Do you ride?

[Virginia]

As some of you know I have a Honda, VTX 1800S. Living out here on this mountain and having a very steep - GRAVEL driveway, well, 700 pound street bikes and steep, gravel driveways just don't really get along. Going up is not that big a deal if you are careful. Going down?! Well that is a two edge sword. I did and it did and for quite a while it just lay in the ditch along side the driveway.

I have now built a ramp out of paving stones and a bit of concrete (SL's idea! what a cutie she is and smart too!!!) at the bottom of my drive, where there is a raised flat area where I can park the bike. The "main" road at the bottom of the driveway is packed gravel for about a mile or so in either direction. Yesterday, my first attempt at going down the ramp, was equivalent to being perched at the top of a roller coaster drop. I MADE IT!!!! I even got home OK and up the ramp! Turning around in the grass to face the ramp again is a bit tricky, but so far so good!

And the adventures continue. I swear all the little birdies were holding their collective breaths yesterday as I negotiated the ramp. I know exactly what they were thinking, "If he goes down, who is going to fill up our feeders!?" Then one wise crow reminded them that SL usually takes care of that task anyway, so they all seem quite content now!

Keep the shiny side up, ladies!

Virginia

[DonnaT]

Do you ride?

Nah, I take the subway!

[April Rose]

If memory serves, this is the first year since 1976 that I have not even one motorcycle. I've owned 18 different models since 1969,from five different countries. When I got bit by the bug I got bit hard. In the early seventies I was a serious amateur dirt racer, spending every nickel I had on it, even rebuilding my own engines. I have a gazillion stories, but I'll spare you.

It's great fun, but definitely not a lazy persons hobby.

So, when you were up on that big bike, looking down on that high skinny ramp, were you thinking about the aircraft carriers?

[Carol Ann]

Sorry only ride high enough to jump out, a person can get hurt on a bike

[Anita]

Virginia, I made one of those big life-changing decisions at age 15. I had $200 in savings, from baling hay in the summer. That was enough money to do one of two things:

1) Buy a new trumpet, and stop playing the old cornet that I was using through junior high, or

2) Buy a Honda 50, a scooter if I remember right.

I chose the trumpet, and went on to musical fame and fortune, of course.


But...if I'd have bought that little Honda, I would have gotten hooked on bikes, probably. Both of my brothers rode them, at times in their lives. Not really interested in trying to learn to ride at this ripe old age. I hear that broken bones don't heal quite as quickly when you're past, oh, 40 or so.

[Virginia]

Well, "cat-shots" off a carrier - you have no control of the situation. All I would initially think about was "Gawd, I hope we get airborne!" If the cat messes up you hope you have enough speed to veer left or right, "punching out" in front of the boat - well those big things can't stop on a dime so you want to go out to either side or worse case come back and hit the deck. Uh, no the ramp was not like a cat-shot, now coming back and going up the ramp had some similarities as I was in control and I could as the old saying goes, "screw the pooch" which is low and slow and you slam a million dollar aircraft into the aft of the ship, kinda takes the fun out of the whole experience.

I have had several bikes in my life, but this one is awesome, like sitting on your living room sofa riding down the road. It is the first bike I have ever owned that you can be stopped at a light and actually look in your rearview mirror and read the license tag on the car behing you!

Ride on ladies -- my SL is home!!!!!!!!

Love you all!

Virginia

[Michelle Miller]

I had a couple of dirt bikes in my youth, a Honda CR 125 and a CR 250 when I outgrew the 125, but I never got brave enough to try a sportbike. My two idiot brothers did though, and one of them paid a good hard price a few years ago when a deer ran out in front of him and he laid it down.

[Bernice]

Virginia, that's not a bike. That's a Honda Civic minus two wheels! Does it not have windshield wipers and a reverse gear too?

Yes, I did the thing with a Honda VF750 Sabre, and have been to 120mph safely (still slower than a Piper Seneca at touchdown). But one day on the way to work in white shirt and tie, I was outrunning a state trooper at 100+ MPH on a two lane highway, after having passed a 30mph turtle in a 45 zone going 80. I decided I was getting too old for this.

Helmets definitely work, and are recommended! All of my three incidents occurred either stopped or at less than 5 mph. Must be something to that V sub S sub zero thing huh?

But I still have my CM400 (original owner), and would be riding it right now if it weren't for throttle cables rusted in place, and the recessed screw on the throttle control having a stripped-out head. I'm not one to take a hand drill and screw extractor to a moving target anymore, nor do I have the patience to make a Dremel-tool grinder slot. Super mechanic I am not.

Hugs,

Bernice

[Valerie]

Hi girls. Been a while since I have been on here, but I had a chance to surf and saw this post.

That's a big bike Virginia. But at least it is a Honda, . I have always rode Honda's and presently still have my pride, a 1982 CBX. When I bought it a long time ago, the previous owner suggested that the brake fluid be changed. But since all my previous bikes were low mileage, I didn't put much thought in it. But on my second ride home from work, the front brake started grabbing and since I wanted out of the traffic, I pulled off onto the berm, which was gravel. You can imagine now how a bike 6 cylinder street bike faired on gravel. A bent turn signal, a few scrapes and me with a broken elbow. I have since changed the fluid regularly and always maintained it to the best I can. Never want to go down again, . And always wear a helmet. Your head is not harder then the ground.

[Diannna]

I don't know how I missed this post Virginia. I to have an 1800 but the R model. I believe the only diff is you have spoke rims and I have the cast alloy rims. I chose the R because I hate cleaning spokes. Yes you are right, it is a beast ( 1800 cc = 110 ci at 100 HP ) The only Hardley that can touch me is the V-rod. But then it's a complete different bike. Mine is an 2002 and till this day has never given me much problems at all, save for tune up and tires and a set of fork seals and 2 sets of brakes. Starts 1st time, every time. Yes you are correct again. It does not like gravel or sand at all. Be safe girlfriend.

[London]

Hey girlie riders. I ride an old 87 Yamaha Virago 1100. Everything on it is chrome; gas tank, fenders, side covers. My partner rides a 600 Honda Shadow.

We are both newbie riders, so not only have we discovered my CD nature in the last 2 years but also the freedom of the open roads. We have some lovely country to ride in just west of Toronto.

What do you ride in? Probably like me you like your leathers with frillies underneath. Real biker stuff. Ha ha! If only they knew!

Ride on sisters.

London

[Tracy W]

I started riding dirtbikes when I was 5.

Raced motocross up to 2004.


Now I just ride my horse!

[DonnaT]

Raced motocross up to 20004.

Planning on a long life then?

[Bernice]

Ah yes, but have you ever ridden En Femme?

Yes, I did, once. No, not a square-dress, just some polyester stretch slacks and whatnot, and no makeup. Took forever to comb out the wig though!; and as I recall it wanted to stay in the helmet when I took the helmet off.

Hugs,

Bernice

[Grace]

I used to ride in my high school and college days. I stopped in '71 for the longest time, but got an old Honda CL350 about 3 years ago. The head finally gave out, so I upgraded to a Honda VT600 (Shadow). Nice bike.

Grace