Ride rituals
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,932
Likes: 32
From: Broomfield, CO
When I stop, I switch start button to off, turn off ignition, take off helmet & gloves, hang them on my mirror stem, lock ignition, and then lock fork. I do everything in reverse order when taking off.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 574
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City
Interesting thread.
I do not have saddlebags, so my rituals get screwed up everytime. And I am just now getting into the hang of where I want to be at the gas pump. Thing is, sometimes I wear a full face, which will not hang from mirror or bars, and if I have something strapped to the passenger pillion, there isn't room for it to sit on the sissy bar so I either have to carry it or sit it on the ground. When I go to work I have a backpack with my rain suit, cold weather gloves, an extra flannel jacket, my lunch, mail, and a book. My riding jacket get strapped on the passenger pillion going to work and I wear it home. I wear a dickies style shirt every day with 2 front pockets that carry my cell phone in one for quick access and my security access badge for work also for quick accessibility.
I do not have saddlebags, so my rituals get screwed up everytime. And I am just now getting into the hang of where I want to be at the gas pump. Thing is, sometimes I wear a full face, which will not hang from mirror or bars, and if I have something strapped to the passenger pillion, there isn't room for it to sit on the sissy bar so I either have to carry it or sit it on the ground. When I go to work I have a backpack with my rain suit, cold weather gloves, an extra flannel jacket, my lunch, mail, and a book. My riding jacket get strapped on the passenger pillion going to work and I wear it home. I wear a dickies style shirt every day with 2 front pockets that carry my cell phone in one for quick access and my security access badge for work also for quick accessibility.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,573
Likes: 113
From: Fort Worth, TX
I like to switch the bike off and coast/roll the last few feet before parking....."hey look, he is riding the bike and it's off"
Yeah, it's goofy but I have a weird sense of humor anyway
Yeah, it's goofy but I have a weird sense of humor anyway
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,071
Likes: 89
From: NEPA
Before I even get on the bike I like to do 1 front flip, moon walk for 5 feet and then throw salt over my OL head. 
Seriously though, people watching is a blast. Boat docks, bars and the beach are the best places to do it.
Seriously though, people watching is a blast. Boat docks, bars and the beach are the best places to do it.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 246
Likes: 5
From: Norfolk VA
I've been riding for a few months, I agree.
I only recently got my system down where I don't think about it.
Hit the kill switch, take the key out and lock the forks, drop the kickstand, and hop off the bike as I grab the key.
If I'm stopping somewhere, helmet with gloves inside goes on the right handle.
I only recently got my system down where I don't think about it.
Hit the kill switch, take the key out and lock the forks, drop the kickstand, and hop off the bike as I grab the key.
If I'm stopping somewhere, helmet with gloves inside goes on the right handle.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 537
Likes: 1
From: Southern California
I have it written down, I pull out the checklist and away I go.
For some reason I get a lot of people staring at me..
For some reason I get a lot of people staring at me..
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Never had a ritual. Damn i dont even lock my bike....turn the ignition on or off dismount hang the helmet on the closest part of the bike and away i go...go ahead, steal it, i have insurance and gap!!!
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 945
Likes: 3
From: Oklahoma City
Starting off. I sit on bike, put on helmet, put on gloves, stand bike up & raise stand, pray, start bike and ride off.
Stopping. Like Big Al I usually kill the engine a few feet before I stop and coast to a stop, put down stand and lean bike onto it, take off gloves and helmet, stick gloves nto helmet and hang helmet on handgrip. Or lock helmet to lock on end of handgrip, lock steering and ignition if I'm going to be away from bike for a while.
Stopping. Like Big Al I usually kill the engine a few feet before I stop and coast to a stop, put down stand and lean bike onto it, take off gloves and helmet, stick gloves nto helmet and hang helmet on handgrip. Or lock helmet to lock on end of handgrip, lock steering and ignition if I'm going to be away from bike for a while.