2 wheels

[RBHarter]

I used to ride a desert bike in the desert ,trails and wide open on the salt flats and clay slicks . I enjoyed it but I could just never see my self as a competition rider . I rode enough 250s and 400-450s to truly appreciate the big ol' last of the line XR650R Cadillac desert bike . I know the deal street riders are sure the the dirt riders aren't all there and Enduro guys just slip into the armor leathers from the fancy leather jacket with the sleeves that tie in back .

Somebody said in the last week or so made a comment about dragging a knee and making a pass on a faster bike ........... Not me thanks .

This is why some of us prefer "the cage".

 

[300BLK]

I prefer "the cage" these days having a not so pleasant encounter with one while I WASN'T in one. I really miss being in the wind, but see too many folks texting and otherwise driving too fast, following too close or just distracted. The Blue Ridge Parkway, particularly the southern part, was some of my favorite riding. From about 20 miles north of Asheville to Cherokee is most definitely the best part. The last bikes I bought and sold were a DR650 and 2006 Triumph Scrambler. I still have a '77 Yamaha 650, suitably modified for my tastes, in the garage.

 

[Brian Palmer]

Those racers at the The Isle of man are CRAZY!

 

[300BLK]

Those racers at the The Isle of man are CRAZY!

FEARLESS adrenaline junkies!

I would have loved to be present to hear the sound of Manx Nortons, BSA Goldstars, 360* vertical twins be they Tri-BSA-Norton, or even the melodious howl of Slippery Sam

 

[Brian Palmer]

My Ural suits me perfect now. 60 MPH just enjoying the wind and sights.

 

[Missionary]

A Norton 750 Commando was a nice ride. Bought one in Austin TX back in 1972. Had many good days cruising Central Texas with a couple trips to Michigan and one to Florida. At 85 mph that was one fine ride that ate the miles up.

Last 25 years when up north been cruising on a 1971 R75/5 Bower. Wont do 85 all day long but anymore 70-75 is fine enough to get on down the highway. Around West Central Indiana and East Central ILLinois there are fine roads that follow along the Wabash Valley to enjoy.

 

[RBHarter]

Glad you enjoyed this .
I'm not sure what is the most terrifying clip the guy that goes over the bank or those "controlled" wobbles" .
There are several wheel spin hook ups and/or shift wheelies that look completely in control those aren't too bad but the idea of unicycling out of an acceleration turn with a knee down goes way , way outside of anything I'd care to be party to , nevermind that it's happening at or above the Century mark . Crazyness .

 

[300BLK]

or more terrifying, watch these guys race in packs

 

[300BLK]

 

[oscarflytyer]

EU riders are pure nuts! They used to buzz by me on the autobahn and mtn rds and scare the shit outta me!

And I am nuts... 54 and looking for my first bike. 5 boys out of the house and just me and the Misses... Still kick myself for not pulling the trigger on the 78 XLCR in '86 when I had cash in hand... just damn.

Now looking at the Triumph Bonneville Bobber or the Indian. The Bobber is very cool. Much more power than I need or will ever use, but I really like the bike style and the price. Probably kill myself, but... Plenty of insurance for the misses...

 

[JonB]

I've had my share of trail bikes.
One of my favorite vacations, was one where I hauled a '83 Suzuki SP500 out to the Big Horns (WY) in 1990 for a week of fun riding. I did 500 miles of trail riding in 5 days. I liked the red desert on the west side the best.

 

[RBHarter]

A confession .
I had 75' GL1000 . I bought it pretty cheap because the carburetors were fouled by bad gas and the idle jets were varnished over . I got them cleaned up and the idle was just a little over rich . I'd idle it down the hill we lived on and back up as much as it would and hog the choke on in 3-4th gear until the way over rich on Berrymanns B12 was fuel was gone . Then a few more trips to to clear the the lines and carbs .
Then I did what any good power junky would do , I staged a full power 1/4 mi roll on run . About 30 seconds later I decided I didn't need to be on something that would do 75 in the middle of 3rd gear with a 5 speed . The power was smooth , the acceleration begged me to lay out and find the top end ...... mathematically that was 198 . I ran it up on another occasion before I found its new owner , just beyond the 4th gear shift I noted that 110 was pretty fast . That was that . Don't miss it . .... Okay maybe a little .

 

[smokeywolf]

Rode bikes from age 5 to 25. Had a Honda street bike and Bultaco Pursang for dirt.

Summer of '71 I rode from SoCal up to British Columbia with a side trip to Hungry Horse, Montana.

 

[Intheshop]

I made the inference....it got lost because "talent" probably is the first thing that comes/came to mind.

So ,it could've been worded,why do GP250's have a higher corner speed (track based) than a 1000 superbike?

It is about CB's.....it's the question of bite or traction that smaller cals get,being spun up vs larger cals.Using the .30 as the fulcrum,or balance point.

Further,and again prolly wasn't worded very well....it's about recoil,which I threw in "reaction".So an equation using the bite available which I think would be squared,devided by weight and style of stock.Which you'd have to assign some digit to.....all of which is why.my boys went to school to get smart,with me preferring to paint darkies with obscenely fast M/C's...haha.

But there is substance in the above for a physics "guy".How the rifle recoils,its reaction... is somewhat predicated on the bite or traction available.As the traction goes up,not necessarily larger bore....micro groove vs std rifling.And the cut of the stock goes down,the projected outcome is what?

The 250 sails past 1000's in turns because,the latter rider is or SHOULD be,hanging on for dear life.The lower reaction of the 250 allows,calm conditions that set up neurons in the brain that take the fear out of the situation.Easy peasy,Japaneasy.

 

[Intheshop]

Oscar,Triumph's......wreck well.So do Hondas.

Translation:They survive better and cheaper than other models on parking lot tip overs,gravel low sides,that kind of....break out the wallet parts bill.

 

[Bret4207]

I've never been into the whole motorcycle thing. But, I do like trail bikes. Had a little Honda 55 when I was a kind. Built like the trail 90 with the tank under the seat. Loved that thing. Wish I still had one for the kids. Topped out at 28mph wide open with the trail sprocket on it. Be handy checking the farm.

 

[Pistolero]

I watch the guys on the TT at Isle of Man, but their skill level and bravery are both far, far past anything
I ever had, let alone what I have now. I do DVR them each year and watch them all. Fun except for
the occasional ugly crash, and the do kill one or two every year. I have learned that lesson, first hand.

Started on a Honda S-65 in the 60s, fun little bike. A moment's inattention when the gas ran out
and I was switching to reserve (car pulled out of side road) put me into pin traction for 90 days, followed by
8 weeks in a cast, then about 3 months of rehab before I could walk semi-normally. I had also run a friend's
Honda 350 twin a few times, nice engine, bike was heavy. I left bikes alone entirely for about 40 years
after that "fun time".
A few years back I wanted an ultra gas mileage traveling device for around town if gas went hard
to get (it was looking like the middle east would go nutso again and just a bit of planning) so I found
a nice 90 mpg '75 Honda 125S which I still have. Really small, almost too small for this 5 ft 6 rider, but nice
but top end is 64 mph, and it is comfortable at 45 mph. Good for getting lunch at the local fast food
on a Saturday in the summer.
Just missed out on a really, really nice 2005 Honda Magna 750 a month ago. Will continue to look for
one. If anybody knows of a low miles 2003-2005 Honda Magna owner looking to sell....

Bill

 

[oscarflytyer]

Oscar,Triumph's......wreck well.So do Hondas.

Translation:They survive better and cheaper than other models on parking lot tip overs,gravel low sides,that kind of....break out the wallet parts bill.

well.... that's probably good info for a first bike!

 

[Ian]

Rode my '75 XLH Sportster like a surfboard under a 53' Albertson's trailer after the oncoming driver failed to yield to me on green and whipped a left turn in front of me. Fortunately I had practiced laying it down in a friend's grassy field so I knew sort of what to do in that situation. Stepped off the bike as it slid to the curb and stayed on my feet long enough to find a good place to taste my lunch for the second time and never got on a moto again, not even that one.

 

[Kevin Stenberg]

That was my first time seeing TT race. Wow is all I can say
What I thought was interesting watching the bikes wiggle (for the lack of a better word) like they were just on the edge of loosing all control ALL THE TIME.