Motorcycles

[SeaCat]

Good stuff! However, you also want motorcycle jeans. Ordinary mall jeans are OK for the mall. However, proper motorcycle jeans are heavier fabric and the best brands have Aramid/Kevlar/Steel reinforcement in 'road rash areas.' [Armadillo really not needed here, but OK!]

Don't forget gloves and boots.

I see people riding in shorts, tee-shirts and flop flops. DON"T DO IT!

I too often see people riding shirtless and in shorts. (Not to mention Flip Flops.) Usually they are also without helmets. Most times these are the kids on the Crotch Rockets. I tend to call them Organ Donors.

Cat

 

[JamesSD]

If you lived in a place like southern Florida would you ride a Motorcycle?

I know the inherent risks in riding, I know the dangers. Yet I am more than tempted to buy myself a bike,

Now tell me, if you lived in a place like this with roughly three hundred days a year of riding weather would you own and ride a bike?

Cat

I live in San Diego, which has better (at least more dry) weather than Florida.

I don't own, nor do I care to own a motorcycle.

I do have a regular bike though!

 

[SeaCat]

Well my wife is still questioning the bike thing. However on our errands we just happened to be in the neighborhood of one of the larger Bike Shops so I just had to swing in to see what they had.

Well we had been strolling around checking out the bikes for about ten minutes when one of the guys came strolling out. We got to talking about the different bikes and he pointed out several different ones in the used section. One of these was a 2003 Honda Shadow Spirit in a rather unique color. (Electric Purple.) It got my wifes attention because it had a Sissy Bar. I walked over to look the bike over and my wife talked with the guy for a bit. Before I knew it he came walking over with a helmet and the keys. He unlocked the bike and we wheeled it over to the test area. I climbed aboard and was surprised by how heavy the damn thing felt, but I soon got used to that because of it's balance. I started it and did a couple of laps on their track. Oh it felt nice. (I can sit closer to the handlebars on it than on the newer Kawasaki's which is important. I only stand 5'6".)

Then my wife climbed aboard. She held tight for the first lap until she started relaxing. After the short ride on the track she told me she felt comfortable on the back of the bike because of the Sissy Bar. (I can understand this.)

Now I just have to wait for my wife to make up her mind. If she decides that she would be willing to ride with me then we
ll start looking for a bike. If not, well then I won't be getting a bike any time soon.

Cat

 

[cloudy]

Well my wife is still questioning the bike thing. However on our errands we just happened to be in the neighborhood of one of the larger Bike Shops so I just had to swing in to see what they had.

Well we had been strolling around checking out the bikes for about ten minutes when one of the guys came strolling out. We got to talking about the different bikes and he pointed out several different ones in the used section. One of these was a 2003 Honda Shadow Spirit in a rather unique color. (Electric Purple.) It got my wifes attention because it had a Sissy Bar. I walked over to look the bike over and my wife talked with the guy for a bit. Before I knew it he came walking over with a helmet and the keys. He unlocked the bike and we wheeled it over to the test area. I climbed aboard and was surprised by how heavy the damn thing felt, but I soon got used to that because of it's balance. I started it and did a couple of laps on their track. Oh it felt nice. (I can sit closer to the handlebars on it than on the newer Kawasaki's which is important. I only stand 5'6".)

Then my wife climbed aboard. She held tight for the first lap until she started relaxing. After the short ride on the track she told me she felt comfortable on the back of the bike because of the Sissy Bar. (I can understand this.)

Now I just have to wait for my wife to make up her mind. If she decides that she would be willing to ride with me then we
ll start looking for a bike. If not, well then I won't be getting a bike any time soon.

Cat

She'd probably love it, given the chance. I've always loved it, but I won't ride with just anybody. I'm picky.

Riding bitch with someone is really all about trust, and I know without a doubt that she trusts you.

 

[starrkers]

I used to be pillion on a Ducati 900SS - I say go the sissy bar!

On the clothing issue - a friend got put off his bike by a SOW (silly old woman) at highway speeds recently. He limped away with minor damage. He was wearing a goretex jacket with kevlar panels, and a built in spine protector. Ugly as sin, but saved him.

 

[SeaCat]

I used to be pillion on a Ducati 900SS - I say go the sissy bar!

On the clothing issue - a friend got put off his bike by a SOW (silly old woman) at highway speeds recently. He limped away with minor damage. He was wearing a goretex jacket with kevlar panels, and a built in spine protector. Ugly as sin, but saved him.

That spine protector is what used to be called an Armadillo. (Although mine covers more than just the spine. Picture an articulated Kevlar Back Protector that covers from the hips to the base of the neck and only bends one way.)

What they call them now I have absolutely no idea.

Cat

 

[slyc_willie]

Long time ago, I had a Honda Seca 750. Don't ask what year the bike was I loved it, despite the fact that I always felt a little off-balance. Kept it for about a year ebfore I laid the thing down. Thank God I wasn't going fast enough for the road to rip through my jeans or jacket, although both were ruined.

When I lived in Wisconsin, I knew a guy who had a Honda Shadow. Green and white. Gorgeous bike, and if I ever get a moocrycle again, it will look just like that one. The thing about the rider, though, is that he had a Gore-Tex bodysuit. Looked sort of like padded body armor with a bomber-style jacket. It looked a little uncomfortable, and it was scuffed and scratched to hell.

He told me he'd lived through two accidents with that suit on, one of them when he got tapped by a drunk drive on the highway, going around 70 mph. I was impressed.

 

[SeaCat]

Long time ago, I had a Honda Seca 750. Don't ask what year the bike was I loved it, despite the fact that I always felt a little off-balance. Kept it for about a year ebfore I laid the thing down. Thank God I wasn't going fast enough for the road to rip through my jeans or jacket, although both were ruined.

When I lived in Wisconsin, I knew a guy who had a Honda Shadow. Green and white. Gorgeous bike, and if I ever get a moocrycle again, it will look just like that one. The thing about the rider, though, is that he had a Gore-Tex bodysuit. Looked sort of like padded body armor with a bomber-style jacket. It looked a little uncomfortable, and it was scuffed and scratched to hell.

He told me he'd lived through two accidents with that suit on, one of them when he got tapped by a drunk drive on the highway, going around 70 mph. I was impressed.

Sounds like a great set of riding gear. Sheesh getting dumped at 70 MPH is going to smart no matter what you're wearing.

Cat

 

[lisa123414]

I want to get a bike so much! Used to ride my brother's bike when i was about 20 and had no car to get to work. Live in a high traffic area, although not quite a big city. The problem is, I have four sons ranging in age from 17 to 10. How do I justify that mom can ride, but they can't? In any case, it would not be practical now as I do not go anywhere it seems, without a kid and my 15-year-old has told me flat out that he will not ride on the back with me!

 

[SeaCat]

Just looked on E-Bay out of curiosity. Saw some nice bikes but none of them were in my state. (Well one is but it's been beat to hell.)

They did have an absolutely beautiful one in Dallas for under 1K. (Red and white and dressed up nicely.)

I reckon I'll be looking around for a bit. I'm cheap but I'm not stupid. (I'm looking for something under $1K.)

Cat

 

[slyc_willie]

Sounds like a great set of riding gear. Sheesh getting dumped at 70 MPH is going to smart no matter what you're wearing.

Cat

Oh, sure, he was hurt, but the important thing was that he suffered no road rash and only some minor neck injuries.

And that crash had been on a different bike, of course. It fared worse than the rider.

 

[SeaCat]

I want to get a bike so much! Used to ride my brother's bike when i was about 20 and had no car to get to work. Live in a high traffic area, although not quite a big city. The problem is, I have four sons ranging in age from 17 to 10. How do I justify that mom can ride, but they can't? In any case, it would not be practical now as I do not go anywhere it seems, without a kid and my 15-year-old has told me flat out that he will not ride on the back with me!

So get a bike with a sidecar.

(I'm talking with my father about this. My mother refuses to ride on the back of a bike.)

Cat

 

[slyc_willie]

So get a bike with a sidecar.

(I'm talking with my father about this. My mother refuses to ride on the back of a bike.)

Cat

Here you go.

 

[SeaCat]

Oh, sure, he was hurt, but the important thing was that he suffered no road rash and only some minor neck injuries.

And that crash had been on a different bike, of course. It fared worse than the rider.

We had two accidents today in West Palm Beach that involved Bikes. (As well as one that involved a twin engine plane in Broward County.)

The first at 0600 this morning involved a young man who was killed when he broadsided a truck. The police commented that speed was involved. (Yep he was doing over 100 MPH on a main road during heavy traffic conditions. I don't care how fast your reactions are you're just tempting death here.)

The first on the other side of town involved an older rider. He got clipped by an idiot too busy talking on his cell phone to watch what he was doing. This rider was able to low side his bike and slid it out. He walked away with bruises although his bike was heavily damaged. (He was clipped in a turn and just laid his bike down at 40MPH.)

Cat

 

[SeaCat]

Here you go.

LOLOL

Now what is that? It looks like an older Triumph.

My father is interested in some of the larger Shadows as well as sidecars for same. (I have mentioned the Urals to him and he's going to look into them as well.)

Cat

 

[slyc_willie]

LOLOL

Now what is that? It looks like an older Triumph.

Cat

Got me. I was thinking it was a vintage 50s Harley, but Triumph sounds more appropriate.

 

[lisa123414]

Wow, beautiful, thank you Slyc! I think my son would be humiliated either way; its the age. There is a dad at school who picks up his child and another on a three-wheeler with a "back seat." Its a very cool bike and the kids like it, but they are very young. The only way to impress the 15-year-old would be to let him take it to and from school/sports by himself. [insert bemused emoticon]

I have good reflexes and am an excellent driver, but a bike is no match for an SUV. No match for a truck either, but 95% of the truckers out there are excellent drivers. Makes me nervous, but I know I would enjoy having one. Maybe I'll get one when I am 50, just a few more years.

I like this one...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cust...yZ147901QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[SeaCat]

Wow, beautiful, thank you Slyc! I think my son would be humiliated either way; its the age. There is a dad at school who picks up his child and another on a three-wheeler with a "back seat." Its a very cool bike and the kids like it, but they are very young. The only way to impress the 15-year-old would be to let him take it to and from school/sports by himself. [insert bemused emoticon]

I have good reflexes and am an excellent driver, but a bike is no match for an SUV. No match for a truck either, but 95% of the truckers out there are excellent drivers. Makes me nervous, but I know I would enjoy having one. Maybe I'll get one when I am 50, just a few more years.

LOLOL

So what does age have to do with it? I'm 41 and looking at bikes. My father is 70 and looking at them.

The important thing I'm thinking is mentality and attitude.

I burned out my love of speed a long time ago. I would be more than happy with a cruiser.

My brother on the other hand never lost his fascination with speed. (He's 36.) He dumped his last bike at almost 90 MPH in New Jersey and now refuses to go near a bike. According to him anyone who even thinks about riding needs to be commited. (I will love hearing his comments if my parents get a bike. He'll probably try to take over their properties.)

As for your 15 year old. I think he would change his mind once he climbed aboard for his first ride.

Cat

 

[cloudy]

LOLOL

So what does age have to do with it? I'm 41 and looking at bikes. My father is 70 and looking at them.

Indeed. We're in our 40's and ride, and most of the folks we ride with are our age.

Its just a number, after all.

 

[slyc_willie]

Wow, beautiful, thank you Slyc! I think my son would be humiliated either way; its the age. There is a dad at school who picks up his child and another on a three-wheeler with a "back seat." Its a very cool bike and the kids like it, but they are very young. The only way to impress the 15-year-old would be to let him take it to and from school/sports by himself. [insert bemused emoticon]

I have good reflexes and am an excellent driver, but a bike is no match for an SUV. No match for a truck either, but 95% of the truckers out there are excellent drivers. Makes me nervous, but I know I would enjoy having one. Maybe I'll get one when I am 50, just a few more years.

I like this one...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cust...yZ147901QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I'm not much of a fan of choppers. It is a nice-looking bike, though.

For some reason, I've always had a thing for Norton Commandos. I'll amend my earlier proclamation of a fondness for Honda Shadows to include bikes like these.

 

[lisa123414]

Okay, its not that I should be older, its just that in this phase of my life, I do most of my driving as a chauffer. In a few years, I might get a chance to go someplace by myself!

Ah, and as long as you brought it up, Slyc, let me show my complete ignorance and ask what is a chopper, vs another type of bike? Might as well begin my research now, eh?

 

[slyc_willie]

Okay, its not that I should be older, its just that in this phase of my life, I do most of my driving as a chauffer. In a few years, I might get a chance to go someplace by myself!

Ah, and as long as you brought it up, Slyc, let me show my complete ignorance and ask what is a chopper, vs another type of bike? Might as well begin my research now, eh?

A 'chopper' is a bike that has had the forward struts lengthened, so that the front wheel extends further out from the main body of the machine. They were very popular in the 70s, I understand. The main problems with such bikes is that they took quite a bit of adjusting, as far as turning and the like. They were definitely not intended for speed. Purely cruisers.

However, my admittedly layman understanding is that the term 'chopper' has come to apply in a generic sense to motorcycles in general.

But I am far from an authority.

 

[lisa123414]

Thank you! I guess the "look" of a chopper is attractive to me. Interesting the thought of "not made for speed, a cruiser." Is it this site, or am I reading way too much sexuality into this statement?

 

[slyc_willie]

Thank you! I guess the "look" of a chopper is attractive to me. Interesting the thought of "not made for speed, a cruiser." Is it this site, or am I reading way too much sexuality into this statement?

Lol

Take it as you will, my dear.

 

[Weird Harold]

However, my admittedly layman understanding is that the term 'chopper' has come to apply in a generic sense to motorcycles in general.

I think "Chopper" still refers to custom or customized motorcycles rather than all motorcycles. I don't think anyone who knows anything about moorcycles would call a stock motorcycle straight from the showroom floor a "chopper."