Motorcycles and motorcyclists

[CherylNYC]

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?

[Parker]

I started riding when I was a baby dyke in the Navy stationed in San Diego in 1992. I didnt want a car, so I bought an old 1982 Suzuki 450 and after the guy I bought it from sat in my driveway and explained to me how to work everything, I self-taught the rest of the way. I guess I figured since I already knew how to drive a stick, riding a bike should be a piece of cake.

Man 21 year olds have no fear. lol






I had that bike for maybe a year and it broke down so I bought another old bike, a 1982 Honday Magna 750 and rode that one for a few years while living first in San Diego and then up near Fresno (NAS Lemoore, CA) until about 1997 when I decided to move back to IL. I very sadly traded in my bike for a car and then didnt ride again until 2010.

In 2010 I decided it was time to start riding again and I got a Suzuki Marauder 800:





I rode that around for a couple of years - until this past fall when I decided that I shouldnt ride any longer because I no longer had the strength to hold it up & I miss her already.

If I can afford to get another one, it will be a trike so I can still ride but dont have to worry about holding the bike up, balance issues, etc.

I never joined any clubs, but I considered it - and my dream bike is a Harley Dyna Wide Glide - but again, I would need a trike at this point if I was going to continue to ride, so my new dream is something similar to this:

[CherylNYC]

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!

[durrrrrrrr]

I have a Harley Sportster. i have had this bike for yearsss. yes, i want to get a new bike and get either a Dyna wide glide or softail deluxe. but, i have had this sportster for so long. i know this bike, i know how it handles and how it reacts. which to me, is very important.

i just moved south a couple years ago and the first year, i put more miles on my bike in 3 months then what i did in a full year when i lived up north. love the thought of firing up the bike in January!

dont belong in any clubs or anything like that. i like riding alone. i know if i want to turn somewhere, i just do it. i dont mind riding with someone else. but just not a big fan of riding with several people.

when i first started riding, i did take a riding course for three reasons . i figured that could teach me something that i would help me out and the company i worked for paid for the riding course and it also gave me a discount on my insurance for the bike. ( which that doesnt go in effect anymore ) the one thing that the course did teach me was how to prepare myself for trailing a passenger. they told me to put a big ole bad of dog food on the back, strap it down and that will help me get the feel of turning, riding the curves , it will help me feel the weight in the back. well, i did that once. i put the bag of dog food on the back, tied it down. and i was going through a neighborhood, riding slow speed and all of a sudden every freakin dog in the neighborhood was chasing me...i was like WTF? i am use to a dog or two, but this many??? i didnt know until i got home that they bag of dog food had gotten a hole in it and trails of dog food was dropping onto the street..LMAO. which is why i had sooo many dogs chasing me for food. LMAO.

I LOVE riding! i love the peace and quiet. i feel relaxed, well, when riding out in the country. now riding in the city or town....I am paying attn to every single move any vehicle makes. cant tell ya how many times i have had to swerve, slam on my brakes...just because ppl didnt see me. but, that has also taught me when i am driving my truck, that the bikes are out there...be aware and pay attn!


good thread!

[clay]

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!!!

[CherylNYC]

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.

[clay]

Originally Posted by CherylNYC

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.

It is easy to post pics, Cheryl....
You are most welcome. What was sad is the lady who hit me was 81 yr. old, she made an illegal lane change, an illegal U Turn, and left the scene...all she got was a $237.50 fine for Failure To Yield Right of Way.
It happened right in front of the hospital my wife worked in teh ER at, and she was behind me on her bike, and watched the whole thing unfold. I slid another 75 feet on the pavement before I got stopped...so, yes, I am really leery of "cagers" and bikes now....

[Virago]

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

[Cole610]

The first bike I ever rode was a 1977 AMF - Harley Davidson. 250 cc.
It was purple in colour, it was bad ass, I was 14.
My father purchased the bike for the “family” 6 kids. I was the only one
who rode it. No one could pry my hands from the bars.
I drove the bike illegally for about 2 yrs and after numerous small wipe outs I finally
had to put it out to pasture after I went flying into a ditch. I flew over the handle bars face first into black berry brambles. I had numerous small droplets of blood running down my face and one tear.

[pajama]

I rode my friends mini bike when I was about 10.....right into a tree.

Then about seven years ago I took the motorcycle class and passed it with the highest grade. Then I went to test drive bikes. I found a couple I could actually fit on and hold up. But being on the road with traffic, even just for the test drive, scared the hell out of me so I never got a bike.

Then a couple of years ago my best friend got a Can-am Spyder. It looked so cool and had three wheels so I wouldn't have to hold it up and it's big. But damn at the price...oh well.

Then a month ago she tells me she's selling it because she never rides it and wants the money for another expense. She sold it to me for a song, and threw in two helmets, winter and summer gloves, winter and summer jackets.

So I finally have a bike! It's the Spyder RTS, the touring version. My friend never skimps, so it is loaded with all kinds of bells and whistles. It's my daily driver. I've almost put more miles on it in the month I've had it than she did in the two years she did.

I'm not in any clubs, but am in a couple of groups on FB that also ride locally. I'll be joining them for my first long ride next weekend. Down country roads to Lynchburg. Then this October I'll be going to Spyders in the Smokies and riding the Dragon!

[CherylNYC]

Originally Posted by pajama

I rode my friends mini bike when I was about 10.....right into a tree.

Then about seven years ago I took the motorcycle class and passed it with the highest grade. Then I went to test drive bikes. I found a couple I could actually fit on and hold up. But being on the road with traffic, even just for the test drive, scared the hell out of me so I never got a bike.

Then a couple of years ago my best friend got a Can-am Spyder. It looked so cool and had three wheels so I wouldn't have to hold it up and it's big. But damn at the price...oh well.

Then a month ago she tells me she's selling it because she never rides it and wants the money for another expense. She sold it to me for a song, and threw in two helmets, winter and summer gloves, winter and summer jackets.

So I finally have a bike! It's the Spyder RTS, the touring version. My friend never skimps, so it is loaded with all kinds of bells and whistles. It's my daily driver. I've almost put more miles on it in the month I've had it than she did in the two years she did.

I'm not in any clubs, but am in a couple of groups on FB that also ride locally. I'll be joining them for my first long ride next weekend. Down country roads to Lynchburg. Then this October I'll be going to Spyders in the Smokies and riding the Dragon!

That's a great story. I hope your trip is fantastic.

[clay]

This is a great story!!!! PJ...you will LOVE Tail O' the Dragon.....it is very near my homeplace....it is 22 hairpin curves over 11 miles!!! There is a tree of shame....you will have to see.
I was Chapter Director for about 7 years for our group B.R.A.T.S. (Babes riding around the South) a local chapter of Women on Wheels. Group now defunct...sadly! I LOVED our group!!!

Anyway, you will truly love that area of NC! The Smokies is some great riding. Check out Cherohola Skyway for more great riding areas!

Safe travels!

Originally Posted by pajama

I rode my friends mini bike when I was about 10.....right into a tree.

Then about seven years ago I took the motorcycle class and passed it with the highest grade. Then I went to test drive bikes. I found a couple I could actually fit on and hold up. But being on the road with traffic, even just for the test drive, scared the hell out of me so I never got a bike.

Then a couple of years ago my best friend got a Can-am Spyder. It looked so cool and had three wheels so I wouldn't have to hold it up and it's big. But damn at the price...oh well.

Then a month ago she tells me she's selling it because she never rides it and wants the money for another expense. She sold it to me for a song, and threw in two helmets, winter and summer gloves, winter and summer jackets.

So I finally have a bike! It's the Spyder RTS, the touring version. My friend never skimps, so it is loaded with all kinds of bells and whistles. It's my daily driver. I've almost put more miles on it in the month I've had it than she did in the two years she did.

I'm not in any clubs, but am in a couple of groups on FB that also ride locally. I'll be joining them for my first long ride next weekend. Down country roads to Lynchburg. Then this October I'll be going to Spyders in the Smokies and riding the Dragon!

[SmoothButch]

Sturgis, SD... Rented an Indian and rode Badlands! So much fun, highly recommend.

[CherylNYC]

Our first track day of the season on Monday. I'll finally be riding the bike of my dreams. It's a new-to-me BMW S1000RR!!!!