Motorcycle Fanatics Thread

[CycleTex87 2970]

I'm interested to hear about this venture.  I'm in the same boat of wanting to start riding and get a bike, beginning with the NSF rider's course.

[midtown 3345]

20 hours ago, CycleTex87 said:

I'm interested to hear about this venture.  I'm in the same boat of wanting to start riding and get a bike, beginning with the NSF rider's course

Instead of jamming this up with newbie shit maybe I shoild start a new thread for newbs info.  Classes, gear, advice etc?  

[CycleTex87 2970]

I don’t know, the thread doesn’t seem to be jammed up with much else anyway. 

[midtown 3345]

Well I dropped my bike today.  At like 1mph.   I used too much front brake when my bars were turned slightly stopping at a stop sign. I didn't get my bars straight before braking.  Something to work on.  A few scuffs on the muffler and front brake lever.  Thats why Im practicing in my neighborhood for several months.  In hindsight I should have bought a 2k used beater and learned on that. 

I will say the most annoying and honesty uncool thing is to be told by everyone who knows I got a bike is to tell me a story about someone they know who died etc.  I know it's dangerous. I know the stats. This would be like me telling someone who told me their 16 yr old got a license.  Oh hey your teen is 10x more likely to be injured or killed as a new driver. 

Edited March 21 by midtown

[Slacks 6821]

Damn. I miss riding with my surly motorcycle gang.

@Pimphand @Bernard and @Slacks with a few other folks sprinkled in made for an odd and unruly crew, but it was cool riding and eating and whatnot.

[RDCanecutter 26442]

On 3/19/2024 at 4:58 PM, CycleTex87 said:

I'm interested to hear about this venture.  I'm in the same boat of wanting to start riding and get a bike, beginning with the NSF rider's course.

My NSF course, by the end they had us riding around like trained circus animals doing circus tricks.

Except for the dudes who didn't listen. They got let go.

One of their techniques saved me from a bingle the very day after the course.

[CycleTex87 2970]

On 3/20/2024 at 8:00 PM, midtown said:

Well I dropped my bike today.  At like 1mph.   I used too much front brake when my bars were turned slightly stopping at a stop sign. I didn't get my bars straight before braking.  Something to work on.  A few scuffs on the muffler and front brake lever.  Thats why Im practicing in my neighborhood for several months. In hindsight I should have bought a 2k used beater and learned on that. 

I get this, but the finance committee in my house may only ever approve one purchase, so I got to make it count. 

[midtown 3345]

8 hours ago, CycleTex87 said:

I get this, but the finance committee in my house may only ever approve one purchase, so I got to make it count

I'm lucky that I am the sole financial decision maker in my party of one.  As far as I can tell the used market is pretty strong supply wise.  The only reason I went new was I wanted the color.  Otherwise something used woudl have been just fine

[Gil Bang 25957]

On 3/20/2024 at 6:00 PM, midtown said:

Well I dropped my bike today.  At like 1mph.   I used too much front brake when my bars were turned slightly stopping at a stop sign. I didn't get my bars straight before braking.  Something to work on.  A few scuffs on the muffler and front brake lever.  Thats why Im practicing in my neighborhood for several months.  In hindsight I should have bought a 2k used beater and learned on that. 

I will say the most annoying and honesty uncool thing is to be told by everyone who knows I got a bike is to tell me a story about someone they know who died etc.  I know it's dangerous. I know the stats. This would be like me telling someone who told me their 16 yr old got a license.  Oh hey your teen is 10x more likely to be injured or killed as a new driver. 

"I got some pussy last night"

"oh shit...I heard about a guy that got some pussy and now he's paying child support for 18 years"

[Armybrat 40844]

I rather liked this old photo. 
It reminds me of when my Dad had a 1918 Indian he rode back & forth from his hometown in Nodaway County, Mo. to school at Mizzou in Columbia in the late 1920s

 

Edited April 7 by Armybrat

[CycleTex87 2970]

I bet the sound on that was awesome. 

[Armybrat 40844]

17 minutes ago, CycleTex87 said:

I bet the sound on that was awesome. 

On that one, for sure. 
Dad’s 1918 was a 2-banger kinda like this one (from what he said):

 

[83Horn 1641]

After sitting idle since last November, I finally got these guys out of hibernation yesterday for a bit of exercise.  These pictures are a few years old, but the bikes are the same.  I was surprised at how easily they started up and how smoothly they ran after sitting for so long, especially the Suzuki, with its carburetors and all.  I am seldom ever as happy and content as when riding.  I need to do more of it.

[fattyflattie 4639]

I took the kids CR50 around our green belt for about an hour a couple of nights ago.   I forgot how relaxing it can be even when poking around at relatively low speeds.  I need a dual sport. 

[midtown 3345]

So I've been traveling this week on business and I'm missing my bike and riding. I assume this is normal

[USCATX 1078]

On 4/11/2024 at 12:32 PM, 83Horn said:

After sitting idle since last November, I finally got these guys out of hibernation yesterday for a bit of exercise.  These pictures are a few years old, but the bikes are the same.  I was surprised at how easily they started up and how smoothly they ran after sitting for so long, especially the Suzuki, with its carburetors and all.  I am seldom ever as happy and content as when riding.  I need to do more of it.

I did about 32k miles on a Bandit 1200, they’re the best UJM of all time.  

[83Horn 1641]

On 4/13/2024 at 10:37 PM, USCATX said:

I did about 32k miles on a Bandit 1200, they’re the best UJM of all time.  

It really is the most versatile bike.  You can cruise on it, you can tour on it, you can carve apexes on it.  Any kind of riding you want to do on paved road is possible and enjoyable, and with a minimal amount of money and a bit of mechanical skill, there is so much more performance-wise you can squeeze out of it.  I bought it new 22 years ago, and I still love it.  I love my Harley also, but if I was only allowed to have one bike, I'd sell the Harley.

[midtown 3345]

So a little over a month in and I am absolutely loving this.  I've been riding BMX, ramps, road racing, mtn biking since I was 4 so I feel like my learning curve is flattened as far as balace and cornering etc but still lots to learn.  First few days it felt a tad scary going over 30.  Now I feel pretty comfy at 45-50.  Venturing further and further out of my neighborhood. (really need to go get that M on my license).  I get nastly looks from the people in the million homes neighborhood a few hoods over as I go round and round through their neighborhood.  Even ran a few grocery errands and took some stuff to baby momma house.  The one thing that I instantly notice is what everyone says.  Cars are dicks and oblivious.  Im at a stop light.  Why are you 2 feet from my rear? 

Bonus is that I havea a buddy from HS that lives in CO.  He is involved in the production of major sports events like Olympics etc.  He is a adventure rider and we are planning on doing this next summer. By then I should be really comfortable riding.

https://www.motorental.ie/

 

Edited April 16 by midtown

[CycleTex87 2970]

Here's a similar deal in France that I'm really interested in:  https://blog.baakmotocyclettes.com/en/baak-aventures/

[midtown 3345]

I am sending that to him.  I've also always wanted to do a tour in Viet Nam which is my favorite country in the world.  Knowing how to ride will definitely help my travel experiences.  I often find myself in places where a motorbike or scooter is the only way to get from A to B.  In Nicaragua I ended up riding a scooter while carrying a 20 lb back pack. 

Edited April 16 by midtown

[midtown 3345]

Got not one but two biker salutes yesterday.  That made my day.

Btw.  Anyone use a seperate insurance company for their bikie?  I went with my current auto insurer Progressive.  I do have my mustang on a completely different policy with Hagerty and saved a ton. 

Edited April 17 by midtown

[BurntEyes 5990]

@midtown

If you really want to expand your riding ability there are a few classes I've taken over the years.

I should clarify that I got an exemption in Texas with a motorcycle permit at 15 and own a CRF250L, Ninja 1000 that I've ridden from Austin to Sturgis, Yellowstone, Glacier National Park, and on to Seattle before having it shipped back to Austin as well as a YZ250.

One thing that will up your riding game is learning off road basics. They teach this class at a location outside Atlanta. I'm sure there are other locations too. The one outside Atlanta has off-road bikes you can use for the class. (Or it used to)

https://msf-usa.org/start-your-ride/dirtbike-school/

There are also follow up courses available. I've taken one for off road but not the others. However, I'm confident it will greatly enhance your capabilities, and I suggest taking all of them that you can and confirming if they provide a motorcycle if yours isn't suited.

https://msf-usa.org/advance-your-ride/

Finally, if you've taken all those and want to move your skill WAY, WAY higher California Super Bike has a 2 day class where they provide a BMW S1000 and 2 days of track school. You'll learn more in those 2 days than you will in several years of riding. Things like, entry point, apex, exit point, trail breaking, entry speeds, just so, so much. It is NOT cheap, but you'll be a very different rider on the other side.

https://superbikeschool.com/

If you have questions on gear, I own more than I care to admit. Happy to provide feedback in as much or as little detail as you like.

On insurance, Progressive is one of the better motorcycle insurance companies, but I suggest shopping every couple of years. 

Edit - Because pics or it didn't happen 

Edited April 22 by BurntEyes

[midtown 3345]

I can see how the off road would help your on road.  Just learning to deal with the unexpected.  We are definitely going to do the next MSF courses.  Appreciate all the input.  My son got his bike yesterday.  2018 KTM RC 390.  Needs a bit of work.  The fan is crapping out and its overheating.  We had to replace the battery yesterday.   

Pretty happy with my gear choices so far but this stuff is addicting

NBT Riding pants

Shoei RF Helmet

Scorpion EXO Jacket and a Skilz riding shirt (both are highly armored)

Alpinestars riding sneakers and also a pair of winter boots but I cant remember the name

And a really nice pair of gloves

[BurntEyes 5990]

Check out the newish Alpinestar off road helmets. They are INSANELY light weight. I'll post a Pic once I get home. I know a full off road helmet isn't "cool" and not super functional for street but if your son is going to be offloading get him that lid.

https://www.alpinestars.com/collections/mx-helmets

Edited April 22 by BurntEyes

[Liteitup 138]

No affiliation, and no real knowledge, but these guys popped up on TWTex.com recently

https://www.deltavrider.com/

 

Spot on about classes and gear. I wear Motoport, Klim, or my track suit. Depending on what, where, and when.

Buy a helmet that fits! I'm cursed with a long oval head, only found a couple that I can wear all day.

 

 

 

Gear works, ATGATT!

[CycleTex87 2970]

Glad to hear you're OK @Liteitup

[Liteitup 138]

2 hours ago, CycleTex87 said:

Glad to hear you're OK @Liteitup

Thanks, that was last July near Jasper Arkansas. Compression fracture T7, hairline crack T5, seven fractured ribs...., all good now. 890 Duke R was totalled. 

Kept my mileage down last year. Average 10/15k a year, little over 7 last year. 

[CycleTex87 2970]

11 hours ago, Liteitup said:

Thanks, that was last July near Jasper Arkansas. Compression fracture T7, hairline crack T5, seven fractured ribs...., all good now. 890 Duke R was totalled. 

Kept my mileage down last year. Average 10/15k a year, little over 7 last year. 

Did you overcook the turn, somebody coming the other way across the lane or what?

[Liteitup 138]

1 hour ago, CycleTex87 said:

Did you overcook the turn, somebody coming the other way across the lane or what?

Rider error. Target fixation, if you want. My mind wandered, I was over the white line in a curve when I "woke up".  We weren't cooking, more semi-spirited I guess. I remember thinking, "ride this bitch out, don't give up". Then I was trying to stand up in a ravine. I did talk them out of a helicopter ride, even while being adamant that Trump was President (he wasn't).

[NotActuallyALonghorn 4976]

That's not a good area to wreck a bike. Not that any is. I hope you at least got to enjoy a good meal at Ozark Cafe. Highway 7?

[BurntEyes 5990]

Well, since gear and wrecks came up I thought I would throw in a piece that's always with me.

I ride off road and on, not infrequently alone, and frequently in very remote locations. 

Whether you fall into this group or not, I recommend a locator beacon. You might not have faculty to use it if your in too bad a way, but it's great to have if you are injured and in a remote location. I use the one in the link below. It's a simpler beacon and the cost reflects the one way, no frills aspect. It is however, small enough to keep in a riding jacket or somewhere on your bike if needed.

https://www.rei.com/product/156622/acr-electronics-rescueme-plb1-personal-locator-beacon

[Liteitup 138]

5 hours ago, NotActuallyALonghorn said:

That's not a good area to wreck a bike. Not that any is. I hope you at least got to enjoy a good meal at Ozark Cafe. Highway 7?

Hwy 74 near Newton Co 3010. Nothing but good things to say about the emergency response, it was obvious they knew what they were doing. Not quite as thrilled by the wreckless driving award AHP drove all the way to Harrison to give me, but given my condition i couldn't argue about the wreckless part.

Several times in the past, but no ozark cafe this trip. We had eaten lunch at a tiny store/sandwich shop, I'm blaming the turkey.

 

PIB's, I carry an InReach when alone. Probably need to use it more. Usually in the tank bag..... I would have never reached it, needs to be on your body somewhere.

 

Edited April 24 by Liteitup

[BurntEyes 5990]

40 minutes ago, Liteitup said:

Hwy 74 near Newton Co 3010. Nothing but good things to say about the emergency response, it was obvious they knew what they were doing. Not quite as thrilled by the wreckless driving award AHP drove all the way to Harrison to give me, but given my condition i couldn't argue about the wreckless part.

Several times in the past, but no ozark cafe this trip. We had eaten lunch at a tiny store/sandwich shop, I'm blaming the turkey.

 

PIB's, I carry an InReach when alone. Probably need to use it more. Usually in the tank bag..... I would have never reached it, needs to be on your body somewhere.

 

I agree that it really should be on your body. I ride with a small camelback. I keep it in there or in a jacket. 

One of my spills, long ago, and end over my bike was a good 50 yards down the road. If I'd had a neck or back injury, I was never making it. 

It was definitely the turkey! Tryptophan makes folks sleepy and speed hungry. Science!!!

Edited April 24 by BurntEyes

[fattyflattie 4639]

Definitely not as good as a PLB (I use one when offshore fishing) but I noted once that my Life360 app followed me down to the foot one time while about 50 miles offshore, waaaaaay past cell range.   Hundreds of circles around platforms etc were recorded.    So, would be a cheap (free) secondary option to a PLB at least so they will know where you are. 

[Liteitup 138]

Rode out to Fort Davis for the dark skies. Just my luck it was cloudy, so I decided against riding out to the observatory for the star party. Rode the Scenic Loop Saturday, with a detour to the Prada Store to get a pic for my gf. There's a long straight section, but the environment is so different I didn't really mind. rest of the loop is outstanding. I stopped in the middle of nowhere on the straight section and stayed probably 10-15 minutes, just enjoying the quiet. No traffic, no city noise, just birds and the sound of the breeze. Freaking awesome.

Almost a thousand miles, rode in some rain(gear worked great). The GSA is mile munching monster, 7.9 gallon tank, cruise control, good wind protection. 

Been awhile, I needed this trip.

 

  

[horn4life 3760]

 

Reminded me of the old days when my Dad used to do some photography for team Yamaha when Kenny Roberts was a badass on everything with two wheels.  Cool that his signature is on the bike.  It was cool for me to have pit passes as a teen in the Astrodome when they ran the steeplechase and flat track events.  Dad went out to Daytona a few times with Yamaha as a the team photographer.  He got one shot of Kenny in a road race that became a big wall panel photo for the dealers nationwide, His profession was geologist but he loved racing and anything fast all his life and damned if could not take some incredible pictures.  If you bought a motorcycle magazine in the late 70's he had a great photo that Can Am used on the back covers that he took at Rio Bravo.  

Anyhow he will be excited to see this old screamer with Kenny's signature.

Edited May 14 by horn4life

[Liteitup 138]

Thanks, signature is cool. Yamaha thought so too, it's on all US 85 models.

https://davesbikebrochures.weebly.com/rd350ypvs-rd500lc.html

 

 

 

[midtown 3345]

Damn. No one told me how freaking addictive this hobby is.   I already want another bike and more gear. 

Really like the Royal Enfields and some of the Triumphs. 

[Liteitup 138]

Picked up a Yamaha Xmax yesterday. Stupid fun and convenient as hell.

 

Edited June 16 by Liteitup

[midtown 3345]

Whats that an electric or hybrid scooter?

Update on new rider journey.  My skill and confidence is growing by the day.  Doing rides that Id be scard to do a few weeks ago.   Im all over the city now.  Been on some access/frontage roads but not quite ready to get on the highway and do highway speeds yet.  Also have not ridden at night but thats going to end soon as I plan on going to a local meet up that require night riding but I can mostly avoid highway.   Or are highways safer? 

Edited June 17 by midtown

[Liteitup 138]

On 6/16/2024 at 7:07 PM, midtown said:

Whats that an electric or hybrid scooter?

 

Nah, regular old ICE.

[midtown 3345]

Scooter riders are the biggest squids on the road.  Scooters easily do 50+ and more yet I see scooter riders wearing almost nothing.  A crash at 50 is going to hurt just as bad on a scooter vs a Ninja 6R

[Handcruser 2805]

I’m in the market for my first bike. I have kind of narrowed my choices down to the following :

Cbr500r
Ninja 500
Zx4r
Rs 457
Ninja 650

I plan on take the motorcycle course or whatever. I rode 50cc scooters as a kid and was wicked good on a BMX bike.

Thoughts? I plan on just going for lazy drives on Sundays. No track shit. But I want a sport bike.

[Gil Bang 25957]

I don't recall posting here before.  I don't own a bike currently.  I've owned a GSXR-1100 which was stupid-scary fast.  I actually inherited that bike when my BIL was murdered.    It was too much bike for me.  Went faster than I ever wanted to go, and cost a fortune to insure.  I sold it after riding it for several months. 

I also had a '68 BSA 650 Lightning.  Fucking cool,  but honestly, a POS.  Always with electrical problems.  Electrical system was "Lucas", which, I suppose, is the Limey version of "Motorola" or some such.   I owned and restored this bike before the internet was a thing, so parts were a motherfucker to source.  There was a "British Bike Shop" in East Los Angeles, owned by a grumpy old fucker.  I used to make the drive up there periodically to look for parts, or ask him to keep on the lookout for parts.  One day I was bitching about an electrical problem, and he says to me "do you know why the British drink warm beer?"

"No"

"Lucas Refrigerators". 

 

I've owned a  bunch of dirt bikes, and I've got my original 1976 Honda XR75 here, and it's fucking worn out from me (and every relative younger than me), riding it.  I intend to fully restore it for my grandson in the next year or two.  He's 5 now, so I've got some time to get it done, and it should be a fun project. 

Now, here's a story about another guy I met.   

My girl is from Miami, and her family is still in the area.  We visit her sister in Coral Gables.  She belongs to the yacht club, and we go there for drinks.  I'm introduced to a few of her friends, and I pull up a barstool and get a beer, and start with small talk.  Somehow, the guy I'm sitting next to is talking about a health problem he had...cardiac.   He's telling me that they are putting a stent in, and going though his leg to do so.  Right before they put him under, he asks the doctor, "which leg are you going through?".  The doc is an Indian fellow.  Doc says "your right".   He says "please go into my left.  I need my right to kick my motorcycle".  The punch line is the doc, with the thick accent asking "why would you kick a motorcycle?".

So we are getting along pretty well by this point, and laughing and drinking.  I say to him that you must have and old bike if you still have a kick start.  He says "I have a few old Harleys".  My SIL is within earshot, and she's had a few drinks, and she's got a big mouth even when sober.   She start in with "A FEW?  YOU'VE GOT A FEW?  YOU'VE GOT A FUCKING HUNDRED". 

He calmly says "I don't have a hundred".  She, as naggy as possible, keeps pounding at him: "HOW MANY...IF NOT A HUNDRED HOW MANY".  She finally broke the dude, and I think the answer was "94".    

She finally leaves to bug somebody else, and I'm going "you've got 94 fucking Harleys"?   

Turns out, yeah. he does.   We keep drinking and keep getting along, and he invites me (and by extension, the GF and the mouthy sister) to the "clubhouse".   It's a fucking tilt-up warehouse where he's got a kickass bar setup that will hold about 25, the biggest TV I've ever seen, and all the bikes.  He's also got a couple corvettes, an old porsche, and an El Camino.  Oh, and a Mack 3 axle tractor, fully restored, from the '50's.  

Dude is a VERY successful developer of high-rise residential projects all over Florida.  He also owns a Bell "Long Ranger" Helo, and a King Air, which he uses to get from project-to-project.  

Nice guy.   There were no museum pieces among the bikes.  They are all ridden (as regularly as one can ride that many bikes).  

 

 

 

 

[Gil Bang 25957]

Now, I will post from Tapa as somebody else, although I've only had 1 sock account my entire life (and that was to fuck with Dillo Pad).  

 

[Jake Adler 17]

[Gil Bang 25957]

So that was me for whatever reason.  Tapa insists I'm somebody else.  

Here's the story  with the Mack:  When this dude was young, he drove one for some shit job he had.  One day, he's driving along with a buddy, and they see one of these.  He tells the buddy "I drove one of those when I was a kid". Buddy says "you should buy one", fully knowing dude is rich as shit and can buy anything.    Later that night, they are drinking, and on the internet, and walla, he buys this old Mack and fully restores it. 

[Gil Bang 25957]

on the pic with all the bikes, at the top right you can see a loft area at the top.  That's the bar, and he's got a few bikes up there that he displays and doesn't regularly ride.  

 

 

[Gil Bang 25957]

And yes, there aren't 90+ bikes in that photo.  The other angle shows shit that would dox the dude, so I'm not including it.  

 

 

[Gil Bang 25957]

Thank you for attending my Ted Talk.