On a steel horse I ride...

[The Q]

I've always preferred two wheels to four. I didn't even learn to drive until I was around 30, and that was only because I wanted a motorcycle and had to have a regular drivers license. Up to that point I rode a bike everywhere. My first moto was a well used Ninja 250, which I put a lot of miles on until it finally got stolen. My current ride is a Suzuki Vstrom 650 that I bought new in 2007. It's still comfy after 12 hours in the saddle, does pretty well on gas, and does just about everything pretty well. The v twin motor is bomber. This is my second Suzuki twin and I have no interest in going back to an inline bike.



Sadly, the Vstrom only gets out once a week because I do all my commuting by bike. Currently it's only two days a week but will be going to five pretty soon. The moto is faster but all things considered, the bike is the better choice unless I'm time crunched. Since I'm done with racing and virtually all my riding will be commute miles, I decided to sell off the stable and build the one bike to rule them all. It's a 43-50 mile round trip, depending on the route, so I wanted a bike that I'd be stoked to spend that much time with.

That bike rack must be interesting in a cross wind or buffeted by a lorry on the motorway,

I've only got a Yamaha X-max 125 Motor scooter which I use for commuting to work in the summer, it'll do 70MPG with 100MPG which is good enough for me. There is no way I'd kilt on a bike or Scooter like some on here, I've had severe gravel rash at 25mph on a bicycle, let alone at 70mph. Anyway I'm too busy dodging deer and pheasants in the road, head butting pigeons at 30mph is no fun either.

[Tobus]

There is no way I'd kilt on a bike or Scooter like some on here, I've had severe gravel rash at 25mph on a bicycle, let alone at 70mph. Anyway I'm too busy dodging deer and pheasants in the road, head butting pigeons at 30mph is no fun either.

Agreed. I have a road rash scar on my hip from a low-speed wipeout in an intersection back in my college days. And that was through my blue jeans. After that, I was a little more serious about wearing leather. It ain't just for looking 'cool'!

But yeah, deer in the roadway is one of the main reasons I got out of motorcycles. Where I live in the Texas Hill Country, whitetail deer are abundant to the point of being a major nuisance. I average about one major strike per year in my car, just commuting to work and back. Not to mention I've hit armadillos, jackrabbits, and even buzzards. I have to slam on my brakes or swerve about twice a week due to deer running out in front of me on the highway. Having hit as many as I have, I decided that being a regular motorcycle rider was not in my best interest any longer. My area is still very popular for motorcycle rallies and weekend getaway cruisers, due to the scenery and windy roads. But my neighbour who works with the Volunteer Fire Department (and thus is in touch with the EMTs) tells me that they have lots of wrecks and casualties for motorcycle riders around here. I'm not interested in leaving a widow behind. Now that I'm in my 40s, my sense of invincibility isn't quite what it used to be.

[Tarheel]

Tobus, you should know by now that pre-AMC Harleys didn't leak; they marked their territory. This from a former 1971 900 Sportster XLCH owner-operator.

[Tobus]

Tarheel, as it so happens, I also had a 1966 XLCH (883) for a while too. And yeah, it marked its territory as well. This one had been chopped and raked, drag pipes on this one too, with a springer front end. With no rear suspension, it was what can only be described as a kidney-buster. And that wasn't even the worst part. I'm sure you know the knee pain associated with the kick-start on those things. They kick back sometimes!

It was a heck of a rat bike, but cool in its own way. This is it in front of my other two Harleys.




My third Harley was the nicest one, and it actually didn't leak at all. It was a 1979 Superglide, custom lowered for my wife. She didn't do a whole lot of riding, though. And I never cared for the feel of it.

[ratspike]

This is the first time I've ever seen a bicycle rack on a motorcycle. Impressive, if not a little scary-looking.

I agree completely, it's definitely a little spooky to look at but it was rock solid for many miles. The front of the rack bolted to the subframe, and the wheel tray was bolted to a super stiff piece of square aluminum tubing. Fortunately I never encountered any bad cross winds with the rack loaded up, but you could feel it push a little for sure. I eventually quit using it because it was way more hassle than throwing the bike on top of the car.

@Tobus, big animals darting out in the road scare the bejeezus out of me. I had a couple of not-quite-close calls with deer and it's a real life affirming experience. Since 99.99% of my riding is in town now it's just distracted drivers that I have to look out for.

[CDNSushi]

[Taskr]

Gold Wing and a Road Star*.
When is the Grande Cache AB gathering?

*the casual kilt will become preferred post-ride, end of day wear. Easy to pack and simple to don. Not near ATTGATT for the ride

[SeumasA]

Here's a pic of my baby, loaded up for a trip to British Columbia. This was taken coming up out of the Salmon River in northern Idaho. It's a 2000 Triumph Sprint RS, a relatively rare model. I've only seen one other here in Utah.

[CDNSushi]

Gold Wing and a Road Star*.
When is the Grande Cache AB gathering?

*the casual kilt will become preferred post-ride, end of day wear. Easy to pack and simple to don. Not near ATTGATT for the ride

The weekend of July 24. http://allevents.in/grande%20cache/b...5623441386599#

If you're looking for a club, there is also a Chozen Breed chapter in Edmonton... ;-)

[CDNSushi]

I agree completely, it's definitely a little spooky to look at but it was rock solid for many miles. The front of the rack bolted to the subframe, and the wheel tray was bolted to a super stiff piece of square aluminum tubing. Fortunately I never encountered any bad cross winds with the rack loaded up, but you could feel it push a little for sure. I eventually quit using it because it was way more hassle than throwing the bike on top of the car.

I guess you've never been stopped by some cop questioning the road legality of that contraption then. Lol!

Seems reasonable enough, but I've never seen anything like it till now.