Motorcycling

[AlphaBear]

Originally posted by LAByker
TC

I included the 750 in that particular discussion because Aura indicated her 600 Shadow was a little too small for her at 5'8" and a little too buzzy for her - which does not necessarily mean underpowered for *her*.

There are tons of people riding 750 Shadows on the freeway as well as the 650 V-Star, the 600 Shadow, the 800 Vulcan and the 883 Sportster.

As personal preference, I'd prefer to ride only 1100 up in a cruiser and 600 up in a sport bike on the freeway. I currently ride a 1600 - so I hear you on the power and comfort (which weight enhances) issues. Still, a personal preference I think....

Byker

After riding an '86 900 ninja, I don't think I could go down in power. Especially riding on the freeway where semi's can drag your bike along if you aren't careful. Though, for some, those bikes are just too heavy.

[LAByker]

here's a good link to save....JC Whitney catalog...tons of products for American and Metric cruisers...


http://www.jcwhitney.com/webapp/wcs/...atalogId=10111


Byker

[TexasCowboi]

Originally posted by AlphaBear
After riding an '86 900 ninja, I don't think I could go down in power. Especially riding on the freeway where semi's can drag your bike along if you aren't careful. Though, for some, those bikes are just too heavy.

*chuckles* I'd kill Myself on one of those Crotch Rockets...

[AlphaBear]

Originally posted by TexasCowboi
*chuckles* I'd kill Myself on one of those Crotch Rockets...

:grins: I loved that old bike. Took it over triple digits once and scared the bejeezus outta myself.

[TexasCowboi]

Originally posted by AlphaBear
:grins: I loved that old bike. Took it over triple digits once and scared the bejeezus outta myself.

hell.... I scare Myself just getting on the freeway here in the DFW area.... I get on 'em and then find another place to go ASAP...

I'm aiming for the 100 MPH club and the IRON BUTT club sometime this year.....

I've never ridden a crotch rocket..... however, one of these days I will.... just for the experience....

[AlphaBear]

Originally posted by TexasCowboi
hell.... I scare Myself just getting on the freeway here in the DFW area.... I get on 'em and then find another place to go ASAP...

I'm aiming for the 100 MPH club and the IRON BUTT club sometime this year.....

I've never ridden a crotch rocket..... however, one of these days I will.... just for the experience....

I'm gonna go for the Iron Butt as soon as I have a bike again. And as for the crotch rocket, wow, SO much fun. It just wasn't comfy for long rides, hence my preference for a cruiser this time around.

[firegal]

Ok i am curious what is the 100 mph club specifically?.....in reply to the scooter size i had an 883 sportster..loved it but most every one else had 1000 Plus. It got to be a drag keeping up with them.So i had...[chose] to get bigger...wide glide.I love it...Do miss the sporty thought..Ride safe....T

[LAByker]

I dig the sportbikes. If I had the time to ride and maintain 2 bikes, I'd get one right now. I like the Honda F3's and F4's (but not the fuel injected one) and the Yamaha R6. The Suzuki SV650 is a fun little ride too - but I'm not so in to the naked bike styles.

Take a sportbike to a twisty road or a track and experience the 'sport' of motorcycling to a new degree - I'm not so much talking speed in and of itself - but taking a bike through a curve with the most precise line, throttle control, lean angle, etc.

I can hammer my cruiser through the twisty shit with the best of 'em, but a sportbike will make the same road seem like a breeze while bringing on a whole new set of challenges in finding exactly the right sweet spot for each move & series of moves.

Yep - if I had the time, I'd get me another bike - right now, one or the other would just be lonely in the garage - and we can't have that now, can we?

Byker

[firegal]

Byker...I went to ne wash this past week..over the mt pass. Rode with 3 other bikes...sport/crotch. My bike much bigger...cc,s...They kicked my butt..Tons andTons of windy curves..I kept up....barely...Still had a great ride...Even thought speedometer broke...That,s a harley for ya...lol... gotta love em....

[LAByker]

Originally posted by stormi
I am in the process of starting a "family" oriented motorcyce touring company. Was wondering how much interest there would be out there. Comments/suggestions/recommendations?

Hey - just came across this post. By "family" do you mean queer, gay, lesbian...?

Check out www.towanda.org - they do some very cool tours in New Zealand & Western US (mostly CA). Tina - the owner (or one of the owners) has done some great work marketing her company. She attends pride festiavls all over US - sets up promos in peoples homes - networks with national MC orgs like WOW - and so on. I think she's made a successful run of it. Her group is not queer only but women only with a heavy dyke factor. I think she has a lot of German clients - but that's not unusual - those Germans get around when it comes to vacationing & tourism.

Byker

[Aura]

Pssst...

my bike is a 650... not a 600.

*grin*

Regardless.. I would still like more power... specially for the long rides.

And right now.. the Honda VTX.... the shape and all... just makes me droooooool

~Aura

[LAByker]

Aura - a 650 Shadow? What year is it? I've never seen a 650 Shadow. Cool!

VTX - yeah, they're way cool. I rode one once when they first came out (the 1800) - what a pig of a bike that is!

Byker

[stormi]

Originally posted by TexasCowboi
hell.... I scare Myself just getting on the freeway here in the DFW area.... I get on 'em and then find another place to go ASAP...

I'm aiming for the 100 MPH club and the IRON BUTT club sometime this year.....

I've never ridden a crotch rocket..... however, one of these days I will.... just for the experience....

trust me when I say a Vulcan Classic...with a "few" aftermarket mods (including boring the cylinders) will eat every ounce out of 100MPH...hehe...and ask for seconds

with all the mods I've done to mine, it's eaten a many crotch rockets for breakfast, lunch, and dinner...

[TexasCowboi]

Originally posted by firegal
Ok i am curious what is the 100 mph club specifically?.....in reply to the scooter size i had an 883 sportster..loved it but most every one else had 1000 Plus. It got to be a drag keeping up with them.So i had...[chose] to get bigger...wide glide.I love it...Do miss the sporty thought..Ride safe....T

100MPH Club.... is just that..... for those folks who have dared to go 100+MPH..... just not something I"m ready to do yet.... *W*

almost gotten there.... but not quite.......


those wide glides are nice....

[stormi]

Originally posted by TexasCowboi
100MPH Club.... is just that..... for those folks who have dared to go 100+MPH..... just not something I"m ready to do yet.... *W*

almost gotten there.... but not quite.......


those wide glides are nice....

mmmm...road glide

[firegal]

Thanks Texas...I had it at 100..alittle over once...on the way to sturgis the speedlimit is 70..The new freeway/asphalt is smooth so with most everyone going the usual 10 -15 over the speed limit it wasnt much of an increase for a short time...especially on a smooth road...no desire to go that fast really. It is alot more relaxing ride goin slower. Also my bike weight [85 more than sportster] combined with the rubber mounted engine...alot less vibration..Thanks for the reply bro..

[TexasCowboi]

Originally posted by TexasCowboi
hell.... I scare Myself just getting on the freeway here in the DFW area.... I get on 'em and then find another place to go ASAP...

I'm aiming for the 100 MPH club and the IRON BUTT club sometime this year.....

I've never ridden a crotch rocket..... however, one of these days I will.... just for the experience....

ok... lemme clarify.... the drivers around these parts make it scary to get on the freeway....LOL

[firegal]

Texas...lol...Gosh if they are worse than washington ones...I definately dont want to experience it. Have you seen/done the lane splitting in calf...you talk about russian roulette...it just dont seem right...Ridin up here is really ok..But yeah i watch out for everyone and i stay out of the commuter lane..it is suicide for a bike here..

[LAByker]

I think we all have idiots on our freeways (and surface streets for that matter). In fact - I've always said there should be an IQ test as a prerequisite for getting a driver's license - far, far too many stupid people are allowed to drive.

Lane splitting - if used judiciously - can be safer than staying in your lane. I'd say particularly when freeway traffic is suddenly at a dead stop (happens a lot here) - it's safer to move in betw cars than have your ass hanging out there for the idiot who didn't realize traffic came to a dead stop.

I also always use the HOV / commuter lane - leaves me only 3 sides to be looking out for on my 'space bubble' rather than 4.

I've hit a 100 - more than once - but I'm a little older and wiser now so I think I'll save that for the track from here on out.

KTRSD folks...
Byker

PS - edited to say these are all only my opinions folks...in case that wasn't inherently clear. Hate to start a 'lane splitting' flame war...LOL

[firegal]

Wont start a war with me...I havent really done lane splitting so it looks, well.... just not right...[cuz aint used to it]....I forgot where you live....you are used to traffic that i cant even imagine...So shit that is eye brow raisin to me probably wouldnt get a reaction out of ya. I understand older and wiser....lol cuz i sure was younger and pretty damn stupid, now that i think about it...But man, did i ever think i was smart..lol....Lucky i still am here walkin and breathin......Thanks for your thoughts and opinions byker.....T

[LAByker]

Originally posted by firegal
Wont start a war with me...I havent really done lane splitting so it looks, well.... just not right...[cuz aint used to it]....I forgot where you live....you are used to traffic that i cant even imagine...So shit that is eye brow raisin to me probably wouldnt get a reaction out of ya. I understand older and wiser....lol cuz i sure was younger and pretty damn stupid, now that i think about it...But man, did i ever think i was smart..lol....Lucky i still am here walkin and breathin......Thanks for your thoughts and opinions byker.....T

Amen to that "lucky" part - there are things I have done that I can't even *believe* I'm still walking around to yack about! LOL

firegal - I live in LA. I live right smack in the middle of LA actually. The traffic here sucks - and the people driving suck - and many days it feels like *no one* pays attention to what they are doing. I bet all of you here could say the same thing about where you live.

I don't commute to work on the bike much for lots of reasons - first and foremost being - it just ain't any fun. It's not fun becuase of all the traffic, all the morons, people with their minds on other things, etc. Just too stressful for me and I have enough of that already. Every once & awhile I will take her to work (like today - workin' on a Sat) - but not often.

Mostly I ride on the weekends. We have lots of great rides near us in LA - the Angeles Crest Highway & Angeles Forest, the Pacific Coast Highway, the Malibu canyons, yadda yadda.

Byker

[LAByker]

Hey everybody -

Here's a link to a favorite site of mine - if you ever get to CA - here's a good source to plan your rides...
http://www.pashnit.com/index.htm

From the above site, this is a favorite local ride of mine:
http://www.pashnit.com/roads/cal/AngelsCrest.htm

And here is the article that inspired my little jaunt to Sequoia 2 weeks ago:
http://www.pashnit.com/roads/cal/GeneralsHighway.htm

Read & enjoy...

Byker

[shadowwolf43]

Love this thread!!
I have a 1995 Kawasaki Vulcan Classic, am in Pacific northwest,
and a motorcycle safety instructor. Have been teaching for 7 years, wearing the gear is needfull, especially here, but I miss the days when we had no helmet law here....

[shadowwolf43]

I am looking at the new Vulcan 2000... 2053cc of GO!!!
Should have it by the end of June. The 95 is getting a little worn... LOL

[LAByker]

Originally posted by shadowwolf43
Love this thread!!
I have a 1995 Kawasaki Vulcan Classic, am in Pacific northwest,
and a motorcycle safety instructor. Have been teaching for 7 years, wearing the gear is needfull, especially here, but I miss the days when we had no helmet law here....

Welcome

MSF instructor? cool....

I'm a firm believer that MSF course (or similar - like Harley Riders) should be mandatory for M Class license....

Byker

[firegal]

s-wolf...Hey i live in tacoma..... I am at work now so if i,m in and out it is cuz shit is happening.I am gonna go to olympia one of these thurs coming up to meet the oly area boi,s from this site. They hang at the urban onion...some onion place?...They ride if your interested let me know.... BykerI cant believe our traffic compares..LA is so damn much bigger than us..I also dont commute..[on the bike]...too stressfull...Not my idea of a ride. Thanks for the web sites also....You do have some beautifull area,s....coast...etc.....

[TexasCowboi]

Lane splitting is illegal here in Texas...... I dont know that I'd do it because I've seen too many doors opened on bikers....

[LAByker]

I believe lane splitting is illegal everywhere except for CA - where it is not legal, but is not illegal, either - it is a grey area of the traffic code falling under a section known as "lane sharing." General rule of thumb (for not getting a ticket) is to "lane share" only when traffic is at a stand still or moving very slowly - and if moving, not to exceed 10 mph over flow of traffic...just a rule of thumb.

I rarely split - except in the cases where I deem it "safer" than the alternative. (For one thing, it's hard to split on a full size, fully dressed bike without tapping mirrors all over the place!). Certainly a judgement call.

Byker

[Aura]

Originally posted by LAByker
Aura - a 650 Shadow? What year is it? I've never seen a 650 Shadow. Cool!

VTX - yeah, they're way cool. I rode one once when they first came out (the 1800) - what a pig of a bike that is!

Byker

eeek... communications got messed up somewhere... its a 650 Suzuki Savage....

If I got a honda.. it would be a VTX.. not a shadow.

This must be what happens when I am usually not totally awake on here *silly grin*

~Aura

[Aura]

Originally posted by LAByker
I believe lane splitting is illegal everywhere except for CA - where it is not legal, but is not illegal, either - it is a grey area of the traffic code falling under a section known as "lane sharing." General rule of thumb (for not getting a ticket) is to "lane share" only when traffic is at a stand still or moving very slowly - and if moving, not to exceed 10 mph over flow of traffic...just a rule of thumb.

I rarely split - except in the cases where I deem it "safer" than the alternative. (For one thing, it's hard to split on a full size, fully dressed bike without tapping mirrors all over the place!). Certainly a judgement call.

Byker

Lane splitting is legal in Lincoln Nebraska... but its so much safer and preferable to just stagger it a bit.....IMHO.

~Aura

[Aura]

Originally posted by TexasCowboi
100MPH Club.... is just that..... for those folks who have dared to go 100+MPH..... just not something I"m ready to do yet.... *W*

almost gotten there.... but not quite.......


those wide glides are nice....

I did that as a passenger... *sly smile* does that mean I am a member by default?

If I tried to do that as a driver.. I think I would wet my pants.

*blushes*
Aura

[LAByker]

Originally posted by Aura
eeek... communications got messed up somewhere... its a 650 Suzuki Savage....

If I got a honda.. it would be a VTX.. not a shadow.

This must be what happens when I am usually not totally awake on here *silly grin*

~Aura

ooohhhhh.....a Savage - got it!

There actually are 650 Shadows - I went researching - they are prior to 1989 or so...who knew?

So - a VTX 1300 or 1800? And which style do you like better? (I know you're not getting one right now - but it's fun to dream)

Byker

[TexasCowboi]

Originally posted by Aura
I did that as a passenger... *sly smile* does that mean I am a member by default?

If I tried to do that as a driver.. I think I would wet my pants.

*blushes*
Aura

*chuckles* I'd give it to ya by default..... LOL.....


its not safe around these parts to do the 100MPH thing on any bike.... too many nimrods driving on four wheels....

I'd try it on a closed track, but not on the freeways here....


Cowboi

[LAByker]

Hey everybody -

Maybe this will be fun...????

What's your favorite local / day ride? Give us a description and tell us why you like it...

I'll post mine tomorrow...off on a date now...

Byker <-- rode very little today but cleaned & polished the bike after work 'cause it "oh, SO needed it"

[stormi]

Originally posted by LAByker
Hey everybody -

Maybe this will be fun...????

What's your favorite local / day ride? Give us a description and tell us why you like it...

I'll post mine tomorrow...off on a date now...

Byker <-- rode very little today but cleaned & polished the bike after work 'cause it "oh, SO needed it"

Just got back from my favorite day ride. here's the reader's digest version...

Left Phoenix about 9:30 this morning and headed north (temp was supposed to be 103 today) for cooler and much more scenic parts. Got on the Carefree Hwy (name says it all) and headed toward the mountains to Prescott. Stopped in Prescott for a few cold beverages after some REALLY nice twisties. Then made our way to Jerome through even more twisties. Got caught behind some &*(&( on a BMW holding up traffic for like 2 miles... it's just wrong for a bike to slow up traffic in the twisties..wrong I tell ya. Pulled into Jerome (it's an old copper mining town turned tourist trap) and ate at the Haunted Hamburger... awesome food...decent prices. From there we headed even further (and higher and cooler) to Sedona. Now for those of you that have never been to Sedona, all I have to say is... WOW! It has to be one of the most beautiful places in the country. Pine trees and red rocks and really cool rock formations. And guess who forgot the camera... doh!

We stopped in Sedona at what they call a vortex rock... never understood that concept, but it did give us an unbelievable view of the valley. From there it got boring, we just headed to the freeway and took the short way back to Phoenix. By the time, I was absolutely wasted from the sun, wind, and twisties...but had an enormous smile on my face... and was just ready to get home and hit the shower.

If any of you ever make a trip out here, let me know and I'll take ya up there. It's well worth the trip! And don't forget your camera!

Texas - I lived in the DFW area for almost 12 years... I TOTALLY understand the traffic thing...those people are nuts

[AlphaBear]

Originally posted by LAByker
I believe lane splitting is illegal everywhere except for CA - where it is not legal, but is not illegal, either - it is a grey area of the traffic code falling under a section known as "lane sharing." General rule of thumb (for not getting a ticket) is to "lane share" only when traffic is at a stand still or moving very slowly - and if moving, not to exceed 10 mph over flow of traffic...just a rule of thumb.

I rarely split - except in the cases where I deem it "safer" than the alternative. (For one thing, it's hard to split on a full size, fully dressed bike without tapping mirrors all over the place!). Certainly a judgement call.

Byker

I did it a lot when I was in CA. Especially when traffic was at a dead stop and I could go all the way up a line of cars to the stoplight and take half the time to get home. Rarely, if EVER did it on the freeway other than when traffic was stopped or very slow.

[Mybadbusa]

I am a member of the 100mph plus club for years. I ride a 1300 CC Hayabusa Sportbike. As a matter of fact I do top end runs al summer long in rural areas. I guess I could say I am a member of the 170MPH club!!
Glad to see some other sportbike riders here. hell, I am glad to see other bikers here period.
In case you guys don't know it I am an Authorized vanson Dealer. That's right you now have your own TG Butch Vanson Leathers Dealer to serve all your riding leather nedds.I also carry Bike Sox and more. Check out my website. www.eastcoastretail.com. Best prices will be over the phone because Vanson doesn't not allow me to sell under tyheir MSRP on the web.
I hope to hear from some of my butch-femme.com bikers.


Jackie

[LAByker]

AB - thought this may interest you if you haven't already seen it:

http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/roadtests/v2ktest/

Byker

[LAByker]

test drive of small to large V-Twin cruisers....from Motorcycle Cruiser magazine - a few years old but interesting read none-the-less


"Sizing It Up: Is a Bigger Motorcycle Better?
Defining the quality of quantity. Comaprisng big to small motorcycles: Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Classic FI, Honda Shadow 1100 Spirit, Suzuki Marauder 800, Yamaha V-Star 650 Classic and Kawasaki Vulcan 500 LTD. From the February 2001 issue of Motorcycle Cruiser magazine. By Tim Carrithers"

link to article:
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/roa...ze//index.html

Byker

[AlphaBear]

Originally posted by LAByker
test drive of small to large V-Twin cruisers....from Motorcycle Cruiser magazine - a few years old but interesting read none-the-less


"Sizing It Up: Is a Bigger Motorcycle Better?
Defining the quality of quantity. Comaprisng big to small motorcycles: Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Classic FI, Honda Shadow 1100 Spirit, Suzuki Marauder 800, Yamaha V-Star 650 Classic and Kawasaki Vulcan 500 LTD. From the February 2001 issue of Motorcycle Cruiser magazine. By Tim Carrithers"

link to article:
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/roa...ze//index.html

Byker

:grins: I'm afraid it's gonna be too late. I'm picking up my NEW BIKE tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I went in there to buy the 1500, but they didn't have it. However, they DID have a 1600 fuel injected Vulcan, 2003...for 2 grand off the list price! So yeah, I'm gonna be ridin' soon. It's gonna rain tomorrow though. :Sighs: