A tough learning experinece

[SPEEDGUNNER]

Life ain't like it used to be. I was 28 and had the summer off having left a job at the end of June and starting a new one after Labor Day. What better time to explore my "Then Came Bronson" desires than a motorcycle trip cross country. A one man tent, a Rand McNally Atlas, 42 days and 10,000 miles later I had experienced the trip of a lifetime, but "get home itis" claimed another victim outside Charlottesville VA as I pushed through a rainstorm I should have sat out - combine the sheets of water across the road and a rear tire with the aforementioned 10,000 miles on it and it didn't take much for the bike to exit the roadway and eject me in the process. Luckily the grass was soft and the damage was minimal so I was able to make it the remaining 400 miles to home, but after that my trips were contained to my home state. As fond and wonderful as the memories are I doubt I would undertake the same voyage now 30 years later.

Glad your adventure had a happy ending.

Remember that there are two types of people riding motorcycles, those that have been down and those who are going down. Keep your rubber on the road.

Enjoy the bike once it arrives at your home base.

 

[16thVACav]

Never owned a motorcycle, but every few years I'd get the urge to buy one.

Fortunately, I found that I could just wait it out and the urge would eventually pass.

So far so good.

 

[Marshwheeling]

Why is it that every time somebody I know flies somewhere to pick up a newly-purchased motorcycle, the ride home always turns into an ordeal. Maybe because they often happen around the fringes of the riding season.

Then there are the mechanical issues that can crop up with a new-used bike. At least you didn't have to deal with that. Your bike didn't make it home with you, but it should still be a runner when it finally gets there.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

One time I was watching these folks suit up in raingear.
In the lobby of Capt. Dave's down in Destin.
(A great place to eat!)
The rain was coming down in sheets. Where you folks headed?
They reply, right now back to the motel.
But tomorrow we leave early headed back to Oklahoma City .
Oh man!

 

[Rastoff]

Is it safe to assume that "sore eyes" weren't the only body parts that were sore when your friend showed up?

Yeah, I was sore, but not where most would think. The seat on this bike is super comfortable. My legs were sore, but because of the riding position because I hadn't ridden in a long time.

My left hand is still recovering. The correct response to a gust from the right is to push on the right grip. However, because the wind was so strong, I found myself holding on for dear life with both hands. Rather than press on the right bar, I was pulling on the left. Wore my hand out.

I'm still curious about someone living in sunny southern California having to travel to Chicago to find a bike to buy. Sounds like flying from Jamaica to Chicago for weed. I'm thinking Facebook babe along the route back home?

I answered this in the OP, but I'll say it again; best price. Being So Cal and having a year round riding season, bikes bring a premium here. I saved at least $2K by getting it from out of town.

Dude, you get the Iron Butt patch for sure! How do you get a bike that bike into the bed of the pickup?

No "Iron Butt" awards here. Those guys do 20K miles and more in a week.
Loading in the truck was easy. He backed up to a small rise which kept the ramp almost level with the bed. Me on the left, my friend on the right (operating the front brake) and his kid on the rear. It went right in.

I "hope" I would have had the sense to sit that wind out in a nice warm hotel somewhere. You never know until it happens to you.

I was thinking that very thing at my first meal stop. A glance at the weather report showed that it was likely to be windy the next day too. So, I pressed on. I actually thought about turning around and going back to the dealer to have them ship it. But that would have meant riding through that same wind to get back. I hoped for the wind to die down as I headed south.

Never owned a motorcycle, but every few years I'd get the urge to buy one.

I have a small piece of advice for you. Take the Basic Rider Course from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF): https://www.msf-usa.org/Default.aspx You don't need a bike, they provide the bikes for this course. It is the best money you will ever spend on a motorcycle. Within the first day you'll know if motorcycles are for you.

 

[Protected One]

Having never been a biker I can't relate to the trials of what you endured....but it sure doesn't sound like fun.
Glad you made it home safely, with a "lesson learned", a friendship reinforced, and a good story to tell.

I have several friends who are Harley riders and they have attempted over the years to draw me in. Unsuccessfully.
When I was about ten years old my family was visiting relatives in Georgia. I have an older cousin there who owned a Harley fat boy and offered to take me for my first ride. What boy wouldn't love that?! My mother was against it, but he persuaded her to let me go.

I jumped on the back and threw my arms around him (as instructed) and we headed off to a lightly traveled red-dirt road nearby. After a bit my cousin goosed the bike, causing me to lose my grip and fall off the back. As soon as my butt hit the ground I was looking for cars behind me. Fortunately, there were none. My cousin swung around and scooped me up and said to me - "Don't tell your mom!" I never did, but I also vowed right then that I would NOT be riding any more motorcycles....and I never have.

 

[Rastoff]

After a bit my cousin goosed the bike, causing me to lose my grip and fall off the back.

I'm sorry this happened to you. Bikers like to do the same thing a lot of gun guys do; impress others with their power. They put people in situations the other person isn't ready for and damage them for life.

Motorcycles are fun, but dangerous if not handled with respect. The same goes for guns.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

Glad you made it home ok! I'm pushing 62 now and since I've been street rideing since the age of 16 I am a competent rider. However I have learned (the hard way) I cannot perform as well as even ten years ago and have to perform an "ego check" now and again to avoid problems. Have fun whilst getting your "legs" back and remember, everything and everyone out there is trying to kill you!

 

[kozmic]

So much for the ol' adage "Half the fun is getting there"!

 

[prplbkrr]

I live approx. 150 miles N.W. of Chicago. The wind that day (April 1) was so bad I DID NOT go outside at all, not even to get the mail, and you rode a bike with the wind whipping at a steady 50 mph. You must have gotten some "that man is crazy" looks.

Should have waited til today to get your bike. Sunny, 50ish degrees, and NO WIND. Glad you are O.K.

 

[Rastoff]

Actually I waited until Saturday the 2nd, but the wind was still crazy.

 

[Grip_Maker's_Wife]

Those conditions sound like a nightmare for any experienced rider at any age. Those were a lot of miles to go each day in treacherous weather so give yourself some credit. Glad you are OK and that is one great friend you have (and his son).

 

[F75gunslinger]

I know every year when I was young I'd take the bike out after the winter and go wherever. Never dawned on me to work into it. Now when the winter ends, it's short rides getting longer until I can ride the long hours for full day trips. Its amazing how many muscles get out of shape after just a few months of not riding. A few years..I can only imagine. Glad you got home safe.

 

[Abbynormal]

Now you know why they're called "Hardly Worth Savin's"

You buy one and all sorts of drama begins!

 

[timn8er]

Many years ago, when I still rode, I had a Honda Hurricane 1000. It was more of a sport touring bike than a sport bike, but it was pretty quick.

I had ridden to Little Rock from Tulsa, to see my ex wife. It was fall, but not to cold yet. I watched all the weather forecasts, & they were predicting highs in the mid fifties the whole weekend. Yea, right! I made it to Little Rock without a problem, but on Sunday, when I absolutely had to ride back because of my job on Monday, it didn't get above twenty five degrees. I didn't have a very heavy coat, so I had to ride back, riding till I was frozen thru & thru, then pulling off & drinking coffee till I could feel my extremities again. Took me all day! If someone in a rusted out old VW bug would have offered to trade me even for that bike, I would have done it, as long as the heater worked...

 

[Beemerguy53]

Why is it that every time somebody I know flies somewhere to pick up a newly-purchased motorcycle, the ride home always turns into an ordeal...

Well, I have to tell you, that most certainly was not the case for me last time around.

In the summer of 2013 I was looking to replace my 1995 BMW K75s. I had bought the K-bike brand-new, and I loved riding it, but that European sport-touring riding position (leaned forward) was killing me after I'd had two back operations. I settled on a new BMW R1200R, but the dealers closest to my home wanted list price and then some for their machines.

I sought the advice of some folks on one of the BMW motorcycle websites, and someone suggested I call Max BMW in Troy, New York. I did, and ended up flying to Albany to take delivery, and then riding the 320 miles home. Even counting the airfare, I saved $2000, and I got to break the bike in properly and carefully. All in all, it was a great experience...

 

[G-Mac]

Riding a Harley from New York to California and back has always been on my bucket list. I'm almost 57, had a hip replacement six years ago and now I need a knee replacement. My legs cramp up sitting in my wife's 2015 Nissan Altima on long drives. Getting old sucks.

 

[sureshotbob]

Rastoff I've got the same model and year H.D. also have added the same seat as your's.
I'm 61 years old and ever since I had a blood clot in my right leg I can not ride like I used to. Now instead of riding from sun up past sun down I just take shorter ride's with more break's.
After the blood clot I almost sold the bike but never did so now it's shorter ride's with my wife and it's still a lot of fun.
So when you get your bike home start out slow and enjoy it.

 

[joeintexas]

Glad to hear you made the trip from hell relatively safe, having said that, if I knew there would be homemade bisquits and gravy waiting I might consider doing it again!

 

[TTSH]

Yes, Dirty Harry said it best... "A man's got to know his Limitations"!

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VrFV5r8cs0"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VrFV5r8cs0[/ame]

... and believe me, I know mine!!!

Back in 2003, I bought my last motorcycle, a brand new 100th Anniversary Edition Harley SuperGlide in black with all the trimmings. It was my 3rd Harley and 6th motorcycle overall... but at the age of 53, with mounting physical challenges and reflexes slowing way down, it became obvious quickly that I had gotten in over my head with this one last bike. After just 200 or so miles, I put the bike away and never rode it again. It was just too dangerous. This from a person who used to ride the most treacherous roads and highways in and around Boston in all weather and traffic conditions without barely a thought.

I envy folks who are able to ride safely & securely well into their 60's or even 70's. I think the trick is to never give it up. Even getting out of riding for just 2 or 3 short years takes it's toll on us elderly folks.

Now, at the age of 66, I can barely ride a gosh-darned bicycle safely. Man, this getting old stuff really, really sucks.