Motorcycles and motorcyclists
 

Let's talk about bikes! What do you ride, and how long have you been riding? Is there a bike you've been lusting after? Are you a member of a club or motorcycle group? How did you learn to ride?

This weekend was the once a year International Motorcycle Show here in NYC. I always get so jazzed up, even when the show is just so-so. All the new models are on display, and you can sit on everything. I'm just bursting with thoughts about all things motorcycle related, so I decided to start a thread.

I ride a Yamaha '01 FZ1, an '04 R6, (track-only), and an EX500 as a spare street bike. I used to have a bunch more bikes in my backyard, some of which could have been coaxed into running with a little time and patience, but they were drowned under 6' of salt water in Hurricane Sandy. I'm thrilled that I saved the three running bikes.

I started riding in San Francisco in 1981. A friend taught me to ride in a parking lot, and I almost immediately took off for home, (NYC), on my first solo cross country ride. It was a glorious, circuitous amble up, down, and around the U.S. and Canada. Learning to ride a motorcycle was about the best thing I ever did for myself.

I'm a founding member of the Sirens Women's Motorcycle Club in NYC. We've led the NYC Pride Parade every year since 1987. I'm the founder of a political organisation that works for riders in New York. We work on issues such as rider safety, parking, lane-sharing legislation, etc. I'm also a track day devotee. That means we take our bikes to the racetrack and ride around all day just for fun and skills enhancement. (No racing allowed.) I'm a track day instructor for Fishtail Riding School.

The object of my lust right now is a BMW S100RR. It's got electronic everything. I don't understand any of it, and I don't care. I rode one at the track, and I've never looked so good. That bike made me ride like a superhero. I want one!

http://motorcycle-specs.com/general/..._C90T-2005.jpg


hey Cheryl...GREAT thread idea!!
Above is an image of my exact bike (except mine was a gun metal grey with Navy metaflake insets on fenders. All else is exact same. Nice beefy cruiser....:).
I began riding in Atlanta in 1990...my first ride was a Honda 650..gold and black..lol.
In 2005 I began to ride again with my wife (who is now an angel..:)...)
We started the local chapter of W.O.W. (Women On Wheels (r)) which is a motorcycle group for women. Our Chapter was B.R.A.T.S. (Babes Riding Around the South). I was Chapter Director for our chapter from onset to dissolution in 2011. We held monthly meetings and then rode to many great destinations. We had 24 members.
A debilitating accident May 2006 left me with permanent disability, and inability to ride any more. BUT I still drove my "cage" and attended all meetings and went on all rides...:).
We rode in our local parades, raised money for many local charities, and made huge donations to CAPA and Coda (shelters for women & kids).
Yes, I do miss it, and there is nothing like the freedom of riding with the wind blowing your hair, being free to enjoy open countryside.
I did attend and pass a local motorcycle course training. I am still with my Trike license, and I keep my motorcycle license current (renew every year)Thanks for the memories, Cheryl. Yours are incredible. Keep the rubber side down and the breeze between your knees, my friend!!!

Thanks for the pics Parker and Clay. I wish I knew how to post some of my own in this thread. (Don't bother to explain it. I'm really horrible at this.) I hope you both are able to get trikes sometime soon.

Hey Cheryl! Great thread!

I'm now on a Honda VTX 1300C and recently celebrated a goal long in the making. After 5 cross country trips and twice to Alaska I had the opportunity to fly to Hawaii where I had to (unfortunately) rent a bike finally. But it enabled me to finish my goal of riding through all 50 states! And this is a beautiful country to ride through.

The first 3 trips were on a 1985 Yamaha Virago 700c I still have that bike. My longest lasting relationship :) After that a Suzuki 1500LC Intruder to a Harley Softtail Deluxe to my present VTX. I also have an old Honda Twinstar that I'm about to start rebuilding.

I'm one of 3 founding members of Crimson Steel Women's Motorcycle Club with members in Texas, Washington and California

Great thread !!!

My first bike, 1991 Honda CBR 600 ... Go fast or go home was that bikes motto, I loved that bike, even after a horrific accident on it I had it fixed and I kept it. That was my baby, I kept it for years in the garage till this boy kept bugging me to sell it. So I did, I weeped a little on the inside when I heard he lasted a few months and sold it. Had I known, I would have bought it back.

My second bike, 2006 Honda VTX1300R, loved loved that bike.. The big retro style with the rounded fenders. I called it my poor mans fatboy. I kept that bike for two years and sold it.

My third bike 2007 Harley Davidson Road King, my second baby. That was my gem, pearl white. I remember getting that bike, I bought it from my StepDad because, my mother didnt like riding on the back of it. So, his loss my gain. I made a few mods on it. I added a full fairing system so it looked like a StreetGlide. I rode it just this past summer 3500 miles round trip in one weeks to tame 'The Tail of the Dragon' in NC. I loved that bike.

My fourth and recently acquired bike on Halloween this year. 2012 Harley Davidson Road Glide. Big Yellow/ShortBus. Shes big, shes yellow. Shes, something. I saw this bike and I fell in love instantly. You know as being a biker, if your ass aint happy you aint going to be happy on a bike. Well when I took it for a ride, my ass was happy. Now she sits in the garage, waiting for that nice day to take a peek at the roads. I am looking foward to putting some miles on her. I traded in the Road King with 37K miles for this bike. points below for what my new bike looks like. I had a pic in the gallery, but I took it down a while ago.

http://www.libertyharley.com/images/...2/FLTRX103.jpg

As for clubs, I am a founding member of the local woman's riding chapter here in Maine and currently the Director. Its a division of WOW, the same as what Clay was associated with.



Again Cheryl, thanks for starting this thread.

Maybe, we all can hook up for a lil BFP ride in .. some time. I know I can hit NYC pretty easily.

I know this summer, I am trying to make Americade and trying to convince my friends to ship our bikes the California to do a one way cross country.

We will see what the future holds, but be certain, I maybe coming to a city near you !!!


looking forward to all the replies and other peoples stories and rides.

A BFP ride-in would be waaay fun. I wonder if Virago and Parker, (after she gets her trike), would ride to the E. Coast to join us?

Cheryl, I'd ride back in a New York Minute! I'm overdue for a tune-up on my New York accent anyway :)

Hey Clay!
How do you post a photo in the threads?

Wheels go round and round...
 

My neighbor started me on a "tote-goat" in an apple orchard, 6th grade.
I hit a tree.

I used to ride my neighbors Suzuki 250, until I ran through a fence post and broke my leg in the 9th grade.

Totaled my first Work Issued Motorcycle when I got hit by an 80 year old.. bruised legs from handle bars and a sprained wrist ! I shoulda gotten the hint somewhere in there but ... I keep riding :)

I've owned so many motorcycles, from trail to racing to sport to sport touring to touring, but I currently ride a
BMW F650 Dakar. I take it up to Canada, Alaska, NW Territories and the Yukon for my dual sport adventures. Currently planning on riding the Backroads discovery route >> here<< this summer.
I have a Road King, that I ride daily at work.
I am looking to buy a Harley Davidson Ultra Touring motorcycle to replace the one I sold last year :(

I dont belong to any clubs or organizations and I normally dont ride with groups, I'm the one escorting them !
I'll post pictures in the Gallery of some of work, my trips and bikes.

Great thread ! Thanks for starting it !

Boots, I made it 40 miles before the NW territory! I have to get back up there. I made it to Eagles Landing (I think that's the name) up by the Arctic Circle

http://images.canadianlisted.com/nla...ro_4884870.jpg

I started riding only a couple of years ago after my partner died, I decided that life was too short. Plus I hadn't been allowed to ride before that. hahaha

I bought myself a 2003 Honda Shadow American Classic Edition. Similar to the one in the picture except mine was all red and chrome. I loved that bike.

Unfortunately last summer I slid it off the highway. I hadn't eaten all day and we had been riding for hours. I zoned out and was onto the shoulder before it registered that it was a corner. I was very lucky as it was a soft shoulder and I was wearing all my gear. A couple of broken ribs a small bit of road rash on the hip and the expensive repairs (I didn't want to go through insurance as a new rider, it would have cost me more in the long run).

When I first started riding I took a course that the guys recommended. They had a lot of women there and they were excellent. It helped a lot.

I sold my bike before my move and was gong to replace it when I got out here but now I am moving back and most likely won't have time to ride for a while with all that is going on there. I will ride again though.

I would like something a bit smaller, I have weak hands and I struggled under the weight of that bike.

Cool thread
 

I got a bonanza mini bike when I was 10' then I got a Honda 90 2 years later.....fast forward many bikes later...Honda cmt ,sportsters,kit bikes....

And now my 2006 dynamic wide glide with Vance Hines drag pipes...

I,m good to go....appx 9 trips to sturgis and I am a 11 years patched member of the iron pigs.

Gonna get a fat boy to go along with my wide glide.


I also have a Honda riding lawn mower lol.... It's a cruiser!


Gotta love 2 wheels

I had been riding for quite awhile before I finally took a course. When we started the Sirens we made a rule that everyone had to have taken a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course at least once in order to join. Those of us who were already members took it as a group at a school where one of our founding members was an MSF instructor. I had no idea how many things I had been doing wrong! I've been eager to take classes and hone my skills ever since.

Safety , Passengers, Experiences, Scooters ?
 

I wonder if we can expand this thread into safety and personal experiences? There is so much valuable experience here! I had no idea !

I'd love to also hear from passengers and their experiences ..what makes them feel comfortable? Why they enjoy riding?

LOL, I love Motorcycles, scooters, trail bikes, lawn mowers (firegal, you cracked me up with that one) wheels and a motor counts ! :scooter:

I'll ride anything with a motor !!

My first car was a bike. lol 1983 I was 18 and a Marine just reported to my first duty station, and I bought a Honda CB750. I really wanted a Honda Shadow but it was out of my price range. I had the CB 750 custom for 1 solid week when I got hit by a drunk driver. After the casts came off and the burns healed 3 months later with the insurance money I was able to afford the Honda Shadow. Remember that saying be careful what you wish for..... lmao. All is well that ends well I suppose. I have owned yamaha's dirt bikes etc... I have always had a bike. I own a Harley Softail Standard now.
I would like to get a custom bike with the extra wide rear tire, chopped out slightly with 8 in risers and drag bars like I have now, but I want a big fuel tank so I don't want it chopped out too much. Either that or another Harley Softtail or a WideGlide. I don't belong to any riding groups.

I take passengers, but its rare, for benefit rides. If I am dating someone, I will take them.

But I totally get what you are saying about the what ifs and everyone else on the road that you have to be aware of.

As far as safety goes , I drive for a living so I have a little more safe driver training than most people do. And a little more driving experience than most as well. But when I am on my bike, I am constantly antisipating the worst possible scenerio and adjusting myself accordingly. I always assume no one sees me and try to stay prepared to make quick adjustments and quick moves and I always look for an out , like a shoulder or grass, should the worse possible scenerio unfold . So far it has worked well for me.
When I was hit by the drunk driver back in 1983 I was a very new cyclist and unexperienced driver. I was actually sitting at a red light when it all happened, but still I look back and I made alot of mistakes and I am sure I could have avoided it , knowing what I know today. Being a good defensive driver, I like to think is the key to being a safe driver. To me it doesn't matter who is at fault , a broken bone hurts the same way if it was your fault or someone elses. So I want to avoid the accident all together, for example I never tell myself , he has the yield sign not me. Now when I am in my tractor trailer I might say that from time to time. But not out loud. lol :)

I sold my bike about 3 years ago. I had a 2004, 1600cc Kawasaki Mean Streak, candy green. I miss it. I took my rear pegs off, so I couldnt ride anyone, and put a single stilleto seat on it.

Great idea! I have very little experience as a passenger, so I would be quite interested in hearing about riding from the pillion perspective.

I would love to own a vintage Indian or even a Harley one day. Living in Tucson means it's motorcycle weather pretty much year round, and someday I'd love to have a vintage Vespa...once my girls are old enough to drive.

As a rider I know it's important to be still when on the back of a bike. And I love making the hand signals at other motorcyclists.

I also know it's entirely possible to ride a motorcycle in 3" heels and a sundress. ;)

I've been hit in accidents more times than I care to admit. I've been lucky enough to walk away several times, I had a few broken bones in my second most serious accident in 2002, and I was creamed in a VERY serious accident in 2011. Ironically, I was going about 15 mph when I got hit from behind by someone who made an illegal turn right through me. The final tally of the breaks they could find was 23. If there were more I'll never know. Despite all that, I take passengers whenever it seems convenient. Yes, something terrible could happen one day, and I wouldn't be able to live with myself.

I do track days, I teach at the track, and I run a parking lot skills brush-up before our Sirens Opening Ride every spring. Instructing is actually very educational for me. As they say, teaching means learning twice. Even with all the track riding I do, I still take the MSF experienced rider course with the Sirens every two years because I'm serious about keeping my skills as sharp as possible. An MSF professional might find a bad habit I wouldn't be able to perceive in myself. Even with all that, I'm obviously still just as vulnerable as any other rider.

My urban passengers always get a big thrill because I'm an aggressive NYC rider, and I really know my way around my home town. My highway passengers are just as happy. I was terribly ignorant about everything when I started riding. I immediately started carrying passengers who were much larger than I was, and I did it on the hills and trolly tracks of San Francisco where I learned to ride. I just didn't know that my passengers were supposed to be smaller than me. I've never had trouble taking a passenger who is twice my weight or better, and so I do.

So, why am I not reasonably fearful that something bad could happen to my passenger one day? Especially since I would likely sign my house over and put a gun to my head if that ever did happen? I have no rational answer for that reasonable question.

Yes! I've done it in 4" heels and a minidress. The trick is to wear pointy toed pumps. Then you can still catch the shifter with the tip of your shoe even when your heel is hooked over the footpeg.

Yes, it is. As has been stated several times. (I'm late to the party)(f) . My last bike was a Vespa and I rode fully femme.

I came to my senses and sold my bike a few years ago and don't ride anything but a bicycle any more. Cars and Trucks are so distracted they don't see us. I'm just not willing to take the risk any more. It's sad, as I loved riding.

My first bike was a little indian mini bike when I was seven. Then two years later, my brother and I had a 70cc
*something* that we learned to use a clutch on, and from that point on, we were never motorcycle less. We
rode lots of trails. I bought my first road bike when I was 16. It was a suzuki 185. I rode that bike for years! 400 cc
is a good sized bike for me and it's the largest I've ever ridden, I've never been on the back of a bike. TOO DANGEROUS.

I'm so sorry that you don't ride anymore. Everyone makes that decision for themselves, and I remind myself that it's not my business to question. That said, I wish you didn't feel as if your decision to stop riding meant that you "came to (your) senses".

quit jumpin' around back there...
 

I hear you on riding passengers. I'm a strong rider, but if the passenger swings head and shoulders to look at something it throws the whole center of gravity off and I'm left trying to play catch-up on the balance thingy...kind of important to have on two wheels at slow speed.


...and another thing -

WATCH OUT FOR LEFT TURNERS !!!

You know, the clueless drivers that are doing the 100 yard stare right through you...as they turn left in front of you from a side street...
or they turn left in front of you from oncoming lanes.

They're like a bunch of Zombie drivers or something..brains, brains...they're missing their brains ! Worse yet, they're after mine :(

Thought you were gonna say they are after your FRITTERS! lol

Left turners are the most dangerous!

Lol......I have noticed the additional bonus to the zombie drivers.....when they turn left in front of me on my motorcycle, there is often a dent already on their right front fender or door. A legacy that seems to survive time's test. Now I only ride for pleasure, my first bike 25 years ago, I have been hit twice in similar scenarios once slid with the bike, once kept it up. I love the wind and it is difficult to give that up. I know several of you in this thread and I bet as a group others vehicles would both see and never forget us! Ha!

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.n...466_4321_n.jpg

This is a pic of my first bike 1100cc Yamaha V-Star I sold it after an major injury to my shoulder and nerves in my throttle arm/hand-the size was more than I could deal with
I am currently looking for something to tool around on.

http://img1.findthebest.com/sites/de...50X_426355.png
This is the bike I'm considering 2013 Suzuki tu250x or a scooter- LOL
something easy to handle and fun to get around town on

Believe it or not, a young woman took one of these 250cc Suzies to one of our track days. It was her first track day, and she had a blast.