Who's Riding?

[jazzbo]

Yes, I bet you would. If I ever find a pot of gold I'll have it restored perhaps.

Toay I'm riding a rented 2010 Harley Davidson Street Glide (FLXH). Nice bike, rides smoother than my Fat Bob, is a bit more comfortable for around town (but probably not for the long haul, as it has mid-controls and that puts more pressure on my hips than forwards do over the hours). It has a fork-mounted fairing that frustrates me. I'd rather not have a fairing or screen. I get less wind on my chest (and I've never been bothered by wind on my chest to be honest, ever) but I get really annoying head buffeting at any speed over residential speeds. Pfui. I'm eager to get my Fat Bob back, but right now. . . it needs repairs. I was struck from behind by a Dodge Ram truck while stopped to make a left-hand turn on Wednesday. I walked away, but the bike fared worse than I did. Still waiting to hear a repair estimate and to hear from the guy's insurance company.

[Peter Johnson]

Yikes! That's scary, Lon--I'm real glad you're okay. I was hit from behind once--as was a buddy of mine--with similar outcomes as yours, I'm happy to say.

Agree about fairings--can't stand them myself.

[jazzbo]

Yes, I'm lucky. Feel like I was thrown through a wall, but it's just sore and stiffness. Not even any visible bruising.

Can't wait to get my Fat Bob back, but it's probably going to take a little time.

[Jazzmoose]

Damn cages...

[jazzbo]

Yeah, well shit happens. Sure happened on Wednesday.

I still feel all whiplashed, but it's a bit better today.

[jazzbo]

Well, it's a new season for many on the horizon. I'm so glad to have my bike back after a big "not at fault" accident. 11,000 dollars damage to the bike, repaired with a new frame and rear end. Actually seems better than new as this was all done by one master mechanic, and not on an assembly line, sort of feels like the one "Custom Vehicle Operations" Harley I rode (which was assembled by one person).

Nearly 25,000 miles on the bike now. I'm looking forward to a trip or two to Ohio and back (though not the reason for the trip, as my Mom will be having radiation for breast cancer and I think I'm going to be needed to help my Dad). It's been a crappy year for me for a number of reasons but I'm hoping that it will get better soon, and more traveling on the bike will help.

Ride safely mes copains!

Yes, I'm lucky. Feel like I was thrown through a wall, but it's just sore and stiffness. Not even any visible bruising.

Can't wait to get my Fat Bob back, but it's probably going to take a little time.

Oh just a correction to the the above post: there was visible bruising; I just couldn't see it until pointed out by my girlfriend and a mirror. Pretty badly bruised at the base of the spine, probably by the back portion of my seat. Said raised back portion probably kept me from being thrown back against the pickup truck so I'm not complaining. God bless Corbin, a bit of hammering on the rear bracket that fastens the bike to the rear fender and the seat bolted right back on, undamaged.

Took twelve weeks to get my bike back, and about nine of it was just the other guy's insurance company's ineptness, they dickered about the estimate and in the end agreed to the estimate handed to them nine weeks earlier.

Edited April 27, 2011 by jazzbo

[Kevin Bresnahan]

Lon - I am currently bike-less. I sold my Victory Cross Country a few weeks back and at this point, I am not certain that I'll get another bike. Several things have conspired against me riding. First was a bout of dizziness/numbness I experienced late last summer. It's gone now which leads me to believe that it was partially due to riding. Second was my wife undergoing two spinal surgeries on her neck, which has lead to the doctors telling her she can no longer ride. Lastly, I have started getting very scared out there. I see so many fools driving while texting on their phones, completely oblivious to their surroundings, that I just expect it is a matter of time before one of them kills me.

I may still rent a bike for a weekend or two this summer, but I have to get over this fear of idiots.

Kevin

PS: Yesterday on my ride home, I saw a guy watching a porn movie on his iPhone as we were driving on the highway. How did I know? Well, the traffic slowed and came to a stop. I was behind him. My jaw just dropped. I figured he was using his phone for directions. But after a few seconds, I could see what it was. Weirdly, his other hand was on the steering wheel.

[jazzbo]

Well sorry to hear that bout the numbness. . . be mindful of it (though I admit I don't think it's in any way bike related). That happened to my Dad recently and has been recurring; he's being told it may be a series of mini-strokes that don't leave lasting damage and they don't know much about it but it can't be good. . . . Sorry to hear that about your wife as well.

I've proven to myself more than once that I can't stop riding. I quit for my wife, and I missed riding so much that I quit driving cars, because every time I was in a car I'd rather have been on a bike. I've wrecked twice (neither time my fault) and climbed back on as soon as I could. Until I have some sort of physical ailment preventing me, I'm going to be on two wheels. I love my current bike so much I think I'll have it another half a decade or more. For some time I thought I'd really want a touring bike, but two months on a rented Street Glide cured me of that; I wanted back on my Fat Bob so bad it was not funny! The touring bike was just too smooth and ultimately boring. Th shop told me "Man you're going to love having the stereo." I turned it on once, that's it.

There's idiots out there, always have been, always will be. I won't let myself be afraid. I was actually hurt worse in a car accident than I have ever been on a motorcycle, and if that turns out to not be the case in the future, well, I am trying hard in my life to not let fear rule me. Fear has held me back from far too much. All kinds of fear from fear of being too exposed, to fear of being an asshole, fear of disappointing others, to fear of putting myself on the line for someone. It has to stop.

It's already getting hot here and I put a lot of my jackets "away". . . I miss them. I think I like the winter because of the gear, it's like a sign of bravery and armor against the world.

Edited April 27, 2011 by jazzbo

[jazzbo]

Well, two years later my Fat Bob is still a treasured possession and I'm loving my riding. Now I'm in Ohio and I won't be doing much riding in the winter for the first time in a long time, I'm going to miss it.

Not found a really good dealer here yet though, not one that compares to the wonderful service I had in Austin. Today I went to the closest dealer for the third time and had two tires installed. It was the first time I've needed two new tires so I decided to try another brand than the stock Dunlops on the bike. Consulted last week with the parts manager, decided on Michelin Scorchers, ordered them, paid for them, they came in, I had an appointment for today, told the counter help my tires had come in, waited a few hours, they came out and said "Ooops, the tech put stock tires on there and then noticed you had requested the Michelins you ordered." By this time it was too late for them to put the correct tires on and I had to be back with my parents to make them dinner so I just said "That's okay, even though it is rather lame." Sigh. Think I'll try another dealer in the area.

[Soulstation1]

Be careful out there

Back in July a grade school friend's brother was behind a construction truck and rusty nails fell out of the truck

Guy ran over them and lost control of his bike hit the back of the car in front if him and was killed

Edited September 18, 2013 by Soulstation1

[Kevin Bresnahan]

There's no such thing as a "fender bender" on a bike. Your ass is usually the only fender involved and it loses in a battle with steel.

[jazzbo]

Be careful out there

Back in July a grade school friend's brother was behind a construction truck and rusty nails fell out of the truck

Guy ran over them and lost control of his bike hit the back of the car in front if him and was killed

I've been riding motocycles for 35 years. (With a lapse in the middle). I'm careful except when I decide not to be. I've actually been hurt worse in cars, but know how dangerous motorcycling is. I just choose to ride and not be scared. My life has been good and every day is a bonus.

I'm being extra careful these days because I'm the main caregiver for parents who are fading.

Edited September 18, 2013 by jazzbo

[jazzbo]

Looked at a lot of the new bikes at the Harley dealer yesterday. They're all emphasizing blue-tooth and electronic gadgetry. It still surprises me that those things would be of interest to a real rider.

My Fat Bob has given me five years and ten months of incredible service and enjoyment. A wonderful machine and I have been thinking about whether I would ever replace it. I think I would. . . for one of the Indians that were produced say 2010 to 2013 (not the new ones from Polaris/Victory though those seem to have a great drivetrain). Those Indians I'd consider are amazing machines, carefully built and over-built, great looks, and were too expensive new. Still would like to have one. Maybe one day!

[Kevin Bresnahan]

Looked at a lot of the new bikes at the Harley dealer yesterday. They're all emphasizing blue-tooth and electronic gadgetry. It still surprises me that those things would be of interest to a real rider.

My Fat Bob has given me five years and ten months of incredible service and enjoyment. A wonderful machine and I have been thinking about whether I would ever replace it. I think I would. . . for one of the Indians that were produced say 2010 to 2013 (not the new ones from Polaris/Victory though those seem to have a great drivetrain). Those Indians I'd consider are amazing machines, carefully built and over-built, great looks, and were too expensive new. Still would like to have one. Maybe one day!

What have you heard about the 2014 (Polaris built) Victory that would turn you away? It can't simply be that it is Polaris, as their Victory motorcycles have a much higher reliability than most other makers (domestic & foreign). Their latest offering is finally putting a Chief into a price range I could consider ($19K vs $32K). I may even be enticed to get back on a bike with these machines.

[jazzbo]

To be frank Kevin, too much plastic. The Harley's have more metal. And. . . not enough dealers.

I've seen the other 21st Century Indian bikes and they are amazing quality. That's what I want if I'm going to get another bike, that level of quality and style.

[Kevin Bresnahan]

To be frank Kevin, too much plastic. The Harley's have more metal. And. . . not enough dealers.

I've seen the other 21st Century Indian bikes and they are amazing quality. That's what I want if I'm going to get another bike, that level of quality and style.

Indian's gas tank, fenders and structural stuff is all metal as far as I can tell. Both of my Victories were all metal except the side covers and the hardbags. Have you read otherwise? Are you talking the batwing faring on the new 2014 Indian Chieftain? I believe Harley's batwing faring is also plastic or fiberglass. If you're talking about the hardbags, well maybe Harley's are metal, but I would prefer ABS plastic hardbags.

I agree with you about Indian's dealer network. If I wanted to test drive one, I'd have to drive over an hour to their Worcester, MA dealership. The next closet one is in Pittsburgh!

[jazzbo]

I've looked at pictures and had a report from a friend who also has a Harley Dyna Glide and it seems to me and was reported to me there are lots of plastic bits, more so than mine. And certainly more so than the Indians from the last ten years (which are amazing machines, I got to ride one briefly a few months ago at the Harley dealer here, someone bought one of the last ones before Polaris took over at a great price and was letting a few of us go around the block, he was in a great mood.

My Fat Bob has been such an amazing bike, I'll probably keep IT a half a dozen more years. I've really bonded to it in a way I only ever did before to my '74 BMW R90 and it would take a killer bike to woo me away.

Edited September 19, 2013 by jazzbo

[jazzbo]

Well, two winters in Ohio have passed. . . I rode a bit every month, but just a few miles round my Dad's place to the store etc. and back and forth to my place when there was no ice on the roads and lots. When spring hits. . . it's wonderful to get the bike out again and have that as my main vehicle. The Fat Bob turns 8 this fall and I'll probably keep it another 8.

To return for a minute to the discussion of the new Indians: I have looked at and sat on the new Indians from Polaris. They're nice, nicer than I thought, and I like the styling SO much better than the Victorys (hate the look of Victory, HATE their style, just really rubs me the wrong way). I'll look at Indians next time I'm in the market. And will look at BMWs again, though I'd rather buy American. . .they make fine bikes.

But . . . my bike is paid for and I love it more and more as I ride it more and more, it's exciting and handles well and my gal likes it. If she gets more and more into accompanying me. . . then I need to think of a touring bike for her comfort (though blessed in other areas, the woman has no ass!). That would be several years down the road though when my income improves. For now I'm getting out on the roads whenever I can. I put about 300 miles a week on just going back and forth from Lucy's and my place.

Anyone else out there in the wind?

Edited June 15, 2015 by jazzbo

[HutchFan]

I've got a few days of vacation later this week, and I'm hoping to get some riding in. I might make a run up to the north Georgia mountains.

My bike is a 2003 Kawasaki ZRX1200R. It's loads of fun to ride. Sadly, I've barely touched it this year. Life's just been busy, and I've been focused on other things. 

Here's a pic from a ride that my wife and I took a few years ago:

[Scott Dolan]

Nice looking ride! 

I recently parted with my 2003 CBR954RR. So all my future riding on two wheels will be under my own power. I sometimes miss having a machine that can launch me from 0-100mph in a hair over 5 seconds, but I had my fun. 

[Scott Dolan]

[jazzbo]

I've got a few days of vacation later this week, and I'm hoping to get some riding in. I might make a run up to the north Georgia mountains.

My bike is a 2003 Kawasaki ZRX1200R. It's loads of fun to ride. Sadly, I've barely touched it this year. Life's just been busy, and I've been focused on other things. 

Here's a pic from a ride that my wife and I took a few years ago:

Cool bike. I'd kill myself on that thing. I like slow heavy bikes. Hope you get to ride this season. (Wow, riding season. . . a concept I didn't have in Texas when I rode year round).

[jazzbo]

After a week plus off the saddle while moving I had a few glorious hours riding yesterday and it was a blast. Ohio in the summer can be so beautiful, and when you only ride half the year or so it seems that much more magical!

[page]

Nice pic, Hutch. Have fun! My friend had something similar, only that was a Ducati. I once had to drive behind him in my car after I had brought him to the garage to pick it up from repairs. I found that a bit scary since I wasn't used to following a motorcycle and was afraid to get too close.  I've never dared to take his backseat so far, although I did on his smaller motorbike. He has another one know, can't remember the name of the brand. (btw nice to see your face after speaking/sharing board talk all these years!)

Cool jb. Take some pictures of that beautiful Ohio next time? Have fun too!

Edited July 25, 2015 by page

[jazzbo]

I'm not a camera person p. But summertime in Ohio is almost worth putting up with the awful winters for!