Old rider's opinion
#181
01-12-2019, 01:46 PM
#182
10-27-2019, 04:21 PM
Here's to the new riders in 2020!
I was reading a post from some "experienced" rider bashing some new ones and I got to thinking. After 41 years in the saddle, if I was sitting on a barstool next to you here is what I would tell you:
1. Glad you took up riding! Changed my life way back when and hope you get a passion for it too.
2. Forget the image thing. Popular culture is kind of like music you know. From swing to twist to disco to pop to whatever the hell you kids do these days! A rider in Boot Hill Saloon on main street in 1975 would probably be incarcerated pretty quickly today.
3. Get great gear that lasts. It will be cheaper and more functional in the long run. A great leather jacket that will last you 40 years is worth $600. If it serves a purpose, wear it. If it doesn't, its extra gear to carry.
4. Its ok to be an idiot. We've all been there. Just learn to be safe. If you want to sit at a stop light and blip your throttle, you'll get over it eventually. Of course, these days you might get a ticket. In the old days, if you rode a Harley in the wrong part of town, you were an automatic hoodlum. Now most Harley customers probably live in better sections of towns to be able to afford them.
5. Its not a horsepower competition. Unless you've really been taught, your ability will never come close to matching a newer bikes capability. So don't waste you money on "mods" unless something really bugs you.
6. Last, go on road trips. Longer the better. I don't mean on a trailer. Become an motorcycle enthusiast (hope I spelled it right). The road is really what being a biker is about. New places, new roads, new friends. Wont matter if they ride Bmw, Honda or Harley. People who ride for the road appreciate motorcycles regardless of the brand and will strike up friendships and share experiences.
1. Glad you took up riding! Changed my life way back when and hope you get a passion for it too.
2. Forget the image thing. Popular culture is kind of like music you know. From swing to twist to disco to pop to whatever the hell you kids do these days! A rider in Boot Hill Saloon on main street in 1975 would probably be incarcerated pretty quickly today.
3. Get great gear that lasts. It will be cheaper and more functional in the long run. A great leather jacket that will last you 40 years is worth $600. If it serves a purpose, wear it. If it doesn't, its extra gear to carry.
4. Its ok to be an idiot. We've all been there. Just learn to be safe. If you want to sit at a stop light and blip your throttle, you'll get over it eventually. Of course, these days you might get a ticket. In the old days, if you rode a Harley in the wrong part of town, you were an automatic hoodlum. Now most Harley customers probably live in better sections of towns to be able to afford them.
5. Its not a horsepower competition. Unless you've really been taught, your ability will never come close to matching a newer bikes capability. So don't waste you money on "mods" unless something really bugs you.
6. Last, go on road trips. Longer the better. I don't mean on a trailer. Become an motorcycle enthusiast (hope I spelled it right). The road is really what being a biker is about. New places, new roads, new friends. Wont matter if they ride Bmw, Honda or Harley. People who ride for the road appreciate motorcycles regardless of the brand and will strike up friendships and share experiences.
The following 5 users liked this post by kojak:
1999 flstf (06-10-2020),
5wheels (10-28-2019),
CrBear (06-09-2020),
ve9aa (10-27-2019),
Vernal (10-27-2019)
#183
10-27-2019, 06:32 PM
Road Master
#186
06-09-2020, 05:26 AM
Stellar HDF Member
Motorcycles mean different things to different folks. For me, I'm with Kojak.
Motorcycle rallies anymore seem to be a fashion show podium for posers. Hey, if trailering your bike to an event, re-cleaning and re-polishing it after unloading, getting all decked out in a costume then hanging out and "playing the role" trips your trigger - go for it. Enjoy; who am I to judge?
I've got leather riding gear and despite treating it now and then, sun, wind, beer and time have given it "a look." Sometimes I'd wear brown boots and/or a brown belt; that's right - brown. Oh well, if my black ones were wet and my back-ups were brown ... oh well. While I have many (many!) black T-shirts I've been known to wear a blue, grey or even white one now and then. I love my leathers but I also have been known to don Aerostich or textile gear as well. Anymore, I wear a full face or modular helmet - even in states that do not require helmets; it's my choice - not the government's!
My bikes aren't always clean but the fluids are and are also at proper levels (only half way up on the engine oil if you want to know). My tires have the correct air pressure. You get caught in the rain on the road and road scum gets on your bike ... and you. Dust from the Iron Horse Saloon in Ormond gets on your bike if you park in the back lot. Packed dirt and gravel roads leading to some destinations make parts of the bike dirty. When I got back to the east coast from Sturgis last August I was happy to see some dirt from the rise (after a rain) up the hill to the Full Throttle still in some places behind my RG's fairing that I didn't notice earlier.
I enjoy motorcyling. I don't know if I'm a "biker" or not and I don't know if I am the type of rider idolized by newbies. I'll leave you to guess whether or not I care. I do hope that whatever motorcycles are to you that you enjoy it, that you (any your passenger if applicable) are safe and that you do not judge others or try to be like others.
I always thought that motorcycling - especially Harley motorcycling was about individualism and non-conformity, but some folks get down right judgmental if your non-conformity does not conform to their idea of non-conformity. I chuckle inside when I go to a hangout favorite place on my route two weekends ina row and get looked at differently when I'm on a Harley with black leather, a black T-shirt and doo-rag compared to when I'm on a Suzuki with textile. I'm the same guy and the wings and beer are just as good ... as is the ride.
Cheers.
Motorcycle rallies anymore seem to be a fashion show podium for posers. Hey, if trailering your bike to an event, re-cleaning and re-polishing it after unloading, getting all decked out in a costume then hanging out and "playing the role" trips your trigger - go for it. Enjoy; who am I to judge?
I've got leather riding gear and despite treating it now and then, sun, wind, beer and time have given it "a look." Sometimes I'd wear brown boots and/or a brown belt; that's right - brown. Oh well, if my black ones were wet and my back-ups were brown ... oh well. While I have many (many!) black T-shirts I've been known to wear a blue, grey or even white one now and then. I love my leathers but I also have been known to don Aerostich or textile gear as well. Anymore, I wear a full face or modular helmet - even in states that do not require helmets; it's my choice - not the government's!
My bikes aren't always clean but the fluids are and are also at proper levels (only half way up on the engine oil if you want to know). My tires have the correct air pressure. You get caught in the rain on the road and road scum gets on your bike ... and you. Dust from the Iron Horse Saloon in Ormond gets on your bike if you park in the back lot. Packed dirt and gravel roads leading to some destinations make parts of the bike dirty. When I got back to the east coast from Sturgis last August I was happy to see some dirt from the rise (after a rain) up the hill to the Full Throttle still in some places behind my RG's fairing that I didn't notice earlier.
I enjoy motorcyling. I don't know if I'm a "biker" or not and I don't know if I am the type of rider idolized by newbies. I'll leave you to guess whether or not I care. I do hope that whatever motorcycles are to you that you enjoy it, that you (any your passenger if applicable) are safe and that you do not judge others or try to be like others.
I always thought that motorcycling - especially Harley motorcycling was about individualism and non-conformity, but some folks get down right judgmental if your non-conformity does not conform to their idea of non-conformity. I chuckle inside when I go to a hangout favorite place on my route two weekends ina row and get looked at differently when I'm on a Harley with black leather, a black T-shirt and doo-rag compared to when I'm on a Suzuki with textile. I'm the same guy and the wings and beer are just as good ... as is the ride.
Cheers.
Last edited by Jehu; 06-09-2020 at 05:33 AM.
The following 3 users liked this post by Jehu:
#187
06-09-2020, 06:59 AM
Road Master
#188
06-09-2020, 09:58 AM
Banned
#189
06-10-2020, 05:56 AM
Kojak,
Loved your post but the one line gets me....
Your bikes a 131 right. 
I do agree most can not handle or use all the power of the new stock bikes. That said, I know I can not off the line out down all the power I have. I can and do use all the power riding the two lanes and mountains.
Loved your post but the one line gets me....
5. Its not a horsepower competition. Unless you've really been taught, your ability will never come close to matching a newer bikes capability. So don't waste you money on "mods" unless something really bugs you.
I do agree most can not handle or use all the power of the new stock bikes. That said, I know I can not off the line out down all the power I have. I can and do use all the power riding the two lanes and mountains.
#190
06-10-2020, 02:44 PM
Grand HDF Member
Don't have any intention of giving it up anytime soon.