’m 63 and still going a little too fast.

Evidently down hill as well. lol. I seldom get pics oriented correctly. But you get the message.

Ah. so, a rice burner.
I have to mention this, since it is etched into my brain.
When I was in my late 20's , we did not think much of this "Type" of ride
until one day a friend and I swapped bikes, on the way out of town.

When I hit 3rd gear, the Tach jumped and it felt like the front tire, jumped, 36" up, off of the pavement.
"I got a Tiger by the tail" !!

I was just glad that I was not on the interstate and was able to
get contol of this wild machine.

Lots of interresting times, back then.

 

[yeti]

Glad to hear you are baaaack enjoying riding again. Good.
A friendly left hand low wave to you, sir!
I know exactly what you mean about the frown destroyer thing. I ride to the office every day I can. My suffer threshold is lower than it used to be, but I get out a fair amount. I get very cranky when snow & ice cramp my style for multiple weeks at a time. A bad day is erased pretty quickly on my ride home.

Ride safe guys, watch out for the idiots.

 

[lihpster]

Someone asked for pics, so, here's a quick and dirty shot.

 

[lihpster]

Ah. so, a rice burner.

Actually it's a spaghetti burner. Most Ducatis for the American market are made in Italy. Bright red and fast. Looks like a 2 wheeled Ferrari.

 

[lihpster]

I’m 63 and still going a little too fast.

You still have time. I knew a guy once. Old guy. 68 years old. Walked with a cane. And he took his Hayabusa to Bonneville and ran 175.

 

[lihpster]

Ah, I remember it well.

Reno has lots of places to take off to, like Lake Tahoe, Truckee Calif, Topaz Lake, Susanville or just up the hill to Virgina City, to the Bucket of Blood Saloon.

It gets a little noisy in town during "Street Vibrations" and the rib cook off and hot August nights, but a lot of us just "Dig it".

Have many great days of dry pavement, with that new ride.

I would love to ride around the Lake Tahoe area. Just stunningly beautiful.

 

[Mr. Vito]

I'm almost 81 and about the only thing that seems to melt away a few decades is when I ride. After years with a Goldwing I had to switch to 3 wheels because I just couldn't handle the 900 pounds of the Goldwing. I bought a CanAm Spyder and love riding it. Giving up leaning in curves was more than made up for by being so stabil and secure. And because I did not want to give up the 2 wheel ride totally, I bought a new Royal Enfield Hunter 350 which is a total fun ride and only weighs 400 pounds. When I ride I feel 41 instead of 81.

 

[Rustyt1953]

"There's a smile on my face
for the whole human race.
Why, it's almost like being in love."

~ Brigadoon