I took the motorcycle to Marietta, to get ice cream and hang out in the town square (very Mayberry RFD). I was walking around with my helmet and an elderly southern gentleman came up to me to chat. He'd been a convertible aficionado in his younger days, and did a lot of interesting travel in a lot of interesting cars. He was clearly a bit of a storyteller - his tales were never boring, and the twinkle in his eye at the recollections was entirely charming.
And then he looked me in the eye and said that his biggest regret was that he'd never gotten a motorcycle. He'd always thought they were too dangerous, and never tried to master that. This, I think, was the source of his regret.
And so thanks to all who've nudged me in this direction, especially friend and long time commenter Burt. It's an interesting group of people you meet when you start riding, more interesting than I had thought.
Ride safe, BP.
ReplyDeleteAnd, while you're riding safe, I'll betcha that you won't be able to stop smiling.
Burt's got it right.
ReplyDeleteWhat surprised me most when I started riding was having complete strangers come up to me and start talking about bikes in the parking lot wherever I went. (The Triumph gets a little more attention than the Suzuki did, probably because they're not as common here.) The conversation is almost a script: What year is it? What size engine? I have a X (or sometimes "I had an X and I'm sorry I got ride of it").
Despite what you see in the movies and on TV, I find bikers to be very friendly people. If they do cause trouble, it's more likely to be with a rival club than with muggles.
Riding epitomizes the American freedom....
ReplyDeleteremember Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper?
Laying it down is a nightmare! It is almost always better to lay it down than to hit something head on.
I have torn the clothes, boots, helmet and skin off my body in order to keep from getting killed by the idiot that didn't see me. (more than once)
I lost many good friends from bike accidents.
I think its great you are getting a bike, makes me want to ride again.
Please rehearse in your head what you will do when you have to make the choice that will inevitably come. Will you lay it down?
Practice it. Lay your bike down in the grass and get on it... and try to get your leg out.
If you can stay with the bike you may get burned on the pipes. or the wheels may catch a pant leg.
Tap the brakes, point the back wheel at your target, tuck into a ball and hold on.
Just to illustrate how easy it is to hit a biker,
I have merged over into the right lane and nearly cut bikes off because they do not ride in the proper wheel pattern of the lane, thus being nearly invisible.
Learn where the bike belongs in your lane and you will increase the chances of being seen.
I never like the deafening loud Harley modified exhaust but I also have never not known they were in my blind spot, I "couldn't miss them" because I heard them.
I am thinking of getting a "dual sport" bike and it can be my "bug out bike" and a little fun on and off the road.
Good Luck and Happy Trails!
Ride safe and SMILE (and remember to carry a toothbrush to get the bugs out of the teeth)!!! :-D
ReplyDeleteMotorcycling is something you are, not something you do.
ReplyDeleteAttitude, not just an activity.
I've just been doing a little research on your Rebel, looks like the engine is a slightly evolved version of the unit I had in my Honda CB250N - my 1st bike in 1980.
ReplyDeleteYour cruiser is about 40lbs lighter though, and the 2-piston brake caliper is much better than the original.
Two maintenance issues I found with mine, one of which may be relevant to you today.
First : Oil & Filter replacement. I don't know what your service manual says, but the CB250N needed them changing at 1500 mile intervals - and checking the oil level was an essential pre-ride ritual. I found that after three months of ownership I was safely using most of the power most of the time - 27bhp isn't a lot, and the little engine was working close to maximum for me.
Second : Chain & Sprockets : Do take the time to grease the chain! You will get much better mileage than I did as todays O-Ring chains are far better than the "3000 miles & worn-out" sets I had to work with, but they will still benefit from being oiled - as will your wallet!
Other than that, I think you have a fairly bulletproof 1st bike.
Best wishes & safe riding !
Bryn, Isle of Anglesey, UK
I take exception to the premise that laying down a bike is a acceptable strategy.
ReplyDeleteAs long as the rubber is still in contact with the road there is some measure of control over the speed and direction of the motorcycle. Once it's on it's side and sliding there is no control.
Ride it all the way to the scene of the crash. Along the way keep trying to find an escape route and keep trying to scrub off as much speed as possible.
Better yet - ride defensively and avoid the collision alltogether!