Motorcycles

[Steve]

Originally Posted by Trouble

I have about 40K miles logged in on the street and tracks. My best advice would be to go 20MPH faster than traffic. If they start to merge into your lane you will be past them before they get far enough over to hit you.

Back in the day when I was riding, that was basically the advice I was given by a Cycle Cop. Even driving my 10,000 lb truck, I usually try to go just a bit faster than those around me. Gives me a head start on getting out of trouble BEFORE trouble happens.

Frustrating thing is, I'm not really sure it's just motorcycles that people don't see these days. I can't tell you how many idiots try to merge into or pull out in front of me while I'm looking directly into their eyes. Put down the %$@))( phone and drive dangit!

Like I said, be careful out there!

[SNKBYT]

have been riding for over 20 yrs in 4 states and here in FL seems to be the worst .... have had a few close calls over the years but loud pipes seem to get attention where as the car driver might not see you

so load pipes and a few lug nuts should do the trick (heard, seen, & felt if needed)

[newcigarz]

Originally Posted by CheapHumidors

On my to-do list. This week I've been just riding up and down the road in my neighborhood and turning around. Still haven't gotten around to finding a place and registering for the MSF course. Any recommendations on where?

http://nm.msf-usa.org/msf/ridercourses.aspx?state=FL

Looks like there are several choices in Tampa

[wolfandwhisky]

sorry to hear about your accidents - glad you're not severely injured.

[kgraybill]

I ride in and around Atlanta, almost every time I ride someone tries to take me out. Over the years I have learned to pick out potential hazardous drivers and I aways try to go through an intersection along side a car.

I saw one of my friend kick a car door while riding. Luckly we we going slow because it threw him off the bike.

Stay Safe Y'all.

Originally Posted by Partagaspete

Taking a MSF course his weekend and then I will be lookng to get either a

Vulcan 900
Sazuki 800
Honda 750

To get into riding again after mny many years away. Fortunately Delaware is a huge biker state (fr such a small state) so most people either ride or know a rider.

All 3 are good rides but I am partial to the Honda 750. Easy to work on... easy to ride and runs for years without any breakdowns. I have owned 3 Honda motorcycles and they just run and run and run. I traded a Suzuki in for my current bike and it ran great as well.

Originally Posted by kgraybill

I ride in and around Atlanta, almost every time I ride someone tries to take me out. Over the years I have learned to pick out potential hazardous drivers and I aways try to go through an intersection along side a car.

I saw one of my friend kick a car door while riding. Luckly we we going slow because it threw him off the bike.

Stay Safe Y'all.

I completely agree with you. Everytime I go downtown invariably I run into these same jagoffs as well and use the same method as you do...use another car as a buffer or shield. We'll have to set up a time for a cigar next time you are downtown...some great cigar places that I visit.

[bigpedunn]

Stay safe , we are going on a run today!

[Steve]

BTW Alex, I love your sig!

[jmsremax]

On man, that is quite a story. That is why I enjoyed wearing gloves with the same C.E. rated armor as my jacket and if someone got too close I would punch their vehicle to let them know I was there.....aftermarket exhaust is clearly not enough these days.

Glad you are ok.

[weak_link]

Glad you are safe. Another 20 year rider here and I'm convinced there is a big douchebaggery magnet strapped to the chassis of my bike that attracts cars and forces them to do dumb things. Keep your head on a swivel and no *****footing around out there!

[Volt]

Originally Posted by leasingthisspace

I really want a "big boy bike" but I wasn't ready to put down the money to just see if I would like it. My 50cc scooter isn't cool but I know I want to ride so right now it gets me to and from work and I save the gas money for a real motorcycle. With the scooter since it is a 50cc I don't need the course or anything to ride. I know before I go take the course I will be ready.

Tabb, if you don't mind my . Make your first bike from 750 - to 1400 cc. Get it used. The average rider is 2,500 - 5000 miles a year, garage kept and never seen the rain. A great place to get some deals and you don't pay the depreciation. It's a good way to see if you will like the "hobby" or if it becomes a lifestyle.and Never buy anything I sell, they are rode hard and I put them up wet, tired but happy.

Originally Posted by weak_link

Glad you are safe. Another 20 year rider here and I'm convinced there is a big douchebaggery magnet strapped to the chassis of my bike that attracts cars and forces them to do dumb things. Keep your head on a swivel and no *****footing around out there!

Yea, my gremlin bell has been in overdrive this week. I may have to chrome it as a way of saying thanks.

Originally Posted by Volt

Tabb, if you don't mind my . Make your first bike from 750 - to 1400 cc. Get it used. The average rider is 2,500 - 5000 miles a year, garage kept and never seen the rain. A great place to get some deals and you don't pay the depreciation. It's a good way to see if you will like the "hobby" or if it becomes a lifestyle.and Never buy anything I sell, they are rode hard and I put them up wet, tired but happy.

That's what I am going to be going for a 750-800cc cruizer.
I got the scooter to see if I liked being on the road with other people. Like you said it is way easier to ride around some cones in a parking lot then it is to be on the road with the cones be 10 times your size driving at you.

[Volt]

Originally Posted by leasingthisspace

That's what I am going to be going for a 750-800cc cruizer.
I got the scooter to see if I liked being on the road with other people. Like you said it is way easier to ride around some cones in a parking lot then it is to be on the road with the cones be 10 times your size driving at you.

I would recommend the Honda Shadow 750 then. Couple of different looks to pick from. Most folks pimp them out to the max in chrome (which doesn't count in the price). Beautiful balance, small enough to learn on, but still powerful enough if you want to get up on the interstate safely. It does get a little buzzy around 70 - 75 mph but runs strong, even two up with the wife. I rode one for ~20k miles and loved it. A lot out there to pick up cheap as the original owner moves up to a bigger scoot.

[floydpink]

Originally Posted by leasingthisspace

That's what I am going to be going for a 750-800cc cruizer.
I got the scooter to see if I liked being on the road with other people. Like you said it is way easier to ride around some cones in a parking lot then it is to be on the road with the cones be 10 times your size driving at you.

If I didn't have a Fatboy, it would be a Suzuki Boulevard in that size.

Nice cruiser in that range and lots of used ones on the market hardley ridden.

[jmsremax]

Originally Posted by floydpink

If I didn't have a Fatboy, it would be a Suzuki Boulevard in that size.

Nice cruiser in that range and lots of used ones on the market hardley ridden.

In that size/style I am a big fan of the Honda VTX.

But for now I will stick to supersport bikes.

[weak_link]

So who's coming out to California to ride this summer? Moto-herf anyone?

Originally Posted by weak_link

So who's coming out to California to ride this summer? Moto-herf anyone?

Man, if I was still living in San Diego full time I'd be all over this like a cheap mohair suit.

[neoflex]

Don't feel bad. I was at a stop sign about a month ago when the car in front me decided to back into me Turned out the two guys in the car were illegal and not licensed and were begging me to not call the cops. Too bad for them as I was checking out my bike for damage and they were pleading for me to not call the police a trooper happened to roll up to the stop sign. So I flagged him down explained what happened and let him deal with them. Fortunately no damage to the bike as I was heads up enough to lower the bike as he came into me so the bike went under his bumper rather than into it. Plus riding a supermoto does have it's bonuses when it comes to crashes. Once I figured out my bike was solid minus a couple slight scratches in some of the plastics I walked over to the Trooper and said "My bikes good, you need me?" He responded with "Nope, your done here these guys aren't. You can head out." What really pissed me off is after they backed into me they actually laughed about it so I have no sympathy for them.

[G G]

I too try to drive mine like everyone is trying to kill me.

[Volt]

Originally Posted by ggainey

I too try to drive mine like everyone is trying to kill me.

Oh they are, it's just your defense that will keep you alive.