Anybody ride (motorcycles)

[beak]

Quote:
That sounds scary. When I've gone 110 on a bike I think how fast it would be over if I lost it for some reason.

 

[denimangle]

Spring is here . it was around 80 yesterday . What a great ride we had ... Bikes were out on the road every where.

 

[bikergirl]

80 not fair. . . its snowing here, not sticking but still! I went on a ride 2 days ago froze my butt off, and looked like a fat little boy with all my layers on!

 

[Poison Ivy]

We did a 1000 mile ride this weekend between the ride to ocala, strawberry festival and daytona and then back down south. It was so beautiful this weekend just a great time to ride.

 

[TheRidingLibrarian]

Hi guys! Had a great time with my family on our little overnight to Daytona. This was our son's (5 yr old) first real ride/trip and he did really well. He enjoyed looking at all the different bikes, and especially getting to ride into the infield at the Speedway. I talked hubby into splurging and getting a room on the Beach. Naturally son really loved getting to play in the sand and surf that evening and then before breakfast. Did the Loop again, I love that road! It was a real nice, no pressure this-is-why-I-ride trip....well minus the actual riding in Daytona...which thankfully we know how to bypass for the most part.

I do have to admit though that I think this is probably my last Bike Week/Biketoberfest though, unless the son insists on it. I just can't take the noise, really grates my nerves and kinda ruins the whole experience for me.

(you'll notice that though I kinda expressed an opinion here, I did not put down those who may feel differently LOL)

I highly doubt Daytona will miss me.

In other news, I get to go up (just hubby and I) in April for a Spring Training Clinic/Get together in Stecoah, NC in April. An exracer (awesome lady) is going to give lectures and take people out for one-on-one critiques of their twisty skills.

That's more my kinda scene now.

(sorry, just wanted to end on a dancing bunny)

 

[TheRidingLibrarian]

Quote:
Good for you! It was the most awesome riding weather this weekend wasn't it?? Truly felt lucky to be alive!!!
And blessed to be having such fun with my whole family...and the jobs to pay fro it all!

 

[Poison Ivy]

Quote:
Good for you! It was the most awesome riding weather this weekend wasn't it?? Truly felt lucky to be alive!!!
And blessed to be having such fun with my whole family...and the jobs to pay fro it all!

yes it was we got home last night around 7:30. When we stopped at the red light I ask hubby what's that high pitched sound? Is that coming from your bike? This is his newer one the 01. He said not sure and we listened to it the mile to the house. We got off and I said see I told you to not park her next to Sybil. She tells her to do bad things!!! lol

 

[TheRidingLibrarian]

Dang! Oh well, they are machines so things are bound to break at some point. I think technology has come so far at this point with all of them that I can't believe that any one brand is really all that more reliable than another...and that's coming from someone who has a brand that is usually "known" for its' reliability (BMW)

Crap is gonna happen sometimes. I do believe that 1) regular use keeps a motorcycle happy 2) regular service really makes them happy 3) and sometimes you happen to get the one that was made on a Friday before a long weekend. (Sybil?)

Hope the fix is quick and cheap. When we were coming back into Daytona from riding the Loop yesterday Dave heard something, pulled over and realized that he lost a screw (yes, jokes were made) on his front fender. Stopped in the BMW shop and they actually GAVE him the screw for nothing. We both about fell down, I was getting ready for the $10 screw. (yes, even more jokes were made) It was a day that will live in infamy...the day BMW gave something away.

 

[Cetawin]

Quote:
That sounds scary. When I've gone 110 on a bike I think how fast it would be over if I lost it for some reason.

LOL actually the faster you are going the safer it is because you merely slide...provided you do not hit anything.

I will tell the story quickly in short version.

About 1 am and I just came back from bike show, won best custom paint job, had trophy on the back of bike and passed the group of 18 I was riding with to lead on the Beeline in Central Florida back home to south florida.

Just as I came around the pack pulled into the front right slot, 5 boar crossed the road. I center punched one about 200 plus pounds. I was already in the air when my fingers were pulling for the brake and clutch.

I sailed through the air for what seemed like forever and I hit the payment on my backside, tucked my arms to my chest and began sliding the bike hit about 30 feet behind me and began sliding on its left side in a spin chasing me. This went on for what seemed like forever also (hahaha). The pack had spread across the highway and lit me up with their high beams so no cars ran over me and waited.

I watching the headlight of my bike washing off the trees until my butt started to get really hot along with my right shoulder. I made my mistake at that point... I sat my hand down too soon and began a violent roll...the bikes handlebar apparently hit the road egde and flipped so I ended up in the ditch, the bike ended up following me and landed about 5 feet from me upside down in the ditch. I slide the distance of two football fields in what seemed like forever on one hand but then again seemed like seconds. Very weird feeling you go through.

I kept thinking "OH GOOD it is just one side of the bike damaged" until it landed in the ditch on the other side.

I killed the motor, picked it up and pushed it out of the ditch. Fired it up and rode with the clutch cable in my hand because most of the handle bar was gone, bike in second gear about 25 miles to first rest area. I got stopped by a highway patrolman about a mile from where I stopped and when I got off the bike to stand it up, my kick stand was my foot peg. He asked me how my bike and I got in that condition. I replied with "Did ya see a dead pig a few miles back?" Yes I did I smiled and said "He did this"

I repaired the bike and rode it for several more years. My father asked me why in the world I got back on it and rode it...simple if I had not done so right then, I would probably have been too afraid to ride again.

I can tell you that the nearly $600.00 I paid for my Arai racing helmet was worth every penny. There were about 4 layers of kevlar ground through from sliding and it did not have the first crack or fracture from the impact to the payment. I would never wear anything but an Arai because of that accident. The riding leathers, boots and kevlar gloves saved my skin for sure. I had a broken big toe.

So needless to say I am a big advocate for the helmet laws and safety equipment.

 

[beak]

I was always a helmet guy too. I had Arai and Bell. I always wore my leather bike jacket. I couldn't afford the full set of leathers. Always wore jeans and sturdy boots too. I'm always amazed when I see some joker in shorts and t-shirt with flip flops riding a Harley. I rode a few times without a helmet when I had a passenger and no extra helmet. Obviously the passenger was a chick. The wind watered my eyes so bad I could barely see.

What you described was always my nightmare. Only time I had an accident was when I was a beginner and I freaked out on a wet turn. I let up on the lean and sideswiped the guard rail. I flew up and hit the road sign with my helmet. Left a big slice down the faceplate. Would've been my face. I guess it would've made me more interesting to look at. Helmets don't look cool but they can save you. Of course there's plenty of arguments on the other side.