amazing or maybe unbelievable?
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,881
Likes: 34
From: USA
I did the vast majority of my crashing on my metric bikes back in the 1970's...much easier to pick up a 350lb bike...after 3 get offs at the hands (or should I say wheels) of cagers...I decided to take a less aggressive approach to motorcycling realizing that no matter who had the "right of way" I was destined to lose in the mass equation. I did fall over once in a Shell station a the pump and crashed doing wheelies behind a bar but that was largely due to not realizing that Yamaha + Budweiser = Pavement
Today....I am much more reserved.
But learning on a 350lb bike is easier than a 700lb bike and that is a fact.
Today....I am much more reserved.
But learning on a 350lb bike is easier than a 700lb bike and that is a fact.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10,394
Likes: 1,868
From: California
yup my first bike was a honda trail 50 when I was like 4 months old. Dad got it for me so I could get a job. He told me if I didn't start paying rent by 1 my *** was OUT kidding.
I was probably 6-7 when I got it 46 now. Then I progressed up through yz 250s with a couple of hodakas through in. I did a lot of amatuer racing it was a great family Saturday activity. Excellent way to learn how to control the big an redistribute your weight quickly and efficiently. Although I broke a lot of stuff on my body. Giving a young wild eyed redneck a yz 125 or RM 125 when he is 12 is not smart. In looking back on it I think my dad was trying to kill me.
Would have been nice to have all the safety gear they have now. All we had were pants, MX buckle boots, and some of us had shoulder pads and helmets. Spent 1 summer with my Jaw wired that SUCKED...
I forgot fun for us in small town Warner Robins Georgia was to find a local patrol cop ride up flip him off and try and get away on the dirt bikes. I think they liked that as much as we did though to be honest. This was late 70s small boring massively redneck town. The cops were probably doing similar things as teens to cops just 10 yrs before.
Last edited by RoaringRigid; Feb 7, 2012 at 08:54 AM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10,394
Likes: 1,868
From: California
I did the vast majority of my crashing on my metric bikes back in the 1970's...much easier to pick up a 350lb bike...after 3 get offs at the hands (or should I say wheels) of cagers...I decided to take a less aggressive approach to motorcycling realizing that no matter who had the "right of way" I was destined to lose in the mass equation. I did fall over once in a Shell station a the pump and crashed doing wheelies behind a bar but that was largely due to not realizing that Yamaha + Budweiser = Pavement
Today....I am much more reserved.
But learning on a 350lb bike is easier than a 700lb bike and that is a fact.
Today....I am much more reserved.
But learning on a 350lb bike is easier than a 700lb bike and that is a fact.
Weird I did a lot of experimenting as a teen with that equation as well. I think we have both come to the same conclusions... Physics is weird like that.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 892
Likes: 11
From: Northern NY
I started on dirt bikes in the early 70's, then onto an enduro for a taste of road riding. Then onto a small road bike, CX 500 by Honda. I had my share of wrecks on the dirt and have a few chips in one shin to verify it. Finally got on a large touring bike in 07 after a 20 year sabatis from the hobby with a growing family. I feel that learning on a dirt bike in the dirt is a good way to start but I'm sure those who start on the road learn well also. I don't think there are many of us who haven't "dropped" a bike in a parking lot or garage especially the heavier touring bikes. As far as road wrecks, it hasn't happened yet, thank the good Lord. Hopefully when and if it does it will be forgiving enough to leave me in good health.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,881
Likes: 34
From: USA
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 4,806
Likes: 12
From: In a house down by the river
Been there, done that, forgot to put stand down.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3,356
Likes: 2
From: Las Vegas, NV
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,158
Likes: 68
From: Martinsburg, WV
There was a thread on here where forumers were trying to convince someone that a Road King would be a good bike to learn to ride on.
I was more than happy to point out the thread where the guy won a road king and dumped it several times while trying to learn before figuring out that it was indeed too much bike and purchasing something smaller to learn on.
I was more than happy to point out the thread where the guy won a road king and dumped it several times while trying to learn before figuring out that it was indeed too much bike and purchasing something smaller to learn on.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: western illinois
well, i'll probably get slammed but here goes, got my 1st and only bike in 04, a 98 wideglide, i was 48 and thought what the hell, sink or swim, had never been on a bike before, put 1000 miles on it just riding around the neighborhood and at the local high school parking lot never got out of 2nd. then took a riders course, dropped it once, i was turning a corner after stopping at an intersection, it popped and died, it was more like a laydown than a drop, got a small scratch on the muffler, thank god the car behind me had a senior from the high school who was a defensive tackle, and helped me get it back up! in 05-06 went to sturgis and logged alot of miles without incident, i agree alot of people should start on something smaller, maybe i should have, but alot of it is your frame of mind. i got all the stupid **** out of my head years ago, i never drink on the bike, dont feel i have to show off for anyone, realize the bike is always the boss, even when the wifes with me, and dont take any cages for granted! oh yeah, no chaps or finger less gloves lol. and i do wear a dew rag, to keep the sun from burning my folicle challenged head. have a great day, and keep it between the fence posts.