Motorcycles

[OldandSlow]

I know that SloOld has been off riding motorcycles with friends in Oregon (I think). I am hoping that he will have some photos and maybe a report when he returns.

I was just wondering who else rides regularly. I think I remember Old having a Honda Shadow 1100. I have a Suzuki DL 650 (V-Strom) that is supposed to be a dual-sport but I pretty much stay on pavement. I have put over 59000 miles on it since December of 04. My wife rides a Piaggio MP3-500 scooter.

I am active on a mainly-Texas web site called Two Wheeled Texans (http://www.twtex.com/). We are a very diverse group with cruisers, sport bikes, sport tourers, dual sports, and scooters riden by folks. My screenname on the site is Gilk51.

A group of us put together a slide show to the Brian Burns song "I've Been Everywhere (in Texas)" back in 2007. It was on YouTube for a while and even linked from the Ride Texas magazine site, put it got pulled. I have a PC executable version here (http://www.texasarlingtoncs.us/pics/mc/photo_contests/everywheretexas/everywheretexas2007credits.exe) (23 megabytes) but is better resolution than YouTube. I have a couple of other videos on YouTube - you gals might want to check out "Dads and Daughters" - search for Gilk51.

Just some side fun...

[Reptile]

I know that SloOld has been off riding motorcycles with friends in Oregon (I think). I am hoping that he will have some photos and maybe a report when he returns.

I was just wondering who else rides regularly. I think I remember Old having a Honda Shadow 1100. I have a Suzuki DL 650 (V-Strom) that is supposed to be a dual-sport but I pretty much stay on pavement. I have put over 59000 miles on it since December of 04. My wife rides a Piaggio MP3-500 scooter.

I am active on a mainly-Texas web site called Two Wheeled Texans (http://www.twtex.com/). We are a very diverse group with cruisers, sport bikes, sport tourers, dual sports, and scooters riden by folks. My screenname on the site is Gilk51.

A group of us put together a slide show to the Brian Burns song "I've Been Everywhere (in Texas)" back in 2007. It was on YouTube for a while and even linked from the Ride Texas magazine site, put it got pulled. I have a PC executable version here (http://www.texasarlingtoncs.us/pics/mc/photo_contests/everywheretexas/everywheretexas2007credits.exe) (23 megabytes) but is better resolution than YouTube. I have a couple of other videos on YouTube - you gals might want to check out "Dads and Daughters" - search for Gilk51.

Just some side fun...


I used to ride alot. I had an 06 GSX-R 1000. Sold it 2 years later. Never put it down and road it hard. BUT I took very good care of it. The dealership ended up buying it back with around 20,000 miles. Good times and some very scary times. I tell ya, driving bikes in South Florida is fun but more often then not crazy! I must of had atleast 1 close call per ride! 99.9 % of those close calls was when I was driving the speed limit obeying the law! I'd love to get another bike but I'll probably have to go off road or move north lol!

John

[Trigger]

i like riding the back of a motorcycle...preferably a harley :D I'd never learn how to operate one...I'd rather let the guy eat the bugs first :p and plus I kinda get allergies where my eyes water and stuff so the back is just fine for me!

[SloOldVet]

Nice thread, good subject Old.

The second week of August, my best Bud and I are doing a California trip for 5 days.

For the record, I ride a 2005 Honda 1100 Shadow Spirit and my Bud rides a 2004 1600 GoldWing. Couldn't have a friend better than him. Been friends since 1964. A Wounded (decorated) Vietnam Vet (9th Infantry) as are most of my friends from that era of madness. He is an ultra, ultra kool dude. I feel honored to have him as a friend.

I'd lay down my life for him in a instant.

He lives in Medford, OR (my future home) and I'll ride up Intersate 5 and meet him in Sacramento, CA - the garbage can of California.

From there we’re heading NE to Mt.Lassen and down through the backroads at the crest of the Sierra Nevada's and overnight in Lake Tahoe. (All over 9,000 ft of altitude) Down US 395 to Lee Vining (Mono Lake), CA and then taking Tioga Pass into Yosemite, a quick run through Yosemite Valley and then down to Sequoia NP, ending up in Three Rivers, CA at the base of Sequoia, where my buddy and I spent our summers in the middle & late 1960's. A large stream ran through the property and had a great swimming hole you could dive into. A teenagers dream.........

He'll head back to Medford and I'll return to "El Lay" or as our mayor pronounces it - "Al Lay" I'll have pictures to post in this thread. God's Country is where we're going.

We usually do about 3000 miles in 7 days (Grand Tetons/Yellowstone) or the 4000 mile trip to the north end of the Canadian Rockies we did last year. But with the economy the way it is and our politicians lying like dogs, we're staying close to home.

Motorcycle riding is almost as good as sex, well not quite, but less demanding when the "ride" is completed.

I can't wait!! They say "Death" rides aboard a white horse while I say 'Life" lives on a bike @70 mph and nothing but open road ahead as you ride through the trees. Hopefully many side road to explore. Thats where the gems are hidden.

Now to climb aboard my trusty steed.

Again, Good one Old.
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Slo/Skip/Old#2

[SloOldVet]

i like riding the back of a motorcycle...preferably a harley :D I'd never learn how to operate one...I'd rather let the guy eat the bugs first :p and plus I kinda get allergies where my eyes water and stuff so the back is just fine for me!


Ah, Trigger, a few bugs never hurt anyone. Good protein. Its the bees/wasps that stings you at the moment of impact or get inside your shirt that is of greater concern.

You might like riding on the back of my Honda, much more comfortable than the Harley.

We had a smart butt Harley ridin' friend who wanted to go to Canada with us. He was warned but started off with us anyways. I remember him saying "You Honda guys are sissies, true men ride Harleys". Hehe

We rode only 400 miles the first day and around 600 the second, and he threw in the towel. He was beat to death and the outside temp was 105+ so he waved good bye the next am and rode back to Klamath Falls, OR. and we went on to do another 3100 miles to complete the most beautiful trip I have ever been on. And on a motorcycle - it doesn't get better than that.

Being on a motorcycle, of any kind, beats any other form of transportation except flying. I just loved morning flights when I "Crewed" an Army UH-1D helicopter back in 69-70". Just sitting in the doorway, inflight, with the cool wind rushing by, looking out at our beautiful country is simply the greatest.

I brings to mind the song by The Eagles - "Peaceful Easy Feeling"

Ahh, the olden days............

I shall report back, with pic's on my trip to God's Country.

Slo

[OldandSlow]

We have our monthly "Pie Run" this weekend - it is basically just an excuse to go ride somewhere, eat with other like-minded folk, and ride home. This one is near Corpus Christi and is too far for a down-back in one day, so I am overnighting on Friday and returning on Saturday. It is 400 miles one-way the short way buuuuut...

I have another project - visiting all of the courthouses in Texas' 254 counties and getting a picture with the MC. My route runs thru several I need, so it ends up about 480 miles down, 430 back.

The wife ain't going - it's too hot for her. It may be too hot for me! :eek: Weatherman says it should not hit 100 until Saturday...

My '04 Suzuki DL-650 "Wee-Strom" is getting a little buzzy, so I will probably do some serious maintenance when I get back - it is just short of 60000 miles right now.

Wish I was out west where Old is - the riding and scenery in California is terrific. I've been to several of the places he mentioned but in a car or VW campmobile. A group of Texas riders just got back from Yosemite & had some excellent pictures!

Ride on.