Get your motor running...
...head out on the highway! The picture at the left, with the ugly guy on the pretty Harley may be somewhat familiar to those who've been to my blog previously. It was taken in West Virginia about a year ago by my friend Marsha.Well, gas prices are going down, but so are temperatures hereabouts. I rode to work yesterday, and do so every day it's going to be above freezing and without rain. But those days will be ending soon, at least for this year. Where's that global warming when you want it, anyway?
Speaking of gas prices, although I do get better fuel economy with my motorcycle, I would caution those who may be considering buying one for themselves against doing so for that reason alone. Why? For all intents and purposes, when you're on a motorcycle, you become invisible to other motorists. At least, that seems to be the case, since they always say "I never saw you!" when they do something stupid. Consequently, it can truly be a matter of life or death to acquire defensive driving skills to the "Nth" degree.
I would advise anyone contemplating the purchase of a motorcycle to take the motorcycle safety course which is offered in every State, and sanctioned by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.
OK, I'll get down off the "soapbox" now; time to get on my bad motor scooter and ride...
posted by camojack | 21:24
18 Comments:
yea. don't kill your ass on a bike. when i was a teen a good buddy of mine killed himself on his sport bike. sucked :-(
but in the same sense if it is what you enjoy , might as well have fun doing it. beter to die happy...
-n
Lookin' for adventure,
And whatever comes our way
I agree Camo. Watch your butt... keep safe OK?
NO CAMO, Don't watch your butt, watch all those other dufusses (sp?) out there that can't see you!! If you are watching your but (and that would be wierd wouldn't it?) you are getting squashed like the bug on my windshield.
BTW that reminds me, don't smile at 60MPH, especially without a toothbrush and dental floss!!
So far, I haven't been killed...but it wasn't as though there were no close calls.
Like Nietzsche said; "That which does not kill us makes us stronger"...
Kajun:
I have 3 headlights on my scoot', 2 of which I generally only use when it's dark.
So far, so good...
When I rode, (have not in a few years), it wasnot the oncoming drivers, but the ones who were right beside me, or pulled out in front of me that were the biggest danger.
Dogs coming out of nowhere, and the first rain each time, until the oil washes off the road are things to watch for.
One year during the National Drag Races at IRP in Indianapolis, a bunch of us were tooling along and went through an area where people were sitting around camp fires. Got smoke in my eyes and without thinking, reached up and rubbed my eyes.
DO NOT DO THIS EVER! I got stopped, but thankfully no one was stopped in front of me and the road was straight.
Had a couple of times I got down too. Funny how at first you think a couple of scraps and bruises is all you got,----until the next day, when you feel like you have been hit by a truck.
And that was when I was younger and healed a LOT easier! ;-)
Be careful camo! People drive crazier now than they did then.
RAM:
I am careful...but my lightning reflexes come in handy at times, too.
Kajun:
He could at least have the decency to tell you where your boat is...
Kajun:
We aim to please.
FYI, my Harley was about $25K...including everything.
(It's top o' the line...)
Bob:
Yes, all motorcycles come equipped with a "cloaking device"...whether it's wanted or not.
Had a close call once on the highway when the bike in front of me blew a tire. I just slammed on my brakes and tried to give him all the room he needed. Don't know if he had to change his clothes, but I almost did! Jeep Cherokee vs motorcycle....not a good contest. Ended up giving the guy a ride to the next town so he could get a new tire. He made me a believer in "leathers"!
Camo,
I have a Love Hate relationship with scooters. Week before I bought my boy a Suzuki LT80 4 wheeler, Mark Grace owner of Grace Performance was killed by a (person) who pulled out in front of him. Every time I get the urge I see someone die. Lost a great freind at 18 same way. I love Bikes, specially the sound and feel.
My Polaris 4 wheeler will have to do.AND IT DOES!
UpNorthLurkin:
I had an "incident" on Labor Day 2004; I was on a wet, twisty highway (US 50) in WV, and one curve was extra slippery...so I slid over the line into the grille of an SUV. That bike got totalled, which is why I've got a 2005 now.
Kajun:
Yesss... :-)
Libby Gone™:
Understandable.
Bad Motor Scooter and Ride
Boy that brought back some memories.
Thanks Jack.
Hadn't heard Montrose for awhile.
kwl:
I'm happy to be of service...
hooey:
Long time no "see"! Good to "hear" from you.
I'm glad you're conscientious about we poor motorcyclists. More people should be.
Are you going to post anything new at your blog, or have you had enough fun with that?
Sorry to get to this post soooo late but I been busy.
I rode a bike for several years in my youth and always marveled at the way people seem to think you are as well protected as they in their Sport Utes. I had soccer moms trying to share a lane with me on a regular occasion! I always thought they imagined my massive quads were as crashworthy as their fenders (well, only when they were hot, ya know, ya gotta think of something when you're out there on the road...).
Anyway, I was driving a car one day in this same era (my biking era) and was about to pull out of a parking lot after checking to the right, the left and the right again, when I almost ran right into...a motorcyclist! I was sooo ashamed and sooo surprised. I really did not see the bike until I was almost out on the street.
There is some truth to the "I just didn't see you" thing...
Beerme:
I've heard "I never saw you" often enough that it has gained a certain degree of credibility.
When are you going to post somethin' new on your blog, BTW?
<< Home