be careful on those bikes too...

Eric,
I ride whenever the weather permits (no riding in rain or below 40). I've got two old bikes of a not Harley brand. I always like talking about motorcycle safety, I try to ride like every car out there has a laser lock on me. Most motorcycle accidents are the result of too much speed. Curves and intersections are not there to see how fast I can get through them.

Intersections are the trickiest to find safe passage, but I try to always be riding in a spot on the road where there is an "escape" path.

That being said, I've got one bike that goes 55 mpg for around town and one that goes 45 mpg for highway use. One bike has already paid for itself and the other will have paid for itself by summer's end. (I was able to get them cheap).

Chuck

We spend a lot of time on one of lakes that is at the start of the "tail of the Dragon" (313 curves in 11 miles or so). Check out www.killboy.com. Great scenery and a beautiful lake. During the first part of the day we see lots of bikes of all kinds from cruisers, sport bikes, and even some motards headed up. Its really a nice little side show to see the assortment of people, and bikes headed up there. Then a couple hours later we see an ambulance headed up, then on some occasions they use the boat ramp to air lift the bad ones out. I understand that just about all weekends this year there will be extra police patrols on the dragon to curb speeds on both cars and bikes.

At this point in my life, I enjoy the family time spent on the boat much more then the excitement of the motorcycle, although I do miss them on occasion and we live in such a beautiful place to ride. I do my best to watch for them, and so does my wife.

I rode bikes from the time I was 8 til I was 30, when I sold my favorite ,a '76 - 900 Kawi. Decided to give them up "til my kids were grown.


Well , 25 years later, the kids are grown.. and no bike. I trusted myself, but with all the distracted IDIOTS on the road today, I decided not to get back into them.. When ever I miss the bike,I just go out and look for another old CC!

So to all you bikers... BE SAFE!

Deal's Gap...of course. Heard of it...never would take our bike, '96 Heritage on that road. Maryville is where they build mc right? Might have to look you up in July.

john

Gotta have my bike. The only time I have not had a bike is from my marriage to my 1st wife until about 4 months after the divorce. Current wife loves to ride on the back. Not interested in riding on her own.
My current bike is a 1999 Honda Valkyrie Interstate with 83,000+ miles. I have riden in 47 states at least once. Last year we rode to Nova Scotia and then on to New Foundland. Been up into Canada on both the East and West coasts. You can see so much more on a bike.
Hope to ride the bike in Alaska next year ..

If I could pull the ski nautique behind the bike, I would be riding that to GL.

John, we're on the southside of Atlanta if your stopping by for dinner or lunch or whatever. Be nice to meet you and Patti if your interested. You planning on driving straight thru to Knoxville?

Thanks Tim...thats a thought. We usually drive up 75 to Macon (about 7 hours from home) and get a motel room to sleep for a couple of hours. But I can see us pushing on to south Atlanta...it ain't that much further. Maybe we can get off the road, get a light meal and a nap and be on our way. We are always in the mood to meet more of the great guys on here.

Friend of mine from the phone companyhad a 750 Kawi when they first came out and were the fastest production bike on the street. I had a Honda 350 at the time. Quite a difference riding his bike!

john

My best friend Alex & I have been riding bikes since the 8th grade. He retired from Ford Feb 07 and we planed to ride the "Tail of the Dragon" Mamorial Day , but my wifes sister and her husband were moving to Germany that week so we delayed our ride to the next weekend. Alex crashed that week doing a wheelie on a side street in Detroit his son "Little Alex" was right behind him.He called me in N.C. from the crash. I drove all night to see him in Henry Ford Hosp. He had a closed head injury, all of his ribs were broken on the right side ect... He was kept a live for 12 days for no aparent reason. He finally died of a blood infection. So,so sad to see my Best Freind go.He worked in the Ford Rouge plant from 18 to 53 He recived 1 retirement check in the hosp.
My bike is ready to ride but I've only been on it once since.
       

those things dont effect you until its close to home and im sure it was a deep loss and im sure he is your guardian looking over you..

I have 5 bikes in the garage (Hardtail Mtn, Full Suspension Freeride, Tandem, Road, and an old cruiser) I am currently searching for number 6 (searching for the right Prewar Schwinn, any leads?). Needless to say they are all pedal powered. Like motorcycles you really have to ride defensively when on the street watching for those who don't see you, and aslo deal with Drivers who don't think bicycles have any right to be on the pavement.       

I had 4 HOGs through the '90s, including a 1200 sportster custom for my wife. She worked at Harley in the HOG dept so we went on the Posse Ride in 1999 and to Sturgis, etc as part of her job.

I went down in Los Angeles on the 101 in '92 - no helmet - leathers strapped to the headlight. Got damn lucky that nothing too permanent happened to me.

Rode 'til I had twins in 2000. Always planned to do it as a family but then the little kid came along and I wasn't keen on a side car.

That put us into boats and I think I'm happier anyhow. Maybe we'll add bikes when my daughters can join us on their own cycles.

Don't forget, the new Harley museum should be open by the time the GL 08 happens. It would be a 10 minute detour to check it out. It should be pretty spectacular.

Also, to Jbear and others, if you want to come to the 105th HD reunion, don't forget you have a friend in Milwaukee that could put you up.

RainDog wrote: I had 4 HOGs through the '90s, including a 1200 sportster custom for my wife. She worked at Harley in the HOG dept so we went on the Posse Ride in 1999 and to Sturgis, etc as part of her job. I went down in Los Angeles on the 101 in '92 - no helmet - leathers strapped to the headlight. Got damn lucky that nothing too permanent happened to me. Rode 'til I had twins in 2000. Always planned to do it as a family but then the little kid came along and I wasn't keen on a side car. That put us into boats and I think I'm happier anyhow. Maybe we'll add bikes when my daughters can join us on their own cycles. Don't forget, the new Harley museum should be open by the time the GL 08 happens. It would be a 10 minute detour to check it out. It should be pretty spectacular. Also, to Jbear and others, if you want to come to the 105th HD reunion, don't forget you have a friend in Milwaukee that could put you up.

Cool Dog,
I'll be moving in then for a weekend... Picked up a Road King (Third Harley)... Carrie and I will be in the Badlands in Aug, so don't worry, it will be GL time for Labor day LOL...

Moj'

update on the fire hydrant dude: couple of broken ribs and banged up a bit, i was concerned and made some calls to the TFD and said he made it through. someone was looking over his shoulder, im just glad to hear he was allright

Moj,
Bring it, bro! Seriously. A day or the whole weekend. You could stay at the house with us or if you wanted to come up with another couple, I have an apartment you could use for the weekend.

The door is open, you just have to go through it...

'Till now, I didn't realize that the 105th anniversary festivities happened on Labor Day weekend!

Yes, will be at GL that weekend and yes, will be toasting the end of summer with you.