Becoming a Biker, Part 2: Learning to handle the new Harley

Union Leader ^ | June 9 2002 | JEANNE MORRIS

[backhoe]

I haven't ridden since 1987, when I sold my last bike to the guy who helped me remodel the house we're now in... before that, I always had a big street bike. I was wondering, and hoping to see, if the things I had been taught by older riders- like always applying the back brake first- had changed.

[Greeklawyer]

bump for later reading.

[pt17]

I almost feel sorry for these new riders who buy a powerful bike before they learn to ride. Back in the old days (I am dating myself here) we learned to ride two-wheeled things with motors at the same time we learned to ride bicycles. Putting a kit motor on your Schwinn or or getting a Whizzer was du rigeur as well as a worthy goal and important step toward manhood/womanhood. After some number of the inevitable low velocity, lower risk accidents, you either became a better rider or (on parents orders) you left the field to those who did. As a result, moving up through the displacements and out into the world provided you with a more gradual learning process - one that would give common sense a chance to overcome your stupid genes.

[2Trievers]

"one that would give common sense a chance to overcome your stupid genes."

I'm glad you survived your stupid genes ... but don't you wish your jeans fit as well as they did when you were 17? LOL &;-)

[pt17]

I'm glad you survived your stupid genes ... but don't you wish your jeans fit as well as they did when you were 17? LOL &;-)

Well, I haven't quite survived all my stupid genes yet (no motorcycle accidents, though); however, I can still fit into my jeans, thank you. :-)

[2Trievers]

[Walkin Man]

This thing might kill me.

Nah, what you really, really, really, need to be worried about are the people driving the cages that don't even see you at all! You need to practice defensive driving and be well aware at all times of what is going on around you. Daydreaming on a bike can get you killed. Have fun with the wind in your hair and the bugs in your teeth! (c;

[sleavelessinseattle]

Hard to tell, but I'm betting bubblegum flavored lip gloss...What a catch! Hubba Hubba...Wonder what She's caught....

[pt17]

RE: Post 7.

The bad thing about learning to ride at a very early age is that you have no appreciation for such things. The bad thing about post-pubescent riding is that seeing such things on motorcycles can be so distracting as to permanently end your riding career. The bad thing about riding in your golden age years and seeing such things on motorcycles is that you know you should be interested but can't remember why. :-)

[mhking]

bump for later reading/archiving

[FreedomPoster]

Raced dirt bikes (motocross, hare scrambles) in H.S., worked in the local motorcycle shop as the junior grease monkey. I was the guy who went out in the shop truck and, after the ambulance had left, picked up the bent, broken street bike and shoveled it into the back of the truck. 9/10 times, car had turned left in front of the the motorcycle, or something similar.

Other than test drives on bikes I was repairing (quiet roads, pretty much no traffic), I stuck with dirt bikes. The trees don't up and jump in front of you.

[pt17]

The trees don't up and jump in front of you

They sure don't, which is why street survival demands you assume nobody can see you. That's been one of the reasons why I have 45 plus years of accident-free riding.

[backhoe]

and people didn't try to kill you

That's really why I quit riding.... I rode steadily up to 1974, and went on a hiatus until 1982, and I saw a big jump in careless drivers between those times. It may just be due to the much greater numbers of cars on the roads, but it really did seem like every other car was driven by a homicidal maniac with my name on his mind...

[BraveMan]

Some friendly words of advice from someone who has gone down hard . . .

1.     In a panic situation, 90% of your available braking will be via the front brake (think weight transfer). Get intimately familiar with using the front brake; in corners, on gravel, everywhere . . .

2.     When you ride, convince yourself that you're invisible; at the worst possible moment, you will be invisible to someone out there . . .

Ride safe so you can come join the party next year!

[harpu]

"...my shiny new purchase, an 883 Harley-Davidson Sportster."

There's an old, tired but true saying in the world of scooter jocks that goes like this;

"the only real difference between a good case of VD and a Sportster is...that IF you really had to - you could probably find a way to get rid of your VD!"

FWIW - Sportys make an OK - second scoot but they're a piss poor, first ride for a newbie.

[Rockiesrider]

New rider and powerful bike? An 883 Sportster is a girl,s MC. No self respecting Harley rider would be caught dead on a Sportster. Although they do rank above any riceburner out there. And no jokes about "what's the difference between a Harley rider and a Hoover vaccuum cleaner?...The position of the dirt bag.

[leadpenny]

Brings back a lot of memories. I got my new 91 Low Rider exactly eleven years ago. Had never ridden. It is still the most fun you can have with your clothes on. I compare it to flying a Huey in Nam and potentially as unforgiving.

[BraveMan]

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