Motorcycles

**Anton177** · September 9th, 2009

Well if things go to plan (hopefully, touch wood) then on Monday I'll be buying my first motorbike. Never ridden before and will be taking my required test the weekend after. I'm slightly anxious about buying the bike (since I'd love to get it) and the thought of not riding before... but I am also beside myself. I can't wait!

Anyone else here own or enjoy the old steel horses?

**ponygirl01** · September 10th, 2009

yes. mu hubbie ownes a BMW K1200 GT (2007). We love to ride together. HAve taken trips fro 15 hours before. Sore hinny afterwards but sooooo worth it. nothing like it. (the ride not the sore hinnin)

**Sugar Marie** · September 10th, 2009

Good for you! Riding a bike is happiness to the nth degree! I'm sure that you will have it drummed into your head to watch out for other drivers - take it to heart. People don't seem to see cycles. Have a blast, man

**CorbinKale** · September 10th, 2009

Counter steering. Most important thing to know!

Push the left grip to steer left, and the right to steer right. It is counter-intuitive, but that is the only way to steer at high speed. Using the gyroscopic force of the the front wheel to lay the bike to one side makes the bike track through the turn on the side of the tires.

At low speeds, like in town, you will be able to shift your weight around to get your steering done, but if you try that on a highway turn at 70mph, you will shoot off the turn and crash.

Try it at slow speeds in a parking lot, first. Once you get it in your head, you will abandon the weight-shifting method of steering and use counter steering the whole time. Good luck!

**PatInTheHat** · September 11th, 2009

I have a dually 'cycle, I call it a Chevy P-30

.
I like all that metal riding on top of ten ply, eight lug, 17.5 inch tires.

I did have at one time, a '76 Sportster I bought as a basket case in a dozen boxes, and a 650 '67 Triumph Bonneville (like Steve McQueen's

..but not quite as pretty), that was just a screamer.

I got the Harley up & running, but then I got too decent of an offer not to sell it, before I really got a chance to cruise anywhere good.
The Bonneville was nothing but raw bike, and it almost got me killed...well, I almost got myself killed.
Going much too fast, literally "skipping" over bumps in the road, I moved my front wheel a little, and when I came down, it flayed and I layed it down to the peg...yeah, I know!
I did somehow get it back up, with really nothing more than the ankle gone on my boot...and I might have smelled a little

.
Forget that "gotta get back on the horse" crap, what a load, at least for me...I've done that with real whinnying (and hee hawin') ones, and those were all bad ideas, so I gotta figure, I may have made the right choice...for once

.

Every now and a again, I get an urge...then I slam a body part in a door jam and get over it

.
What can I say, I'm just a truck kinda guy, but have a blast and don't be a moron like me, and scare yourself stupid(er) pegging the speedo.
Enjoy the ride bro!

**Anton177** · September 11th, 2009

Yep Korbin, taking a test on Saturday that is compulsory that tells you all the basics and shows you what you need to do to be able to ride on the roads. Hope I pass considering I haven't ridden before.

I've got all my gear now, too... and it's great stuff. Unfortunately purchased from my father's work mate since his friend got killed on a bike - put him off and wanted to sell most of his stuff... hope the karma and bad luck doesn't pass on. Chuffed though, great stuff, just hoping to buy the bike on Monday, pass the service on Tuesday and take the test Saturday - then I'm off! Look out, world!

**michal** · September 14th, 2009

Big congrats! I LOVE my green Italian Piaggio and the feeling of freedom it gives me. I can finally admit: I an a terrible car driver (I can just see my four chauvinist brothers nod in enthusiastic agreement, but my apologies to my gender: I am horrible) but a fantastic two-wheeler. I handle myself with class and have had an amazing time riding it comes rain comes shine.

**Bizzie** · September 14th, 2009

My lovely fella has a Suzuki GSXR 1000 (did I say that right ???? dunno, we just refer to it as 'the gixer' )

I'm not a bikey sorta gal, much prefer to sit in a nice comfy warm car and listen to the stereo as I cruise along

I get sooooo terrified when my fella is out on his bike, he's a great rider but like I always say, "it's not you, it's all the other stoopids out there that just don't see you" !!!!

Just want to say to you (like I always tell my fella), don't ever trust you know what the other road users are going to do... anticipate they are stupid and you won't be disappointed, and always believe they haven't seen you... even when they flash you to go !!!

Stay safe and have fun xxx