My kinda woman.
Bikers
- Thread starter blunthead
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Fascinating. I had a Suzuki 550, maybe it was a 1980, probably looked like this...
It was fast. I had to sell it when I moved from Louisiana in 1983.
My bikes. (Pictures pulled from the Internet. I didn't take pictures at the time.)
Bought it used for $125. Got me back and forth to school.
Bought the next one, Honda CB100, new for $315. Got me through high school and college. Got 100 mpg and had a 2.2 gallon tank. I'd ride it for 200 miles, flip it to reserve, fill up the tank, and get change back from a dollar bill. No joke.
If you read about my hurtling over the fire road and the despair on the flat tire in "Personal Stories," it was on this bike.
Bought it used. The Honda 350 was ubiquitous. One year, Honda sold more 350s then the rest of the motorcycling world sold motorcycles. Combined.
The CB400, perhaps my favorite bike of all. Cafe racer. No stripes, just bright red and four-into-one exhaust. Handled like a dream. Lived in California at the time and carved up those back-country roads. Loved this bike.
Couldn't afford a bike while going to school with the family. After I started earning some money:
450 Nighthawk. It was fine. It got me around and performed fine.
I can't find an adequate picture of my next one, a (very) used Honda Gold Wing 900 sans the accessories. It was the only bike I've had that I didn't really like all that much.
And finally, a bike I liked a lot, the Nighthawk 750. Compared to bikes nowadays, it's simple, light, and fast. (Compared to the bikes that were made when I started out, it would seem like a hundred years in the future.) If, or when, I get another bike, it'll probably be like this one. Practical for around town, got the oomph if I have to get out on the highway.
Besides, with it being all black, when I was wearing my black leather jacket and wearing my black full-face helmet, I felt cool. Although it breaks the highly desirable rule of, "Remain visible at all times."
And my final bike, the ST1300, I've already posted a picture of.
I love motorcycling.
I remember when the last one pictured came out. It's close to my idea of how a bike should appear. I'm a cruiser man (whether or not that Nighthawk's considered a "cruiser") - a little chopped, low seat. I prefer V-twins, though.My bikes. (Pictures pulled from the Internet. I didn't take pictures at the time.)
Bought it used for $125. Got me back and forth to school.
Bought the next one, Honda CB100, new for $315. Got me through high school and college. Got 100 mpg and had a 2.2 gallon tank. I'd ride it for 200 miles, flip it to reserve, fill up the tank, and get change back from a dollar bill. No joke.
If you read about my hurtling over the fire road and the despair on the flat tire in "Personal Stories," it was on this bike.
Bought it used. The Honda 350 was ubiquitous. One year, Honda sold more 350s then the rest of the motorcycling world sold motorcycles. Combined.
The CB400, perhaps my favorite bike of all. Cafe racer. No stripes, just bright red and four-into-one exhaust. Handled like a dream. Lived in California at the time and carved up those back-country roads. Loved this bike.
Couldn't afford a bike while going to school with the family. After I started earning some money:
450 Nighthawk. It was fine. It got me around and performed fine.
I can't find an adequate picture of my next one, a (very) used Honda Gold Wing 900 sans the accessories. It was the only bike I've had that I didn't really like all that much.
And finally, a bike I liked a lot, the Nighthawk 750. Compared to bikes nowadays, it's simple, light, and fast. (Compared to the bikes that were made when I started out, it would seem like a hundred years in the future.) If, or when, I get another bike, it'll probably be like this one. Practical for around town, got the oomph if I have to get out on the highway.
Besides, with it being all black, when I was wearing my black leather jacket and wearing my black full-face helmet, I felt cool. Although it breaks the highly desirable rule of, "Remain visible at all times."
And my final bike, the ST1300, I've already posted a picture of.
I love motorcycling.
My ST1300 was close - a V-four. Transverse, so you looked down the valley of the V. But it was smooth, without the vibration and the "potato, potato" sound of a V-twin.
It was a great bike, and I'm only mentioning this for comparison purposes. Double front discs, single disc in the rear, shaft drive, water-cooled, monoshock rear frame, unobtrusive sliders on the sides of the fairing so you didn't need a bar, and an electric windshield. No, seriously. There was a switch by my right thumb that raised or lowered the windshield to your liking of the time. I wasn't even dreaming of a bike like this back in my early motoring days. Heck, it's engine displacement was about the same as my first car.
I'm way behind on what's out there these days.My big, fast, nimble Honda sport-tourer.
Okay, I do have some pictures. Maybe belongs more in the Selfies thread.
California, circa 1976, with our new baby (whose arrival was also chronicled in "Personal Stories"), on my CB400 Four.
Me with the Nighthawk.
I think this might've been in Selfies. Grandma and I outside a coffeeshop with the ST1300.
California, circa 1976, with our new baby (whose arrival was also chronicled in "Personal Stories"), on my CB400 Four.
Me with the Nighthawk.
I think this might've been in Selfies. Grandma and I outside a coffeeshop with the ST1300.
Yes, I remember this last one. I wasn't aware there was such a thing as a V-4. Cool.
I always wanted a motorcycle. Even after my moped misadventure chronicled in the Personal Stories thread. Maybe I'll get one one of these days........
I took a motorcycle course sponsored by the State of Michigan before I felt confident to ride as if I knew what I was doing. I believe in educating oneself, with actual classes when possible, about dangerous hobbies.
Here's why one should get a motorcycle:
Good on gas.
Easy to park.
Better maneuverability.
Faster braking.
Faster acceleration. Speed is fun.
Fun to ride. You drive into a valley and can feel the thermal layers as you pass through.
You inherit a fraternity of other bikers. There's even a standard wave passing on the road.
Like any risk endeavor, when you do it right, it heightens your awareness and your perception. You feel more alive when you ride well.
Here's why one should not get a motorcycle:
Dangerous. Your chances of getting hurt and/or killed are much higher than other motorized forms.
More fragile. Rain, snow, gravel, heat, cold, other vehicles, your lack of visibility all are factors working against you far more than in other motorized forms.
If you're not a fully capable rider, you're asking for early death, and you don't know if you're a capable rider until you ride.
Speed is dangerous and seductive. You can get yourself in over your head after it's too late without realizing it.
Very vulnerable in an accident. Wearing protective gear will help some, but it's no substitute for a metal cage.
If you're not in the Sun Belt, riding is a seasonal thing. A good chunk of the year, your little motor-pet will be in the garage.
Less reliable than a car.
Good on gas.
Easy to park.
Better maneuverability.
Faster braking.
Faster acceleration. Speed is fun.
Fun to ride. You drive into a valley and can feel the thermal layers as you pass through.
You inherit a fraternity of other bikers. There's even a standard wave passing on the road.
Like any risk endeavor, when you do it right, it heightens your awareness and your perception. You feel more alive when you ride well.
Here's why one should not get a motorcycle:
Dangerous. Your chances of getting hurt and/or killed are much higher than other motorized forms.
More fragile. Rain, snow, gravel, heat, cold, other vehicles, your lack of visibility all are factors working against you far more than in other motorized forms.
If you're not a fully capable rider, you're asking for early death, and you don't know if you're a capable rider until you ride.
Speed is dangerous and seductive. You can get yourself in over your head after it's too late without realizing it.
Very vulnerable in an accident. Wearing protective gear will help some, but it's no substitute for a metal cage.
If you're not in the Sun Belt, riding is a seasonal thing. A good chunk of the year, your little motor-pet will be in the garage.
Less reliable than a car.
Nice link! I'd like to travel those roads... in a car, I'm too old to ride a bike lol. We live off Highway 80/U.S. 80 and it seems to be a favorite road for bikers. 80 runs from East Dallas to the Atlantic ocean. There are lots of small towns on 80. Most of the heavy traffic is on 20 which parallels 80.
One Afternoon I Asked Ryland If He Would Help Me Build The First Porsche Powered Motorcycle. Something That I would Be Proud To Ride And Display On My Front Porch. Somehow He Misunderstood Me. My Landlord Evicted Me For Dismantling The Front PORCH Of My Rental Home. But I Still Ride With Pride Knowing My Good Friend Ryland Meant Well As Always.
One Afternoon I Asked Ryland If He Would Help Me Build The First Porsche Powered Motorcycle. Something That I would Be Proud To Ride And Display On My Front Porch. Somehow He Misunderstood Me. My Landlord Evicted Me For Dismantling The Front PORCH Of My Rental Home. But I Still Ride With Pride Knowing My Good Friend Ryland Meant Well As Always.
Why use bolts when you can use lashing?
When I zoomed in several times I was able to read the writing on the side. It's an eight zero five and googling verifies it is a Harley model.